YWPWYLFDM 30

Chapter 30

With Eila’s teacher gone, it was inevitable that she would be affected somehow. Cloud’s absence was also a troubling matter for her.

Since she hadn’t been caught by the Royal Guard, she might return safely—but still, things were complicated.

By now, she knew Byron’s true identity, and she had planned to show him her improving skills gradually and enter the Duke’s household as soon as possible. Yet, an unexpected variable had thrown everything off course.

Her mind was tangled with uncertainty. Absentmindedly, Eila drew random lines on the paper she had been using to take notes. The ink marks crossed and overlapped, almost like a reflection of her own chaotic thoughts.

Careful not to spill any ink, she put away her writing tools and paper. Lying down on her bed, she tried to sleep—but it promised to be a long night.

“Is this the place?”

A man stood in front of an old inn. A sign above the door read “Poinsettia Inn.”

“Excuse me…”

The inn was eerily quiet, making him doubt whether it was even open, yet the man knocked on the door. He had business here.

“…Is anyone there?”

No matter how many times he knocked, there was no response. His frustration was growing. After what felt like a long while, finally:

“Who are you? What are you doing here?”

A man with a sharp edge to his voice opened the door. Taken aback by the sudden use of informal speech from a stranger, the first man froze when he saw him.

The tall man’s physique was obviously well-trained, exuding a strong sense of intimidation. Though dressed in ordinary, even shabby clothes, his presence alone was anything but ordinary.

“Damn it… I thought this would be simple.”

All he had to do was deliver a letter to a woman at the inn. The pay had seemed generous, which should have tipped him off that this wouldn’t be easy.

“Um… excuse me… is there a guest named Capella staying here?”

Trying not to show how intimidated he was by the larger man, he squared his shoulders and spoke. It was the best he could do. He lacked the courage to respond in the same informal tone.

“…What do you want?”

At the mention of Capella, the sharpness in the man’s eyes intensified. Now, he could not even attempt to appear confident.

“I… I was asked to deliver a letter to her.”

No sooner had he fumbled in his pocket for the letter than the man snatched it from him.

“…Who sent it?”

“An… old man outside the city…”

At the mention of an old man, the man’s eyebrows lifted—clearly caught off guard.

“Just go now. I’ve got it.”

The imposing man said coldly. The first man had expected to hand it over directly to her, but now he had neither the courage to ask for it back nor to enter the inn to meet Capella himself. He ran off.

Watching the man leave, Byron’s subordinate, Sir Vince Midland, looked down at the letter with a puzzled expression.

Indeed, a woman named Capella was staying at this inn—but who could possibly know and send her a letter? At first, he naturally assumed it was sent by his superior, Cloud Aire, who had been out of contact for several days.

But an old man?

Feeling uneasy yet curious, Vince wanted to read it—but without Capella’s permission, that would be a grave misstep.

He sighed and took the letter upstairs to find Capella, who was likely guarding the lady’s room.

“What is it?”

“Well… a man brought a letter for Capella, saying it should be delivered to her.”

Perhaps this was how the first man felt when he faced the imposing figure. Vince, intimidated, handed the letter to her cautiously.

Capella had a way of making people shrink in her presence, even though she had no particular physical power. Perhaps it was because she acted as the mistress of Byron’s household in his wife’s absence—but even ignoring that, there was something about her aura that compelled respect.

“This… is Cloud’s handwriting.”

Her face lit up as she opened the letter. She had been worried about her brother-in-law, who had been out of contact for several days, and now there was news of him.

Seeing her reaction, Vince relaxed; he, too, had been worried about Cloud.

But the relief was short-lived.

“I need to see my lord.”

Capella’s expression darkened as she read further. She left a brief message asking someone to watch over the lady and hurried to find Byron.

“…Capella?”

Vince called after her anxiously, but she did not look back. As a result, he unwittingly found himself taking on the role of caretaker for the child.

“A letter arrived? From Cloud?”

“…Yes, my lord.”

Capella had hurried to Byron and handed him Cloud’s letter. Byron, who had been anxiously awaiting news, read it eagerly.

“This is troublesome.”

Byron sank into his chair with a sigh after reading the letter. The situation was indeed tricky.

The letter began with an apology to Byron, admitting that Cloud had failed to carry out his orders and had even been discovered by the prince’s escorting knights.

As he read further, Byron’s thoughts became increasingly tangled, and his head ached—not just from the previous night’s drinking.

“…What should we do, my lord?”

Even now, the Royal Guard was scouring the city for him. Fortunately, the Poinsettia Inn was on the outskirts, so they hadn’t arrived yet—but it was inevitable that search parties would come soon.

The only relief was that Cloud had already escaped the city and was treating his injuries elsewhere. Byron felt his chest tighten with relief.

The worst had not yet occurred. The mere fact that Cloud was alive was a blessing.

To Byron, Cloud was indispensable. Though he had ordered him not to return if he failed, it was not out of spite. In the days Cloud was absent, it had been nothing short of a living hell for Byron.

“…We need to leave the city. Cloud will join us then.”

They had to escape Agrio Castle as quickly as possible.

“…But, my lord,”

Capella spoke with concern. The castle gates were heavily guarded, and since Cloud had failed in his attempt to assassinate Winfred, the defenses were now impenetrable.

Even disguising his hair and eye color with a magic potion wouldn’t change his facial features, so Byron’s identity could still be exposed.

“This is maddening, truly.”

Byron, realizing the danger, tugged at his hair.

No—it would be fine. Byron steadied himself. He had escaped from far worse situations before. He would not collapse over this. He had survived attempts to kill the emperor, his father, and even injuries where blood poured from severed hands.

“First… get ready. We leave at a moment’s notice.”

Calmer now, Byron spoke with a cold tone. Capella nodded and left his room to begin preparations. There was much to do.

“……”

“……”

Silence hung in Eila’s room.

Vince had little connection with the lady. Watching over her was usually Capella and her daughter Laura’s responsibility, while teaching was Cloud’s duty.

Eila had been raised in isolation, so aside from Byron and Cloud’s family, she had no close relationships. There had been almost no chance for conversation.

Now, having to watch over her, Vince felt an awkward tension.

“……”

Vince sat with his arms crossed, avoiding Eila’s gaze. Laura, who usually stayed by Eila, was resting, and Capella had gone to Byron. With no one else to watch the child, Vince had no choice.

Being so close to a child trained as an assassin was deeply unsettling.

“Um… your name is Vince… right?”

“…Ah, y-yes, that’s right, my lady.”

Eila broke the silence. Surprised that she remembered his name, Vince answered quickly, his nerves on edge, unsure of what she might ask.

The tension didn’t last long. Eila’s pure, radiant smile quickly melted his stiffness.

“Do you know where Capella went?”

In truth, she had overheard their conversation outside the door and already knew, but she wanted to probe Vince for more information.

Seeing the child’s innocent smile soften Vince’s rigid expression was amusing to her.

“Ah, s-she went to report something urgent to the master. She should be back soon.”

“Oh, I see. What was it?”

Eila asked again, her eyes wide with childlike curiosity, masking any hidden agenda with pure innocence.