Chapter 21

“Did you kidnap Lily?”

After breaking the long silence, Cain’s gaze, which had been facing the window, returned to me. I clenched my fists neatly on my lap and spat the words out at him.

“No matter how much I tell you, kidnapping is a felony.”

Cain, who had been quietly listening to me, tilted his head crookedly and eventually opened his mouth.

“I knew I was notorious, though I didn’t know I would be accused of something I didn’t do.”

“Are you saying you didn’t kidnap her?”

“No.”

“….”

“I thought the Young Lady would have seen it, too, but your handmaiden got in on her own feet.”

At his next words, my eyes that had been filled with strength, relaxed a little. He was right. Evidently, Lily was getting into the carriage herself.

“Still, Lily left me…!”

“Perhaps, she knew?”

“…Yes?”

“How dangerous it would be for a young, noble lady to travel alone in Lian in a carriage full of such luxury.”

All those luxury items were brought by the people of the mansion, not me—!

Nevertheless, I could not even say anything to the words that were being said to my face, even more so because I thought that his words made sense.

I pouted my lips as I glanced at Cain, who stared at me as if he had something to say.

“I… I’m sorry I doubted you, Your Highness.”

Despite my reluctant apology, he shrugged his shoulders as though he did not mind. Anyway, I felt a little relieved that Lily followed them with her own will.

Feeling more relaxed, I leaned my back against the seat and exhaled.

My thoughts swayed as the carriage shook. Yes, let’s not feel pressured. To be honest, it does not matter. If this is before the part where the original novel starts? What could I do? In addition, was this not a situation where I should be thankful on my end?

Dating the most handsome man in the world…

Yeah, that kind of experience is not bad either.

I turned my head towards the window, pretending to be ignorant that this was not a relationship, but rather, an engagement. I thought it was a problem because this situation seemed like a prelude to marriage. Despite my complicated feelings, the scenery outside the window was still peaceful.

I glanced out at the forest road passing by quietly, then turned back to Cain, who was sitting across from me, and asked.

“Then, did Lily return to the County first in the Grand Duke’s carriage?”

“That’s right.”

When she first said that she would go back to the bedroom, I wondered why I did not see her. It seems that Lily must have been caught by some of Cain’s men.

Somehow, things seem to be flowing smoothly and steadily…?

I suddenly thought that the things I was going through right now flowed like a well-organized chessboard. I was surprised that Cain knew who I was at the debutante and the fact that I even ran away at night, even though it was impulsive and I did not tell anyone.

How did he react so quickly to something that even I did not expect myself…?

“Is there anything you want to say?”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

Hastily, I waved my hand toward him and turned my head out of the carriage window again. Yes, that did not make any sense. I do not think that Cain tried to put someone on me either… 

No, wait a minute…

But, Cain’s keyword does not mention devious scheming… right?

“Your Highness.”

“….?”

“Is it true that we are going back to Aren?”

Concealing my anxiety, there was certainty in the words I asked.

The village, which was about an hour by carriage from Aren when I arrived by riding a carriage last night, was nowhere to be seen, and even the gate was invisible even though it had already been almost an hour and a half.

“I’m on my way to Aren.”

“Is, is that right?”

“There is only a stopover.”

“Yes?”

He smiled playfully in response to my bewildered question.

“This carriage will arrive at Winder village soon.”

“…Winder village? Really, Winder village?”

His expression remained the same. I could not believe where we were heading and asked over and over again. Looking at his face, not knowing what the problem was, I wanted to pull my hair out.

“Oh no, why…?”

“I have some business to do there.”

Dissatisfaction rose to the tip of my chin at the sight of him answering insignificantly. No, then he should have to go alone if he has business to do there. Why would I…!

Feeling dizzy, I buried my face in my hands.

Even though I shook my head, saying ‘No way,’ the contents of the original novel were flowing like a river through my head.

Winder village.

It was a village the shapeshifters named themselves in honor of Count James Winder.

The village was named to express gratitude to him, who devoted his life to working and committing his life to the shapeshifters that were discriminated against by the imperial people.

Count Winder was a man who proposed a law to legally prohibit the sales of shapeshifters and cried all his life that they were human beings just like us.

In order to prevent young shapeshifters walking alone along the roadside from being kidnapped by humans, hoping that their lives would be as tranquil and calm as ours, he devoted his entire life to them. If it had not been for his efforts, the shapeshifters might still be perceived by the people of the Empire as nothing more or less than a pet.

Therefore, it was James Winder’s work that made the people of the Empire think that the shapeshifters were equal to human beings like us.

The carriage, which was running with a rattling noise, came to a stop.