Episode 3

 

“Why Blighton all of a sudden? Why are you asking about Blighton?”

 

As I carefully observed my brother, it seemed like he was a bit uncomfortable with my interest in the Blighton family.

 

“I just heard about the Blighton family once before. But suddenly, it came to my mind.”

 

“What did you hear?”

 

“Well, it’s something everyone knows. But hey, have you ever seen the Duke Blighton?”

 

“Me? I saw him once before. But it’s not easy to catch a glimpse of him. He doesn’t appear in social circles much, and currently, he’s not in the capital because of the military campaign.”

 

“What?”

 

When my brother said that the Duke Blighton wasn’t in the capital, I involuntarily let out a surprised exclamation.

 

Not in the capital? What is he talking about?

 

“Surprising, huh? Ayla, why are you reacting like that?”

 

“Huh? Ah, no, I mean, it’s not about that. Is it true that the Duke  Blighton is really not in the capital right now?”

 

Unable to believe it, I asked my brother with a serious expression.

 

“That’s right. While you were asleep, a military campaign was organized. He probably won’t return for a while. Even the Blighton family will have a hard time during this campaign.”

 

Not returning for a while?

 

This is like a bolt from the blue!

 

Then, what about me? What should I do?

 

I stared blankly into the empty air, shocked by my brother’s words.

 

“Ayla?”

 

My brother’s voice calling my name snapped me out of it.

 

“Oh, right.”

 

Realizing that I had exposed my shocked state to my brother, I quickly composed myself.

 

I looked at my brother’s face, and he seemed to be giving me a slightly suspicious look.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Why are you like that? What’s wrong?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing, really. I just… I heard that he’s really handsome, you know? I wanted to see him at least once.”

 

I quickly came up with an answer that my brother would easily accept.

 

“Hmm. But it’s a shame he’s not in the capital, and he doesn’t socialize much.”

 

With a nonchalant expression as if nothing had happened, I continued to make excuses.

 

“Oh, that’s what it was? Yeah, he’s really handsome. Of course, not as much as me, but still.”

 

My answer seemed appropriate, and my brother’s doubtful expression returned to its usual state.

 

Seeing my brother making a half-serious, half-joking remark, I inwardly sighed with relief.

 

Luckily, my third brother was not one to overthink things and was rather simple-minded. If it were my intelligent eldest brother or perceptive second brother, they would have definitely caught on to my strange curiosity about the Duke  Blighton right away.

 

They would have pestered me until they heard a satisfactory answer.

 

“Ah, it’s dizzying.”

 

Even just thinking about such a scenario gave me goosebumps all over my body.

 

“Anyway, if you’re so curious, I’ll arrange for you to catch a glimpse of him from afar later.”

 

“Can’t I get closer?”

 

“Of course not! Do you not know that you shouldn’t get too close to anyone from the Blighton family?”

 

I threw the question out there just to see his reaction, but surprisingly, my brother answered with a startled look.

 

“I know. Handsome faces are best appreciated up close, right? That’s why I asked.”

 

“But still, absolutely not. You’re not in good health… What if anything happens? Don’t even think about it, okay?”

 

“Alright, alright, I won’t. Calm down.”

 

His reaction was more intense than I had expected.

 

Seeing how strongly he opposed, I fell into thought for a moment.

 

“How should I persuade him?”

 

In any case, it would be better for my plans to go out smoothly if my brother went with me. But even the thought of getting closer made him so unwilling.

 

I needed to revise my plan if I wanted to use my third brother as a means.

 

No, there was an even more serious problem.

 

The fact that Lord Lloydin Blighton was not in the capital.

 

When going on a subjugation, they say it can take several months. What should I do?

 

After having a conversation with my older brother, my mind became even more complicated.

 

However, once I realized that my older brother was right here in front of me, I stopped delving deeper into my thoughts.

 

Feeling the need for some time alone, I decided to head back home even if it was just for a moment.

 

“Brother, let’s take a stroll around the lively streets and then return home.”

 

“Already?”

 

“Yeah, it’s nice to get some fresh air, but it’s been a while since I’ve been out, and I feel a bit tired.”

 

“Tired? In that case, let’s go to the bustling streets another time and head back now.”

 

“Is that okay?”

 

“Of course. Let’s go back quickly.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

After our conversation, my brother hurriedly instructed the coachman to turn the carriage around.

 

* * *

 

‘What should I do?’

 

As soon as I got back home, I went straight to my room and pondered over what to do next.

 

‘Why don’t I just go to where that person is?’

 

No, no matter how much I think about it, that’s not the answer.

 

It feels like it would only hasten my demise.

 

How can I go to a place teeming with demons all by myself?

 

I can’t handle weapons, and I don’t possess the power of a paladin like Lloydin Blighton with magical abilities.

 

To be honest, the idea of going scares and terrifies me, but even more than that, my family would never allow it. So, it could never be a solution.

 

‘Maybe I should wait a little longer.’

 

Although my condition is worsening, I still had one year left.

 

No matter how long it takes, I feel like I’ll be back within six months.

 

Just six months… If I endure for that long and carefully plan everything and lay the groundwork before his return to the capital…

 

As I still have some time to spare, it seemed like a reasonable plan.

 

“Yeah, let’s not act recklessly.”

 

If he doesn’t return even after six months, then I’ll either go find Lloydin or approach the original male lead.

 

With that decision made, I spent my days with a somewhat peaceful mind.

 

* * *

 

About two weeks later, on a certain day.

 

I was strolling through the lively streets with my mother when suddenly there was a commotion around us.

 

“What’s happening?”

 

“I’ll go find out.”

 

In response to my question, Lia, who was following us, quickly moved away.

 

My mother and I stayed nearby while waiting for Lia to come back.

 

“Young lady!”

 

After a moment, Lia returned.

 

“What on earth is happening? Why is there so much noise?”

 

“Young lady, that’s…!”

 

Lia was about to say something when suddenly a grand sound of horns filled the street.

 

“This is… Could it be?”

 

“You can hear that, right? The knights who went on the subjugation are returning! They are coming back to the square after passing through the capital’s entrance!”

 

The square was not too far from where we were.

 

Upon hearing the news of the knights’ return, my heart suddenly started beating irregularly.

 

‘Lloydin Blighton.’

 

That man must be back too, right?

 

I expected it would take at least a few months to return to the capital, but he came back this quickly.

 

‘I need to confirm it with my own eyes.’

 

“Mother, may I go to the square?”

 

“To the square?”

 

“Yes, I want to congratulate the victorious knights who returned from the subjugation.”

 

I looked at my mother with an earnest gaze because I wanted to confirm with my own eyes that Lloydin Blighton had returned.

 

“There will be a lot of people there. Are you sure it’s okay?”

 

“Yes, it’s fine.”

 

“Alright then, let’s go together.”

 

“Yes!”

 

We immediately took a carriage and headed towards the square.

 

As expected, there was a massive crowd gathered at the square.

 

“Wow, young lady, I’ve never seen so many people at the square before.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

To prevent getting separated in the crowd, we decided not to get off the carriage, but instead, we stopped the carriage as close to the square as possible and observed from outside.

 

Not long after, thunderous cheers erupted from the people who were previously engaged in small talks.

 

“Wow!”

 

“Long live the Leteus Empire!”

 

Everyone in the square joined their gazes in one direction and cheered for Leteus.

 

I raised my head to the window and looked where everyone’s attention was focused.

 

“Wow.”

 

A massive army was entering the square with an imposing presence.

 

And in the distance, I saw a man leading them.

 

Could that man be Lloydin Blighton?

 

It must be him since he was the one who led the subjugation force, right?