Chapter – 40
Two people tried to kill me.
One man charging from the front, and a woman swinging a weapon from behind.
It might have been aimed at Lexian in his knight’s uniform, but I felt it was because of me.
Lexian, who had no personal feelings toward me, was the kind of person who would never be exposed to even minor danger.
He lightly dodged the man rushing forward, took his spear, and spun it to strike the woman attacking from behind in the solar plexus.
“Ugh.”
She collapsed against the wall with a stifled groan.
Meanwhile, the shaking building stopped, and instead, the shouts of knights reached our ears.
“They’ve caught the one carrying explosives!”
“Transport the captured criminal outside!”
“It seems the explosion has stopped, you may descend now.”
Lexian hesitated at my request but obediently put me down.
The moment my feet touched the ground, a white light engulfed us.
Bang!
A split second later, a deafening roar filled my ears.
It seemed something had exploded in a nearby warehouse, and a foul smell mixed with heat hit us, making me fear burns.
The man who had pulled me with incredible speed held me close, pressing my head down, as if to protect me from danger.
“Lex.”
The heat I’d felt during a burning execution seemed to reach us, but it quickly dissipated.
“L-Lexian… Lex.”
I sniffed instinctively, worried that my skin might smell burnt—but there was only the familiar scent of him.
A faint trace of ashes lingered.
“Shh.”
The large hand wrapping around my back was as solid as ever, but my heart plummeted.
Lexian held me as if arrows were raining from the sky—back then, the sunlight smelled the same.
Yet the outcome had always been tragic.
Already dead?
Because of me, are you already dying?
My mind went blank. Just as my consciousness began to fade, I became free.
An unknown blue barrier had wrapped around Lexian and then disappeared.
Before I could even wonder what it was, I reached out and touched Lexian’s steadfast face.
“…Lex? You… you’re alive?”
“Yes, as you can see.”
I felt a brief joy that he was alive—but then I froze at the state of his left arm.
“What…!”
It was burned almost beyond use. And yet he hadn’t shown a hint of pain.
“You need immediate treatment for that arm.”
“Let’s get out first. We can’t stay in a place filled with toxic gas.”
The bodies of those who couldn’t escape the explosion and debris from the building were scattered everywhere.
“Watch your step, Rosia.”
I wanted to grab Lexian by the collar and scold him—how could he worry about me when his own condition was worse?
But leaving was more important.
Outside the shabby tavern that served as the entrance to the gambling hall, Lexian warned me not to run and then went back inside.
“With that arm, where are you going?”
“I need to check if my subordinates are safe. The interior must be chaotic from the blast, so don’t follow me.”
He stationed two knights nearby to protect me, probably sensing my mistrust. I pulled my hood lower to avoid being recognized by palace knights.
Some time passed before Lexian returned with a few knights and the captured members of the gambling operation.
He gave instructions to his subordinates and approached me.
“You may go now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sending the knights away, Lexian sighed as he looked at me.
“Where are your attendants? You didn’t come alone, did you?”
“Just a moment.”
I pulled a bottle containing a white liquid from the sack and opened its cap.
“Do you even know what that is—”
“Stay still.”
Though I had endured severe pain myself multiple times, it was unbearable to see Lexian injured.
I bit my lip and applied the white medicine. It hissed as it disinfected the wound. Once it dried, I poured the blue liquid on top.
“Ugh.”
He let out a stifled groan from the sting.
I gently held his injured arm, feeling pity.
“Wait a little while; the heat from the burn will subside soon.”
The red, blistered flesh gradually returned to its normal color, and finally, I carefully applied the red medicine.
“This promotes skin regeneration.”
I rummaged through the sack for more red medicine but unfortunately, there was none left.
“It’s almost healed, but you still need to disinfect and apply medicine regularly. Understood?”
“I understand.”
Lexian looked at me silently, with many questions in his expression.
I knew—I probably looked suspicious myself.
Just being in an illegal gambling hall was strange enough, but I also knew the use of these mysterious medicines.
Even if Lexian asked, I had no intention of answering.
“Lexian, as I’ve said before, never risk yourself for me again.”
Before he could make me feel guilty, I struck first.
“So you’re saying I should avoid the situation alone?”
“Yes.”
The man who had not even groaned under the fiery blast frowned.
“Do you think I’ll just listen because you said that?”
“You must listen.”
You nearly died because of me. Anyone tangled with me ends up dying.
I realized once again that I was a villain hated by the world.
“Where are your attendants?”
Lexian, looking incredulous, changed the subject. He wouldn’t heed my words anyway, so I let it go.
“They’re over there.”
“Where exactly?”
Across the gambling hall, quite a distance.
When I hesitated to speak, Lexian ruffled his hair and summoned two knights.
“I’ll step away briefly. You guard the entrance. Anyone trying to escape or resist may be shot.”
The knights entered the shabby tavern, and Lexian draped his protective arm over my shoulders.
“Where is the carriage? You didn’t sneak away on your own, did you?”
Reluctantly, I told him, and Lexian escorted me to it. He seemed impressed as I rolled up my cloak before reaching the carriage.
“Miss!”
Sir Merry and Sir Bart hurried to me.
“Where on earth were you?”
“I saw Duke Liciansius, so I got off the carriage without realizing it. Sorry for worrying both of you.”
I was nervous about what Lexian might say, but thankfully he just opened the carriage door without comment.
“I have many questions, but this is not the time. We’ll discuss it later.”
I whispered to ensure no one could hear, my spine still chilled.
The moment I sat in the soft seat, he deftly took a pouch from under his cloak.
“This is confiscated.”
“Th-…!”
It contained so many useful items! I wanted to protest but, strictly speaking, these were illegally obtained items from the gambling hall, so I handed them over. I made sure not to give up the old bundle of papers I carried.
“I will return them soon.”
Lexian’s face was hard and unyielding—clearly showing he was very angry.
“This is serious.”
“Of course it is, Miss.”
Sir Merry’s voice came from the carriage.
“It’s good that you’re meeting Duke Liciansius, but you should’ve given me a heads-up. Do you know how worried I was that something had happened to you?”
“I’m truly sorry. I was distracted after the tea party incident.”
I briefly explained the overturned boat incident, emphasizing the near-death situation. She seemed to accept it.
“I’ll serve you better from now on, Miss.”
Sir Merry’s loyalty seemed unusually strong, but I smiled in thanks.
However, my guards informed my mother, and she looked at me with suspicion.
“You said you weren’t interested in Duke Liciansius?”
“I mean I’m not interested romantically, Mother. But it’s polite to greet him.”
“Hm, that’s strange…”
To avoid my mother’s questioning, I called Cassie and ordered her to send a large bouquet under my name to Count Clen’s family and Lady Violet.
Only after I closed the door in my room could I finally exhale in relief.
After confirming several times that no one was around, I took out the old bundle of papers from my pocket.
Crash!
Sitting at my desk, a loud noise assaulted my ears.
