DRRS 07

 Chapter 07

“Miss!”

From a distance, Sophia’s cheerful voice called out to Medeia.

Behind her were Sion, holding Daniel’s hand, and, for some reason, Lucian trailing slightly behind.

“They’re here soon…”

The man with long blue hair whispered quietly as he watched Sophia’s group approach Medeia.

At the same time, Lucian’s gaze drifted toward the man.

Whether by coincidence or instinct, the unfamiliar stare quickly receded.

“Move, move!”

It happened in that instant.

A man with disheveled brown hair barreled through the crowd mercilessly.

Sweat ran down his face, and something silver gleamed hidden in his arms.

“Ah, Miss!”

In a split second, he veered toward Medeia, throwing himself at her.

Meril, caught off guard, let out a startled scream.

“Be careful!”

Andrew quickly stepped in to block him, but it wasn’t enough.

The man, as if expecting this, dodged Andrew and lunged at Medeia again.

By now, the silver object in his hands was fully visible.

“I told you, you should’ve stayed still.”

The man muttered something incomprehensible as he reached Medeia.

Meril squeezed her eyes shut, expecting the worst. The man smiled knowingly.

At that moment, Lucian quietly fixed his gaze on the object the man held.

There was no fear, no surprise in his eyes.

If anything, the expression on the child’s face mirrored the man’s.

Then, with a sharp thunk, something cold pierced through someone’s body.

“Lucian!”

The voice that followed wasn’t what Meril expected.

Opening her eyes, she saw Lucian slumped, bleeding, while Medeia called out to him frantically.

“Give me the child, Lucian. I’ll carry him.”

For a moment, Andrew froze in shock, but quickly approached Medeia, who carefully held Lucian.

“Let’s take him to where Robin and Luna are.”

Meril handed Lucian to Medeia, who passed him into Andrew’s arms, pointing to a nearby narrow alley.

Showing Lucian to a doctor now would be like admitting that Medeia had sneaked out from her father’s place.

Returning to the secret location for emergency care was the only option.

“Meril, what should we do…?”

Sophia, about to ask about Daniel, Sion, and herself, paused.

Sion collapsed to the ground, gasping.

“Sion!”

At the last moment, Daniel’s outstretched hand saved him from hitting his head.

“I-I’m fine,” Sion said, forcing a faint smile.

Pretending to be okay even when he wasn’t—Sion had done it before, even to comfort his mother after his father’s death.

“No… we need to get Sion to a doctor too…”

If it were just Daniel and him, seeing a doctor might have been fine.

But Sophia panicked, ignoring Meril, who had already left.

“Sophia, it’ll be okay.”

Daniel, unusually calm, reassured her.

“How can you know that? What if something happens to Sion…?”

At that moment, Sion’s trembling hand brushed against Sophia’s.

“Daniel’s right. He’ll be okay soon.”

The nightmare stained with blood would never be forgotten, but his rapid breathing would eventually return to normal.

Sion placed his hand down, smiling faintly.

Sophia held that hand, while Daniel supported Sion’s head with his other.

Meanwhile, the man with long blue hair who had silently watched until now let out a sigh.

“What… how did this happen?”

Muttering to himself, he met the gaze of someone waiting in the opposite alley.

That person, also caught off guard, shook his brown hat so hard it nearly flew off. He made it clear he wasn’t responsible for this mess.

“Fine, go.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the man in the opposite alley quickly disappeared.

The hat finally fell to the ground after several shakes, but he didn’t look back.

At the same time, a voice came from behind the blue-haired man.

“Pretash, they’ve sent someone from Setanel again.”

“Again? Can’t they just give up? It’s infuriating.”

“They’ve… become dependent on your magic to survive.”

“Funny how they said everyone else was pitiful… and now their own lives are pathetic.”

The blue-haired man let out a scornful laugh.

“They’ll likely cross the border tonight.”

“Good. Go now.”

The urging voice made him stop smiling. Following the voice, he turned back to the city streets.

“…Well, nothing to worry about.”

With that indifferent remark, he disappeared.

* * *

Back at the Duke’s mansion, Medeia and her group seemed calm, as if nothing had happened.

Lucian’s injuries weren’t as deep as the blood suggested, and Sion’s breathing soon returned to normal.

Yet the mysterious attacker left a lingering tension: someone other than Alex Leshanin might be a hidden enemy.

If it were Alex, he wouldn’t have dared attack his own daughter.

There was a third party holding a grudge against Medeia.

“Miss, you should ask Robin and Luna to investigate the backer behind the attack.”

Meril, glancing around nervously, whispered.

“Also, since someone familiar with Psibel will be sent, it’s a good chance to deliver the letter.”

Medeia didn’t even need to ask. Seeing Lucian injured, she knew Robin and Luna would naturally pursue the mastermind themselves.

Better to be certain—Medeia decided she’d write a letter as well.

“Once that person arrives, we’ll send them straight to where you are.”

Meril’s voice was unusually low, heavy with resolve.

“Miss Medeia, where have you been? Mosquis searched high and low! Look at my shoes—I’ve worn them out chasing after you!”

Mosquis descended the stairs with exaggerated gestures, as if performing a play.

His shoes, already worn for years, weren’t just scuffed from today—they were entirely ruined.

He shamelessly lied without changing his expression.

“Do I have to report my every move to you? You’re just one of my father’s subordinates.”

Mosquis couldn’t hide his expression and scowled. Then he forced out an irritating laugh.

“Of course, it’s natural to be curious about your master’s movements. As her most devoted servant, isn’t it reasonable?”

Calling Medeia “Master,” his eyes were filled with mockery.

It was clear he had no intention of serving her, despite his words.

“I never made you my subordinate.”

Medeia turned toward the opposite stairs, deeming him unworthy of further attention.

“I am a loyal servant of the Leshanin household. Naturally, both the Duke and Miss are my masters.”

Mosquis continued behind her, his lips twitching.

“And if you were curious about her whereabouts because of the Duke, that’s a different story, isn’t it?”

A smirk tainted his words.

Though Medeia ignored him, he seemed to revel in the idea that she couldn’t ignore him.

“Miss…”

Meril, glaring at Mosquis, was about to answer on Medeia’s behalf when Luke, the Leshanin butler, appeared in the direction Medeia was heading.

His silver-streaked hair and kind face gave him a gentle aura, but he was no ordinary man. Alex Leshanin relied on him heavily.

“Looks like the book you wanted arrived just as you visited.”

Luke, like Mosquis, was a trusted aide of Alex Leshanin.

Even though he was helpful in the current situation, Medeia remained cautious.

“Yes. The bookseller remembered your fondness for this series and even set one aside for you.”

Meril pulled a dark green book from her arms and shook it deliberately, signaling Mosquis to pay attention.

“That’s fortunate. Please rest comfortably.”

Luke bowed toward Medeia.

Medeia walked past him, followed by Andrew carrying Lucian, Daniel and Sophia holding Sion’s hand, and Meril.

“As expected. A noble lady wouldn’t resort to petty tricks, like misleading others about her destination.”

Mosquis, silently watching, muttered his last words.

Though Medeia didn’t stop walking, a small ripple of unease stirred in her chest.