EVNB 10

CHapter 10……………………………………………………….

A pouch flew in from somewhere and struck the man squarely in the face. With a dull thud, he was hit and immediately fell backward. As he collapsed, he began bleeding and lost consciousness.

Only then did Jerden, who had finally come to his senses, notice the man’s presence. On the ground lay a dagger the man had dropped.

That had been close. He hadn’t even realized someone had gotten this close.

Unable to believe it, Jerden frowned darkly.

‘Who…’

As he looked forward to identify the one who had helped him, he saw Rubelia there, gasping for breath.

“…Rubelia?”

“Oh, I’m exhausted.”

Rubelia sighed, as if she didn’t even have the energy to properly respond to Jerden’s call.

When she had arrived here, following an inexplicable feeling, she had been extremely startled.

But only for a moment. Realizing she didn’t have time to just stand and watch, she had barely managed to throw a coin pouch at the man right before he stabbed Jerden with his dagger.

Honestly, she hadn’t even planned to throw the coin pouch—it was simply the only thing she had on hand.

She had worried whether she might miss, but contrary to her concern, it had hit the man perfectly in the face.

Because of that, the fallen man now had a nosebleed pouring down both nostrils.

‘So that’s why I suddenly felt something bad.’

Seeing the situation now, it seemed that ominous feeling had been her sensing Jerden’s danger. After all, God had said she was given special abilities to save Jerden, and that she would realize them once she met him.

“What brings you here?”

Jerden, who had waited until Rubelia caught her breath, asked.

“I was out for a walk?”

She couldn’t exactly say “I had a bad feeling,” so she answered like that instead.

“Here?”

Jerden narrowed his eyes.

Of all places—a deserted alley, and the most secluded corner of it?

“I’ve recently gotten into a game called ‘finding hidden paths only I know about.’”

Rubelia said this confidently. Jerden looked even more confused, but didn’t press further.

Whatever the reason she had come here, she had saved his life.

Judging by the black blade of the dagger on the ground, it had likely been coated with poison. Even if he had dodged it narrowly, a scratch would have meant poisoning.

What mattered was that she had saved him.

For the second time, including what happened in the city before.

If it hadn’t been Rubelia, he would have suspected such a rare coincidence—someone deliberately staging situations and then appearing at the right moment to help him.

But everything Jerden had experienced made it difficult to believe Rubelia had orchestrated any of it.

And from the moment he had decided to accept her as a “candidate friend,” Rubelia had become the only person he could trust.

“For now, let’s leave this place.”

The smell of blood coming from inside the building was unpleasant now that he knew Rubelia was here, and it wasn’t a scene she should see.

“Yes. You’re not injured anywhere, right?”

“I’m not.”

“Thank goodness.”

Rubelia smiled brightly in relief. Jerden watched her with a darker gaze.

After leaving the alley, Jerden immediately called the city guard knights and ordered the arrest of the criminals lying unconscious in the hideout.

“Is there anything else to do?”

Jerden asked after roughly finishing things.

“There is.”

Rubelia replied confidently. Jerden looked slightly disappointed.

“Today, I’m just going to become a caterpillar and wriggle around doing nothing.”

As if extremely satisfied with that fact, Rubelia smiled happily.

“I see. I was thinking of stopping by a dessert shop for you.”

After all, he owed her his life today. Of course, he didn’t intend to settle that debt with just desserts.

“Yes. I was planning to go to a dessert shop anyway.”

Rubelia quickly changed her words and smiled brightly.

“Let’s go.”

At her completely unhidden honesty, Jerden chuckled and started walking.

But then—

Rubelia’s expression suddenly stiffened.

“…Ah, what do I do…”

She panicked greatly. Of all people, she had just made eye contact with Hasedian.

‘They say life outside is suffering.’

It had been a rare day without visits from Hasedian and Aria, so she had come out thinking she could rest at home peacefully.

If she hadn’t made eye contact, it might have been fine—but she did. And now Hasedian’s reaction was obvious.

She had to run.

To escape Hasedian’s grasp!

“Jerden, run!”

Without hesitation, Rubelia grabbed Jerden’s hand and started running.

Jerden, caught off guard, ran without understanding what was happening.

He looked at her, trying to figure out the situation, but her expression was so serious and urgent that he frowned.

He didn’t know what was going on, but it seemed best to follow her for now.

Besides, she had just helped him earlier.

However, at this pace, it wouldn’t work. Rubelia’s running speed was very slow—slower even than Jerden, who was already exhausted.

Thinking that, Jerden suddenly scooped her up into his arms.

“Huh?”

“I think I’m faster than you. I’ll put you down if it’s uncomfortable.”

There was no need to go this far, but he couldn’t ignore her desperate attempt to escape, so he decided to help.

From the way she looked, it was as if she were fleeing from an assassin.

“Jerden, fighting!”

Rubelia accepted his help without hesitation. In fact, it was much better this way.

She had already used up her stamina running to the alley earlier and had no strength left.

Encouraged by her, Jerden ran with full effort.

Just moments ago, he had been so tired he could barely notice an attack—but now, holding Rubelia, he felt no fatigue at all.

But it didn’t last long.

Jerden stopped at a dead-end alley. Behind them, Hasedian, who had been chasing them desperately, also stopped.

He looked at Jerden and Rubelia in his arms with a fierce expression.

“Lady Rubelia, please don’t worry. I will definitely save you.”

Hasedian declared, as if facing a traitor of the nation.

Rubelia looked at him with disbelief.

‘What kind of crazy cat is barking like a dog?’

She had been the one running away from him.

“You’re completely misunderstanding something.”

Jerden also looked just as baffled.

He had thought Rubelia was being chased—but he never imagined it would be Hasedian.

Rumors said Rubelia was the one pursuing him, making him the annoyed party.

“Don’t misunderstand. No matter how lovely Lady Shutein is, do you really think you can win her heart through kidnapping?”

Kidnapping was an absolutely despicable method.

How frightened and shocked must that delicate Rubelia be, being kidnapped in the middle of a bright street?

If he had known this would happen, he would have stayed by her side all day without leaving her for even a moment.

Feeling that Rubelia had been kidnapped due to his own inadequacy, guilt filled him.

“I’ve never heard the Duke was insane… but you’ve got guts.”

Seeing such nonsense, Jerden’s gaze turned cold.

“Release her immediately.”

“Why should I?”

Hasedian flared up at Jerden’s confident tone.

“How dare a kidnapper speak like that after laying hands on my beloved Rubelia!”

“I guess talking won’t work.”

Hasedian released a murderous aura, as if about to charge forward.

Jerden’s expression turned icy.

“Prepare yourself. Even if you are a duke, the crime of attempting to assassinate a Grand Duke is not light.”

Jerden, after all, carried imperial blood.

Hasedian flinched.

Only now did he realize Jerden’s identity.

“…I greet Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

He bowed stiffly.

Jerden sneered coldly.

“So you weren’t just insane—you’ve completely lost your mind.”

Just now realizing his identity and greeting him like this…

Then Hasedian spoke again:

“I understand, Your Highness. But shouldn’t you also show some ‘consideration’ for someone you like?”

“What do you mean?”

“You are kidnapping her right now.”

Hasedian glared sharply.

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I did not kidnap her.”

If anything, he was helping Rubelia escape.

“How can I believe that?”

Hasedian looked at him distrustfully. Jerden clicked his tongue in irritation.

‘So I’m the one who has to step in.’

Rubelia thought to herself.

Otherwise, Hasedian would truly attack Jerden, convinced he was a kidnapper.

That would be very bad. After all, Jerden might be someone who would help save his life in the future.

Even if the two couldn’t get along, there was no benefit in them clashing like this.

“Actually…!”

Rubelia spoke up. Both Jerden and Hasedian turned to her.

“I’m the one kidnapping Jerden.”

Rubelia said, trying her best to look confident.