Chapter 30
One of the men was Edwin. The other wore a cloak emblazoned with the crest of the Royal Guard—someone she had seen a few times within the castle walls.
“Lady Sharie? Did you come after receiving my letter?”
Edwin looked genuinely surprised to see her.
“You mean to say…”
His brown eyes, quickly scanning his surroundings, lit up when he spotted Annette emerging from the building.
“Annette! Darling!”
Waving one hand in delight, Edwin ran toward her, his brown hair flying. He looked for all the world like a dog wagging its tail at the sight of its master.
Startled, Annette almost reached out in return, but twisted her body aside instead.
“There’s no need to be shy between us,”
Edwin insisted, left hugging empty air yet maintaining his confident demeanor.“Is it because I nearly died and came back to see you? You’ve become even more beautiful, Annette.”
“Don’t.”
Annette’s curt rebuke at his cringeworthy words didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. He even grinned mischievously.
“Ugh.”
One of the knights who had descended the mountain with him covered his mouth.
“I feel sick.”
The man muttered irritably before noticing Sharie and giving her a polite bow.
“I believe this is our first introduction, my lady. I am Alex, captain of the First Division.”
As they shook hands, Sharie’s gaze flicked to the massive sword strapped to his back—a bastard sword so long and thick it would be difficult to grip without gauntlets. The blade alone was nearly her height.
It was an intimidating weapon, yet its owner had surprisingly gentlemanly manners.
“Allow me to escort you on your way,”
Alex said with a bright smile that showed even teeth and an open, forthright air.
Still, it seemed his kindness was reserved for women.
“Hey, Edwin! How long are you planning to slack off? We need to start the strategy meeting now!”
His rough, irritable tone was nothing like the one he’d just used with her.
“Impatient, isn’t he,” Edwin replied casually, unlike the slightly startled Sharie, and gestured toward a tent. “This way.”
Inside the spacious command tent, a large table and chairs had been set up so many could sit together. Once everyone had gathered, Edwin began.
“Since the lord went missing, I have been both commanding the troops to prepare for the next attack…”
He spread a map across the table.
“…and studying the mountain’s detailed terrain.”
His first priority before rescuing Kaisa had been to make a new map—the old ones were outdated and nearly useless.
Together with Alex, he ventured into the mountains, used trained birds to scout obstacles, and measured locations with advice from locals who knew the area well.
Every day for several days, they packed dry rations, climbed the mountain at sunrise, and only returned after nightfall.
“Today, the work is finally complete.”
Edwin’s finger tapped a spot on the map.
“If the lord took temporary refuge, there’s a high chance he is here.”
The area he pointed to was a tangle of overlapping contour lines.
“The cave zone—there are more than a dozen large and small caves in this rugged terrain.”
With the destination decided, there was no need to hesitate. Edwin planned to set out at dawn.
“I will go alone.”
He knew Kaisa’s combat ability better than anyone. The mountain paths were difficult, and the cave zone would slow movement even more. Speed was crucial—bringing more people would only hinder him.
In truth, Edwin was more concerned about the village’s safety than his lord’s.
“Russley, focus solely on defending the village as usual.”
“No need to tell me—I’d do that anyway,” Russley replied gruffly but firmly.
“Judging by the pattern so far, there’s a high chance of another monster attack tomorrow…”
Edwin’s gaze swept the tent before settling on one person.
“Anette, I’ll hand over field command to you.”
“All right.”
She accepted without hesitation. Battles were not won through brute force alone—skilled leadership was vital, especially now. Annette excelled at strategy and troop deployment and had led monster-hunting units many times.
“Return as quickly as you can,” she ordered curtly.
Edwin chuckled. He had expected this reaction ever since hearing of their lord’s disappearance—Edwin was the type to move even faster in times like these.
Annette, for her part, had no intention of wasting time worrying. Kaisa was a man who could cheat death itself.
Good. Things are about to get busy, she thought.
But one thing nagged at her—the silent figure sitting beside her. Sharie hadn’t spoken a word.
Surely not…
Annette had not known the rabbitfolk woman for long, but she had already seen how recklessly brave she could be.
In the dead of night, as everyone slept, Annette’s suspicion proved right. She spotted a shadow moving stealthily, carrying a travel bag.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Startled, Sharie flinched at the voice.
“…I…”
She was dressed warmly in thick winter gear and anti-slip boots—prepared, but not enough.
Annette’s pink-eyed gaze hardened.
“You’re not planning to follow Edwin into the mountains, are you? Don’t joke with me. No one will spare you any consideration up there.”
The mountains were still crawling with monsters. Edwin would be fine—he was an expert in stealth, escape, and survival, a famed assassin for good reason.
But Sharie was different. Healing magic alone wouldn’t protect her.
“You’ll be badly hurt. You could even die.”
“I… I know.”
Her voice trembled, but her answer was firm. She wasn’t acting out of ignorance.
Annette decided to change tactics—sometimes a little carrot worked better than the stick.
“There’s no need to risk your life for a political marriage partner.”
If Sharie stayed here, even in the castle, no one would blame her. Throwing away one’s life for the duties of an arranged marriage was foolish.
“He is my husband!”
The reply was so unexpected that Annette froze.
“Even if I don’t know what the future holds… for now, we are husband and wife.”
Sharie’s voice shook with emotion, her hands gripping her bag’s straps so tightly they crumpled.
“I just… want to help Kaisa. I don’t want to sit here doing nothing but worry.”
This wasn’t about responsibility or obligation.
Annette could only stare. The timid rabbitfolk woman who had once eyed the world with fear now spoke with fierce resolve.
“So please… pretend you didn’t see me.”
Her voice wavered with tears.
A person with true conviction could not be stopped. Annette sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead.
“This isn’t just stubbornness,” Sharie pleaded. “If Kaisa is seriously hurt, my healing magic might save him.”
“That’s…”
Annette couldn’t deny it. The only question was whether Sharie could survive the journey. The Barhad mountain range was so cold and harsh that even the serpentfolk struggled to endure it.
After a long silence, Annette finally spoke.
“I have an idea.”
Elsewhere, Edwin tilted his head back to study the sky. Heavy clouds were gathering—rain was coming.
I’d better find a campsite quickly.
If they got wet while resting, their stamina would drop fast.
Parting some leaves, he spotted an overhanging rock formation that would keep the rain off. He secured the tent flaps with stones, struck a spark, and lit a fire just as the rain began to fall.
Staring into the flames, Edwin’s lips curved upward.
On the road to find his missing lord—despite the grim situation—he found himself smiling for no apparent reason.
