RATBA 42

Chapter 42

“Not a chance.”

Nathan answered without hesitation when I asked if he was disappointed in me.

His immediate response made me trust his feelings completely.

“If you want to cover up his crime, then we’ll do that. I’ve seen how stubborn you can be—I know better than to argue.”

At his teasing jab, I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“Thank you. Really.”

If I wanted Luke punished, Nathan would make it happen.

And if I wanted the opposite, he’d respect that too.

No matter what I chose, he always supported me.

A warm, fuzzy feeling bloomed in my chest—something I’d never felt with anyone else.

As I nestled deeper into his arms, he asked casually,

“So, does this mean you’re forgiving him completely, as if nothing happened?”

“No. Covering up his crime doesn’t mean I forgive him. I have no intention of forgiving him at all.”

“Then what?”

“Saving his life this time is my last act of kindness. Once we reach land, I’m erasing him from my heart—as if he never existed.”

I couldn’t forgive him.

I wanted him to feel the same pain I had—the agony of being abandoned by family.

I wanted that suffering carved deep into his soul so he’d carry it for life.

“So… until we dock, I’ll play the role of a good little sister. Nursing him, keeping him company—that sort of thing. Even if you don’t understand my actions, just trust me on this.”

“Fine. You’ve clearly thought it through. You’ve never let me down before.”

Do as you like, he whispered against my ear before pressing a featherlight kiss to my skin.

Nathan kissed every part of me—even the most intimate, shameful places—as if they were precious.

We lost ourselves in each other, spending the last dawn of our journey entwined.

The harbor finally came into view, marking the end of our long voyage.

The crew cheered as they hurried to prepare for disembarking, and I stood on deck, gazing at the familiar land.

Then, Nathan tapped my shoulder.

“The knights said they have something to tell you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

Soon, the knights lined up before me.

Still unsure what this was about, I blinked in confusion.

Then, the vice-captain—Felix, I think his name was—stepped forward.

“We sincerely apologize for our past disrespect! And we thank you for your extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs, which ensured our safe return!”

The “disrespect” likely referred to their gossip about my relationship with Nayla.

Felix hadn’t been part of it, but as vice-captain, he was apologizing on their behalf.

‘They probably saw me as the wicked older sister tormenting their sweet, innocent Nayla. Only after realizing I was right all along did they understand the truth.’

Honestly, I hadn’t held it against them.

Nayla’s acting had been that convincing.

Still, there was no harm in accepting their apology.

I gave them a polite smile.

“I never felt disrespected. And I’m glad I could help.”

Their tense expressions finally relaxed.

Some even looked at me with an almost embarrassing amount of admiration.

‘Was that response good enough?’

I glanced at Nathan for confirmation, and he rewarded me with a soft smile. Apparently, I’d handled it well.

Meanwhile, the ship finally docked.

The crew erupted in cheers.

“We’re here! Land!”

Nathan and I were the first to step ashore.

Maybe it was the pride of accomplishing our mission, but the solid ground beneath my feet felt exhilarating.

As I took a deep breath of fresh air, Nayla and Luke disembarked behind us.

Despite his injuries, Luke was stable enough to walk unassisted—thanks to my treatment.

Once they were fully off the ship, I spoke up.

“Luke. Nayla.”

They turned to me almost simultaneously.

Nayla’s guard was up more than ever, while Luke’s gaze had softened considerably.

This journey had undeniably changed our dynamics.

“I have to go to the palace with His Highness to report on the spirit. You two can return to the duchy. There’s a lot I want to say… but we’ll save it for later.”

I skipped the pleasantries. I didn’t want to spend another second with them.

And I was sure they felt the same.

Luke, guilty as he was, would want to flee as soon as possible.

And Nayla? She had no reason to stick around me either.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

Confident they’d agree, I turned to leave.

But as Nathan and I moved toward the royal carriage prepared for us, Nayla suddenly followed—attempting to board without permission or explanation.

“……?”

I blocked her path.

“Nayla? I said you can go home. This carriage is headed to the palace.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“You know?”

“I’m going to the palace too.”

Her answer short-circuited my brain.

After a brief mental struggle, I gave up and asked point-blank:

“…Why?”

“You’re reporting to His Majesty, right? Then shouldn’t I go too? Finding the spirit wasn’t your achievement alone. It was a team effort.”

The moment her words registered, I nearly slapped her.

How dare she say that?

‘Team effort?’

She’d recklessly wasted emergency rations to play the saint.

She’d harmed soldiers with her incorrect treatments.

And now she had the audacity to call it a team effort?

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

‘Stay calm…’

Too many eyes were watching.

If I, the duke’s daughter, publicly lashed out at my adopted sister, the rumors would spread like wildfire.

It would stain not just my reputation, but the entire duchy’s.

Forcing my anger down, I replied evenly,

“Fine. Let’s go together and report properly. As you said, I shouldn’t take all the credit.”

At my words, Nayla’s lips curled into a smile—one that only made me nauseous.

I leaned in close, whispering so only she could hear:

“Should I mention how you poisoned the knights with the wrong herbs? Or how you showed Nathan the scars on your back and lied, saying I gave them to you? Should I leave any of that out?”

“……?!”

Pathetically, her face drained of color.

Her attempt to slander me to Nathan during my disappearance had been a glaring reveal of her true nature.

Her pupils trembled visibly.

She tried to appear composed, but her pallor and shaking eyes betrayed her.

“Are you… threatening me?”

Now that her mask was fully off, she didn’t even bother pretending to be kind.

I matched her energy.

“Threatening? I just want the report to be accurate.”

Did she really think I’d keep covering for her mistakes forever?

That I’d remain her obedient punching bag?

How laughable.

Either way, putting her in her place was easier than I’d expected.

One final warning:

“I won’t even ask why you lied about those scars. I don’t want anything more to do with you. But if you dare interfere with me again, I won’t hold back.”

“……”

“Understood? Then go home with Luke.”

This time, she didn’t argue.

After one last icy glare, I boarded the carriage—alone.