Chapter 5

Aina recalled Olivia's message from earlier.

"So this is the plan. You need to leave your room during the day because the security is not as tight as at night, and there will be guests from a neighboring kingdom. They might add more security to the kingdom, but on the other hand, your security will loosen. The important thing is the first step in escaping—you must leave your room. I will make the guards faint."

"You can't go through the window because the guards who faint outside will be immediately noticed. You have to go through the room's door."

"Once you're out of the room, you can't leave through the main door. I will show you an exit route where no guards are patrolling."

****

Aina peeked out of her room's window. Two guards were standing watch beneath it since Aina's room was on the second floor.

Aina glanced at her hourglass; the last grain of sand had fallen, and the hourglass stopped, as the top section was empty.

'It's time to go,' she thought to herself. Aina only carried a cloth bag filled with clothes, money, and jewelry. She wore her simplest outfit and didn't put on any makeup. Her black hair was tied with a red ribbon that matched the small ribbon at the waist of her dress.

Aina slowly opened her door and peeked out. Once the door was fully open, she could see the guards lying unconscious on the floor, their heads bleeding. Aina's eyes widened in shock and fear.

"Hey, hurry up!" a whispering voice called to her.

At the sound, Aina quickly turned to see Olivia standing in the corridor, waving her hands urgently as a signal for Aina to follow. Aina ran out of her room, past the two unconscious guards, and toward Olivia.

"You knocked them out with force?" Aina asked softly.

The two women ran down the corridor. As they ran, Olivia replied, "What else could I do? Sleeping pills don't work on them. They're even immune to many poisons. Don't underestimate royal knights, and besides, don't you know that already?"

"I know that. I meant, did you manage to hurt them to make them faint?" Aina asked again, seeking confirmation.

Olivia nodded.

Aina held her breath.

'What is this? She could defeat two guards by herself?' Aina thought in disbelief.

"How did you do it?" Aina asked again.

"They were caught off guard because I pretended to be friendly while talking with them," Olivia slowed down and stopped next to a large window.

'Those knights are like monsters, and Olivia managed to fool and defeat two of them,' Aina thought. She didn't want to become enemies with Olivia. After all, this would be the last time they could see each other.

Olivia opened the large window and pointed outside. "There will be a carriage waiting for you on that road after you pass through the forest. Can you make it there alone?"

Aina nodded. She was ready to jump out of the window, and a soft breeze blew around her.

"Thank you, Lady Olivia," Aina said, looking at Olivia, who just waved her hand, signaling Aina to go.

Without waiting any longer, Aina jumped out of the window and fell freely from the second floor. As her feet neared the ground, the air around her thickened, cushioning her landing safely.

Aina let her hair ribbon come loose, and her long black hair flowed freely behind her.

She then ran into a forest of trees that weren't too dense.

As planned by Olivia, Aina didn't see any guards along the way. Olivia was incredible—Aina, who had lived in this residence for so long, was confused by how many guards there were since she had been chosen to be King Willise's concubine. Olivia, however, had managed to investigate in just two weeks of staying at the White residence.

But that was because Aina couldn't move as freely as Olivia could.

As Olivia closed the window and started walking away from the spot, a pair of legs approached the place where Aina had landed from the window. The owner of the legs picked up a ribbon that had fallen on the ground. The ribbon belonged to Aina.

****

Aina made it to the edge of the forest faster thanks to the wind helping her run quicker. When Aina reached the edge of the forest, she found a ten-meter-high fence surrounding the White residence.

Aina used her ability to make her body float, but as she almost reached the top of the tall fence, her strength weakened. It seemed that her energy had been drained from running.

She nearly fell if she hadn't grabbed the edge of the fence. Now, Aina was hanging from it. She looked down and shuddered, imagining falling from such a height. She could die instantly.

Aina took a deep breath.

In her mind, she thought, Even if I fall and might die, I would rather die outside the White residence.

That was how strongly she desired to leave and be free from the White family.

Aina started sweating, feeling her hands weakening and unable to support her body much longer. Her heart was pounding twice as fast now. Aina took a deep breath and, with all her strength, gathered her energy, making the wind push her to jump over the fence.

However, once she was on the other side of the fence, her body fell without the wind to cushion her.

Aina still tried to use her power, attempting to prevent the impact of her fall.

She cursed in her mind, I won't make it in time.

Even though Aina was gathering her energy, she wouldn't be able to save herself in time.

Just a split second before Aina hit the ground, a shadow accompanied by a strong gust of wind swooped in and caught her.

The wind was so strong that Aina had to close her eyes. She felt as though she was being pushed, but it prevented her from falling.

Slowly, Aina opened her eyes. What she saw made her eyes widen in shock.

Aina screamed hysterically, "Aaaaa...."

Along with her scream, the wind blew strongly, pushing the figure carrying Aina away.

As a result, Aina fell to the ground.

"Ugh, ow," Aina groaned in pain as she felt her bottom hit the ground.

"Lady, you still have that much strength, and yet instead of using it to save yourself, you attacked the one who just saved your life," the figure said as they approached her.

Despite the pain, Aina stared at the person who had spoken.

"You?!" Aina pointed at the person in shock. "How are you here?"

"Me?" The person pointed to themselves, smiled, and then replied, "I'm here because I was assigned by Lady Olivia."

"Olivia?" Aina asked in surprise.

"That's right. Next, I will take you to the carriage that has been waiting for your arrival. Come, Lady," the person said, bowing slightly to Aina.

Aina stared at the hand extended to her.

Hesitantly, Aina accepted the hand and was helped to her feet.

"I didn't expect Olivia to send you," Aina still didn't understand why Olivia would send this person.

Who exactly was the one who had just saved her?

****