Chapter 44
If Rixion Luhanes really had collapsed—
If that day, when he hurried back with such a pale face, it was because he realized something was wrong with his body and tried to get away from my sight—
Then the likelihood was high that it was because I had forced him to improve the modified version of the Teiera contract I requested.
Did he really collapse? How bad was his condition? If rumors are leaking outside, is it truly serious?
No—wait. That Rixion Luhanes actually collapsed?
“Reina, you came by carriage, right?”
My mouth moved first before my brain even finished sorting my thoughts.
I let go of Reina’s arm—which I’d been unconsciously holding—and quickly got up from the bed.
“Huh? Yeah!”
“Take me to the Duke of Luhanes’ estate.”
“Wha—oh, okay!”
I grabbed a hooded robe and threw it on, then left my room with Reina. I walked quickly, and Reina hurried after me with little trotting steps.
We would go quietly to the duke’s estate using the carriage she came in. Rumors were already spreading—so if I rode my own family’s carriage, it would draw too much attention.
“Young Lady, where are you going?”
When we reached the first floor, the butler—who clearly noticed I was ready to go out—approached me.
“I’m going to Reina’s place for a bit.”
“I will summon Sir Rachel.”
I was about to decline, but my mouth paused.
Honestly, the only reason I’d been moving around with Sir Rachel all this time was because of Michael oppa. I didn’t actually need a guard. I was confident I could beat up three or four kidnappers with my bare hands.
Michael wasn’t home today anyway—so it should’ve been fine to go alone.
But if something unexpected happened, the butler or Sir Rachel might get scolded later. No need to get anyone in trouble.
So I calmed myself down and waited. Shortly after, Sir Rachel appeared—clearly pulled away from her break in a hurry.
“I’m going to quietly visit the Duke of Luhanes’ estate using Reina’s carriage.”
“Understood.”
After a brief explanation, Sir Rachel immediately understood what I meant and nodded.
She chose to follow on horseback, while Reina and I got on the carriage.
As soon as I sat down, I opened the sliding window to the driver’s seat.
“Take us to the Duke of Luhanes’ estate!”
Then, while I sat anxiously thinking about Rixion, Reina—who had been quietly sitting beside me—spoke carefully.
“Um… Liz.”
She glanced around—though nobody was close enough to overhear—and scooted next to me to whisper.
“You’re dating him, right?”
“…….”
There was no subject, but the meaning was obvious.
I just stared at her tiredly.
“You can’t keep secrets from me!”
Her eyes sparkled, as if she were already certain.
So she, like my brother, thought I was secretly dating Rixion and hiding it on purpose.
Honestly, with how I was panicking and rushing over the moment I heard he’d collapsed—it would be weird not to misunderstand.
If I denied it, I’d have to explain all kinds of complicated things. It would be easier to just let her keep the misunderstanding.
“Sure. Let’s say that’s true.”
“Knew it!”
I let out a deep sigh, and Reina squealed like she’d just heard the best gossip of her life.
Why are you so happy about this?
I stared at her like I couldn’t understand her brain, then quickly added:
“But don’t go telling people, okay? It’s a secret just between us.”
“A secret… between Liz and me?”
“Yes. If you tell anyone, we are no longer friends.”
“Only Liz… and me… know the secret.”
She repeated it, dazed and dreamy, like she just stored it in her heart next to national treasure-level memories.
Then she started smiling to herself. I had no idea what part of this was making her so happy.
“I will never, ever tell anyone!”
“Please don’t.”
“Okay!”
She was a little too honest and impulsive, so it made me nervous.
But she swore so confidently—so I decided to believe her.
“Liz, we’re here.”
Humming happily, Reina pointed outside the window.
I followed her gaze—then widened my eyes.
Just like she said, the entire area around the estate was packed with soldiers. Some wore robes belonging to the Mage Tower. Even Imperial knights were mixed in.
The empire actually sent knights just to guard Rixion Luhanes.
Just how bad is he?
The closer the carriage got, the more anxious I felt. I started chewing on my nails without realizing it.
“Let me get off at the entrance.”
“I’ll wait for you here?”
Reina blinked her big eyes.
Wait, was she actually planning to stay until I came back? I waved my hands quickly.
“No, go do whatever you need to do. I’ll be fine.”
As soon as the carriage stopped at the entrance, I jumped down lightly.
The soldiers nearby actually looked surprised—probably because I leapt down in a bulky dress like it was nothing. Sir Rachel rushed over too, startled.
“Liz, I won’t tell anyone!”
As I turned back to close the carriage door, Reina lowered her voice and shouted.
I waved casually at her.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Let’s hang out again next time!”
“Yeah, yeah. Now go.”
Her carriage began to move again. I waved as she left, smiling without realizing.
Hard to believe she’s a mother of twins. Rowan and Lynn are more mature than she is.
Reina was my age, a mother of two, yet she still had the innocence of a child.
Sometimes it was a bit much, but she was kind and sweet. And honestly, she’d been a big help to me recently.
Maybe I should ask Rixion not to scold her too harshly later.
Thinking of the man I’d grown closer to recently—the man whose condition I couldn’t even guess—I hurried my steps. Sir Rachel quietly followed.
I stopped before the massive iron gate that made anyone feel small just by looking at it. Immediately, soldiers stepped forward, blocking my path with wary eyes.
“What business do you have here, Lady?”
The voice was polite but filled with suspicion.
They must have thought I looked shady with the hood pulled low over my face.
I understood their caution. If I hadn’t stepped out of a carriage bearing the Tersion family crest, they might have drawn swords.
That was how much influence Rixion held in this country—and how devastating it would be if he were lost.
To a stranger, it might look like overkill—being this cautious toward a small, harmless-looking woman. But there were monsters in this world who could never be judged by appearances.
Two hundred years ago, the kingdom of Gerald—once the ruler of the continent—was destroyed by a dragon that looked like a little girl.
“I’m here to see the Duke of Luhanes. Go tell him.”
I lifted my hood, letting them see my face clearly, staring straight at them.
My confident request made the soldiers exchange nervous looks.
They had surely been ordered to let in no one, but I was so blunt and firm that they didn’t know what to do.
“What’s happening here?”
A strict-looking man in immaculate butler attire approached from behind the iron gate. Sharp, severe eyes—clearly not someone easy to deal with.
“S-sir, this lady is here to see His Grace the Duke…”
The soldier replied hesitantly.
The butler’s eyes shifted to me. For a split second, his expression changed—barely noticeable—but enough to tell he recognized me.
“For what purpose have you come… Lady Elizabeth Christener?”
As expected. He knew who I was.
How didn’t matter. He might have seen me when I visited the estate before—or maybe he’d seen my portrait during the matchmaking discussions.
What mattered was: what did he think I was to Rixion?
