Episode 33
“Who’s there?!”
Eek!
A voice suddenly called out, and I jumped in surprise. It looked like I’d been caught by the guards. Two of them, who had been in the garden, were walking toward me with their hands on their swords.
Ugh. Of course someone like me—just a beginner—couldn’t hide their presence perfectly.
It was a hopeless situation, but I couldn’t give up now. If I got caught, I wouldn’t be able to see the Grand Duke. Worse, I wouldn’t be able to face my parents.
Thankfully, the shadows were hiding me a little, so they couldn’t see me clearly yet. That was my only chance. If I wasn’t fast enough to run away… I’d have to use my strength.
I quickly looked around and spotted a few rocks the size of ping-pong balls. I grabbed them. I just needed to scare them a bit, that’s all.
So, I threw one as hard as I could.
“Argh!”
Oops—I accidentally hit one guard in the shoulder, and he screamed and fell to the ground. Judging by how he clutched his arm and rolled around, his shoulder must have dislocated.
Oh no… that must hurt…
I winced. I didn’t expect my strength to be that powerful. I just meant to scare him!
Now the other guard drew his sword.
“You there! You’re suspicious! Give yourself up and show yourself!”
Uh… what do I do? Ugh, forget it!
I didn’t want to hurt him, but at this point, I couldn’t get caught. So I started throwing the rest of the rocks at him like crazy.
“You won’t get me!”
The guard dodged left and right, avoiding the stones and smiling confidently—until the last rock hit him square in the forehead.
Thud!
He fell backward with a happy smile still on his face.
Sorry…
With both guards down, I ran out of the mansion as fast as I could. I had to escape before more showed up.
Once I was out of the mansion, things went smoothly. I just had to pass through the forest and reach the market.
The closer I got to Raymond’s hideout, the faster my heart pounded. The cool night air brushed past me, but my chest only felt heavier.
Raymond… is hurt?
I didn’t want to believe it. I’d tried so hard to keep him out of danger—was it all for nothing?
Knowing the original story could only take me so far. In the original, the Emperor had taken Neverrest. But since Raymond had taken it instead, the story had already changed, and I couldn’t predict what would happen next.
Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I still felt like I had.
Was it a mistake to tell him to bring in Neverrest?
Regret weighed heavily on my face as I stepped into the pub.
Raymond’s men inside recognized me right away. Especially Melas, his right-hand man, who turned around in surprise while talking to others.
With his gray hair and calm, serious expression, he looked straight at me and walked over.
“Lady Cowet. Did you come here alone?”
“I heard that Raymon— I mean, His Grace the Grand Duke was injured. May I see him?”
Panting, I tried to catch my breath. Melas stared at me with his unreadable expression, then silently led me upstairs.
“Please follow me.”
“Thank you.”
Even though I’d been here before, for some reason I felt nervous. I guess being an uninvited guest does that to you.
Knock knock.
“Your Grace. Lady Cowet is here to see you.”
“Eilene? Let her in.”
He sounded surprised, but still gave permission. Just hearing Raymond’s voice made me feel a little better. He sounded fine.
Melas opened the door. Inside, I saw Raymond sitting on the bed—different from usual.
“Eilene? How did you get here…?”
He looked perfectly fine. As soon as I saw that, I almost started crying.
He looked a bit thinner—maybe from his time abroad—but his deep blue eyes were still clear and sharp, just the way I remembered. The way I loved.
“Raymond…”
I held back my tears and walked up to his bedside.
He looked at me with a warm smile.
“You came alone?”
“I couldn’t just sit around after hearing you were hurt. Are you really okay?”
He seemed okay on the outside, but the letter did say he was injured. I wanted to know exactly how he was.
“Hah… I was going to send you a note only after I got better so you wouldn’t worry…”
“Hmm? Then what happened?”
“Oki barged in out of nowhere, brought me paper and a pen, and made me write that letter—like she was demanding I send it to you right away.”
“Oki did that? Ah…”
So Oki realized he needed treatment and came to get me.
I was amazed again at Oki’s cleverness and instincts. I felt so guilty for ignoring her earlier and pretending to sleep.
“I was going to come get you in a few days anyway.”
“But how could I wait days knowing you were hurt?”
Raymond cleared his throat and didn’t show me his injuries right away. His cheeks looked a little flushed.
“Do you have a fever?”
“Huh? No, not really…”
“Let me check.”
I placed one hand on his forehead and the other on mine to compare. His was warmer, but not by much.
Then I noticed his eyes rolling under my hand, unsure where to look.
Oh no… Was I too casual, touching my precious favorite character like this?
Feeling embarrassed, I pulled my hand away.
“Seems like you don’t have a fever. That’s good.”
“Yeah.”
“What about the injury? Where does it hurt?”
“Uh… my chest and side…”
“Really? Let me see.”
I started to lift his shirt, and Raymond flinched, awkwardly raising his arms.
There were some bandages and ointment on his chest and side. Luckily, it really looked like just a light injury.
“Didn’t any healers help you?”
“There was no time to call one.”
“Ah, right…”
I nodded thoughtfully.
In the original story, the King of Shale tried to sell Neverrest. He never saw them as people—just weapons.
So of course it would’ve been difficult to get them out secretly.
There was the option of buying them officially, but that would only give power to the second heir to the throne. People would’ve opposed it. It would be like challenging the Emperor directly.
So now, even in this world full of magic, they couldn’t use healers and had to rely on basic medicine. This was the sad reality of being seen as a villain.
Good thing I came. With me around, there’s nothing to worry about! After all, my spit is like magical healing water!
Proud of myself, I reached into my pocket as I pulled his shirt back down…
And then my eyes locked on his body.
His firm chest and perfectly shaped six-pack abs were right there.
T-Those are… chocolate abs!!!
The kind male idols always show off!
I’d only seen them in pictures before, never in real life. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. Everything else blurred. All I could see were those abs.
Wow. People say “he’s built like a sculpture,” and now I know why.
His chiseled muscles made my mouth water.
Gulp. I quickly swallowed the drool that almost fell.
“Eilene?”
“Yes?!”
Hearing Raymond call my name made me realize I’d been staring at his abs like a complete fool. He looked shy but didn’t try to hide anything—he even let me keep holding his shirt.
That kindness made me feel grateful and also horribly embarrassed. I wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Oh no, what was I doing?! I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay.”
I quickly let go of his shirt and looked at his face. His cheeks were red—probably just like mine.
Still, despite my apology, the fangirl inside me was dancing for joy. “Why didn’t you touch it while you had the chance?!” it screamed.
I told that bold little monkey to shut up—and maybe even gave it a little smack. Or maybe… I was actually patting it lovingly.
Anyway, I couldn’t control every instinct, especially the embarrassing ones.
After we both calmed down, Raymond invited me to sit in the chair next to his bed. Then he told me what had happened.
After finishing everything in Shale, Raymond and a few of his people were bringing On and his family with them.
The attack happened at the border while they were crossing into Phermont.
A group of masked men suddenly surrounded them and launched an attack.
Raymond and his people fought back fiercely. They weren’t overwhelmed at all—in fact, they were winning.
But there were people they needed to protect. On’s family, especially, were terrified and huddled inside the carriage.
As the fight got more intense and the guards left their posts to help fight, one masked attacker slipped inside the carriage.
On’s family screamed in terror when the enemy suddenly appeared inside.
