A high-pitched horse whinny echoed with a piercing, ear-splitting sharpness.
“Waaahhh!!”
A scream rang out from the driver’s seat. The wheels let out a sinister, creaking tone, and the carriage body groaned as if it were about to split apart at any moment.
“—!”
The carriage shook violently, and we were slammed against the wall. The door flew open from the impact, and a gust of wind blew in, piercing our bodies.
“Sarah!”
If Lawrence hadn’t instinctively pulled me into his arms, I would have been thrown right out of the carriage.
In front of the open door, I could see the horses rearing up.
Scratching at the empty air with their front hooves and stumbling on the spot, the horses began to thrash about wildly, letting out groans.
The four of them stumbled into each other, tangled together, and the carriage veered wildly off the road.
The driver seemed to pull the reins in a panic, but it was too late.
Right after the world tilted, wobbling dangerously. The carriage tipped over and collapsed onto its side on the mountain path.
Dragged along by gravity just like that, roaring loudly, the vehicle slid down the cliff like a sled.
How much time had passed? Amidst intense pain, I managed to regain consciousness.
“…Lawrence”
Just opening my eyes hurt terribly. The surroundings were covered in shadows and dim, but I could see the sunlight overhead. We must be at the bottom of a ravine.
The window glass seemed to have shattered when we slid down, and pulverized fragments were scattered all around.
Leather that used to be a seat. Wood that used to be a shaft. Iron scraps that used to be a wheel.
Everything turned into gruesome wreckage, smoking and rolling about in a disorderly mess.
“Lawrence…”
Even while drenched in a massive amount of thick blood, Lawrence’s sleeping face was as beautiful as a doll.
The hand that had held me tightly was losing its body heat, becoming as cold as ice.
“You protected me…”
If Lawrence hadn’t protected me, I surely would have died instantly from the impact of the fall.
“No… Don’t die!”
It hurts both to inhale and exhale air. Air leaks from the wooden piece stuck in my chest, and just breathing sends sharp pains shooting through me.
Yet, having the person I love grow cold right in front of me was far more unbearable than such pain.
“…It’s my fault…”
Regret so great it defied words surged through my entire body.
Lawrence was not supposed to head to the territory at this timing. He had pushed himself to make time for my sake and rode along in the carriage with me.
My head swayed with a strong dizziness. Amidst a hazy, fading consciousness, I was tormented by a deep sense of self-reproach.
–Why didn’t I step aside?
Even though I knew I wasn’t good enough. Why didn’t I turn down the proposal?
“A ‘Weed Lady’ is not fit for him.”
Deep inside my ears, the malicious gossip that had been hurled at me time and time again since our engagement revived.
“That woman is after the property.”
The abusive voices echoed like a round, cutting me to pieces like blades.
“There is a limit to being a mismatch for the master.”
“We cannot leave the role of mistress to such a little girl.”
“Bringing in such a vulgar woman will stain the prestigious Ashford family.”
Tears overflowed.
Not because of the slander and insults. But because, precisely because someone like me became his wife, I had brought misfortune upon Lawrence.
Someone promised a future filled with dazzling glory. Lawrence’s life had no business ending in a place like this.
“…Lawrence…”
My lungs were crushed, and I couldn’t produce a voice. Still, I called his name with a raspy voice.
“…I’m sorry…”
I don’t want you to die. Even if we never meet again, it doesn’t matter. I just want Lawrence to live.
With unstoppable tears, my vision blurred.
Feeling the life circulating within my body drain away, I simply prayed.
–I love you, My Lord.
So please, do not love me.
If I could turn back time once more… please, do not be united with me.