But so much for letting go.
Because after only a few moments, Countess Jenna realized that letting go was absolutely out of the question.
What unfolded before her could only be described as a riot.
A full-scale battle.
On one side were dignified humans, soldiers and officials alike who had clearly underestimated the enemy.
On the other side were baby goats.
Tiny. Fluffy. Fast.
And winning.
Someone shrieked as a fluff ball darted between their legs. Another yelped when a soft but determined headbutt landed squarely on someone’s behind. Desperation erupted everywhere as people tried to tag-team, forming shaky barricades that immediately fell apart when the goats zigzagged through with gleeful precision.
Her husband tried to block a path and was immediately outmaneuvered by a goat not even the height of his knee. Another attempted a coordinated grab only for the target to twist mid-air, bleat triumphantly, and land safely behind them.
"Meeeeh!"
"Breeeeeh!"
Apparently, it was so much harder to catch opponents when they were tiny and shouldn’t be hurt. And so the proud leaders of the Empire’s military forces who were far too strong on normal days were beside themselves trying to control their strengths.
"Wait! No! Not that way!" someone cried.
Too late.
Hooves pattered wildly as if they were personally offended by the idea of being caught.
It was obvious how serious the matter had become when the countess noticed the preparations made by the other women.
The Empress herself had tied her hair up with ruthless efficiency as she lunged for a particularly smug baby that leapt away at the last second. Nearby, Duchess Amelia had rolled up her sleeves, eyes sharp, stance grounded.
This was serious now.
A butler attempted a heroic dive and missed entirely, landing in the grass with a groan while another goat pranced over their back triumphantly.
Countess Jenna didn’t know when she joined in on the diving.
Only that she did.
Oddly enough, there was something about diving into that mess and emerging victorious with an intact baby goat in her arms that made her feel alive.
Who knows if it were the fluff, the softness, or how she had gotten used to the sounds that could have deafened her, but the woman enjoyed it.
She chased. She lunged. She rolled breathlessly as she scooped one squirming child into her arms, only for another to immediately bump into her leg as if protesting the unfairness.
She was panting by the time she finally dropped down onto the grass, clutching her prize like a trophy.
And apparently, she had been good at it.
Because just before her son returned, holding a scarfed and very poised creature that instantly sent every remaining baby goat running in one determined direction, someone pointed out that Countess Jenna had caught the most kids out of everyone.
Kids.
She learned, with delight, that the little ones were called kids.
The aftermath was... something.
When the chaos finally died down, people collapsed where they stood.
On the grass. Against trees. On stones.
Count Alexander dropped beside his wife and stared up at the sky, chest rising and falling.
"Just what was that?" he asked no one in particular.
Countess Jenna turned to look at him.
Then she looked around.
Sure enough he was really up to date about Jax!
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]