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Chapter 57
At her reaction, Lerasier became even more brazen and asked again.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Not at all.”
Calliope responded immediately.
“But then why does it seem to me that His Highness the Prince flinched beforehand?”
“Me? Ha, that’s absurd.”
Aegis glanced back and forth between his master, who was carrying on like a comedic duo, and Calliope, then realized what he needed to do and dashed off.
Lerasier seated Calliope on the sofa in the reception room.
“You can just go out to the palace and use healing magic.”
“You said magic isn’t omnipotent. Besides, the faster you handle emergency treatment, the better.”
Lerasier pulled a large first aid kit from a drawer and sat in front of her.
He placed a splint against Calliope’s ankle and wrapped it tightly with a bandage as if securing it with precision.
The smooth, no-nonsense movements surprised Calliope.
As she stared, mesmerized by Lerasier’s mysterious golden eyes glimmering in the light:
“What are you staring at so blankly?”
“Oh… I’m just impressed at how skilled you are. Your technique is top-notch.”
“I’m used to this sort of thing.”
Lerasier replied casually, but his answer only deepened Calliope’s curiosity.
‘Used to this? Did he get hurt a lot when he was a mercenary?’
It made sense, considering the danger and bizarre requests common in that line of work.
“Your movements should be easier now.”
Calliope pressed her injured foot gently against the floor while sitting on the sofa.
A sharp pain ran up her thigh, but it was bearable.
“Fortunately, it’s manageable.”
Calliope responded as Lerasier helped her to stand.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the Verdi mansion.”
“There’s no need to go to such trouble. I’m fine.”
“No. Today, we do it my way.”
For some reason, Lerasier’s tone was so firm that Calliope couldn’t bring herself to argue.
As a result, she was once again lifted into his arms and carried to the Verdi family carriage, just as before.
Lerasier sat across from her after gladly escorting her to the carriage.
“You must be tired. Get some rest; it’ll take some time to reach the mansion.”
“Mm…”
For once, Calliope obediently responded.
Moreover, it was deep into the night. Though she had been maintaining her composure, her body finally relaxed, and she fell asleep.
“….”
Watching her sleep, Lerasier exhaled quietly.
Unbeknownst to Calliope, he had accompanied her intentionally out of concern for her safety.
‘If Manuel notices and tries anything against Calliope, it would be troublesome.’
Earlier, it seemed he had been completely deceived, but one could never be certain.
For Lerasier, who knew better than anyone how dangerous the royal palace could be, getting Calliope out safely was a top priority.
However, due to the Crown Prince’s surveillance, he couldn’t take her directly to the carriage.
So he deliberately stopped by the prince’s palace, creating the illusion that she was just asleep.
Only then did the prince’s guards disappear, having assumed the prince was asleep.
By tomorrow, they would likely be back like leeches.
“Annoying…”
Lerasier muttered the thought aloud with a self-deprecating laugh.
How trivial and indulgent that thought felt.
For a fleeting moment, he almost let himself relax in that false sense of security.
He sharpened the blade of his mind once more.
To be distracted by a mirage and neglect one’s goal was foolish.
Now, there was no turning back.
Once the engine had started, he would run to the end.
He clenched his fists, recalling each enemy one by one.
Then, his gaze landed on someone.
“….”
A woman he had used as a means to an end.
He planned to fully utilize Calliope Verdi’s influence, background, and abilities to serve his purpose.
Coincidentally, she had said she was using him too, so he considered it mutual.
A relationship built on mutual use, entirely rational and objective.
…It had certainly started that way.
“What?”
A sudden thought struck Lerasier, startling him.
Before he could even ponder why it was in the past tense, he heard a ragged breathing sound.
His keen senses quickly located its source.
“Wait…”
It was uneven, rough breathing. He quickly placed the back of his hand on her forehead.
“Damn…”
Lerasier muttered, his face contorted.
Her forehead was burning with fever. He opened the window connected to the carriage seat and shouted:
“Stop the carriage!”
“Eh? Yes! Right away!”
The order took immediate effect.
The Verdi family’s coachman, experienced in surviving attacks from assassins, pulled the reins sharply and slowed the horses.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Lerasier opened the door, lifted Calliope in his arms, and said to the coachman:
“I’ll ride on horseback.”
“Eh?”
Instead of answering, Lerasier took one of the two horses pulling the carriage.
He stepped out with the limp Calliope in his arms.
“Your Highness, why all of a sudden…?”
“Calliope’s condition isn’t good. Time is critical.”
Lerasier urgently replied, forgetting the pretense of behaving like a polite couple in front of the coachman.
“There’s no time. We’ll go ahead.”
He wrapped her waist tightly around himself, holding her as if draping her over his body, and in his other hand grabbed the reins and leapt onto the horse.
It was truly astonishing strength and reflexes.
Lerasier made sure Calliope wouldn’t fall, dug his heels in, and the horse, stimulated, started to move quickly and then broke into full gallop.
‘Faster! Hurry…!’
He urged the horse onward.
The trained horse responded immediately to his command.
Clop-clop, clop-clop! The sound of hooves pierced the deep night.
After riding at a nearly reckless pace, Lerasier and Calliope were approaching the Verdi mansion.
“Hee-hing!”
The soldiers guarding the front gate flinched at the loud neighing, gripping their weapons tightly.
Though territorial wars had long ended, old habits die hard.
Some nobles occasionally exercised their authority in townhouses, so the guards remained alert.
“F-First, alert the inside…!”
“What are you waiting for! Open the gate immediately!”
However, the booming voice of the man charging at them startled them completely.
“Seventh Prince…! What brings you here…?”
“Can’t you hear me? Open the gate! Calliope Verdi is sick!”
The effect of Lerasier’s shout was tremendous.
The previously flustered guards instantly transformed back into competent soldiers at the sight of Calliope in his arms.
“Hurry inside!”
The mansion doors opened immediately.
When Lerasier arrived at the main building, Silvia ran out.
“Miss…!”
Agnes followed, calmly wrapping an arm around the stunned Silvia and said to Lerasier:
“Please go to her room. Butler Harold has called the doctor; they should arrive soon.”
Lerasier nodded and carried Calliope into the bedroom.
After placing her on the clean, soft bed, he was asked to step outside briefly.
“She must change clothes. Please wait a moment.”
While pacing outside, Harold arrived with a tray and asked a question he hadn’t before:
“Is the Verdi Marquess still away?”
“Yes. He should return by tomorrow morning.”
“I see.”
“Miss should recover somewhat before your return…”
Harold’s concern brought a complex expression to Lerasier’s golden eyes.
