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Chapter 30
For example…
“How are you going to kill the Emperor?”
“If you kill the Emperor, will that really make you safe?”
“What happens to me if you get hurt?”
And most of all, the one thing I really wanted to say:
“You’re not going to leave me… right?”
At this point, I probably sounded like a child who didn’t want to be separated from their mom.
I thought about the promise he made to me by the lake.
That no matter what happened, he’d make sure I was never in danger.
“But does that promise apply to you too?”
Would he really not put himself in danger?
I wanted to grab him and demand an answer—just to make this uneasiness go away.
But instead, I spoke softly.
“I think I’m getting motion sick…”
“Motion sick? Should I tell the coachman to stop the carriage?”
Calix started fussing right away, but I cut in.
“No, I just want to lie down.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Let me borrow your lap.”
Before he could respond, I just lay down, resting my head on his lap—facing toward him.
I felt his body stiffen, but I didn’t care.
I reached out and wrapped my arms around his waist.
“Lena…”
Suddenly, I remembered the day we reunited.
That day at the inn, Calix had clung to me, hugging my waist like he just needed to confirm I was real.
Now the roles were reversed.
I was the one holding him tightly, burying my face into him.
“Make me a promise.”
My voice came out low and muffled.
“What kind of promise?”
I hugged him tighter. I didn’t want him to see my face right now.
It took a while, but I finally got the words out.
“You said you’d make sure I’d never be in danger.”
I felt Calix shift slightly.
“That’s right. I’ll never let you be in danger—”
“That includes you too, right?”
“…What?”
I needed him to say it.
“You’re not going to put yourself in danger either, are you?”
“You’re going to stay with me, right?”
“…”
He didn’t answer right away.
I could tell he was trying to figure out what to say.
So I just hugged him tighter, like a child clinging for comfort.
How was I supposed to explain this feeling?
That just like he cared deeply for me… I now cared deeply for him too.
That just like he wanted to protect me—I wanted to stay by his side, for as long as I could.
To me, Calix was the only one on my side in this unfamiliar world.
The only one who knew my past.
Back when I first came here, confused and alone—he was there.
And I didn’t want to lose someone like that.
“I’ve avoided danger on my own so far…”
But if I were to lose him now, after we finally reunited…
Then I’d truly be alone.
“I don’t want that.”
Maybe he sensed my mood, because not long after, he finally spoke.
“Lena, did I make you anxious?”
I felt him gently stroke my hair.
“I told you before, didn’t I? I’m not going anywhere.”
“…”
“And you’re not going anywhere either.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Even I, who knew the original story, couldn’t be sure of that.
I felt him thinking hard before answering.
Then, he spoke from above me.
“Lena, look at me.”
I didn’t say anything, but I turned to look up at him.
I didn’t need a mirror to know—I probably had a sad expression on my face.
Calix looked down at me with clear, steady eyes.
“Do you think I’d make a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep?”
“…No.”
I hesitated, then answered.
He went on.
“You know me. You probably think I’ve got lots of secrets, don’t tell you everything, and that I’d even use you if necessary, right?”
“…Wow. You’re really good at self-reflection.”
That made me laugh a little, despite myself.
He smiled too.
“See? I’m just that capable.”
“…”
“And I’m going to use all that ability to stay by your side.”
He said it so clearly.
“So you don’t need to worry. You don’t need to be afraid.”
“…”
“I’m going to bet everything on building a future with you.”
“You…”
My throat tightened. I swallowed it down hard.
“…You’re really good with words.”
I tried to joke, smiling up at him.
He chuckled and replied:
“I told you—I’m a capable guy. Being good with words is just part of the deal.”
And thank goodness he was good with words.
Even if they were just words, his promise calmed my fear—if only a little.
“Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we get to the station.”
“…Okay.”
With that, I finally closed my eyes.
Still holding onto him, feeling his hand gently stroking my hair.
Calix looked down at the sleeping Lena and let out a deep sigh.
She’d clearly been restless all night thinking about the trip to the palace—yet now, not long after closing her eyes, she had fallen asleep peacefully.
He played with the soft strands of her coral-colored hair and thought about what she’d said.
“You’re not going to put yourself in danger, right?”
The way she’d asked—like a child, full of worry—he couldn’t forget her face.
“Danger to yourself…”
Tracing back her words, Calix quickly realized she had figured it out.
Maybe not everything, but enough.
There was no way she’d ask something like that in the carriage, on the way to the palace, unless she had at least a clue.
Lena knew.
She knew he was planning to kill the Emperor—one way or another.
“My Lena really is clever.”
He liked that about her.
Even if he would’ve loved her regardless.
“…Though I don’t love that she’s worrying about things she doesn’t need to.”
Tsk. Calix clicked his tongue.
He had planned everything so she wouldn’t have to worry.
But now, of course, she would worry even more.
Yet again, he found the Emperor annoying.
“So… what should I do…”
He muttered to himself in the quiet carriage, still playing with her hair.
Wait—did the Emperor have a son?
Calix realized he didn’t know much about the prince.
Well… he did know the guy was dumb.
“And seemed pretty timid too.”
That kind of person wouldn’t be hard to control.
Smooch.
Calix leaned down and kissed Lena gently on the temple.
“I’ll take care of everything before you even have to think about it.”
He whispered softly to the sleeping girl.
“Don’t worry about a thing.”
He said it with love.
After a full day of travel, the carriage finally arrived at the train station.
Not the one they’d used last time—but a much bigger one.
According to Calix, this was the central station for the entire region—and it showed. There were far more people here.
I looked around, eyes wide. People from all walks of life bustled around the station, heading for trains.
Come to think of it, since I arrived in this world, the only places I’d been were:
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Troxia territory,
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the village where I’d been hiding for years,
-
and the Heretrio estate.
So of course all of this felt completely new and overwhelming.
I was fascinated by the people, the large station, the modern-looking structures…
“If this already amazes you, you’re going to lose your mind when we get to the capital.”
Calix smiled as he guided me.
“The capital’s even bigger, right?”
“Yep. And way more people.”
Even though I wasn’t even looking at him, he still kindly answered my random questions.
I admired everything—even the snack stands and newspaper kiosks.
While I was busy staring, Calix quietly went and got our tickets.
Among all the passengers heading to the capital, only Calix and I were riding first class.
The knights coming with us were riding business class.
“The estate in the capital has plenty of servants. Bringing the knights is enough.”
Calix explained that our group was small, but elite.
Still, listening to him made me curious about something else.
Was there a Troxia estate in the capital too? And if so… what had happened to it?
“It was probably sold off a long time ago.”
Even if it now belonged to someone else… I still wanted to see it.
But I quickly looked away, not wanting Calix to notice my thoughts.
As we waited for the train, I noticed a newspaper stand with several types of papers on display.
I pointed to a couple and called out:
“Buy me a newspaper.”
“…A newspaper? Sure, I guess.”
I grabbed a few different ones on impulse.
Calix looked at one and made a face.
“Why are you reading tabloids?”
He clearly didn’t get it.
All the fun—and juicy—info is in the gossip columns.
And sure enough, as soon as I opened one…
A very familiar name popped up.
While Calix paid, I started reading the article aloud.
“Hey, look. Your name’s in here.”
“What? Where?”
“Recent rumors say that Duke Calix Axel Heretrio is seeing a mysterious new beauty.
Sources say the woman—whose name is unknown—is actually the new mage he personally recruited into the Heretrio Knights…”
Wow.
It didn’t say my name… but it was clearly about me.
Calix saw the article and immediately scowled.
“…I’m suing them.”
“No, don’t! Why would you?”
This kind of stuff is fun!
