If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 20
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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After pulling up the petticoat over the corset, they tightened the straps. The petticoat, designed to give volume to the dress, had wire frames inside, making it heavier than it appeared. Moreover, there were too many undergarments to put on for outdoor attire. Agatha’s forehead was covered in cold sweat.
Finally, as they dressed her in the gown, the preparation was complete. It was a relatively simple attire for meeting the imperial family, like a wrongdoer coming to ask for forgiveness, she couldn’t afford to dress extravagantly.
Her disheveled hair was quickly combed, and it was neatly braided. Compared to Stella, who would spare no expense using wire frames and starch to puff up her hair every time she went out, Agatha looked exceedingly plain.
After getting dressed, Agatha headed straight for the reception room where Stella would be having her tea. It was more like being dragged than walking voluntarily; her body was covered in wounds, making it almost impossible for her to walk properly.
It took about thirty minutes, just enough time for a cup of tea. It was the kind of time when Stella’s anger, which had been barely contained, could have erupted again if Agatha had come down even a little later.
Perhaps she had intended to summon Agatha, but when Stella saw Agatha entering the reception room, she waved off the servant who was about to ring the bell to announce her arrival.
“Lady Agatha has finished her preparations for the outing,” the chambermaid announced.
Upon hearing the greeting, Stella raised her hand, signaling for the maid to stop. This meant that they could leave now.
Sitting across from Stella, Christian took a sip of his tea and casually glanced at Agatha’s pale face, which had been beaten.
“Have you thought of the apology you will offer to the Princess?”
After subjecting her to punishment and making her prepare for the outing, now she expected her to come up with an apology. Agatha remained silent.
“Never mind. Just do as I say and go there to kneel and beg.”
She said indifferently, pushing her chair back and rising from her seat. The butler, who had been waiting nearby, informed that the carriage was ready and guided Agatha outside.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
The carriage carrying Agatha departed, followed closely by the one in which Stella rode. How much time had passed? The wounds, which had initially seemed somewhat alleviated after applying hemostatic powder, started to throb once more. What had initially been a mild stinging sensation in her wounds gradually intensified, and cold sweat began to form on her body.
Recognizing Agatha’s discomfort, Liana quickly examined her pallid complexion.
“Miss, your face looks very pale. Are you okay? It will take much longer to reach the palace like this.”
“…..”
Agatha remained silent, trying to say she was fine, but her voice wouldn’t come out.
“It won’t do. I’m going to ask them to stop the carriage for a moment,” Liana declared.
She feared Stella’s wrath still. With considerable effort, she raised her hand to signal to the driver, but Liana had already turned around and called for the coachman.
The rumbling carriage came to a halt, and the wheels ceased their noise. The coachman expressed his concern, saying, “Madam will surely be angry,” as he worried about the visibly unwell young lady.
Stella’s furious voice, as expected, penetrated through the carriage window. “What’s going on? Why did you stop the carriage?” she shouted.
Unable to wait for a response, the door opened and closed with a snap, seemingly not caring about an explanation.
“We’re in a hurry!” Stella added impatiently.
The door to Agatha’s carriage creaked open. Stella, who had been standing her ground with a face as red as her lips, appeared slightly flustered when she saw Agatha’s dress stained with blood.
Stella quickly realized that Agatha couldn’t meet the Princess looking like this. She left a stern message for immediate treatment before closing the door.
“Exactly! Why did you dress her without proper treatment?”
As Stella descended from the carriage, Liana swiftly worked on undoing the straps of Agatha’s dress. She untied the waistband and fumbled with the loosened dress, digging inside to reach the corset straps. Her fingers moved swiftly and expertly.
Tearing the cloth that had fused with her skin, with blood slowly congealing, was excruciatingly painful. It was crucial to peel the fabric away carefully; otherwise, removing it hastily would reopen parts of the wound and intensify the agony.
Liana looked around, hoping for a source of clean water, but the chances of finding one were slim.
Then it happened.
From across the road, the sound of several horses galloping rapidly reached her ears, followed by the sight of several horses stopping in front of the Count’s procession.
Unfortunately, they had chosen a narrow path through the forest instead of the wider road to reach their destination faster. With the road being too narrow for two carriages side by side, Agatha’s carriage had obstructed the way, leading to the driver of the opposing carriage disembarking.
