CHAPTER 08
At some point, more and more eyes began watching me run toward the tower.
Some shouted at me to come back quickly, while others turned their heads away as if they couldn’t bear to watch.
But what I saw among them was…
“A purple gem.”
I picked up a purple gem that was lying on the ground, cracked.
It was a deep, dark purple, like the kind of token a devil would offer in a fairy tale in exchange for a wish.
I looked between the cracked barrier stone and the raised platform beyond it.
It was easy to see that the magic circle engraved in the gem was the same as the one on the platform.
A strong wind blew, and my robe fluttered wildly.
I gripped the large barrier stone tightly.
It felt like all the warmth in my body was being drawn into it.
What were the mages even doing…?
Well, I could guess.
Those eccentrics were probably too busy saving their magic books or experimental results even as the tower collapsed.
The barrier stone was surprisingly heavy for its small size.
I squinted against the strong wind.
Those who had been murmuring while watching me from a distance fell silent the moment I picked up the barrier stone.
As I got closer, the wind intensified, completely flipping my robe.
“I’m supposed to place it there, right?”
My jet-black hair fluttered like it had blended into the darkness.
“Ugh…!”
I slowly took in the sight of the collapsed mage tower filled with despair.
Clenching the pedestal tightly, I struggled to place the gem on top of it with trembling hands.
The fierce resistance tore at my skin, and drops of blood splattered.
The sensation of my flesh being cut was sharp and clear.
“This is nothing…!”
Gritting my teeth, I placed the gem on the platform.
The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.
And in that moment—
The barrier stone floated into the air and began spinning like a rhombus.
The fierce wind stopped instantly.
The sounds of explosions vanished.
Soon after, fragments that had broken off from the building all rushed in at once. The upper portion of the mage tower, which had disappeared, began to rebuild itself.
Everyone, including me, tilted their heads back and stared in awe at the scene.
“Gasp!”
“Unbelievable!”
“Hooray!”
“We’re saved!”
“Ahhh…”
My body lost all strength.
As I listened to the sighs of relief around me, I slowly lowered my head.
‘That was rough.’
My black hair danced in the air, brushing against the robe embroidered with the crest of the ducal house.
At that moment, someone spotted me and shouted in shock, eyes wide.
“I-It’s Lady Mertiel!”
Only then did people begin to realize who had stopped the catastrophe.
Heads turned sharply.
“What?!”
“That’s our lady!”
“Our lady saved us?”
Eyes clung to me like barnacles—more than before.
And when our eyes met…
“The lady saved us!”
“She saved our lives!”
Cheers rang out all around me.
Turns out, my arms were scraped all over without me realizing it.
I hastily tended to the wounds and patched up my tattered clothes.
I threw away the ruined gloves and quickly put on a new pair.
Tying up my messy hair, I sprawled across the cushioned seat of the carriage.
“Would you like cold water?”
Kisschel asked with a crooked smile.
I shook my head.
It had taken a lot to escape from the crowd that had suddenly gathered around me.
I just wanted to rest.
If not for Kisschel, I probably would’ve been stuck there for hours.
Kisschel glanced at my treated arms as if about to scold me, then let out a long sigh.
“I’ll have the carriage depart.”
“Ah, okay.”
The carriage began to rattle forward.
“I’ll spread the news faster by sending some people out. So, how does it feel to have a servant who handles everything without being asked?”
“Nice. Would’ve felt even better if you’d left off that last part.”
Even the knights and maids we had brought along were visibly shocked.
After all, the quiet noble lady who had only ever lived inside the estate wasn’t supposed to be capable of anything like that.
“Looks like the mage tower will be fully restored. Because someone managed to return the barrier stone before it was too late.”
That was truly a relief.
Yes, there were the lives at stake, and yes, my reputation—but on top of that, I was the only remaining heir to the ducal family now.
If the tower had completely collapsed, I would’ve been the one responsible for handling the aftermath… Ugh, just imagining it made my skin crawl.
What if I had arrived at the capital only to hear about it?
“Thank goodness.”
“‘Thank goodness,’ you say. Am I hallucinating, or am I the only one seeing the injuries on your arms, Lady?”
He gestured toward my arm with a jerk of his chin.
Annoyed by his arrogant tone, I kicked at him.
He pretended to be pushed aside but returned to his seat almost immediately, grinning mockingly.
I had no problem riding in the carriage—but the person beside me clearly did.
While Kisschel groaned from motion sickness, I looked up at the darkening night sky and rose from my seat.
“I’m going to wash up.”
“Take a maid with you.”
“I’m fine alone.”
As I made my refusal clear, he stood up to follow me.
“Then I’ll—ugh.”
“Just rest, will you?”
“Okay.”
Leaving him behind, I went in search of a nearby river.
‘I’ll go alone and be quick.’
I wanted to soak in the cool water for a bit.
Even at night, it wasn’t hard to find the way.
I dipped into the water that flowed beneath the moonlight.
A shiver ran through me at the cold, but it was refreshing.
Then, as I sat submerged and took in the view—
“It’s beautiful.”
I was completely captivated.
In that silent tranquility, the moonlight shimmered softly across the surface of the water.
For the first time in my life, I felt my chest tighten from awe.
“……”
I scooped up the moonlit water with my hand.
The clear liquid slipped through my fingers without waiting even a second.
As I washed my body, I caught sight of my chest.
The ugly red scar that had taken root there—
A remnant from when I had nearly been swallowed by death.
“I need to reach my goal soon… so I can get rid of this.”
I traced the scar with my fingers and turned to grab the towel I’d brought.
“My lady…?”
A voice suddenly called out to me, making me look up in alarm.
“Who’s there!”
I raised my voice instinctively.
Startled, the dark figure hiding in the shadows quickly revealed himself.
When I saw who it was, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
“Pablo?”
His name escaped my lips before I realized it.
A man who had been like an enemy in my previous life.
When he saw me, he flinched and turned his head away immediately.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
Only then did I realize the state I was in.
I hastily grabbed a towel to cover myself and glared at the unlucky bastard’s back.
“Why are you here?”
I couldn’t speak kindly even if I wanted to.
Looking flustered, he began to ramble.
“I was dispatched under orders from His Majesty the Emperor to ensure the lady’s journey was peaceful. I wasn’t trying to see anything—I just sensed a presence as I was passing by…”
By then, I had stepped out of the water.
The sound of the splashing river made him flinch.
I scoffed and quickly dressed.
“I’ll guide you to our knights. This way.”
He began trailing behind me like a lost puppy.
Seeing his face—one I hadn’t wanted to see—had thoroughly ruined my mood.
And then he said something that made it even worse.
“I know it may be rude to ask, but… may I inquire about the scar?”
More than worry that the forbidden scar had been exposed, I was just dumbfounded.
“You don’t need to know.”
“I’ve overstepped. My apologies.”
Seeing Pablo so deferential somehow made me more annoyed. I turned away and added a jab.
“You’ve seen a noble lady’s body. How should you pay for that sin?”
“……”
Being a knight, Pablo was likely sensitive to such matters.
With their damn chivalry, they treated noblewomen like precious jewels to be protected and cherished.
‘In my past life, he treated me like a traitor, not even acknowledging me as a person.’
When he didn’t respond, I felt a little better and resumed walking.
Then, he said something completely absurd.
“I’ll take responsibility.”
I froze in place.
