Chapter 66
“What is that…?”
Hiding behind a tree, Erica observed the situation.
From the occasional words she caught—mage, danger—it was clear things were serious.
Thanks to Rudice leaving earlier, Erica had been able to set out not long after.
A knight she had charmed with a few smiles here and there had brought her all the way here.
Of course, she had listened to his whispered pleas, his hopes that she would meet him again—and pretended to agree.
But she could simply ignore him later.
In her mind, that man was insignificant compared to the Duke.
Something must be wrong.
Was that gaping hole in the ground the problem?
Erica wanted to get closer, but the guards were stricter than she expected.
If only her clothing were lighter, she might have been able to sneak nearer. She almost regretted not choosing a simpler dress.
She looked down at her outfit.
She had dressed in her second-best attire—just under a formal gown—in case she ran into the Duke.
Should I just walk out and pretend I know what’s going on…?
But that didn’t seem wise.
Right now, the Duke was deep in conversation with the Duchess. His eyes hadn’t left that infuriating woman.
How could she pull that woman away from the Duke? How could she get rid of her?
Gnawing at her nails, she agonized—
“What are you doing here?”
“Kyaa!”
Startled by the unexpected voice, Erica screamed. Instantly, everyone’s eyes turned toward her.
But she didn’t even realize, focusing only on Phil Evans, who stood before her with a deeply irritated expression.
“How did you come here, Lady Wasili?”
“Ah, I… I heard there was an accident and was worried about His Grace…”
She knew she couldn’t hide forever, so she presented the alibi she had prepared—her “concern” for the Duke.
Knowing Phil was the Duchess’s aide, she spoke as sweetly and innocently as she could.
“Is His Grace badly hurt? I was so worried…”
Phil was speechless.
How could she come to such a dangerous place? Surely she didn’t come alone.
Whoever brought her—I’ll deal with him later.
Letting out a long sigh, Phil said,
“In any case, this place is dangerous, my lady. I’ll have someone escort you back to the manor, so—”
“I will return after confirming His Grace is safe. I can’t leave without seeing him.”
Phil hesitated, not knowing how to deal with her stubbornness.
“What’s going on?”
Rudice’s voice cut in.
Because of the commotion with Erica, both Rudice and Quinlan were now looking toward them.
Finally.
Erica bit her lip.
There—right there—was the reason she had come. She needed to act completely natural and leave a good impression on Quinlan Dfania.
“Lady Wasili!”
Ignoring Phil calling after her, Erica approached the pair.
With tearful eyes, she looked at Quinlan.
“You’re safe, Your Grace. I was so worried…”
Quinlan stared at her with a stiff expression.
Rudice was equally dumbfounded.
She knew Erica had been scheming for Quinlan, but she hadn’t expected her to be foolish enough to follow them to such a dangerous place.
Rudice made to say something, but Quinlan held her arm, stopping her.
Then he addressed Erica firmly.
“Return, Lady Wasili. This place is dangerous.”
“But I was worried about you, Your Grace…”
“It is a useless and unnecessary concern. This is not a place for you. Return at once. Phil.”
He ordered Phil to escort her back and turned away, pointedly ignoring Erica.
Even so, he did not release Rudice’s hand.
That single gesture filled Erica’s vision.
Why only her?!
Phil kept urging her to leave, but she no longer heard him.
Her attention was fixed entirely on one thing—
“Your Grace, I…”
Then—
Rrrumble.
The ground trembled. A sound like a beast’s roar echoed as the edge of the chasm began to collapse.
A crack shot outward with a sharp crick-crack, racing toward where Erica stood.
“Lady Wasili!”
As the ground gave way beneath her, Rudice’s voice rang out.
Erica’s body dropped into the widening fissure.
“Kyaa!”
With a scream, Erica plunged downward.
Rudice moved faster than she could think.
“Rudice!”
She threw herself after Erica.
Just before Erica fell into the yawning gap, Rudice grabbed hold of her.
The problem came next.
The moment Erica realized Rudice was the one holding her, she thrashed violently—
as if something terrible would happen if she were caught.
Worse, she was wearing a dress.
The billowing fabric tangled around Rudice. With their legs unable to find footing, both women were pulled down together.
We’re falling.
Rudice tightened her hold on Erica and twisted her body.
In that instant, Quinlan entered her vision—he had drawn his sword and swung it toward them.
The blade sliced through the dress entangling Rudice, tearing the fabric and freeing them.
But Rudice did not let go of Erica.
Rudice was trained—this woman was not. Even if the dress might cushion her fall, it was still dangerous.
Seeing what she intended, Quinlan’s face contorted.
He kicked off the ground and leapt toward them.
Don’t come, Rudice mouthed silently.
He ignored her entirely, wrapping his arms around Rudice and Erica. He twisted midair so that his body would hit the ground first.
Thud!
“Quinlan!”
The heavy impact reverberated through Rudice’s back. Quinlan had absorbed the full force of the landing as he crashed into the ground with them in his arms.
The three of them bounced once from the impact—then plummeted again into the cavern’s depths.
Erica hung limply, unconscious now.
Rudice felt fury rising hotly.
She almost dropped her. There was no need to save a woman like this.
Her head spun with anger.
“Hold on.”
If she hadn’t heard Quinlan’s low whisper, she truly might have let Erica fall.
“Quinlan! Are you alright!?”
“I’m fine. But… this is a bit dangerous.”
His voice even held a hint of laughter. His calm tone only made Rudice more frantic.
They were falling fast. Just as Rudice thought they would be swallowed by darkness—
Their bodies floated—suspended in midair.
A clear, bubble-like sphere enveloped them, holding them aloft.
Thanks to it, they no longer fell.
Rudice released her grip on Erica. The unconscious woman sagged and slipped down, but did not fall further.
Realizing they were safe, Rudice whirled toward Quinlan.
“Why did you jump!?”
“How could I not jump when you were falling?”
“It was dangerous!”
“You were in danger.”
“I’m fine!”
Quinlan’s face twisted with frustration.
“But I am not fine. I—when it comes to you…”
Just then, the bubble floated upward toward the light.
Both Rudice and Quinlan fell silent.
A crowd of knights and mages stared at them with anxious faces.
Rudice bit her lips firmly.
“Rudice…”
Something boiled in her chest—but she held it down.
“…Ganelon arrived just in time.”
“So it seems.”
“…”
Neither spoke again.
Under the mage’s control, the sphere gently settled on solid ground.
As soon as it touched, it burst with a soft pop.
“Your Grace!”
“Lady Rudice!”
“Are you alright?”
“Thank goodness you’re safe!”
Voices of relief and chaos surrounded them. Rudice looked around.
Hugo Barrett approached immediately when their eyes met.
“Send this woman back to the castle.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Hugo summoned a knight to carry out Rudice’s order.
“Lady Rudice.”
Ganelon approached.
“Are you unharmed?”
Hearing his cautious question, Rudice let out a small laugh.
“I survived, thanks to you.”
But a sharp energy flickered around her.
“If I look fine right now, it’s only because I’m holding myself together.”
“…”
“I’m alright. For now. But…”
Following her gaze, she looked toward Quinlan.
“…!”
Seeing him, Rudice’s face twisted sharply.
Ignoring Ganelon’s puzzled expression, she strode straight toward Quinlan.
Then she asked—
“Are you hurt?”
