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"No—no way!" I blurted out, clapping a hand over my mouth in horror. I nearly struck my own lips for their recklessness and hurried to fix the damage.
"M-my lord," I stammered, bowing quickly, "I truly believe my presence would be an inconvenience. I would only be a hindrance."
A hindrance was putting it kindly. Who in their right mind would think of something so shameless? Me—an ordinary servant—tagging along with noblemen on a hunt? I would be nothing but dead weight.
For a brief, foolish moment, I had even considered fleeing when I was discovered. That thought died instantly the moment a guard barked an order. The threat in his voice alone was enough to pin my feet to the soil.
As I stood there, dread curling in my stomach, recognition finally struck.
These men beside the Young Duke—I remembered them.
They were his only confidants. Perhaps even his only friends. The only ones with whom he could lower his guard. I had seen it once before, in my past lives, I recoiled a moment I was never meant to witness—Then.
The one who had suggested this madness was Lord Demir. The other, scowling as though my existence offended him, was Lord Frederick.
As for their households… best not to dwell on that.
They appeared simple at first glance—young nobles with titles—but no ordinary aristocrat walked beside the Young Duke with such familiarity.
Lord Frederick Lyas Howells, for one, might come across as an energetic, stubborn chatterer with too much confidence for his own good.
Yet his lineage was anything but ordinary. The Howells family had served the realm for generations as royal physicians—keepers of ancient medical manuscripts, innovators of surgical tools, and founders of healing academies that trained court doctors across the continent.
He was meant to inherit that legacy.
Instead, he dreamed of war—a soldier.
Ironically, in the future he would become one of the greatest physician-scientists of the era, credited with creating the first stabilized blood-binding serum—a breakthrough that would revolutionize battlefield medicine and save countless lives.
Then there was Demir Alok Menard.
His family stood close to the Duke of the Northern Border, their influence whispered about rather than spoken plainly.
Rumors from my past lives unveiled them as shadows within the underworld— suppliers of weapons and unseen hands guiding conflicts from behind velvet curtains.
It was Demir's family arsenal that later turned the tide of a decisive war. Even now, few truly knew where the Menards came from or how deep their roots ran.
These two men, once standing beside the Young Duke as equals, would one day be overshadowed by him entirely. His contributions to the coming war would eclipse even theirs.
War…
Shouldn't I be preparing to flee this country already?
I had endured this nightmare twice before. I could not bear to live through it a third time.
Without known reason, tears burned behind my eyes.
Why did it always have to be me?
"See what suits you."
The Young Duke's calm voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.
See what suits him?
Did that mean he agreed? Or that he simply did not care?
Either way, wasn't that still acceptance?
Oh no.
"I object," Lord Frederick said sharply. "Demir, this is ridiculous. How could a servant make suitable company? She'll only irritate us."
Yes—yes, exactly. Please. Cast me aside. I would gladly vanish from your sight if given the chance.
"What would you know, you dimwit," Demir replied lazily. "Hudson, move on."
And with that, he urged his horse forward. The Young Duke had already ridden ahead, as though the matter was settled.
Lord Frederick shot me a look of pure disdain before following them.
A guard stepped in behind me and motioned harshly for me to move. I clenched my jaw to stop myself from striking him. What was with this aggression?
I followed, walking beside the guards whose steps were measured and perfectly synchronized. I felt like a lost rabbit stumbling among trained hounds.
The nobles soon abandoned their playful hunting, riding onward while speaking of matters I had no intention—or permission—to overhear.
I grew restless.
What exactly did they need me for?
I was clearly nothing but an obstacle.
With a silent sigh, defeat settled in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to go home.
"You."
I blinked and pointed at myself. "Me?"
"Yes, you," Lord Frederick said impatiently. "You seem capable enough. Climb that tree and collect the bird eggs."
I stared at him, dumbfounded.
Eggs? For what purpose?
"Did you hear me?" he snapped, irritation etched across his face.
I jolted back to myself. "Y-yes, my lord!"
I hurried to the tree he indicated. Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, I prepared to climb—when another voice interrupted.
"Wait," Demir said. "Lord Frederick, don't you think that's excessive? Look at her size. And those bruises. Is she truly fit for such a task?"
My eyes nearly filled with tears.
Oh, Lord Demir. What a benevolent soul.
I clutched my chest dramatically, gazing at him as though he were a savior descended from the heavens.
Lord Frederick scoffed. "It's hardly anything. Isn't this part of her work? Servants are raised for such tasks."
Absolutely not. I had never even lived beyond the Westwond mansion walls.
Still… I glanced up at the tree.
Large, yes. But manageable.
Hmph. Who did Lord Frederick think I was?
Fine. I would show him.
"It's all right, my lord," I said firmly. "I can do it."
In an instant, I hovered my knees to remove my shoes and stockings, set them aside, and leapt upward in one swift motion.
Clinging to the trunk like a determined koala, slowly—I climbed steadily until I reached a thick branch.
I stood on top the branch for a brief rest.
The nest was just above me.
After resting briefly, I continued to climb higher, my skin sipped in sweats from the hassle.
But, soon eventually, I made it near the nest, my arm outstretched so carefully, piling eggs into my blouse pocket.
One egg.
Two.
Three.
Four.
They were small—harmless, I assumed. Certainly not from any dangerous creature.
Oh boy—I was wrong.
The mother appeared in a near flash—a small, ash-colored bird with sharp eyes.
Such a beautiful breed I have no obvious knowledge about.
Yet, despite her size, she was ferocious, diving at me with unwavering fury.
Everything happened at once. Like, all at once.
A point I got so distracted, with the aim to protect my precious head did I mistakenly slipped two eggs from my grasp and it shattered against the branch below.
The bird shrieked, so loud it arose the heads of other birds, then it attacked with renewed rage, pecking sharply at my forehead.
I cried out, both from shock and pain, losing my grip in the process of shielding my face.
And then…then I fell.
This is it.
If I live, I'll definitely never be able walk again.
My fall was fast paced, the world twirled and blurred and I let out a scream as the ground rushed toward me.
If not many seconds after the fall; yet the impact never came.
Instead, I felt arms close around me—strong and steady. Instinctively, I clung to the person, burying my face against their neck as my body trembled.
Gradually, the shaking stopped. When I realized there was no pain.
I opened my eyes slowly.
Everyone stood frozen in shock—except Demir, who looked thoroughly entertained.
Someone had caught me.
Who—
I lifted my gaze.
What…?
"Are you done staring," the Young Duke said coolly, looking down at me. "Now get down."
I apologize for the late update
Never again🫶🏻
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