Chapter : 103
“It’s a relief he’s alive.”
Carlisle, expressionless, watched as the unconscious Duke leaned against his aide and was led out.
If Duke Betelgeuse had died in the fire at his villa, nothing could have been more troublesome.
It would have been complicated to handle, but since he had escaped on his own, it was truly a relief. He seemed badly injured, but as long as he was alive, there was no real problem.
“Since the Duke came out safely, only that woman remains inside.”
One of his subordinates whispered into Carlisle’s ear as they watched.
Carlisle scrunched his face as if something dirty had touched him and stepped back from the subordinate.
“Don’t relax until it’s over.”
“It’s a wooden house, so putting out the fire is harder than expected. Getting out is practically impossible—”
He had been going on for quite a while…
Carlisle shook his head and turned away from the incompetent subordinate. Then he approached Duke Betelgeuse with proper decorum.
He watched as the aide who had safely escaped from the villa helped the Duke sit in a prearranged chair. The aide flustered, checking the Duke’s condition, and then repeatedly looking back at the burning villa, unsure of what to do.
“Duke!”
Carlisle called out as he approached.
Looking closer, Duke Betelgeuse didn’t seem unconscious—he seemed somewhat dazed, lost in thought.
But there was no response from him as he sat with his head lowered in the chair.
Feeling ignored, Carlisle grimaced and spoke again.
“Duke Betelgeuse, I am truly sorry. An accident occurred at a party I hosted, and I have no right to face you. Oh… it seems you were injured on your way out!”
“….”
“…?”
Still no reply. Carlisle frowned and looked at the Duke’s aide.
Clien, who had been flustered nearby, spoke up instead.
“My lord, I’m terribly sorry, but our young lady hasn’t come out yet! If you could assign some servants to help, we’ll go back in and bring her out safely!”
“It’s too dangerous right now. Our servants are doing their best to control the fire, so wait here. If you go in, who will take care of the Duke?”
Clien’s face turned pale at Carlisle’s words.
“No! We have to save our young lady!”
“Unfortunately, we cannot risk more casualties. Wait here—”
“Daina…?”
At that moment, Nox lifted his head and muttered quietly.
He looked as if he had just awakened from a dream, slightly dazed.
“Duke!”
Clien knelt before Nox, meeting his gaze.
“Are you coming to your senses now?”
Coming to his senses?
Carlisle furrowed his brows and observed them.
Nox let out a deep sigh, swept his hair back, and then raised his head to speak.
“…Where is Daina?”
“You’ve been looking for someone named Daina—could she be our young lady?”
“….”
His gaze shifted from Clien to the burning villa behind them.
Through his foggy, almost hazy vision, his focus gradually returned. He slowly rose from his seat, looking at the villa engulfed in flames, and spoke.
“Is Daina in there?”
Who is this Daina he keeps talking about?
Carlisle quietly held his breath, watching Duke Betelgeuse’s actions.
“She is in there! She hasn’t gotten out yet!”
Clien shouted desperately.
At his words, Nox moved forward without hesitation. Clien quickly tried to stop him.
“Duke! You cannot go in! I’ll go instead!”
“Step aside.”
Nox said calmly, his voice steady.
His face was serene, as if nothing could frighten him anymore.
“No! You must stay here, Duke!”
“I said, step aside.”
Nox repeated sharply.
He recalled fleeting memories of Daina in the blazing fire.
Though his fear had made him forget parts of escaping, he remembered her holding onto his face, shouting for him to stay conscious. Her tiny hands gripping his, her encouraging voice telling him he was doing well.
Nox slowly shifted his golden eyes toward the fire-engulfed Painstein villa.
Watching the flames grow larger and dance wildly made him tense and stiff all over.
“….”
It was exactly like his childhood.
The burning villa, the precious person trapped inside, and his own helplessness.
His breath grew short, reaching his chin.
The floor seemed to drop endlessly beneath him. The fire burned so fiercely, it felt as if his entire vision had turned red.
“You’re doing fine!”
“It’s okay. No one’s hurt.”
At that moment, Daina’s gentle voice rang in his ears.
Her voice calmed the trembling ground beneath him. His vision gradually returned to normal.
“…Daina.”
Nox exhaled deeply and strode toward the villa. Sweat poured down his face, but he could not stop.
“Someone stop him! Hurry, stop the Duke!”
Clien shouted as knights rushed from both sides to restrain Nox.
“Let me go!”
Nox yelled, struggling violently.
“She’s inside! Daina is inside!”
“Your concern is understood, Duke, but leave this to us! You’re an injured patient!”
Frowning, Nox elbowed the knight restraining him, hitting him squarely.
“Ugh!”
Taking advantage of the staggered knight, Nox swung with force at the other knight. The unexpected attack threw the knights off balance.
One lost his footing and fell, knocking another down and breaking the formation.
“Duke…ugh!”
Finally, Nox pushed past even Clien and ran toward the burning villa. Clien quickly got up and followed with the knights.
Watching Nox’s back, Carlisle gestured to his subordinate and whispered:
“Since the Duke went back in, speed up the fire control and find out who Daina is.”
“Haah… haah…”
Daina had fallen to the floor, landing on her rear. She stared at the thick pillar that had just collapsed where she had been standing.
She had almost died…!
If she hadn’t stepped back in time and fallen by accident, she would have been crushed by the flames. Just thinking how narrowly she had survived sent chills down her spine.
“Ugh… so… scary.”
“I’m scared too.”
Daina hugged the child tightly to her chest.
Though she had just survived, she had no way of knowing which pillar might fall next. They had to escape this damn wooden villa before it burned completely.
“Haah… it’s hot.”
The heat from all sides made her sweat. The thick smoke made it difficult to breathe.
Daina exhaled quietly, rose to her feet, and adjusted her hold on the child.
“Little one, do you remember how you came in?”
“I don’t know…”
“Whose child are you, anyway? Where are your parents? Were you alone?”
“I don’t know…”
What does he even know?
Daina looked down at the child, then moved toward the nearest path.
She didn’t know if it led outside or deeper into the villa, but right now, it was the only way.
“How come there’s not even a single window?”
Daina muttered, tightening her arms around the child.
Even holding a light bag for a few minutes would tire her, and holding a child heavier than that made her arms ache.
“C-crash!”
At that moment, the child pointed behind her.
Instinctively, Daina bent forward and ran. Another pillar collapsed behind her with a deafening crash.
“Kyah!”
