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Chapter 17
“A Flawless Success”
Just how far have we come by now?
With my eyes tightly closed, I sharpened all my senses.
Contrary to my assumption—that I would stay asleep until arriving at Esperos—I had actually woken up over an hour ago.
I had even emptied the wine he gave me, just in case I woke too early!
As my awareness became clearer, frustration bubbled up toward the stranger who had given Karlier the sleeping drug.
…Could my plan have failed?
The excitement I’d felt over the possibility that my shaky plan might succeed had now twisted into dread that it might all end in complete failure.
I trembled on the delicate border between anticipation and fear. With my eyes closed, every other sense was on high alert.
But focusing on the carriage sounds wouldn’t help me figure out how far we had come.
After all, I had hardly ever left my home, much less visited the capital, Adelin. I had no way to estimate how long it would take to cross from Zeros into Hestonia by carriage.
Plus, I had no real sense of time after being drugged to sleep.
This is driving me crazy…
Outside, I could hear the rhythmic clop clop of horses galloping.
The carriage jolted wildly as it traveled over what felt like a rough dirt road. Though I wasn’t tied down, I lay across the seat, nauseated by the shaking.
…Ugh, I might throw up.
I debated whether to pretend I had just woken up—or to play the frightened captive asking where I was being taken.
While I hesitated, a quiet voice broke the silence.
“I already know you’re awake, so why don’t you sit up now?”
Startled by Karlier’s voice, my body instinctively twitched.
Still, I kept my eyes shut tightly, pretending I hadn’t heard him.
Maybe I could blame any movement on the rocking of the carriage…
Just then, there was a thud, as if he had closed something, and his voice came again.
“Since you don’t seem to understand your situation, let me explain. It would be best to give up on any thoughts of escape.”
“We crossed the border of Zeros over three hours ago.”
…!
Only then did I open my eyes. Slowly, I sat up and looked around.
Outside the window, a dense forest stretched out. Inside the carriage, fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—it was just the two of us.
Karlier looked at me calmly and added in a quiet voice:
“Of course, if you’re thinking of jumping from the carriage, I won’t stop you.”
“But just know—this isn’t peaceful Zeros. This land is crawling with monsters.”
As if to prove his point, the howl of a wolf echoed faintly in the distance.
A chill ran down my spine. I swallowed hard and asked:
“…Where are you taking me?”
I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway.
I needed confirmation—because I still couldn’t believe that my reckless plan might actually be working.
“To the Grand Duke’s Castle in Esperos.”
“I assume you’ve already figured it out by now, but yes—you’ve been kidnapped by me. We’re headed to Esperos Castle, in the northern region of Hestonia.”
“Ah, looks like we’ve arrived.”
His composed voice made my hands tense without thinking.
Before I could reason it out, my eyes darted to the window. The scenery, which had been rushing by nonstop, was now perfectly still—as if it had been frozen by magic.
As he glanced out the window of the now-stopped carriage, Karlier smiled and said:
“Welcome to captivity.”
“The flower of Zeros—Heidi Eliana.”
At his gently spoken words, I had to bite back a laugh.
A flawless success.
***
“Darling.”
At the gentle, springlike voice, the gathered crowd turned their eyes toward the sound.
There stood a woman with hair like melted honey and eyes like diamonds—silver and radiant.
She was the image of classic beauty, and every man’s gaze turned toward her.
Yet she showed no reaction at all to their attention.
“…Elena?”
From within the crowd, a blond man—Edwin—pushed through quickly to greet her.
The men, previously stunned silent by her beauty, now realized who she was and began murmuring.
“I’d only heard the rumors, but she really is breathtaking.”
“No wonder Miss Heidi is so beautiful. Now we know where it comes from.”
Despite the compliments, Elena offered no response.
Her lips were tightly shut, and she stared only at Edwin.
“Please, continue your conversations. I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”
Edwin, sensing the growing awkwardness, quickly escorted her away.
As the two left, the men realized their flattery had been entirely ignored. Their pride wounded, their expressions hardened with resentment.
“So the rumors were true—beautiful face, personality of a stone.”
“A proper woman should be soft and pleasant.”
“Edwin probably married her for the looks alone.”
Their voices were loud—meant to be heard.
Edwin stopped in his tracks, and the corners of the men’s lips curled smugly.
Tap.
Just as Edwin turned, Elena silently grasped his arm.
Then she slowly turned her gaze toward the men.
Her silver eyes, previously emotionless, were now filled with unmistakable disgust.
And just then, a new voice whispered in the ear of one of the men, who was clenching his jaw in frustration:
“Etiquette in Zeros must be difficult. It takes that many words just to say you’re jealous?”
Already fuming, the men turned eagerly toward the speaker.
“Who do you think you are to interrupt—”
Their angered faces instantly froze.
Their rising voices faltered into silence.
They stared at a man with silver hair glowing under the chandelier—like moonlight poured into strands.
Emotionless gray eyes calmly swept over them.
“…Interrupt?”
The voice was cold, elegant, and full of ridicule.
One of the stunned men stuttered:
“L-Lafer the Wizard?”
Lafer smiled gently at the sound of his name.
Those who had been nervously glancing at the commotion now gazed with awe and fear.
Watching their reactions, Lafer murmured:
“Now that’s the proper response.”
“Still, that lady’s expression was much more amusing.”
He chuckled, recalling how Levelia had treated him like a mere delivery boy for hair dye.
Hmm…
Lafer’s playful gaze followed Edwin and Elena as they disappeared into the distance.
As he watched them go, he quietly reached behind his back and snapped his fingers.
“Seems the sharp-eyed wife has caught on… I suppose the fun ends here for now.”
Snap.
At the sound, the illusion blanketing the ballroom shimmered—and vanished.
