IRATBP Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Graaaah!”

The sound of the bear collapsing to the ground echoed. As relief washed over me, a familiar scent of mint reached my nose, and my legs gave out.

‘This scent… Russell must be nearby.’

The bear was fiercely resisting. I could feel the snow and dirt on the ground splattering on me—it was clear that the same binding magic was being used as when I was attacked by bandits before. But what exactly is being used to bind it? Can flower magic summon rope-like vines?

‘This fresh, moist scent… is it roses?’

Just as I thought that, I carefully reached out my fingers—and suddenly felt a sharp pain.

Thorns had grown along the moist stem. I quickly pulled my hand back, but someone grabbed my wrist.

“Fiana!”

“R-Russell?”

But something was off about him. As I tried to pull my hand away, warm and wet pressure wrapped around my bleeding finger.

“Ah…!”

A soft groan escaped me. His warm, smooth lips gently enveloped my bleeding finger.

The hot, gentle sensation made my head spin. Just then, a cold breeze swept over my heated skin, and I heard a slurping sound between clenched teeth.

The sudden cold air snapped me back to reality. I struggled to pull my finger away.

“Let me go! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Stay still.”

His voice was heavy—and I could hear anxiety and urgency in it.

“That was the thorn of a Crimson Venom rose. It’s poisonous, so I have to remove it immediately.”

What kind of magic does Russell even have?

I was confused, but I had no choice but to trust him—especially since I was starting to feel light-headed, as if the poison was affecting me.

“It feels like I can’t pull away.”

It was as if I was absorbing his warmth through the wound. I couldn’t pull my finger away. Then, embarrassed, I finally withdrew it from his lips.

“I’m okay now. Please let go.”

But instead of releasing my finger, he grabbed my wrist. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.

Why isn’t he letting go?

Then I noticed his eyes. They had a sharp, dangerous glint.

I had a bad feeling.

Sweat ran down my chin. I cautiously asked:

“What are you hiding… in this graveyard?”

The air suddenly turned ice-cold.

‘His gaze…’

It was so cold, it felt like I couldn’t even breathe. Russell’s grip tightened, and a painful moan escaped my lips.

“How did you end up here?”

His voice was more than wary—it was hostile. It was cold as ice.

“Russell, please calm down and—”

“Fiana.”

He only said my name, but each syllable was filled with heavy emotion.

As time passed, his grip tightened. My fingers were going numb from lack of circulation.

Why is he reacting like this over a grave?

“Tell me what you found out.”

Hearing that made me not want to answer.

My wrist was hurting badly—so much so that I couldn’t feel anything anymore.

Still, I held back a scream and answered patiently.

“I only read the writing on the gravestone. That’s all.”

“Really?”

He’s letting his emotions get the better of him.

That thought made me smirk a little.

The always composed and confident Russell was now driven by emotion. It felt… strangely amusing.

“If this gravestone means so much to you… you shouldn’t have left it here like this, Russell.”

“What do you mean?”

Did I strike a nerve? His grip weakened.

It was like he was waiting for me to explain.

“This isn’t a good place to set a gravestone. I don’t know the details, but if this person was important to you, shouldn’t you have buried them somewhere warmer and sunnier?”

Russell didn’t reply.

I continued without backing down.

“I didn’t expect the Duke to be so careless about honoring the dead. Especially someone like you.”

Finally, his hand let go. I grabbed my aching wrist with my other hand. It was red and sore where he held me.

“You… make a fair point.”

I heard the sound of Russell brushing back his hair. Was he frustrated? Or did I touch a sensitive subject?

At that moment, I was scared of his voice.

Russell had the reputation of being the “Lion of the North Wind” in the capital. A man who could bring freezing winds with his presence. And now I understood why.

‘But… for a mere puppet duchess, that’s not a fitting comment.’

The killing intent I felt from him was stronger than any cold wind.

Was he seriously going to kill me now?

Just when I thought I was done for and closed my eyes tightly—

Someone rushed in.

“My Lord!”

Someone stepped in front of me.

That cheerful voice—it had to be Asha.

“Please stop! The Lady didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Asha…”

The air, which had been thick and frozen, suddenly relaxed a bit with her presence. I could finally breathe again.

As I gasped for air, Asha gently rubbed my back.

And then.

A shimmer appeared, and I saw a vision of light.

‘They say you can move forward with just courage, even without strength… but that’s a lie.’

Was that a hallucination? The voice was too vivid to be fake.

‘What… was that just now?’

Before I could think more, Asha shouted at Russell with a desperate voice.

“This was my fault! The Lady only asked to look around the forest for 10 minutes. I didn’t come back in time, and that’s why she got into danger. So if you must blame someone, blame me—not her!”

Russell scoffed and spoke coldly:

“So you’re saying it’s fine if I punish you instead of her?”

Asha flinched. From the side, I heard the chilling sound of Russell cracking his knuckles.

What on earth does that gravestone mean to him…?

Even though the voice sounded threatening, Asha bowed her head without hesitation and answered.

“Yes. I’ll accept any punishment.”

“Asha…!”

I was the one who acted on my own—so why is she saying she should be punished?

‘Why is Asha going this far for me?’

I couldn’t understand it.

In both my past and current lives, I could never understand people who were willing to devote themselves to me.

Even the cook who brought me stew when I was locked away in that unused room because of the Duchess’s cruelty—I couldn’t understand why they were kind to me.

Since coming to the North, there were so many things I couldn’t make sense of. As that thought crossed my mind, I felt dizzy, and all the strength drained from my body.

My instincts were screaming at me to run.

‘Running is what you’re good at. So if you don’t want to see blood, just run away.’ That voice whispered clearly in my ears.

‘Even if you’re weak, it’s okay. As long as you have the courage to take one step forward, you don’t have to fear anything.’

That thought gave me strength.

Tap. The sound of my cane touching the ground echoed.

When I came to my senses, I was standing in front of Asha, shielding her.

“Don’t punish her.”

“Why not?”

A cold air, like a winter wind, brushed deep into my core. 

Don’t back down. Even if I don’t have strength right now, I just need the courage to take one step forward.

“Asha only followed my stubbornness. She did nothing wrong. If someone needs to be punished, punish me.”

“My lady…!”

Behind me, I heard Asha’s voice, trembling with emotion. A heavy silence settled all around us like a stone, and just as the snow clinging to the branches began to fall with the breeze—

He finally spoke.

“Both of you, stand up.”