I Like Another Man, Not the Male Lead - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49

Anna, who had briefly gone to the restroom, witnessed Reina staggering into the forest.

It was strange. Why would a noble young lady who had just been attending Empress Viviana’s tea party go into the forest? Her steps were odd too. She looked like someone walking in a dream. She seemed either heavily drunk or ill. Anna tilted her head in confusion.

‘Something’s wrong.’

Moreover, that area was the hunting grounds. Unless you were a participant, you weren’t supposed to enter the forest. They had left all the wild beasts in place for the hunting competition. Even now, scents that animals disliked were burning around the pavilion, and knights were taking turns patrolling. Beyond that perimeter, safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

Anna’s hand twitched. She needed to tell someone.

But then she remembered the earlier confrontation with the Hailboard Princess.

‘Why should I help that girl?’

Anna bit her lip.

The Regfield Princess hadn’t helped her. Not only that, she had gone along with the Hailboard Princess humiliating her. What was wrong with dreaming of becoming Archduke Matheus’s lover! She could have helped a little!

Reina was going deeper and deeper into the forest. Her steps staggered as she pushed through the tree branches. Even looking again, it seemed dangerous.

Once again, her conscience whispered to Anna.

‘I should tell someone. Someone could get hurt.’

But her feet wouldn’t move.

‘…No. Why should I?’

Anna turned her head away.

Right, she could just pretend she hadn’t seen anything. After Anna glanced once more at the direction Reina was heading, she returned to Viviana’s tent. As if nothing had happened.

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The forest was unnaturally quiet. It was impossible. Matthias, who was on patrol duty inside the hunting grounds today, knew this well.

Normally you would hear squirrels moving between tree branches, leaves rustling in the wind, deer footsteps in the distance – all of that had disappeared. It was as if the entire forest was holding its breath. A silence where all life seemed to have shrunk back.

The eerily quiet forest heightened Matthias’s tension.

‘Strange.’

Matthias’s instincts were warning him. The knights patrolling the interior with Matthias also seemed to sense something was wrong, keeping their mouths shut and looking around.

Then, the wind blew. The leaves rustled and swayed. And a scent carried on that wind brushed past Matthias’s nose.

The metallic smell of iron. It was the smell of blood.

Matthias’s face hardened. If the smell could be carried on the wind, the amount of bleeding must be considerable. It was likely from a hunted beast, but Matthias’s instincts warned that something was wrong.

Matthias carefully moved toward the source of the smell. And what Matthias saw there was a nightmare.

“Regfield Princess?!”

Reina in a sky blue dress was standing in the middle of the forest.

No, saying she was standing wasn’t accurate. She was staggering forward like someone in a dream. Her steps were unsteady, her arms hung limply, and her head was tilted to one side. She looked as if she was under some spell.

And death was waiting in front of that Reina.

It was a wolf pack.

Matthias’s breath caught in his throat. The knights accompanying him also let out quiet gasps.

Countless wolves kept emerging from between the trees. Bodies so gaunt their ribs showed clearly. It was probably due to prey disappearing from the long drought. The eyes of the beasts crazed with hunger were bloodshot red, and drool was streaming from their mouths. The sound of low growling with bared teeth echoed from all directions. They had identified Reina as prey.

The only reason those creatures weren’t charging recklessly right now was purely due to their predatory hunting instincts. The caution they showed because their prey could fight back or flee. The moment they realized their target had no means of resistance, they would attack.

The wolves’ muzzles glistened with blood. Like true predators, they were probably devouring everything in sight. The silence of the forest made sense now.

“Lady Regfield! It’s dangerous! Please step back!”

Matthias shouted. But Reina showed no reaction. She just continued walking slowly, precariously, toward the wolves.

At that moment, a sharp whistle sound pierced Matthias’s ears. Simultaneously, the balance between Reina and the wolves shattered. The wolves charged toward Reina.

There was no time to think. Matthias drew his sword and ran at full speed. Tree branches scratched his face, but he had no time to care. He leaped between Reina and the wolves, throwing his body into the gap. He swung his sword wide.

“Stand back!”

His sword, emanating silver aura, flashed as it cut through the air. The head of the nearest wolf flew off. The other wolves stumbled as they hesitated mid-charge and rolled on the ground. The wolves let out sharp screams and retreated.

The wolves seemed even more excited, growling low as they tightened their encirclement. The smell of blood had stimulated them. The low howls of the beasts could be heard from all directions. The knights who had come with them also drew their swords.

Matthias hid Reina behind him. There was no time to figure out why Reina was in this state. He had to get her out of here right now.

One wolf lunged at them. Matthias swung his sword horizontally. Clang! The blade struck the wolf’s teeth with a sharp metallic sound. The impact traveled up his arm to his shoulder. It was stronger than expected. The saying that starving beasts are more dangerous was true.

“Damn!”

He quickly pulled back his sword and thrust toward the wolf’s flank. The sword tip pierced through the wolf’s hide. The wolf let out a shrieking scream and died. Blood flowed down the sword.

He slashed frantically, but the wolves kept coming endlessly. Another wolf charged. Matthias barely twisted his body to dodge while pushing Reina back hard. Sharp teeth grazed his clothes. If he had been even a moment slower, his flesh would have been torn.

Matthias was one of the most skilled fighters in the Imperial Guard Knights. But he wasn’t a Sword Master. He couldn’t wrap his sword in aura. For him to face this many starving wolves with only regular knights was too much. Especially while protecting the unconscious Reina. He couldn’t guarantee they would return alive.

“Lady Regfield! Please come to your senses! Please!”

Matthias cried out desperately. He shouted once more, but it was useless. Reina still stood there like a doll.

Two wolves leaped simultaneously. Matthias gritted his teeth and swung his sword. One wolf was hit by the sword and changed direction in mid-air. But he couldn’t avoid the other one.

“Argh!”

Sharp pain pierced through his shoulder. The wolf’s teeth penetrated and burrowed into his flesh. Hot blood soaked his clothes and flowed down.

Matthias suppressed his scream and drew the dagger from his waist, gripping it in reverse and stabbing hard into the wolf’s flank. The blade pierced between the ribs and penetrated the heart. The strength instantly left the wolf’s jaws. Taking advantage of that moment, he completely knocked the wolf away. Blood began flowing freely from Matthias’s shoulder. The hand gripping his sword trembled.

It was hopeless. Far from retreating, the wolves were gathering in even greater numbers. As if someone was deliberately driving them to this place. There was no end in sight. The musty smell of wolves filled the air. Even the sound of their panting and teeth chattering was chillingly clear.

It was at that very moment.

“Lord Hailboard!”

A low, powerful voice cut across the forest. Silver hair flashed in the sunlight. Matthias let out a groan through his teeth at the familiar and welcome voice.

It was Caesar.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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