If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 228

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

The moment he first rescued her from the count’s mansion, and then later from John Calvino, Cain’s promise, like a proposal, might have been meaningful.

But when Cain suddenly changed and fought so fiercely to hurt her, Agatha erased every word of that promise as empty lies.

Did it deserve to regain its power now?

Still, in moments of life-threatening danger, Cain always appeared to save her. That was truly something to be grateful for.

Yet alongside guaranteeing her physical safety, he had inflicted deep wounds upon her soul. Cain’s recent words seemed like the cowardly act of a man who pulls promises out or hides them according to convenience.

She had barely grown used to life without him, and now his return threatened to undo her progress. His presence was both comforting and a source of painful memories she couldn’t shake.

The conflicting feelings left Agatha’s mind in turmoil.

What should she do about this man?

How should she face him…?

“We’ll stay at the security’s outpost until dawn. It’s the safest place.”

Agatha nodded. Cain added that it was quite a walk there and led her to a carriage.

Without understanding her own feelings or what she wanted to do with Cain, Agatha gently clasped Cain’s hand.

The unexpected chaos was ended quickly by the Vernat knights. The elite knights’ combat prowess was truly overwhelming, and as soon as the outnumbered Kristin knights received reinforcements, they drove off the intruders.

Cain and the Vernat knights didn’t stop there. Under Vernat’s name, they summoned the security captain and ordered a thorough review of all security issues in the southwestern region.

They demanded a full investigation into how dismissed mercenaries could band together to prey on ordinary people and threaten their lives—and whether corrupt officials had enabled this behavior.

The southwestern security captain, pale-faced, had no choice but to accept the fierce orders of the capital’s highest noble and the Empire’s most favored knight of the Emperor. He knew that some officials had openly accepted bribes from the mercenaries and turned a blind eye.

Cain wanted to root out all corruption but lacked the time. He warned he would send knights to conduct a major audit immediately upon returning to the capital, then left.

The security captain prepared the safest carriage and bowed deeply to Cain several times, likely pleading for leniency in the audit. Cain gave no reply.

Cain loaded the finest fabrics and provisions for the month-long journey to Arta into the sturdy four-horse carriage carrying Agatha, the nanny Charlotte, and maid Liana.

Though the food consisted mostly of non-perishable goods, scarce due to the bandit plundering in the region, it was the best they could manage.

With safety and food secured—two crucial factors for long-distance travel—Agatha and Cain set off once more.

Though she thought she’d built strength to stand on her own, Agatha admitted to herself that Cain’s presence gave her unexpected reassurance. She told herself it was due to her fragile condition, not a desire to rely on him.

It had to be that way.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Days passed as the long journey resumed. Considering Agatha’s long struggle with seasickness, Cain did not push for fast travel.

If the carriage’s movement triggered her nausea, they stopped immediately to rest, and knights and horses were given ample breaks and provisions.

Once they reached Arta, they could join the Kristin knights stationed there, ensuring complete safety at least until Agatha’s childbirth.

Arta was no longer far away. Though they couldn’t move as quickly as they wished due to careful attention to Agatha’s condition, Cain thought there was no need to hurry as long as he was protecting her.

“Your Grace , look outside the window! The flowers are blooming endlessly!”

Liana’s excitement broke the silence inside the carriage. Prompted by her, Agatha glanced out and seemed momentarily entranced by the vast field outside.

“Amazing, isn’t it? I’ve never seen so many flowers blooming!”

Just as Liana said, the fields outside the carriage were blanketed in flowers. The swaying yellow petals resembled waves rolling in the wind.

“Yes, it’s truly beautiful.”

Though brief, Cain caught the fleeting emotion in Agatha’s voice.