Chapter 5
There was no time to be flustered.
She had to escape—quickly.
Rubiana gripped the reins tightly and turned her horse’s head, intending to go back the way she had come.
But she was a step too late.
The massive monster’s tentacle pierced straight through the horse’s body.
The horse collapsed without even a scream, and the impact threw Rubiana to the ground.
“Ugh…! Aaaah!”
Her ankle must have twisted—she couldn’t stand.
Giving up on getting to her feet, Rubiana crawled forward on her hands and knees.
“Ugh… ahhh…!”
Grotesque noises echoed as the monsters began to close in, one after another.
Meanwhile, the elite unit of the Imperial Knights, led by Elion, was on its way to the location after receiving a report of an unusual flow of magic.
As they neared their destination, the foul, menacing magical energy from the monsters was immediately palpable.
It was sinister, dangerous, and reeked of filth.
A murderous glint filled Elion’s blue eyes.
Monsters inside the capital… twice in just one week? What on earth is going on…?
Drawing his sword, Elion charged at the monsters ahead at full speed.
His adjutant, Fred, and the other knights followed right behind him.
With each light swing of Elion’s sword, the monsters’ limbs were severed and their bodies pierced with ease.
“Krr… aaargh!”
“Kyaa… kaaahk!”
The monsters shrieked in agony before collapsing.
It took no more than five minutes for Elion’s elite unit to slaughter over a dozen of them.
Once the last monster fell, Elion spotted something out of place—
A woman, lying on the ground, trembling as she stared at them.
That woman…!
He remembered seeing her at the imperial banquet just a week ago.
Rubiana Payson, if he recalled correctly. Their first meeting had been quite memorable—enough to leave an impression.
Back then, he had saved her from a charging monster as well.
After rattling off her thanks like a rapid-fire barrage, she had bolted away.
And then collapsed, coughing blood, in the middle of the banquet hall.
If he hadn’t caught her quickly, she would have struck her head on the floor.
A deep frown formed on Elion’s brow at the memory.
That time… it was strange. When my hand touched her, I felt… coolness—no, more than that… something fresh and crisp.
It was no illusion.
It lasted only a moment, but he had clearly felt it. Along with that coolness came a sharp clarity in his head.
It didn’t seem like healing power…
Pushing aside the thought, Elion dismounted and approached Rubiana, extending his hand—just as he had in the palace garden.
“We meet again—in similar circumstances.”
“…”
“Are you alright, my lady? You seem badly shaken…”
Rubiana looked at Elion’s outstretched hand.
Years of battle had left it covered in calluses and scars.
If I take his hand… will I be able to absorb his magic?
She needed to confirm it.
Without hesitation, Rubiana reached out and clasped his hand.
Warmth spread instantly from her palm through her entire body.
Ah… this is it. No doubt about it!
She could feel his magic flowing into her—gentle, tingling warmth that made her heart race.
Elion, too, seemed to notice something, judging by the widening of his vivid blue eyes.
“Twice now, Your Grace, you have saved my life. Thank you.”
Rising to her feet, Rubiana released his hand and bowed politely.
Elion felt an unexpected sense of regret as her slender fingers slipped away from his grasp.
And the thought that came to him next startled even himself.
Regret? About what? Her hand? What is this feeling…?
He wanted to ask her many questions, but none would come—because none of this made sense yet.
Perhaps sensing the odd tension between them, Fred approached with a pleasant smile.
“My lady, are you unharmed?”
“…Yes.”
“I am Fred Carson, aide to Duke Klitzman.”
He gave his name first, his gaze inviting hers in return.
“I am Rubiana Payson.”
“Oh, the Lady Payson. I’ve heard from Stephanie that she has a younger sister and a younger brother.”
“That’s right. I’m her younger sister.”
“It’s an absurd misfortune to meet a monster in the heart of the capital, but I am nonetheless pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“…Yes.”
Fred glanced at the fallen horse, blood pooling around it, and spoke again.
“Our knights will escort you back to the Payson estate. So—”
“No.”
Cutting him off, Rubiana turned her gaze to Elion.
“Actually, I was on my way to see you, Your Grace.”
“…Me?”
One of Elion’s eyebrows arched sharply at the unexpected words.
“Yes. I have something urgent to discuss with you.”
“…With me?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
His expression was flat, and Rubiana felt a pang of disappointment.
Well, of course the hidden mastermind wouldn’t be overly friendly right away.
There was no helping it—she would have to use every trick she could think of to draw his interest and favor.
Her decision came quickly.
Actions would be far more persuasive than words.
She reached out suddenly and clasped his hand.
Elion flinched, startled, but didn’t pull away.
Given the difference in their size, if he had pushed, Rubiana would have been sent flying.
But he seemed too caught off guard to think of doing that.
Afraid he might pull away, Rubiana gripped his hand with both of hers.
Then, rising on tiptoe, she leaned in to whisper by his ear.
Her breath brushed hot against his earlobe.
“I believe you can feel it too, Your Grace. I have something important to tell you about this sensation.”
“….”
Elion’s eyes narrowed slightly at her whisper.
So it’s not my imagination… there’s something here. And this lady knows what it is?
Releasing his hand slowly, Rubiana met his gaze.
He did not look away from her earnest eyes.
After a short silence, he nodded.
“Very well. Let’s go to my estate.”
“…Thank you.”
At his agreement, Rubiana nearly cheered aloud, but she bit her lip to keep from showing too much excitement. This was, after all, the mastermind—someone she couldn’t afford to let her guard down around.
Fred, however, was stunned by what he’d just witnessed—Rubiana suddenly seizing Elion’s hand and whispering in his ear, followed by Elion inviting her to his estate.
What’s going on? Were they already acquainted? No… impossible.
Fred prided himself on knowing every detail about his liege, Elion—both public and private.
And nowhere in Elion’s life was there a “Rubiana Payson.”
While Fred stood in bewilderment, Elion turned toward his black stallion.
Mounted, he extended a hand to her once again.
Is he… asking me to ride with him?
Rubiana hesitated under his expectant gaze, but quickly realized—her own horse was dead.
“Thank you.”
She took his hand, and he effortlessly pulled her up to sit in front of him.
The sight made Fred and the other knights’ eyes widen, as though witnessing something highly unusual.
Flustered by their reactions, Rubiana felt heat rise to her face.
I hope they don’t get the wrong idea…
The last thing she needed now, before becoming the true heroine, was to start rumors about herself and the mastermind duke.
“Hyah!”
At Elion’s kick, the horse surged forward, cutting her thoughts short.
Thrown off balance, her head bumped against his chest.
Startled, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, afraid of falling.
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
She began to loosen her hold once she’d steadied herself—
“Stay like that. You could lose consciousness again at any time.”
He was right.
This body, with its imperfect possession, had already collapsed coughing blood several times.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Resting her head against his chest, Rubiana held him tightly.
His magic, radiating from their contact, was wonderfully warm.
