IBWMD 69

~Chapter 69~

Ah. That felt good.

‘Yep, when it comes to interrogations, talking with your fists is a hundred times easier.’

It felt like my old self was coming out again for the first time in a while.

As I grinned from ear to ear, I saw the assassin’s eyes go wide in shock.

“Mmph! Mmmmph!”

“Just kidding.”

“Mmph?!”

Thwack!

Right between the eyebrows.

With a final strike, the assassin let out a gurgling sound and passed out.

Honestly, this was merciful, all things considered.

“I mean, I used to be a holy knight. You think I enjoy torturing people?”

Sure, I might’ve used people as target dummies, but I never liked blood.

Muttering to myself, I dusted off my hands and began searching his body.

“Let’s see… any proof…”

When I reached into his coat, I pulled out some rope and a small sack. It looked like something used to cover someone’s head.

Hmm… wait a minute.

‘Was he planning to kidnap me?’

Maybe he didn’t mean to kill me—just scare me a bit?

‘Everyone has a plan… until they get punched in the face.’

I reversed the sack and shoved it over his head, then tied his arms and legs up tight.

I was going to keep searching, but…

“Jeez, he’s like an onion.”

So many layers. Maybe it’s because it’s cold up here?

His clothes were fastened so tightly that I couldn’t loosen them with normal strength.

With a sigh, I looked down at the unconscious man.

“Should I just strip him completely?”

It was a bold idea—but a good one.

If I took everything off, I’d be able to spot hidden items or clues more easily.

Perfect. Decision made.

Riiip.

“Hmm. Hmmm-hmm~.”

I hummed a tune as I tore open his black assassin clothes.

“…Elaine?”

Suddenly, a cold air filled the room with a familiar voice.

“…Huh?”

I blinked and looked up.

Standing just outside the open window—left ajar by the assassin—was a figure I knew all too well.

A figure that never failed to show up, no matter when or where.

“…Karl.”

He stood among the fluttering curtains, bathed in moonlight like some kind of painting.

The holes in his tattered cape let light through in scattered beams that painted the floor with threads of silver—an artwork in itself.

And it wasn’t just the scenery that sparkled.

Even though the light was behind him and I could barely see his face,
his golden eyes—now wide and alert—shone like precious stones.

I found myself dazed, staring into those eyes before I finally came back to my senses.

“Why are you…?”

Then it hit me—the conversation we’d had earlier.

‘You forgot one.’
‘I’ll bring it to you.’
‘I’ll come back.’

…And sure enough, Karl was holding a small, cute package in one hand.

It looked comically tiny in his large hand—decorated all neatly with pastel wrapping.

A sweet scent of butter wafted from it.

…Butter. Wait, he really came just to give me cookies?

Suddenly, my chest tickled in a way I couldn’t explain.

Even before tasting them, the smell alone made my mouth feel like I’d eaten ten spoons of sugar.

My brain buzzed from the sheer sweetness.

But then my rational mind fought through the sugar storm and reminded me:

‘Wait… why did he come through the window?’

The answer came quickly.

‘Because I locked the door, thinking I’d be gone?’

Right. Since I locked up, of course he would…

‘No, wait.’

Most people would’ve assumed I was asleep and just gone home—not climb through a window in the dead of night.

But even realizing all that, I didn’t think about kicking him out or asking questions.

I just blinked, overwhelmed by the ticklish joy bubbling inside me.

Then—

“Right now…”

Karl opened his mouth very slowly.

“What are you… doing?”

Only then did I realize what I was doing.

Why I’d locked the door.
How this all looked from someone else’s perspective.

“Uh… so, um…”

My eyes darted wildly around.

I was in a sheer nightgown, straddling a tied-up man, halfway through ripping his clothes.

And the floor… soaked with water.

“This is insane.”

Cold sweat rolled down my neck.

Honestly, this looked so bad—even I had to admit it.

‘What do I do?!’

I tried forcing an awkward smile.

“……”

And failed miserably.

I probably looked like I couldn’t decide whether to cry or laugh.

“I, uh, this is, well…”

I slowly let go of the man’s shirt and began to speak.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not—”

But I didn’t get to finish.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the world spun.

Karl strode over in a flash and scooped me up.

WHAM!

He kicked the man I’d been sitting on with full force.

“Aaargh!”

The guy flew like a ragdoll, rolling and crashing straight into the wall.

‘Whoa. That probably broke something.’

My brief moment of awe and concern ended as I found myself sitting on the bed.

‘Did he just… carry me like I weighed nothing?’

As I thought that, Karl knelt down in front of me.

“Karl?”

Moonlight fell directly onto his face.

“……”

I couldn’t breathe.

His face was cold, but the fury brewing underneath was undeniable.

He looked like a volcano seconds away from erupting, barely holding back molten rage.

Veins stood out on his neck and jaw.

‘Okay… this situation looks bad. But is he seriously this mad?’

‘I mean, I can explain.’

But anything I said would just sound ridiculous.

It was like I was being accused of cheating—even though we weren’t even dating.

Then—

“Elaine.”

His voice scraped low across the floor, like it was echoing from a cave.

Shockingly, even that angry tone sounded beautiful.

Goosebumps ran down my neck.

“This is…”

I was about to explain, but he cut me off.

“Are you hurt?”

“Why are you using that tone… huh?”

What kind of question was that?

“I asked if you’re hurt, Elaine.”

He repeated the question, and I saw his golden eyes tremble.

Then Karl grabbed my hand—tight.

‘Huh?’

His hand… was shaking.

Why?

“Whoa.”

My own hand was bright red.

Not just that—my nightgown was splattered in red stains.

‘I look like I crawled out of a horror movie.’

‘It’s not my blood, though…’

So where—?

“Nngh…”

“……”

“Hnnnn…”

I glanced over. The assassin, half-conscious and crying, caught my eye.

His nose was so swollen and bloody that the sack covering his face had turned red.

‘Ah. That explains it.’

I’d socked him in the face and doused him in water. When he thrashed around, blood went everywhere.

“Elaine.”

Just as I was wondering how to explain this in one sentence, his voice came again—low and trembling.

“Tell me.”

“……”

“Did he hurt you?”

…The look in his eyes was heartbreakingly beautiful.

I knew it was the wrong moment to think that,
but beautiful things are beautiful. No sense denying it.

Even surrounded by tension and blood, the way he looked at me was drenched in worry.

‘I’m not the only one who was worried.’

‘Karl was this worried about me too.’

The hand gripping mine felt hot.

While I was lost in that strange wave of emotion—

“Elaine. Answer.”

Karl urged me again.

He looked like he was finally stepping into the role he was born for.

I gathered strength in my lips and said—

“No.”

I wasn’t the one hurt. The assassin was.

“Huff… Huff…”

The guy groaned in pain. Even unconscious, he sounded miserable.

Well, he got beat up by both me and Karl.

‘Now that I think about it, I kind of feel bad for him.’

Still, we’d better tie him up tighter so he can’t escape.

“I’m not hurt. I’m fine.”

So let’s deal with him first.

Just as I was about to say that—

Karl’s deep voice cut through again.

“You’re lying.”

“If you’re not going to believe me, then why even ask?!”

“You’re soaked in blood, and you say you’re fine?”

“It’s not my—”

“Where else are you hurt? Show me.”

He reached to check my body.

His large, solid hands—trembling again—brushed against my blood-stained shoulder and lower abdomen.

“Wait!”

I yelped and jerked away.

It felt like his touch set my skin on fire.

‘This is dangerous!’

Even though I knew he didn’t mean anything by it—it still felt dangerous.

I could feel my face turning beet red.

“Elaine, please.”

His voice followed—gentle and pleading.