Cunning Fish of the Forest - Chapter 7

Araneth Priam Ludig had finally lost her composure. There were rumors that my protest to the adults was for my disdain for my fiance. I knew exactly where the source of these half-joking rumors within the castle originated.

How must I have appeared, rummaging through the castle to search for something I enjoyed?

I was caught trying to steal molten iron at the outer forge, nearly crushed under a barrel of liquor while retrieving a pickled pig’s leg from the kitchen, and when I tried my hand at embroidery, my family mistook the flowers I embroidered for white chickens.

My mother, planning to hire a new tutor in about two months, granted me a grace period. However, she insisted I stay indoors to prevent my skin from tanning and warned that climbing the fence just one more time would result in a lifetime ban from going out.

It seemed they wanted to reform me in time for our guests’ arrival.

I cunningly found loopholes in my mother’s orders.

Holding my embroidery frame, I’d sit in the corridor on the first floor and, around the maids’ mealtime, sneak out through an open window. Then, I’d set foot on the narrow path leading to the stables, pretending it was just a stroll.

The maids, having lost track of me, wouldn’t report a minor outing to my mother. Unless she made a surprise visit in the afternoon, these brief excursions remained a well-kept secret.

Today, as soon as the maids began their lunch, I unlatched the chilly bolt and opened the window. An unexpected noise from the passageway, stirred by the wind, captured my attention.

The stable boys were pretending to sword fight with brooms on my walking path. My usually reserved lips quickly parted.

“Hey.”

The boys, who were busy blocking and striking each other without a clear winner, looked up in surprise. Normally, I’d avoid speaking to boys as if they were pests—that too had a tearful reason behind it. It wasn’t by choice. If adults noticed me freely mingling with boys, it was they who would get scolded.

“Yes? Did you call us, miss?”

“Can you help me?”

Today, there are only naive boys and narrow back alleys. The absence of watchful eyes means anything goes.

I was stuck halfway through the window I chose to get out to. Using a larger window would mean passing by the maids’ dining room, which has its own complications. Today, with help at hand, escape should be easier.

Stretching out my arms, the two boys hesitantly approached.

“Help me out.”

I looked at them like asking what they were doing instead of helping, so the boys set aside their brooms.

“Miss, if a maid comes by…”

“It doesn’t matter. Instead of talking, pull!”

The boys, each holding an arm, yanked me free. As I struggled, I felt like my stuck body was sliding out smoothly, so I shook my legs hard. After passing the most difficult section, one of the boys stumbled backwards.

“Miss!”

I fell as he pulled my arm, so I thought I wouldn’t be safe either. I thought I was doomed to hit my head, but something caught me in that critical moment.

“Are, are you okay?”

The face of the boy who quickly lay down to cushion my fall caught my eye. Despite my lack of kindness, he had risked himself to save me, his eyes round and cute as a button.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Having never really spoken to a boy my age, I was unsure how to express my gratitude. The boy who helped me pulled down his rolled-up sleeve, covering a dirty elbow. There were two of them; one was thin, and the other bigger. They were likely friends among the stable keeper’s children.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

I pointed at the other boy, who was retrieving his broom, somewhat abruptly.

“What were you doing with that?”

“Uh… it’s, uh…”

The plumper boy stuttered as his face blushed. Meanwhile, the thinner boy inserted himself smoothly into our conversation.

“It’s just a simple game of boys fighting, miss.”

“How do you play?”

“One attacks, and the other defends. Then we switch roles when we get bored.”