Chapter 29: How a Mercenary Deals with Unwanted Guests (7)

“Ha! Declare war?! What would you know about that?!”

“A few years ago, there was a war in the east. It started because a noblewoman was threatened and insulted by the other family.”

Shubel was stunned—first by how calm Regina remained even when surrounded by knights, and again by how this commoner knew details about a war in the far east.

The first ones to benefit from war were always merchants—especially those in the weapon trade, who worked closely with mercenaries. So as a mercenary, Regina knew a lot about conflicts, even secret parts not known to the public.

“History creates precedent. In that case, the noblewoman personally took a sword, snuck into the room, and took the enemy family’s head herself.”

And yet she was declared innocent. They praised her courage and honor for protecting her family and lands. Regina was now comparing that case to this one—issuing a warning to Shubel.

“I am part of Duke Julius’s household. My name is on the marriage contract. So do not point your swords at me. This is your final warning.”

How does this low-born mercenary know about such laws and history? Shubel and Phinette were both confused.

“Don’t be ridiculous! My sister is the Empress Dowager!”

But that only lasted a moment. Even though the imperial family had made their decision, the fact that his sister protected the emperor’s legacy made Shubel endlessly arrogant.

The Count grabbed a sword from the belt of a knight beside him. He planned to personally tear up that pretty face so she’d never show it again.

But before he could move—Regina leapt onto the table, dress flying, sword in hand, and pressed the blade right to his throat.

“Eek!”

Now that their master’s life was at stake, the knights of House Renzier couldn’t come any closer.

“Let our Count go!”

Finally snapping out of her shock, Phinette picked up a cushion and threw it at Regina. It gave Shubel the chance to escape the threat.

He crawled off the sofa and collapsed on the floor, realizing there was blood running from his neck.

“Kill her! Kill her now!”

The real fight had begun. Each time Regina’s yellow dress swirled, another knight fell. If anyone wondered what a beautiful, dazzling battle looked like—it was this.

“Ugh!”

Valentin couldn’t take his eyes off Regina as she cut through the enemies with the grace of a noble lady. It was like watching a flower in full bloom, dancing. Her energy seemed to pour out, reaching not only his skin but deep into his heart.

No painting or landscape had ever struck Valentin like this. Regina’s sword dance was the most stunning thing he’d ever seen.

If Shubel hadn’t been preparing to throw a vase, Valentin might’ve just stood there and watched until the very end. But something inside him snapped. He ran at Shubel—not limping, but firmly—and tackled him to the ground.

Then he began choking him.

“Grrk!”

“Fire demon! I have to kill the fire demon!”

To everyone watching, it looked like Valentin had suddenly snapped and was having a seizure.

In truth, he was trying to make it look that way. His plan was to give Regina the time and space to finish off the knights. And maybe also… to make sure Shubel never looked at her that way again.

But Valentin didn’t realize—being a victim for so long, he had no idea how powerful it would feel to finally have his hated enemy struggling beneath him.

He remembered sitting beside his dead mother’s cold body, starving, feeding himself only on the fire of revenge. The memory washed over him like a wave, turning his mind blank.

“Grrk!”

Shubel tried to push him off, but Valentin’s grip was too strong. Even Phinette couldn’t pull him away.

“Valentin!”

Kicking away the knight coming at her, Regina shoved Phinette aside and threw herself onto Valentin, wrapping her arms around him. That was when some of his scattered mind returned.

“Cough! Cough!”

Valentin’s tight grip slowly loosened. Shubel gasped for air underneath him—but Valentin’s eyes saw only Regina’s face.

“It’s okay. Look at me and come back slowly.”

Gently, Regina helped him off Shubel. Taking the chance, Shubel crawled away on all fours and hid among his knights, shaking.

Did I really lose control? But… that warmth pulled me back.

He couldn’t believe it. He had been faking madness all along, but just now—it had felt real. And this mercenary had brought him back. Someone who was supposed to be nothing to him.

“You’ll pay for this!”

“We won’t stand still, either!”

Just then, Thomas arrived at the castle, meeting Shubel’s threat with his own. He must’ve heard the news right away and rushed over—now surrounded by his own knights.

“This is Duke Julius’s territory. If you continue to threaten our Lord and Lady, we, the Julius knights, will respond.”

Even though he had lost to Regina before, Thomas was excellent at training loyal knights. Quietly and steadily, he had turned even the leftover soldiers of Valmen into the Duke’s own.

With the numbers now against him, it looked like a real war might start. Shubel didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t even call in his hidden rats.

“Y-you… damn you all…”

“Leave.”

Seeing that Valentin had calmed down a bit, Regina stood up, sword in hand. Her shoes had been lost during the fight, and her dress was torn and ruined.

But the pressure she gave off was so strong that no one dared speak against her.

“If you don’t, I will do anything as the Duchess to protect my husband and this castle—even at the cost of my life.”

Shubel’s jaw trembled. Of course it did—he was standing in front of a tiger ready to rip his throat out. Leaning on his knights, he tried to save what little pride he had left.

“I won’t forget this. One day, I’ll make sure you pay!”

Phinette hesitated, then followed him out like a coward. Only Valentin, Regina, and the newly arrived Allen and Thomas’s knights remained.

“…Valentin, are you okay?”

After the storm passed, Regina let out a deep breath and walked toward him. He was still sitting on the floor, dazed, and simply nodded.

“Get up. Miss Roten, bring his cane.”

Regina reached out her hand to him, tilting her head. He still looked far away.

“Do you need your medicine?”

“…No. I’m actually calm now, surprisingly.”

As he stood, Valentin noticed Regina’s shredded dress. So did she. Her dress was ripped beyond repair. She’d said it was fine—but now she felt a little guilty.

“What a waste. Miss Roten worked so hard to fix this dress.”

She saw that even the jeweled hairpin was broken and sighed.

“I’ll buy you new ones,” Valentin said.

It sounded like he’d buy the entire boutique for her. Thomas looked stunned—was this the same master who never gave anyone gifts?

“Then please buy them for Miss Roten. She gave me everything I’m wearing.”

“The castle already paid for that, so it’s yours. If you want to repay her, you can handle the castle’s supply finances later.”

“I’m in charge of the finances?”

Regina blinked in surprise, and Allen nodded with a smile. After seeing what she’d just done, who would doubt her ability? Even Thomas said nothing against it.

“I’ll try. Let’s talk about that later.”

To her, it was just another task. She gave a nod and looked over at Thomas.

“Sir Fin, what I asked for?”

“It’s in my saddlebag. I brought it while rushing here.”

“Then please bring it to my room later.”

“But first, my lady—are you hurt anywhere?”

As the castle healer, Allen naturally asked. Regina gave a small nod, but Valentin gently touched her arm, where it stung.

“It’s just small wounds.”

“I’ll bring ointment. Please head to your room.”

Allen left to get medicine. Thomas followed to manage his knights. That left Regina and Valentin alone as they made their way upstairs. The problem? Regina had jumped onto the table with her shoes still on… and then kicked several knights. One heel was broken. The other completely crushed.

So, she had no choice but to walk barefoot.

“…Such a waste,” she muttered.