Chapter 05
‘He’s handsome. No, is he pretty? No… it’s not just pretty—this is what they call beautiful, isn’t it?’
When a person is pushed into a situation they can’t mentally handle, they tend to escape reality.
And if the person right in front of them—smiling faintly—is unimaginably beautiful, that escape becomes even easier.
Especially when you’re literally being held in that person’s arms. There was no need to say more.
“Should I call you a lifesaver instead of a cat?”
At those words, Milona’s violet eyes briefly snapped back to reality and wavered—but only for a moment. She quickly assessed her situation.
The assassin who had been wildly swinging a dagger was now foaming at the mouth and rolling on the ground. Knights and soldiers who had rushed to escort Wade were surrounding the area. And on top of that, she was being held in Wade’s arms, unable to move at all—soon to be joined by the temple guards rushing in.
Think! Milona, think! A way out!
The first option that came to mind:
Lie flat on the ground and beg.
But because she was currently in that nobleman’s arms, she couldn’t even get into a position to prostrate herself.
Begging is out!
Then what about striking that smiling face and using the moment he flinches to escape?
……Damaging something that pretty would violate my professional ethics.
Beautiful, precious, and exquisite things had to be carefully cherished and protected.
Only then would claiming ownership later feel more rewarding—and her wallet would grow thicker afterward.
She had no intention of harming the beautiful man in front of her.
Still… since God had said she must save the world through “love” with this man, then if she succeeded, wouldn’t she be able to claim ownership of him afterward?
A fleeting thought—far too absurd to even consider seriously.
But what did it matter? Thinking it didn’t make it a sin.
Fine. Injuring a member of the royal family is a surefire way to die horribly.
That option was out too.
Then there was only one choice left.
Feeling cold sweat gather under her clenched fists, Milona steadied her breathing.
And then—
“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
She screamed.
A full-force scream, as if squeezing out every last bit of her strength.
Her thin frame produced a shriek that seemed impossible for her body, and the arms holding her loosened in surprise.
She didn’t miss that moment.
Milona used all the strength she had left to break free from Wade’s arms and sprint toward the inner part of the temple.
“You’re the first person to ever scream after seeing my face.” Strategy successful!
Fortunately, she didn’t hear footsteps chasing her. The plan had worked.
But she couldn’t relax yet. She ran faster toward the visible escape route in the distance, thinking absurdly, ‘Still… isn’t turning myself in after stealing money more memorable than just getting away cleanly?’
No matter how positively she tried to think, she couldn’t ignore how completely ruined this situation was. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she might actually cry.
Meanwhile, Wade remained at the spot where Milona’s scream had left no trace. He chuckled softly as he recalled the mysterious “lifesaver” who had been in his arms just moments ago.
He hadn’t seen her face clearly because of the mask, but the cat-like upturned eyes and violet gaze were vividly etched in his memory.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
A man with short, neatly styled black hair approached him, blinking his grayish-blue eyes indifferently. His voice carried no real concern—just a flat tone anyone could hear.
“Arsa, do I not look fine to you?”
“You look extremely fine.”
“Relax your face. You’ll look older.”
Wade smiled faintly at his aide, Arsa, watching the deep wrinkle form between his brows. Arsa—who was the same age as him but looked a decade older—only sighed internally.
Wade then turned and called over Robert, his knight commander and bodyguard, who had just finished restraining the assassin.
“He’s still alive.”
Robert’s sky-blue eyes sparkled like a child who had found a new toy.
“I heard something breaking earlier.”
“Probably that idiot’s poor soul? Or his pride as a man? Or perhaps, biologically speaking—”
“Sir Robert. I have warned you before to maintain decorum in front of His Highness.”
“Arsa, don’t frown like that. You look even older!”
“…I’ll be cutting your ‘decorum allowance’ starting this month.”
“That’s not fair!”
Robert clung to Arsa in panic, lamenting the reduction of his “etiquette budget.”
Wade, amused, watched them briefly before turning his gaze to the captured assassin being dragged away.
A “gift” sent by his older brother. The first one this year.
It had been quiet since last winter’s attempt, and he had thought it was about time—but to think they would strike in a temple.
So the temple has chosen its stance.
The imperial family of Lisius had always maintained a strict balance between royal authority and divine authority.
The current Emperor, Magze La Gaire, was not a foolish man—he would understand why that balance mattered.
Yet recently, his brother had begun distancing himself from the temple more and more.
Wade’s smile faded for just a moment.
“Are you thinking about something unpleasant again?”
“Your decorum allowance is still intact, right?”
“I suppose I should take that as a compliment.”
Robert shrugged with a light laugh, while Arsa looked at him with mild disgust.
Wade continued:
“Don’t touch Arsa’s face. You’ll lose whatever salary you have left.”
“You’re the one who teases him too!”
“Not everyone is allowed to.”
“Why not?”
The reason didn’t need to be said aloud.
Arsa looked like he was ten years older; Robert looked like he was ten years younger.
One was intimidating despite his calm expression; the other looked like a handsome flirt who seemed open-hearted at first glance.
Naturally, Robert’s habit of teasing Arsa’s insecurity made things… complicated.
“Anyway, what will you do now?”
“I received a gift, so I should properly say thank you.”
“They won’t accept that gratitude.”
“Of course not. But if I bring this one in, I might be able to justify a little cleanup elsewhere. The Thieves’ Guild, perhaps… or maybe even the Information Guild.”
Darkness always existed where there was light.
The shining capital of Roasa had its emperor—but its shadows were the unregistered guilds lurking in the back alleys.
Among them, the Thieves’ Guild and the Information Guild had repeatedly escaped eradication.
Even past emperors had failed.
Only one partial success had ever been recorded generations ago.
Wade smiled again.
“Now then… what was I thinking?”
He shook off the faint memory of his brother’s gentle smile and returned to his usual expression.
A smile as bright as Robert’s—but distant like Arsa’s.
Just as he prepared to move toward the temple guards finally rushing in—
“Hm?”
He stopped.
“Your Highness?”
“Are you unwell?”
Arsa and Robert stepped closer.
Wade touched his empty arms.
“…A cat.”
“Pardon?”
“Or rather… a stray cat.”
“Sir?”
“Don’t ask. What is it?”
“I’ve been robbed.”
Arsa and Robert blinked at each other, confused.
Then—
“PFFT—HAHAHAHA!”
Wade burst into laughter.
“I’ve been robbed! Completely cleanly! Hahahaha!”
When was the last time he had laughed like this?
He had just experienced theft for the first time in his life. And by his “lifesaver,” no less.
“Your Highness… do you mean the gold coins prepared for today’s donation?”
“Yes.”
Arsa turned pale as he counted the amount, while Robert looked utterly devastated, imagining the punishment he would receive for failing to protect his lord properly.
Wade ignored them both and continued laughing for a long time.
