Chapter 75
The guild agent’s fingers tightened around the pen. The pen looked like it might snap from the tension, and even though their face was hidden behind a mask, I could almost see the expression.
— “I heard he still hasn’t confessed.”
“Oh… I see.”
From that reaction, I figured the confession hadn’t happened yet.
‘So it really was his own problem he was talking about back then,’
I felt a bit sorry for him and gave some encouragement.
“She seemed to like him too, right? If he confesses, I’m sure it’ll go well. Tell him to be brave and just go for it.”
The agent then picked up a new sheet of paper and began writing something again.
— “Don’t you have any worries, Duchess? You look a little troubled.”
“No, I’m fine.”
The agent stared at me, as if they didn’t believe me.
I started fiddling with my bracelet, feeling like those navy-blue eyes—just like Harold’s—were reading me completely.
‘Does my face really show that much?’
It’s not like I can check with a hand mirror every minute.
“Even if I did have something on my mind… it’s not something I could talk about with just anyone.”
I mean, how could I explain that every time I see Harold, I remember that heated night, that my logical thinking flies out the window, and I feel physically drawn to him? I wouldn’t even tell a close friend that easily.
— “Understood. But if you ever need to talk, please call me.”
“Thanks, I will.”
— “If your worry is about someone, sometimes being honest with that person is the best solution.”
I flinched and clenched my fingers. Did he figure out my concern was about someone?
“Thanks for the advice.”
— ^_^
I laughed out loud at the little smiley face he drew. Even the typically chilly white mask looked kind of cute thanks to that one adorable doodle.
“If you ever need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate. I should return the favor for the advice you gave me.”
— “The price for my advice is for you to be honest with the person you’re worried about, and end your trouble. I’ll be hoping for a good outcome.”
“I’ll try. See you again sometime.”
— ^_^
I checked the time and got up. The agent also stood and opened the door for me.
I nodded in thanks and walked into the hallway.
The agent followed behind me. At first, I thought we were just heading in the same direction, but after a while, I could feel they were keeping a steady pace behind me—on purpose.
“Are you… following me?”
nods
“To walk me back?”
nods
Oh! So he really was escorting me back.
“Thanks, then.”
I allowed the agent to walk with me all the way to my carriage. I was always accompanied on this stretch anyway, for safety reasons, so it didn’t feel strange.
‘Now that I think about it, he’s about the same build as Harold.’
Same eye color too, and even about the same height. If I lifted that mask and cloak, I might find even more similarities to Harold.
‘The way he walks and acts doesn’t seem like someone from a common background either.’
Just then, the agent tilted his head, asking what I was thinking.
“Are you, uh… never mind. It’s nothing.”
I was about to say something but changed my mind. Why would a noble be working here, anyway? And if he was a noble, maybe he had reasons he couldn’t talk about. Asking out of curiosity felt rude.
Before I knew it, the carriage came into view in the distance. The coachman was standing near it, pacing nervously. The knight wasn’t in sight.
That was strange. Usually, both were waiting by the time I got back.
“My lady, you’ve returned.”
The coachman bowed deeply, looking unsure of himself.
“Where’s the knight?”
“He suddenly had a stomach issue and had to leave. He said to tell you he was sorry, and that you should return home without him.”
“Must’ve been serious, huh.”
“Yes… What will you do?”
I pulled out my pocket watch to check the time. I didn’t have time to wait around today.
“Let’s head back.”
I waved at the agent and got into the carriage. It started off slowly, then picked up speed.
I looked out the window at familiar buildings passing by, then glanced down. The navy-blue gemstone on my bracelet reminded me of the agent—not Harold for once, which felt strange.
‘Being honest with Harold… feels a little too hard.’
I’m not someone who’s experienced in these kinds of things, so just bringing it up feels impossible.
‘Besides, what’s the point in even saying it?’
Sometimes I felt physically attracted to Harold in a sudden moment or felt a little regret—but I never planned to take things all the way.
I allowed the kiss because I wanted him to recover quickly, but for my first time, I always dreamed of it being with someone I loved. I still wanted him to heal quickly, but even the amount of affection we’d already shared was enough for that.
There was no reason to throw away all the hopes and plans I’d had for so long just to take things further physically.
‘Even if the mood gets strange again, I really need to keep my head straight.’
Honestly, I didn’t trust myself anymore.
‘Maybe I should tell him we should sleep separately since things have gotten a little too intense.’
I wasn’t sure he’d agree, but it might be worth a try.
Still thinking about this, I dozed off for a bit.
Then suddenly, the carriage bumped hard—maybe it hit a big rock—and my head slammed into the wall.
I saw stars for a second and quickly came to my senses.
‘Why is the carriage shaking so much…?’
I wiped my mouth, confused, and looked out the window. My expression stiffened.
“…What the…?”
The carriage was going through a forest path.
***
Meanwhile…
Harold saw Diana wave and nodded. She got into the carriage, and the coachman closed the door.
Harold turned to head back, but just as he did, a strong gust of wind blew through a nearby alley.
Between the narrow buildings, the wind howled like a ghost.
Harold stopped walking. His hand reached inside his coat and grabbed the dagger he always carried.
Mixed in with the wind, he heard a faint groan.
His instincts screamed that something was wrong. Before his brain could even process it, his body was already moving into the alley.
At the end of the narrow path, partly hidden by trash, he spotted a figure.
“…Ha!”
It was the guard who had been assigned to Diana. He had collapsed. He looked fine on the outside, but from the weak groans and how he couldn’t move, he had clearly been poisoned—probably paralyzed.
Harold grabbed the knight’s sword and didn’t waste a second. He ran toward the carriage—but it had already departed.
He kept running. The carriage grew smaller in the distance, but if he stopped now, he’d never know where Diana was taken.
His lungs felt like they were being stabbed with dozens of tiny knives. Still, he ran faster. Blood vessels popped in his eyes as he stared at the shrinking carriage.
There was no way he could let this go.
No one—no one—was allowed to take Diana from him.
Just then, he saw someone nearby getting ready to mount a horse.
Harold grabbed the reins and jumped onto the horse.
“Hey! Get off my horse right now! …H-Huh?!”
The man yelled angrily but froze when his eyes met Harold’s.
Harold’s fierce glare was terrifying. It was more chilling than facing a wild beast in the mountains. The man instinctively checked if his neck was still attached and trembled all over.
Worried for his life, the man nervously held out his hands.
“P-Please! Take the horse! It’s yours!”
“Hey.”
“Eek!”
Harold threw him a money pouch and a ring that proved his identity.
The man caught them, startled.
“Tell them—the Duchess of House Baisen has been kidnapped.”
“Y-Yes! I’ll go right away!”
The man didn’t even think about refusing. The anger in Harold’s voice was deadly, and it felt like he might kill him on the spot otherwise.
Harold didn’t wait for the man’s reply. He yanked the reins and sped off.
There was no time to lose.
Diana, don’t die!~
(╥﹏╥)
I think this event will make her resolve firm to stay with Harold? Because she still keeps thinking of leaving, so now she won’t
This is why you shouldn’t be merciful with your enemies, exile can only do so much, a clean end is always better.