"Who are you?"
As soon as Elysia opened the door, a cold blade was pointed at her neck.
She instinctively quickly turned her body, and fire mana ignited in response to her emotions, wrapping around her.
A red glow repelled the opponent's sword, creating distance between them.
The attacker seemed to be surprised by her mana, and did not advance further.
Elisia took advantage of that moment, grabbed the dagger she was holding tightly, and then raised it to her chest.
A sparkle sparkled in her green eyes as she assumed a menacing pose.
“State your identity.”
She spoke calmly, although her hand was shaking a little.
Her eyes were darting around anxiously, searching for Franz.
As she feared, he collapsed in the bathtub.
When she saw his pale, terrified face, she bit her lip hard.
'I have to ask for help.'
If this person was a hired killer, she wouldn't be able to confront him alone.
Elisia has never received real training in using a sword.
This dagger was just a tool she had prepared to protect herf.
And if her opponent was a professional killer, how long would she last?
Not long.
At the very least, she needed to buy time to summon Lucius.
She took a deep breath, and raised her voice: “Who’s there—!”
“You must be the second prince’s wife.”
Before she could completely raise her voice, a gentle voice came from the other end.
Elisia stared at him without letting her guard down.
There was a man with soft light green hair and gray eyes.
A rare appearance in Laurent.
Elysia began to examine him carefully.
He was wearing a dark black cloak that covered his entire body.
His face was so pale that it made the cloak appear even darker.
He had a refined air, different from Franz.
While Franz seemed as if the beauty of the world had been embodied in the form of a human being, this man carried an unnatural, almost other-worldly, appeal.
Elisia furrowed her eyebrows.
'Who is this man?'
If she had seen him even once before, she would not have forgotten him—he made a strong impression.
With a face like that, rumors about him would have spread in Calebs or in the Imperial Palace.
But she had never heard of him before.
While Elisia was silently examining his striking, sharp face, the man spoke again: “I apologize.
I thought you were a hired killer.”
He lowered his sword politely.
“…Aaron, right?” Elisia answered, still cautious.
“How did you know me?”
His eyes widened—the answer was correct.
Only then did Elisia sigh in relief, and lowered her dagger.
She didn't immediately recognize his voice from behind the door, but when she thought back, she realized it was really him.
“I just heard you.
I'm staying right in the next room.”
She looked at the door she had just come out of.
Aaron shrugged with a smile.
“I understand.”
Although she was looking at him, her grip on the dagger tightened even more.
For some reason, his smile gave her goosebumps.
She felt like he might turn around and attack her at any moment.
“I apologize for disturbing your sleep at this late hour, Your Highness.”
Aaron put his sword back inside his cloak, and continued: “But, what brings you here at this time?”
“I didn't know that I needed permission to visit my husband's room,” Elisia replied, meeting his gaze sharply.
“I think I should ask you this question.
What are you doing here at this time?”
“Ha ha ha.”
Aaron looked confused, then let out a faint laugh.
But even his laugh seemed unnatural—like a doll trying to smile.
There was something about him that she didn't like.
"Don't try to evade the matter by laughing.
Your Highness is in pain because of his misfortune, and you are standing here?
Explain yourf."
“You are worried about the Second Prince, Your Highness.”
Aaron's features changed to an expression of mild surprise.
Then he turned away from her and moved towards the basin.
Then, right before her eyes, Franz's unconscious body was lifted up.
His body hung helplessly, completely limp.
Aaron put his hand on Franz's forehead and started muttering something.
A faint silver light radiated from his palm, wrapping around Franz's entire body.
Elisia panicked and rushed towards him: “What are you doing?!”
“Shh.”
Without looking at her, he gently silenced her.
Elysia gripped her dagger and stared at it sharply.
But Haroun continued to chant quietly under her sharp gaze.
When he finished, Elisia's grip on the dagger relaxed.
Whatever he did, Franz's face looked much calmer now.
Also, his wet body became completely clean and dry.
Aaron seems to be adept at using magic.
But, can he be trusted to help her?
Only moments before, he had advised Franz to stay away from her.
Whatever his true intentions were, she didn't need to know.
If he stands in her way, he is an enemy.
Even if he is someone Franz trusts, for Elisia, he is someone who should be treated with caution.
"Don't worry.
I'm in the service of the Second Prince."
Aaron gently placed Franz's body on the bed, and spoke softly.
When he noticed Elysia still staring at him with intense eyes, he furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
He seemed sincere in his desire to gain her trust.
“I am the one who makes the potion that calms His Highness’s mana.”
"What exactly are you?
A wizard?
A wizard?"
Aaron scratched the back of his head at her question, looking around hesitantly before clicking his tongue.
“How should I introduce myf...”
“Why are you asking me?”
"I have many faces.
But I don't know which face I'm allowed to show you yet.
My master hasn't told me."
He looked at the dagger in her hand, studying it intently, then raised an eyebrow.
“May I do you a small favor?”
"What-?"
Before she could finish, Haroun extended his hand and touched her dagger.
The blade hummed, emitting a faint glow.
Light flowed along the blade and spread out until it reached Elysia's hand.
She stared at the dagger, entranced.
The glow was warm.
The moment he touched her, she felt strength flowing through her body.
She didn't know what trick he used, but the bond between her and the weapon became stronger than ever.
“Even if it's just a small f-defense dagger, it better carry some power.
I've made some modifications.”
While she was raising the dagger and inspecting it, Haroun explained to her.
Then he looked at Franz on the bed and added: “My master will undoubtedly agree to help protect his wife.”
“…Thank you.”
“If I have the honor of helping, I am proud.”
Elisia looked away from the dagger and stared again at Aaron.
He had placed his hand on his chest and bowed politely—as any servant would do.
As she looked at him, she finally uttered the doubt that had been haunting her:
“Aaron...are you related to Harunaka Ron Melakazerna?”
When asked, Aaron froze.
He stared at the ground in silence before slowly straightening up.
A blue light glowed in his gray eyes as his gaze met hers.
Elysia narrowed her eyes, watching the slight change in his features.
It wasn't a dramatic change, but as soon as I asked the question, something crossed his face.
The inhuman coldness in his eyes was suddenly filled with warmth.
“Can I give you one piece of advice, Your Highness?”
He looked at her sincerely.
She was expecting an answer from Harunaka Ron—but his question confused her.
Still, she nodded.
When she gave him permission, a faint smile appeared on Aaron's lips.
Then he moved towards her at a slow pace.
“Never make a foolish mistake.”
“What kind of mistake?”
“What kind do you think?”
His question made her frown.
She reached out and grabbed his cloak as he was about to walk away.
"I am waiting."
She walked towards him, and looked up at him sharply.
Her green eyes sparkled.
“This is not advice.”
“Excuse me?”
“Vague words like these are not advice.”
Aaron looked confused for a moment after her rebuke.
But she fixed her gaze on him.
"Try again.
Give me real advice."
Elisia's green eyes sparkled.
She wasn't going to let Aaron go.
If there was someone who knew more than her—she needed to hold on to it.
Especially if he knew anything about Franz's secrets.
This is the best she can do in the face of an uncertain future.
"Tell me what you know.
What kind of mistake am I supposed to make?...Can you see the future, Aaron?"