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Chapter 27
Seeing the color gradually return to Isel’s face, Lahan continued speaking.
“There were plenty of chances to shoot, but I couldn’t bring myself to draw the bowstring.”
It wasn’t a complete lie. Thinking of how he had often grown lazy and simply thrown his sword to take down beasts instead of using his bow, Lahan quietly justified himself.
“I see…”
Isel’s eyebrows relaxed slightly, as if relieved for some reason. Count Carnox looked at her, while Viscount Robis remained confused by the incomprehensible situation before him.
Just then, the wolf that had been lying limply atop Prince Rethian’s hunting cart began to twitch.
The arrow had been lodged poorly, failing to completely end its life.
The wolf violently thrashed, rolling off the cart. It staggered but soon regained its footing.
Its fur bristled as it locked its head onto the nearest human.
A low, rumbling growl echoed through the air as its sharp, bloodstained teeth were revealed.
Isel gasped and turned around in shock.
The wolf’s pale yellow eyes glowed as it pushed off the ground and charged straight at her, who had frozen in place.
Harris and Alec, who had been distracted watching Count Carnox, rushed too late to protect her.
“Lady!”
The wolf’s massive jaws opened wide before Isel’s eyes.
She couldn’t even scream—she simply squeezed her eyes shut.
SPLASH!
The sound of flesh being violently torn apart pierced her ears.
Then came a hot liquid trickling down her left cheek. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Someone’s back was blocking her view.
She immediately recognized him.
It was Lahan.
He stood in front of her, holding a sword she hadn’t even seen him draw. Blood dripped from its blade onto the ground.
The sound she had heard was from that blade cutting down the wolf.
The wolf, its neck half severed, collapsed. Convulsing briefly, it soon went still.
Lahan looked down at it with a blank expression.
“Aah,” he said, turning back to Isel. “Are you alright, Isel?”
His golden eyes were filled with concern.
It took her a moment to understand the question.
Isel stiffly nodded.
Lahan’s gaze settled on her pale cheek. He reached out.
His thumb gently brushed her cheek as if wiping something away.
“Blood has splattered,” he said casually.
His fingers were stained red. Isel held her breath.
Only then did she realize the smell of blood flooding her senses.
Fear belatedly overtook her body, and her strength gave out. Just as she was about to collapse, Lahan quickly supported her waist.
If Lahan hadn’t killed the wolf without hesitation, she would have been torn apart.
His emotionless face as he beheaded the wolf lingered in her mind—calm, as if it were nothing more than routine.
Yet when he looked at her again, his expression was filled only with concern.
Was I mistaken…?
“Isel…?”
His voice was close—too close.
Only then did she realize how near they were. Lahan was holding her tightly as she weakened.
Golden eyes looked down at her.
A faint scent of something like dried flowers brushed her nose.
Isel’s face turned bright red.
“I…”
“It seems your legs have given out. I’ll take you to a chair.”
“No, I’m fine!”
Despite her protest, Lahan lifted her effortlessly.
Isel, small compared to him, was completely enveloped in his arms.
Just then, someone stepped in front of Count Carnox.
“Your Grace. We will escort the lady.”
It was Harris and Alec. Their faces were stiff with guilt.
The Count’s cold gaze landed on them.
“I refuse.”
Though his tone was gentle, his refusal was absolute.
Alec clenched his teeth in frustration, but they could not oppose the Duke of Carnox.
“Your Grace, I really am fine—”
Isel mumbled in embarrassment, but Lahan showed no intention of putting her down.
Eventually, she sighed softly and nodded toward Harris and Alec.
Her perspective was higher now, making her slightly dizzy. She fidgeted with her hands, then cautiously grabbed the Duke’s coat.
Lahan noticed her grip and pressed his lips together as if holding something back.
“…I am not fine,” he said, leaning slightly toward her.
His neck was faintly flushed, almost as if he were embarrassed.
As he carried her to the table where the noble ladies sat, Isel couldn’t think clearly. His warmth and strength overwhelmed her senses.
Her heart pounded so loudly she feared he might hear it.
As Count Carnox walked past carrying Isel, every gaze followed them.
Nobles, knights—everyone turned in shock.
But one person looked as if he might burn the entire scene down.
Cezar Rethian.
His eyes darkened as he watched their backs.
Not long after, Isel’s father Leo and Countess Blisha arrived in a panic.
“Isel!”
The Count’s hands trembled as he saw his daughter.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, thanks to His Grace.”
At those words, both Leo and the Countess turned to Lahan.
The Count bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Lahan smiled gently.
“It is nothing.”
“…?”
“Compared to the life Lady Isel once saved for me.”
Isel tilted her head in confusion.
Lahan looked at her with a complex expression—bittersweet, longing… yet strangely happy.
Later
When the Emperor heard that a wolf had almost attacked the Count Blisha’s daughter, he was furious.
He placed the attendant responsible for Prince Rethian’s cart under punishment.
However, the greater fault lay with Rethian for failing to properly finish the kill.
Though the hunting competition was a game, it was also a ritual honoring nature.
It was customary to ensure a swift death for hunted beasts.
After reviewing all results, Leo Blisha was declared the winner.
Everyone applauded, but Leo himself was confused.
Back at the lodge, he found three times more prey in his cart than expected.
The arrows clearly belonged to him—but the animals did not.
He tried to speak up, but met Lahan’s gaze.
The Duke smiled faintly.
A chill ran down Leo’s spine.
If he said the truth, his career might turn into a nightmare.
His mind argued: honesty versus survival.
In the end, he said nothing.
The Emperor praised Leo and awarded him the promised blue pearl necklace.
