A Cruel Beast’s Leash

Emma couldn’t relax for a moment in front of him, but she was caught in a strange uncertainty when this crisis came: danger and stability; fear and awe.

Looking at his broad shoulders and the straight lines on his back, she was surprised that there was relief, a sense of safety.
It felt like she was hiding under the cool shade of a big tree. No matter how many chasers were outside, if they saw him here, they’d probably be overwhelmed by him.

Emma would be afraid if this man was an enemy of hers, but at the same time relieved if he was an ally.

‘It’s all right.
It will be alright.’

Because she was under his protection now.

As she reassured herself like that, she felt not a vague feeling, but a clear conviction about safety. At the relief that came up, Emma’s uneasiness subsided and her fingers balled into a fist. 

But at that moment, a sudden stream of doubt came to mind. Could she really trust him to be an ally?

Not only did she just meet the man a few minutes ago, they hadn’t even exchanged pleasantries and she was the only person to reveal her name.

Wouldn’t it be too naive to regard him as an ally in this situation? She didn’t even know who he was. But he’s not going to kick her out irresponsibly, would he?

Emma’s trembling eyes turned toward the man.

She didn’t know if it was because of his great physique and the impression of arrogance and hardheadedness, but he didn’t look like someone who would do anything cowardly.

Perhaps she can trust him. Emma has been betrayed desperately by people she had once believed in, but at this moment again, he was the only one she could trust and rely on.

As she made up her mind, the man finally spoke. “Such a noisy night.” The incessant knocking pushed the man to go forward in distaste.

As outside noise wasn’t able to penetrate the cabin’s fortress-like walls easily, then the chaser must be knocking as hard as they could so that they were able to hear the knocking from inside.

The man, pulling the door viewer open, stood crookedly to look outside.

“Sorry to bother you, but we are searching for someone.
Didn’t some young lady come here?” A polite voice seeped through the open gap.

‘It’s Otto!’ Emma held her breath in horror.

Otto has been the Hermans’ butler for a long time. At first, he had joined Desmond Herman’s apothecary as a caretaker, and with the confidence of Desmond, he had served as the butler of his family, but at some point, he plotted with Dora and betrayed Emma.

‘Isn’t it a waste to kill her like this?’

‘I heard it’s scary when a virgin ghost has a vicious grudge.’

‘I think we can take her around with us.
Meanwhile, since she’s been working hard, she’s going to serve us.’

‘Will the b!tch obey us?’

‘If she gets a taste of the hot branding iron, she’ll go wild like a mad chicken or become soft like a lamb.
Either way, we have nothing to lose.’

Otto and Dora, who were talking about Emma while threatening her in the carriage, had giggled at what they were so happy about.

‘By the way, she looks well-formed.
I think we’ll get quite a load of money if we sell her.’

‘Wanna see what she tastes like before another guy gets her?’

With a grin, Otto even lowered his pants to frighten Emma.

‘I only have one life to live, so I have to pop a virgin’s cherry before I go.
Isn’t that right? Emma?’

‘Well, she can’t stop you.’

‘Hee-hee, I’ll get a little taste of heaven today.’

That was Emma’s chance. The memories ended, with Emma running away with all her might, completely caught off guard by the hideous man and woman who were about to molest her…

“A young woman with a small frame.
My sweet, young lady,” Otto said in a sickeningly sweet voice, “In the middle of our trip, she suddenly disappeared from our carriage, so I am out here looking for her.”

With the memories earlier in the carriage still fresh in her mind, Emma turned white, her knees beginning to buckle beneath her. Though she had narrowly escaped, she was far from being in the clear…

She was barely able to grab the wall and catch her balance.
Her heart was thumping heavily against her rib cage; her breath trembling with fear and horror did not subside and her dark contracted pupils faced the front door.

Perhaps the man had eyes on the back of his head, his eyes fixed on her at some point, and were observing Emma.
As their eyes met in the air, something flashed across his blue-gray eyes.

Otto began yapping again, “It’s hard to say this as it’s our first time… but our lady… she is out of her wits! Although she looks normal on the outside, she is actually a very troubled girl.”

Emma trembled with ridicule as she heard the absurd slander.

“I meant my sweet lady on the surface looks like a normal person, but after hearing her speak for a while, you’ll realize that it’s all gibberish.
On top of that, she is delusional, so she’s willing to believe her own lies.”

Stopping there, Otto paused for a second, then he yelled something out loud. It seemed to lure his accomplice closer to the door.