In a rare, good mood, Severine decided to drive herself—something she was strictly forbidden from doing.
"Why do you insist on driving when there are drivers?" her mother had scolded her. "You are their master. Act like one."
Her mother's thinking was strange, steeped in rigid ideals of nobles that no longer had a place in the modern world.
"It's not like she can see me."
Taking the key from the driver, she stepped on the accelerator herself.
The chilly air ruffled her hair. The corner of her pink lips tilted up ever so slightly.
The road was an old training stretch reserved for academy vehicles. It was usually closed to civilian traffic. Wide, empty, and perfect for reckless speed.
She was halfway back to the academy when a roar echoed behind her.
Bright racing car shot past like a red arrow, swerving recklessly. Without a doubt, it was Damien's ride.
Rage seemed to radiate off him even through the windshield.
Severine deliberately slowed down, not willing to cross paths with the lunatic.
Who would have thought that just a second later, she would rush forward to hold Damien in her arms?
The young master cut the corner at reckless speed.
Then... Crash!
The car skidded, slammed into a roadside barrier, and crumpled into a twisted shape.
The deafening crash of metal against metal split the air.
No. No. No!
Her heart thudded against her ribcage, threatening to jump out of her chest.
If anything happened to Damien, the Rhode family wouldn't leave any stone unturned to find the cause.
And she had just sabotaged his match, angering him enough to speed up like a stupid teenager.
"Why now?"
She slammed on the brakes as she reached the flipped car. Crouching down, she tried to open the door.
Due to the collision, the lock had become stuck, making it nearly impossible to open.
Thud. Thud. She slammed on the glass window.
"Damien! Hey! Can you hear me?"
Her gaze darted around, looking for something—anything.
Damien had his eyes closed. Trickles of crimson coated the left side of his face, dripping down his long lashes.
For the first time in her life, she really wanted to curse.
In her haste, it took a second for her mind to start running again. She rushed to the boot of her car.
A metallic rod, a length of half her arm, caught her eye.
She grabbed the heavy bar with her thin arms and swung it at the glass.
Smack! Smack!
It was built with the finest material, making it difficult to break.
Funnily, it was the crash that allowed her to crack the glass after her seventh hit.
"Hey? Damien? Open your eyes! Damn it!"
Smoke started to rise from the engine, and sweat broke out on her temples.
The chilly air that had felt fresh to her lungs now sent cold shivers down her spine.
Using her aching arm, she dragged unconscious Damien out.
The shards of glass scratched both of them, yet she clenched her teeth, unwilling to cry out.
Even after she carried his listless body a safe distance from the car, Damien made no move.
His once-proud head hung limply. His pulse felt weak under her fingertips.
The situation didn't allow her to think further. Relying on her medical knowledge, she laid him flat on the ground.
Then she fumbled into Damien's pocket to pull out his phone.
"Hello? There was an accident near the academy route. Please hurry up..."
After calling the ambulance and giving them the details, she inspected him.
His right shoulder was injured, and blood poured out from his chest and left leg as well.
The wound spread from his chest to his navel, soaking his shirt and Severine's hands.
From what she could tell, none of the wounds was immediately fatal. But the blood made everything worse.
As for his twisted feet, that needed careful examination.
"Damien." She slapped his cheek. "Damien, wake up."
Nothing. So, she slapped him again.
Unconscious is perfect.
As long as he was alive, everything was fine.
Thinking of all the pain and humiliation he had put her through, a cold light flashed through her gaze.
She hesitated for a brief second, and then... she didn't.
Her fingers dug deeper into the wound on his shoulder while she softly called his name. As if she were only trying to wake him and not intentionally hurting him.
Only after making sure he was truly unable to open his eyes did she decide to take another risk.
The smoke was rising, but there was no sign of fire. Gulping, she rushed back to the car and pulled his duffel bag out.
After taking out the fake gripping powder and money, she tossed it beside Damien.
The distant wail of an ambulance siren grew louder.
Severine straightened abruptly. She absolutely couldn't be seen here.
"Don't die. Not just yet," she muttered under her breath.
Giving one last glance at the young master's bloodied appearance, she didn't hesitate to drive away.
Instead of driving back to the academy, she headed for the Vale mansion, a place she had only visited twice after joining the academy. The guilt lingering in her guts didn't give her many options to begin with.
Her fingers turned white from the grip as she drove past the trees.
"Is this what cannon fodder's fate meant?"
A mocking smile surfaced on her pale face.
This was the first time she had done something like that, and the consequences were imminent.
It was as if fate was warning her. 'Do not try to change anything, or you will bear the consequences.'
But she really wanted to shatter those chains.
As for the consequences?
They possibly couldn't be worse than her dying at Damien's hands.
She would make sure of that.