Chapter 205
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Dell was dragged away by Lavella. Emilia quickly locked the door behind them and headed towards the room she had been staying in. She opened the closet she had locked and pulled out the longsword.
The dagger was useful at close range, but to prevent them from entering the building and buy time for others to escape, the longsword would be more effective.
She checked the state of the blade and then made her way to the stairs. The sound of the door being kicked open was followed by silence.
Bang! Crash!
The door broke down, and the knights rushed in. Emilia steadied her breath. She couldn’t let the location of the Spiegel newspaper be discovered. Many people probably hadn’t managed to escape yet.
She glanced at the time. At least 10 minutes, maybe 20, was what she had to endure. Could she do it alone?
There were too many knights, and there was only one passage. Even on the day of the rebellion, Emilia had stayed and fought until the end.
She hadn’t even realized she was still standing with her sword raised, drenched in blood from her hands and body, a sight she would never forget, marking her for life.
‘Don’t be afraid.’
There was nowhere to run. Right now, she wasn’t Emilia; she was just one of the women fighting these men. If she broke down, many others would be captured. Adrian would never show mercy.
Emilia gripped the sword tightly and stood at the entrance to the second-floor stairs. Her brown bobbed hair was damp and stuck to her face, her tense lips dry and cracked.
“We are the Royal Guard. If you comply with the investigation, your life will be spared. So, put down your sword.”
“…”
Who would believe that? If that was their intent, they would have sent an official letter requesting participation in the investigation. While few would follow such a letter, it was still better than barging in with weapons and making such a claim.
She had nowhere else to go. She had already faked her death and fled from the Duke’s estate. As long as she wasn’t caught, she would consider herself lucky to have remained hidden wherever she stayed.
However, getting caught by the Royal Guard was dangerous. Adrian would surely recognize her. Despite the brown hair dye and the cut, her face hadn’t changed. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize her.
Being caught by Adrian would be far worse than being captured by the Duke.
She pulled her handkerchief up firmly to cover half of her face.
“What is this? Are you planning to defend this place alone? I’ve never seen such a funny woman.”
The knight looked up at her, bewildered.
There were at least five Royal Guards. If a commotion started here, more would rush in.
‘Think carefully and move wisely.’
She needed an efficient plan and movement pattern.
Emilia silently gazed at them. A subtle madness flickered in her green eyes.
It had been a while since she had held a sword, and perhaps that was why her heart raced oddly. Memories of cutting people down and the pain-filled days of the past resurfaced. Like then, she chose to protect once again.
Some might criticize her for this, but she had no regrets. Not then, and not now.
Emilia steadied her heart. Standing alone on the second floor, her gaze cast down at the knights below with an air of intimidation. The sight of her holding the sword made it clear she wouldn’t back down.
However, to them, it likely looked like the final struggle of a woman selling herself illegally.
“Your face is quite pretty, but can you actually wield a sword? If you cooperate with the investigation, I’ll pay you a generous reward.”
“Look. Money? You should be thankful if men like us even lay with you for a night. You’re nothing but a lowly woman. Who knows, maybe you’ll boast about it. You got held by a noble royal knight, didn’t you?”
“Hey, I think these courtesans might be worth something these days. The way you’re dressed and the vibe—could pass for a noblewoman, don’t you think?”
“Pathetic, lacking even the basic virtues of a knight.”
Emilia scoffed quietly. They didn’t even have the basic honor of a knight.
‘…..Are they knights?’
Perhaps the royal family had sent them to toy with her, just in case things went awry.
“Your words are strange, and the atmosphere is not for a courtesan.”
“Now that I think about it, you act like you’re a noblewoman, too proud to be anything else.”
It didn’t matter what the knights were saying, one of them quickly ascended the stairs. His face was full of irritation as he turned to speak to Emilia.
“We don’t have time for this. Do you think royal knights have time to waste? Put down your sword—”
Emilia’s sword narrowly missed the knight’s neck.
That was a warning.
“This is a place where powerless women stay. So, you’re not stepping one foot closer.”
Emilia said, glancing behind her. Smoke was rising from the hallway.
The knight’s cheek had the sharp wound of her sword, and he wiped the blood away, his eyes became sharp with fury.
“I told you. This is a place where women stay, and I won’t allow it.”
“Ha! You crazy woman, swinging a sword at a royal knight?”
The knight drew his own sword from his waist. The atmosphere had changed completely, and even the knights behind him began to tense up.
Emilia steadied her breathing. She had hoped they would back off in fear, but such a thing didn’t happen.
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