My Ruin to You - Chapter 59

The assumption that they could only pursue her during the day had been a mistake. Who would’ve thought they’d expand the barrier’s range and even set fires to chase her down? In this treacherous terrain, the barrier was her only lifeline—yet here he was, pushing forward with near-mad determination. How was she supposed to outmaneuver that?

It struck her then—this entire escape might have been a ploy to lure her straight into his arms. The thought made the rebellious streak buried deep within her rear its head.

“I don’t wanna. Just burn me along with the rest.”

Roseline plopped down stubbornly at the edge of the roof. Even as she bluffed, her eyes darted frantically, searching for an exit, any other way out. But no matter how hard she racked her brain, the only options were this rooftop or the street below where Valen stood.

“Your Highness, the barrier is about to collapse.”

At the captain’s urgent voice, Roseline whipped her head toward the barrier. Thin, hairline cracks spiderwebbed across its translucent surface, the blue light flickering weakly. It could give way at any moment.

“So it seems.”

“……”

“What will you do, my lady?”

Valen lowered his outstretched arms and posed the question as if the choice were entirely hers.

Even in this dire situation, he hadn’t lost his composure. Meanwhile, Roseline—who’d been putting on a brave front—felt her stomach churn with frustration, her own calm unraveling in his stead.

“If you need more time, I’ll give it to you. But the longer you hold out, the more you’ll lose. The barrier, the horses, even the knights.”

“Then why now—?!”

Her anger flared, but there was no point in venting it. Hesitantly, Roseline rose to her feet and stepped off the roof. After a quick glance to gauge her landing, she squeezed her eyes shut and leaped.

The unpleasant sensation of her heart lurching into her throat lasted only a moment before she was caught—solidly—in Valen’s arms. The impact still forced him back a few steps.

“Well done.”

He was referring to the protective barrier. Naturally, its strength varied with the caster’s mana, and Roseline’s had absorbed the impact splendidly before shattering. Had it been weaker, Valen wouldn’t have been able to sound so unbothered. Which made it all the more baffling—I don’t even trust myself, so what made him so sure he could catch me?

“Let me go first.”

Valen tightened his grip as Roseline squirmed to break free.

“Stay still. You must be exhausted from all that running.”

“Huh? No—wait, why are you—seriously?!”

With a gesture as if soothing a fussy child, Valen patted her back and motioned to the knight behind him. The knight approached and released a surge of mana—and only after falling for the same trick again did Roseline finally realize, this was his plan all along. He made me jump to break my barrier.

Her last coherent thought—This man is infuriatingly thorough—flickered out as her eyes fluttered shut.

“The signal. We must withdraw the flames, Your Highness.”

Valen, cradling her limp body, turned his head. In the distance, red smoke curled into the sky—a signal from the scouting party that had finished searching the barrier’s edge.

He gave a single nod. Gradually, the wind shifted, and the flames began to recede. Clack, clack. By the time the sound of hooves filled the street, a half-charred beam collapsed with a crash. They rode through the inky darkness toward the barrier’s edge, where red smoke rose once more. Valen, holding Roseline’s slumped form, kept his eyes on the barrier’s fluctuations and pressed his heel into the horse’s side.

The moment they arrived at the temporary stronghold near the city gates—the barrier’s limit—the shield finally shattered.

“All windows are sealed, and the interior is secure. You may enter.”

As Valen dismounted with Roseline in his arms, a knight stepped forward and drew his sword. Behind Valen, the arriving knights likewise dismounted, leading their horses in separate directions.

Grrruuuh—Kkhh—Screeeech—

Just as eerie wails scraped through the silence from beyond the dark, the horses—sensing instinctive danger—began to shift restlessly, hooves pawing at the ground. Hot, ragged breaths escaped their nostrils, and reins trembled faintly.

“Now.”

At Valen’s command, the knights released the reins in unison—and slit the horses’ throats. Startled, the animals bolted in the directions their heads had been turned, their galloping hooves scattering in all directions.

Growl—Kkhh—Screeeech—

The sounds of pursuit faded into the distance as the infected chased the horses’ trails. Creak. Thud. The stronghold’s door closed.

◇◇◇

Roseline was miserable.

She’d almost prefer it if he asked why she ran. But Valen didn’t even mention last night’s events. Not that he was being kind, either—no, it was worse. He treated her as if she didn’t exist. She’d tried calling Your Highness a few times, but he didn’t even pretend to hear. Not that it mattered—whether he ignored her or not, they were both upset anyway.