In the history of the royal hunting grounds, there had never been a bear incident since the founding of the country. Besides, it was a place where bears had never been seen in the first place. A bear.
As everyone started to express disbelief, Ariana approached them with a contemplative expression.
“You don’t look well… Is there anything wrong?”
Seeing the princess, who was soaked in sweat, Alex asked with a serious expression.
“That… I can’t see Lina anywhere.”
Bellige, who was already searching for Lina, froze at Ariana’s words.
“What do you mean Lina isn’t visible? What are you saying?”
“Dartmuth Viscountess Yeongae says Lina disappeared while going to get medicine bitten by a fox. According to the witness who saw Lina entering the forest, I asked if you had seen Lina. Even those who came out of the forest last said they didn’t see her.”
As Ariana continued speaking, Bellige’s face hardened rapidly.
“Bellige, don’t worry. For now, release the soldiers and go into the forest… Bellige!”
It was at that moment when Alex, trying to present a solution to the Duke with a calm face, was interrupted by numerous calls summoning him. Ignoring the shouts calling him, the Duke began to run toward the forest.
To find Lina, who might be wandering somewhere in the woods.
“Where on earth is this place?”
On the other hand, Lina, who entered the forest chasing a fox, had been wandering in the woods for several hours. Lina, who had already seen the same tree for the third time, exhaled heavily.
Although it was considered small since it was a forest attached to the palace, she felt pathetic for getting lost, not to mention losing her way to find the fox.
“I should go back quickly…”
She didn’t know exactly how much time had passed, but seeing that the forest had already darkened, it seemed like quite a long time since she entered this place. And more than anything.
“Why is my body so heavy…?”
Since a while ago, her body felt strangely heavy, as if she might catch a cold. Moreover, when she touched her forehead, it seemed like she was starting to have a fever.
Because of this, she felt a strong desire to return to the mansion as soon as possible and rest. However, in reality, her wish was easily ignored, and she sighed deeply once again.
“I have no choice but to wait until people come.”
She thought it would be better to stay still in one place rather than moving around, which could lead to a misunderstanding with those who were looking for her. Due to the gradually worsening condition of her body, she, who found it difficult to use magic, couldn’t even walk easily, so she found a suitable place and sat down with a thud.
In the darkening forest, the rustling sound of the wind passed by her body. Feeling unnecessarily uneasy, Lina, who crouched down with her head buried in her knees, experienced the moment when she saw the bushes behind her move.
“What’s this?”
At first, she thought it might be a small animal like a rabbit, but considering the possibility of it being a person looking for her, Lina asked cautiously.
“Who… are you?”
“…….”
Perhaps it wasn’t a person. Disappointed that no answer came, Lina, who buried her head in her knees again, experienced the moment when she saw the bushes move again.
Rustle[Dash].
Once again, a presence was felt between the bushes.
And.
‘What is this…?’
Somehow, an ominous premonition began to creep in. A feeling as if something was staring at her.
In the presence of an unidentified being, Lina’s entire body stiffened.
And a moment later.
“…What?”
Why is it that the ominous premonition never avoids her?
As if mocking her earnest wish, a colossal presence upheaved the bushes, revealing itself.
“A bear…?”
Why.
Why on earth is there a bear here?
[At most, it’s a hunting ground where deer come out. It shouldn’t be dangerous.]The Duke had definitely said that. With her body frozen, Lina raised her trembling gaze to see the bear staring at her with its bright red eyes.
“But do bears naturally have red eye color?”
Bears are generally known to have golden or brown eyes, but red eyes? She had neither heard nor seen such a thing.
‘Something’s strange.’
The giant bear, as if intoxicated, drooled while staring only at Lina. It seemed as if its original target was none other than her.
‘Dangerous.’
While contemplating what to do, Lina was rolling her eyes. Before she could think of any coping strategy, the bear slowly began to approach her.
As the bear approached with grand gestures, Lina slowly stood up, trying to maintain a distance from the bear by taking a few steps backward.
Growl!
Despite being rendered ineffective due to the bear roaring as if its ears were being torn apart, Lina, who realized it was already too late to run away, looked at the bear with bright red eyes.
‘No way…!’
Realizing it was too late to escape, Lina closed her eyes tightly. Wishing for the pain to be brief.
Just as the bear was about to pounce on Lina.
Swoosh[Dash].
A sharp arrow flew and pierced through the bear’s neck.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
