Chapter 39

“The information I’ve just told you is something that most people don’t know yet. But if the same thing were to happen again, there will be rumors.”

“It sounds like I should do something about it.”

“That’s right.”

That meant that Count Alvin did not fully trust Jack.

Rather, he was telling Jack to prove his innocence.

However, inside, Jack sincerely questioned how he could even do such a thing.

“Then do you think the one who caused the death of those nobles is the same perpetrator in today’s case?”

Since Prillance was involved, the circumstances have changed. The fact that Prillance had almost died was more significant to Jack than the fact that he was supposedly involved in the affair.

“Yes.”

“What is the basis for this?”

Even if the horse attendant was punished, if anyone had hired him for that deed, he would have to find them and make them pay. That alone was enough for Jack to be willing to do this. And he was willing to receive help from Count Alvin to do so.

“The attendant’s behaviour at the time he was caught resembles the behaviour of the perpetrators stated in previous cases.”

Ah.

Jack also remembered that time.

The man’s steps had staggered, as if intoxicated. With his eyebags hollow and his mouth white, he had seemed like someone who hadn’t washed himself in days. His gaze had also been cloudy. When they had first caught him, he had been unaware of what was going on and just kept laughing.

‘I was so furious at the sight that I tortured him more cruelly.’

He didn’t want to torture the man while he was drunk and unable to feel pain, so Jack tried all sorts of ways to sober him up. Then he waited until the man regained his senses and began the torture.

Jack’s eyebrows contorted. After remembering those moments, he became infuriated once more.

“I only saw you catch the man through the window.”

Count Alvin quickly added after seeing Jack’s sharp eyes. Count Alvin may seem unflinching, but the Marquis’ occasional fierce glares were hard for him to bear.

“If there’s anything I can aid you with in the future, I’ll be sure to give my help.”

Jack’s eyes told him that he had already come to a decision. Count Alvin bid farewell with a bow and left.

***

Her body kept swaying even though none of her muscles were moving.

With her surroundings shrouded in darkness, it was hard to tell where the wall or the door opening lay.

But even in the dark, she could tell the pace of the carriage’s movement. The fear crashing into something gripped her.

“Help me…someone…please…”

She thrust her hand in the air, but couldn’t find anything to hold on to. Except for floundering her hands around, there was nothing else she could do. The fear of nothingness, the emptiness of being alone, made it all the more terrifying.

Then suddenly, she felt warmth in her hands.

“Ver…Ve…”

She called out a name that reminded her of warmth. At that moment, she felt something tangible in a place where there should have been nothing. Feeling surprised, Prillance opened her eyes.

Exhaling a hoarse breath, she raised her upper body. Even as she awoke, the fear still lingered. She touched her body to confirm she was alive.

“Lady, are you alright?”

Then she heard a familiar voice. As she turned her head, she could see Ver’s worried face.

Tears fell as soon as she saw his face.

“Ver…”

Her body moved by itself and embraced him. Not even realizing that she had called out his name earlier.

“It’s alright.”

Ver carefully patted her back.

She clasped his neck tightly. As she didn’t let him go, he realized that she was reliving her experiences from that day. His heart ached further.

“Suddenly…everything was shaking…and crashed into…”

The moment she felt the carriage swaying, she thought it wasn’t real.

In fact, that was what life was like living here. Because she knew there was a fixed story.

However, she realized, this was a reality. The reality in which she now lives.

A place where you can get hurt or die at any time. But for her, the place was still something unfamiliar.

Small tears fell from her eyes.

“Why…why…did this happen…”

A day after the incident, Prillance still could not sleep properly. It was Jack who called Ver into her room.

“Everything is fine now.”

It was because she called his name while struggling in her sleep. He kept sweeping her back gently.

“Now you are safe. I- I will make sure of it.”

Ver pledged. It was a pledge for himself, not for her. This happened because he couldn’t get to her sooner.

Stabilized by his voice, she gave a tiny nod and buried her face in his arms. She was like a child. He held her until sweat and tears she shed had soaked his clothes.

Standing by the door, Jack was looking at them. It had been a while since he had last seen the sight of his daughter looking weak. Since debuting in social circles, he had never witnessed anything like this.

He stared at Ver, whom Prillance relied so much upon. His eyes narrowed. He tried to doubt everything conceivable.

His sudden appearance and, now the accident. Could it all be a coincidence?

Even though Jack was grateful to him for saving Prillance, he could not let go of his wariness.

Regardless of Jack’s doubts, Ver still stayed beside her. From the moment he was called into this room, he had never left her side.

Even when the knights took turns in guarding the door, Ver did not move from his place. That was how much he had tried to be next to her.

Prillance, who woke up at dawn, was watching Ver. Even in his sleep, he held her hand tightly. It was the hand that held her when fear and darkness surrounded her.

With the other hand that wasn’t holding his, she pulled a blanket over him. A thin blanket was placed over his shoulder. Since the task was done with just a single hand, she was quite satisfied.

Then she put her hand over his hand. Rather than feeling discomfort, his rough hand brought a sense of strength and security to her mind. She didn’t think she would have a nightmare this time. Turning to his side, she curled up like a child and fell asleep again.