Return of the Female Knight

In many ways, Kuhn who received Mirabelle’s love in abundance was not someone worth suspecting. Excellent assassins would conceal themselves, so acting while laying everything bare like this was impossible.

Batori continued to speak Kuhn even though the other man didn’t bother looking his way.

“I’ll be leaving for the palace tomorrow. It’s a little sad since we’ve gotten along so brilliantly, right? “

Kuhn’s expressionless gray eyes blinked at the word “palace.”

“You’re the one going to the palace instead of me?”

“Was it your position that I replaced? The butler said there was a vacancy in the palace and he asked me if I had any thoughts. I agreed because of the higher salary.”

Batori once again deemed that Kuhn was not dangerous to him. If it was for his personal purposes, there was no way he would’ve missed an opportunity to infiltrate the palace.

‘It’s a useless thought. Him as the same kind is ridiculous…’

There was a murderous glint flashed in Batori’s eyes, but Kuhn did not notice. Batori smiled back and continued in a cheery voice.

“Take care of yourself when we part and—”

Kuhn ignored Batori’s farewell commiseration. In truth, Kuhn didn’t suspect Batori as a dangerous person either. Kuhn believed that if he had left for the palace as planned, Batori would not have taken his place and would have remained at Blaise mansion. The rat that Kuhn was looking for wouldn’t rely on chance, and instead would have used an accident to disguise his entry.

…But Mirabelle’s sudden interruption had put a spanner in the works.

‘Do I have to ask for help from the General?’

If he couldn’t leave Blaise mansion on his own volition, the last resort was to seek assistance from Carlisle. He couldn’t remain stuck here forever. Kuhn may be able to make a direct request to Elena, but he couldn’t tell her that he was tracking an intruder and had made a false promise to protect Mirabelle. The reason for Mirabelle’s obsession mystified him, but it was clear that she wouldn’t let go.

Kuhn pressed his fingers against his throbbing head.

‘…My heart was weakened.’

He should be going to palace, even if it meant speaking more hurtful words to Mirabelle. But he couldn’t bring himself to. He scolded himself internally for failing to make a sober judgment because of a momentary feeling.

Batori’s words interrupted him from his thoughts.

“Oh, and I left my shampoo in the bathroom. You can use it if you need it—”

Kuhn fell back on his bed with a thump. Batori kept talking as he watched the other man prepare to sleep.

“Hey, are you listening to me?”

Kuhn silently turned his head away and buried himself under a blanket. Ever since he came here, it had only been trouble.

*

*

*

The work in the Imperial Palace was making steady progress as Elena planned. The nanny exceeded her expectations as head lady-in-waiting, and had organized the servants in a heartbeat.

Elena kept secret watch on Asabe, whom Elena suspected was in the employ of the Empress. The flower’s aroma was potentially harmful, and so Elena had the plant placed in a drafty area and took extra care not to be expose herself to it.

‘Do I wait?’

If Asabe was revealed to be Empress’s spy, or if the plant was identified, Elena could make her move as soon as possible. Anything could be used to attack the empress.

As Elena briefly considered her plans, she suddenly looked up at Carlisle eating his meal across from her. He was was overwhelmingly handsome. He had an air of intimidation about him, but when his deep blue eyes turned at her, she couldn’t help but swallow hard. His straight nose, sharp jawline, and muscled neck all looked as if they were laboriously sculpted by a craftsman. Even when Elena first met Carlisle, she knew he was incomparable to anyone else.

‘Is that why—?’

Her heart was beating at the sight of a handsome man. Carlisle had affected her from the start, and she tentatively concluded that he was familiar around women. He had been quite good to her, but…

‘I can’t have been the only one.’

Although she had never seen Carlisle with another woman, he had quickly gotten along with Mirabelle. And if Carlisle treated another woman like he did Elena, it would be inevitable that she would fall for him. He had even managed to turn the head of someone whose eyes were fixed only on revenge.

‘At a time when I should be thinking about my family…instead I’m feeling excited about my contract husband…’

On the one hand, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of shame. She didn’t think she had any room left in her mind for frivolity, but Carlisle had stolen her attention…

Elena was in turmoil over these confusing and new feelings.

“If you stare with such a passionate look, even I might get nervous.”

“…!”

Elena’s red eyes widened. She had been staring at Carlisle’s face without even realizing it.

“I—”

Elena tried to formulate an excuse, but Carlisle simply smiled and looked at her as if she was the only beautiful thing in the scenery.

“That doesn’t mean you should stop looking.”

Carlisle interlocked his fingers and rested his chin on them.

“I don’t care how you look at me because I’m yours, but I’d like you to eat as well.”

They she looked at him wasn’t near the same intensity as Carlisle’s gaze now. As she stared into his penetrating blue eyes, Elena felt her heart beat faster again.

Dugeun, gugeun.

To have this feeling…

It was enormous.