Chapter 40
I glared at Reynard, arms crossed, as he chuckled, fighting back the urge to vomit.
“When are you going back? The Imperial Ball where they’re granting you the marquisate is right around the corner. You’re not actually planning to keep following me, are you?”
“Why would I follow you? I’m going to hide you somewhere no one can find you.”
“Who said anything about that?”
“Adelina, do you really think your opinion matters to me right now?” His expression was impossibly benevolent and gracious, but his words were like those of a shadowy mastermind pulling the strings of the underworld.
“Don’t smile when you say things like that.”
“What can I do when laughter comes naturally? I’ve finally achieved one of my most cherished desires. I never imagined it would feel this good.”
Ugh. I spat out the grass I’d been unattractively chewing. Reynard, looking at me as if I were the most adorable creature in existence, wiped my mouth with his sleeve.
“I have to go to the Imperial Palace. It would be a waste not to accept the title they’re offering. It’s the result of all my hard work, so there’s no reason not to accept it.”
“Yes, well thought out.”
“Where will you wait while I’m gone? Choose. My mansion in the capital or my villa are too risky. How about the mercenary guild’s villa?”
Seeing him speak so casually about my whereabouts, I sighed. “Reynard, if you keep acting like this, I might start to hate you.”
“Oh dear, how frightening. What will I do if my Adelina hates me? I’ll be heartbroken.”
It was sickening. Even the innkeeper, who looked like he could wrestle a lion barehanded, froze at the sound of this supposedly fearsome man trying to act cute.
“I want to keep you in my pocket, but I’m restraining myself.”
‘And what would you do if you didn’t restrain yourself?’ I glared at him, and Reynard pointed a finger at the ceiling. ‘Why the ceiling all of a sudden?’
“Adelina, Adele is quite clever. I’ll be following you relentlessly from now on, and if such a large bird follows you everywhere, won’t it be obvious where you are?”
‘Ah, he meant the sky, not the ceiling. But…’
“Please, change that name…”
“Do you think he’ll listen to a name change now that he’s fully grown?”
Reynard’s beaming face seemed to embody the very essence of happiness. The kind of ultimate bliss that seemed unshakeable, no matter what I did or said.
Thinking about the reason for his good mood made me even more depressed. I quickly shoved a new contraceptive herb into my mouth to replace the one I’d spat out.
With the nauseating herb in my mouth, I pushed back my chair with a screech and stood up. Reynard followed me.
“Shall we depart? I’ll drop you off on my way to the capital.”
“It’ll be night soon.”
Reynard’s villa was located in a lakeside village about halfway between the capital and here. Though the scenery was beautiful, the route required passing through a forest, making it unsuitable for nighttime travel.
More importantly, I had no intention of going with him.
“So you’ll stay here? It would be best to move, regardless.”
“That’s true, but I’m not moving with you. I’m ten times more conspicuous with you around.”
At my stubborn refusal, Reynard gave a strange smile and went outside.
Soon, I heard a whistle followed by the shrill cry of a falcon.
‘It seems he’s chosen a different approach since I won’t budge.’
‘He’s probably going to summon another mercenary to guard me while he goes to the capital…’
‘How many mercenaries will he send? How can I evade them? Should I buy some sleeping herbs from the general store?’
Lost in thought, I went upstairs.
Ultimately, before the night was over, I would come to regret my decision.
***
Reynard left two hulking mercenaries at my door before departing, arriving just before midnight. He left with a sweet promise to bring back my favorite desserts.
After his departure, I couldn’t sleep, consumed with thoughts of what tomorrow might bring.
About an hour later, I was startled by a cacophony of crashing sounds from downstairs.
Shouts followed by horrifying screams and the sounds of tearing and breaking filled the air.
“What’s going on…!”
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