CHAPTER 51……
“What do you have to apologize for? Oh, is it because of this wound?”
Kyle shrugged as if it was nothing.
“When fighting monsters, I’ve gotten far worse injuries than this, and I’ve even come close to dying.”
Kyle tried to reassure her with tales of monster hunts, but Everett’s expression remained dark. She wasn’t really listening to his words. Instead, she inspected the wound cut by the filthy blade and brought over a pot of boiling water.
“You’re going to pour hot water on me? Are you trying to torture me?”
When she ignored his nonsense, Kyle finally pressed his lips shut.
Marsha said if you mix this powdered herb in hot water and clean the wound, it kills the bad germs.
Soaking a clean cloth, Everett carefully began wiping around the wound. When the herbal water seeped into the cut, Kyle’s brow instantly twisted in pain.
“Please endure it for a little while. If we don’t do this, the wound could get infected and fester.”
Kyle had suffered countless wounds before. More than once, he had nearly died because of untreated inflammation. His expeditions had mostly been to places where medicine was scarce and healers nonexistent. The most he could do was chew herbs and press them on his wounds.
Though of royal blood, Kyle had lived more like a low-ranking knight.
Has anyone ever looked at my wounds with such a pained expression before…?
The unfamiliar situation was awkward, but not unpleasant.
“…It hurts.”
“Does it hurt badly?”
“Yeah, it stings a lot.”
For some reason, he suddenly wanted to act spoiled. It was the first time in his life he’d felt that way. Everett pursed her lips into a little circle and bent close to his wound.
“Hoo…”
A warm breath escaped her small mouth and brushed across his arm. Kyle froze, unable to move, stunned by this unfamiliar sensation.
“See? It hurts a little less this way, right? We’re almost done, so please hold on just a little longer.”
Long ago, a stab wound had festered so badly that he spent nights burning with fever. Kyle now felt that same fever spreading through his whole body again. Everett’s breath, like a spark, fanned the heat outward from his wound.
Was his face red too? He shook his head quickly as if to cool off. Everett, focused on spreading a poultice over the wound, didn’t notice. Only after she had tightly wrapped it in bandages did she look up.
“Is it too tight?”
Kyle raised his arm, examining the bandages.
“Where did you learn this? Your skills are impressive.”
Everett chuckled softly.
“For now, I just did some first aid with the herbs we had. They’re the same ones we use in the kitchen for knife cuts, so they should work well enough.”
“I see.”
“But when you return to the palace, you must see a healer again.”
“Why? This feels good enough.”
“No, you can’t. If you don’t get proper treatment, the wound could worsen. And you won’t be left with a scar either.”
“To me, it seems like your treatment is even better than a healer’s.”
Kyle ripped off the blood-soaked fabric from his clothes.
“But Everett… you really weren’t hurt, right?”
He asked cautiously, worried she might be hiding an injury out of guilt for his.
“Thanks to you coming quickly, I didn’t even have time to get hurt.”
“There’s something I want to ask. Why were you standing right next to where that man was hiding?”
“Oh, I just wanted to see who it was.”
Kyle’s brows furrowed.
“That was too dangerous. You had no idea who he might be… you’re far too fearless.”
She knew he was right. If Kyle hadn’t shown up, she could have been cut down by the man’s blade.
A blade…
She had forgotten. Until now, she hadn’t faced true danger. But this world had wars, bloody intrigues, and duels. A chill ran down her spine.
Just as Kyle said, I acted recklessly.
Her hands clenched tightly on the table without realizing.
“Don’t worry, Everett. I’ll catch him and find out why he was hiding there.”
Kyle gently placed his hand over hers. She looked up in surprise. His eyes were soft, but his grip was firm.
“And from now on, after your lessons, I’ll be the one to escort you home. Just keep that in mind.”
His tone left no room for refusal. But through their joined hands, she could feel Kyle’s nervous tremor. Everett smiled faintly and nodded.
“Is this where you live?”
Everett walked back to her mansion alongside Kyle.
“Yes, this is it. Thank you for walking me home, Sir Kyle.”
He lifted his bandaged arm.
“As thanks for the perfect treatment.”
“You still need to see the palace healer.”
“But your treatment was flawless—I don’t even feel pain anymore.”
Everett squeezed his arm slightly.
“Ow, ow! That hurts.”
“See? It does hurt. You need proper treatment.”
Instead of answering, Kyle’s hand reached toward her face. Everett flinched, but he only plucked a small leaf from her hair.
At once, her cheeks burned hot.
Oh, get a grip. What are you even thinking…
She shook her head quickly, and Kyle let out a soft chuckle.
“Everett, what were you just thinking about?”
“What—thinking? Nothing at all!”
Her voice rose louder than she intended, and she blinked in embarrassment.
“Ugh, seriously…”
Mortified, Everett ran straight into the mansion. Behind her, Kyle’s low laughter followed.
“Young Lady, why are you so late?”
After brushing off Daisy’s questions, Everett hurried upstairs to her room. Opening the window, she looked out. Kyle’s figure was still visible. She stood there until his silhouette completely disappeared into the night.
Her fingertips tingled, and she clenched her hands tightly.
What is this feeling…?
Even after he vanished, Everett gazed into the darkness for a long time.
Instead of returning to the palace, Kyle headed to Alfred’s estate.
Though late, Harpa was waiting for him.
“You’re back, Sir Kyle.”
He looked excited, eager to tell Kyle about Kuna. But when he saw Kyle’s grim expression, he pressed his lips shut.
“Where’s Alf?”
“He arrived just a short while ago.”
“Tell him to come to my room.”
Since joining the enemy knights, Alfred had given Kyle the largest room in the estate.
“Sir Kyle, it’s Alfred.”
Kyle stood before the fireplace, gazing at the rising flames.
“I have news about the Emperor.”
“No, I’ll go first.”
Kyle sat, and Alfred took a seat across from him.
“You have knights skilled in surveillance, right?”
“Surveillance? Of course. But why—”
“Assign one to guard Everett.”
“Guard her?”
“Tonight I caught, then lost, someone who tried to attack her.”
Alfred’s eyes went wide.
“Who would target a mere baron’s daughter…?”
“We must catch him. He swung his blade without hesitation.”
“But why Lady Everett… Understood. I’ll send the swiftest one I have.”
“Be careful—Everett is quick to notice things.”
Alfred nodded.
“Tell him if she notices, he’ll die by my hand.”
“Understood. Though he may die by mine first.”
Kyle’s expression eased slightly.
“What about the Emperor?”
This time, Alfred’s face hardened.
“We need more time.”
“Why? Didn’t you say we planted men near him?”
“Yes, but… the Emperor keeps replacing those who don’t meet his erratic standards.”
Kyle clicked his tongue. He didn’t need an explanation—he understood. Paranoia and fear.
“They claim it’s due to frequent mistakes, but the intervals are getting shorter and shorter.”
“Then spies won’t last long enough to be useful.”
The Emperor had long believed assassins lurked everywhere, waiting to kill him. He lived in constant fear, unable to trust even his own servants.
Kyle muttered quietly:
“Restless and anxious… when no one knows your fear, it festers from within until it consumes your whole being.”
Their method of gaining information from inside the Emperor’s circle was gone.
“We’re searching for alternatives. News will come soon.”
Alfred spoke confidently, but Kyle, who had met the Emperor himself, knew it would be difficult.
If it comes to this… perhaps the only option left is that person.
Kyle did not return to the palace for several days.
Word was that the nobles kept sending their opinions about the banquet.
“Sir Kyle, which young lady will you choose at the banquet?”
Over tea after lunch, Alfred suddenly asked.
“Where’s Lord Olbreno?”
“He left for Kuna early this morning. But why are you avoiding the question?”
Kyle smirked slyly.
“You asked the wrong question. You should’ve asked which family I’ll choose, not which young lady.”
Alfred chuckled.
“Alf, I’ve been thinking these past few days.”
“Yes, go on.”
“Stop trying to plant people around the Emperor.”
“Just give me a little more time—”
“It’s not about time. It’s not worth the risk anymore.”
“But… didn’t you want to know what’s going on with him?”
“I did. But right now, the Emperor suspects everyone but himself. Unless someone’s been close to him for years, it’s useless.”
Alfred pressed his lips together tightly, and Kyle laughed.
“No need to look so grim. I’m only saying we should change our approach.”
