36. Side story 06
A large ship headed for Swanton, and a luxurious ship anchored a short distance away rocked leisurely. The ship, which had arrived just before the storm, was luxurious enough to be used by royalty.
Guinevis was a vacation spot frequented by high-ranking nobles, so it was not unusual for a fancy ship to stay there. It was just a little strange that no one knew the identity of the ship's owner.
The magnates of Guinevis would guess the ship's owner by mentioning the names of the nobles who visited the area each year. They would often say that a person who was absent from the ship was likely a married man traveling with his mistress, but this was not true.
Johannes sat in the luxurious ship's bedroom, his expressionless face blankly staring at the decoration in his hand. Where he should be. He gazed at the delicately detailed decoration of the Swanton Palace with its impressive pointed spires, then turned his hand upside down and poked at the fluffy pillow.
The pillow was so strong that it didn't tear, and he had the illusion that it was mocking him. He jumped up and stabbed it with a knife, and the pillow tore and feathers flew silently. Still angry, he was still holding his breath when he heard a noise outside.
"Your Majesty."
“Come in.”
Something was placed before his eyes as he smiled softly, hiding his distorted expression.
“I found this while tailing a businessman’s entourage.”
Johannes' eyes lit up strangely as he saw the small stick covered in dirt. Only then did the puzzle come together. Damien had really come here. He had clearly come in search of his wife, who was believed to be dead.
“Where are she now?”
“I confirmed that she was working as a tutor for a farm owner.”
“I’m not asking about her whereabouts right now!”
The life and death of a cripple who couldn't even act like a human being was not important to him. A distorted voice burst out of Johannes' vocal cords like a seizure.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
Johannes was breathing heavily, holding his temple. It had been King Erno who had come to see him a while ago and had handed him a piece of jewelry in passing. The piece, which he had brought to remind him of his homeland, was definitely Swanton’s.
“They say it was brought by a businessman who visited Guinevis.”
The gorgeous craftwork Erno presented was not a common, ready-made product that a mere businessman could obtain. It was natural for Johannes to frown.
“This is an item that was displayed in the royal palace.”
“Well, then I guess some royal family member came to visit in secret while hiding his identity?”
Erno sipped his wine and smiled nonchalantly. It was then that Johannes sensed something strange. The King of the duchy, who always reminded him of a sinister crow, was looking at him with a meaningful glint in his eyes.
“You must be frustrated living locked up. Would you like to go on a vacation to Guinevis?”
Their current relationship was based on the logic that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The common enemy of both Johannes and Erno was Damien. Erno gave Johannes a villa in a remote forest and provided him with a comfortable life where everything was possible, but that meant that he was watching his every move.
Now that the situation in Swanton has stabilized, it was to prevent Johannes from pretending that his aid had never happened and running away to his homeland to reclaim the throne. The Carter leader, who seemed like a rascal on the outside, was a cruel person who could kill his own confidants without blinking an eye.
At first glance, it seemed like he would fit in well with Johannes in many ways, but the current situation was problematic. Erno, who had no sense of duty or guilt, was the kind of person who would make a deal with the King of Swanton in exchange for Johannes' head if necessary.
The fact that he suddenly suggested a vacation meant only one thing: something had appeared that would pique Erno's interest. It was the appearance of Damien.
“Why don’t you move yourself?”
“Um... I don’t think I ever said I wouldn’t move.”
Erno tilted his head and smiled, and the excitement he had been hiding in his eyes slowly showed. It was a promise to move behind the scenes without showing it. It was indeed a human word that would use all sorts of dirty tricks, but there was no reason for Johannes to refuse. Johannes would kill Damien himself and restore the legitimacy of the royal family, and Erno would step back and pretend to watch everything while secretly taking action. It was the only way to solve everything without bringing the conflict between the nations to the surface.
“It has been confirmed that the Duke of Tisse is currently staying at the private villa owned by the farm owner.”
Johannes, who had been smiling with his lips twisted, furrowed his eyebrows at his subordinate's report.
“How dare you give a title to a traitor?”
“I made a mistake, it became a habit...”
It was something he could do back in Swanton, to cut off the neck of the subordinate who seemed to be laughing at him. Johannes bit back a curse with his lips pressed together, then smiled kindly.
“Then let’s go see my cousin.”
Chloe's wish to enter the mansion as quietly as possible was not fulfilled. She ended up running into Ricardo's entire family in the garden, who had started eating breakfast early that morning. Stella looked surprised when she saw Chloe appearing with Damien, but then she realized that today was the day of departure and smiled broadly.
“You’re finally leaving!”
“Yes, that’s why I came to say goodbye.”
Damien looked at Stella and smiled.
“Don’t do that. Just sit here and eat with me.”
Stella was furious as she ordered two new sets of dishes to be brought in.
“Did you experience any inconvenience during your stay?”
“Not at all, it was the best visit.”
“Then that’s good.”
“I even found a wife, so it couldn’t be better.”
Stella, who had been distracted by the twins' whining, blinked her black eyelashes a couple of times.
“What are you looking for?”
Chloe opened her mouth to try to sort out the situation, clutching her napkin tightly.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Stella...”
“Hey! Why is this gentleman touching Miss Claire’s back?”
Everyone, including Chloe, froze for a moment at the words of Stella's second son, Luca, who suddenly appeared from behind.
“I was giving you courage because you seemed to be shaking.”
The only one who wasn't flustered was Damien, who was smiling brightly while running his fingertips down Chloe's back. During the Ricardo family's breakfast time, which should have been lively, the only thing that could be heard was the chirping of mountain birds amidst the silence of those who were at a loss for words, which was unusual.
“...Congratulations!!!”
Ricardo broke the tension by raising his voice so loudly that his well-groomed moustache twirled. Instead of champagne, he poured a glass of white wine, which had been prepared as an aperitif, into Damien's glass.
“I knew this would happen. Ahem.”
“No, what is he saying now... Ms. Claire, you’re not right? You’re not right?”
Stella's lips opened silently as she watched Chloe drop her eyes without saying anything. It was the first time in her life that Ms. Claire had gone out for an overnight stay. And the businessman who showed up with her in the morning meant only one thing.
“Hahaha! Isn’t the fate between a man and a woman decided in one night?”
“I am also happy that you are happy about my work as if it were my own.”
Damien lifted his glass, moistened his lips, and raised his well-defined eyebrows. Even if it was just his imagination that the wine tasted exquisite, he wanted to promise one thing.
“Once trade is normalized, we will make sure that no one in Swanton does not knows this wine.”
“But Mr. Taylor is leaving today...!”
“Yes, I plan to leave with my wife.”
“What did you say?”
Stella rolled her eyes, thinking that only the men of the Principality had short tempers, but the humans of Swanton were even worse.
“If Your Grace will accept her resignation, I will spare no effort in supporting Miss Sophie to gain valuable experience at Swanton Palace.”
“As expected! You’re really manly. Haha.”
Stella gaped in shock, while Ricardo laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with his decision. The sudden resignation of her tutor must have been disappointing for Sophie, but the prospect of her child studying abroad was also quite an enticing prospect.
“How on earth do I explain this to Sophie...?”
Stella muttered, showing her bewilderment at the sudden situation that had come without warning. Chloe gave her a guilty look.
“I’ll talk to Sophie myself. Where is she now?”
“She slept at Marimo’s house yesterday and decided to come back later. The gentleman from the house who went to the capital to attend the National Assembly said he brought a bunch of delicious snacks.”
"Ah."
“You’d better put everything away in case Sophie throws a tantrum. Oh my, what the hell is going on?”
As the hectic breakfast continued, Damien's entourage came running in. The ship they were supposed to board had been damaged by a storm the night before and was delayed by a day for internal repairs.
“Oh. I’ve already unpacked everything from the villa. What should I do?”
Ricardo waved his hand as Damien clicked his tongue lowly and opened his mouth.
“Is there anything to worry about? You can stay at our mansion.”
“We sincerely appreciate your kindness.”
Stella sighed and got up in front of Damien, who nodded without even refusing. She had vaguely expected it when she saw Claire, who had left to meet the missionary, appear with the businessman in the morning, but what she had never expected had finally happened. How on earth did that sly person manage to seduce the iron-clad teacher? In Stella’s eyes, Chloe looked like a lamb whose neck had been bitten by a wicked wolf.
“I’m really sorry for this sudden turn of events, Mrs. Stella.”
Chloe looked at Stella and lowered her head. Stella knew that there was nothing she could do in this situation. Trying to put out a blazing fire would only make things worse. She smiled cheerfully and got up from her seat.
“I will prepare a guest room for you.”
It was the last act of kindness Stella could show to the teacher who had treated Sophie like a daughter.
After dinner, Chloe had a quiet conversation with Stella in her private living room. It was the same place as when she had come to interview for the tutor, but the feeling was completely different. Stella held her hand tightly and seriously asked her if she really wanted to marry an indifferent man who couldn't even remember her name. She remembered Damien calling her by her real name several times. Chloe couldn't tell her the truth, so she could only nod slightly and say that it was so.
“What should I do if Sophie is suddenly alone?”
Stella sighed as Chloe bit her lip and pulled away.
“Don’t worry about that now. You know how much Sophie has grown thanks to you, Miss Claire.”
"But..."
“She can’t stay wrapped in the teacher’s skirt forever.”
Chloe, who spent the afternoon with Sophie when she returned from Marimo's house, could sense how upset the child was.
“Teacher, have you found your courage now?”
“Yeah. Thanks to Sophie.”
Her heart ached at the sight of the child smiling brightly, unable to hide her sad expression.
“Actually, I think I’m more upset than Sophie.”
Stella, who had been momentarily surprised by Chloe's sincerity flowing out without her knowing, smiled softly.
“We all wish you happiness, teacher. And I’m sure little Sophie does too.”
“...”
“She’s my daughter, but isn’t she so cute? I’m so scared that she’ll do something bad when she grows up.”
Chloe smiled slightly with reddened eyes in front of Stella, who lightened the mood with a joke.
“Sophie is smart, so I’m sure she’ll be able to overcome it wisely.”
She also knew in her mind that the time would come when she would have to say goodbye to her child. The fact that she saw Sophie as a child she had lost without ever meeting was a secret that she kept hidden.
“Thank you, Mrs. Stella.”
Chloe smiled, hiding her tears. Stella spread her arms as if she knew how she felt.
“I’m always on Ms. Claire’s side. If you want a divorce, you can kick him out and come back. We have more than enough kids for Claire to teach.”
How can a mother who has given birth show such a relaxed strength? Stella gently held her in her arms as she smiled with wet eyes. A nice scent came from her warm embrace.
When Chloe returned to her room, she was startled and couldn't help but check the door. There was clearly a sign hanging there that she and Sophie had made together.
'Sophie's pretty teacher's room
“What are you doing here?”
Damien, who was sitting on the chair, smiled at her.
“I waited for you.”
“I believe this isn’t the guest room.”
“I still can’t figure out what that couple expects from us, seeing as they insisted on having my room next to yours.”
Chloe's cheeks flushed. She forced her expression to harden as she crossed the room and opened the window slightly. He turned around and lightly grabbed her arms, and Chloe's body collapsed against him. Chloe took a deep breath and looked at him.
"Your Majesty."
Damien smiled slightly as he heard the title that first came out of her mouth. The words he had heard countless times over the past two years were just Chloe's voice, and his mouth was watering. A very delicious imagination flashed through the young King's mind.
"Yes?"
“Could you please keep some dignity?”
“It seems impossible.”
Chloe opened her eyes seriously as she looked at Damien, who was whispering and smiling.
“Why?”
“I am not a King before you, but a pitiful, boiling-blooded man.”
“I think you may be misunderstanding the meaning of the word pitiful.”
“Isn’t there any sympathy for the King who was abandoned by his Queen?”
Chloe blinked, her mouth hardened, and finally opened her mouth in a determined voice.
“I think we really needed some time apart to think.”
Damien, who had been quietly watching her become extremely serious, eventually nodded and muttered as if talking to himself.
“Well, I guess you were okay.”
The meaningful voice somehow made her feel uneasy.
“Because you must have seen my face every day.”
“What are you talking about...”
Jjang.
How did he find that? There was no way that bad habit would go away. If she ever saw Priscilla again, she would definitely tell her about her son’s kleptomania. Chloe opened her eyes to see the pendant hanging open from Damien’s long fingers.
“Hand it here.”
“No portrait could ever capture what we looked like at that moment.”
Chloe couldn't deny his words. At that time, she was literally swimming in happiness. She believed the words of Daisy at the post office, who said that only good things would happen in Tisse after the Duchess came, and she was immersed in the sweet magic of the cake that Damien had made.
“Hurry up and give it to me!”
The truth that she didn't want to admit deep down inside was about to be revealed by him.
“What do you need when the real thing is right in front of you?”
Chloe's eyes widened as she saw Damien swing his arm out the open window and blast the pendant away. She pushed him away with all her might and went to the window, but the night was pitch black and she couldn't see the necklace. As she was about to leave the room to find the necklace, Damien pushed the door hard with his hand.
“What are you doing, really?”
He opened his mouth, trapping her between himself and the door as Chloe grabbed the doorknob and became genuinely angry.
“Weren’t you looking for that?”
Chloe's eyes followed where Damien was nodding. The shiny ornaments were neatly placed on the table. Chloe bit her lips tightly and clenched her fists, barely suppressing her anger. If this were the forest and not Sophie's house, she could have screamed loudly.
“I really...”
She stood with her back to the door and looked at Damien with longing eyes.
“I hate you so much I could die.”
Damien didn't even blink at the words she spoke with sincerity.
“I’m dying to hold you.”
“I want to slap you.”
“No, I won’t. Then can I hit you somewhere else?”
Even the way Damien's hand, snickering, moves down her waist and lightly taps her secret spot feels like teasing her.
“Like last night.”
Their eyes met in midair as Chloe grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down toward her.
“Is this really so?”
“I understand. When I see you, I just want to keep provoking you.”
When she was with him, she felt like she was back in her teenage years. Chloe hated him, but she liked him, and she hated him so much that she hated him, but when he got hurt, she felt bad. Chloe decided she would never show him a smile, but when she saw his handsome face smiling at her, she couldn't control her expression. Wait. This is something Stella often said about Ricardo...
“...Are these a couple?”
Damien burst out laughing when Chloe finally whispered with a shocked expression on her face. He could sense her seriousness. He kissed her and whispered.
“Yeah. This is a couple, Chloe.”
Damien picked her up without warning. The small room, where a gentle breeze blew, was even more modest than Chloe’s bedroom at Verdier. The barracks where Damien had stayed during the war probably weren’t that small.
“The bed will be cramped.”
Chloe opened her mouth slightly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“That would be better.”
Damien sat her down on the small bed and smiled as he knelt on the floor.
“I can lie you on top of me and sleep.”
“...”
“I can fall asleep to the sound of your heartbeat as a lullaby.”
Chloe had to press her lips together without realizing it. You're crazy, Chloe. His sly words sounded so sweet. Was she really falling for him? For the same person, twice.
Chloe muttered to him as he casually lifted her skirt.
“I lost my cane again.”
Whenever she's with him, she feels like she's always in a state of fluster. To be exact, she's so focused on him that she can't even look away.
“Now I can walk without a cane, just with a walker.”
Damien took the brace off her leg and held it in his hand, examining it closely. His eyebrows were drawn together between his eyebrows, perhaps because the object did not suit his taste. But instead of expressing his feelings, Damien pressed the wire hard. Chloe now felt that he was being considerate, knowing exactly where the slight looseness caused the injury and silently fixing it.
“If you walk without a cane, your limp is more obvious.”
"So?"
Damien looked at her with a look that said, “What’s the big deal?” Chloe swallowed hard and tried to suppress her trembling voice as she opened her mouth calmly.
“It means I can’t hide the fact that I can’t walk properly.”
“You have nothing to hide.”
Damien looked straight at her and blurted out without a moment's hesitation. Chloe's next words, facing him, came out a little late.
“...Would people really be happy with a Queen who is sick?”
The positions of the Duchess and the Queen could not be the same. Although both were of high rank, the latter was the one representing the national prestige.
“I’m not saying this to put you down, just so you don’t misunderstand.”
"I know."
Damien cut her off, then continued speaking with a look in his eyes as if he had read Chloe's mind.
“I won’t let others judge your worth, but if there’s anyone who laughs at you...”
Damien's eyes darkened as he kissed her bare legs. Her heart raced again as she looked into his blue eyes, which had lost all playfulness.
“In the name of Tisse, I bet his head on you as a gift.”
“…l...A gift?”
"Yes."
At first, the cruel words sent shivers down her spine, and then she burst into laughter. This man is truly unstoppable. Does he really think that she will be happy with this blood-dripping gift when he says such things?
“You said it.”
Chloe looked at him and asked with a sigh.
“Do you know that you are the type of person who doesn’t hear good things about yourself even when you do good things to others?”
“Because it’s the leader’s job to get criticized even when doing good things.”
Chloe continued speaking, looking at Damien, who was smiling innocently without showing any sign of displeasure.
“Would things have been different if you had not become King?”
“Well, I’ve never really thought about wanting to hear nice things from other people.”
“So I hesitated whether I should say this or not.”
Damien stopped talking after Chloe's additional words. Of course, if it were her, the meaning would be different. Chloe slowly opened her mouth toward Damien, who was watching her carefully as if he wouldn't miss even a single breath.
“I have never forgotten you.”
Damien's beautiful lips curved upwards in a satisfying curve.
“Even when I hated you so much that I could hardly breathe, my heart would beat painfully whenever I thought of you.”
A gorgeous smile that captivated the other person was completely settled on his face. Chloe let out a quick breath as she watched the man who had no intention of hiding his emotions. Chloe, too, learned not to give up on her desires thanks to him.
“Make me your Queen.”
Promise me your everlasting love.
Damien, kneeling on one knee at her feet, gazed deeply into her eyes.
“Give me the confidence to swear my chivalry to you.”
He must have been the only man in the world who could make Chloe completely shed the last layer of protective veil she had built around herself.
“I love you, Damien.”
The moment the words that were rising to the tip of her chin came out of her mouth, Chloe laughed. The joy that burst like fireworks in Damien's eyes was so unique. He lowered his head and whispered.
“I am yours forever.”
“...”
“From the moment we first met.”
Chloe closed her eyes as she felt his lips, filled with endless affection, passionately kissing the instep of her foot that had been frozen for a long time. Her slender legs twitched slightly.
The storm of two days ago seemed like a lie, but the day had cleared up. The ship was scheduled to set sail at noon, but Chloe could barely sleep. It wasn't just because Damien seemed to be trying to force himself on the marital duties he had been unable to fulfill during the time they were apart.
Although her life in the duchy was not long, she had many memories. The paintings she had drawn with Sophie, the hair ornaments that Madame Stella had given her as a gift, the clothes she had embroidered, and the books she had bought with her salary alone filled her large suitcase.
Damien just laughed as he watched the things appearing one after another in her small room, and didn't move a finger. Although he agreed with the logic that he couldn't touch his wife's things, Chloe felt a little annoyed when she saw him lying sideways on the bed, having all the free time he had.
“Can’t you leave behind things like a first aid kit?”
When Damien said something to Chloe, who was almost fighting with her suitcase, she groaned and shook her head.
“You never know when you might suddenly get sick.”
“There is a doctor on board, too.”
“The doctor may be sick and lying down.”
He wanted to hear her ask for help at least once, but Chloe, who had finally succeeded in locking her bag on her own, stood up with a relieved expression. Damien, who was looking at Chloe like that, had complicated feelings despite his relaxed expression. This was because it was no different from confirming the fact that the woman who had not thrown away even a single note and kept it carefully was in such a desperate situation that she ran away with nothing.
“Um... I guess I’ll just take this and go...”
Damien licked his lips with his tongue as he watched Chloe putting on her necklace while muttering softly in the mirror. He recalled the carriage ride back from the vineyard, and the tension from that time rose again. As if to prove what she said about her not liking him and his touch being creepy, goosebumps appeared on her slender arms that were barely a handful.
It was natural for him to be nervous. It was a disaster. He was not the type of person who could look at his wife like a work of art. He had felt a strong sexual desire even when they first met, even though he had felt a liking for her.
If he hadn't found the pendant in her dropped handbag, he would have really believed it. Her cute lie that she didn't love him. But Chloe Verdier was not someone who could carry around the face of someone she didn't like, no matter what the circumstances.
Damien approached Chloe and clicked the buckle on her pendant, putting it on for her.
“Why don’t you put this in your bag?”
“...Because my luggage might get mixed up and get lost? Of course, you should carry the most important things with you.”
Damien swallowed dryly as he watched Chloe shrug her shoulders as if asking why he was asking such an obvious question. He wanted to beat her up for lying to him like this. In a secret way, of course.
“I have to go out.”
It was when Chloe pushed his shoulders with both hands as he tilted his head to kiss her.
“You must leave now.”
He heard Lawrence Taylor's voice behind the door, coughing. Damien held back a sigh as Chloe raised her voice, telling him not to miss the opportunity and come in. The return trip to Swanton would take five days by boat. He wanted to have her all to himself, where there would be no disturbance.
"Your Majesty."
Lawrence Taylor, who went down the stairs with his luggage, checked his surroundings and cautiously called him. Lawrence, who met Damien’s blue eyes, swallowed dryly in nervousness without realizing it.
"What?"
"That is..."
Lawrence, who had been hesitating, finally opened his mouth.
“It may be my imagination, but I feel like someone is following me. I think I saw the same face at the inn yesterday, a few days ago.”
Damien looked at him for a moment and was silent. Lawrence Taylor, although he didn’t realize it, was a man who had a good sense and luck. It was a story that would make Weiss frown, but there was also an intuitive reason behind his hiring Lawrence as his attendant.
“It seems like you’re very nervous because the journey has been long.”
“Yes, but...”
“Still, it’s not a bad idea to prepare for an emergency, so should we prepare a bit?”
As Damien added, Lawrence, who had been feeling uneasy, finally let out a long breath and lowered his head.
“Yes, just let me do whatever I want.”
“There is only one way from here to the port, through the remote forests to the west.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“We head east, take an express train to Trivani, the capital of the principality, and from there take another boat to Swanton.”
It was Damien's second plan, in case something happened. Lawrence Taylor swallowed hard as he realized why Damien had made him memorize the map of Guinevis and the surrounding area.
“Just leave it to me...!”
“And one more thing.”
Damien added, grinning at him.
“After you sort out all the weapons in my bag, make sure they’re ready for me to use whenever I want.”
The twenty suitcases brought from Swanton were filled not only with souvenirs but also with weapons that could be used to raid a small town at any moment.
Could this mean that there might be bloodshed? Damien tapped his shoulder, which had become tense and stiff.
“Next year at this time, we’ll be drinking and reminiscing about today, whether something dangerous happens or not.”
Lawrence realized who he was talking to. Lawrence Taylor clenched his fists as he watched Damien smile at his wife, who had called him.
The leader of the leaders, who never blinked even in the face of danger, believed in him. He would never let him down, who gave him the strength not to give up on the long-cherished project he had been pursuing his entire life. His determination was evident in the movements he made as he wiped his nose with his chubby hand.
Even after Damien's attendants sweated profusely and loaded the luggage onto the carriage, Sophie was nowhere to be seen.
“Sophie probably doesn’t want to say goodbye. I hope Ms. Claire understands. In fact, I also want to hold onto Claire and not let you go.”
Chloe bit her lip as she looked at Stella, who was holding the twin babies in her arms and giving her an apologetic look.
"Hei."
Damien, who had just finished greeting Ricardo, wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“You have a lot of luggage, so you should go now!”
Claire listened to Lawrence's loud words, kissed Stella on both cheeks, and greeted the servants one by one before regretfully leaving. She searched everywhere in the mansion where Sophie might be, but she couldn't find the child. Of course, she didn't think this would be the last time, but she still wanted to hug the child and say goodbye. Sophie, who was about to hand over her favorite teddy bear, dazzled her with blue eyes that resembled Damien's.
“...Chloe?”
Chloe, who had been walking deep in thought, raised her head at Damien's call.
“I asked if there was enough material to write the letter.”
“Oh, yes. Why is that?”
“I think it would be a good idea to write a letter to your family in advance on the ship.”
It was practical advice to write a letter to those who might be surprised, informing them of the current situation in advance.
“Yes, of course. Don’t worry. I have enough stationery and ink. I can write to Sophie later too...”
Damien suddenly stopped walking as Chloe trailed off.
“What a cute kid.”
“She’s really smart. She’s so smart that she can memorize an entire book.”
“I heard that she has a rather prickly and sensitive personality.”
“She was just hurt because her younger siblings stole all of her mother’s attention. She was such a warm-hearted child.”
Chloe opened her eyes wide and raised her voice slightly. Damien tilted his head slightly as he watched her strongly defend Sophie.
“You really did love that child like your own daughter.”
Damien didn't miss Chloe biting her lip and avoiding her wavering gaze. Ricardo's words that he treated Sophie like his own child were probably not an exaggeration. He could well imagine how Chloe must be feeling now, having to leave without even saying goodbye to Sophie. The time she had a hard time after losing her child, and the wounds of having to leave alone while feeling the value of even the smallest things, must still be hidden somewhere deep inside her.
“Should we just go find Sophie and kidnap her to Swanton?”
Chloe looked at him with wide eyes, a look of horror on her face. She grabbed his arm, as if afraid that Stella might hear.
“Go, hurry.”
Instead of walking away, Damien faced her.
“Chloe.”
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, I don’t want to listen.”
“Can you guess where Sophie might be hiding?”
Chloe blinked at him doubtfully. He lowered his head and met her beautiful blue eyes.
“Let’s say goodbye to Sophie and leave.”
“...Are you serious?”
Chloe's eyes were cautious as she confirmed his intentions.
"Yes."
Damien smiled and lowered his lips.
“Because I’m weak until I give you a daughter.”
Chloe realized that he had read her mind and was left speechless.
She searched the backyard oak tree, the closet in the bedroom, and even under the sofa in the living room, but Sophie was nowhere to be found. At first, Stella didn't think much of it, but later she became serious and called Sophie's name loudly, then let out a short "Ah!"
“I sent a cart to clean up the villa this morning. Did someone sneak in there?”
“...That could be possible.”
Chloe's face flushed a little as she told her child the story of the girl who escaped in a wagon.
“If you will lend me your horse, I will go and look at the villa. How about you look for a house?”
“Yes, I have a favor to ask. Just in case, I should go to Marimo’s house too.”
Damien put Chloe on the horse first, then jumped on.
“I’ll run a little faster.”
Damien looked at Chloe sitting behind him and muttered softly. It seemed that if they were going to run fast, it would be better for her to ride behind. Feeling the strength in the hand that was holding his back, Damien kicked the horse’s belly with all his might.
Chloe gasped for breath as she felt the wind behind him as he rode quickly. In fact, if it were his nature, he could have just pretended not to notice and left, but he didn't. Instead of dismissing it as a brief farewell, he recognized her heart that was not moving.
As soon as they arrived at the villa, Chloe looked inside. Just as Stella had said, the interior was neatly organized. Even Damien's few belongings were missing.
“I don’t think there are any on the first floor.”
“I see.”
After tying up the horse at the back of the villa instead of the front, Damien returned. Slowly and carefully looking around, Damien was somehow even securing the villa door. Chloe turned her steps to the second floor while watching him check the lock on the window.
“...”
What struck her as odd was when she found a pair of red shoes lying at the top of the stairs on the second floor. As Chloe picked up Sophie's shoes and stood up, she froze in place.
Sophie was holding her mouth with a man's hand, and tears were falling down her face. The corners of Sophie's eyes, her mouth gagged, were wet and clammy. Was he a robber? It was a miracle that a child held by a man with a gun did not lose consciousness.
Chloe had an instinct that if she made a wrong move in this situation, Sophie would be in danger. But she didn't know what to do. Her legs were shaking so much that it was hard to even stand. The man asked Chloe in a small voice.
“Is Tisse here?”
Chloe's eyebrows drew together. If the man was simply a robber, there was no way she would know Damien's identity.
“Chloe!”
Damien's voice shouting from downstairs reached Chloe's ears, who couldn't speak. The man smiled meaningfully and nodded to Chloe.
“Answer him.”
Chloe bit her lip as she heard the man's words, and he put the gun to the child's head. Chloe clenched her fist once and raised her voice.
“Yes! Adele is here!”
After calling out another name instead of Sophie's, Chloe continued speaking in a trembling voice.
“I guess you were sad to leave so suddenly...!”
Please. Chloe desperately hoped Damien would notice the sign she had given.
“I see.”
Damien's footsteps creaked up the walnut stairs, getting closer. The moment the man aimed his shotgun at the spiral staircase, a gunshot was heard behind her.
“Ugh...! Teacher...!”
As the man whose heart had been pierced by a bullet fell to the ground without even a final scream, Sophie ran to Chloe with a bright red face. As Chloe turned around, holding the child in her arms, she saw Damien with a smoking gun in his hand.
“It’s a good thing Ricardo’s gun is always loaded.”
Chloe let out a sigh of relief and nervousness before taking the child's hand and walking towards Damien.
“The man knew who you were. He wasn’t just a robber.”
“We have to get out of here right now.”
Damien wasn't surprised to hear her words. It meant that he had already guessed the situation. Chloe held him with her brown eyes wide open.
“Damien, what the hell happened?”
“It looks like Johannes found me.”
Damien quickly walked downstairs, supporting Chloe, who felt as if her heart was falling to the floor.
“Get on your horse and go back to the mansion and tell Lawrence Taylor to carry out the plan immediately. He’ll understand.”
"...How about you?"
Damien wrapped his arms around her confused neck and kissed her forehead, whispering in a clear voice.
“We must deal with the obstacles so that you can arrive safely, my love.”
The sound of gunfire made it obvious that if there were any nearby gang members, they would be coming this way. Damien’s mind began to spin quickly. It became clear that Lawrence Taylor’s words about being followed were true. As he had previously thought, the best way to attack Damien from the enemy’s perspective was to attack the carriage heading to the port. That was the most efficient way to get from Ricardo’s mansion to the port, which required passing through a remote forest path.
He had also taken into account the possibility that John might storm into where he was staying. However, if that was the case, he expected that the assassin would be sent to Ricardo's mansion rather than the villa that had been empty since yesterday.
The variable was that while he was looking around here and there, thinking that he would definitely have planted someone in the empty villa, he unconsciously ignored Johan until the very end. Damn it.
“Chloe, can you ride a horse?”
Damien quickly gathered his thoughts. Right now, the most important thing is not regret, but a solution. It was definitely dangerous to confront Chloe and Sophie in that situation. Chloe nodded to Damien's question.
"... Yes."
“I know a shortcut that will get you there faster...!”
Damien smiled gently as he watched Sophie raise her voice.
“You are brave and clever. You are trustworthy.”
Chloe bit her lip as she watched Damien affectionately lower himself to the child's level and stroke her head. As she watched him and the child looking at each other, she felt a warm wetness somewhere in her chest. She wondered why she was so slow to realize her feelings, but now was not the time to be sentimental. It was when Chloe took a deep breath and grabbed Sophie's hand.
“Let’s go, Sophie.”
Bang!
There was a gunshot, and a hole was made in the doorknob.
Damien's eyebrows twitched sharply. Chloe's eyes widened as she held the child tightly, filled with fear.
The door that was about to open slammed shut. With a thud, the man with his neck broken to the side was thrown to the floor, and Damien got up. Chloe could only cover her mouth with both hands and chew her lips until they bled, looking through the crack of the door at the shadows of those randomly rushing at him.
“Isn’t there anything you guys can do but show your fucking incompetence!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
It was then that the sound of a gunshot rang out. Chloe saw Damien’s hand wearing an old glove. The moment she saw the red blood flowing out of the leather glove that had lost its original color due to wear and aging, Chloe’s eyes froze. Her body, which covered her mouth, trembled like an aspen tree.
“I finally feel a little better.”
Chloe saw Damien slowly walking forward through the crack in the door. Johannes’s henchmen rushed at him and tied his arms as he did not fight back. Soon, Johan came over and twisted his lips as he looked at Damien.
“I wanted to see you, Johan. Why are you showing up now?”
As the blood drained from Damien's face, his blue eyes seemed even colder and more frozen.
“I waited for the right time.”
“Don’t you think it’s too late?”
At Johannes's nod, one of his henchmen kicked his leg from behind and made him fall to his knees. Damien's beautiful blond hair was grabbed firmly.
“Wouldn’t it be a shame for me to be the only one to witness the moment when the invincible Tisse falls to his knees?”
Damien laughed softly, his head forced up.
“Yeah, if I were you, I’d guillotine you in front of everyone in Swanton.”
Johannes snorted as he listened to him. He wanted to rip out Demian's blue eyes that seemed to look down at him strangely as his head rose.
“You’d better wake up early, Damien, because I have no intention of letting you set foot on Swanton soil again.”
“Why, do you intend to make a sacrifice here with my blood?”
Johannes frowned at Damien's question, which he blurted out without hesitation. Damien, realizing that he had hit the nail on the head, continued.
“Are you still taking pagan women with you? Does the head of the principality, who was supposed to be watching over you, also follow superstitions?”
“If you don’t shut up, there’ll be another bullet hole.”
“I don’t really mean to criticize you. I’ve been a believer in God for quite some time now. I’m just curious.”
Johannes gritted his teeth as he felt himself getting more and more involved as the conversation went on. Next to him, his confidant spoke quietly.
“Your Majesty, I think it would be best to leave this place before those who heard the gunshots come rushing in.”
"Shut up."
When Johannes glared at him with a face that had lost its smile, his confidant shut his mouth. Damien spat out a serious piece of advice to him.
“It’s best not to ignore the words of a smart person, Johan.”
“I want to do that too, but I can’t see any other prey.”
Johannes bared his fierce teeth, not missing the slight twitching of Damien's eyebrows. Now that he knew that Damien had come all this way for a woman, he couldn't resist the urge to tear her limbs apart in front of him.
“Where is the woman?”
“While you were busy putting bullet holes in me, I must have taken her somewhere safe, right?”
“...”
“I’m a pretty affectionate husband.”
Damien's voice, as he laughed, sounded leisurely, but Chloe's ears could hear the pain of his heavy breathing. Chloe couldn't bear it anymore. She felt foolish for herself to be hiding while her husband was bleeding and could die at any moment. If Damien died, what good would it do to survive alone?
Sophie gently grabbed the collar of her clothes as she clenched her teeth and struggled. Chloe met Sophie’s eyes in the space where only a single ray of light was dimly entering.
When she saw those blue eyes filled with worry, tension, and fear, she barely regained her senses. Chloe clenched her fists so tightly that her short nails dug into her palms. Right now, she had no choice but to trust Damien, her husband. She could not give up her life and the life of the child, whom Damien had risked his life to protect.
You have to be brave, Chloe. She can almost hear his voice in those blue eyes that remind her of Damien.
“You’re covered in blood, and yet your boasts are still sky-high, Damien.”
Johannes' voice was heard. Chloe's wet eyes sparkled with determination. Damien was just stalling for time. He must have been waiting for the people nearby to gather after hearing the gunshot.
“Don’t you know that you’re at rock bottom, marrying that worthless, crippled bitch...!”
It was then that Damien's feet, holding both arms, kicked Johan's chest hard. Chloe's eyes, which had been covering her mouth, vividly saw someone next to Johan, who was screaming as if in a fit of rage, hitting Damien's head hard with a chair. The soundless groan was blocked by her palm, and her brown eyes became bloodshot. It hurt as if her heart was being torn apart.
“Take him and go!”
Blood spread across the floor as Damien was dragged along like a piece of luggage with both arms held. Drops of blood also formed on Damien’s golden eyelashes. Chloe watched him stare at her until the very end, and only after the sound of horses and carriages had died down did she open the door to the display case.
“Let’s go, Sophie.”
She dragged her legs, which had become stiffer from having been bent over for so long, and gasped for breath. She thought she had to get out of here, but she had no idea where to start, how to do it, or what to do. The image of Damien, bleeding from holes in his shoulder and abdomen, kept coming back to her.
"...Teacher."
It was when Chloe, who was walking with her teeth clenched, saw Sophie tugging at the hem of her skirt. At the place where the child pointed with her finger, there was one of Damien's gloves lying down. When she picked up the glove, she saw letters written in blood on the floor.
Look forward to your gift, my love
“What... gift are you talking about...?”
Sophie looked at her with a still lingering expression of fear, her small forehead wrinkled. Chloe, who could not help but understand the meaning of the gift Damien had spoken of, finally burst out of her lips with a suppressed sob.
“If there is anyone who laughs at you, I swear on Tisse that I will cut off that person’s head and give it to you as a gift.”
Hot tears fell from Chloe's eyes as she sat on the floor, splashing blood. She stood up, holding his gloves tightly in her hands. Her mind was in chaos, but one thing was certain. Damien was the one who would make his words come true, no matter what.
As she walked out of the villa, holding Sophie's hand, she saw a large carriage approaching. Inside was the entire family, including Lawrence Taylor, whose face was a mess from being beaten.
“Sophie...!”
Stella, seeing Chloe covered in blood and Sophie standing next to her, ran over and hugged her daughter tightly.
"Mom..."
“My daughter, I would die without you!!!”
Ricardo approached Chloe with his lips pursed, holding a crumpled newspaper in his hand with Damien's face printed on it.
“This is the newspaper I saw when I went to Marimo’s house. What on earth is going on here? Mr. Taylor... Where is he now...?”
“Explanation later, Mr. Ricardo.”
After Chloe cut off Ricardo's confused words, she wiped her hot eyes with the back of her hand.
“Please help me find the fastest way to get there right now.”
"Where...?"
Chloe's thin eyelids fluttered as she squeezed her eyes shut. It was a critical situation where every moment counted, but that made it all the more important to make a certain decision.
A large ship headed for Swanton, and a luxurious ship anchored a short distance away rocked leisurely. The ship, which had arrived just before the storm, was luxurious enough to be used by royalty.
Guinevis was a vacation spot frequented by high-ranking nobles, so it was not unusual for a fancy ship to stay there. It was just a little strange that no one knew the identity of the ship's owner.
The magnates of Guinevis would guess the ship's owner by mentioning the names of the nobles who visited the area each year. They would often say that a person who was absent from the ship was likely a married man traveling with his mistress, but this was not true.
Johannes sat in the luxurious ship's bedroom, his expressionless face blankly staring at the decoration in his hand. Where he should be. He gazed at the delicately detailed decoration of the Swanton Palace with its impressive pointed spires, then turned his hand upside down and poked at the fluffy pillow.
The pillow was so strong that it didn't tear, and he had the illusion that it was mocking him. He jumped up and stabbed it with a knife, and the pillow tore and feathers flew silently. Still angry, he was still holding his breath when he heard a noise outside.
"Your Majesty."
“Come in.”
Something was placed before his eyes as he smiled softly, hiding his distorted expression.
“I found this while tailing a businessman’s entourage.”
Johannes' eyes lit up strangely as he saw the small stick covered in dirt. Only then did the puzzle come together. Damien had really come here. He had clearly come in search of his wife, who was believed to be dead.
“Where are she now?”
“I confirmed that she was working as a tutor for a farm owner.”
“I’m not asking about her whereabouts right now!”
The life and death of a cripple who couldn't even act like a human being was not important to him. A distorted voice burst out of Johannes' vocal cords like a seizure.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
Johannes was breathing heavily, holding his temple. It had been King Erno who had come to see him a while ago and had handed him a piece of jewelry in passing. The piece, which he had brought to remind him of his homeland, was definitely Swanton’s.
“They say it was brought by a businessman who visited Guinevis.”
The gorgeous craftwork Erno presented was not a common, ready-made product that a mere businessman could obtain. It was natural for Johannes to frown.
“This is an item that was displayed in the royal palace.”
“Well, then I guess some royal family member came to visit in secret while hiding his identity?”
Erno sipped his wine and smiled nonchalantly. It was then that Johannes sensed something strange. The King of the duchy, who always reminded him of a sinister crow, was looking at him with a meaningful glint in his eyes.
“You must be frustrated living locked up. Would you like to go on a vacation to Guinevis?”
Their current relationship was based on the logic that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The common enemy of both Johannes and Erno was Damien. Erno gave Johannes a villa in a remote forest and provided him with a comfortable life where everything was possible, but that meant that he was watching his every move.
Now that the situation in Swanton has stabilized, it was to prevent Johannes from pretending that his aid had never happened and running away to his homeland to reclaim the throne. The Carter leader, who seemed like a rascal on the outside, was a cruel person who could kill his own confidants without blinking an eye.
At first glance, it seemed like he would fit in well with Johannes in many ways, but the current situation was problematic. Erno, who had no sense of duty or guilt, was the kind of person who would make a deal with the King of Swanton in exchange for Johannes' head if necessary.
The fact that he suddenly suggested a vacation meant only one thing: something had appeared that would pique Erno's interest. It was the appearance of Damien.
“Why don’t you move yourself?”
“Um... I don’t think I ever said I wouldn’t move.”
Erno tilted his head and smiled, and the excitement he had been hiding in his eyes slowly showed. It was a promise to move behind the scenes without showing it. It was indeed a human word that would use all sorts of dirty tricks, but there was no reason for Johannes to refuse. Johannes would kill Damien himself and restore the legitimacy of the royal family, and Erno would step back and pretend to watch everything while secretly taking action. It was the only way to solve everything without bringing the conflict between the nations to the surface.
“It has been confirmed that the Duke of Tisse is currently staying at the private villa owned by the farm owner.”
Johannes, who had been smiling with his lips twisted, furrowed his eyebrows at his subordinate's report.
“How dare you give a title to a traitor?”
“I made a mistake, it became a habit...”
It was something he could do back in Swanton, to cut off the neck of the subordinate who seemed to be laughing at him. Johannes bit back a curse with his lips pressed together, then smiled kindly.
“Then let’s go see my cousin.”
***
Chloe's wish to enter the mansion as quietly as possible was not fulfilled. She ended up running into Ricardo's entire family in the garden, who had started eating breakfast early that morning. Stella looked surprised when she saw Chloe appearing with Damien, but then she realized that today was the day of departure and smiled broadly.
“You’re finally leaving!”
“Yes, that’s why I came to say goodbye.”
Damien looked at Stella and smiled.
“Don’t do that. Just sit here and eat with me.”
Stella was furious as she ordered two new sets of dishes to be brought in.
“Did you experience any inconvenience during your stay?”
“Not at all, it was the best visit.”
“Then that’s good.”
“I even found a wife, so it couldn’t be better.”
Stella, who had been distracted by the twins' whining, blinked her black eyelashes a couple of times.
“What are you looking for?”
Chloe opened her mouth to try to sort out the situation, clutching her napkin tightly.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Stella...”
“Hey! Why is this gentleman touching Miss Claire’s back?”
Everyone, including Chloe, froze for a moment at the words of Stella's second son, Luca, who suddenly appeared from behind.
“I was giving you courage because you seemed to be shaking.”
The only one who wasn't flustered was Damien, who was smiling brightly while running his fingertips down Chloe's back. During the Ricardo family's breakfast time, which should have been lively, the only thing that could be heard was the chirping of mountain birds amidst the silence of those who were at a loss for words, which was unusual.
“...Congratulations!!!”
Ricardo broke the tension by raising his voice so loudly that his well-groomed moustache twirled. Instead of champagne, he poured a glass of white wine, which had been prepared as an aperitif, into Damien's glass.
“I knew this would happen. Ahem.”
“No, what is he saying now... Ms. Claire, you’re not right? You’re not right?”
Stella's lips opened silently as she watched Chloe drop her eyes without saying anything. It was the first time in her life that Ms. Claire had gone out for an overnight stay. And the businessman who showed up with her in the morning meant only one thing.
“Hahaha! Isn’t the fate between a man and a woman decided in one night?”
“I am also happy that you are happy about my work as if it were my own.”
Damien lifted his glass, moistened his lips, and raised his well-defined eyebrows. Even if it was just his imagination that the wine tasted exquisite, he wanted to promise one thing.
“Once trade is normalized, we will make sure that no one in Swanton does not knows this wine.”
“But Mr. Taylor is leaving today...!”
“Yes, I plan to leave with my wife.”
“What did you say?”
Stella rolled her eyes, thinking that only the men of the Principality had short tempers, but the humans of Swanton were even worse.
“If Your Grace will accept her resignation, I will spare no effort in supporting Miss Sophie to gain valuable experience at Swanton Palace.”
“As expected! You’re really manly. Haha.”
Stella gaped in shock, while Ricardo laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with his decision. The sudden resignation of her tutor must have been disappointing for Sophie, but the prospect of her child studying abroad was also quite an enticing prospect.
“How on earth do I explain this to Sophie...?”
Stella muttered, showing her bewilderment at the sudden situation that had come without warning. Chloe gave her a guilty look.
“I’ll talk to Sophie myself. Where is she now?”
“She slept at Marimo’s house yesterday and decided to come back later. The gentleman from the house who went to the capital to attend the National Assembly said he brought a bunch of delicious snacks.”
"Ah."
“You’d better put everything away in case Sophie throws a tantrum. Oh my, what the hell is going on?”
As the hectic breakfast continued, Damien's entourage came running in. The ship they were supposed to board had been damaged by a storm the night before and was delayed by a day for internal repairs.
“Oh. I’ve already unpacked everything from the villa. What should I do?”
Ricardo waved his hand as Damien clicked his tongue lowly and opened his mouth.
“Is there anything to worry about? You can stay at our mansion.”
“We sincerely appreciate your kindness.”
Stella sighed and got up in front of Damien, who nodded without even refusing. She had vaguely expected it when she saw Claire, who had left to meet the missionary, appear with the businessman in the morning, but what she had never expected had finally happened. How on earth did that sly person manage to seduce the iron-clad teacher? In Stella’s eyes, Chloe looked like a lamb whose neck had been bitten by a wicked wolf.
“I’m really sorry for this sudden turn of events, Mrs. Stella.”
Chloe looked at Stella and lowered her head. Stella knew that there was nothing she could do in this situation. Trying to put out a blazing fire would only make things worse. She smiled cheerfully and got up from her seat.
“I will prepare a guest room for you.”
It was the last act of kindness Stella could show to the teacher who had treated Sophie like a daughter.
***
After dinner, Chloe had a quiet conversation with Stella in her private living room. It was the same place as when she had come to interview for the tutor, but the feeling was completely different. Stella held her hand tightly and seriously asked her if she really wanted to marry an indifferent man who couldn't even remember her name. She remembered Damien calling her by her real name several times. Chloe couldn't tell her the truth, so she could only nod slightly and say that it was so.
“What should I do if Sophie is suddenly alone?”
Stella sighed as Chloe bit her lip and pulled away.
“Don’t worry about that now. You know how much Sophie has grown thanks to you, Miss Claire.”
"But..."
“She can’t stay wrapped in the teacher’s skirt forever.”
Chloe, who spent the afternoon with Sophie when she returned from Marimo's house, could sense how upset the child was.
“Teacher, have you found your courage now?”
“Yeah. Thanks to Sophie.”
Her heart ached at the sight of the child smiling brightly, unable to hide her sad expression.
“Actually, I think I’m more upset than Sophie.”
Stella, who had been momentarily surprised by Chloe's sincerity flowing out without her knowing, smiled softly.
“We all wish you happiness, teacher. And I’m sure little Sophie does too.”
“...”
“She’s my daughter, but isn’t she so cute? I’m so scared that she’ll do something bad when she grows up.”
Chloe smiled slightly with reddened eyes in front of Stella, who lightened the mood with a joke.
“Sophie is smart, so I’m sure she’ll be able to overcome it wisely.”
She also knew in her mind that the time would come when she would have to say goodbye to her child. The fact that she saw Sophie as a child she had lost without ever meeting was a secret that she kept hidden.
“Thank you, Mrs. Stella.”
Chloe smiled, hiding her tears. Stella spread her arms as if she knew how she felt.
“I’m always on Ms. Claire’s side. If you want a divorce, you can kick him out and come back. We have more than enough kids for Claire to teach.”
How can a mother who has given birth show such a relaxed strength? Stella gently held her in her arms as she smiled with wet eyes. A nice scent came from her warm embrace.
***
When Chloe returned to her room, she was startled and couldn't help but check the door. There was clearly a sign hanging there that she and Sophie had made together.
'Sophie's pretty teacher's room
“What are you doing here?”
Damien, who was sitting on the chair, smiled at her.
“I waited for you.”
“I believe this isn’t the guest room.”
“I still can’t figure out what that couple expects from us, seeing as they insisted on having my room next to yours.”
Chloe's cheeks flushed. She forced her expression to harden as she crossed the room and opened the window slightly. He turned around and lightly grabbed her arms, and Chloe's body collapsed against him. Chloe took a deep breath and looked at him.
"Your Majesty."
Damien smiled slightly as he heard the title that first came out of her mouth. The words he had heard countless times over the past two years were just Chloe's voice, and his mouth was watering. A very delicious imagination flashed through the young King's mind.
"Yes?"
“Could you please keep some dignity?”
“It seems impossible.”
Chloe opened her eyes seriously as she looked at Damien, who was whispering and smiling.
“Why?”
“I am not a King before you, but a pitiful, boiling-blooded man.”
“I think you may be misunderstanding the meaning of the word pitiful.”
“Isn’t there any sympathy for the King who was abandoned by his Queen?”
Chloe blinked, her mouth hardened, and finally opened her mouth in a determined voice.
“I think we really needed some time apart to think.”
Damien, who had been quietly watching her become extremely serious, eventually nodded and muttered as if talking to himself.
“Well, I guess you were okay.”
The meaningful voice somehow made her feel uneasy.
“Because you must have seen my face every day.”
“What are you talking about...”
Jjang.
How did he find that? There was no way that bad habit would go away. If she ever saw Priscilla again, she would definitely tell her about her son’s kleptomania. Chloe opened her eyes to see the pendant hanging open from Damien’s long fingers.
“Hand it here.”
“No portrait could ever capture what we looked like at that moment.”
Chloe couldn't deny his words. At that time, she was literally swimming in happiness. She believed the words of Daisy at the post office, who said that only good things would happen in Tisse after the Duchess came, and she was immersed in the sweet magic of the cake that Damien had made.
“Hurry up and give it to me!”
The truth that she didn't want to admit deep down inside was about to be revealed by him.
“What do you need when the real thing is right in front of you?”
Chloe's eyes widened as she saw Damien swing his arm out the open window and blast the pendant away. She pushed him away with all her might and went to the window, but the night was pitch black and she couldn't see the necklace. As she was about to leave the room to find the necklace, Damien pushed the door hard with his hand.
“What are you doing, really?”
He opened his mouth, trapping her between himself and the door as Chloe grabbed the doorknob and became genuinely angry.
“Weren’t you looking for that?”
Chloe's eyes followed where Damien was nodding. The shiny ornaments were neatly placed on the table. Chloe bit her lips tightly and clenched her fists, barely suppressing her anger. If this were the forest and not Sophie's house, she could have screamed loudly.
“I really...”
She stood with her back to the door and looked at Damien with longing eyes.
“I hate you so much I could die.”
Damien didn't even blink at the words she spoke with sincerity.
“I’m dying to hold you.”
“I want to slap you.”
“No, I won’t. Then can I hit you somewhere else?”
Even the way Damien's hand, snickering, moves down her waist and lightly taps her secret spot feels like teasing her.
“Like last night.”
Their eyes met in midair as Chloe grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down toward her.
“Is this really so?”
“I understand. When I see you, I just want to keep provoking you.”
When she was with him, she felt like she was back in her teenage years. Chloe hated him, but she liked him, and she hated him so much that she hated him, but when he got hurt, she felt bad. Chloe decided she would never show him a smile, but when she saw his handsome face smiling at her, she couldn't control her expression. Wait. This is something Stella often said about Ricardo...
“...Are these a couple?”
Damien burst out laughing when Chloe finally whispered with a shocked expression on her face. He could sense her seriousness. He kissed her and whispered.
“Yeah. This is a couple, Chloe.”
Damien picked her up without warning. The small room, where a gentle breeze blew, was even more modest than Chloe’s bedroom at Verdier. The barracks where Damien had stayed during the war probably weren’t that small.
“The bed will be cramped.”
Chloe opened her mouth slightly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“That would be better.”
Damien sat her down on the small bed and smiled as he knelt on the floor.
“I can lie you on top of me and sleep.”
“...”
“I can fall asleep to the sound of your heartbeat as a lullaby.”
Chloe had to press her lips together without realizing it. You're crazy, Chloe. His sly words sounded so sweet. Was she really falling for him? For the same person, twice.
Chloe muttered to him as he casually lifted her skirt.
“I lost my cane again.”
Whenever she's with him, she feels like she's always in a state of fluster. To be exact, she's so focused on him that she can't even look away.
“Now I can walk without a cane, just with a walker.”
Damien took the brace off her leg and held it in his hand, examining it closely. His eyebrows were drawn together between his eyebrows, perhaps because the object did not suit his taste. But instead of expressing his feelings, Damien pressed the wire hard. Chloe now felt that he was being considerate, knowing exactly where the slight looseness caused the injury and silently fixing it.
“If you walk without a cane, your limp is more obvious.”
"So?"
Damien looked at her with a look that said, “What’s the big deal?” Chloe swallowed hard and tried to suppress her trembling voice as she opened her mouth calmly.
“It means I can’t hide the fact that I can’t walk properly.”
“You have nothing to hide.”
Damien looked straight at her and blurted out without a moment's hesitation. Chloe's next words, facing him, came out a little late.
“...Would people really be happy with a Queen who is sick?”
The positions of the Duchess and the Queen could not be the same. Although both were of high rank, the latter was the one representing the national prestige.
“I’m not saying this to put you down, just so you don’t misunderstand.”
"I know."
Damien cut her off, then continued speaking with a look in his eyes as if he had read Chloe's mind.
“I won’t let others judge your worth, but if there’s anyone who laughs at you...”
Damien's eyes darkened as he kissed her bare legs. Her heart raced again as she looked into his blue eyes, which had lost all playfulness.
“In the name of Tisse, I bet his head on you as a gift.”
“…l...A gift?”
"Yes."
At first, the cruel words sent shivers down her spine, and then she burst into laughter. This man is truly unstoppable. Does he really think that she will be happy with this blood-dripping gift when he says such things?
“You said it.”
Chloe looked at him and asked with a sigh.
“Do you know that you are the type of person who doesn’t hear good things about yourself even when you do good things to others?”
“Because it’s the leader’s job to get criticized even when doing good things.”
Chloe continued speaking, looking at Damien, who was smiling innocently without showing any sign of displeasure.
“Would things have been different if you had not become King?”
“Well, I’ve never really thought about wanting to hear nice things from other people.”
“So I hesitated whether I should say this or not.”
Damien stopped talking after Chloe's additional words. Of course, if it were her, the meaning would be different. Chloe slowly opened her mouth toward Damien, who was watching her carefully as if he wouldn't miss even a single breath.
“I have never forgotten you.”
Damien's beautiful lips curved upwards in a satisfying curve.
“Even when I hated you so much that I could hardly breathe, my heart would beat painfully whenever I thought of you.”
A gorgeous smile that captivated the other person was completely settled on his face. Chloe let out a quick breath as she watched the man who had no intention of hiding his emotions. Chloe, too, learned not to give up on her desires thanks to him.
“Make me your Queen.”
Promise me your everlasting love.
Damien, kneeling on one knee at her feet, gazed deeply into her eyes.
“Give me the confidence to swear my chivalry to you.”
He must have been the only man in the world who could make Chloe completely shed the last layer of protective veil she had built around herself.
“I love you, Damien.”
The moment the words that were rising to the tip of her chin came out of her mouth, Chloe laughed. The joy that burst like fireworks in Damien's eyes was so unique. He lowered his head and whispered.
“I am yours forever.”
“...”
“From the moment we first met.”
Chloe closed her eyes as she felt his lips, filled with endless affection, passionately kissing the instep of her foot that had been frozen for a long time. Her slender legs twitched slightly.
***
The storm of two days ago seemed like a lie, but the day had cleared up. The ship was scheduled to set sail at noon, but Chloe could barely sleep. It wasn't just because Damien seemed to be trying to force himself on the marital duties he had been unable to fulfill during the time they were apart.
Although her life in the duchy was not long, she had many memories. The paintings she had drawn with Sophie, the hair ornaments that Madame Stella had given her as a gift, the clothes she had embroidered, and the books she had bought with her salary alone filled her large suitcase.
Damien just laughed as he watched the things appearing one after another in her small room, and didn't move a finger. Although he agreed with the logic that he couldn't touch his wife's things, Chloe felt a little annoyed when she saw him lying sideways on the bed, having all the free time he had.
“Can’t you leave behind things like a first aid kit?”
When Damien said something to Chloe, who was almost fighting with her suitcase, she groaned and shook her head.
“You never know when you might suddenly get sick.”
“There is a doctor on board, too.”
“The doctor may be sick and lying down.”
He wanted to hear her ask for help at least once, but Chloe, who had finally succeeded in locking her bag on her own, stood up with a relieved expression. Damien, who was looking at Chloe like that, had complicated feelings despite his relaxed expression. This was because it was no different from confirming the fact that the woman who had not thrown away even a single note and kept it carefully was in such a desperate situation that she ran away with nothing.
“Um... I guess I’ll just take this and go...”
Damien licked his lips with his tongue as he watched Chloe putting on her necklace while muttering softly in the mirror. He recalled the carriage ride back from the vineyard, and the tension from that time rose again. As if to prove what she said about her not liking him and his touch being creepy, goosebumps appeared on her slender arms that were barely a handful.
It was natural for him to be nervous. It was a disaster. He was not the type of person who could look at his wife like a work of art. He had felt a strong sexual desire even when they first met, even though he had felt a liking for her.
If he hadn't found the pendant in her dropped handbag, he would have really believed it. Her cute lie that she didn't love him. But Chloe Verdier was not someone who could carry around the face of someone she didn't like, no matter what the circumstances.
Damien approached Chloe and clicked the buckle on her pendant, putting it on for her.
“Why don’t you put this in your bag?”
“...Because my luggage might get mixed up and get lost? Of course, you should carry the most important things with you.”
Damien swallowed dryly as he watched Chloe shrug her shoulders as if asking why he was asking such an obvious question. He wanted to beat her up for lying to him like this. In a secret way, of course.
“I have to go out.”
It was when Chloe pushed his shoulders with both hands as he tilted his head to kiss her.
“You must leave now.”
He heard Lawrence Taylor's voice behind the door, coughing. Damien held back a sigh as Chloe raised her voice, telling him not to miss the opportunity and come in. The return trip to Swanton would take five days by boat. He wanted to have her all to himself, where there would be no disturbance.
"Your Majesty."
Lawrence Taylor, who went down the stairs with his luggage, checked his surroundings and cautiously called him. Lawrence, who met Damien’s blue eyes, swallowed dryly in nervousness without realizing it.
"What?"
"That is..."
Lawrence, who had been hesitating, finally opened his mouth.
“It may be my imagination, but I feel like someone is following me. I think I saw the same face at the inn yesterday, a few days ago.”
Damien looked at him for a moment and was silent. Lawrence Taylor, although he didn’t realize it, was a man who had a good sense and luck. It was a story that would make Weiss frown, but there was also an intuitive reason behind his hiring Lawrence as his attendant.
“It seems like you’re very nervous because the journey has been long.”
“Yes, but...”
“Still, it’s not a bad idea to prepare for an emergency, so should we prepare a bit?”
As Damien added, Lawrence, who had been feeling uneasy, finally let out a long breath and lowered his head.
“Yes, just let me do whatever I want.”
“There is only one way from here to the port, through the remote forests to the west.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“We head east, take an express train to Trivani, the capital of the principality, and from there take another boat to Swanton.”
It was Damien's second plan, in case something happened. Lawrence Taylor swallowed hard as he realized why Damien had made him memorize the map of Guinevis and the surrounding area.
“Just leave it to me...!”
“And one more thing.”
Damien added, grinning at him.
“After you sort out all the weapons in my bag, make sure they’re ready for me to use whenever I want.”
The twenty suitcases brought from Swanton were filled not only with souvenirs but also with weapons that could be used to raid a small town at any moment.
Could this mean that there might be bloodshed? Damien tapped his shoulder, which had become tense and stiff.
“Next year at this time, we’ll be drinking and reminiscing about today, whether something dangerous happens or not.”
Lawrence realized who he was talking to. Lawrence Taylor clenched his fists as he watched Damien smile at his wife, who had called him.
The leader of the leaders, who never blinked even in the face of danger, believed in him. He would never let him down, who gave him the strength not to give up on the long-cherished project he had been pursuing his entire life. His determination was evident in the movements he made as he wiped his nose with his chubby hand.
***
Even after Damien's attendants sweated profusely and loaded the luggage onto the carriage, Sophie was nowhere to be seen.
“Sophie probably doesn’t want to say goodbye. I hope Ms. Claire understands. In fact, I also want to hold onto Claire and not let you go.”
Chloe bit her lip as she looked at Stella, who was holding the twin babies in her arms and giving her an apologetic look.
"Hei."
Damien, who had just finished greeting Ricardo, wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“You have a lot of luggage, so you should go now!”
Claire listened to Lawrence's loud words, kissed Stella on both cheeks, and greeted the servants one by one before regretfully leaving. She searched everywhere in the mansion where Sophie might be, but she couldn't find the child. Of course, she didn't think this would be the last time, but she still wanted to hug the child and say goodbye. Sophie, who was about to hand over her favorite teddy bear, dazzled her with blue eyes that resembled Damien's.
“...Chloe?”
Chloe, who had been walking deep in thought, raised her head at Damien's call.
“I asked if there was enough material to write the letter.”
“Oh, yes. Why is that?”
“I think it would be a good idea to write a letter to your family in advance on the ship.”
It was practical advice to write a letter to those who might be surprised, informing them of the current situation in advance.
“Yes, of course. Don’t worry. I have enough stationery and ink. I can write to Sophie later too...”
Damien suddenly stopped walking as Chloe trailed off.
“What a cute kid.”
“She’s really smart. She’s so smart that she can memorize an entire book.”
“I heard that she has a rather prickly and sensitive personality.”
“She was just hurt because her younger siblings stole all of her mother’s attention. She was such a warm-hearted child.”
Chloe opened her eyes wide and raised her voice slightly. Damien tilted his head slightly as he watched her strongly defend Sophie.
“You really did love that child like your own daughter.”
Damien didn't miss Chloe biting her lip and avoiding her wavering gaze. Ricardo's words that he treated Sophie like his own child were probably not an exaggeration. He could well imagine how Chloe must be feeling now, having to leave without even saying goodbye to Sophie. The time she had a hard time after losing her child, and the wounds of having to leave alone while feeling the value of even the smallest things, must still be hidden somewhere deep inside her.
“Should we just go find Sophie and kidnap her to Swanton?”
Chloe looked at him with wide eyes, a look of horror on her face. She grabbed his arm, as if afraid that Stella might hear.
“Go, hurry.”
Instead of walking away, Damien faced her.
“Chloe.”
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, I don’t want to listen.”
“Can you guess where Sophie might be hiding?”
Chloe blinked at him doubtfully. He lowered his head and met her beautiful blue eyes.
“Let’s say goodbye to Sophie and leave.”
“...Are you serious?”
Chloe's eyes were cautious as she confirmed his intentions.
"Yes."
Damien smiled and lowered his lips.
“Because I’m weak until I give you a daughter.”
Chloe realized that he had read her mind and was left speechless.
***
She searched the backyard oak tree, the closet in the bedroom, and even under the sofa in the living room, but Sophie was nowhere to be found. At first, Stella didn't think much of it, but later she became serious and called Sophie's name loudly, then let out a short "Ah!"
“I sent a cart to clean up the villa this morning. Did someone sneak in there?”
“...That could be possible.”
Chloe's face flushed a little as she told her child the story of the girl who escaped in a wagon.
“If you will lend me your horse, I will go and look at the villa. How about you look for a house?”
“Yes, I have a favor to ask. Just in case, I should go to Marimo’s house too.”
Damien put Chloe on the horse first, then jumped on.
“I’ll run a little faster.”
Damien looked at Chloe sitting behind him and muttered softly. It seemed that if they were going to run fast, it would be better for her to ride behind. Feeling the strength in the hand that was holding his back, Damien kicked the horse’s belly with all his might.
Chloe gasped for breath as she felt the wind behind him as he rode quickly. In fact, if it were his nature, he could have just pretended not to notice and left, but he didn't. Instead of dismissing it as a brief farewell, he recognized her heart that was not moving.
As soon as they arrived at the villa, Chloe looked inside. Just as Stella had said, the interior was neatly organized. Even Damien's few belongings were missing.
“I don’t think there are any on the first floor.”
“I see.”
After tying up the horse at the back of the villa instead of the front, Damien returned. Slowly and carefully looking around, Damien was somehow even securing the villa door. Chloe turned her steps to the second floor while watching him check the lock on the window.
“...”
What struck her as odd was when she found a pair of red shoes lying at the top of the stairs on the second floor. As Chloe picked up Sophie's shoes and stood up, she froze in place.
Sophie was holding her mouth with a man's hand, and tears were falling down her face. The corners of Sophie's eyes, her mouth gagged, were wet and clammy. Was he a robber? It was a miracle that a child held by a man with a gun did not lose consciousness.
Chloe had an instinct that if she made a wrong move in this situation, Sophie would be in danger. But she didn't know what to do. Her legs were shaking so much that it was hard to even stand. The man asked Chloe in a small voice.
“Is Tisse here?”
Chloe's eyebrows drew together. If the man was simply a robber, there was no way she would know Damien's identity.
“Chloe!”
Damien's voice shouting from downstairs reached Chloe's ears, who couldn't speak. The man smiled meaningfully and nodded to Chloe.
“Answer him.”
Chloe bit her lip as she heard the man's words, and he put the gun to the child's head. Chloe clenched her fist once and raised her voice.
“Yes! Adele is here!”
After calling out another name instead of Sophie's, Chloe continued speaking in a trembling voice.
“I guess you were sad to leave so suddenly...!”
Please. Chloe desperately hoped Damien would notice the sign she had given.
“I see.”
Damien's footsteps creaked up the walnut stairs, getting closer. The moment the man aimed his shotgun at the spiral staircase, a gunshot was heard behind her.
“Ugh...! Teacher...!”
As the man whose heart had been pierced by a bullet fell to the ground without even a final scream, Sophie ran to Chloe with a bright red face. As Chloe turned around, holding the child in her arms, she saw Damien with a smoking gun in his hand.
“It’s a good thing Ricardo’s gun is always loaded.”
Chloe let out a sigh of relief and nervousness before taking the child's hand and walking towards Damien.
“The man knew who you were. He wasn’t just a robber.”
“We have to get out of here right now.”
Damien wasn't surprised to hear her words. It meant that he had already guessed the situation. Chloe held him with her brown eyes wide open.
“Damien, what the hell happened?”
“It looks like Johannes found me.”
Damien quickly walked downstairs, supporting Chloe, who felt as if her heart was falling to the floor.
“Get on your horse and go back to the mansion and tell Lawrence Taylor to carry out the plan immediately. He’ll understand.”
"...How about you?"
Damien wrapped his arms around her confused neck and kissed her forehead, whispering in a clear voice.
“We must deal with the obstacles so that you can arrive safely, my love.”
The sound of gunfire made it obvious that if there were any nearby gang members, they would be coming this way. Damien’s mind began to spin quickly. It became clear that Lawrence Taylor’s words about being followed were true. As he had previously thought, the best way to attack Damien from the enemy’s perspective was to attack the carriage heading to the port. That was the most efficient way to get from Ricardo’s mansion to the port, which required passing through a remote forest path.
He had also taken into account the possibility that John might storm into where he was staying. However, if that was the case, he expected that the assassin would be sent to Ricardo's mansion rather than the villa that had been empty since yesterday.
The variable was that while he was looking around here and there, thinking that he would definitely have planted someone in the empty villa, he unconsciously ignored Johan until the very end. Damn it.
“Chloe, can you ride a horse?”
Damien quickly gathered his thoughts. Right now, the most important thing is not regret, but a solution. It was definitely dangerous to confront Chloe and Sophie in that situation. Chloe nodded to Damien's question.
"... Yes."
“I know a shortcut that will get you there faster...!”
Damien smiled gently as he watched Sophie raise her voice.
“You are brave and clever. You are trustworthy.”
Chloe bit her lip as she watched Damien affectionately lower himself to the child's level and stroke her head. As she watched him and the child looking at each other, she felt a warm wetness somewhere in her chest. She wondered why she was so slow to realize her feelings, but now was not the time to be sentimental. It was when Chloe took a deep breath and grabbed Sophie's hand.
“Let’s go, Sophie.”
Bang!
There was a gunshot, and a hole was made in the doorknob.
Damien's eyebrows twitched sharply. Chloe's eyes widened as she held the child tightly, filled with fear.
Bang! Bang!
The moment the gunshot that was about to blow the doorknob off continued, Damien ended his brief contemplation.
“Come here, Chloe.”
Damien pulled her over to a large display case against the wall. The center of the magnificent display case, made of mahogany wood, was lined with Ricardo’s wines. The drawers and pedestals attached like wings on both sides of the display case were storage spaces with doors that made it impossible to see inside.
Damien's guess that there wouldn't be much room for luggage in the villa was correct. The space under the dresser was barely big enough for Chloe and Sophie, who were both small, to hide in.
“Come in.”
Chloe followed his instructions and hid inside the cabinet. Her hands were shaking, and her hair was turning white, but she couldn't lose consciousness like this.
“Are you determined to give the traitors time to escape?”
When Johan's voice came from outside, Damien swallowed dryly and lowered his voice as he looked at Chloe holding the child.
“It’s hide and seek, Sophie.”
Chloe couldn't even ask Damien what he was planning, because she couldn't help but know that the reason they couldn't open the window and escape was because of her own disability.
Damien smiled at Sophie, who nodded with wide eyes, then turned his gaze to Chloe.
“No matter what happens, don’t make any noise or come outside, Chloe.”
“Damien...”
“My wife is a courageous person, I know that.”
Damien added quickly.
“Never forget that courage is not losing your reason, but keeping your reason. Those who lose their reason commit nothing but recklessness and arrogance, not true courage.”
Chloe, looking at him with wet eyes, couldn't say anything. She just bit her lips so hard that she felt like crying would come out if she opened her mouth.
“If you love me, be brave for me, my love.”
That was the last one.
The moment Damien, who had whispered and smiled, closed the door of the display case, the door of the villa, full of bullet holes, fell to the floor with a loud noise. Chloe, who was holding her breath inside the display case, could only see the legs of those who opened the door and came in. What was certain was that at least ten people were rushing in.
“Long time no see, Johan.”
A desperate scream followed Damien's voice.
“Catch him!!!”
As the sharp command was given, something flipped over and collapsed, mixed with the sound of gunfire. The situation was too urgent to be relieved that the scream that followed the noise of destruction was not Damien's. Chloe bit her lip, tightly covering Sophie's ears as she cowered in her arms.
Damien, holding the empty shotgun upside down, struck a large man with the butt of the gun. The opponent, who had lost his balance, stumbled backwards and hit the display case. With a clank, the wines lined up on the display case fell to the floor and shattered.
The moment the person who was hit stumbled and grabbed the lower doorknob, Damien's shoe flew back.
“Ugh...!”
“Come here, Chloe.”
Damien pulled her over to a large display case against the wall. The center of the magnificent display case, made of mahogany wood, was lined with Ricardo’s wines. The drawers and pedestals attached like wings on both sides of the display case were storage spaces with doors that made it impossible to see inside.
Damien's guess that there wouldn't be much room for luggage in the villa was correct. The space under the dresser was barely big enough for Chloe and Sophie, who were both small, to hide in.
“Come in.”
Chloe followed his instructions and hid inside the cabinet. Her hands were shaking, and her hair was turning white, but she couldn't lose consciousness like this.
“Are you determined to give the traitors time to escape?”
When Johan's voice came from outside, Damien swallowed dryly and lowered his voice as he looked at Chloe holding the child.
“It’s hide and seek, Sophie.”
Chloe couldn't even ask Damien what he was planning, because she couldn't help but know that the reason they couldn't open the window and escape was because of her own disability.
Damien smiled at Sophie, who nodded with wide eyes, then turned his gaze to Chloe.
“No matter what happens, don’t make any noise or come outside, Chloe.”
“Damien...”
“My wife is a courageous person, I know that.”
Damien added quickly.
“Never forget that courage is not losing your reason, but keeping your reason. Those who lose their reason commit nothing but recklessness and arrogance, not true courage.”
Chloe, looking at him with wet eyes, couldn't say anything. She just bit her lips so hard that she felt like crying would come out if she opened her mouth.
“If you love me, be brave for me, my love.”
That was the last one.
The moment Damien, who had whispered and smiled, closed the door of the display case, the door of the villa, full of bullet holes, fell to the floor with a loud noise. Chloe, who was holding her breath inside the display case, could only see the legs of those who opened the door and came in. What was certain was that at least ten people were rushing in.
“Long time no see, Johan.”
A desperate scream followed Damien's voice.
“Catch him!!!”
As the sharp command was given, something flipped over and collapsed, mixed with the sound of gunfire. The situation was too urgent to be relieved that the scream that followed the noise of destruction was not Damien's. Chloe bit her lip, tightly covering Sophie's ears as she cowered in her arms.
Damien, holding the empty shotgun upside down, struck a large man with the butt of the gun. The opponent, who had lost his balance, stumbled backwards and hit the display case. With a clank, the wines lined up on the display case fell to the floor and shattered.
The moment the person who was hit stumbled and grabbed the lower doorknob, Damien's shoe flew back.
“Ugh...!”
The door that was about to open slammed shut. With a thud, the man with his neck broken to the side was thrown to the floor, and Damien got up. Chloe could only cover her mouth with both hands and chew her lips until they bled, looking through the crack of the door at the shadows of those randomly rushing at him.
“Isn’t there anything you guys can do but show your fucking incompetence!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
It was then that the sound of a gunshot rang out. Chloe saw Damien’s hand wearing an old glove. The moment she saw the red blood flowing out of the leather glove that had lost its original color due to wear and aging, Chloe’s eyes froze. Her body, which covered her mouth, trembled like an aspen tree.
“I finally feel a little better.”
Chloe saw Damien slowly walking forward through the crack in the door. Johannes’s henchmen rushed at him and tied his arms as he did not fight back. Soon, Johan came over and twisted his lips as he looked at Damien.
“I wanted to see you, Johan. Why are you showing up now?”
As the blood drained from Damien's face, his blue eyes seemed even colder and more frozen.
“I waited for the right time.”
“Don’t you think it’s too late?”
At Johannes's nod, one of his henchmen kicked his leg from behind and made him fall to his knees. Damien's beautiful blond hair was grabbed firmly.
“Wouldn’t it be a shame for me to be the only one to witness the moment when the invincible Tisse falls to his knees?”
Damien laughed softly, his head forced up.
“Yeah, if I were you, I’d guillotine you in front of everyone in Swanton.”
Johannes snorted as he listened to him. He wanted to rip out Demian's blue eyes that seemed to look down at him strangely as his head rose.
“You’d better wake up early, Damien, because I have no intention of letting you set foot on Swanton soil again.”
“Why, do you intend to make a sacrifice here with my blood?”
Johannes frowned at Damien's question, which he blurted out without hesitation. Damien, realizing that he had hit the nail on the head, continued.
“Are you still taking pagan women with you? Does the head of the principality, who was supposed to be watching over you, also follow superstitions?”
“If you don’t shut up, there’ll be another bullet hole.”
“I don’t really mean to criticize you. I’ve been a believer in God for quite some time now. I’m just curious.”
Johannes gritted his teeth as he felt himself getting more and more involved as the conversation went on. Next to him, his confidant spoke quietly.
“Your Majesty, I think it would be best to leave this place before those who heard the gunshots come rushing in.”
"Shut up."
When Johannes glared at him with a face that had lost its smile, his confidant shut his mouth. Damien spat out a serious piece of advice to him.
“It’s best not to ignore the words of a smart person, Johan.”
“I want to do that too, but I can’t see any other prey.”
Johannes bared his fierce teeth, not missing the slight twitching of Damien's eyebrows. Now that he knew that Damien had come all this way for a woman, he couldn't resist the urge to tear her limbs apart in front of him.
“Where is the woman?”
“While you were busy putting bullet holes in me, I must have taken her somewhere safe, right?”
“...”
“I’m a pretty affectionate husband.”
Damien's voice, as he laughed, sounded leisurely, but Chloe's ears could hear the pain of his heavy breathing. Chloe couldn't bear it anymore. She felt foolish for herself to be hiding while her husband was bleeding and could die at any moment. If Damien died, what good would it do to survive alone?
Sophie gently grabbed the collar of her clothes as she clenched her teeth and struggled. Chloe met Sophie’s eyes in the space where only a single ray of light was dimly entering.
When she saw those blue eyes filled with worry, tension, and fear, she barely regained her senses. Chloe clenched her fists so tightly that her short nails dug into her palms. Right now, she had no choice but to trust Damien, her husband. She could not give up her life and the life of the child, whom Damien had risked his life to protect.
You have to be brave, Chloe. She can almost hear his voice in those blue eyes that remind her of Damien.
“You’re covered in blood, and yet your boasts are still sky-high, Damien.”
Johannes' voice was heard. Chloe's wet eyes sparkled with determination. Damien was just stalling for time. He must have been waiting for the people nearby to gather after hearing the gunshot.
“Don’t you know that you’re at rock bottom, marrying that worthless, crippled bitch...!”
It was then that Damien's feet, holding both arms, kicked Johan's chest hard. Chloe's eyes, which had been covering her mouth, vividly saw someone next to Johan, who was screaming as if in a fit of rage, hitting Damien's head hard with a chair. The soundless groan was blocked by her palm, and her brown eyes became bloodshot. It hurt as if her heart was being torn apart.
“Take him and go!”
Blood spread across the floor as Damien was dragged along like a piece of luggage with both arms held. Drops of blood also formed on Damien’s golden eyelashes. Chloe watched him stare at her until the very end, and only after the sound of horses and carriages had died down did she open the door to the display case.
“Let’s go, Sophie.”
She dragged her legs, which had become stiffer from having been bent over for so long, and gasped for breath. She thought she had to get out of here, but she had no idea where to start, how to do it, or what to do. The image of Damien, bleeding from holes in his shoulder and abdomen, kept coming back to her.
"...Teacher."
It was when Chloe, who was walking with her teeth clenched, saw Sophie tugging at the hem of her skirt. At the place where the child pointed with her finger, there was one of Damien's gloves lying down. When she picked up the glove, she saw letters written in blood on the floor.
Look forward to your gift, my love
“What... gift are you talking about...?”
Sophie looked at her with a still lingering expression of fear, her small forehead wrinkled. Chloe, who could not help but understand the meaning of the gift Damien had spoken of, finally burst out of her lips with a suppressed sob.
“If there is anyone who laughs at you, I swear on Tisse that I will cut off that person’s head and give it to you as a gift.”
Hot tears fell from Chloe's eyes as she sat on the floor, splashing blood. She stood up, holding his gloves tightly in her hands. Her mind was in chaos, but one thing was certain. Damien was the one who would make his words come true, no matter what.
As she walked out of the villa, holding Sophie's hand, she saw a large carriage approaching. Inside was the entire family, including Lawrence Taylor, whose face was a mess from being beaten.
“Sophie...!”
Stella, seeing Chloe covered in blood and Sophie standing next to her, ran over and hugged her daughter tightly.
"Mom..."
“My daughter, I would die without you!!!”
Ricardo approached Chloe with his lips pursed, holding a crumpled newspaper in his hand with Damien's face printed on it.
“This is the newspaper I saw when I went to Marimo’s house. What on earth is going on here? Mr. Taylor... Where is he now...?”
“Explanation later, Mr. Ricardo.”
After Chloe cut off Ricardo's confused words, she wiped her hot eyes with the back of her hand.
“Please help me find the fastest way to get there right now.”
"Where...?"
Chloe's thin eyelids fluttered as she squeezed her eyes shut. It was a critical situation where every moment counted, but that made it all the more important to make a certain decision.
You have to think, Chloe. Please, think. How can I avoid failure? If I were Damien, what would I do? Damien, please help me.
Chloe's eyes, which had been trembling and holding the pendant tightly, finally opened.
Instead of chasing after Johannes, we need to find out where he is headed. Blood sacrifice. Johannes will probably go to a safe place and do what he wants.
“To the capital, to the palace.”
Previous Next
Chloe's eyes, which had been trembling and holding the pendant tightly, finally opened.
Instead of chasing after Johannes, we need to find out where he is headed. Blood sacrifice. Johannes will probably go to a safe place and do what he wants.
“To the capital, to the palace.”
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