Chapter: 19
“But… I’m worried about sending Rakan alone.”
“The kid will be fine with Baltan guarding him. He may look like that, but he’s got years of experience in mercenary work.”
There wasn’t even time to make an excuse. Before she knew it, Lenia’s wrist had been caught, and she was pulled into the crowded crowd by Calyus.
As if trying to protect her, Calyus gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders while crossing the main street.
For Lenia, who wasn’t used to being cared for by someone, it was a very flustering situation.
“What’s wrong? If it’s hard to walk because of your clothes, I can carry you.”
“Please don’t. Are you trying to make me die of embarrassment?”
“If my wife dislikes it, then I suppose I have no choice. Then should I at least hold your hand?”
Before she could respond, the hand that had been resting on her shoulder slid down and intertwined with her fingers.
‘Is it because of the leather? The feeling is… strange.’
Through the thin, soft leather glove, she could feel the large, firm hand of a man. The unfamiliar sensation made her shoulders tremble slightly.
And yet… why didn’t she want to pull her hand away?
“It looks like they’re selling something pretty delicious over there. Shall we go check it out?”
“…Alright.”
The cool night breeze cooled her flushed cheeks, and the festive atmosphere lingering in the air wrapped around her.
Still holding his hand, Lenia almost ran toward the place where the appetizing smell of food was coming from.
Blaming the strange feeling that seemed to take hold of her on this peculiar night.
After enjoying the festival, Lenia and her group returned to their lodging and went to their respective rooms.
Rakan, who had been excitedly talking about how amazing the traveling troupe’s performance was, soon fell fast asleep. Baltan, saying he wanted to properly enjoy a drink for the first time in a while, headed alone to a tavern.
After Rakan fell asleep, Lenia took a relaxing bath for the first time in a while. Then, changing into comfortable clothes while letting her wet hair dry, she stepped outside the inn.
As she slowly walked along the deserted path in the deep night, she felt her tangled thoughts begin to settle.
‘Now I can finally breathe. I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t even notice how time passed.’
Not long ago, being alone had felt natural to her.
But thinking about how their group had grown to four people in just about a month made her smile without realizing it.
A seemingly perfect husband, a clever but adorable son, and even a coachman she hadn’t planned to hire.
What was even more surprising was that none of this felt awkward or uncomfortable.
It was only meant to be a temporary partnership to achieve a goal.
‘Don’t tell me I’m getting attached… That would be a problem.’
To begin with, emotional attachment between people was something unfamiliar to Lenia.
Thanks to Hyemin’s memories, she could maintain this level of sociability and friendliness, but without that coincidence, she probably would have treated even Rakan coldly.
Perhaps the confusing emotions she had been feeling lately were because the two personalities hadn’t fully merged yet.
After all, it had only been about a year since Hyemin possessed Lenia’s body.
“Yeah… that must be it.”
She muttered to herself.
If not, how else could she explain her reactions toward Calyus?
As she looked down at the hand she had held with his and let out a quiet sigh—
She noticed a figure standing in a corner of the empty clearing.
“…My lady?”
It was Calyus.
Caught in thoughts about him just moments ago, Lenia quietly bit her lip.
‘Of all places… why here?’
Whenever she stood in front of that man, she became strange.
Even when he placed a hand on her shoulder or pulled her into his arms, instead of feeling uncomfortable, she felt like she wanted to be closer.
Could it really be possible to feel this way toward someone when it hadn’t even been a month since they met?
‘No… that can’t be.’
Even if it were true, the answer had to be the opposite.
Otherwise, the deeply hidden emotions she had buried inside might come spilling out and confuse her even more.
“What brings you out here? It’s late, and the air is cold.”
“…I just came out for a walk. I wanted to clear my head before going back in.”
“Now that I look, your hair is still wet. You’ll catch a cold like that.”
Calyus gently brushed away the damp strands of hair clinging to her cheek with his thumb.
Her ears flushed red instantly, and without thinking, Lenia slapped his hand away.
“Ah…”
It was a rejection strong enough to be mistaken for disgust.
Startled, Lenia didn’t know what to do, but Calyus gave a slight, wry smile.
“You don’t have to look so sorry. It’s my fault for touching you without permission.”
“That’s not it. It’s just…”
“Just?”
Because of you, I’m confused.
She couldn’t bring herself to say it, so she stayed silent.
Calyus, who had been quietly waiting for her answer without pressing her, suddenly had his expression harden like stone.
“Lenia, get down!”
It happened in an instant.
As if he had seen something horrifying, Calyus grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, and the two of them rolled across the dirt ground.
“Ugh…!”
A thin dagger was embedded in Calyus’s shoulder as he held Lenia protectively.
The blade was darkened to avoid reflecting light—a method commonly used by assassins.
“Run, Lenia. It’s dangerous here.”
“But—!”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
As if it were nothing, he pulled the dagger out of his shoulder and threw it to the ground.
The moment Calyus drew his sword from his waist, two assassins wearing black masks revealed themselves.
“Die!”
Clang! Clang!
The sound of blades clashing rang out in all directions.
The assassins skillfully targeted Calyus’s openings, and although he dodged or deflected most of their attacks, they managed to leave small wounds.
‘They’re not trying to kill him outright… Is it poison?’
Lenia’s face turned pale as she hurriedly examined the dagger on the ground.
The dark blade, stained with traces of blood, was coated with a poison she recognized all too well.
It was a deadly toxin—lethal even with the slightest contact.
‘How is he still moving after taking that head-on?’
Anyone struck by this poison would gradually become paralyzed and die within an hour.
There was no proper antidote, and even breathing would bring unbearable pain, making it a poison often used by those with deep grudges.
“…We have to get him to a temple quickly.”
Only a priest could neutralize such a powerful toxin.
Divine power had the ability to restore what could not be naturally healed.
Lenia fixed her sharp gaze on Calyus, who was still fighting the assassins.
‘His movements are getting slower. At this rate, he’ll be overwhelmed.’
She couldn’t just stand by and watch.
No matter who they were targeting, Calyus had been injured protecting her.
Picking up the dagger, she carefully observed the situation, then threw it at an opening.
“Ghk!”
A direct hit.
