Chapter 19
“Young Lady, you don’t look well. Is something wrong?”
Once again, Elijia was on her way home in Jerome’s carriage.
As they neared the estate, Jerome noticed the growing look of unease on Elijia’s face and asked with concern.
“Um, well…”
Elijia wiped at the cold sweat forming on her forehead as she watched the city grow closer outside the window.
‘I did what I had to do, but… is it really okay to go home like this?’
She had spent too much time sparring with the Crown Prince, and now the sun had already risen. Her family had surely noticed her absence by now.
‘And yet… it’s quiet. Too quiet.’
Maybe they didn’t care whether she came or went. Still, something about the silence felt like the calm before a storm, and it left Elijia with a bad feeling.
‘Is Father… going to explode?’
If they found out she snuck out despite being grounded, would they confine her to the house for good?
As she tilted her head in thought, she shook it off firmly.
‘Well, even if they lock me up, I can always escape.’
“If they tie me up, I’ll tear the ropes. If there’s a wall, I’ll break it.”
Wait—why is this turning into a prison break story?! LOL.
This isn’t an escape game! No matter how strict her family is, would they really go that far?
“Well… maybe not, huh?”
It would probably be fine. Maybe there was nothing to worry about at all. Reading the chat eased her anxiety a little.
Elijia smiled slightly and responded to Jerome’s earlier question.
“It’s nothing. Let’s hurry back.”
Whatever the situation was, she wouldn’t know until she saw it for herself.
The carriage continued to roll through the city. Elijia quietly took in the scenery as they passed.
A dessert shop already baking fresh bread for the morning. A boutique hanging up clothes with new designs. Beautiful medieval-style buildings. Seeing them in person felt more vivid than the game illustrations had, and it was surprisingly enjoyable.
The scent of fresh flowers arranged along the streets wafted into the carriage. Elijia began to get used to the bumpy ride.
Just then, the carriage reached the front of the Duke’s estate.
“Stop!”
Clank. Clatter.
The moment they neared the Semperion mansion, a loud metallic noise rang out along with a booming voice. They couldn’t see everything through the carriage’s small window, and Elijia frowned.
‘The duke’s knights?’
But this was a Mage Tower carriage. Wasn’t the Mage Tower generally welcomed everywhere?
Perhaps sensing her confusion, Jerome quickly explained.
“Oh, this trip was a secret one, so there’s no insignia on the carriage.”
So the knights couldn’t recognize it. That meant either Jerome or Elijia would have to step out and reassure them. Understanding that, Elijia stood up.
“Alright. I guess I need to get out?”
“Yes, I’ll go first.”
As was proper for an escort, Jerome stepped out first. Elijia followed naturally behind him.
But as soon as Jerome exited the carriage and glanced toward the mansion, he stopped dead in his tracks.
“…”
“…What’s wrong?”
Elijia asked, puzzled by his frozen state—he hadn’t even let go of the door handle.
“J-just a moment, Young Lady.”
Jerome muttered nervously. Curious, Elijia ignored him and peeked outside.
At the entrance of the estate stood…
“…A Semperion family carriage?”
Elijia recognized the family crest almost immediately. It was everywhere—on the ceilings, the floors, even the dinnerware.
A splendid carriage bearing that emblem was stopped right at the main gate, seemingly about to leave.
And around it were knights on horseback, completely surrounding it.
Jerome asked, flustered.
“Young Lady Semperion, is there some kind of event today? Something special happening at the mansion?”
“…Not that I know of.”
Elijia tilted her head in confusion as well. Jerome hurriedly asked again.
“Just to be sure… you didn’t inform anyone that you were leaving, did you?”
“…Ah, that.”
Now that she thought about it, the way the Crown Prince acted in the forest had been very confident—he clearly thought her family knew she was out.
‘But I actually snuck out…’
Elijia let out a guilty cough. Just then, the door of the other carriage opened.
Clack.
With a soft metallic sound, the door to the Semperion carriage opened. From behind the gilded decorations stepped out two familiar figures.
The Duke of Semperion—her father—and her older brother, Howell Semperion.
Both were dressed head-to-toe in their formal attire. It looked like they had been about to go somewhere. The Duke spoke first.
“…Flumen, Sub-Tower Lord?”
He had recognized Jerome. His gaze moved from Jerome to the figure hesitating behind him—Elijia.
Upon seeing her face, the Duke’s brow twitched slightly.
After a brief silence, the Duke slowly muttered,
“I thought she’d been taken to the palace… Was it the Mage Tower that took her?”
‘Wait, what?!’
Elijia’s eyes went wide.
“Taken away? Taaakeen away?!”
You thought I was taken to the imperial palace?!
‘Just because I left home, you treat me like a criminal?!’
As Elijia rubbed the back of her neck in disbelief, things got even worse.
Howell, who had been quietly standing beside the Duke, muttered to himself in a shaky voice, eyes fixed on the ground.
“So she was taken away after all…”
‘No, I wasn’t!!’
Why do you look like you’re convinced this is true?!
Elijia didn’t even know where to begin explaining. And frankly, it wasn’t like they ever listened to her anyway.
‘Ugh, someone else should explain this.’
And conveniently, someone else was right here. Elijia tapped Jerome on the shoulder.
“Alright, Sub-Tower Lord, please clear up this misunderstanding.”
“Huh?”
Jerome blinked, confused. Elijia explained it again to help him catch up.
“It seems they think I was dragged away to the Mage Tower or palace or something. Please tell them that’s not what happened.”
She urged him, sighing as if her head hurt.
“Elijia!”
A harsh voice struck her ears.
“What kind of behavior is that toward Lord Flumen? Is that how I raised you?”
The Duke had suddenly approached and was glaring at her. Her way of asking Jerome for help must have seemed unladylike and lacking proper etiquette.
Disappointment +5%!
Disappointment 320% → 325%
The Duke is once again disappointed in you!
The disappointment meter kept climbing. The Duke turned to Jerome without even looking at Elijia.
“I apologize on her behalf, Lord Flumen.”
“…Ah, it’s quite alright.”
Jerome, clearly caught off guard by the tense atmosphere, carefully spoke up.
“Lady Semperion hasn’t done anything wrong. Please don’t worry.”
“…She hasn’t?”
“No, sir.”
Jerome nodded. He spoke clearly and with confidence.
“In fact, the Young Lady accomplished something remarkable. She saved many people.”
Capturing the Hellhound had been truly impressive. Not only had she shown great skill, but she had also prevented potential widespread damage. Still—
“What?”
“Excuse me?”
The Duke and Howell’s expressions twisted in disbelief. They looked completely stunned, and that made Elijia feel a little bitter.
‘They don’t believe it at all.’
Howell, still stiff, muttered suspiciously,
“You say that, but… what exactly did she do?”
“I can’t say more due to confidentiality.”
The appearance of the Hellhound was a classified matter. The royal palace had decided the information would only be shared directly with the Duke later. There were too many people around now to say anything more.
“But I can say this clearly.”
Jerome took a breath, then raised his head. He looked the Duke straight in the eye and said firmly,
“What’s certain is that Lady Semperion has talent—extraordinary talent.”
“…!”
“I hope you’ll visit the Mage Tower soon to confirm this for yourself.”
“…”
The Duke’s face hardened with surprise. He seemed more shocked than angry.
Disappointment +20%!
Disappointment 325% → 345%!!
The Duke is very disappointed in you!
‘Wait, what? Why?!’
She had saved people and even showed she had talent. Why was he more disappointed now?
Baffled by the rising disappointment meter, Elijia bit her lip.
“…Elijia. Come here.”
Finally, the Duke spoke to her. His voice was heavy with complex emotion.
“Whatever happened, we’ll talk about it properly back at the house.”
“…”
“I’ll be in contact with the Mage Tower soon.”
“…Yes, of course.”
Sensing the weight of the moment, Jerome slowly nodded.
“Young Lady, as promised, we’ll complete the ability assessment at the Tower next time. I hope to see you again soon.”
“…Yes.”
Elijia studied her father’s face. He hadn’t forbidden her from going to the Mage Tower—at least that much was a good sign.
Seeing him nod again, urging her silently to come, Elijia finally took a step forward.
It was time to return to the Duke’s mansion.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Everything alright, sir?”
Later, back at the carriage, Jerome returned after seeing Elijia off. The coachman greeted him.
“More or less. But…”
Jerome climbed into the carriage and glanced out the window. The Semperion family’s people were visible in the distance—the carriages and knights all returning to the estate.
As he watched them retreat, Jerome murmured to himself,
“…It really seems the Semperion family cares deeply about her.”
Considering how they were all preparing to rush to the imperial palace, just in case something had happened to her.
