The Red Witch - Chapter 4
All traces of her smile disappeared from Kiara’s face. None of the wedding customs she had meticulously memorized over the past few weeks included anything like that.
It wasn’t just Kiara who was shocked; others were too.
“A witch, and a red witch who’s appeared after decades, at that! Isn’t it in the song? The last drop of blood…”
“Ah, that’s funny. The first blood is the witch’s, and the last blood is the royal blood. So, if the witch gets annoyed, the entire royal family is wiped out?”
“Yes, that’s what I said!”
“Well, shouldn’t the first blood be the royal blood since that’s what’s spilled on the battlefield? But the blood that’s shed last? I suppose it’s the blood of those self-important ivory tower pricks in the capital, then.”
“Captain! Please, stop talking like that…!”
The subordinate, clearly alarmed by the Captain’s irreverent words, urgently tried to stop him. Listening to the two men’s conversation, Kiara recalled an old folk song.
‘O Red Witch.
O Red Witch.
To you, the first drop of blood, and the last.
The night and day of Bretnach belong to you.
Even the final breath of sunlight is yours.’
A rough translation of the metaphor-laden song goes something like this:
‘A witch with black hair and red eyes will appear in the black forest of Altnebra.
The red witch will claim all the nights and days of the Bretnach Empire.
In the end, no sunlight shall remain in the glorious Empire of Bretnach.’
Did they seriously believe that?
Kiara sighed quietly. At that moment, someone suddenly snatched the silk pouch she had been holding.
“Captain, this is what the witch has been carrying. It could be a magical tool. Should we cut her wrist?”
It wasn’t some magical tool or precious item. It was just the candy pouch that Raelin had given her.
Horrified, she opened her mouth to explain herself.
“Ah, no…!”
It was just one word, but it was enough to freeze everyone around her in their tracks. Murderous metallic sound filled the air around her. Clang, swish. Even though her eyes were covered and she couldn’t see, she could tell. At least dozens of people had drawn their weapons, all aimed at her.
She might really die.
Kiara’s body began to shake. As the cloth covering her eyes slowly grew wet from her tears, she couldn’t help but let out a sob. She tried to hold it in, but it was no use.
At that moment, her mouth was covered by a rough hand.
“Damn.”
It was the Captain. Startled, Kiara frantically ripped his hand from over her face. His hand, wrapped in thick leather gloves, was so large and rough that it even covered her nose.
But the Captain, unfazed, whispered in her ear.
“…How many times is this now?”
Kiara couldn’t understand what he was saying. With her breath growing short and panic setting in, her trembling jaw rattled.
Then, the Captain whispered again.
“Shh. I asked how many times this has happened. I’ve heard up to three is fine.”
Thanks to the Captain’s calm voice, Kiara’s resistance quieted. However, it was still uncomfortable to breathe, and her gasps grew louder and more erratic. In response, the Captain quickly removed his gloves and, with bare hands, covered her mouth again.
Finally able to breathe more easily, Kiara shakily raised her hand and managed to open her fingers, showing just two.
“…Good. Well done. There’s still one more left. I’ll gag you just in case. Don’t freak out now.”
As Kiara nodded, the Captain’s arm that had been tightly around her waist finally loosened. However, unlike him, the people around them seemed doubtful, not fully trusting her.
“C-Captain. Given the situation, we might need to kill her right now.”
“Enough.”
“It might be a lie…”
“I’m still standing here, and even as a Grandilgale, I haven’t spewed out any blood, have I? So it’s definitely not three times.”
As if to protect her, the Captain’s arm tightened again with a disinterested grumble. Kiara, too, was now clinging to his arm like a lifeline. Amidst all the talk of life and death, she needed something to hold onto, and the Captain’s arm was strong and firm enough to provide that.
“B-But since today’s the eclipse…”
“Then we’ll just do it tonight. That’s what matters, right?”
Was it her imagination, or was there a hint of irritation in the Captain’s blunt reply? Kiara gripped his arm more desperately, fearing he might give up on her. What if he decided to drag her off and just kill her?
Sensing her fright, the Captain gently patted her back.
“It’s okay. We’ll deal with it later.”
The words, whether meant to comfort or muttered in passing, sounded bitter to Kiara’s ears. As she was still confused, something was suddenly put into her mouth. She barely managed to hold back a scream.
Soon, a sour lemon scent filled her mouth. The Captain had placed a candy from his pouch into her mouth.
Then, as he tightened the cloth over her face once more, the Captain muttered with what seemed like approval.
“You understand well. That’s good. It makes things easier for both of us.”
Easier? What could he mean by that?
