Chapter 69
The heavy scent of perfume mixed with alcohol and tobacco. The unfamiliar smells tangled my thoughts even more.
I found myself missing Kylen.
The fresh, forest-like scent.
Yes. That’s the scent I wanted to feel.
Even though waking up in Eliana Rud’s body had distorted things slightly, this was still the novel’s world, and in the novel, there was a protagonist.
And in this world, the protagonist was Kylen.
Kylen had endured hardships, but he would overcome everything and shine brilliantly.
Even if I didn’t help… even if I betrayed him, he would survive every trial and become Emperor.
I never doubted that.
Watching him closely only strengthened my conviction.
Even when reality pressed against me and anxiety crept in, this certainty allowed me to keep moving forward.
But at this moment, with my family in danger, that certainty felt bittersweet for the first time.
I had chosen to help him on his path to the throne, but I wasn’t truly his.
I couldn’t ask him to save my family. I couldn’t plead for his help.
I clenched the gifts Ferdinand had given me—gripping the iron ore distribution permit and the Emperor-signed pledge so tightly the corners crumpled.
I could easily imagine Ferdinand’s thoughts as he watched me calmly.
You can’t do anything.
Humiliation and helplessness swept over me, and the faces of my mother, father, and Aiden appeared vividly in my mind.
The thought of my family worried about me made my eyes burn.
I finally made a choice, but words wouldn’t leave my mouth.
Just as I opened my mouth, the door slammed open.
“Ah. So you really were here.”
The one who entered without knocking smiled warmly at me.
“Sorry. I’m late, my lady.”
It was Kylen—the protagonist of this world.
The well-trained knights prepared quickly for departure. When Kylen announced he would return to Winterford in the middle of the night, Count Brodiesang ran out in his pajamas.
The count, wearing a ridiculous floral nightcap, stood blinking rapidly until Kylen’s group left.
Kylen and the knights hurried off, leaving the silly-looking count behind.
Darkness surrounded them as they left the village, making every step uncertain.
The real danger began on the rocky mountainside.
‘Heeheehee-hin.’
Halfway up, they heard the neigh of a horse behind them.
“Aah!”
A scream echoed, and soon Kylen learned that a knight had fallen from his horse.
Kylen leapt down and ran to Jared and the other knights.
“Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine.”
Jared bit his lip to hide the pain.
“Fine? Your ankle looks twisted!”
Kylen’s gaze fell on Jared’s ankle. It was swollen and tender after removing the combat boot.
“Any other injuries? Your head?”
“No. Nothing else.”
It was lucky the fall had only caused minor injuries. But they weren’t in a situation to travel far yet.
They hadn’t even reached the mountain’s peak. Even descending safely would take over two hours to reach Winterford.
Jared was a large man, and no horse could carry two others for long.
Kylen checked the Torpaz lantern and clock.
“Grand Duke, leave Ronan and Malachi with Jared for now. We’ll go ahead to Winterford and send the carriage.”
Ronan and Malachi stepped forward to assist Jared.
“We’ll help Jared descend safely and find shelter from the cold.”
Kylen nodded, observing all three knights.
“Jared, endure until the carriage arrives. Ronan, Malachi, take care of him.”
He patted his subordinates gently, apologized for the delay, and mounted his horse again.
“The road is dark and the cold is fierce. But we must reach Winterford quickly. Your safety is important, so proceed carefully and swiftly.”
Kylen’s commanding voice reassured the knights.
Once he ensured the remaining knights were safe, he urged his horse forward.
Descending faster than expected, they avoided further injuries, and on flat ground, Kylen and the knights rode hard.
Winterford’s fierce night wind couldn’t stop them.
Guided by the Torpaz lantern, they pressed on. As the pine forest surrounding Winterford appeared in the distance, Kylen spurred his horse harder.
The horse, sensing his urgency, strained to go faster after four hours of continuous travel.
Winterford’s gates were already wide open, as if awaiting his arrival.
Kylen crossed the drawbridge first, stopped his horse, and leapt down before it fully halted.
“G-Grand Duke!”
Dylan, who had been waiting, quickly approached.
“Ferdinand?”
He glanced at the arriving knights and then at the castle.
“He went to his room to wash up right after arriving…”
Kylen untangled his scarf and frowned, frustrated at the slight delay.
As the other knights dismounted to help Jared, Caspian followed Kylen and Dylan into the castle.
“April?”
“The Grand Duchess asked that the princess not be informed. Only she, Aiden Rud, and the staff went to meet him.”
Dylan kept pace with Kylen’s quick steps, nearly running. Kylen didn’t slow down and headed straight for the second-floor stairs.
“Then where is the Grand Duchess now?”
“Likely in her office.”
Kylen climbed the stairs two at a time. At the second floor, Paul appeared in front of him.
“Grand Duke.”
Dylan, climbing the stairs, furrowed his brows.
“Paul, what about the Grand Duchess’ guard? Why are you here?”
Kylen turned to Paul, ignoring Dylan.
“The Grand Duchess was called by the Crown Prince. That’s why—.”
“Dylan, lead the way to Ferdinand’s room.”
Before Paul could finish, Kylen’s firm command cut through. Dylan, shocked that the Grand Duchess had been summoned, quickly responded:
“Third-floor guest room.”
Immediately, Kylen hurried up the stairs.
On the third floor, he looked left and right for Ferdinand’s guest room, locking eyes with the Crown Prince’s guard, Idris.
Taking a deep breath, Kylen strode toward Idris.
Idris, standing tall and not avoiding Kylen’s gaze, stepped forward.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness… oh, now Grand Duke.”
Idris bowed with a smirk, then noticed Dylan and Caspian and snickered.
“Idris, you’re as rude as ever.”
Even as a former prince and now Grand Duke, Kylen faced the Crown Prince’s guard with authority.
“Idris, we’ll deal with your arrogance later. Right now, I’m busy.”
Idris wasn’t from the Empire; no one knew his origins, only that he was skilled and served the Crown Prince for money, not loyalty.
As Kylen reached for the doorknob, Idris stepped sideways to block him.
“He said not to let anyone in until given orders—ugh!”
Before he could finish, Kylen slammed him into the wall with force.
