Chapter 25
When the butler uttered the name Kaiden Eos, my heart dropped just as the expression goes.
‘No matter how much I think about it, there’s no reason Kaiden would personally come looking for Bella…’
That thought spiraled, connecting everything all the way to the threatening letter. That’s why I’d been incredibly tense until just a moment ago.
Even when Kaiden handed me the black orb — which seemed to be the reason he had come — I couldn’t fully let my guard down.
“I was seriously scared he’d suddenly say ‘This is the real reason I came’ and try to drag me off.”
But honestly, that whole idea was just pure delusion on my part. Looking back now, that’s exactly what it was.
Even if Kaiden Eos found out who Bella really was, he wouldn’t react strongly.
‘With his personality, there’s no way he’d go through the trouble of catching Bella himself. At most, he’d just sit in his office and order the engagement off.’
Relieved, I sprawled out on the sofa.
Maybe I’ll rest a bit more and have another cup of tea.
The next dawn, after Kaiden had left.
News arrived from the royal capital — the criminal who had been in custody was dead.
Almost immediately after the royal messenger arrived in Kroforth, Killid left the mansion, saying he would speak to Kaiden directly.
Afterward, I heard the news the messenger had brought and about Killid’s sudden departure from Ethan… and it left me unsettled. Deeply unsettled.
‘The suspect in the disappearance case was poisoned to death?’
And in the underground prison of the royal palace, no less…
“What on earth is going on?”
The palace claimed they were investigating the guards — no one had entered or exited the prison on the night of the murder.
‘But would a guard really have a reason to kill the suspect?’
Of course, since it’s under investigation, if there is a motive, they’ll find it…
I reached for the teacup I had left nearby. I habitually took a sip and set it back down.
The tea had gone lukewarm.
I opened my eyes and sat up in bed. I adjusted the magic lamp to light the whole room and checked how long I had been lying down.
‘Two hours…’
…Might as well give up.
I guess tonight’s just one of those nights I can’t fall asleep. Well, it happens.
‘Maybe I’ll have a glass of cold water.’
I debated whether to get up myself, then remembered Dr. Sarah’s advice and pulled the cord next to the bed.
Just then, I happened to glance toward the door — and the doorknob turned.
“…?”
The doorknob fully turned, and the bedroom door slowly creaked open.
A man I had never seen before stepped into my room — then stopped. He looked at me, head tilted.
“Why are you looking here?”
“…”
“Can you see me?”
This guy’s insane.
‘What…? How did he even get in here?’
It wasn’t a question of how he opened the door. Anyone can just turn the knob and push.
The problem was…
“Oh, I get it! You must’ve seen me because the door opened! Right, of course you can’t normally see me. Silly me.”
I stared him down, glaring hard, and spoke up.
“What did you do to the guards?”
“Whoa! You startled me!”
“What’s your purpose for being here?”
“Wait, you can really see me? Why? This shouldn’t be happening…”
…Amazing how two people can have a conversation that feels like a one-man show.
Then, the man — who had been mumbling to himself — finally responded.
“What did I do to the guards? You mean those two losers in front of the door?”
“….”
“Haha, just kidding, just kidding. I mean, they’re soldiers of House Kroforth — they can’t be losers, right?”
He squinted his already-narrow eyes and grinned with his thick lips stretched wide.
My eyes hurt. But I couldn’t look away from him.
I couldn’t afford to. I couldn’t guarantee something wouldn’t happen the moment I looked away.
Tension stiffened my shoulders and neck. My heart thudded in my chest.
I was scared.
Something felt very, very wrong.
“I took care of the guards… real well. So they won’t be coming to help you.”
He closed the door behind him and stepped closer. I backed away, still sitting on the edge of the bed, then shouted,
“Wait! What do you want?”
“Princess.”
“…Are you here to kidnap me?”
“I should’ve said it clearer. I’m here… for your life.”
Damn it…
So that bad feeling was real. I bit my lip and glanced between the man and the door.
‘Can I escape?’
The fact that I could barely walk, let alone run, was a secondary issue.
‘If I just charge for the door, I’ll probably get caught…’
The closer he came, the faster my heart pounded.
Please, Juan. Think. There has to be a way.
“Why are you after my life? Do you have a grudge against Kroforth?”
“No.”
“Are you being paid to kill me? I’ll pay five times as much. No — ten!”
“I’m not one of those ordinary guys who moves for money.”
“…Then what do you move for?”
“Hm… Faith?”
…A cultist?
Dear God, there’s a heretic here. Please smite him.
“You done talking?”
Juan, don’t give up. Don’t stop now.
I can’t die before seeing Mom again. Never. Absolutely never…
“—I have some last words. Since I’m going to die, you should hear them.”
“Well, okay. What is it?”
“It’s just… something’s been bothering me for a while now…”
“Hm?”
“Your hair…”
“My hair?”
“More specifically, your crown…”
“…Crown?”
His expression changed. He seemed to be concentrating on my words. I swallowed and lowered my voice.
“I didn’t notice it from a distance…”
“…”
“It could just be my imagination…”
He leaned in close, face serious, to hear more.
Now.
I rammed my forehead into his face as hard as I could.
“Urgh!”
…It worked!
He clutched his nose and staggered back. I seized the moment and leapt from the bed, running toward the door.
Please, ankle. Hold on. Please.
If I can just make it to the hallway…
“…!”
Suddenly, my vision dropped. I didn’t realize I had slipped until I hit the floor and caught myself with my hands.
No. There’s no time. Hurry—
Crash!
“My Lady!”
“…Enpi?”
I blankly stared at the now wide-open door. Enpi had run into the room and froze after looking behind me.
“Who the hell is that guy?”
“That’s…”
No, there’s no time to explain this lunatic. Just because Enpi is here doesn’t mean the danger is over. The two of us might not be able to overpower him…
“No need. I’ll ask him myself after I catch him.”
“What?”
“Just wait a moment.”
Before I could even stop him, Enpi rushed past me.
And then — to my disbelief — I saw the unimaginable.
Enpi—
Flew.
And so did the crazy guy.
Thwack!
The man was kicked square in the face by Enpi’s foot and launched into the corner of the room. He crashed against the wall with a loud thud.
“Phew.”
Enpi lowered his foot and lightly dusted off his skirt.
I watched him for a moment, then turned to look at the man.
He lay crumpled in the corner, not moving.
…Is he dead?
“He’s still alive. We need to figure out who he is and why he broke in.”
Ah, I see.
“Oh, right, My Lady.”
After taking care of the lunatic (?), Enpi quickly came over and helped me up.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah… I’m okay.”
I’d have to check my ankle later, but at least I survived.
As I thought that, I heard Enpi’s voice again.
“By the way, there were two guards lying unconscious outside the room… did that guy do it?”
“Probably.”
I remembered the man’s words — “I handled them well.”
“That’s strange.”
“What is?”
“He’s way too weak.”
“Huh?”
“The guards assigned to protect your room are way better fighters than him.”
“…Really?”
I thought the guy was strong enough to take down two trained guards instantly — and that Enpi was even stronger for beating him.
‘Wait.’
Suddenly, a feeling of unease passed through my mind again.
“Help me over, Enpi.”
With Enpi’s support, I approached the unconscious man. Enpi didn’t stop me, probably because he was certain the man was knocked out.
After a while, I carefully examined the man’s face.
Just as I thought.
‘He’s too ugly.’
