Chapter 86
As word quietly spread that the Run Marquisate had taken the Grand Duke’s side, many nobles began, little by little, to subtly signal their support as well.
Thus, like a ship catching a favorable wind at just the right moment, the Grand Duke was smoothly expanding his power.
And just as much, my worries only deepened.
I had insisted that I would stand on his side, only to be flatly rejected by Raymond in one stroke.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Tapping the desk lightly with his fingers—tap, tap—he showed an awkward expression. I snapped back loudly, not caring whether my voice carried outside the room or not. Anyone outside would surely know we were arguing.
“Aileen, you know it well enough. Your family is pro-Emperor.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“That’s precisely why you’re Kyle’s fiancée.”
Raymond said it because he had no choice but to present his reasoning, but that only made me angrier.
“Oh, then I guess I should stand on the Emperor’s side as the future Empress?”
“That’s not—”
“I should just live in the imperial palace altogether. I’m already being summoned there practically every day anyway.”
I was fuming, but there was no reply. When I glanced sideways, I saw Raymond resting his chin on his hand, wearing a grave expression.
Ah… did I get too cheeky with the villain?
But if I don’t do this, I really won’t be able to help with anything.
“Aileen.”
“Yes?”
Despite how resolutely I had been shouting just moments ago, my shoulders flinched when he called my name. He stood up from his chair and walked quickly toward me. For a moment, his momentum made me shrink back, but what followed was Raymond’s gentle touch.
He took hold of my arm and softly drew me toward him.
“Why are you speaking and acting so unlike yourself?”
“W-what…?”
Oh no. Did I overdo it and give away my true feelings?
That thought made my words come out stammering.
“You know I’m worried about you and your parents.”
“But I’m worried about you too, Raymond. I want to fight together with you.”
Before long, a war would begin between the Emperor and the Grand Duke. Riding the current of events, it had already become an inescapably foreseen future. I hated the idea of being the only one left out, just watching the fighting from the sidelines.
“War is no joke. It’s too dangerous.”
“But the Emperor could capture me and force me to work as a healer.”
“That’s true. I’m thinking of a separate countermeasure for that.”
Once again, he fell into deep thought.
So he really had no intention of drawing me in. I understood that I, too, was in no position to follow Raymond blindly, but the frustration welled up until I couldn’t bear it.
Pouting, I crossed my arms and puffed out my cheeks.
“Then just kidnap me again.”
“Kidnap?”
I had spoken without thinking, but Raymond’s reaction was far from ordinary. His eyes widened, as if he had just found a path he’d lost.
“That’s perfect.”
“…What?”
“I’ll have to kidnap you.”
“….”
He’s serious!
What flickered in his eyes was something close to madness.
Kidnappings usually happen suddenly, abruptly, without warning—but my second kidnapping took place under a meticulous plan. It was to ensure that no one would be held responsible for it.
So it was designed to occur within an entirely ordinary situation. On Harrington’s advice—my magic instructor—I would go to the bookstore and then disappear together with Koa. That was the best option. Since both of them were people of the Grand Duke, there would be no psychological burden.
What weighed on my heart the most was the shock my parents would receive. When I had first possessed Aileen’s body, been kidnapped, and then returned, I had seen the joy and delight that surfaced on their gaunt faces. That memory hurt my heart even more than defying the family’s stance of supporting the Emperor.
So, after discussing it with Raymond, we decided to secretly send them a letter. If we conveyed the situation using Ok-hee, they would surely believe it and wait. After all, they were Aileen’s parents.
“She can’t have gone far. Search every alley thoroughly.”
“Yes.”
After the staged kidnapping, the capital was thrown into an uproar. The ducal residence was turned upside down, and guards flooded the streets. The Emperor seemed to search for me in earnest this time, but he couldn’t bring himself to infiltrate the Grand Duke’s sphere of influence. The Grand Duke was already powerful enough to rival him; the matter could no longer be settled by force alone.
“Please hold on tightly around my waist, miss.”
“Okay, Koa.”
Meanwhile, I—the one who had supposedly been kidnapped—pretended to be heading out on a bookstore trip, then casually turned the horse’s head and made my way toward Raymond. Far from the fearful, urgent situation people imagined, I was following a very relaxed schedule.
I met Raymond, had a meal with him, sat beside him eating dessert, and watched him work the entire time. Whenever I got bored, we chatted a little too.
When the black night filled with stars arrived, I tied a piece of paper with a brief account of my feelings and situation to Ok-hee’s leg. Once the note was attached, Ok-hee spread its two great wings and soared high into the air.
[Mother, Father. It’s me, Aileen.
I don’t think I can continue to stay by His Majesty the Emperor’s side. This is my decision.
I will return safely once everything has been settled.
Please don’t worry about me, and stay strong and healthy.]
As expected, the ducal residence—which had been bright as day even in the middle of the night—only began to have most of its lights extinguished after Ok-hee came and went. They must have left the minimum amount of light needed, since appearances still mattered. My wise parents would surely spend their time not on worry and lamentation, but on preparing for the future.
This estate where I was staying—written as “kidnapping” but read as “recuperation”—was a place I had never visited before.
It was a town called Rus, near Ferment, and Rus was one of the territories belonging to the House of the Grand Duke of Ruslo. Though it was a small city, and peaceful in atmosphere, the entire town was built as multiple layers of fortifications, giving it a form well suited for waging war.
Staying at the estate these past few days, I was enjoying a rare stretch of peaceful time. A so-called “wise kidnapping life.” With war approaching, it was a fleeting respite, but I decided to enjoy it while I could.
Above all, the greatest advantage was being able to look at my favorite person to my heart’s content.
Unlike the previous kidnapping, where I’d been left completely unattended, Raymond stuck close to me all day long.
“Your Grace. As you ordered, I’ve inspected and serviced the weapons and organized all the armories from one through nine.”
“Good work. But where’s Aileen?”
“I’m right here.”
He was receiving a report from Melas; upon spotting me standing in front of the bookshelf, he turned his head back again.
Whether reviewing documents, holding discussions, or issuing orders, he kept looking for me. Acting as if something terrible would happen if I wasn’t nearby, he left me no choice but to be dragged along.
Though, honestly, I followed gladly. Hehe.
On the first night, he stayed in my room until late and couldn’t easily bring himself to leave. Even while saying, “You must be tired, so get some rest,” his steps hesitated. Only after I yawned for the fifth time did Raymond forcibly leave the room.
A morning where warm sunlight shattered and spilled in all directions.
Holding a watering can, I sat on the terrace. In front of the room assigned to me stood a tall tree, where countless kinds of birds were chattering away, singing the glory of the morning.
Just then, the glass door leading onto the terrace opened, and Raymond came in.
“Aileen.”
“Raymond. You’re here?”
It seemed he’d come to give his morning greeting. I slightly turned my head, met his eyes in greeting, and then faced forward again.
Raymond was silent for a moment.
Watering the birds with a watering can as if they were plants must have looked quite strange. Even stranger were the birds, who seemed to enjoy being doused.
After watching for a long while, he finally spoke.
“So… what exactly are you doing?”
“Oh, this activates my healing power and gives vitality. They asked me to.”
“They… did?”
Faced with such a novel sight, Raymond couldn’t take his eyes off me. Once the peculiar activity ended, he urged me on.
“Let’s go have breakfast.”
“Um, Raymond.”
“Hm?”
I carefully grabbed the sleeve of his clothes. Forcing my lips apart with effort, I spoke. “I really like staying close to you, Raymond, but shouldn’t we also think about the others?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I’m always by your side, it might make things uncomfortable. There might be things people need to say to you alone.”
Staying glued to my favorite person as if we were one body was practically my lifelong dream, but this was wartime. It wasn’t the moment to indulge only my personal desires. I hesitated over whether to say it or not, but after much deliberation, I decided that thinking of everyone was the right thing to do.
“Hm.”
After pondering for quite some time, he finally nodded reluctantly, wearing an expression of resignation.
“All right. You must have things to do as well, Aileen. I’ll try to restrain myself from now on.”
“Yes. That sounds good.”
I nodded decisively.
After breakfast, just as I’d suggested, we parted right in front of the dining hall. After that, he didn’t show his face again until lunchtime. Passing maids told me he’d gone into a meeting.
Having some time alone at last, I wondered what to do—but there was nothing in particular. In consideration of others, I’d effectively given up my one and only hobby: fangirling.
Well, it can’t be helped. Phew. A deep sigh escaped me without realizing it.
“It’s been a while, Aileen.”
“Raymond!”
Seeing Raymond again in front of the dining hall at lunchtime made me absurdly happy. It had only been a few hours, yet we greeted each other as if we hadn’t seen one another for at least a month.
Meeting his piercingly blue eyes made my chest ache, my emotions swelling. Regret even crept in—wondering if suggesting we separate had been a mistake.
As I spent my time anxiously, fearful of the coming separation, he arranged a place for us to have dessert together after the meal. Knowing we didn’t have to part immediately after eating lifted my spirits all the more.
