HIFH | Chapter 15

Episode 15

“There’s no need to feel sorry for me. And honestly, I think she might have crossed a line.”

“A line?”

“Mardi and I don’t have any particular relationship. Isn’t it a bit strange for her to be so worried?”

Lu didn’t answer. Instead, he simply stared at me.

“It’s only because I’m your fiancée, right? Tell her there’s no need to worry.”

His unreadable blue eyes scanned me carefully.

“Charles, you’re really…”

Lu continued, still looking at me with that enigmatic gaze.

“You’re a person I can never quite figure out.”

Who’s he to say that?

I was slightly dumbfounded.

“Is it really so hard to accept kindness for what it is?”

I shook my head.

“You never know what’s behind that kindness.”

“So that’s why you keep refusing to believe me.”

“What do you mean?”

“That I like you.”

His words hit me so suddenly that I forgot to breathe.

Why… why was he saying something like that so seriously?

I felt my heart start pounding and instinctively pressed my palm against my chest.

“That’s… an obvious lie, no matter who hears it.”

Worried that he might notice my racing heartbeat, I let out a small cough.

“Oh dear. But it’s the truth.”

Lu shrugged as he replied.

“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

He was always like this.

He would say things that left my mind unsettled, then act completely nonchalant as if nothing had happened.

I didn’t like it.

With a scoff, I turned my head away.

“Mardi only has one thought in her mind.”

But Lu wasn’t finished.

He slowly stood up and continued speaking.

“That no more scars should be added to your body.”

“…”

“I want the same thing.”

Then, he pulled the covers back over me.

“Close your eyes. I’ll stay here until you fall asleep.”

Truthfully, our conversation had woken me up, but staying awake any longer would just make things more awkward.

So, I obediently closed my eyes and slowly drifted into sleep, feeling Lu’s gentle touch patting over the blanket.

Thankfully, my body recovered quickly.

As the physician had said, it was just exhaustion. After a few days of proper rest, I felt even better than before.

“Ugh…”

Stretching out, I loosened up my body.

Then, I sat down in the chair at my desk.

Now that I was feeling better, it was time to organize my thoughts.

Holding a pen, I looked down at the paper.

First, Themise.

I slowly started writing.

______________
1. Themis

Does not know the whereabouts of the holy relic → It was Catacle’s trap.

The Crown Prince was trying to tell Themise about Catacle. → Why?
______________

Crown Prince Harold was always an idiot.

Thanks to the Empress, that fact was somewhat hidden from the public.

Since he loved to show off, it wasn’t entirely impossible that he might have let something slip about Catacle.

But that still didn’t answer all the questions.

Why?

Why would he specifically tell Themis about the Empire’s secret organization, Catacle?

And why did the commander order Themise to be killed?

Rolling the pen between my fingers, I started writing again.

________
The Crown Prince’s reason for introducing Themis to Catacle? Unknown.

→ Possibly related to the distribution of modified aura? Not sure.
→ But it seems this is the reason Themise was killed.
________

In other words, if I figured out the Crown Prince’s intentions, these questions would also be answered.

I can look into that later…

I scribbled further.

________
2. Why is Catacle distributing modified aura?

Unknown…
________

Damn it.

I don’t know anything.

_________
3. The Hornet

Referring to the giant hornet I took down at Count Floria’s estate.

Adrian acted independently → Seemed to be trying to throw Count Floria’s estate into chaos.
________

This also raised questions.

Why?

What would Catacle gain from disrupting Count Floria’s household?

What exactly are they planning?

From the distribution of modified aura to infiltrating noble houses.

These weren’t things Catacle typically did.

Something must have happened while I was away from the Empire.

Muttering that I should visit the headquarters soon, I put my pen down.

Then, I burned the paper completely.

Just in case.

Lu was already suspicious of me.

I couldn’t afford to give him even the slightest reason to doubt me further.

Especially now, when we were together, I had to be even more careful.

Thinking of him, I let out a deep sigh once again.

And then, at that moment—

— So that’s why you keep refusing to believe me.

— That I like you.

His words suddenly replayed in my mind.

At the same time, I felt my heart start racing. Huh? Why?

Wait… am I getting flustered because of Lu?

I froze for a moment before letting out a dry laugh.

No way.

It’s just because Lu’s face is too good-looking.

People are naturally influenced by what they see, so I must have momentarily mistaken my objective appreciation of his looks for something else.

Me and Lu? That’s ridiculous.

I chuckled at the absurd thought.

Then, sitting up, I turned my gaze to the closed door.

I could sense someone’s presence beyond it.

“Hm?”

As expected, the door opened, and Lou stepped in.

“You knew I was coming?”

“Yeah.”

I squeezed past the desk and chair to move toward the sofa.

“How did you know?”

“Your footsteps.”

Lu’s footsteps were unique.

In fact, calling them “sounds” felt inaccurate—they were that quiet.

So faint that one wouldn’t notice them unless they were specifically listening for them.

And why would I be able to recognize them?

It’s only natural to remember every movement of someone who suspects me.

That way, I could either escape quickly or handle the situation as needed.

Of course, if he were on an actual mission, none of that would help.

“You even remember my footsteps? I’m honored.”

“I remember them so I can run away when you show up, so don’t be.”

“Oh, is that a joke?”

It wasn’t.

Sniffing lightly, I sat down on the sofa.

“How’s your body holding up, by the way?”

“A lot better.”

“Thanks to me?”

“Thanks to Mardi, who took care of me.”

Lu frowned slightly before striding toward me.

“Then I suppose you’re well enough to see this.”

He dropped a newspaper in front of me.

What’s this?

I picked it up.

[The “Hero” Who Protected the Marquisate of Bydon—Charles Courtney Loses the Culprit After a Fierce Chase… Fought Until the End Despite Injuries]

“…”

Below that, the article detailed how I had risked great danger to chase after the attacker and how the marquisate was recognizing my contributions.

“How does it feel for a Guardian agent of the Holy Kingdom to become a hero of the Empire?”

Ugh, my head hurts.

Grimacing, I pressed a hand against my forehead and shook my head.

“This kind of attention should fade quickly, right?”

Lu smirked.

“For reference, that’s from three days ago.”

Then, he took out another newspaper from under his arm and set it down.

“This one is from yesterday. And this one is from today.”

I scanned through them.

[Charles Courtney, the Savior of the Marquisate—Praised for Her Bravery Despite Her Injuries]

Wait.

[‘If Not for Her…’—Marquisate of Bydon Applauds Charles Courtney’s Courage]

Wait, wait.

[Marquis of Bydon: ‘Charles is Our Guardian’]

“That’s not what they said.”

“…”