The Princess’s Shadow and the False Grave
The devoted care of Celestina and Leonora continued around the clock under the leadership of Sylvia and Ayane. Though their condition remained critical, Sylvia’s expertly blended herbal tonics and Ayane’s gentle, attentive nursing began to show faint signs of recovery. Yet one phrase still lingered heavily in Akio’s mind—the words Leonora had gasped before losing consciousness: “I won’t let you lay a single finger on the princess…”
“Sylvia… about that knight’s words—‘princess’... Do you think the woman in the dress might be someone of truly noble rank?”
It was night, after the children had gone to sleep. Akio, keeping vigil in the annex, spoke quietly to Sylvia. She had drawn the same conclusion, observing the quality of Celestina’s belongings, her skin, and Leonora’s fierce, self-sacrificing protection.
“Yes… the chances are high. And for someone of such standing to be wandering the forest in that state… Something grave must have happened. They might’ve been pursued. Or perhaps they weren’t the only ones out there.”
Their thoughts aligned. If pursuers were indeed out there, their cabin might be in danger. And if any of Celestina’s companions still remained in the forest, they could not in good conscience ignore them.
“When morning comes, let’s go back to where we found them—search the area more thoroughly. There might be clues.”
Sylvia nodded firmly at Akio’s suggestion.
At dawn, Akio and Sylvia armed themselves and headed into the forest. They entrusted Alto with watching over the children and the cabin, and instructed him to come fetch them immediately if Celestina or Leonora’s condition worsened.
Akio took a hand axe and his handmade wooden spear. Sylvia carried a pouch of herbs at her hip and a sharp knife, her elven senses honed to detect even the slightest disturbances.
Starting at the place the two women had been found, Sylvia followed signs of battle—faint traces of blood, scattered footprints, a clear trail of a desperate escape. Before long, they stumbled upon a scene that took their breath away.
Several male corpses lay hidden among the trees and brush. Their garments resembled Leonora’s armor in style, though simpler—likely soldiers. All had died from lethal blade wounds, suggesting they had fought valiantly to protect Celestina and Leonora.
“… So they had guards after all. And whoever came after them… was no ordinary enemy,” Sylvia muttered bitterly. Akio said nothing, too overwhelmed by the slaughter. It was clear that the two women had made it out alive only at great cost.
They searched further but found no survivors. There were no signs of the enemy either, but it was impossible to tell when—or if—they might return.
“Akio… at this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the cabin is discovered.”
Akio nodded grimly. Then, he spoke with deliberate resolve.
“Sylvia… we’re going to make it look like the princess died here.”
“… What?”
“We’ll build a fake grave. Make the pursuers believe she fell here with her guards. That’s the best way we can protect them now.”
Sylvia understood immediately. Her eyes met his, filled with quiet determination.
“… It’s a dangerous gamble. But if it works, it might buy us the time we need. Very well, Akio. I’m with you.”
They selected, from among the fallen soldiers, the youngest and most similar in physique to Celestina—ideally a female soldier, if one could be found. If not, they would choose the closest match.
Akio then pulled strong thread from the inner lining of his own clothes and, using fabric scraps from Celestina’s dress (either ones Leonora had kept for emergencies or those obtained during initial treatment), he subtly but deliberately sewed them into the chosen corpse’s simple uniform. The stitching was rough enough to look accidental, but placed carefully to seem natural.
Sylvia scattered shiny stones and bright feathers—items a noblewoman might carry—around the scene, as if they had spilled during a frantic battle. She even left behind claw marks and animal traces to suggest the body had been scavenged.
They arranged the other corpses to look like they had died resisting, disguising the site as the final stand.
Lastly, Akio and Sylvia buried the bodies one by one with quiet reverence, erecting simple grave markers made from forest branches. Even in this act of deception, they honored the unknown fallen with dignity.
As twilight descended on the forest, the two left the site in silence, their expressions grim.
“I hope… this fools the pursuers,” Akio murmured.
“Yes. But we can’t relax. We must stay alert,” Sylvia replied.
Back at the cabin, Ayane and Alto met them with worried faces. Akio gave them a brief account of the situation—likely omitting the details of their fabrication—and reminded everyone to be vigilant.
One difficult task still remained: when, and how, to explain to Celestina and Leonora the truth—the falsified grave, the fake death, and the measures taken to protect them.
The story of their mysterious guests was only beginning, now unfolding with suffocating tension and weighty choices that would test the bonds of this chosen family. Akio’s courage, Sylvia’s insight, and their unwavering unity as a family would be the only light to guide them through what lay ahead.
What do you think about this chapter?
