Ines, Marcus, and Anthony arrived at the warehouse where the wagon was parked.
As Marcus entered the wagon with a knife to Anthony’s neck, Ines sat on the coachman’s seat without hesitation.
Ines quickly hurried the horse’s feet and pushed open the half-open warehouse door.
Those who knew that Anthony was still under Marcus’s knife could not hastily follow the wagon.
However, that would only last a moment. If the enemies followed on horseback, the wagon would be caught right away.
Ines had to keep her wits about her in order not to get lost while running along the unfamiliar road. When she was in a dire situation, Carson came to mind.
I wish I could see him just once, just once more. I wish I could look into his shining golden eyes and touch his soft hair.
I wish I could fall asleep looking at your smile.
Ines clenched her teeth and held back her weak heart.
Even if she were to be captured by the enemies and die in vain, she vowed to take with her on her way any being who threatened Carson.
Anything more was too much to think about. Right now, it was time to just run and run, looking ahead of him.
Before Carson led the imperial knights to Mount Elin, he heard the news that Duke Manisut was moving. Since his daughter was in the hands of the Emperor, he wouldn’t hesitate or wait for time to pass.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been easy to admit that he had raised an army and plotted a rebellion.
At that moment, Noah hurriedly entered the office where Carson was.
“What’s the situation?”
“We sent a search party in the direction where the wagon disappeared, but we haven’t yet located Her Majesty the Empress.”
I wish I could fall asleep looking at your smile.
Ines clenched her teeth and held back her weak heart.
Even if she were to be captured by the enemies and die in vain, she vowed to take with her on her way any being who threatened Carson.
Anything more was too much to think about. Right now, it was time to just run and run, looking ahead of him.
***
Before Carson led the imperial knights to Mount Elin, he heard the news that Duke Manisut was moving. Since his daughter was in the hands of the Emperor, he wouldn’t hesitate or wait for time to pass.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been easy to admit that he had raised an army and plotted a rebellion.
At that moment, Noah hurriedly entered the office where Carson was.
“What’s the situation?”
“We sent a search party in the direction where the wagon disappeared, but we haven’t yet located Her Majesty the Empress.”
Since Carson had declared war on Mount Elin, Duke Manisut would surely think that Ines’ location had been discovered. So there had to be some kind of movement.
“How many enemies are there?”
“According to what we know now, the number of soldiers gathered by the Imperial Knights and Manisuit is almost the same.”
“That’s a lot.”
“It seems like they’ve been preparing for quite some time. It seems like several prominent families are involved.”
“That must have been the case.”
“And...”
“What?”
Carson asked sharply when Noah trailed off.
“The Count and Countess Swenden have arrived from Landhill.”
Carson touched his forehead. They should have arrived at the palace last week, but for some reason, news came that the Swendens would arrive two days before the wedding.
However, since Ines had disappeared, he had completely forgotten about the Count and Countess Swenden, who should have arrived yesterday.
“Where should I go?”
“They’ll be here soon.”
For the first time in his life, Carson realized what it meant to be ashamed. Now that Ines had clearly been kidnapped, how on earth was he supposed to face her parents?
Carson took a deep breath and hurried to meet the parents of the woman he loved.
And soon the three sat down in the reception room of the Empress's palace that Ines used.
"I heard the story on the way here,"
Count Swenden began to speak as soon as he sat down politely. Elena Swenden, sitting next to him, had a pale face and was trembling slightly.
"Is it true that my daughter is now in the hands of the Duke of Manisut?"
Carson nodded his head without speaking aloud at the Count's question. He seemed to have already figured out everything that had happened in the palace when he came to meet the Emperor.
"So you're going to do something about it."
Carson's brow furrowed slightly at Count Swenden's words.
"Did you know something?"
"I know the general story through the letters Ines often sent me."
"I'm sorry."
The Count shook his head at the Emperor's apology.
"No. Rather..."
After deciding to trust and support Ines along with his wife Elena, Count Swenden made up his mind. No matter what storm came, he always kept his guard up and did not lose heart so as not to be the first bridge to collapse.
He knew why the Emperor was apologizing, but it was not yet time to hear his apology. Now was the time to think only about how to safely return his daughter.
“There is something that I need Your Majesty the Emperor to grant.”
“Permission?”
Count Swenden explained to the Emperor’s question.
Just as they were finishing preparing to come to the palace, an urgent letter arrived from Ines.
It said that the situation was not good and that she asked them to gather the military supplies and private soldiers that Ines had prepared and come together.
Although they hurried as much as possible to prepare the soldiers and supplies, it took five days. As a result, the day they arrived in the capital was also delayed by that much.
“Ines judged that something would happen before or right after the wedding.”
“That means... you’re here with Landhill’s soldiers?”
“Yes.”
Carson couldn’t answer, frowning and clenching his molars. Andrew’s heart also tightened when he saw his master and son-in-law in pain. However, there was no time to comfort each other now.
“We couldn’t cross the palace with the soldiers. So, Landhill’s soldiers are waiting outside the palace.”
Carson knew well that Ines had been gathering supplies and training the soldiers quite steadily. As a result, Landhill possessed the largest military force in the southern region. He had also heard that Ines had recently brought in a newly modified Yamanta gun to Landhill. As expected from the largest trading post, all new products went through Landhill.
When he heard that from Ines, he thought so. The woman who would become his wife was still serious about buying guns.
Carson finally couldn’t bear it anymore and covered his face with his big hands. He felt like he would burst into tears if he let go of his heart.
Is there anything more hideous than a man who cries out after having his wife kidnapped the day before his wedding? He sat up, mocking himself.
“We can’t attack rashly since Ines is in their hands.”
“I know.”
“Noah, bring the map.”
Carson spread out the map and pointed to Mount Elin, which was on the way to Reuben. He then pointed with his hand to the opposite side of the place where he would be stationed.
“Let’s station the Landhill army here.”
Count Swenden nodded resolutely, as befitting a lord who had a duty to participate in the war.
“We will advance as soon as we secure Ines’s new soldiers.”
“Understood.”
“We must not attack until we give the signal.”
With the help of Landhill, Carson's military power surpassed his opponent's. And his opponent still didn't realize it. The war was clearly tilted toward Carson's side.
Despite this, the Emperor's face did not brighten at all. Even if he won the war, protected the throne, and defeated the greatest enemy of the imperial family, what would it mean if Ines was not there?
Ines may have predicted this situation. That the two could part so vainly...
Maybe that was why she had come to find him alone and walked down the cold hallway that spring night.
"Countess Swenden."
When Carson called Elena in a low voice, her trembling eyes turned to him.
"I'm ashamed."
Elena eventually burst into tears. They were tears that contained the foolishness of a mother who had hoped her daughter would live an ordinary and warm life like her.
However, Elena soon calmed down. Her eyes were filled with a light and the sobs that had burst out quickly subsided. Elena slowly stood up from her seat.
"Your Majesty."
Carson’s throat tightened at the voice that resembled Ines.
“When I first heard that Ines had been kidnapped, I blamed Your Majesty for nothing.”
“Honey.”
Andrew tried to dissuade her with sad eyes. However, Carson shook his head and prevented Andrew from coming forward. Only after hearing that Elena blamed him did he feel like he could breathe a little.
“One, this is just the feelings of an ordinary mother who only wishes for her child’s safety.”
Elena looked at the Emperor who bowed his head in front of her with longing.
Even though he looked like a huge mountain, he was still just a young man to Elena, like her own child. She slowly approached Carson and held his hand. Carson’s body trembled at the warmth.
When their eyes met, Elena barely managed to raise the corners of her mouth and smile.
“While Your Majesty the Emperor and my husband are out fighting for justice, I will be checking to see if my daughter’s wedding is ready.”
Carson raised his head and met Elena’s eyes at the unbelievable words. When his eyes met hers and shook uncontrollably, Elena pulled her hand and held him in her arms.
Only then in her arms did Carson realize that he had been trembling slightly since yesterday. There was no way Elena could not have known that he was trembling. She patted his back, which was not fully covered.
“This is the feeling of the one who believes in the Emperor of the Keynes Empire and the Lord of Landhill, and who will become the mother of the future Empress.”
Carson eventually buried his face in Elena’s shoulder. If he didn’t, he would burst into tears at any moment.
This was comfort. A sensation he had never felt since he was born and had memories of it scratched his back hard as if it were an attack.
“It’ll be okay. So don’t worry. Ines, my daughter, is not weak.”
While Carson was unable to answer, Elena continued to speak calmly.
“So don’t be afraid anymore. It’s time to go and bring her back.”
“I will definitely bring her back safely.”
He nodded and answered politely as if he was making a promise to his mother. She should have told him not to do that, but Elena just silently patted his back. It was impossible for such a big man to feel so fragile.
There was no longer any wavering in his eyes as he raised his face. His heart, which had been unable to control itself due to fear, cooled down as cold as ice. His body no longer trembled.
“Noah.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“We will go.”
“I will follow your orders.”
“How many enemies are there?”
“According to what we know now, the number of soldiers gathered by the Imperial Knights and Manisuit is almost the same.”
“That’s a lot.”
“It seems like they’ve been preparing for quite some time. It seems like several prominent families are involved.”
“That must have been the case.”
“And...”
“What?”
Carson asked sharply when Noah trailed off.
“The Count and Countess Swenden have arrived from Landhill.”
Carson touched his forehead. They should have arrived at the palace last week, but for some reason, news came that the Swendens would arrive two days before the wedding.
However, since Ines had disappeared, he had completely forgotten about the Count and Countess Swenden, who should have arrived yesterday.
“Where should I go?”
“They’ll be here soon.”
For the first time in his life, Carson realized what it meant to be ashamed. Now that Ines had clearly been kidnapped, how on earth was he supposed to face her parents?
Carson took a deep breath and hurried to meet the parents of the woman he loved.
And soon the three sat down in the reception room of the Empress's palace that Ines used.
"I heard the story on the way here,"
Count Swenden began to speak as soon as he sat down politely. Elena Swenden, sitting next to him, had a pale face and was trembling slightly.
"Is it true that my daughter is now in the hands of the Duke of Manisut?"
Carson nodded his head without speaking aloud at the Count's question. He seemed to have already figured out everything that had happened in the palace when he came to meet the Emperor.
"So you're going to do something about it."
Carson's brow furrowed slightly at Count Swenden's words.
"Did you know something?"
"I know the general story through the letters Ines often sent me."
"I'm sorry."
The Count shook his head at the Emperor's apology.
"No. Rather..."
After deciding to trust and support Ines along with his wife Elena, Count Swenden made up his mind. No matter what storm came, he always kept his guard up and did not lose heart so as not to be the first bridge to collapse.
He knew why the Emperor was apologizing, but it was not yet time to hear his apology. Now was the time to think only about how to safely return his daughter.
“There is something that I need Your Majesty the Emperor to grant.”
“Permission?”
Count Swenden explained to the Emperor’s question.
Just as they were finishing preparing to come to the palace, an urgent letter arrived from Ines.
It said that the situation was not good and that she asked them to gather the military supplies and private soldiers that Ines had prepared and come together.
Although they hurried as much as possible to prepare the soldiers and supplies, it took five days. As a result, the day they arrived in the capital was also delayed by that much.
“Ines judged that something would happen before or right after the wedding.”
“That means... you’re here with Landhill’s soldiers?”
“Yes.”
Carson couldn’t answer, frowning and clenching his molars. Andrew’s heart also tightened when he saw his master and son-in-law in pain. However, there was no time to comfort each other now.
“We couldn’t cross the palace with the soldiers. So, Landhill’s soldiers are waiting outside the palace.”
Carson knew well that Ines had been gathering supplies and training the soldiers quite steadily. As a result, Landhill possessed the largest military force in the southern region. He had also heard that Ines had recently brought in a newly modified Yamanta gun to Landhill. As expected from the largest trading post, all new products went through Landhill.
When he heard that from Ines, he thought so. The woman who would become his wife was still serious about buying guns.
Carson finally couldn’t bear it anymore and covered his face with his big hands. He felt like he would burst into tears if he let go of his heart.
Is there anything more hideous than a man who cries out after having his wife kidnapped the day before his wedding? He sat up, mocking himself.
“We can’t attack rashly since Ines is in their hands.”
“I know.”
“Noah, bring the map.”
Carson spread out the map and pointed to Mount Elin, which was on the way to Reuben. He then pointed with his hand to the opposite side of the place where he would be stationed.
“Let’s station the Landhill army here.”
Count Swenden nodded resolutely, as befitting a lord who had a duty to participate in the war.
“We will advance as soon as we secure Ines’s new soldiers.”
“Understood.”
“We must not attack until we give the signal.”
With the help of Landhill, Carson's military power surpassed his opponent's. And his opponent still didn't realize it. The war was clearly tilted toward Carson's side.
Despite this, the Emperor's face did not brighten at all. Even if he won the war, protected the throne, and defeated the greatest enemy of the imperial family, what would it mean if Ines was not there?
Ines may have predicted this situation. That the two could part so vainly...
Maybe that was why she had come to find him alone and walked down the cold hallway that spring night.
"Countess Swenden."
When Carson called Elena in a low voice, her trembling eyes turned to him.
"I'm ashamed."
Elena eventually burst into tears. They were tears that contained the foolishness of a mother who had hoped her daughter would live an ordinary and warm life like her.
However, Elena soon calmed down. Her eyes were filled with a light and the sobs that had burst out quickly subsided. Elena slowly stood up from her seat.
"Your Majesty."
Carson’s throat tightened at the voice that resembled Ines.
“When I first heard that Ines had been kidnapped, I blamed Your Majesty for nothing.”
“Honey.”
Andrew tried to dissuade her with sad eyes. However, Carson shook his head and prevented Andrew from coming forward. Only after hearing that Elena blamed him did he feel like he could breathe a little.
“One, this is just the feelings of an ordinary mother who only wishes for her child’s safety.”
Elena looked at the Emperor who bowed his head in front of her with longing.
Even though he looked like a huge mountain, he was still just a young man to Elena, like her own child. She slowly approached Carson and held his hand. Carson’s body trembled at the warmth.
When their eyes met, Elena barely managed to raise the corners of her mouth and smile.
“While Your Majesty the Emperor and my husband are out fighting for justice, I will be checking to see if my daughter’s wedding is ready.”
Carson raised his head and met Elena’s eyes at the unbelievable words. When his eyes met hers and shook uncontrollably, Elena pulled her hand and held him in her arms.
Only then in her arms did Carson realize that he had been trembling slightly since yesterday. There was no way Elena could not have known that he was trembling. She patted his back, which was not fully covered.
“This is the feeling of the one who believes in the Emperor of the Keynes Empire and the Lord of Landhill, and who will become the mother of the future Empress.”
Carson eventually buried his face in Elena’s shoulder. If he didn’t, he would burst into tears at any moment.
This was comfort. A sensation he had never felt since he was born and had memories of it scratched his back hard as if it were an attack.
“It’ll be okay. So don’t worry. Ines, my daughter, is not weak.”
While Carson was unable to answer, Elena continued to speak calmly.
“So don’t be afraid anymore. It’s time to go and bring her back.”
“I will definitely bring her back safely.”
He nodded and answered politely as if he was making a promise to his mother. She should have told him not to do that, but Elena just silently patted his back. It was impossible for such a big man to feel so fragile.
There was no longer any wavering in his eyes as he raised his face. His heart, which had been unable to control itself due to fear, cooled down as cold as ice. His body no longer trembled.
“Noah.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“We will go.”
“I will follow your orders.”
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