Episode 20

Translator: MissMe Editor: Aru

As he walked from the entrance to this place, Ash naturally took up the surrounding his gaze devoured it.

So did I. I didnt know Sir Davery was trying to call up for Ash, so I stared at his familiar and beautiful face as he was getting closer.

Although I found out about it late, it turned out that Ash didnt show up alone.

Behind Ash were a few knights, while some of them were dragging a man each.

Three men of different shapes and sizes were thrown to the floor of the banquet hall.

Aigoo!

Ugh!

Sa, save me.

As I looked embarrassedly at the three people on the floor, Ash, who had come, opened his mouth.

Are you all right?

Huh? Yeah.

I nodded before I realized it. I had no reason not to be okay.

Ash stared at me.

I was suddenly speechless when I was being stared at.

Ash, who came straight from his office and dressed in relatively comfortable clothes, was still the most striking presence here.

As I often feel, Ash has a knack for just turning his surroundings into a background in any situation.

Soon Ashs eyes shifted towards Sir Davery.

Ive heard the report.

Im sorry for bothering you.

Its not your fault.

Surprised by Ashs voice, the people who were temporarily stiffened soon lowered their voices and began to whisper to each other in a daze.

If Ash wasnt right next to me, I would feel like whispering with Ari, too.

Who the hell are these people those were dragged in?

At that time, I caught sight of the man, Kami young man. He had a firm expression compared to the previous one.

Well, I dont know what it is, but I was all wrong.

Save me.

Please save me.

The three men, who had fallen on the floor of the banquet hall, soon fell on their knees and bowed their heads to Ash.

Ash looked down at them and began to talk.

Theres something Id like to ask.

Yes, yes. Ill answer anything.

Do you remember both the type and the buyer of the drugs you sold?

There was a commotion all around.

Drugs sold? Buyer?

I stared at Sir Davery and he nodded.

Theyre drug dealers working in the current system.

Sir Davery explained calmly.

I was stunned by him.

No, lets say that is something theyve done. But, the question is, how did he catch them so quickly?

It was only a while ago that Daverys team sent a person up from the banquet hall.

After receiving the report, Ash would have ordered them to be caught, but at a totally unorthodox pace.

In the midst of surprise and wonder, a dealer who had exchanged a few more words with Ash raised his hand carefully and pointed somewhere.

Its the count who bought the drugs from me a week ago.

Even before the dealer pointed him out, the man had been slitting himself back, as if to run away.

Soon he turned his body. At the same time, someone stepped exquisitely.

Ash, who took his eyes off the falling man, asked one after that,

What kind and effect did he buy?

Well, its just been distributed recently Its colorless and odourless and tastes a little bit bitter, but you can hardly feel it when its dissolved in a non-water drink as liquor. The effect is that after a certain period of time after ingestion, the body becomes feverish and weak.. The next day, they lose their memory after taking the drug.

Someone spat out in a shocked tone as soon as his explanation was over.

The Ladys words were true.

My God.

I cant believe it was true

I had something to say, too.

There was a reason why the mans smiling face looked so vulgar.

It wasnt because I was biased by his beautiful face!

How could you think of doing such a trick against the princess?.

Youre out of your mind.

Then the man who caused the commotion screamed out in frustration.

Do you have proof?

What?

Proof that I bought drugs from him and that I got it in the glass. You dont have it, do you?

The man who fell down after being stopped while trying to run away proudly claimed.

I bought the drugs on someones request. I just bought it. Im innocent because I didnt use it!

Wow, look at this little bastard.

Apparently, I was right that he dropped the glass on purpose, not by mistake. He believed in that situation and argued it.

Instead of replying to such a man, Ash asked the dealer.

Can you tell the difference between a drugged drink and the one thats not?

Oh, yes. Of course.

In a very small quantity?

Its, its possible. Its a drug I handle myself.

Ash, who heard the answer, squinted at the floor.

The dealer followed it with a look at the floor which was messed up by the dropped drink and glass debris.

It was the next moment when a dealer, who crawled there without hesitation, took a drink from the floor with his finger and took it to his tongue.

After tasting it, he affirmed.

I, Im sure. Its a love potion.

Love potion?

Thats the name of the drug I mentioned earlier.

I was stunned at the moment. Judging from the reaction, I didnt think it was just me.

Whats the drugs name? Love.?

Oh, by the way, Ive heard that one before. Love potion.

Really?

Yes. I thought it was a real love potion, so I was going to buy it..I didnt know it was that kind of drug.

A fan-capped lady muttered in a disappointed tone.

I shook my head inwardly at her naivety.

Love potion, such a convenient thing cant exist.

To be honest, it was me who desperately needed something like that love potion. Kind of drug that forces someone to fall in love like magic through external forces, and if I had that, then Id have.

Huh?

Wait a minute.

Uh!

I made a sound without realizing it. It was a matter of no reason at all.

Lady?

Princess?

The strange sound of calling me came to my senses. I awoke to the place and opened my mouth awkwardly.

No, nothing.

It was then.

Argh!

Lady Grace!

It was a moment. It was between the brief moments when peoples eyes were focused on me because of my sudden unexpected exclamation.

As the charges became clear, that man who had been driven to a dead-end rushed to Ari, grabbed her and put a knife into her neck.

It happened in a flash. I fixed my gaze with glaring eyes.

What are you doing? Let Lady Grace go now!

I didnt expect this to happen..

The man, who spat out curses, continued his words, pushing the blade closer to Aris neck.

I want one thing, Duke Weedgreen. Please state that you will not hold me and my family responsibilities for what happened today. Then Ill let this lady go.

My mouth was wide open.

A hostage situation? Youre holding a hostage in a place with so many eyes?

The mans expression was solemn, but I couldnt say a word because I was dumbfounded.

As if this was the only way he had left.

Surely what the man offered as a condition was the most pressing thing for him now.

The fame, reputation in society, and facts that will fall when he is found to have used drugs are not a big problem.

There will be scandals and scolding for trash, but it was a trifle.

Whats really important is to ask Ash the price for what he was trying to do to me in the name of Duke Widgreen.

In aristocratic society, title and power speak everything.

It was really bold of a man who tried to drug me in that regard.

Thats why I thought his smiling face was vulgar, but I tried to receive the glass that was served without any doubt.

Itd be over if he got caught, but I was wondering if he would have done anything. Was he really thinking that he wouldnt get caught?

Anyway, if its Weedgreens name, its not that difficult to drop the rest of a mans life into the mud when Ash makes up his mind.

Considering that, the hostage crisis was the last thing for this man to try.

No, by the way.

Why Ari!

I bit my lips. Damn it, I let my guard down.

In this situation, it was no wonder that a man accidentally cut Aris throat and killed her while pretending to be in danger.

Its 7 p.m. now.

I was wondering how the danger would come to Ari in the banquet hall, where all the dangerous things were put away, but I didnt know it was like this.

Its so messy.

stamping my feet, I stole a glance at Sir Davery.

Why didnt you protect her?

.

Sir Davery, who was condemned, seemed to have a lot to say.

Yeah, I guess so. I know. Sir Davery was reflexively blocking my way the moment the man moved.

His job was to protect me first, so he did what he had to do. I know, but!

Please make a contract that you wont put responsibilities on my family.

The man hastened. He managed not to kill Ari yet.

But we dont know when hell kill her. The man might soon have his hands twisted regardless of his intentions.

No!

Ash, who was just watching what the man was doing, asked, as I was anxious to hide my nervousness.

Should I save her?

Uh, huh?

Should I save the hostage?

No, why are you asking me that question? I nodded urgently as I didnt have to think about it.

Then in the next moment, Ash moved.

I didnt even see how he moved properly. It just seemed he had moved.

Soon after, the mans scream rang out.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Changkang

The man who dropped the knife knelt down.

Then Ari, who escaped from the mans arms, rushed to me. I hugged Ari in my arms.

Eonni, did I live?

Yeah, youre alive.

Tha, thank God.

As I patted Ari on her head, I glanced at the man on the floor. Sitting on the floor, groaning, he had his wrists twisted in a bizarre direction.

Ugh, that must hurt.

Eughhh

Soon some guards rushed in and completely overpowered the man. Ashs orders were short.

Send him to his family. Ill deliver his crime myself later.

The captive man was dragged out.

Its not a good sight to see, so I stopped Ari from turning her head.

The three dealers, who played the role of middlemen, were dragged out of the banquet hall as they had appeared hastily.

The banquet hall became very noisy.

Maybe it wont sink until the banquet is over.

Ash looked back at me and Ari in my arms and said something to Sir Davery. The banquet hall was so noisy that I couldnt hear anything.

Then Ash left first.

Sir Davery is approaching.

Lady, please move away first.

I nodded gently at his offer. Even so, we should clean up the dirty floor.

As I moved with Ari to the corner of the banquet hall, I glanced at the entrance where Ash had already left.

My heart throbbed for a moment.

What came to mind a little while ago filled my mind.

There is.

I blinked my eyes.

Its not a love potion, but.

There was something like that.

My heart trembled. Is it because of excitement, hope, or joy? Or is it because of tension or something else?

In fact, I couldnt tell myself exactly which way.