<CHAPTER 32>
Fear, terror, anxiety.
Redemberg had never experienced such emotions before. *Those were feelings only weaklings felt.*
He had been strong from birth.
Though he had faced situations that threatened his life—poisonings, assassinations—Redemberg had always remained calm. *For him, life-threatening events were merely another kind of occurrence.*
Even his own life felt light in his hands.
But then, when he saw Ehilie about to throw herself out the window, Redemberg felt fear for the first time. *The fear of possibly losing someone precious.*
At the same time, Herond’s words flashed into his mind.
“Your Highness, humans are very fragile, so you must handle them carefully.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Isn’t Lucy a human hybrid? If you treat her roughly like you do me, she could die. I’m just warning you in advance.”
“When did I ever treat you roughly?”
“That was play. I know Your Highness is lenient with me. Still, Lucy is human, so you shouldn’t throw her or anything. Humans can even die from misstepping on stairs.”
*Die from just falling on stairs?*
At the time, Redemberg had dismissed Herond’s words.
But after seeing Lucy break her leg from a fall and catch a cold from exposure, he realized:
Humans truly were fragile creatures.
Hence, Redemberg was always careful with Ehilie. *Even when pulling her close, he handled her as delicately as one would handle glass.*
Witnessing her attempting to jump from the third floor, he could not help but panic. *Damn it!*
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, finally regaining some composure.
He had worked so hard to appear as a “good man” to Ehilie, and now everything had nearly collapsed with a single mistake. *If Ehilie dislikes such a violent man…*
Redemberg bit his lip. Just thinking about it made his stomach churn.
*But even if Ehilie dislikes me, I won’t let her go. If that happens, I’ll have to rebuild her trust from the start.*
“…I’m sorry for getting angry, Ehilie.”
He intended first to apologize and then figure out how to calm her.
“No, Rek. I’m the one who should apologize. I was scared. I thought I had been kidnapped by those men… I wanted to get out and find you.”
Her gentle and merciful words melted his heart.
*She thought of me the moment she opened her eyes.*
Even moments ago, he had been so furious he could barely contain himself.
*Was I always this fickle?*
Her words and actions could completely sway him. But it wasn’t so bad—because the other person was Ehilie.
“You were worried about me?”
“Of course I was!”
Redemberg’s gaze softened. The rough, restless light in his eyes returned to its usual gentleness.
“Thank you, Ehilie. But please, don’t do such dangerous things again.”
“I understand. But why are you so injured…? Did those men hit you?”
He averted his gaze and shook his head.
“No.”
“No? Then why didn’t you get treated?”
“I couldn’t leave to get treatment. I stayed outside, waiting so I could run to you the moment you stood up.”
“…If that’s the reason, you could have just stayed by my side—”
Before she could finish, Rek frowned slightly. His body wavered, and Ehilie rushed to support him.
“Rek!”
“…I’m sorry. I suddenly felt dizzy…”
Though surprised at his first display of anger, she realized his condition was weak enough that he could collapse at any moment.
“Sit here for now.”
Ehilie guided him to the bed.
Rek sat down, exhaling slowly, leaning toward her.
Soft hair brushed her neck, the weight resting gently on her shoulders.
“Ehilie. May I stay like this for a while?”
“Yes, I’m fine… But wouldn’t you be uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. It’s very comfortable.”
“Really? If it’s uncomfortable, I was going to let you lie on my lap.”
“Actually, my neck is a bit sore.”
Ehilie smiled quietly at his transparent answer. *Rek is so cute when he answers so honestly.*
Curious how he would react if she pretended not to notice, she stayed still. Rek added,
“My waist might be sore too.”
Ehilie could no longer suppress her laughter.
“Alright, lie down on my lap.”
As soon as she gave permission, Rek adjusted his position.
“How is it? Are you okay now?”
“Yes. It’s good.”
Ehilie gently brushed Rek’s hair.
Among the thick strands, scratches marked by sharp edges were visible.
“Shouldn’t you get treated soon? What if they leave scars…”
“I’ll get treatment later. Right now, I don’t have the strength to stand, so I just want to rest a little like this.”
“…I understand. But Rek, this place is safe, right?”
She had been uneasy not knowing where they were, but Rek’s condition came first, so she hadn’t asked.
“Yes. I should have explained earlier. This is my mansion.”
“Rek’s mansion… Is it in Camelot County?”
“Yes.”
Ehilie was astonished. *Was I unconscious for that long?*
Then she recalled: *Ah, Rek uses teleportation stones. That explains how he got us here instantly.*
She wondered, *If he has that much money to use teleportation stones freely, why is the mansion so dilapidated?*
Not wanting to be rude, she asked politely,
“Rek, is there no one to manage this mansion?”
“Herond manages the mansion.”
“Herond alone?”
Even though he had lost succession rights, a former prince’s mansion would be quite large. This room alone spanned three floors.
“There is also a maid named Lucy.”
“So only two servants?”
“Yes. Both have long served under me and are trustworthy.”
Ehilie realized he had grown up always threatened, so he trusted very few people. *No wonder he didn’t hire more servants.*
Not wanting to darken the mood, she smiled brightly,
“Then aside from me, I’m the first person you’ve brought to this mansion, right?”
“Yes, Ehilie is the first ‘person’ I’ve brought here.”
“It’s an honor, Rek.”
“It is an honor to host you here, Ehilie.”
Soft sunlight streamed through the open window, illuminating Rek’s face.
With his long eyelashes gently lowered, he received Ehilie’s touch obediently, truly appearing happy in this moment.
***
Dirty back alley.
In front of the Black Hood gang’s hideout, Cain stomped his foot and muttered,
“It’s about time.”
Imagining a terrified Ehilie kneeling and begging before him brought a sneer to his lips.
“How dare she defy the likes of me?”
After all, Ehilie was just Ehilie.
To Cain, she had always been beneath him.
He had rescued her as an orphan abandoned by her parents, and naturally expected her gratitude and submission.
*When she was younger, she obeyed. Now she rebels, runs away, and even fights back when I visit. At some point, Ehilie seemed like a different person.*
*A harsh punishment will bring her back in line.*
Just then, Cain noticed a group of men staggering from a distance.
*Finally arrived!* he thought, excited, scanning around. But Ehilie was nowhere to be seen.
Moreover, the men looked terrible, as if they had suffered some mishap.
“What? Where’s Ehilie?”
Before Cain could finish, Turok from the Black Hood gang frowned and approached him, grabbing Cain by the collar and slamming him against the wall.
“Kuh! W-what is this?”
“Why? Because you didn’t tell us that the woman has a bodyguard, and look what happened to our men!”
“Bodyguard?”
Cain was shocked. Ehilie hiring a bodyguard? Impossible.
“…Ah. No way.”
“That black-haired, red-eyed guy named Rek?”
“Yes! That crazy demon!”
Demon. Yes, a demon.
Cain shivered recalling the murderous look of the man hitting his head with a frying pan.
“He’s the bodyguard? Not Ehilie’s lover?”
“Bodyguard or lover, we don’t care. But because of him, we’re in this mess, so you’re responsible!”
The man growled and glared at Cain.
Cain protested inwardly. Why should he be responsible? They failed, so he should be angry, not take the blame.
But he had no courage to argue against the larger, stronger man.
At that moment, a soft female voice rang out.
“Hey, you guys,”
A red-haired woman appeared, her sharp yellow eyes sweeping over them.
“Tell me more about that woman named Ehilie and the man Rek just now.”
