* * *
My original plan was to fake my death, activate the will, and then operate in the shadows to find the forces targeting Masera.
‘If you want to save someone, you have to risk your life.’
That’s why I had no choice.
I knew it would inflict a great wound on Masera, but it was the best way for both of us to survive.
I was kidnapped and the variable of me being a real Princess arose in the middle, but anyway, I found out who was involved with the Organization through the plan of execution documents, and I also obtained evidence that Count Queensguard was a big player in the Organization.
All of this was possible because I had faith in Masera.
Meanwhile, Markiel looked around at those pointing guns at him, as if he found the situation interesting.
He fixed his circling gaze back on me and finally burst into laughter.
“I knew from experience that people betray easily, but this is amazing.”
From observing Markiel so far, it seemed he had almost no expectations of people.
“You thought that kindness accompanied by capital would overwhelm the way fear dominates, but…”
He added, leisurely curving his lips.
“You can’t beat bonds.”
“Hey, what kind of bonds do you expect from us, who are tied together with money?”
One of the Organization members pointing a gun retorted, grinding his teeth.
Markiel slowly shook his head at this.
“The greatest weakness of humans: ‘precious people.’ For example, blood-related family.”
As soon as Markiel finished speaking, the gun barrels aimed at him flinched.
Sensing the Organization members’ embarrassment, he curled up one corner of his lip.
“The moment I die, all of your families, lovers, and friends will die too.”
The faces of the Organization members turned blue.
“Could it be?”
“If you’ve not only tied them with money but also taken their families hostage…”
Behind the confused Organization members, other Organization members were approaching us, pointing guns.
“What could be more useless than trying to build bonds with someone and win their heart? You just need to use what the other person has.”
Markiel had a nonchalant face, despite having plotted such heinous things.
“My late brother treated us so well, and now you’re sticking to the new boss and acting like a loyal subject!”
“I have to think about my family. I have to go back!”
Eventually, the Organization members ended up pointing guns at each other, creating a confrontation.
Markiel calmly watched the farce he had created.
‘I knew he was a cunning man, but…’
There’s a reason people say you can’t know how evil a person can be until you experience it firsthand.
I bit my lip, thinking about how to overcome this situation. A suffocating tension was building.
“Princess, this was bound to happen.”
Stan, who stood in front of me as if to protect me, smiled at me for the first time.
“I can’t follow the guy who killed my mother. As it’s a swamp of anger and greed, infighting among the Organization members was to be expected.”
His mother was a former executive who died in the purge carried out by Markiel.
Another Organization member blocking my path chimed in, backing up Stan.
“That’s right, Chief. This is a ruthless place with no blood or tears. But thanks to you, Chief, I felt something like a human heart.”
At that moment, Chief turned to me and shouted loudly.
“Cindy! Don’t worry, run away! Fighting for freedom is our job! We’re partners, after all!”
Taang-!
Starting with the gunshot that echoed soon after, a fierce fight began among the Organization members.
“Thanks to you, Princess, I had some fun for a while. Don’t forget your promise to buy me a giraffe.”
Stan cocked his pistol and said something like a farewell.
“Of course. I’ll not only buy you one, but I’ll also set up a giraffe sanctuary. See you later, Giraffe Sanctuary Director.”
I said bravely, putting strength into my legs, which were trembling from the remaining trauma.
They will surely overcome this.
People with a reason to live and a dream don’t die easily.
Since the armory had been completely burned down, the gunfight wouldn’t last very long.
I ran into the castle, protected by them.
It was to gather the evidence and documents I had collected.
* * *
Gunshots and screams were rampant throughout the Organization headquarters, where the infighting had broken out.
Cynthia was hiding in the attic with Nadia’s help.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”
Nadia hugged Cynthia, who had her ears covered with both hands, and patted her.
When she worked at Count Queensguard’s mansion, she had seen Cynthia suffering from hearing gunshots when she went to the hunting grounds.
“…I’m better than before. Thank you.”
Cynthia, who was taking deep breaths, smiled brightly at Nadia.
In the meantime, the gunshots were gradually decreasing, whether they had used up almost all the bullets or the victory or defeat had been decided.
“My lady, you must come to my dessert shop later.”
Nadia, who had willingly given Cynthia her clothes, wrapped a scarf around her to hide her hair color.
The small bag Cynthia had slung over her shoulder contained the evidence and documents she had collected.
“I believe you’ll conquer the world of desserts.”
Cynthia, who had made a rope out of blankets and hung it out the window, firmly clasped Nadia’s hands.
Soon, after a brief farewell, Cynthia climbed out the window with a bright smile.
“Then, see you in the capital.”
“Please, take care of yourself.”
Cynthia waved at Nadia, who was on the verge of tears, and nimbly climbed down the blanket rope.
“Ugh, it’s hard after so long.”
She muffled her footsteps and headed towards the hidden dog hole that Nadia had told her about.
Then, she ran into the Organization members head-on and took a step back in surprise.
“The Princess is here-!”
An Organization member who was shouting something was pierced by a bullet that flew from somewhere and collapsed.
“What, what is it? Where is it? I didn’t hear a gunshot?”
“Damn it, a sniper!”
Poosh-!
Two Organization members who were looking around in fear after witnessing the silent death also collapsed.
“A sniper rifle with a silencer…?”
Cynthia lowered her posture, covered her head, and looked around.
It wasn’t the time to dawdle, so after taking a few deep breaths, she started moving again, when…
Clang!
Someone fell to the ground as a window broke on the opposite second floor.
When she opened her tightly closed eyes, she saw a man holding a pistol and lying on the ground.
It was an Organization member who had been aiming at Cynthia from the opposite building.
It was certain that there was a sniper helping her somewhere. And one with tremendous skill.
Cynthia, under the protection of the unknown sniper, was able to reach the place Nadia had mentioned.
“…Is this really for dogs?”
It was closer to a shallow waterway than a dog hole.
As she was struggling to squeeze her body into the narrow gap, she heard the voices of Organization members behind her.
“Who is it? Is it the Princess?”
“Looking at the clothes, it looks like a maid? Dwayne’s lover.”
Oh, my god.
One of the Organization members popped out and started pulling on Cynthia’s ankle, which was sticking out.
“Ah! It hurts!”
It was the moment she was holding on to whatever she could grab and resisting.
Tick, tick.
The firing sound of a silenced gun was heard. At the same time, the hand holding her ankle loosened.
‘But was there a sniper among the Organization members I had recruited?’
Cynthia, whose legs were now free, tilted her head, then groaned and began to crawl out of the waterway.
“Phew, I can’t breathe.”
Cynthia, who had only managed to get her head out, widened her eyes when she saw the military boots in front of her.
Cynthia’s red eyes, which slowly raised her gaze, soon began to fill with tears.
The man she really wanted to see was in front of her.
“Haa, haa.”
Masera, who had two guns slung over his shoulders, was breathing roughly as he looked at her, as if he had run here in a hurry.
Cynthia called out to him with a flushed face, almost on the verge of tears.
“Brigadier General…”
It was a touching moment, but…
“I’m sorry, but please get me out…”
To think that at the moment of reunion, her butt would get stuck while crawling out of a dog hole. It was truly regrettable.
* * *
Although I didn’t show it, I really, really wanted to see him.
I had been counting the days until I could see Masera again, imagining a reunion scene that was so touching that you couldn’t watch it without tears.
Like jumping into his arms, or saving him from a crisis and creating a beautiful hugging scene.
At least, I didn’t want something like ‘a runaway female lead being arrested with her butt stuck in a dog hole.’
Masera carefully pulled my body with a serious face.
“Ah.”
As my stuck body popped out, I ended up in his arms after all.
Masera, who was lying on the ground under me, stared at me intently.
“At first, I thought you left because you hated me.”
His eyes were filled with murderous intent, as if he had been filming a dark novel alone.
Moreover, his handsome face was scratched here and there.
I blinked my blurry eyes and shook my head.
“Why the face, sniffle, snuffle.”
I had so much to say, but only sniffling sounds came out.
The eventful memories and sadness of the past welled up, and I buried my face in his chest and burst into tears.
“No, I mean… it’s all my fault.”
Masera, flustered, hugged me and didn’t know what to do.
I lifted my head, having cried and smeared tears and snot on his chest.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
The blue light began to rise in his eyes, which had been dyed a cool purple. The murderous look of a lonely male lead in a dark novel was slowly disappearing.
Soon, a hand filled with warm warmth touched my cheek.
He didn’t say anything else.
“…I missed you.”
He simply smiled innocently, like a boy who had met his first love again.
“I hope you did too.”
Yay! Reunited!