Chapter 53: Rescue
The rain was now so heavy that visibility was blurred.
But Regina, the strong mare who had trained with Diana, ran confidently through the downpour, following the reins.
It was as if she understood his heart and ran while reading the map in her mind.
“. . .You’re a good horse.”
George muttered to himself as he handled the reins.
“It must be because of how well the owner raised you.”
George continued to ride alone through the pouring rain on the treacherous road.
He had declined the offer of assistance from his younger brother. It was his job to stay by his wife’s side. He couldn’t allow him to take on such a dangerous task.
As they ran to a certain point, a turbid current resembling a pond began to wash their feet. Regina continued to advance without hesitation, but George noticed the presence of people and stopped her steps.
As expected.
The servant sent by Daniel, unable to proceed further due to fear of the water, was stranded.
When George arrived on horseback, the servant approached him.
“Hmm? Are you also a servant of Daniel-sama. . .?”
“No, I’m not. Then, are you Daniel’s servant?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right, but. . .”
“You can go back to your master now. I will go to help Laura.”
With a kick on both sides of Regina, she neighed and smoothly slid into the water. The messenger watched this in astonishment.
“Hmm. . .This is amazing.”
Regina showcased her skilled horseback riding in the water, instead of on land.
Once on land, she shook her body to get rid of the water, somewhat reserved.
There were several places where she had to dive into the water, but Regina effortlessly swam forward.
Amidst the trees of the forest and the rain resembling a waterfall, the familiar brick color came into view.
As they reached a slightly elevated area, George was amazed.
The water level had risen up to about half of the brick house. He had expected it since the path to the house was downhill, but he didn’t anticipate it would reach this far.
He felt hesitant to make the horse go any further.
“Regina, wait here.”
George dismounted and tied a rope he had prepared around his body and a nearby tree. He then discarded most of his clothes and started swimming.
If he were to enter the house, there was only the second-floor window.
・・・
『”𝘼𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢” – 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩i𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 “𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨” 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 “𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨”.』
・・・
On the other hand, when Laura woke up, the water had already reached the second-floor floor, and she was plunged into the depths of fear.
Due to her inability to hear, she was late in realizing the heavy rain. Even when she looked out the window, it was dim and the rain was like a waterfall, making it impossible to see clearly.
Laura couldn’t swim. With freezing feet, she returned to the bed and could only curl up, hugging her knees.
The word “death” crossed her mind.
At that moment, the image of a young boy offering her a single rose popped into Laura’s head.
Laura rubbed her eyes.
In her childhood, didn’t she realize through his actions that there was no need for words to convey emotions?
Looking back now, George’s actions that day must have foreshadowed their future.
Indeed. . .Laura said aloud.
(He’s the only one who will do.)
Laura sobbed, hugging her knees.
(I wonder if he’s still alive.)
Even if she died, as long as he survived, that would be enough for her. That’s what Laura thought.
At that time, Laura had completely forgotten about that noble young man.
It was as if he was a figment of her imagination, with no connection to her whatsoever.
The window creaked.
Laura didn’t notice the sound, lost in her grief.
Just as she was thinking that if she fell asleep again, she might drown in her sleep, it happened.
“Laura.”
A familiar hand gently touched her hair.
Laura snapped back to reality and looked up.
There stood George, drenched from head to toe.
She thought it might be a dream.
(Maybe we’re both dead and in the afterlife. . .)
George embraced Laura tightly with his wet body. Upon feeling his touch, she finally realized that this was reality.
Laura cautiously wrapped her arms around his back and let the tears she had been holding back flow.
His strength, the warmth of his body, his scent, everything felt nostalgic.
And then. . .
When Laura’s lips touched his, she traced them with her finger before gently kissing him.
At that moment, she truly and honestly thought that she wouldn’t mind dying now.
“. . .Let’s go.”
George’s words conveyed something. Laura nodded dreamily and wrapped her arms around George’s neck once again.
George pulled the rope he had prepared and crossed through the cold water. Laura endured while clinging to him. As the rain subsided, their field of vision suddenly brightened.
The heavy clouds receded, and white clouds appeared as if replacing them.
On the other side of the water, Regina awaited their return with eyes that seemed to see everything, eagerly waiting for her master’s arrival.
