Chapter 75

The cold pierced my bones like an arrow.

For a moment, my heart froze as if it had stopped.

Without Knoxus grip, I would have been swept away.

Knoxus vigorously cut through the current and led me to the surface.

Kulluk, kukk.

(t/n: sound of cough)

Are you okay?

I tried to nod my head to reassure Knoxus, who asked anxiously.

Becoming weak here will only cause inconvenience.

The coachman.

I looked at the dim surroundings. Fortunately, I found the coachman struggling a little away.

Duke! Im fine!

The coachman waved his hand.

Then let me tell you my plans.

I slipped out of the reef and pointed to a door floating in the sea.

Hold on to that and swim to the opposite beach to avoid the assassins.

My teeth chattered, so my words came out in gasps, but Knoxus quickly understood my message.

When Knoxus dragged the door, we clung to the door and moved our legs vigorously.

Shhssh. Shh.

Arrows still poured around us, but finding us in the dark night was like searching for a needle in the middle of the desert.

I was kicking my legs with the same strength as I did when I was rowing the boat while being scolded by Cardan, shouting expletives inside.

Get on the carriage door.

Knoxus nodded at me.

No.

I tried to refuse, but even the coachman urged me to.

Hes right, Duke.

I understand your sincerity, but.

When I glared at them, the two seemed a little taken aback.

If you have the strength to say that, shouldnt you put that strength into kicking? Id rather lie on the ground than that door.

Yes, yes!

Ill do it!

Perhaps because of my scolding, we quickly reached the beach.

I thought as I fell down on the sand with my trembling body.

As expected, Im more talented in being mean than being bullied.

Master!

The moment Knoxus tried to reach me.

Ugh.

I reflexively touched my left chest as I felt a dull pain that I had not felt until a while ago.

I finally noticed the arrow-sized hole in my jacket near my heart.

It seemed that this was the cause of the pain I felt before it subsided.

As I carefully fumbled through the hole, something creaked in my inner pocket.

It was my monocle that was shattered by an arrowhead.

Thanks to the glasses, I was fine except for a small wound on my chest.

Are you okay?

Knoxus looked at me in amazement, as I laughed for a while.

HaHaHa. Hahaha.

Master!

Knoxus caught me in amazement.

Its okay. It couldnt be better.

A choking laugh leaked out from my lips again.

God seems to have decided to save me.

Dead?

At the cool voice that pierced like a blade, the crow dropped its feathers.

That joke is not funny.

But the crow rolled its eyes, saying he had seen it.

The duke falling down the cliff, and an arrow that hit her left upper body accurately.

Even if the arrow missed, she would have been swallowed by the angry sea without splints.

The answer was already set just by the fact that she hadnt been out of the sea for a while now.

Cardan, who had been expressionless all along, picked up the sword.

Road, guide me.

Moving his legs mechanically following the crow, Cardan fell into thought.

Obviously, for a long time, he was only looking for a chance to kill the Duke of Baloa.

If only he could save his mother.

No, actually he knew. His mother is like a living corpse. Even if he saves her, theres no chance of her waking up.

Still, he couldnt let go, so hes been holding on to her all this time.

At the same time, he hoped that someone else would twist the Duke of Baloas neck instead of him.

When they meet his mother in the future, he can proudly say that they tried to save her as much as they could, and he could explain to her that she* doesnt have blood on her hands.

(t/n: hes referring to Erina)

Finally, today, that long-cherished wish came true.

The Duke of Baloa, who put a knife in his back and gagged his mouth, died. He was able to achieve that without a drop of blood on his hand. Now, he can comfortably send his mother, who was no different from a living corpse, to the afterlife.

Tak-

Cardans gaze slowly lowered as the sharp pain accompanied the sensation of warm liquid flowing over his hand.

The handle of the sword was shattered.

Cardan clicked his tongue low, loosened his belt and wound it around the edge of the blade.

Obviously, it worked out the way he wanted it, but he didnt know why he felt so dirty.

Why is it hard to breathe as if theres a blade stuck in his chest, instead of the flesh of his palm?

Did anyone bring money?

As I climbed the narrow slope across the cliff, I immediately asked.

There was silence for a few seconds.

I opened my mouth again when only the loud squeak of water from my shoes rang out with every step I took.

Once we go back to the palace, Ill pay you back five times.

Well, I have some.

The coachman raised his hand with a little embarrassment.

How much? Is it enough for the three of us to take a bath at an inn, stay overnight, and then go back to the palace in a carriage?

The way I spoke was very poor, but I didnt have the strength to make up a tone that suited the Dukes dignity.

I think its enough.

I patted the horseman on the back.

Ill pay you back ten times.

But wouldnt it be dangerous to stay in the village? The assassins may be camped around.

At the words of Knoxus, I tapped the hole in my jackets chest.

Its all right, its all right. They thought I was dead anyway and went to report to the Empress Dowager. Its something they do for money, so they wouldve asked for her to pay the balance.

.

And even if I die, I want to die under warm water.

The coachman, who looked like a drowned mouse, also nodded his head as his teeth chattered.

I, too, want to drown in warm water.

All right, I will grant your wish.

The coachman still had no idea whether I was joking or not. I ignored the tired coachman and crossed the middle of the cliff with the sound of water squeaking in my shoes.

My low spirits eased a little when the lights of the village were seen from afar.

Before freezing to death, lets move quickly so that we can drown in warm water.

But my grand aspirations failed to take place.

When I arrived at the village, I could immediately notice why the lights were clearly visible from afar.

The only inn in the village was on fire.

Its very vibrant.

Guys, that building isnt an inn, is it? Its a warehouse, right?

I asked with a sinking feeling as if grasping at straws.

Someone built a warehouse along the street that leads to the village.

The coachman was so depressed that he forgot that he was talking to me and answered bluntly*.

(t/n: hes talking sarcastically)

I lost my temper at the words of confirmation from the coachman.

What a jerk! Some punk set it on fire!

I grabbed Knoxus arm and shook it.

You go and turn that bastard into a bowl of porridge. It doesnt matter if its ten or twenty, just screw them all up!

But Knoxus didnt even pretend to hold his sword.

You stopped me when I tried to fight the assassins.

Then I have no choice but to step up.

Come out!

I left the two who were far away and watched the fire and rushed right toward the inn.

Come out, you motherf*cker! Ill hang you upside down on the walls of the imperial palace and roast you over low heat!

When I got close to the inn, the fire felt warm.

Uh This feels good?

I stretched my hands to warm up my body.

Like this

Then someone grabbed my hand and pulled me.

It was Cardan.

I looked up at him blankly, unable to say anything for a moment in astonishment.

What is this, what is this.

I couldnt believe it, so my words came out without realizing it.

Blood dripped from his hands holding scorched clothes and a broken blade, his cheeks stained with blood, unknown whose bloodstains it was.

Appearing from the fire, he held only my wrist for a while and didnt budge.

Erina.

The smell of blood and fire mixed as he whispered.

Cardan, whose pupils were more relaxed than mine, muttered as he looked back at the blazing inn.

They they said they killed the Duke.

It was like hes saying that he burned this place down in search of the assassins who killed me.

He came one step closer to me, slowly dropping the red-stained blade to the floor.

This is a dream, isnt it?

Your Majesty, how can you.

Cardan hugged me before I could continue talking.

It was a strong gesture that made me wonder if he was trying to crush me. Then, he carefully relaxed as I was on the verge of being crushed.

I was locked in his arms for such a long time.

Never again.

His hoarse voice rang in my ear.

Dont leave my sight ever again.

I grabbed Cardans shoulder so as not to choke.

I wont.

I thought for a moment, in my daze.

You were afraid for Eleanor.

And I picked out the right conclusion without difficulty.

You were worried about that, right?

Cardans shoulders trembled once.

As if I wasnt right, I put strength on his shoulder.

Then, the arm that was tightly tied to me loosened.

Yes.

He smiled quietly as if he were in pain.

If you feel a little guilty about Eleanor, just you.

It was a small smile, but his red eyes that seemed to be flaming were the gentlest I had ever seen.

You have to live.

Your Majesty.

I took a step backwards instinctively.

So.

After I pulled out my hand, which was lightly woven into Cardans, I made up a more perfect treacherous face than ever before.

I will return Eleanor to His Majesty.

The shock gradually spread to Cardans face, which had hardened as I moved away.

As soon as I get back, Ill call my maid and bring Eleanor to the palace.

On the other hand, I didnt hesitate.

I felt it through my skin this time.

Its pure luck that Im still alive.

Not only me but also Eleanor, who had been used by the Duke of Baloa, almost died today.

I cant kill an innocent person to save my life.

Besides, Ill be in exile soon anyway, so I can return Eleanor a little earlier, whom I planned to return after my exile.

Assuming, of course, that Cardan still doesnt want to kill me.

Please promise me. You will not kill me with your hands.

.

I think I can be sure now of something that Duke Baloa didnt believe in

.

Your Majesty is not a man to break a promise.

It was childish, but I suddenly stuck out my pinky.

I will give you my word with you.

Cardan knitted his little finger into my finger.

And didnt let go for long.

I wont let anyone kill you.

(t/n: SCREAMING)

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