Robert helped Harty and Coachman into the carriage with their injuries. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of sadness throughout the ride.
‘I’m grateful for the help, but who is this person exactly?’
He claimed that he was going to die soon and didn’t even give his name to Britia. The mystery was only solved after meeting Leon.
“He’s some kind of knight from the northern region, Felixon.”
That’s why Britia thought his name was Felix.
“Thank you for your help, Mr. Felix.”
“It’s Robert.”
Due to Leon’s misinformation, she called him by the wrong name. Britia became flustered and apologized, to which he shook his head.
“No, it doesn’t matter if it’s Felix or Robert. I’m going to die soon anyway.”
Robert smiled bitterly, asking to be called whatever she felt comfortable with.
‘What kind of serious illness could he have?’
Britia couldn’t understand why he kept saying he was going to die, and it made her feel sorry for him.
“But why were you in that forest, Northern Knight? Weren’t you supposed to return to the north?”
“Well…”
Robert, who had a resigned smile on his face, furrowed his brows and let out a sigh in response to Britia’s question.
The fact that he had been secretly following and protecting her was an absolute secret. However, it seemed too suspicious to say that he just happened to pass by.
“I stayed behind in the capital instead of returning to the north.”
He tried to answer only one question and subtly skip over the other.
“You’re planning to continue following me?”
Britia noticed and asked a sharp question. Robert avoided her gaze with an awkward smile.
“Was it Duke Turas who ordered you to do so?”
Robert swallowed his dry saliva at the angry tone.
“Please answer. Was it Duke Turas who ordered you?”
“…Yes.”
Although Evry emphasized the importance of secrecy, Robert couldn’t lie or continue to hide the truth in the face of her questioning.
She didn’t look as menacing as Sig, but her probing eyes were intense. Robert tightly closed his eyes, realizing that she was indeed the woman chosen by the Duke.
“I really don’t understand the Duke’s intentions. I thought he didn’t care about someone like me and just let me go. But he secretly assigned a knight to me.”
“You thought he didn’t care and just let you go?”
Robert opened his eyes in surprise. With his own life on the line because of someone’s injury, how could he think it was okay?
“The Duke is concerned not only about you but also about everyone in your group.”
Robert waved his hand, saying that such a thing never happened.
“The Duke is confusing not only me but also everyone else.”
“What is there to be confused about? He’s willing to die for you.”
It was an attempt to calm her anger, but Britia’s eyes became sharper. Robert felt that she was even more angry than before and started sweating.
“That person hasn’t sent me a single letter or any other contact.”
“What? Really? That can’t be, no. Well, it’s possible. My Lord isn’t the type to send letters often. He might be planning to return to the capital soon.”
It shouldn’t be like that, but without realizing it, Robert was about to say something unexpected as he looked at Britia becoming more hostile, so he quickly changed the subject.
“But if you were to send a letter first, I’m sure he would respond immediately.”
Robert cautiously suggested. Upon hearing this, Britia pondered for a moment, then widened her eyes and nodded.
“How long are you going to behave like this? If you continue to act so distant until the end, then really…”
‘Then, no matter how much it hurts, I’ll ask.’
Britia muttered to herself, making a resolution.
‘Ask? About Sig Turas?’
Upon hearing Britia’s muttering, Robert doubted whether he had heard correctly.
He wondered if the wife of that mad dog has to be in the same temperament to tame that person.
Seeing the woman with a seemingly calm face but possessing an equally insane temperament, Robert couldn’t help but be amazed.
The connection between these two must have been helped greatly by the books he had rescued. With that thought, Robert felt proud.
Upon hearing the news of an urgent patient, the priest rushed over and used his divine power to heal Harty’s wounds, which had been deteriorating. Remarkably, within half a day, he miraculously healed as if it were a lie.
To claim that he was chosen by a goddess, did he have any substantial evidence for that story?
Britia’s thoughts were so fast that she entertained such ideas.
However, there was no mention of relief that the wounds healed quickly. He seemed very unstable, perhaps due to the shocking nature of the incident.
Even in moments of absentmindedness, he occasionally felt something and startled, looking around. If there was even a slight loud noise, he would jump up in alarm and retreat to the edge of the bed.
Moreover, the biggest problem was that he couldn’t go back home. As soon as he sat in the carriage, he couldn’t last even 10 seconds and would rush out and vomit.
“Slanford, my dear Slanford, my husband! I hear such hallucinations. I see that face like a demon!”
If the carriage didn’t work, it would be good if they could go on foot, even if they had to crawl. But he said he couldn’t go because his buttocks hurt.
Is he making excuses because he doesn’t want to go home?
Britia doubted, but when she saw him genuinely suffering and shedding tears, she couldn’t say anything.
“Call Kyra, call Kyra.”
Harty insisted that if she was there, they could ride the carriage.
What does Harty think of his cousin? Harty had an inexplicable belief that she could overcome even real ghosts or demons.
However, unfortunately, the invincible cousin that Harty believed in did not respond to Britia’s letters, no matter how many she sent. The servant who ran errands also said he couldn’t meet her and only slipped letters through the crack in the door.
Or is it because she is absorbed in the painting and can’t see her surroundings?
Britia waited for a reply from her for the time being. However, even after waiting for four days, there was no news.
“I want to go back home. It’s okay if it’s you. Ride the carriage with me.”
Seeing Harty becoming increasingly depressed and emaciated, Britia nodded reluctantly. It was good of her to show such kindness.
“Count-nim, it’s uncomfortable.”
Harty crossed his arms with Britia and sat close to her. As a result, Britia was squeezed between the carriage wall and him.
“Even if you’re scared, do you have to go this far?”
She couldn’t coldly push him away and tell him to move. He was really terrified, clinging to her arm and trembling all over.
“The knights called by Count-nim are surrounding the carriage and on high alert. Even if someone tries to attack, it’s impossible.”
“…….”
“You’re holding on too tightly, it feels like my blood isn’t flowing in my arm.”
Britia said to Harty, who was silently lowering his head.
“Let me touch your tail, just stay still.”
With his eyes tightly closed, he placed his tail on her lap.
“Do you think I can overcome anything as long as I have this?”
Britia was astonished, but her hand was already resting on Harty’s tail. His tail had turned white and had a fascinating appearance, as if it was shedding.
“How long does it take for it to completely shed?”
“Don’t tear it off. It’ll hurt if you force it.”
“I won’t.”
As he warned, Britia replied curtly. However, her touch became cautious.
“Britia, promise me one thing.”
Harty’s voice was somewhat serious, causing Britia’s eyes to narrow. It seemed like he was about to say something troublesome again.
“Promise me that you will never betray me.”
Britia, who was tense, couldn’t believe it and let out a bitter laugh.
“Never. Absolutely not! No matter what happens, don’t betray me and don’t say incomprehensible things with a knife or try to stab me or kidnap me.”
“I understand. I won’t do that.”
After receiving several more assurances, he finally relaxed and leaned his head against her. His body was still trembling.
Why are they engaging in acts that, at first glance, resemble those of affectionate lovers with Harty?
Britia let out a long sigh. Today, she especially wanted to see Sig.
What is the big dog-like man doing now? He must be fervently pursuing Allendino, who invaded the north. He hasn’t even written a single letter.
Wait a minute. Did she just casually think of him as a dog?
Britia became more and more frustrated, feeling like she was becoming exactly what Sig wanted.
“Instead of that, why didn’t you bring your weapon?”
While reaffirming that she would never be Sig’s mistress, Harty asked.
“Why should I bring a weapon?”
“You might have to fight when the time comes!”
Britia was dumbfounded and glanced outside the carriage. Outside, about twenty knights and soldiers were surrounding and guarding the carriage. And there was Robert, who had been naturally following her side for some time.
But she couldn’t understand why he was talking about a situation where she would have to fight. Who on earth would she be fighting against?
“If you need someone to fight, shouldn’t you have stationed a guard knight instead of me here?”
“No, what if there’s someone among them who secretly loves me and goes crazy?”
Harty whispered, lowering his voice as if he was sharing a secret.
“Other people, maybe, but suspecting even the knights of the Count right now?”
“Someone claimed to have withdrawn the guards on my orders. We haven’t found out who that someone is yet, so no one can be completely trusted.”
Harty leaned closer to Britia and whispered.
One of the two women who attacked him died on the spot. The woman who had been unconscious was taken away by the capital guards, but she was found dead in her cell before the interrogation even began.
“It’s clear that one of those women silenced the ‘man’ they were talking about.”
Harty was certain.
Britia accepted the reason why he was in danger. However, she still couldn’t understand.
“Just because of that, there’s no need for you to stick so close to me. Do you even like me?”
When she asked him to back off a bit, Harty closed his eyes and turned to look at her.
“What are you saying? There’s no way I’d like a stone-hearted person like you. I got hit on the ship, not on the head.”
Seeing his expression of intense dislike, Britia felt a pang of sadness.
She thought he would be a little reserved, considering that she was indebted to him. Wasn’t he a benefactor of her life, just like Sig, whom she didn’t respect?
But what is the reason for this differential treatment?
“It’s strange to stick around someone you dislike.”
When Britia tried to push his arm away, Harty was surprised and grabbed her arm, holding her close.
“Are you trying to make me uneasy?”
“There’s no need to worry. Nothing will happen. Please, stay away. You dislike it, don’t you?”
“I don’t dislike it!”
Britia found his desperate words amusing. It was clearly a blatant lie.
“Are you really saying that you don’t? In truth, yes. I like you, Britia!”
Harty shouted loudly, making sure even the knights outside could hear him.
As Harty was declaring his affection for Britia, consumed by fear, Sig was looking at documents with a dark expression.
Suddenly, he stood up from his seat. In that moment, an indescribable sense of foreboding was felt.
“We need to go to the capital.”
Sig uttered with a serious face.
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