Chapter 111
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A villainess locked away in a desolate tower—I had possessed her body.
Chapter 111
"T-there, Ian...!"
Of course, even if these people weren't searching for me specifically, they were clearly knights of the Blaire Grand Duke House—shouldn't I call out for rescue regardless?
But despite calling his name several times, he stood motionless like a stone monument, as if his soul had departed.
'At this rate, I might lose my only chance at rescue.'
Growing desperate, I turned away from Ian and screamed until my throat burned.
"H-hey there―! We're here, here! There are people here―!"
People here... people here...
My voice echoed back as a pitiful refrain.
Then, as if on cue, the sound of rough hoofbeats thundered toward us.
The moment my eyes met those of the man leading the group, someone shouted before I could even introduce myself.
"Captain! The description matches perfectly!"
"Indeed, it matches exactly!"
Huh? What are they talking about?
Before I could even comprehend the situation, the man called captain brought his horse to an abrupt halt.
As the thick dust settled and visibility returned, the man approached with a courteous expression.
"Are you the Young Lady April?"
What? They know who I am?
Ah, could it be that the Grand Duke ordered them to rescue me as well?
Relief washed over me, and I nodded vigorously up and down.
"Yes, I'm April...!"
"Has anyone from the Grand Duke's Residence seen the Young Lady? Or rather... is there a knight who has?"
"Yes! I've seen her!"
A youthful-looking knight stepped forward and carefully examined my face before speaking.
"It seems to match. I only saw her from a distance, but I remember clearly, Captain!"
At that, the bandit leader—no, the captain—broke into a satisfied smile.
"Excellent, confirmation complete. Everyone, prepare yourselves!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The knights, who answered so loudly that the mountain itself seemed to ring, simultaneously leaped down from their horses.
What happened next completely defied my expectations.
Because...
"Blaire Grand Duke's Third Knight Order formally presents our respects to the future Grand Duchess!"
"We present our respects!"
About ten soldiers knelt before me in unison, their salute perfectly synchronized.
And the title they used was "future Grand Duchess"?
W-what on earth is happening?
"W-what did you just say...?"
I asked again, hoping my ears had deceived me, but seeing even Ian's usually expressionless face crack slightly, it seemed I had heard correctly.
'What is this. What is this exactly. Why has it come to this. Why? How?'
Hundreds of question marks filled my mind.
How had I become the Grand Duke's betrothed? Wasn't I supposed to be his secret disguised cousin?
Had it somehow gotten twisted into making me his secret bride? Was it so secretive that even I didn't know about it?
While I stood there dazed, cycling through every possible thought, the bandit leader introduced himself.
"It is an honor to meet you, future Grand Duchess! I am Payton Randolph, commander of Blaire's Third Knight Order! Hahahaha! Fear no more, I assure you. We shall escort you safely to the Grand Duchy!"
"Ah, yes, yes. Thank you... so much."
I answered awkwardly, my senses finally catching up with the moment.
I still had no idea why I'd become the Grand Duke's betrothed, but I found myself thinking there must be some reason for it.
Perhaps I'd understand once we arrived at the Grand Duchy? Something must have necessitated this arrangement.
'So I'll just stay quiet. Don't make things more complicated.'
Once I gave an appropriately measured response, Randolph laughed heartily again and spoke.
"What an honor to escort you personally! Kahahaha! First, let's head to the nearest territory! Miel Barony is closest! Hahahaha!"
"Yes, of course..."
"Oh, and I've prepared a special mount for you, future Grand Duchess! Golta, bring that beast here!"
"Yes, Commander!"
Shortly after, a pony of comfortable size was led over by Golta, held by his reins.
"Um, do I have to ride alone...?"
What should I do? I couldn't ride.
Perhaps sensing my worry, Randolph patted his chest reassuringly.
"There's no need to worry if you can't ride. This one is docile, and we'll tie the reins to another horse, so you can simply sit comfortably."
He added with a subtle tone of voice.
"We cannot lay hands carelessly upon the body of one who will become the Grand Duchess. Our Third Knight Order—we are knights of impeccable manners who know what must be protected! Hehehehe."
...No, that's not right.
There's someone else who's supposed to become the Grand Duchess. Sob.
Though I felt a twinge of guilt at being complicit in this deception, I resolved not to actively participate and cautiously approached the pony.
Then a sudden thought occurred to me, and I turned around.
"Um, has a horse been prepared for my escort knight as well...?"
"Ah, that one who pulls his weight."
An expression of displeasure flashed across Randolph's face in an instant.
'Huh, what was that?'
Though it wasn't directed at me, I felt an incredibly sharp gaze directed toward Ian.
Randolph then issued a command in a tone that was far from friendly.
"Just give him some horse or other."
"Yes, Commander!"
Once I had managed to climb onto the pony, our party set out for Miel Barony.
Despite now having multiple escorts, Ian remained at my side.
But the atmosphere felt strangely awkward. Naturally, I found myself acutely aware of Ian.
'I feel like I need to explain something.'
Of course, what happened in the cave yesterday was merely unavoidable physical contact to share body heat, but we had still touched, and there had been an ambiguous tension and atmosphere between us.
'It was definitely that kind of vibe between a man and a woman!'
Worried that I might invite misunderstanding, I leaned toward Ian, who was keeping pace beside me on horseback.
"Um, Ian."
"Yes."
He answered while stubbornly keeping his gaze fixed ahead, his expression unreadable.
After hesitating for a moment, I swallowed my embarrassment and launched into a lengthy explanation.
"I'm not... not in that kind of relationship with Blaire Grand Duke. There seems to have been some misunderstanding back there."
"...I know."
"No, Ian. I'm not just saying this—I mean it. A provisional Grand Duchess? That's not it. Blaire Grand Duke and I have never even discussed dating, let alone marriage. Really...."
Why was I doing this?
The more I offered my feeble excuses, the darker his expression became.
"Yes, I am well aware."
And the more serious his demeanor grew, the more serious I became as well.
This made it look like I was playing both sides!
I couldn't just dismiss the romantic atmosphere I'd felt yesterday! I had felt something too!
As my explanations continued to resolve nothing, leaving only an uncomfortable tension, I whispered with growing desperation.
"I really have nothing going on with Blaire Grand Duke. Please, believe me, okay?"
"Young Lady. I have already told you very clearly that I understand."
Crunch.
I'd been wondering where that grinding sound was coming from, but it was emanating from Ian's clenched jaw.
"Oh."
Did he really think I was toying with him?
'What am I going to do about this?'
Just as I was about to pull away from his menacing expression—
"You there! How dare you look at our provisional Grand Duchess like that!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
* * *
Payton Randolph, the esteemed commander of Blaire Grand Duke House's Third Knight Order.
He was a true loyalist who would not hesitate to make any sacrifice for his lord's future.
Therefore, it was naturally the duty of a subject to keep watch over his lord's woman in his absence.
Perhaps that was why—
'That guy, that guy, that guy! A pretty boy with nothing else to offer, and he dares to turn his head toward our provisional Grand Duchess?'
From the start, Randolph had not taken kindly to the provisional Grand Duchess's knight—a man of merely average appearance.
'That impudent fool, putting on airs while playing bodyguard. Tsk!'
Of course, "average" was far inferior to Kaian's looks.
But Randolph knew that anything could happen between a man and woman who spent so much time together, and more than anything, there was something unsettling about Ian's gaze.
Beyond his insolent attitude, the way he looked at the provisional Grand Duchess... it wasn't the gaze of a knight toward his charge, but of a man toward a woman!
'That shameless wretch, daring to covet someone who already has a master...!'
Randolph, who had been pretending to look ahead while keeping his attention fixed on April, did not miss the moment Ian's jaw clenched, and he bellowed.
"You there! How dare you look at our provisional Grand Duchess like that!"
It was fortunate timing, really.
Just as I was about to draw my sword and administer punishment in the manner befitting a knight.
"No, wait!"
April Salt suddenly stepped in front of my fury, blocking my path.
"Huh...?"
While Randolph hesitated at this unexpected turn of events, she even positioned herself as though shielding her escort knight, offering an explanation in his stead.
"I... I came to ask Ian for help. I can't ride horses well, and I was anxious, so I thought it might be easier if I rode with Ian..."
At her desperate plea, Randolph's eyes widened in astonishment.
'Could it be...?'
Was this relationship mutual after all?
If so... did that make our lord the very obstacle standing between lovers?
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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