It was the Grand Duchy, known as the fortress of the North. Entering was no easy task, but once inside, it was infamous as a place from which one could never escape.
Unless one became a corpse, leaving the Grand Duchy was impossible. It was also called the “graveyard of spies.”
If not for her, they wouldn’t have been able to turn the Grand Duke’s attention away from the torture chamber. Not only that, but she had managed to scatter the Grand Duchy’s forces in multiple directions.
“I told my lady from the start that we should just run away, didn’t I?”
Thanks to the explosion drawing everyone’s attention, they were able to escape the castle unharmed. Gerard immediately suggested heading straight for the capital.
However, Milena objected. She knew the Grand Duke’s tendencies all too well. No matter how skilled Lexion was with magic, she believed he wouldn’t be able to escape that place.
Gerard had no choice but to follow Milena’s resolute decision. After preparing in the village, they infiltrated the Grand Duchy once more.
The Grand Duke was not the type to let his prey escape once it was in his grasp. He would undoubtedly continue to torture Lexion until death. In that case, all they needed to do was throw a new, irresistible bait in his path.
One of Milena’s hidden talents was her ability to perfectly replicate handwriting. She could flawlessly copy Lariate’s script.
“You’re telling me she forged letters as if the Grand Duchess had been lamenting her misfortune? Including resentment toward the Grand Duke?”
The letters Milena wrote were flawless. Gerard had them discreetly spread outside the Grand Duchy’s domain through his guild members. As soon as traces of the Grand Duchess appeared everywhere, the Grand Duke left his castle.
“Haha. This is insane.”
Lexion let out a laugh despite his battered body.
“And that’s not all, you know?”
Gerard continued his praise of Milena.
“She memorized the entire route here without a map. She even had a carriage waiting outside the castle, expecting that you’d be too injured to walk. Not to mention, she knew the blind spots where the guards wouldn’t see us. Honestly, I didn’t have much hope. My lady doesn’t exactly have the best reputation, after all. And I thought you’d find your own way out anyway.”
Carried on Gerard’s back, Lexion looked at Milena’s retreating figure ahead. The woman who seemed so delicate was, in truth, unshakably strong.
“When I was hesitating, thinking, ‘Shouldn’t we follow the Lord’s orders and go to the capital now?’—my lady’s fierce determination to go in immediately almost made me fall for her.”
“She’s my wife.”
“Geez, who’s saying otherwise? Anyway, I’ve decided to just listen to my lady from now on.”
Hearing the whole story, Lexion closed his eyes.
To think something like this would happen in his life. He had never expected nor wished for anyone’s help. Yet the contract wife who had stumbled into his life had ended up saving him.
“I suppose I should listen to my lady as well.”
“Exactly! They say listening to your wife brings fortune, even in your sleep.”
“Who says that?”
“My older brother?”
“…….”
Gerard’s older brother was famously devoted to his wife. Since Lexion remained silent, Gerard also shut his mouth and followed after Milena.
With only the bare minimum number of guards left behind, the Grand Duchy was practically empty, allowing them to swiftly cross the boundary between the inner and outer fortresses.
“From here on, you’ll need to walk on your own. My lord, you should wash up first. You’re covered in blood and sweat.”
Gerard set Lexion down without hesitation. However, something was off about Lexion’s condition.
“…….”
His crimson eyes gleamed strangely in the shadowy corner of the outer fortress wall.
“Lexion? What’s wrong?”
As if possessed, Lexion quickened his pace despite his injuries, then suddenly broke into a run. Seeing the direction he was heading, Gerard shook his head.
“We’d better hurry too.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Boom. Boom.
A familiar magic thread connected him, guiding him forward. His heart pounded wildly.
Finally, finally…!
The closer he got to the source of the magic, the more his anticipation swelled. But at the end of the thread, there was—
A single carriage.
Lexion’s crimson eyes trembled violently as he took in the swirling threads of magic wrapped around it like a tangled ball of yarn.
“What’s with your state?”
A small child popped out of the carriage. Ashid wrinkled his nose at the sight of Lexion.
“They say you’re stronger than my dad. Why do you look so wrecked?”
Thud.
His legs gave out beneath him.
Ha. Haha.
A hollow laugh escaped from his lips.
“Are you okay?”
A pair of small hands reached out, and Lexion immediately grabbed Ashid with an iron grip.
Ashid frowned at the firm grasp, while Lexion’s eyes, bloodshot and glistening, widened in disbelief.
“It was you?”
“W-what? What’s wrong with you? Auntie! This guy’s acting weird!”
“You… You were the jewel I was looking for.”
Muttering under his breath, his words went unheard.
The Grand Duchy itself was a sealed barrier. The moment the child stepped out of it, his true nature was revealed.
Pounding within the small body was undoubtedly the magic of his one and only brother—Sharpen Silvert.
That insane bastard had stolen magic and implanted it into his own child’s heart.
Unable to comprehend the reality before him, Lexion blacked out.
“Ah! Mister!”
Lexion’s large, collapsing body fell over Ashid.
“My lord!”
“Ash!”
Gerard and Milena, who had chased after him, hurriedly checked on both Lexion and Ashid.
“Ash, are you alright?”
Milena lifted the child, who had fallen backward under Lexion’s weight.
“Yeah, but I think Uncle-in-law is in bad shape.”
Hearing Ashid’s concern, Milena glanced at Lexion with worry.
The only intact part of his body was his handsome face. Gerard, examining his injuries, let out a sigh of relief upon hearing his steady breathing.
“He’s just passed out. We need to get him to an inn, clean him up, and tend to his wounds.”
Gerard carried Lexion onto the carriage. His long legs curled awkwardly inside the cramped space, but there was no time to worry about such things.
Quickly, Gerard retrieved holy water from his pocket and carefully poured it into Lexion’s slightly parted lips. It was to prevent potential seizures.
Lexion’s possession of magic was a well-kept secret. When his magic surged uncontrollably, he would sometimes suffer seizures, and holy water was used to stabilize him—though he never remembered it afterward.
A lord requiring so much care, but what could Gerard do? He had to take care of him. Besides, there was now someone else trustworthy enough to help.
“Get in, my lady. You too, young master.”
Milena climbed aboard with Ashid, reassuring Gerard.
“It’s tough, but hang in there, Gerard.”
At those words, Gerard’s eyes welled up.
“Yes, my lady. I’ll get you all there safely.”
The worn-out carriage rattled forward, escaping the Grand Duchy.
