Chapter 79
Harold stepped out of the barrier with his sword drawn.
Surrounded by assassins—it was a situation he had experienced many times during the year after his biological mother died and Amanda married the previous duke.
There were even times when he was betrayed by someone he trusted to watch his back, forcing him to face the assassins alone.
The only reason Harold had survived all those times was, ironically, the very talent that had pushed him toward death.
Harold infused his sword with energy. A deep blue aura shimmered at the tip of the blade.
At the same time, every nerve in his body sharpened, and a deadly gleam appeared in his eyes.
Suddenly, a poison-tipped arrow flew toward him. Harold deflected it with his sword and charged at the assassin hiding in a tree.
The assassin’s eyes widened in shock as Harold closed the distance in a flash.
“Ghk!”
The assassin tried to run, but Harold’s sword was faster—he struck and took the assassin’s head.
The moment the blood dripping from the sword touched the ground, arrows came flying from all directions.
Harold quickly leapt back, hiding his presence, and picked up a stone.
He threw the stone toward the direction the arrows had come from.
Thud! Whack!
Heavy thuds sounded, and someone fell.
The assassins shot arrows toward where the stone had come from, but Harold was already gone.
Instead, stones flew from another direction and struck the assassins.
The leader of the group of assassins glared at Harold with murderous intent.
‘That monster of a duke…’
The client had paid handsomely, insisting they take a large group to ensure the target’s death, so they brought half the guild. To be certain, they also carried deadly poison.
The target was just a powerless adult woman. A simple mission—kill her while she was isolated and unguarded.
They hadn’t expected her to jump off a cliff and escape. Or maybe the real mistake was thinking this many people and poison would be enough to kill Harold Baisen, the duke.
Now, less than ten assassins remained out of the original twenty.
The leader realized they could be completely wiped out.
‘We have to hide our presence and wait for a moment of weakness.’
Everyone knew what disease the duke suffered from.
And how much pain it caused when he used his aura. Since he was already using it, it was only a matter of time before he collapsed. The barrier protecting the target also seemed like it would fade soon.
It was a battle of endurance now.
Whistle!
The leader blew a sharp whistle, signaling the others.
“There you are.”
“…!”
A quiet voice came from behind. The leader instinctively tried to protect his vital spots and flee.
But Harold struck him on the head with the hilt of his sword before he could move.
‘Did I hit too hard?’
He needed to find out who had ordered the harm on Diana.
Clicking his tongue internally, Harold pulled out his pocket watch to check the time.
About five minutes left before the protective spell wore off.
Harold started to move but then paused, furrowing his brow.
He pressed a large hand tightly against his chest, cold sweat forming between his eyebrows.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt this kind of pain. Hard to get used to.’
Lately, someone had always calmed him the moment it got bad.
Harold’s chest rose and fell heavily. Gripping his sword tighter, he began walking again.
There was no time to waste.
Time passed, and Harold made sure the assassins he’d knocked down with stones were dead by finishing them with his sword.
‘…Eighteen.’
Two were still missing, according to what Diana had told him. But there were no presences nearby.
He checked his pocket watch. The barrier would end soon.
Instead of searching for the last two, it was better to stay by Diana’s side.
Harold turned to go, but a sharp pain—like a blade slicing his insides—made him stop.
He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath before exhaling.
He realized then just how used to pain he’d become over time.
Harold wiped his face a few times and forced on a calm smile. Then he approached Diana.
As they had agreed, she was only watching her bracelet. But as if sensing something, she looked at him.
The gem on the bracelet on her wrist began to glow.
“Behind you…!”
Just as Harold sensed killing intent from behind, Diana screamed in a sharp voice.
Harold turned around, blocked the sword, and cut down the assassin.
“Are you okay!?”
Diana was running toward him in a panic. Harold was briefly aware of the corpse behind him.
I don’t want her to see that. Without hesitation, Harold scooped Diana up into his arms.
“……!”
She flinched in surprise but then froze. Her eyes widened.
Diana held tightly onto his burning-hot body, as if it were lava.
“Were you poisoned?”
“No. If I had been hit with strong poison, I wouldn’t be able to walk like this.”
Harold replied as he carried her down the mountain.
“Then…”
“I can handle it, Diana.”
“……”
Her wavering blue eyes quickly hardened with determination. She took off her gloves and rolled up her sleeves.
Harold realized what she was about to do. He had been honest so she wouldn’t try anything reckless thinking it was poison—but now he tried to stop her.
“Diana, there’s still one left—”
But before he could finish, her lips touched his.
It was a bold and urgent kiss, like she was trying to heal him no matter what. He could feel her strong will to help him, to make him better.
To Harold, her touch felt like a bird pecking for food, or a kitten licking his hand—it tickled.
And so, it became a problem.
‘There’s still one more enemy left.’
Now was not the time for this. He needed to stay alert and get her somewhere safe.
Even just moving a bit farther away would be better.
But he couldn’t bring himself to stop her.
Her cool body wrapped around his blazing-hot one, and the divine power she poured into him was sweet and soothing.
Besides, wasn’t this the first time she had tried to kiss him since that day?
‘…This is driving me crazy.’
His throat burned.
The aftereffects of using his sword aura left his body aching and craving her touch.
‘As long as I stay alert, it’ll be fine.’
And getting his body back to normal would help them escape faster.
And… also…
Harold tightened his lips as he piled on excuses to justify himself.
Eventually, he relaxed his jaw. The divine energy from her kiss flowed into his throat.
His nerves calmed like a tamed beast, but at the same time, his hand gripped his sword tightly.
Unlike how he usually rushed to touch her, Harold’s movements were slow this time, and Diana peeked open one eye.
She hugged his neck tighter and checked his expression. Her brows furrowed as if she wanted to get rid of every piece of clothing that got in the way of healing.
Harold felt both grateful and aroused by her look. The veins in his arm bulged as he held her tighter.
If only this were a bedroom… if only there weren’t an assassin still out there… he would have taken his time and indulged in her.
Frustration scratched at his throat.
The last conscious assassin approached to finish them off—but stopped, frowning at what he saw.
‘The duke’s color suddenly improved.’
He knew Harold would be in terrible pain after using his sword aura because of the illness.
That’s why he had waited patiently, not even firing an arrow, just watching.
When he hid and held his breath like this, no one in the guild could detect him.
He was confident he’d survive.
And as expected, Harold looked bad earlier.
But now, Harold’s pale lips were red again, and color had returned to his face.
‘Did the duchess do something?’
Right after seeing how bad Harold looked, she had taken off her gloves, rolled up her sleeves, and kissed him.
He didn’t know exactly what it was, but it clearly helped.
‘I need to report th—’
The assassin couldn’t finish the thought.
Because in that moment, he met Harold’s cold, deadly gaze.
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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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If only this was a bedroom. IF ONLY!😭