Summer 4

“Here, this is for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes, for your hard work. Eat it on your way.”

A bright red plum filled her rippling, blue eyes. The lusciously ripe fruit was large, appetizing, and slightly cool. Senita was filled with joy at the sweet scent brushing the tip of her nose.

“Thank you, thank you!”

The child repeatedly bowed deeply in gratitude and set off down the path, feeling as light as a feather. With each buoyant step, the black skirt of her maid uniform fluttered.

The forest designated for summer hunting was vast, but the gamekeeper’s cabin wasn’t far from the back of the palace, and the path was clearly marked. 

Walking along it, Senita savored the colors and scents of the dense forest. The forest, carpeted in green velvet, felt endlessly fresh. With each deep breath, cool, blue air filled her lungs.

Until she left the palace grounds and was fully enveloped by the shade of the trees, Senita couldn’t bring herself to eat the plum; she just stared at it. It looked delicious, but she was reluctant to eat it because it would be gone once she did.

This plum had been given entirely to her. Such a thing was very rare and therefore precious. Even though it was just a piece of fruit, to Senita, it was an overwhelmingly kind gesture. She felt a flutter of excitement, as if she were being loved just a little.

But if that was the case, she should eat it all the more. It was given to her to eat. If she didn’t enjoy it, it would soon rot, and she shouldn’t let that happen.

Senita took a happy bite of the plum. The yellow flesh burst and juice flowed, wetting her small hand. The ripe plum was sweet and delicious.

Life at the Summer Palace was just like the taste of this plum. Although she couldn’t see the Empress and the Prince, as she had hoped, everything else was wonderful. The work was hard, but she felt a sense of accomplishment after finishing, and she could eat her fill. Sharing a room with her kind aunt and having people praise her for her hard work were all sources of joy and happiness.

She wanted to stay here for a long time. She didn’t want to return to Aunt Jimena’s house. The thought of her uncle’s harsh shouts, her aunt’s sighs, and Franco’s pranks and beatings was terrifying and unpleasant enough to make her shudder. Compared to that, being scolded by Gaspar or the senior maids was nothing. It was much more bearable.

So, she had to do well. She had to work even harder. Today, she had to deliver the basket to the gamekeeper and clean his cabin to his satisfaction. She was truly fortunate to be able to stay there.

Reaffirming her resolve, Senita took another bite of the plum. The surroundings were lush and green in the summertime, and the path ahead was still immersed in the forest. Senita imagined the cabin at the end of the path and walked briskly. Her neatly braided hair swayed in rhythm with her steps.

The sound of a bird cawing came from overhead when she had eaten about half of the plum.

Senita reflexively looked up. It was difficult to find the bird among the dense foliage.

Sunlight filtered through the green forest canopy and poured down on the child’s eyes like a waterfall of light. As she blinked against the glaring sunlight, the bird cawed again.

Momentarily uneasy at the eerie sound, Senita quickened her pace. Suddenly, the sound of powerful wings flapping swiftly followed behind her.

“Kyaa!“

Without a moment to react, three or four crows suddenly swooped down on her. The half-eaten plum rolled from her hand. A crow pecked at her small hand, which still smelled sweet from the plum. Its sharp, pointed beak pierced her flesh, causing blood to flow.

“Stop it!”

Panicking, Senita swung her arms to chase away the crows and started to run. But the birds were fast and clever. Attacking a small, weak child to get the food in the basket was an easy and amusing task for the agile birds.

Senita ran frantically to avoid the birds and quickly strayed from the path. But there were no paths in the sky. The crows relentlessly pursued her. The persistent, clever birds seemed to know the defenseless child would soon give up.

Senita ran faster. The pecks and scratches from the birds were painful and tore at her skin. However, the thought of ruining the contents of her basket was far more terrifying and distressing.

Why is this happening to me?

Blood oozed from her wounds, and tears welled in her frustrated and resentful eyes. Not missing the opportunity, a crow extended its talons and scratched the child’s head.

“Ow!“

Startled, Senita fell and tumbled down the slope. Though the forest slope wasn’t steep, the small child’s body rolled over and over.

“Ouch, ow…“

It hurts! It hurts so much.

In the midst of the pain engulfing her entire body, Senita struggled to open her eyes. The bread and dried meat from the overturned basket were scattered everywhere, and crows swooped down gleefully on them.

No, that’s for the gamekeeper.

Barely managing to sit up, Senita flailed her arms to chase away the crows. She tried to stand up straight, but her ankle hurt too much. It seemed she had sprained it. Not only that, but her face and arms were also scratched by fallen leaves and tree roots. There wasn’t a single part of her body that wasn’t hurt.

But that wasn’t the problem right now.

“Go away! Go away…”

Senita crawled desperately. As she righted the overturned basket, the birds finally flapped their wings and flew away. It was a gesture of mockery more than retreat.

At that moment—

Bang!

A sharp gunshot echoed through the forest.

Startled, Senita ducked her head and curled up. The birds flapped their wings and soared high. A crow, hit by the bullet, fell with a thud into the undergrowth. The ominous cries of the crows who lost their companion echoed like a mournful song: “Caw, caw.“

Then, the sound of someone walking through the undergrowth toward the slope could be heard. Senita caught her breath and looked up blankly. Her injured ankle throbbed, and her soft face crumpled in pain as if begging for attention.

Finally, the shadow of the hunter—or perhaps her savior—fell over the slope. Senita looked up at the owner of the shadow.

A boy with black hair and golden eyes stood there. Even in the shade, his eyes were as bright as the sun. The light falling along his body resembled the halos depicted in holy paintings.

He looked like the angel statue she had seen in the cathedral, come to life.

The moment their eyes met, Senita recognized him at once:

Iskandar de Malezik.

The boy looking down at her was undoubtedly the Prince.

Just as Melissa had described him.

He was so beautiful that it was amazing that such a person existed in the world. Perhaps he was an angel who had fallen from heaven. No, he definitely was one.

Surprised by the Prince’s sudden appearance, Senita was speechless, blinking repeatedly. Meanwhile, the boy’s image was imprinted in her bright blue eyes as if reflecting the sun in the sky. Deeply and delicately, as if leaving a mark.

“Are you a maid?”

The Prince spoke first, his gaze fixed on her. His voice was low and gentle. Just hearing his voice made her feel as if she had smelled something sweet. She was surprised, as if an angel statue had spoken.

Perhaps I’m dreaming?

Senita truly thought so. There was no other way this could be happening to her. It was a fairytale-like event where the prince suddenly appeared and rescued her from trouble.

“Answer me.”

“Yes?“

The Prince urged Senita, who was momentarily dazed. Oh my, this isn’t a dream; it’s really real! At last regaining her composure, Senita began to speak, her voice tinged with urgency.

“Ah, yes. I—I’m Senita.”

“Senita?”

“Uh, I mean, yes. I’m a maid at the palace.”

Iskandar chuckled softly at the sight of the flustered child. She was wearing a maid’s uniform, so it was obvious. Even if she wasn’t, a child wandering around the Imperial Forest must be related to the palace.

Still, Iskandar observed the young maid, reiterating the obvious answer he had deliberately asked for.