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墨書 Inktalez
"Can we really go to the mountain to pick flowers today?" Renee looked at her stepmother with her captivating eyes, holding a small net in her hand. "I'm ready to catch some new butterflies for specimens."
"Yes, my darling daughter," Countess said sweetly, holding a feather fan and smiling. "We can also have a picnic on the grass at noon. I have prepared sweet fruits and condensed milk for you. In the afternoon, Spielberg will bring you back."
Renee has never left the house, and the farthest she has been from her room is the garden at home. Poli was afraid she would be tempted by the outside world, and eventually even imprisoned her in the room, not allowing her to leave the mansion's front door.
On her seventeenth birthday, Countess took advantage of the steward Anna being out collecting debts and, with an outing permit, took her stepdaughter Renee in a carriage to Bloody Forest.
"Is this where we get off?" Renee asked as she stepped down from the carriage, holding up her pristine white dress and hesitantly gazing at the overgrown forest.
"Don't be afraid, Spielberg is the strongest guard. No matter what beast we encounter, he will protect you."
Countess patted her little face, comforted and admonished, then lifted her skirt onto the carriage and left, leaving behind a guard and Renee.
Spielberg tied the horse to a sturdy tree trunk and entered the forest with Renee. As they ventured deeper into the Bloody Forest, the trees became denser. With Spielberg by her side, Renee managed to muster up some courage and was not as afraid.
She was holding a basket in one hand and a butterfly net in the other, but she couldn't find any butterflies no matter where she looked. There were very few pretty flowers to be seen as well.
"Spielberg, why aren't there any butterflies?"
Spielberg turned his head, the muscles on his rugged face twitched, and he replied, "I think it's because we're too close to the swamp here, the light is not enough. How about I take the young lady to find a place with sparser trees?"
So Renee followed him deeper into the woods, walking for who knows how long. The trees did become sparser, and they could faintly see the sunlight shining through from the sky. But there were only moths and insects fluttering about, still no butterflies or flowers.
"Spielberg," Renee Cole called out to him sympathetically, "can we take a break? I'm a little tired."
Spielberg found a slightly dry spot and laid a clean white cloth on the rocks for her to sit on.
He picked up the water bag and took a big sip, wiped his mouth and said, "Miss Renee, I want to go ahead and see if I can hunt some game or fish for you. I'll make barbecue for you at noon. How about you wait here for a while?"
Renee held the small cake in her hands and obediently took a bite, "Okay, but Spielberg needs to come back quickly."
Spielberg left her a long knife as a weapon, then left himself.
Renee set the long knife aside, bowed her head and nibbled on a small cake. After eating two pieces, she wiped her hands and sat on the stone, waiting for him.
The sunlight went from warm to scorching, then gradually eased up. Time passed by slowly, with a few crisp bird calls breaking the silence.
Spielberg still hasn't returned.
Renee felt a little scared. She stood up from the rock, holding up her skirt and walking around, her black leather shoes getting dirty with mud.
Suddenly, a gray animal leaped out from the grass, startling her and making her stiffen all over.
Renee stood still for a moment, then ran back to pick up the knife, gripping it tightly with both hands, and went in the direction Spielberg had left.
"Spielberg..."
Renee trembled as she called out, but she was afraid of alarming something, so her voice was so small that it was almost inaudible.
"Spielberg, please come back, are you lost?"
"Is anyone there? Is there anyone here? Who can take me home... I am the daughter of a count, my father will pay handsomely."
The dense, tangled branches in front moved as if rudely pushed aside by something, making a great commotion.
Is it Spielberg? Did Spielberg hear her voice and come looking for her?
Renee hid behind the tree, covering her mouth, tears filling her eyes.
Is that really a person? She is so scared, she wants to crouch down and cry, praying in her heart for the protection of various gods.
But the gods did not favor her, misfortune loomed over her head.
A deep black bear emerged from the opposite side. It didn't see its prey and remained calm, sniffing the air a few times before locking onto the direction and staring straight at Renee hiding behind the tree.
Renee felt her mind go blank, took a few steps back, and accidentally stepped on a few twigs.
"Roar—"
Renee grabbed her knife and turned, using all her strength to run.
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