IDEFYEM - Chapter 42
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
Hiccup.
I silently covered my mouth as the hiccups suddenly came out.
Why did the Grand Duke send me hunting...
He publicly kicks out a suitor by sending me a carriage full of jewels. A former fiancee who humiliated the Grand Duke by appearing with a different man at every banquet.
I slowly raised my head and looked at people's expressions.
Seeing everyone's surprised faces, it seemed like they were thinking the same thing as me.
Then, no matter how much I thought about it, there was only one reason that came to mind.
'It's a threat. This is clearly a threat.'
I swallowed dry saliva as I felt the blade approaching my throat. I thought we would have to settle the matter someday. I had no idea it would come out of nowhere like this.
Is it true that I will repay him in equal measure for publicly insulting him?
This doesn't mean that all the work I've done so far will be in vain.
'Social circles that are thirsty for dramatic events might actually welcome me.'
I held back tears and achieved an incredible mental victory.
"The Grand Duke...."
"It's not an arranged marriage... It's really a rumor...."
I tried to focus on the whispers that I heard infrequently but ended up failing. It's all going to be curse words anyway.
Let's ignore it for once. Because my mental health is important.
The host seemed to sense that the atmosphere had become strange and spoke urgently.
"Now, let's announce this year's winner!"
In the silence that passed for a moment, the young man raised his eyebrows and quietly added.
"... Even if the monster hadn't appeared, the result would have been the same."
Soon the moment everyone had been waiting for came.
“Lady Enrica Wintersoar!”
It was a result I already knew, but actually coming to that moment was different. How many times have I been immersed in applause today?
But every time I heard it, I didn't feel bad.
I decided to forget for a moment the agitation that came with the appearance of the Grand Duke. When can a moment like this come again?
For now, let's be happy to our heart's content.
I walked forward, received the prize money and commemorative supplies, and smiled brightly. A formal ceremony followed with a large bouquet of flowers in one's arms.
I heard people thank me for having the courage to keep people safe. Shaking hands with a high-ranking person who holds a place in the royal family.
I heard an explanation of the privileges and prize money available to the winner. The royal family said that a banquet for the winner would be held as soon as possible.
The prize money was an amount that would make even a decent nobleman blink. I was happily thinking about what kind of things I could do with Kael with that.
Suddenly, worry arose in my heart.
His face could not be found in the crowd, as he had not yet returned.
'I guess he's okay, right?'
***
After the schedule was over, everyone returned to the tent and was busy packing up their belongings.
I exchanged a quick greeting with Tristan and headed to the tent separately.
'I need to ask about Kael first.'
While I was thinking about it, it seemed like there was someone who had the same thoughts as me. Bacchus, looking somewhat nervous, was waiting for me in front.
"Bacchus! What about Kael?"
"Can you follow me for a moment?"
He spoke without even answering my question. A serious voice with a serious expression.
Although I was puzzled, I obediently followed the direction he led. Of course, I thought I would head to the tent where Kael was staying.
Bacchus took a more obscure path and moved his feet diligently.
"Where are you going?"
"This way, there is a royal building that only a few can use."
To get to our destination, we had to climb a winding mountain road for about 10 minutes. I wanted to ask what was going on, but Bacchus' expression looked serious, so I held back.
However, in silence, it was a time when I was becoming more and more worried that something really bad might have happened to Kael.
"Let's go in."
Bacchus said as we arrived in front of a shabby building that looked like a mountain cabin. I opened the door without delay. There was a single bed in a room that looked like it had been hastily cleaned out.
Kael was standing on the bed, and the aide whose face I had seen before was standing next to him. I quickly walked over and checked Kael's condition as he lay down.
He closed his eyes and was motionless.
"Uh, what happened?"
"I thought a lot about whether I should bring the Lady... I think he'll be very angry when he wakes up."
Melua, who had been pausing, continued speaking at the urging of my eyes.
"Ever since I came back and injected him with magic, he fell asleep and hasn't woken up."
"Is it too late to infuse magical power?"
I asked with a sinking heart, thinking it was because of me. But Melua shook his head resolutely.
"There was plenty of time. Well, the problem is that His Excellency the Count's body is becoming increasingly weaker from the curse."
That person did not look like a person who was lying.
"I brought you here because I was wondering if you might know something."
"... If I leave him like this, won't he wake up?"
"That's not it. That day may come someday, but not today."
I sighed and took a step closer to Kael, who was lying on the bed. But I really had no idea that his condition would be this serious. It was because of the playful and relaxed attitude that Kael always showed.
"I just don't know how long it wilI take. Grand... No, His Excellency the Count is extremely reluctant to reveal his physical condition to the outside world."
Melua muttered in a voice full of worry.
"He has to show up to the royal family by evening and then take a carriage...."
"I will try my best."
The words came out of my mouth faster than I thought. Melua seemed skeptical about calling me, but he answered.
"Then would you like to try? There is no need to feel too much pressure."
Anyway, there was only one way that came to mind right now. I asked for the two of us to remain alone and sat down in the quiet room.
Then I closed my eyes tightly and bit my thumb as hard as I could.
"...!"
Ouch!
I let out a scream from the tingling pain. However, the blood did not flow as much as I thought.
In the book, they say this.
Yes, I was thinking of calling Lord Vermont and somehow waking up Kael.
However, instead of succeeding in the summoning spell, all I got was pain. In the end, I embarrassedly went out the door again and called Melua.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but could you call Bacchus here?"
I spoke hesitantly in front of the rugged man who rushed over.
"There's a sword on your waist. Let me take it out for a moment...."
"No, Lady!"
"What, what, what are you talking about!"
Melua and Bacchus shouted at the same time.
"No, that's not what I'm saying..."
"What on earth are you thinking?"
I don't know what it was, but it felt like I had a very strange misunderstanding.
"Weren't you trying to follow the unconscious leader?"
"I thought I would rather make the leader, who is currently sleeping, feel comfortable...."
"Neither!"
It's my fault for not explaining it first, but it's so extreme!
I began speaking briefly with a shocked expression. This means that as a wizard, I have to give blood to summon a familiar I have contracted with.
Unlike Bacchus, who seemed a little surprised, fellow wizard Melua was calm.
"Demons are naturally fickle."
"Can I borrow your knife now? It's enough to cause a slight injury."
The man seemed to hesitate slightly but soon took out the blade.
The sword was too heavy for me to lift, so Bacchus put his hand on it and cut me while he was holding it.
"Ugh."
It stung slightly, but it was nothing serious.
"Thank you!"
I said goodbye and hurried back into the room.
'Concentrate, concentrate.'
I tried to call Vermont after bleeding.
I focused on the sensation of my fingertips, closed my eyes, and called to him as if meditating. Then, strangely enough, Vermont's voice began to call me.
A name called in my head.
"Enrica, you... The blood... How to hurt...."
I'm not hurt?
While I was wondering, a cat suddenly fell from the air. It sounds absurd, but it was literally true.
The cat suddenly appeared from nowhere and landed on my body. I stumbled backward with a loud sound.
And Vermont spoke hastily.
I felt the cat's paws pressing on every part of my body.
"Where are you hurt? How much bleeding? Who attacked you?"
Then, as if the cat noticed that I was okay, its paws suddenly stopped.
"..."
I asked excitedly, thinking I could make fun of his unexpected reaction.
"When did you tell me to bleed and call you, and were you so worried about me?"
"We just assumed the worst-case scenario where there was a problem with blood supply."
"I am indeed."
Vermont looked around the room and seemed to immediately notice Kael lying on the bed.
"I didn't tell you to call me in a situation like this."
He said in a shaky voice.
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