NMRJKM Chapter 89

 

I started changing into a dress that Madame had prepared for me. She personally helped me adjust the fit and style.

“I was so surprised to hear that you were invited to the princess’s birthday celebration, Miss Ariadeline.”

“No, but to be honest, does it make sense?”

“Yes? What?”

“I mean, a sinner attending a royal party… it’s just not right.”

“Oh, that’s all thanks to your improved reputation, Miss Ariadeline. And…”

Madame said it without any malice.

“You were quite close with Princess Yermondi, weren’t you?”

“…I suppose so.”

I recalled the past relationship between Yermondi and Ariadeline. Honestly, on the surface, they seemed to be quite close, but in reality, she hadn’t been deeply involved with Ariadeline.

It was true that they had become much closer after she became the Duchess. Before that, it would be fair to say that they were just part of the same social circle.

It was most likely that she approached me, targeting Carlothian, and then framed me to get rid of me, a thorn in her side.

“Now, let’s try on this dress!”

Madame was quite enthusiastic. It seemed she was excited that I could wear her dress in an official setting.

‘Yes, honestly, Rosana’s skills are on par with those of the finest dressmakers.’

If I just behaved myself and didn’t cause any trouble, it would be a great opportunity for her to gain more recognition.

‘But will Princess Yermondi really let that happen…?’

I looked down at the dress with a somewhat apologetic expression.

To clear my name, I needed to meet Princess Yermondi and wait for an opportunity to arise. That was the purpose of attending the birthday celebration.

‘Should I say I’m using myself as bait?’

I let out a deep sigh. Madame then became quite flustered.

“Oh my, is there something about the dress that you don’t like?”

“No, it’s just that I’m worried whether I can pull off such a dress.”

When I vaguely brushed it off, Madame’s face twisted as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’

“Look at this! The embroidered, glossy blue fabric perfectly matches your blue eyes. Plus, the combination of the white lace and your bright blonde hair is simply stunning!”

I noticed a glint of madness in her eyes at that moment. It reminded me of the knights who had been gushing over me.

“And this face! With a face like this, what could possibly be wrong? You look absolutely breathtaking today!”

“Please don’t get carried away…”

Even as I chuckled, she continued to passionately praise my beauty.

Ahaha. This is exhausting.

After fitting the dress, I was led by Sir Maicher to a jewelry store.

“Why on earth are you taking me to a jewelry store?”

“There was a directive from the Duke.”

We also went to a shoemaker.

“This too?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

We even stopped by a boutique that specialized in lingerie. Everything looked rather risqué.

“This as well…?”

“Yes…”

I laughed awkwardly, trying to compose my flushed face. So, that’s your taste, huh, Carlothian…

I glanced at the lingerie while covering my mouth with my hand. Normally, underwear consists of plain white fabric that loosely fits the body, but here, it was more… well, form-fitting.

Let’s leave it at that. I blushed as I stealthily entered and exited the shop.

I turned to Sir Maicher and said, 

“Please tell Carlothian that he’s a pervert.”

“I’m sorry, but you should say that directly.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to get involved.”

Sir Maicher had a firm side to him. I sighed and climbed back onto the carriage.

Sir Index still seemed uncomfortable with me, as he rarely engaged in conversation. To be honest, I preferred it when he didn’t talk to me too much, since all he ever did was praise me.

The carriage headed back to the mansion. Or at least, it was supposed to.

Clatter, clatter, clatter.

I was chatting lightly with Stelle when I suddenly felt something was off and pulled back the curtain of the window.

Why is the carriage shaking like this?

Then I realized that the carriage was heading to an unfamiliar place.

“Sir Maicher?”

Noticing the carriage was going somewhere strange, Sir Maicher’s expression hardened.

“Sir Index.”

Sir Maicher called out to Sir Index in a tense voice.

“Please take care of Miss Ariadeline inside.”

“Understood.”

Sir Maicher grasped his sword tightly. The carriage rattled even more as it moved forward.

Looking outside, I saw we were now almost in the woods. It seemed we were heading to a secluded forest within the capital.

Creak—

Then, the carriage suddenly stopped. We nervously swallowed.

But one second, two seconds, three seconds passed, and no one came to storm the carriage.

Finally, after waiting, Sir Maicher slowly drew his sword and opened the carriage door.

The overcast sky cast a dim light over the forest, and there was no one around.

Sir Maicher cautiously stepped out to inspect the coachman’s seat.

“It seems the coachman has already fled.”

“Why would they bring us all the way here?”

“I’m not sure.”

Stelle trembled.

“C-could it be because of me…?”

“No, if they wanted to harm you, they would have waited until you were alone. They wouldn’t have brought me and the knights along.”

I tried to reassure her while looking outside the carriage.

“For now, Sir Maicher, it might be best for you to stay inside the carriage…”

Creak.

Suddenly, someone closed the carriage door. Then, with a click, the door was locked from the inside. I turned my head to the right in confusion.

Sir Index was staring at me with a blank expression, with his sword drawn.

“Sir Index?”

Crash—!

But there was no response. He simply drew his sharp sword and continued to gaze at me.

Wait a minute, could it be…?

I pressed myself against the far edge of the carriage, away from him. Stelle stood in front of me, her face pale with fear.

“Sir, what on earth are you doing?”

“Everything is for that person.”

“Who is that person?”

Naturally, there was no answer. Unable to swing his sword in the narrow carriage, he immediately positioned it horizontally and lunged at me.

I shoved Stelle to the side and threw myself in the opposite direction. Thud! My body hit the sofa painfully, but that wasn’t the time to worry about it.

“Index!”

Bang!

I heard a loud banging on the carriage door. It was Sir Maicher. Though I could hear his furious voice, Sir Index raised his sword toward me once again.

“Sir Maicher!”

“Miss Ariadeline!”

“Index, aah!”

I tried to dodge somehow, moving my body, but the carriage was too small. As I screamed when the sword pierced my shoulder, I heard a series of loud kicks against the carriage door.

“…Who exactly are you working for?”

I glared at Index, who didn’t respond. His sword was still lodged in my shoulder, and I couldn’t move.

The sofa began to stain red. I could vividly feel the blood flowing out.

He continued to look down at me with a terrifying gaze, keeping his mouth shut.

In an instant, he pulled the sword from my shoulder and aimed it at my neck once more.

“Miss Ariadeline!”

Just as the sword was about to strike, Stelle wrapped her arm around Index’s neck from behind and pulled him back.

“Stelle!”

“Run away, Miss Ariadeline!”

Stelle crossed her arms tightly around Index’s neck and then wrapped her legs around his waist. What is happening? This is getting serious!

In an attempt to shake her off, Index slammed his back against the carriage wall. I could see Stelle grimacing in pain.

I quickly got to my feet and kicked his legs.

“Ugh…!”

Index groaned in pain and knelt on one knee.

What is this? My strength shouldn’t be that strong.

And now that I think about it, that suspicious person who fought with Carlothian at Anrize…

“You were injured in the leg.”

I stared at him with wide eyes.

“So it was you?”

“Miss Ariadeline!”

I headed towards the carriage door. However, it was still locked, and Sir Maicher still couldn’t break it down.

What should I do? If I open the door and rush out, Sir Maicher will come in. But in the meantime, Stelle could get hurt.

I ultimately had to make a choice.