Chapter 49: How That Man Throws a Tantrum (1)
‘Alright, fine. I’ll just run for it.’
With that ridiculous plan in mind, Regina turned the corner—only to see Valentin before she saw the bright light spilling between the buildings.
‘Why is he here…’
But just like this gloomy alley, Valentin’s expression was dark. It was only a shadow cast over him—yet somehow, it felt heavier than that. Regina, who had been about to approach, hesitated.
“…Valentin?”
“My wife causes trouble the moment I take my eyes off her.”
“It wasn’t trouble. I was just chasing a rat.”
“Then should I praise you? Say you’re pretty and all?”
Regina looked up at him as he gave her a faint smile.
“I suppose I’ll have to speak to Sir Thomas about improving the city’s security…”
Valentin pushed off the wall and stepped closer.
It was a strange thought to have in a moment like this, but Regina thought he looked like a gemstone thrown onto gravel, standing there in that rundown alley. Of course, she had no intention of saying that out loud.
“Improving security?”
“…I’ll have to request it.”
Maybe it was because she owed him a debt, but Regina really felt the size of Valentin’s tall, broad-shouldered frame up close. As he drew nearer, he blocked all the light behind him.
“This works out. Could you bring me a cloak? I look like this—I can’t walk out to the main road.”
She’d planned to pull a cloak over herself and hop into a carriage immediately. But instead, Valentin took off his long coat and gently draped it over her shoulders. Because of his large build, the coat nearly swallowed her whole.
“You’ll dirty your coat.”
“And you’re hurt. Didn’t notice while chasing the rat?”
Only then did Regina look down and see her scraped leg. It wasn’t that she hadn’t noticed—it just didn’t hurt enough to care.
A low chuckle echoed down the alley. It was Valentin’s laugh.
‘Well, I guess that annoying little tail is gone.’
“It’s just a scratch. I can spit on it and it’ll heal. Wait—don’t you dare actually lick it!”
She quickly grabbed Valentin’s shoulder to stop him from kneeling down. If she hadn’t, he would’ve gladly dirtied his pants on this filthy alley floor.
Instead, he took the arm she placed on his shoulder—and scooped her up.
“Ah! Why are you picking me up again?”
“Because you’re hurt.”
“I can walk!”
But Valentin had already started moving.
Since it would be difficult to return to Harne Trading Company, the two headed straight back to the estate.
Regina felt bad that she hadn’t even been able to say goodbye to Weil, who had looked so frightened, but it couldn’t be helped.
She absentmindedly fiddled with the large coat wrapped around her—and noticed the brooch she had given him pinned to it.
“You pinned this.”
It wasn’t a proper gift, but seeing the brooch she’d chosen made her feel a little proud.
“You said I couldn’t wear it on my chest.”
Valentin’s gaze slowly dropped as he sat across from her.
The torn dress revealed wounds—and among them, many faint scars along her pale legs. Some from today, perhaps others from when they’d fallen into the river, or from assassins, or the Count of Renzier.
It was as if the presence of him, a mere client, had been carved into her body like tree rings.
Valentin’s eyes returned to her face. He saw the same indifferent mercenary look—completely unfazed by her injuries.
He didn’t like that she was hurt… yet liked that she was hurt for him.
If he ever said something like that aloud, Regina would surely tilt her head and ask what nonsense he was talking about. Maybe even look at him like he was crazy.
…And somehow, that thought felt oddly delightful.
“When exactly are you going to the guild?”
“I planned to leave two days from now.”
Regina hadn’t mentioned it because he hadn’t asked, and she figured she already had his permission. She would leave at dawn and return just before two moons passed overhead.
“Then I’m coming with you.”
“What—? You can’t just say that out of nowhere!”
The carriage jolted to a sudden stop, enough to make Regina stumble. The coachman shouted angrily—likely due to a collision with another carriage. Still, Regina instinctively went on high alert.
“I’m so sorry! A freight cart came around the corner—are you alright?!”
The coachman shouted loudly. Valentin gently tapped the back wall of the carriage, urging them to move again.
As the wheels began turning once more, Regina sat back down, still slightly tense. Valentin noticed and smiled slowly.
“You worry about me this much—how can I let you go alone?”
“…But I don’t plan to officially bring you as part of Persona Guild.”
Valentin knew exactly why she said that—and what she was thinking.
“Then let’s go unofficially. I was never there.”
If their marriage request somehow led to offending royalty, she’d take all the blame herself, without dragging the guild into it.
He could clearly see her deep love for Persona, deeper than the ocean.
That’s why he gazed at her quietly, resting his chin on his hand with a soft look. Once, he even blinked slowly, like someone who understood everything… or at least wanted her to think he did.
“What if something happens to me while we’re apart?”
The words sounded confident, but really, he was voicing exactly what Regina feared. With a rat now found outside the estate, she couldn’t relax at all.
“You’re the one I trust most.”
He looked at her, watching her eyes dart around in thought.
Harne Trading Company was taking longer than expected to uncover information. Pressuring them wouldn’t bring results any faster. So Valentin planned to go with her himself.
This whole waiting process annoyed him.
Whenever she tried to protect him, it made him feel unable to fully enjoy things as he used to.
It was like suffocating—like having your mouth stuffed with cloth—but then suddenly feeling warmth, like when she stared at him with blind trust.
But it never lasted.
It always ended with a sharp pain, like swallowing glass.
He instinctively felt that this pain would only go away once Regina fully proved she was just a mercenary—no strings, no ties.
“…Valentin, you’ll need to ride a carriage. The travel time will be longer for you, and it’ll be hard.”
The path to Valmen wasn’t harsh, but since he needed medication, Valentin had to use a carriage—unlike his usual short walks around the estate.
Yes, going unofficially might be an option. But considering him, her decision was the right one.
“Did you know? I’m the only prince who’s never even toured the capital.”
Anyone who knew Valentin’s three loyal men would clutch their head at that ridiculous lie. They all knew he used to sneak into the slums at night, acting like a madman.
But for Regina, who had imagined a lonely royal life, the lie worked perfectly—hitting her in the heart.
He noticed her pale hand gripping his coat just a little tighter.
“But if I can’t go… well, that’s unfortunate.”
If being dramatic worked—then it was worth it.
Valentin, despite his size, gently tugged at the hem of Regina’s dress like a child throwing a tantrum. It was a perfect final attack.
‘If it’s unofficial, it should be fine. Persona has other guild members too.’
She would just need to adjust her schedule a bit.
“…Alright. Just make sure to pack enough medicine.”
Regina felt like she’d been tricked—but when she saw how pleased Valentin was, she decided to let it go.
When Aileen rushed out after hearing Regina was injured, she was completely shocked.
It was supposed to be a formal outing—yet Regina came back with a torn dress and bloodstains. Her reaction was understandable.
Joy wasn’t worried about the dress—she was more focused on whether Regina was hurt.
“What in the world happened to you?”
Neither Joy nor Aileen knew about the contract between Regina and Valentin. They just assumed that, as a mercenary, sometimes things like the Count of Renzier incident would happen.
“Well, it’s just habit from the old days. My body tends to move first.”
“Was something threatening His Grace?”
Since the rat was no good for him either, Regina gave a small, vague nod—then decided it was time to change the subject.
