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Elena Christie is a naive woman who knows nothing.
A few hours ago, Benedict watched Elena waving innocently through the carriage window, thinking.
“So, where is Elena going now?”
"Oh.
She's going for a walk with Princess Claire Zacharias.
Apparently."
“Hmm, what is the real destination?”
Benedict's cold gaze fell on the carriage as it left the Archduke's house.
Victor bowed deeply to his master.
“I have confirmed that Princess Zacharias will be going shopping for a limited edition dress from Emmers today.”
“So, this means that Elena’s destination is not Zacharias Palace.
So, what’s the matter?”
Benedict slowly took off his training gloves.
Since he entered into his contract with Elena, her every move had been under his supervision.
Even while in the cell, he was receiving reports of Elena's movements through Victor.
Of course, Elena wasn't aware of this.
“I think...she will infiltrate the Marchioness of Bardi.”
"Haaa.
It's obvious why you would do something so silly."
Benedict chuckled at Victor's report.
This time, it was me again.
'She must have taken a ridiculous risk to prove my innocence.'
Benedict was undoubtedly on her mind.
As expected, Elena knew nothing.
Little did she know that he had already discovered her feelings.
Maybe she thought she was hiding her feelings well, so as not to violate the contract.
“On the day I reported the results of my investigation, Her Excellency the Grand Duchess’s look was extraordinary.”
Victor whispered with a look of great conviction, his voice rising.
“Have I not successfully completed the various tasks Your Excellency assigned me?
So now I can read Your Excellency’s thoughts just by looking into your eyes.”
“Why, you...”
For a moment, Benedict's handsome eyebrows twitched and furrowed.
“You mean you can read my wife's mind just by looking into her eyes?”
“Oh, no, that's, oh, that's just your happiness.”
The fleeting glint in those red eyes certainly wasn't murderous intent.
Victor waved his hand anxiously.
Then quickly change the subject.
“Sir, then shall we send soldiers this time to avoid discovering her happiness?”
Benedict pursed his lips.
Elena left the Archduke's house alone with her thin body for fear that he would worry.
Victor studied Benedict's face carefully.
Normally, he would grant permission immediately.
But what came a moment later was completely unexpected.
"no."
“Huh?
Are you going to allow Her Highness the Archduchess to infiltrate Bardi Lands?
It’s dangerous!”
Instead of answering, Benedict took a pair of gloves from his inside pocket and slowly placed one on each hand.
Elena Christie, of course, knew nothing.
“I'll go myself.”
After Benedict went through everything on the battlefield, he would never send Elena there alone.
∗ ∗ ∗
And now.
"Archduke, blood!
A-You're bleeding!"
Elena nervously wiped the blood from Benedict's forehead with the edge of her robe.
Benedict was stunned for a moment, stunned from the shock of hitting his head on a rock.
"Are you well?"
"… Yes."
Elena sighed, making sure Benedict's pupils were back in focus.
"What's going on?
Why is the Archduke here...?"
Elena's words trailed off, and a look of realization crossed her face.
She blinked, confused.
“You were following me the whole time?”
"Yes.
For you to come to the Bardi District alone, that's ridiculous.
I can't just sit and watch."
“Oh my God... you knew from the beginning?
How did you know?”
Elena opened her mouth, and her eyes widened.
She thought she had completely fooled him.
Benedict muttered, pride appearing on his face.
“My sixth sense.”
"once again?"
Benedict frowned at Elena's question.
“I have a strong sense of danger, capable of detecting enemy movements in the darkness of countless battles.
So, of course, I will expose your clumsy strategy.”
Elena laughed and wiped the remaining blood off Benedict's forehead.
“With such an incredible sense of danger, why didn’t you just avoid this rock!”
“……”
Benedict could not say, 'If that were the case, you would be the one bleeding now, not me.'
If he were facing someone else, he could have immediately blocked the attack, snatched his weapon, launched a counterattack and pinned down the opponent.
If it weren't for Elena, he would have instinctively moved in this direction.
But because it was her, he did nothing.
Elena frowned at him, who did not answer, and asked him.
“So, was the Archduke previously standing in front of the bar?”
"Yes.
I've been following you ever since you left the Archduke's house.
You didn't really notice.
How about you be more careful from now on?"
Benedict clicked his tongue.
'How naive of you to be so foolish.
If I didn't follow you every time, a disaster would happen.'
Elena looked at Benedict, as if she was stunned.
Having lived a difficult life, she was also more cautious than others.
“The Archduke is very good at concealing his presence.”
Benedict shrugged.
Of course, he didn't mention that concealment, cover, and concealment were his specialties at the military academy.
“Wait.
Calm down.”
For a moment, Benedict's gaze became fiercer, and he covered Elena's mouth with his hand.
Elena's wide eyes darted anxiously from side to side due to the sudden change in the atmosphere around him.
“...!”
In an instant, Benedict hugged Elena tightly and hid in the shadows of the alley.
Elena looked at him, wondering what was going on.
Instead of answering, Benedict wrapped her tightly in his robe, and lowered his voice.
“Looks like we have company.”
Elena's blue eyes fluttered slightly at the serious tone.
Benedict whispered quickly in her ear.
“There is no use causing trouble in the Empress's lands.
No fighting, we have to run.
Run when I give you the signal.”
Elena, still silent, nodded forcefully.
Benedict tilted his head slightly out of the shadows, watching his pursuer's movements.
"now."
With his signal, the two started running.
At the same time, footsteps followed behind them.
Benedict skillfully escaped from his pursuers and entered the forest path.
It was best to block their view with as much obstruction as possible.
There was no problem alone.
But Elena was the problem.
“No!
I can’t run that fast!
Ha-ha… ha-ha.”
At first, she struggled to keep up with him, but in reality, no woman's body could keep up with the speed of the empire's best soldiers.
“Woah!”
Without hesitation, Benedict picked up Elena and threw her over his shoulder.
Suddenly, Elena, hanging from his shoulder, felt dizzy.
Shh!
With a piercing roar of wind, the arrow narrowly missed its target and lodged in a nearby tree.
'crazy!
Are they that serious about capturing me?'
فزعت Elena، ولعنت في سرّها السهم الذي كاد أن يخترق جسدها.
At the same time, another arrow shot out.
ringing!
Benedict was supporting Elena with one hand, and with the other he pulled out his sword and deflected the arrow heading towards him.
One by one, the pursuers fired their arrows.
“Fuck.”
In an instant, a crack was heard – the sound of stepping on a tree root – and Benedict lost his balance.
It was inevitable.
With his tied arm, he couldn't block the arrow directed at Elena with his sword, so he retreated with his body to avoid it, which was why he lost his balance.
"no!"
Elena's vision fluctuated violently.
Then, with a sharp sound, she closed her eyes as her body collapsed.
In an instant, the two fell from a steep cliff deep into the forest.