CH 46

I was at a loss for words in this absurd situation.

‘… No, wait.’

Perhaps I can take advantage of this.

I had an idea and quickly raised my head. Ian had no idea about my plan and was still pushing me.

“​​Why don’t you say anything? Did I hit you in the bullseye?”

“That’s not true. No, yes, that’s right.”

I nodded my head vigorously.

“I’m drawn to him because he reminds me of my ex-boyfriend. To be honest, yes. I’ve been swayed a little.”

“…….”

Ian looked at me quietly. His lips clenched together. He couldn’t say anything.

I kept my momentum going.

“Actually, I almost lost my control just a little bit. When I saw a face that reminded me of my ex-lover, with whom I had abruptly split up, I was filled with longing.”

Ian’s mouth was slightly open this time. It was the strangest expression I’d ever seen on his face.

“…..Do you really mean it?”

“Sir Ian. Please help me.”

With a serious expression on my face, I looked up at Ian.

“Please don’t let me lose control. Can’t you bring me along on the expedition? I’m not sure what I’ll do with my broken heart if you leave me alone in a strange place.”

I wrapped my arms around my shoulders, as though terrified of myself.

While studying Ian’s expression, I cast a glance at him.

“Ha….”

He sighed and bowed his head. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking because he didn’t say anything for a moment.

‘Was it a little too much?’

Now I have to think about it, but the water has already been spilled.

After a few seconds of suffocating stillness, Ian finally looked up.

“Great. If you want to go that far, let’s do it.”

His deep blue eyes looked as if they were about to devour me.

‘Oh? Really?’

I opened my eyes wide as the approval came through more smoothly than I had expected.

“I had no idea you were the kind who needed to be restrained.”

Ian said as he moved closer to me.

I took a step back instinctively.

Even so, I was overtaken by someone who had a much longer stride than I did.

“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand? Even though this is a contractual relationship, Did you think I wouldn’t understand my wife’s broken heart because we are a couple?”

Why? 

The words themselves aren’t frightening, but they’ve made my spine shiver.

I tried to maintain my composure and said something.

“Thank you for your understanding, Cough. I do.”

As I coughed intentionally, Ian looked down at me with cold eyes.

“Please let me know if you wish to change your mind. Any man who resembles your ex-lover will be blocked from view.”

What are your plans for cleaning them up……?

I parted my lips instinctively, resisting the urge to ask.

“Thank…..Huh, thank you. It’s a good thing I told Sir Ian.”

My waist was numb from Ian staring at me as if he had just met me for the first time.

After I barely answered, Ian, let out a cold laugh.

“Take this.”

Ian suddenly pulled something out of his arms.

It was a bracelet with a large transparent gem that looked like a diamond.

“This……What is this?”

“Do you remember what I said to you the other day? I’ll give you an artifact that can defend itself without the assistance of Dame Joan.”

“Ah.”

I gave a nod.

One of the conditions I included in my contract with Ian was that my safety be guaranteed.

“Did you come here to give it to me?”

“Yes. I didn’t know I’d be witnessing my contract wife’s affair.”

“Isn’t that obvious? Raise your right hand. Wrap this diamond around your hand.”

It’s wonderful to be able to join him to Rycallion, but has he lost faith in me as a contract partner?

I moved my right hand as instructed, pressing down on the bracelet’s jewel with a purposeful smile.

I didn’t feel anything at all.

“After that?”

Ian silently reached for my forehead.

I closed my eyes in response to the unexpected contact.

However, I was unable to detect the body temperatures of others who I was about to touch.

I asked slowly as I opened my eyes.

“……What are you doing?”

“Try to touch my hand.”

I wrinkled my forehead to hit Ian’s palm.

…… However, it did not make it.

My forehead and his hand couldn’t touch, as if there was a layer of air between us.

“Nothing can get to you as long as you keep the jewel covered.”

Ian calmly spoke.

I just stared at him.

“Any….thing?”

“Yes. Nothing can harm a single hair of yours with that alone, even amid a swarm of monsters.”

“…….”

I looked down at the bracelet, dumbfounded.

Ian is not bluffing. I could be safe from anything with this.

‘…… Even in black magic?’

My mind flashed back to Nine’s black magic clinging to my body.

No. I immediately shook my head. Perhaps even the magic that had already been applied would not be effective.

But where has it gone?

If I want to, I can keep anything out of my reach. It was a simple but effective power.

I’m not sure, but I think this bracelet is worth the price of a mountain.

“Thank you.”

I expressed my heartfelt thanks.

“We just fulfilled the terms of the contract. Anyway, let’s get ready.”

“What?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll join the army before the sun sets”

“Oh, yes!”

I nodded my head hastily.

Although there were some twists and turns, I was able to go to Rycallion in the end

‘There is a problem that I will be bailed out by the Master of the Magic Tower if this happens.’

There’s nothing I can do about it. Please accept my apologies the next time we meet.

Dear Rizzello, I am a VIP customer who has already paid a large amount, so please just let me go this time.

I drew an image of the original male lead, Elliot, in my head instead of thinking about nothing.

Please wait, Male Lead. This sister will go to save you!

***

A few hours after that.

“Wow.”

I made an involuntary exclamation while looking out the window.

My carriage was now speeding somewhere in the western part of the Empire.

Nothing stood in the way of the view of the open field stretching out to the horizon. It was a very different landscape than the capital.

“Dame Joan, are we here right now?”

I asked,  pointing to the map. Dame Joan nodded.

“Yes. It will only take you half a day to get to Rycallion.”

The place I was pointing to was a long way from the capital.

A place that cannot be reached by horse-drawn carriage at normal speed in a single night.

But in the presence of magic and wealth, nothing was impossible.

After roughly an hour of leaving the capital, we arrived at a big teleportation gate held by the Elune Church.

The gate was said to be dedicated to the Holy Knights and could only be used to dispatch the Holy Knights in an emergency. It seemed to be a special means of transportation that even the Emperor could not use at his leisure.

“You must be exhausted after spending the night in the carriage. Sleep more, Madam Irene.”

“I’m alright. Dame Joan was the one who couldn’t sleep. You’ve been awake the entire night.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. It’s all right.”

“No way, Is it because you are my escort?”

“No. That’s not it.”

Sir Joan laughed bitterly.

I opened my eyes wide.

I’ve known Dame Joan for over a month already, but I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve seen her expressions.

An expressionless expression, a strict expression, and a nervous expression in front of Ian.

“Dame Joan. You don’t look well.”

“Ah. Was it obvious?”

As a surprise, Dame Joan straightened her posture.

“I apologize. I made you worry.”

“No, I didn’t mean to hear that.”

I hurriedly shook my head.

“Would you mind telling me if something is wrong with you? It may be something I can’t solve for you, but…”

“Thank you for your kind words. Madam Irene.”

Dame Joan only thanked me politely, but she didn’t seem to want to confide in me.

There must be something going on.

I continued, looking at her expression.

“I’m not asking too much, but maybe I can help you. You might feel much better just by telling it.”

Dame Joan, who smiled embarrassedly, spoke up after a few seconds.

“I didn’t mean to worry you. Rycallion is my hometown.”

“Pardon?”

My pupils dilated.

“Are you from Rycallion?”

“Yes. The life or death of my family has not been confirmed, so I was spacing out.”

“…….Oh my. Dame Joan.”

Biting my lip, I approached Dame Joan and sat down next to her,

I didn’t know what to say to comfort her.

“I’m sure your family is safe.”

I carefully handed over the clichéd consolation.

“The Holy Knights of the Riccallion, so…… Before they did, There were eyewitness accounts of how they did their best to rescue civilians.”

I didn’t feel convinced in my own words as I spoke.

The whereabouts of Rycalion’s civilians are currently unknown.

If they survived safely under the protection of the Holy Knights, they should have evacuated to the neighboring village, but it is said that no such person was found in that village.

As if by evaporation, a large number of people disappeared.

Dame Joan smiled bitterly.

“Thank you for your condolences.”

“I pray to God Elune.”

I said this while clasping my hands together.

“Please make sure that Joan’s family is safe.”

First of all, I am a saintess. So Dame Joan would be comforted by my prayers.

I closed my eyes and silently chanted the name of the world’s god.

‘God Elune. Are you listening?”

I was a little stumped at the first prayer I had ever tried.

‘How can I…Can I just make a wish out of the blue?’

Oh, should I start reciting the prayer? What should I do? I haven’t memorized it yet.

I stifled the thought of gibberish.

‘Anyway. Please keep Joan and her family safe. Please.’

If I do this….Is it working?

It was a prayer that was similar to when I prayed to be chosen for a scholarship.

Nonetheless, I hope that Dame Joan will find some solace in my prayers.

That’s when I thought about it and opened my eyes.

‘……Here, for the first time.’

“Huh?”

Just what was it?

I opened my eyes.

“Dame Joan, what did you just say to me?”

“Pardon? I didn’t say anything.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I smiled awkwardly.

For a brief moment, I believe I heard what sounded like a voice.

I guess it was just the sound of the wind passing by.