Chapter 39
It was the worst possible timing for Mary’s name to come up. I instantly remembered how Eon had shown interest in her before.
“You’re not talking about Mary from the Hyren Count’s household… are you?”
“She’s the only Mary we both know, isn’t she?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
I firmly put down my teacup.
“I’ve told you before—she’s out of the question.”
“You two seem close, so I don’t understand why you’re so against it.”
Of course he didn’t. I cared for Mary, and there was no way I was going to drag her into this hell.
“She wouldn’t fit in the Mage Tower. She talks too much and wouldn’t get along with the other maids. And besides, Count Hyren’s household respects their maids’ independence. The Tower’s too rigid for someone like her.”
I gave excuse after excuse, but then met Eon’s gaze. He was staring at me intently—probably admiring my green eyes, my soft brown hair. Just staring at the outside, not the real me.
‘It’s no use, huh.’
To him, my words were like background piano music—pretty, but meaningless.
“In any case, I’m against it.”
“Understood.”
“Does that mean you won’t bring Mary to the Mage Tower?”
“It means I’ll make sure your favorite maid isn’t made uncomfortable.”
A polite answer—but I knew he was ignoring me anyway. This had likely been decided the moment he laid eyes on Mary.
‘If I escape before Mary arrives, would he still bring her?’
If I succeeded, he’d know I wasn’t at the Tower anymore, and Mary wouldn’t be summoned. That settled it—I had to escape and let her know I was gone.
Eon gently dabbed his lips with a napkin and spoke again.
“It seems to me, Miss Selinia, that you don’t truly know what you need.”
“Excuse me?”
That’s ridiculous. I knew exactly what I needed. And as long as this delusional man didn’t get in my way, I could reach it just fine.
“But that’s okay. We’ll discover it together, one step at a time.”
His voice sounded oddly bashful, like he was acting out a romantic proposal.
‘Hah. As if I’d ever stay by your side.’
I swallowed my scoff along with the tea.
“I believe you’ll come to understand.”
I nodded—thinking not of him, but of my plan to escape with Karina. Yes. He couldn’t read my thoughts. That much was clear.
Unlike the last cloudy day out, today was bright and clear. The headache I’d been dealing with felt like it had finally vanished. The snow had melted thanks to several days of warmth. Only the shady areas that rarely saw people still had frozen ground. At least the weather wouldn’t slow me down today.
‘Good start.’
Even the clattering of the carriage wheels felt pleasant.
The marketplace at noon was lively. Shops, carts, shouting merchants, and moving crowds—it was all so busy. Even with Eon’s ability to track me, it wouldn’t be easy to find me in this mess.
As always, I passed the still-closed herb shop, then headed to the pub across from it. Thankfully, no one seemed to be tailing me.
‘If Karen were still here, she would’ve insisted on coming along, saying she had to protect me.’
Thinking about her twisted obsession made me realize it could’ve been seen as something touching, in a tragic way.
‘But she didn’t follow me out of care. She was trying to control me.’
I shook the thought away. That’s when I saw Karina waving from inside the pub. Her red hair and striking features stood out, just like always.
‘She’s already here.’
I had always trusted that Karina would keep her word. Still, seeing her made my chest tighten with emotion. It almost felt like hopeful background music was swelling behind her.
‘Am I being too dramatic?’
I checked myself—but no, it was natural. After being trapped by a killer, anyone would feel like this seeing their friend again.
As I walked toward her with a warm heart, I noticed someone else sitting across from her. A man, judging by the build, with a hood pulled low over his face.
‘Who is that?’
I paused. But Karina gave a small wave, signaling everything was fine.
‘Did she bring a mage?’
Whoever he was, if he was with Karina, I had no reason to worry.
“I’m so relieved you made it. I was worried you might not be able to come today.”
Karina held my hands tightly, checking that I was safe and sound. Considering the way I’d had to rush back last time, it made sense that she was concerned.
“Did you get back in time that day?”
“I did… but someone else paid the price.”
I tried to say it calmly, but I couldn’t hide the way my face twisted. Silence fell.
The sounds of coins clinking, trays clattering, and people chatting filled the air. I hoped we could melt into that normal, noisy background—without Eon barging in and ruining everything.
“I’ve got good news.”
Maybe my face was too grim, because Karina spoke up cheerfully. She gestured to the person beside me.
“You were looking for someone, right? Well… I found him.”
“There are only two people I could be looking for in this world… And if we already found one, then…”
“Could it be… Sir Rudis?”
Karina didn’t answer. Instead, she tapped the table lightly.
“You heard her, didn’t you? So go ahead and show your face. This doesn’t look like the kind of place where fans are hiding.”
“Is it finally time for the protagonist to appear?”
“How many times do I have to say it? This isn’t your novel.”
As Karina urged him, the hood came down, revealing jet-black hair, warm chocolate skin, red eyes, and a gentle smile.
“It’s been a while, my lady.”
“Sir Rudis!”
He gently took my hand from the table and kissed it lightly.
“It’s truly a joy to see you again.”
His smile was like light that could brighten up a room—like a scent that lingered and soothed.
“Thank you for not forgetting me and telling that soldier to find me.”
I was the one who should be thanking him, but I was so shocked I missed my chance.
“How are you even here, Sir Rudis? How did you meet him, Karina?”
I’d hoped for this, yes—but I didn’t really believe Karina would find him. It had felt like too much of a miracle.
“Ah, so the Lady of Hyren didn’t know either. There was a signing event at Alexandra Bookstore. I just happened to be walking by—and luckily, Sir Rudis agreed to help us.”
Karina shrugged as Rudis playfully chimed in.
“My, my. That’s like summarizing a whole novel using only the first and last chapter. All the suspense and tension in the middle is missing.”
“I think it was a perfect summary.”
“If you’re just trying to cover up how rude you were, I understand. If Lady Selinia knew what that soldier did, she’d be shocked. I was afraid she’d faint from the horror.”
Karina and Rudis bickered back and forth, and I watched them both with awe. They probably thought I was just amazed by the coincidence.
‘Wow. The female lead and male lead are finally together.’
The first meeting was different from the novel, but the banter was exactly the same. And if Rudis had come all the way here, then he must have already been drawn to Karina, just like in the original story.
I’d been worried that I might mess up their relationship, but it seemed everything was falling into place. That reassurance gave me a deep sense of peace inside.
‘No need for the whole mystery-solving arc—we already know the killer. Now it’s time to catch him. The finale’s coming.’
Rudis was the most reliable ally I could ask for. I still didn’t know what his plan was, but I was sure of one thing—this time, I could escape Eon for good.
“Seems the wise and thoughtful gods are on your side, my lady.”
“And on the side of the other missing people too.”
“Other missing people?”
Rudis responded before I could.
“If we break the subjugation contract, we can safely hide Lady Selinia. Once she’s secure…”
“Wait, what? Break the subjugation contract?”
