The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 46

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I should have protected you better.”

 

“No, Lisetta. You fulfilled your duty. You protected your master’s life.”

 

Frederick placed a hand on Lisetta’s shoulder as she bowed her head deeply.

 

“Rather, I should say you did well. You must have overexerted yourself too—go inside and get some rest.”

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

Lisetta trudged away. Frederick stood by the door, waiting for the physician to come out.

 

“Grace…”

 

When he first heard that she had returned unconscious, he thought his heart would stop.

 

He had only been able to breathe again when the next report confirmed her life wasn’t in danger. Still, now that he was here, he was desperate to open the door and check her condition immediately.

 

“……”

 

A dark shadow deepened across Frederick’s face as he stared at the door.

 

 

Grace was startled when she opened her eyes.

 

“Where… am I?”

 

She was lying alone on unfamiliar ground. She had no idea where she was.

 

“Annie… Rena… Sally?”

 

She called the names of her usual maids, but no one answered. Perhaps she wasn’t in the ducal estate anymore. There was no place like this anywhere near the grounds.

 

‘Let me think. My last memory…’

 

She tried to recall what happened. What was she doing before she collapsed? Right. She had gone into the forest with Lisetta to sketch, and then they were attacked by strangers.

 

“Ah, Lisetta!”

 

The name suddenly came to mind, but Lisetta wasn’t there either.

 

“The fox… where is it?”

 

What happened to the fox that took the attack meant for her? There had been a lot of blood… Was it okay?

 

She slowly sat up and began to look around. There was nothing nearby—just emptiness and a wide blue sky without sun or clouds.

 

“What’s that sound?”

 

Suddenly, a strange noise echoed in the air. It sounded like something was gushing out rapidly. As if entranced, Grace walked toward the source of the sound.

 

“A spring…?”

 

As she walked, she spotted something that looked like a spring filled with water. Curious, she approached it.

 

“Huh…?”

 

Suddenly, a pillar of water burst upward from the spring. Startled, Grace stumbled back a few steps.

 

The water shot so high it seemed like it might crash down on her at any moment.

 

‘I have to get out of the way!’

 

Just as her instincts kicked in, a breeze from somewhere swept through, tossing her hair. As she turned her head reflexively, what she saw behind her made her freeze in horror.

 

A massive fire was blazing along the path she had come from, though she didn’t know when or how it started. The flames were so big, it was impossible to find a way through.

 

‘W-what is that!’

 

Panicked, Grace spun around.

 

The wind seemed to feed the flames, growing fiercer and wider. Meanwhile, the water that had risen into the air was now crashing down and surging toward her.

 

Water on one side, fire on the other. And the wind was urging them both forward.

 

“Help! Please, someone help me!”

 

Grace cried out desperately. But no one was there to save her. As she stumbled around looking for an escape, she twisted her ankle and fell.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Lying face down on the ground, she could feel both the flood and fire bearing down on her. This is it, she thought. I’m going to die. She shut her eyes tightly and braced for the pain to come.

 

“…Ha.”

 

“Are you awake?”

 

A familiar voice suddenly broke through, and Grace turned her head. Frederick was looking down at her.

 

“Frederick…?”

 

“You finally woke up. You’ve been unconscious for three days.”

 

Grace looked around. It was her bedroom. Was everything that just happened… a dream? That vivid, surreal scene with water, fire, wind, and earth all at once—was it only a dream?

 

“I…”

 

She slowly tried to sit up. She opened her mouth to say something, but her throat was so dry that no sound came out properly.

 

“You should drink some water first.”

 

Frederick pulled the cord by the bed, and a bell rang.

 

“Your Grace, you called—Milady!”

 

“Shh.”

 

Annie entered and shouted in surprise when she saw Grace sitting up. Frederick held a finger to his lips.

 

“Grace needs to rest, so be quiet.”

 

“Ah, I’m sorry, Your Grace. Is there anything I can do…?”

 

“Bring some water. And tell the kitchen to prepare some soup. Make it light.”

 

“Y-yes! Right away!”

 

Annie bowed repeatedly, her face lit with a mix of worry and relief as she hurried out. Grace could read the emotions clearly—Annie was genuinely happy that she had woken up.

 

‘Three days… unconscious.’

 

Even though she was told how much time had passed, it didn’t feel real. Grace looked at Frederick’s face. He had deep shadows under his eyes. His usually smooth, pale skin looked dry and tired.

 

‘Has he… been here this whole time?’

 

She wondered if he had stayed by her side the entire time she was asleep. Outside, the sun was high. This should’ve been when Frederick was busiest with work.

 

“Water and soup, Your Grace.”

 

A short while later, Annie returned with a tray. Frederick took it and handed Grace the cup.

 

The cool water slid down her throat and began to soothe her parched voice. She put down the cup and took the spoon and soup bowl he offered.

 

“It may be a bit bland, but you haven’t eaten in days, so you need to take it slow.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Grace took a spoonful and brought it to her lips. The warm, savory taste spread gently in her mouth.

 

As Frederick had said, it wasn’t strong or flavorful, but it was comforting and easy to digest after an empty stomach.

 

“Lisetta… is she safe?”

 

About halfway through the soup, Lisetta crossed her mind. Worry belatedly crept in—was she hurt while protecting her?

 

“Lisetta’s fine. You should worry about yourself. Oh, she’s been asking if you’ve woken up yet. I should let her know.”

 

“I see…”

 

Grace’s last memory flashed before her eyes. Lisetta fighting off the attackers, the fox struck by a crossbow bolt, blood pouring out…

 

“Frederick. The fox…”

 

Her throat tightened. She set the soup bowl down.

 

“Lisetta told me it died.”

 

“……”

 

“It took the attack meant for you. You could have been seriously hurt or killed.”

 

Tears welled up in Grace’s eyes.

 

She had spent months with that fox, growing deeply attached. It would snuggle into her arms, follow her with its tiny legs during walks—such a lovable companion. It had always been part of her daily life, and now… she couldn’t accept that it was gone.

 

“Sob…”

 

Tears streamed down her cheeks. She would never see the fox again. Never feel its warmth.

 

Frederick watched her silently, not saying anything comforting or sympathetic. But by letting her cry freely, he was doing the best he could.

 

“What happened to… the fox’s body?”

 

“Lisetta was in too much of a hurry to bring you back. She didn’t have time to recover it.”

 

“Oh…”

 

She wished they could’ve buried it properly. But she couldn’t blame Lisetta. She was the one who had saved her and brought her back safely.

 

“You should finish your soup.”

 

“……”

 

“I understand if you don’t have much appetite, but it’s been three days.”

 

Grace picked up the spoon again. She knew Frederick said it out of concern, so she made an effort to eat.

 

“Focus on recovering first.”

 

“Okay… Please don’t worry too much.”

 

“It’s hard not to worry. So don’t make me.”

 

His tone was gruff, but it almost sounded like he was pouting. Grace widened her eyes and looked at him.

 

“I’ve got work to do, so I’ll head out. Get some rest.”

 

What do you mean “don’t make me”? She wanted to ask, but before she could, Frederick had already left, saying he had things to do. Left alone, Grace tilted her head in confusion.