NLBWM 10

Chapter – 10

At the words of Viscount Rivelte, the lords stared intently at Eveline.

“North Witch?”

“Are you talking about the infamous she-devil?”

Oh no, have they already guessed?

Feeling the weight of the lords’ gazes, Cassian was suddenly engulfed in thought.

The fact that this woman was a Selredian princess had to remain a secret for now.

Should I just kill her?

Given the severity of the offense, an immediate execution wouldn’t be out of the question.

Meanwhile, Eveline seemed completely unaware of the speculation surrounding her.

“Do you want to lean on my shoulder if it’s too much?”

As guesses about her identity flew around, Cassian carefully examined Eveline’s face.

Her eyes shimmered like a rolling blue sea, with a faint sheen of tears.

A look of innocence, yet full of concern for him.

Gently pressing under her eyes as if stealing the morning dew from leaves, Cassian slowly lifted his fingers.

“I’m fine. It’s a bit tiring… Ah, my head!”

He deliberately swayed, burying his face in her shoulder. He didn’t forget to take shallow breaths as well.

“Oh my! Look at the cold sweat! Quickly, lean on me, darling!”

Startled, Eveline hurriedly supported Cassian.

To match the act, Cassian leaned slightly toward her and spoke pitifully.

“Haah… just a little slower…”

Like a delicate fawn, she cooed and fawned, and behind them, murmurs grew louder.

“Playing around, are we?”

Whish!

“Gah! The duke is supporting her!”

“Eek! Everyone, watch out!”

When Cassian turned his head, the lords’ faces had gone pale.

Their eyes met Cassian’s in midair, and with a crooked smirk, he silently mouthed:

‘Do you want to die?’

Realizing the message too late, the lords quickly clamped their mouths shut.

Cassian, pretending nothing had happened, tried to look ahead—but then he noticed a knife on the floor and stopped in his tracks.

A dessert knife?

“Why, darling?”

“Nothing.”

As Eveline looked back, Cassian quickly reassured her and urged her to move outside, while keeping watch behind them.

Meanwhile, Viscount Rivelte had grabbed the fallen dessert knife and was pressing it against a rope.

Normally, Cassian would have stopped him immediately—but not now. Not with Eveline beside him.

“Just a little more patience! We’re almost at the exit!”

“Yes. I’ll try a little harder.”

With knights outside, they were safe. Besides, the exit was not far.

“Darling, even if it’s tough, just a little more!”

Step by step, matching Eveline’s pace, they approached the exit.

With less than ten steps to the door, Eveline moved steadily, guiding Cassian.

Suddenly, a beast-like roar shattered the air.

“Ughhhh! Die!!!”

Cassian and Eveline turned around.

Sensing a presence, Cassian quietly drew his sword—but the viscount wasn’t targeting him.

“Evel…!”

Seeing the viscount swing a knife toward Eveline, Cassian hastily drew his sword to protect her.

But something even more astonishing happened—faster than he could react.

“Good heavens!”

“This can’t be!”

“Ah!”

A painful scream echoed in my ears.

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, I reached out instinctively, trying to stop the knife-wielder.

Just a simple attempt to block—but whish!

“Ahhhh!”

In the blink of an eye, the knife pierced the man’s shoulder.

Looking closer, it was the dessert knife I had picked up before leaving the duke’s estate.

I had no idea when it had fallen, but reflexively, I had acted in self-defense—with unexpected results.

“Ha! Did that woman just twist Viscount Rivelte’s wrist?”

“Using the counterforce to attack him back?!”

“How strong must her grip be to still hold the viscount with one hand?”

The lords, who had been staring in shock, now blurted out in rapid succession.

Hearing them, I finally snapped back to reality.

I quickly withdrew my hand and stepped back.

“Did I… just attack him?”

Strange. When I was possessed before, I had been powerless… so why is it different now?

Had I learned swordsmanship somehow?

Before I could ponder, an inexplicable vision swept over me.

[……! Behind you!]

Whish!

A desperate shout sounded, and I immediately turned to block an opponent’s blade.

[Today, I will surely take your heads! Die!]

A sword slicing through the wind.

[Don’t hesitate! Fire!]

Arrows tore through the air.

[Aaaaargh!]

The roar of monsters.

[No more retreat! Go all the way!]

[Waaaaah!]

A war had erupted in the middle of the snowy plain.

Outsiders kept pouring over the castle walls.

The soldiers defended the border without pause.

Amid the chaos, I danced with my sword, cutting down enemies.

Blocking endless attacks with ease, I fought off the foes—when suddenly—

[Bel! Behind you!]

Someone grabbed my shoulder.

I tried to turn my head, recognizing the touch—but at that moment…

“Ugh!”

A sharp headache struck me.

A stabbing pain throbbed in my head as if someone were hacking at it with an axe.

Squinting against the pain, Cassian whispered to me.

“Madam? Are you hurt?”

I wanted to say I was fine, but my lips wouldn’t move.

Sensing my critical condition, Cassian held me in his arms.

“Are you okay, Your Grace?”

Meanwhile, the knights outside had stormed in.

“I’m fine. Watch the rear.”

After giving a short order to the knights, Cassian carried me away from the scene.

I should have been helping him, but instead, he was supporting me.

Though I insisted I could walk, Cassian hesitated briefly at my unsteady state.

“Excuse me, madam.”

He asked permission briefly and reached out.

Cassian’s left hand gently cradled my back, supporting my waist.

His right hand slid under my legs in a flash.

Broad chest and strong arms formed a sturdy shield, wrapping me in protection.

“Just hold on a little longer, madam.”

On the carriage, Cassian urged the driver forward.

Cradled in his arms, my pain gradually subsided as if magic had taken effect.

Rough hands that had fought on the battlefield now traced my back with delicate care, like handling fragile glass.

At the same time, a familiar scent reached my nose.

A subtle, woody aroma reminiscent of autumn.

It was Cassian’s scent.

The familiar aroma calmed me more than before.

Eyelids grew heavy.

I struggled to keep my consciousness, but it was futile.

“Go ahead and sleep.”

At his words, I sank into a deep slumber.

“I’m sorry, Duke. It’s my fault.”

“It’s my mistake, Madam Head.”

A heavy air settled in the office.

Sebastian and Sophia bowed, awaiting Cassian’s punishment.

They had exposed Eveline to danger, even though she had been outside.

Trying to trick her into giving up her position with the fake ledger had backfired.

Seeing Eveline collapsed in Cassian’s arms was horrifying enough.

Ashamed, they prepared to accept any punishment, confessing every detail of their mistakes.

Cassian, staring out the window, finally turned his gaze toward the two, awaiting their response.

“What about the communication artifacts issued to the servants?”

“The maids appear to have secretly disabled their functions before leaving. We apologize.”

Hah… this is getting ridiculous.

When the fake ledger was mentioned, I suspected Eveline might act—but what happened exceeded even his expectations.