Chapter 18
Raphael was seized by a sense of unease as he noticed something unfamiliar in Louisa’s demeanor. He had a strong feeling that simply entering the mansion as planned would be a mistake.
“…I have some business outside. I’d prefer if we could dine at a nearby restaurant and part ways there. Would that be acceptable?”
This sudden impulse made him change plans on the spot. Originally, he had intended to briefly stop by the Blake estate, check the artifact, and leave right away—but now, that plan didn’t feel right.
‘…Visiting a lady’s residence repeatedly might stir up unnecessary gossip. Besides, it’s around mealtime. I can handle this while eating, then head back to work.’
No one had asked, but Raphael convinced himself of this logic and extended his hand to Louisa, who nodded without hesitation.
The gentle warmth of her hand, like a spring breeze, made a soft smile bloom at the corners of her lips.
“Good timing, I was starting to feel hungry.”
Louisa clasped her left hand with her right and brought them to her chest in a clearly delighted gesture.
‘…Is she excited to spend time with me?’
Raphael’s gaze lingered on her serene face. Dressed in a white gown adorned with pink ribbons and lace, she looked perfectly suited to the spring day.
Maybe that’s why—for a moment, she seemed surrounded by glowing spring sunshine, a vision so soft and lovely it was nearly mesmerizing. Raphael’s lower eyelids twitched involuntarily.
‘What a ridiculous thought…!’
Startled by his own imagination, Raphael quickly let go of her hand as soon as he got into the carriage.
Louisa glanced at him briefly, then lowered her gaze, as if lost in thought.
“…I’ll show you the artifact as soon as we get to the restaurant.”
They sat facing each other in the carriage, which had only just started moving, when Louisa spoke.
Though she had come to see the artifact herself, she figured Raphael would feel offended if she asked first. Out of consideration, she offered instead.
The problem, however, was that Raphael, clouded by his own prejudices, didn’t interpret it that way.
He glanced sharply at her profile as she turned her head to look out the window.
‘So quick to use me the moment I show up…’
He felt a mix of embarrassment at his earlier thoughts and a defensive urge to distance himself. His reaction twisted as a result.
All he really wanted was to reestablish control over this uncomfortable situation—on his own terms.
And so, although the carriage rolled on quietly, Raphael suddenly blurted out:
“There will never be a time where I develop feelings for you.”
The words came out like a rejection of some undefined, unwanted possibility—perhaps more spoken to himself than to her.
“…”
Louisa didn’t respond. She didn’t react at all, as if frozen.
The silence dragged on, and even Raphael’s emotionally bristling heart began to falter.
Still stubbornly facing the opposite window, he finally turned and glanced at her with discomfort.
She, too, had turned her head toward the carriage window, her expression downcast and unreadable.
“…It’s not just you—I don’t intend to give my heart to anyone.”
Even as he said it, he wondered why he felt the need to explain himself. But it was already too late to take the words back.
Troubled by his own inexplicable behavior, Raphael furrowed his brow.
But just then, he caught sight of her lips curling ever so slightly.
‘Am I really that charming to her?’
If Louisa had heard that, she would’ve been utterly dumbfounded.
But at this moment, they were completely out of sync with each other.
‘Ugh, I’m starving. Finally, we’re here.’
Louisa’s entire attention was focused on the bustling streets they were entering. She didn’t care what Raphael said—right now, her stomach came first.
So while it was a bit unexpected for Raphael to suggest dining together (especially when she thought he’d leave quickly), she couldn’t help but hope it was one of those fancy restaurants again.
The only issue was that, expecting a short meeting, she hadn’t eaten anything since morning. Her blood sugar was plummeting, and her focus was fraying fast.
Not to mention, Raphael didn’t seem to be in the best mood today either. And when someone like him talked, it usually meant verbal poison for her—so withdrawing into her own little world was the safest move.
‘I just want to eat…’
She tuned him out and let her gaze blur. It was something she’d done naturally all her life. Eventually, she didn’t even register his voice anymore.
Her stomach growled, and she leaned closer to the window, yearning for any sign of the restaurant.
‘I wonder where we’re going? Maybe Western food suits me more than I thought. Or maybe food here is just that good. Either way, I can’t wait to try it.’
Despite her past life of endless socializing, Louisa now felt just how narrow her previous experiences had been—and the idea of a good meal genuinely thrilled her.
But then, her eyes caught sight of something strange in the middle of the street—a suspicious-looking man in a dark robe, hood covering his head, holding a wooden box.
People walking by slowed down, and a crowd began to gather.
Something felt off. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the man as he slowly faded into the distance.
Just before he disappeared behind the crowd, Louisa caught a glimpse of his haggard, pale face. His eyes gleamed with an unmissable madness, even from far away.
Louisa’s eyes narrowed.
“Free the black mages unjustly imprisoned!”
The frail-looking man, who seemed barely able to stand, suddenly shouted with shocking volume.
Black mages?
The air grew tense. Louisa and Raphael’s eyes met in midair.
“If you do not, I shall rain down a bloody curse upon you all! Wahahaha—!”
“Damn it—get down!”
Raphael’s face twisted, and he threw himself over Louisa, shielding her with his body. She clutched her ears and squeezed her eyes shut inside his firm embrace.
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion rang out, followed by screams from every direction.
‘Holy crap! That scared me!’
Sweat beaded on Louisa’s forehead as she glanced toward the window.
Smoke filled the air like fog.
Thankfully, the carriage was far enough away that they weren’t caught in the blast—but judging by the number of people lying bloodied in the street, the box must’ve been packed with explosives.
Her stomach churned. For a brief moment, she thought it was just the horror of what she was seeing.
“Hkk—!”
But then, a sudden, crushing pain in her chest stole her breath away.
“Are you alright? It looks like a suicide bombing linked to black magic.”
Raphael, who had been scanning the chaos outside, looked down at Louisa.
He tried to pull her slightly away from his chest to check on her face, sensing something was wrong.
“Let’s get you back home, Lady Blake—”
“Gkk—!”
She didn’t even have time to cover her mouth.
Suddenly, blood gushed from Louisa’s lips and spilled onto the carriage floor.
Raphael gripped her shoulders in alarm and looked down at her, curled up and trembling. Her back seemed especially small today.
“What’s happening to you?”
The floor was quickly soaked in blood. A vision of her collapsed form at the garden party flashed through his mind.
Raphael bent down, holding her slender shoulders tightly.
He kept tilting his head, trying to see her face, which was hidden behind her hands—but another splatter of blood hit the floor with a sickening sound.
Goosebumps ran down his arms.
“What… is this…”
He stood frozen, unable to finish his sentence.
This was the second time he’d seen her like this. Last time, he let it go, thinking it was just a minor incident—but no matter his personal feelings, this clearly wasn’t something he could ignore anymore.
“Khff—koff!”
Blood kept pouring from her mouth, and Raphael’s face turned deathly pale.
‘But why does she look like that…?’
Unlike him—paralyzed and speechless—Louisa’s eyes seemed oddly calm. Her profile, faintly visible, showed an eerie composure.
She didn’t look like someone going through this for the first time.
That kind of face came from experience—she’d endured this many times before.
Raphael felt a strange tightness in his chest. He realized he was more shaken than he expected—but he had no time to process it.
All he could think now was:
‘Please let her be okay. Please don’t let her be in pain…’
‘Ugh, this is so annoying.’
Meanwhile, Louisa was in an entirely different headspace.
‘I even drank holy water just in case, but… damn it. That black mage must’ve cursed the area or something.’
The sharp metallic scent of blood filled the carriage, and her gown was now drenched. Everything about the scene was revolting.
‘Was there dark energy mixed into the explosion? Ugh, the air is so thick I can’t even breathe properly.’
Struggling to catch her breath, Louisa leaned her head against Raphael’s left arm, still gripping her shoulder.
“Haa…”
