The Crimson Throne - A Grimdark Tale

"Thank you," Elaine repeated the words, not knowing how else to express her gratitude. Those vicious beasts would have killed and torn her apart if Elias had not rescued her. She also thought about the birds. Why would those bird-like creatures help her? Did someone control them? And what happened to the portal creatures? They ceased their vile whispers after she killed that grotesque monster. No matter how long Elaine pondered, she could not fit the puzzle pieces together. I don't have time to figure this out right now. She pushed the bizarre events aside. Elaine currently had a more pressing matter to discuss with the male protagonist. "Sir d'Amboise, may I burden you with another question?"

"Go ahead, milady."

"My guard. When he descended the tomb, who else was with him?"

Elias arched a brow, studying her curiously. "Some volunteered soldiers and knights in training from the Croix, d'Amboise, and other houses," he replied.

"Were the d'Artois' soldiers among the volunteers?" she persisted, ignoring his inquisitive gaze.

"Yes."

"Do you recall their appearances?" Her fingers fidgeted, awaiting his answer. Elaine understood it was an unreasonable request. Why would Elias remember the looks of a couple of unknown soldiers? Still, she needed to find out.

The male protagonist stared into the distance as if replaying the scene in his mind. He then returned her expectant gaze. "I do not recall the specifics of their appearances." Before Elaine could sigh in disappointment, he continued, "But I considered two soldiers a bit out of place."

She leaned toward him. "Could you please elaborate?"

"They were smaller than the rest and seemed unfamiliar with handling their weapons. I assumed they were females since their statures were like Clara's. And though it was peculiar that the d'Artois chose them for this mission, I am not inclined to question another house's judgment."

"I see. Thank you, Sir d'Amboise." If Celeste is with Cecil, he may be fine. After all, she has healing ability and is the main character. And you rarely die when accompanying the story's favored child. Elaine's body relaxed.

"You should take some more rest, milady." Elias shifted his attention to the campfire, adding more wood to the dimming flames.

"Yes," Elaine complied. She stood up, and a chilly breeze swept past her. She shivered, crossing her arms and looking at the skies obscure by heavy foliage. The flurry had abated, yet sporadic snowflakes were still falling. Then something swung over Elaine's shoulders and covered her. She glanced down and saw it was Elias' cloak. The male protagonist was now standing before her, fastening its strings. His towering height made Elaine feel tiny. She stroked the fabric. It was soft and feathery, yet it successfully chased away the cold. A high-graded enchanted item, she noted. As expected of the heir to one of Étoile's three founding dukedoms, the Lévis Duke equipped the male protagonist with high-quality materials from head to toe.

"You don't need to do this. I am not that cold." Elaine attempted to release the strings and return the cloak, but Elias held her hands hostage, thwarting her plan.

"Lady Estella," he began, "do you remember the exchange during our first meeting?"

Which ones? They had shared many conversations since their first meeting, and she could not pinpoint the one he was alluding to. It was now Elaine's turn to give Elias a suspicious look.

The corner of his lips curled upward. "Milady is quick to forget. Let me remind you then." Elias tied the cloak into a complex knot, preventing Elaine from loosening it again. "Since I found you, Lady Estella. It is my responsibility for your well-being and safe return."

"Bu—"

"Now," he stepped back. "Please rest, milady. We have a long journey ahead."

"Fine," she resigned. Elaine did not want to owe him any more favors, yet she knew her protest was futile. Elias is right, she conceded. I am cold and tired. She returned to the makeshift tent and lay down, imagining the thin blanket under her as the comfortable mattress inside the Croix's manor. Elaine's lids drifted aimlessly for a few seconds, then finally surrendered to gravity.

The chirping birds and rustling footsteps woke Elaine from a dreamless slumber. Without the nightmare creatures disturbing her, she felt refreshed. She crawled out of the tent and wiped her eyes, gaping at the landscape. The snow blanket was gone, replacing the grayish background with lush greenery. The moist, fertile soil sprung many small trees and floras occupying the once barren ground. How could the forest change so drastically overnight? Elaine wondered in astonishment.

"Good, you are awake. Come and have some food, milady. We will depart soon." Elias sat by the extinguished fire, waiting for her. In front of him were several layers of leaves with fresh fruits and berries stacked on top.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Maybe five or six hours. As you can see, Lady Estella, time is a tough concept to master inside the Insidious Forest," he replied.

That long? I must be extremely exhausted.

She looked down at her tainted and tattered dress and dirt-covered body, feeling disgusted. Elaine wanted to take a bath. However, she could not detect a river or a stream nearby. Besides, given her previous experiences, who knew what other malignant monsters could hide under the deceptively innocuous water? In the end, she employed a cleaning spell on herself. Now that the male protagonist had become her travel companion, Elaine assumed that replenishing her mana would no longer be a problem.

After eliminating the dirt from her skin, Elaine nodded in satisfaction and strode toward Elias. She settled beside him and studied the food before her.

"Rest assured. The fruits are not poisonous." Then, as if perceiving her thoughts, he plucked a handful of berries and started eating.

"My apologies, Sir d'Amboise. I did not mean to doubt you." She picked a blue oval-shaped fruit and bit into it. It had a sweet, tangy taste. Like an orange, Elaine decided.

"No, milady. Skepticism is an excellent trait. You should not trust everyone and everything. Even what you see and hear with your own eyes and ears could all become a mirage one day."