Karina’s Last Days

Chapter 10

“I don't know. Is winter such a big problem?”

Milian was quiet for a moment before he gave Karina a sideways glance and explained, “You came just as we were closing the gates. People don't come to the northern estate during the winter unless they have a good reason. Not even merchants come. That’s why the estate needs to prepare and stock up for the winter right now.”

Although he still looked disgusted with her, he explained the situation in surprising detail. He found himself feeling better seeing that Karina was paying attention. “Then, in the middle of the winter, we try to kill the demonic monsters. Most of my people are natural-born hunters—it only takes three or four villagers to take out a decent-sized beast.”

“Wow…” Karina was genuinely impressed. The count’s estate where she had grown up was very peaceful and there were certainly no wars. It offered beautiful nature scenery and delicious fruits throughout the harvest season.

Milian felt a little smug upon hearing Karina’s genuine exclamation. This estate was all but a barren land before the previous duke and Milian himself had worked hard to make it prosperous. He and his people felt great pride and attachment to the property—so much so that a third of the men and women would apply to join the hunt for the demonic monsters each winter.

“Anyhow, the gate closed behind you. You wouldn’t have made it in if you’d arrived even a tiny bit later. Battling the demonic monsters is difficult, so never ever go outside the estate.”

Karina answered meekly, “I don’t have any business outside anyway.”

Milian looked at her dubiously but nodded.

I feel a little dizzy. She wrapped her hand around her forehead and stood up. She felt colder, but she couldn’t tell if it was because she was tired or because of the fever that the doctor had warned her about. “I would like to retire to my room and rest. May I head to the annex straight away?”

“If that is comfortable for you, do as you wish.”

“Thank you for welcoming my abrupt visit and allowing me to stay.”

Milian saw an opening. “I never welcomed you. I couldn’t force you out even if I wanted to. If you go back, you’ll face winter. The demonic monsters grow more aggressive around this time of the year.” He couldn’t throw her out until the snow melted and the warmth of late spring approached.

Karina stood up, answering lightly, “Nonetheless.”

He smiled softly as he looked at the teacup she hadn’t even taken a sip of. “Fang, show her the way.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Karina was ready to leave. Before leaving, she expressed her regret. “I am sorry, though. For imposing myself on you.”

Milian looked taken aback by the sudden apology. Karina thought that they would never meet again unless he had business in the annex. The two buildings were not too far apart but also not close enough for people living there to run into each other.

Following Fang, Karina left the room.

“I’ll need at least an hour to prepare the annex. Is there anything you need in particular?” asked Fang.

“I don’t need a maid or a servant and I can dine alone. So just stock the kitchen for me, please.”

“But...”

“The duke himself said that it is safe inside the estate walls. So I assume the annex to be even safer. If anything…” Karina’s voice lowered as she followed Fang. The smile she had on her face slowly disappeared. “...I came here because I needed time to think alone.”

“But it will be inconvenient only to have the bare minimum.”

“I will tell the duke if it becomes too much.”

Fang didn’t have anything else to say—Karina’s words were firm, so he accepted her orders. After letting her know he’d return when the house was ready, he left.

Karina sat down on the bed. “Am I feverish?” She raised her hand to feel her forehead and looked out the window. There were no pursuers following her from the count’s estate. Not that she wanted that to happen but...

“Is there anything going on at Count Leopold’s estate? You know, like, private soldiers leaving or something like that?”

“I’m not sure. It’s always a peaceful place. What’s the point of having soldiers on the road?”

“Ah! I did hear that they had a good harvest this year. It sounds like the food will be plentiful again. But why do you care about the count’s estate?”

“I don’t. I was just curious.”

Karina lay flat on the bed, thinking about the people who laughed at her questions about her home. It had been a fun trip nonetheless—she couldn’t remember anything more enjoyable in her life.

“I guess I have one good memory now.”

How many more can I make before I die? If she couldn’t live more than a year, she wanted all of her remaining days to be meaningful.

“I wonder what they thought about the letter.” Karina turned her head at the sudden thought. Perhaps her family thought it was nothing. She scoffed at the thought and closed her eyes, feeling a little hot. It seemed that her fever had come.

* * *

TWO MONTHS AGO

“Oh good god, my lord! Lady, Lady Karina is gone!”

The count was sitting in the high seat at the breakfast table. He furrowed his brows. The maid, who had busted into the room, took a deep breath, holding something in her hand. She saw the count’s frown and quickly apologized.

“Ah, my lord, pardon me for barging in without knocking.”

The count put down his silverware. The maid was now staring at the floor.

“Doesn't she often go out without saying a word? What made you rush over here like that?” the count asked.

The maid’s head dropped even more at the count’s angry words. She stuttered to speak. “It’s just… I don’t think my lady has just gone out like the other times.”

“Why not?”

“I went inside Lady Karina’s room to clean and found this note on her desk.”

The maid bowed and held out the small note she was holding. The count unfolded the small piece of paper. He gazed at it only briefly because it was just one sentence.

I am going on a journey.

The short sentence made it difficult to even start guessing why she had left. Seeing the count silent, the countess reached out and took the note from him. She stiffened after reading the single sentence.

“What does this mean? Why and where would she go out of the blue, without a word?” asked the count.

The maid replied, “I… I do not know, my lord. It is only this morning that I found this—”

Count Leopold rudely interrupted the maid. “When was the last time you saw Karina?”

The nervous maid tried to think hard. When was the last time she had seen Lady Karina? “Ah! About two days ago… I think I saw Lady Karina leave the house.”

“What about yesterday?”

“Yesterday...” The maid tried to concentrate, clenched and opened her fists, and desperately shook her head. No matter how hard she tried to remember, she couldn’t remember having seen Karina yesterday. She shook her head in resignation.

“I do not recall seeing lady Karina, My Lord.”

“What about the others?”

The maid looked flustered. “I do not know yet, My Lord.” Karina was not the most noticeable member of her family.

The count turned to Abelia and Feldon. “Did you see Karina yesterday?”

The twins looked at each other and shook their heads.

“I didn’t see her yesterday,” said Feldon.

“Me neither. I thought she went to the market again because she wasn’t in her room…” said Abelia.

Enphric would not know Karina’s whereabouts because he had returned home late in the morning from work.

Count Leopold looked down at the note again. There was no mention of where she was going, what she would be doing, or when she’d be back.