'I need to find someone who isn't affected by Lucian's authority., and is able to get a carriage to the capital.'

But I didn't know anyone here. If there is someone who can grant such a difficult request

'No, there's one person.'

* * *

I stuck out my face in a small opening on the wall surrounding the castle.

'Finally escaped.'

Unlike before, it was not easy to leave after Baroness Alicia said that I was forbidden from going out alone.

It was thanks to Baroness Alicia's two daughters that I was able to leave the castle.

[You've been outside before, so why is mother saying that?]

[Right. She's being too protective.]

The two daughters told me the secret passage they used whenever they wanted to sneak out.

Thanks to this, I was able to get out of the castle.

I walked, wiping the dirt off my dress. Soon after, when I reached a large tree, a familiar face appeared.

It was Kuhn.

Kuhn waved at me.

It's been a while.

Yeah. Are you feeling well?

I'm better.

Kuhn left the castle even before the fever went down.

When I asked why he left even though he had not fully recovered, Baroness Alicia said with a smile on her face.

[It's because Lord Kuhn is worried about the wounded soldiers waiting for him. Lord Kuhn is also the best doctor here.]

That's what she said.

Kuhn looked displeased.

Nah. I ran away because I was afraid I'd die by Kardien's hands.

Kuhn muttered with a ghastly face.

You saw his expression that day, too. If I had stayed there, he would've broken the bed and stuck a knife in my stomach, so I quickly ran away.

..You did well.

I gave him a good evaluation of his ability to cope with crises.

I wonder if Lucian would actually kill Kuhn, but anyway, Lucian's expression on that day was unusual.

Kuhn shrugged and asked.

I thought you were trapped in a castle, but I guess not.

Well, no.

That's a relief. Kardien's mood hasn't been good since that day. His eyes are so frightening that even his subordinates, who used to wag their tails at the sight of him, can't talk to him.

.That's probably because he had to go into battle after that. He gets sensitive during wartime.

I didn't elaborate on what was going on between me and Lucian, but vaguely changed the subject.

Other than that, take this.

I took a heavy pouch out and held it out to Kuhn.

What's this?

It's a jewel of the highest grade. Wherever you sell it, it'll amount to a few mansions.

Wow, did you ask to meet up for this? If you're trying to seduce me with jewels, you've succeeded.

Stop talking nonsense. Please get a carriage to the capital with this jewel. As soon as possible. Please take the remaining amount as a fee.

Kuhn frowned at my words.

Are you making me run an errand?

Oh, my. No way. It's not an errand, it's a request. A very earnest request.

I looked at Kuhn with earnest eyes, further emphasizing the 'request.'

No one can grant me this request unless it is Kuhn.

After a moment of silence, Kuhn exhaled a small sigh and took the pouch from my hand.

Okay. I'll grant you this request. Apparently something's wrong with Kardien, but in that case, it's best to stay away for a moment. He's out of his mind.

No matter how sad I was, I couldn't help but get choked up when he said those words.

I told you not to talk about Lucian like that!

Are you still on Kardien's side?

Why are you so worked up?

He dragged you to the battlefield, and now he won't let you go home at will. Do you think this is normal?

.!

Deep down in my heart, I knew it. That all of this is not normal.

No matter how angry he is, Lucian has no right to stop me. It's as if I'm escaping from prison. There shouldn't be any need for me to have to do this secretly.

'But'

I turned away from Kuhn.

I didn't want to talk about this anymore.

Please, I'm begging you, don't concern yourself with our business. No matter what you say, we will resolve it just fine.

Bullcrap.

Please. I'll get going.

Fortunately, Kuhn no longer stopped me and didn't say anything else.

I'll take you home.

Forget it. What if people spread word that we were together?

That'll be good for me.

Even if Lucian hears of it?

Have a safe trip.

He's a man who just saved me, because he's a doctor.

I headed to the castle waving at him half-heartedly.

Walking down the road, I thought about the current situation.

'We're simply fighting for love. I'm just a little angry at his selfishness, and it's a problem that will be resolved as we spend some time together.'

So it's okay.

Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks

I comforted myself.

It was then.

In an instant, my vision was blurred.

'W-what's goin'

I thought my vision was just getting a little disordentated, but I collapsed on the floor. As if I lost control of my body.

A creepy voice was heard over my collapsed body.

Is this chick Kardien's woman?

I'm sure. Purple hair and green eyes. She matches the description.

Ha, that's hilarious. I can't believe that monster fell for a girl.

Thanks to you, we now have a good opportunity. An opportunity to slice Kardian's neck.

It was worthwhile hiding for days to catch this woman.

That's all I heard.

Soon, my vision turned black, but I lost consciousness.

* * *

I opened my eyes at the loud noises.

What I saw as soon as I opened my eyes was an unfamiliar soldier.

Thin eyes, and dark skin. I knew at a glance when I saw that his appearance and attire were completely different from the imperial army.

'He's one of the rebels.'

The moment I realized it, my heart thumped.

I wanted to run away immediately, but my wrists and ankles were tied up so it was impossible to move.

When I bit my lip at this predicament, a soldier looked at me and ignored me.

Captain, the woman has woken up.

After a while, a man appeared.

Seeking his splendidly decorated armor and swords, he seemed to be the leader of the rebels.

He, with a menacing face and a bizarre tattoo, said.

Y-you're more beautiful when you open your eyes. You are indeed Kardien's woman.

His disgusting words gave me goosebumps all over my body.

The man looked at me, trembling without saying a word, and gave a gesture to a soldier.

The soldier soon approached with a shiny sword in his hand.

I screamed as I saw the soldier approaching me with a sword.

are you trying to kill me? I'm a hostage, and I can be quite useful!

Slash~

The sword moved with the sound of the wind. It was not my neck (fortunately) but my hair that touched the blade of the sword.

The soldier handed the cut hair to a man called the captain.

The man smiled contentedly as he looked at the wavy purple hair in his hand.

I-if you are the woman he says he loves so much, he would notice just by looking at your hair. T-try sending this to Kardien. S-say that if he wants to save his woman, he has to retreat immediately.

Yes.

The soldier disappeared, and only the man and I remained in the barracks.

The man began to rip off the meat on the table, which looked very terrifying.

I made eye contact with the man.

are you hungry? Do you want some?

There's no way I'll fall for food at this moment.

When I gave him a look of disgust, the man showed his teeth and laughed.

as long as you stay still, I won't kill you, so don't worry.

I looked at the man, wondering what he was talking about, and he continued to talk, tearing off the meat with his teeth.

You're young and pretty, so you'll still be useful even after Kardien is dead. T-there are quite a few places looking for a noble lady.

His words are frightening, but it is something that the villain who managed to kidnap a woman would say.

But the man didn't stop there and began to talk strangely.

anyways, I have a question. Where is Kardien's sensitive spot?

.what?

The man asked with an excited face.

T-there's a sensitive part of the body. I-is it his sides o-or the ends of his ears? I'm sure you know where it is.

..

This gave me goosebumps all over.

Why would you ask that?

after the enemy forces retreat, I'm planning on capturing him by telling him to come here alone. B-because he's wanted by many people. B-before selling him for a high price, I wanted to see if the rumors that he can heal himself are true.

My face distorted hearing this.

The man hummed and said with excitement.

W-would it hurt him if I put out his nails? O-or ears? Or s-should I cut his ribs? actually, digging out those red eyes would be the most fun. B-but then, if he doesn't recover, his value would drop.

My life comes first, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

Until Lucian comes to rescue me, let's stay calm as much as possible so as not to be bothered by the kidnapper.

But that is not possible with me.

He dares to babble about Lucian like that?!

Hey you XXXXXXXXXXXX!

The man's eyes widened at my outspoken swearing.

You'll never be able to lay a hand on Lucian. Rather, it's you who'll get smashed. Do you know why? You've already lost to Lucian from the start with your face. A rotten pumpkin-looking guy like you can't even compete. So don't even think about it, you pervert tiger!

The man dropped the meat he was eating on the floor due to the tremendous amount of poison I poured on him.

The man spoke with a flustered face.

I-I thought you would be elegant because you're a noble lady, but your mouth is dirty.

Do you want me to say something dirtier? If you're bored, don't think about harassing innocent people, fix your stuttering, you perv.