Chapter 55
“You don’t mean….”
Olivia’s lips trembled as if a suspicion had taken root in her mind.
“Tell me at once. Who sent you?”
“Damn it, this girl is really a nuisance.”
A burly man scratched the back of his head and stepped forward. The same man who had been grinning so confidently now looked straight at Olivia, speaking in a low, secretive tone.
“Do you have any idea who might be in trouble if I say anything here?”
Olivia’s face immediately went pale.
She pressed her trembling lips together as a strange silence descended over the dark alley for a moment.
“Move aside if you understand.”
The menacing man spoke threateningly.
The tension in the alley had shifted subtly. Sharie, swallowing her dry saliva, was already preparing an offensive spell.
Suddenly—
“Screeeech!”
A piercing cry cut through the air, and a hawk, wings spread majestically, swooped down like a lightning bolt toward the ground.
It was her companion, Momo.
“Argh! That little—damn it!”
The men, who had mocked the hawk’s small frame, cursed in surprise at the ferocity of its attack.
Its hooked, razor-sharp beak and talons targeted their eyes with precision. The men flailed their arms and shielded their faces, desperate to ward off the bird.
In the moment their momentum faltered—
“Found you!”
A familiar voice came from behind the men.
It was Alex.
Despite the hawk’s relentless assault, he strode past the men without hesitation, reaching Sharie’s side.
“Where on earth did you go while I was loading the carriage?”
“I-I’m sorry…”
Even if Momo had escaped the cage on its own and chased after him, it was hardly an excuse. She recalled how Momo had sometimes struggled to return alone during training.
I should have been more careful.
Alex had set aside his duties with the knight order to accompany her as a guard. Sharie felt guilty for troubling him.
Alex, who always softened around women, sighed as he looked at her downcast expression.
“This matter will remain a secret from Lady Kaisa. From now on, wherever you go, allow me to keep an eye on you.”
Sharie looked up at him, her face brightening. She had already been worried about Kaisa, and his offer was a relief.
Though his excessive flirtation had somewhat tarnished his image, Alex was indeed a competent knight.
“I promise.”
“Good. Quick answer.”
Alex winked with one eye and turned his gaze toward the ruffians.
The men were still distracted by the circling hawk above them.
“And you lot—what are you?”
Cracking his knuckles with a loud pop, Alex displayed a threatening grin, revealing a perfect set of teeth.
“I show no mercy to men like you. Want to try me?”
In the village, a knight’s uniform would have made him conspicuous, so Alex wore regular armor. But no matter the attire, one cannot hide their natural presence. His tall frame, broad muscles, and the massive bastard sword slung across his back radiated a formidable aura. The men flinched.
Clearly well-trained, the men quickly exchanged glances and, deciding it was not worth the fight, simultaneously turned and retreated.
“Just you wait!”
A pitiful exit line compared to his dramatic entrance.
Later, Sharie managed to wrap up the situation and safely returned to the castle. Yet, her mind remained restless.
Suspicious.
Those who seemed to be targeting her. She had wanted to talk more with Olivia, but her pale face showed she was too weak to insist.
What on earth is happening?
It felt as if events connected to her were unfolding somewhere she could not see. There was no evidence, no clue—only a foreboding sense that she could not explain.
“My lady, could you raise your left arm just a bit more?”
The careful voice of a seamstress snapped Sharie from her thoughts.
“My lady?”
Startled, Sharie looked up at the concerned seamstress.
“Are you all right? Did you perhaps get pricked by a pin?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Sharie waved her hand dismissively, easing the seamstress’s concern.
“Let’s continue.”
No sooner had she given permission than the seamstress returned to her busy work, laying extra fabric over Sharie to prevent twisting, loosening measuring ribbons, repeatedly pinning and unpinning. Hunting attire had to fit snugly, and the seamstress measured with meticulous precision.
“Do you have a specific design in mind?”
“No, I don’t.”
Several days had passed since her visit to the commercial district. It was time to prepare seriously for the hunting tournament, an event hosted by the royal palace. The kingdom’s notable nobles and influential figures would all participate.
Kaisa, attentive as always, had first summoned the seamstress to prepare hunting clothes tailored to Sharie’s frame.
“I will do my best.”
The young seamstress, educated even overseas, had been summoned to the castle for the first time and was brimming with enthusiasm. As Sharie examined the colorful threads and curious tools, the seamstress completed her measurements.
“Now, please try on this color swatch.”
“All of these?”
Sharie, briefly relieved at a pause, flinched at the mountain of fabrics. The vivid threads were initially enticing, but her indifference to clothing soon set in. Repeatedly trying on and removing dresses was exhausting.
“You could just hold it to your face to compare colors.”
“With respect, trying it on is always most accurate.”
Firm in her stance, the seamstress made Sharie try on seven more dresses.
“Your fair skin suits subtle shades very well.”
The seamstress jotted notes on parchment with satisfaction.
“This design is fashionable recently, and this fabric comes from the continent. Do you have a preferred material?”
Half-dazed, Sharie smiled awkwardly.
“I’ll trust you.”
“Understood. I will strive to meet your expectations.”
The seamstress bowed deeply, confident in her promise, as Sharie exhaled a sigh of relief.
Finally, freedom.
Behind the curtain, she removed the last dress.
Suddenly—
“May I come in?”
The familiar voice drew the seamstress out first.
“It is an honor to see such a distinguished person.”
Footsteps followed, a light conversation perhaps exchanged.
“Where is my wife?”
Sensing Kaisa’s presence, Sharie checked her attire. She could not step out in just her underdress.
Peeking through the curtain, she revealed only her eyes.
“Here.”
Kaisa smiled at the sight of her peeking like a timid rabbit.
“Already finished? Perhaps we should make a few more new dresses.”
The eager seamstress’s eyes gleamed at the suggestion, but Sharie quickly shook her head.
“I already have plenty of dresses.”
Thoughtful even before their marriage, Kaisa had prepared dresses and accessories for her. The first time Sharie saw the jewelry box, she had been amazed. Every dress was high-quality and perfectly sized—no alterations necessary.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not very interested in dressing up.”
She rotated only a few of her favorite dresses.
“Of course, for banquets or balls, I will dress properly.”
The thought of social vanity reminded her of what Anette had said—extravagance wasn’t always negative among the upper class.
“Would it be better to dress more regally?”
Worried that her own modesty might diminish Kaisa’s stature, Sharie let go of the curtain. She caught glimpses of Kaisa moving just beyond the drapery.
“You don’t need to prove yourself with clothing.”
Heavy footsteps approached.
“No matter what you wear, we are married, and that will never change.”
A large hand pulled aside the curtain that separated her from Kaisa. Startled, Sharie raised her head.
The dresses she had removed had already been taken by the seamstress.
“Are you coming in?”
She was now in only a thin, sleeveless underdress.
