SWST 18

Chapter 18

I wished he would just leave quietly, but Helbern, seemingly having trouble controlling his anger, turned his sharp eyes back on me.
“Such true love cannot be allowed for Dochef!”
“I think you’ve got the wrong idea—we’re not like that.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! The steward told me everything. You snuck in and out of your house in the village in disguise.”

That, too, was a huge misunderstanding. I couldn’t bring myself to say I didn’t know who it was, so I stayed silent. Helbern muttered under his breath.
“This won’t do. I oppose this marriage. I absolutely cannot allow that kid to be happy, understand?”
“Huh?”

He grabbed my wrist tightly.
“Since I failed to drive that brat away, you’re going to have to disappear instead.”
“Huh? Disappear where?!”

He grinned and pointed at the sky.
“You don’t mean… the afterlife?”
“Just follow me quietly!”

This lunatic!

I struggled, but the difference in strength was overwhelming. As expected of a Bloody Mary Awakened. His forearms were so muscular that it felt like I couldn’t even pinch them. I thought I might really be dragged away to die.

Whoosh—!

A small gust of wind blew.
“Huh? What’s this?”

Helbern paused for a moment, turning around, and Junel flew in, gripping my captured hand tightly.
[Sword Bound.]

Zing!

And in an instant, Helbern went flying.

With a thud, he slammed against the wall and let out a grunt. I also collapsed to the floor from the recoil.
“Ugh… what… is this?”
[What do you think? It’s the power of the spirit.]

Junel smiled proudly.
“Did you do that?” I asked softly, still stunned. Junel floated over.
[I told you I’d show you. This is the extent of my power.]

I couldn’t close my mouth in astonishment. Was it because of his small body and cute face? Or maybe because I hadn’t seen him do much in the original story? I hadn’t expected it, but this much power…

The opponent was Helbern. Not just a knight, but an Awakened of Bloody Mary. Someone who had reached the Swordmaster level. And yet, Helbern had fallen in a single blow.

[Well? Do you believe me when I say I’ll protect you now?]
“Absolutely.”

Without a doubt. Even if my family were wiped out, as long as Junel was around, I felt like I could survive.

At that moment, excitedly grinning at Junel, I heard a cold voice.
“Woman… what did you do to me?”

Eek.

Helbern, a wreck, was slowly lifting himself up.
“J-Junel. No matter what, you can’t just use your power on Helbern like that.”
[Wasn’t he trying to take you away? I just did what I had to, to protect you.]

Should I be grateful or not?

“What kind of power is this? Woman! What did you do? Ugh!”

Helbern screamed, clutching his ribs. One of them seemed cracked. Even a hammer wouldn’t have budged him, yet his rib broke. The power of a spirit is no joke.

“I-I didn’t do it. I don’t have any power. I was surprised too.”

I still sat on the floor, hugging myself.
“Don’t play dumb. That power came from your body, you know?”
“Then… how did it—”

“How should I know? You know! Ack!”

Helbern, letting out a scream, shuffled forward like a zombie.
“D-Don’t come near me!”
“I need to uncover exactly what that power is. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Uh? It wasn’t me!”

Helbern, now close enough to look down at me, grinned. This wasn’t going to end well.
“You’re making a mistake. To the woman who will be your sister-in-law!”
“Huh? Sister-in-law?”

Helbern’s face stiffened immediately.
“That’s right. If I become the wife of Prince Dochef, I’ll be your sister-in-law.”

Damn it. I decided to switch tactics quickly. Junel had shown the extent of his power; I couldn’t run away here. Living with fear as a descendant of a doomed family seemed less appealing than just staying here. Even if the family fell, Junel would somehow protect my life.

“I won’t just stand by! You and Dochef won’t be sneaking around in front of me!”
“Whether we sneak around or not, it’s already been approved by the duchess.”
“Cough!”

Helbern raised his index and middle fingers as if to poke my eyes. But soon those fingers were forcibly bent.

“Helbern!”

Dochef burst in through the wide-open door. With a stiff expression, he gripped Helbern’s fingers as if to crush them.
“Argh!”

Though weaker in strength, Helbern’s wrist bent from the backlash of Junel’s attack. Dochef’s face remained composed. I had worried he might get hit by Nikolai, but he didn’t get into a fight. Thankfully, he was okay.

“You crazy bastard! Won’t let go?!”

Who’s calling who a bastard? Helbern, who had been rampaging, shouted angrily. Dochef’s gaze alternated between me and the fallen Helbern.
“Even I have my limits.”
“Limits my foot! I’m the one hurt here! My rib’s broken because of that woman!”

Helbern shouted, but no one would believe him. Of course, how could a seemingly frail commoner like me beat a renowned knight like Helbern?

“Dochef! Explain to Nikolai properly—”

Francesca, who had followed Dochef, saw me on the floor and paled.
“My goodness!”

She rushed over and supported me.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
“Stand up.”
“…Thank you.”

I stood with her help, though her expression was serious.
“Are you really okay? How did you fall?”
“Huh? I just tripped a little. I’m fine, nothing hurts.”
“Hmph.”

Clearly, Helbern was the one hurt, yet Francesca scanned me anxiously.

Meanwhile, Dochef and Helbern still faced off.
“Let go!”
“Promise you won’t touch her again.”

His tone was serious, but the pinky finger he held up was absurdly childish.
‘In the novel, they made Dochef look like an outcast… was he really this childish with his brother?’

Helbern cursed endlessly at the pinky finger.
“You’ve lost it! Why should I do that?!”

He twisted, trying to pull his hand free, but couldn’t. He scowled in disbelief.
“Woman! What did you do to me? This can’t be happening… I can’t use my strength!”
“How could I do anything? It was the prince who tried to stop us from marrying and even tried to kill me!”

Sobbing like a terrified lamb, Francesca and Dochef both fixed their eyes on Helbern.
“You tried to kill her?”

Helbern’s eyes widened like saucers.
“When? When did I ever try to kill her?!”
“Helbern Bloody Mary.”

Francesca’s glare made him recoil.
“Mother! You’re believing this commoner girl? Huh?!”
“Helbern, you’ve gone too far this time.”
“Unbelievable. You’re siding with that brat over me?”
“Behave yourself from now on.”

Helbern’s eyes began to redden. Francesca turned her gaze away.
“We’ll talk later when the others aren’t watching.”

I watched silently, thinking, Something’s off.

Even though Helbern threatened me, there was no reason Francesca should side with me. I’m a commoner, and I was brought here by Dochef, the family’s weak point. Even if Helbern had tried to kill me, she might have sided with him, but surely not defend me. In this family, Nikolai and Helbern are practically second only to the head.

“Everyone, go back. Helbern, no approaching Dochef or this girl.”
“Mother!”

Strange indeed.

Back in the office, Nikolai repeatedly kicked the wall. The way Dochef had acted earlier was ridiculous.

“It’s hard to understand, but I hope you will.”

Then, brazenly, he added:
“Brother.”

The moment he uttered that disgusting word, it was as if Nikolai lost all reason and unleashed a five-star skill. Francesca shouted for him to stop, but it seemed too late. I feared one of Dochef’s arms might be severed.

“I’ll accept whatever punishment comes to the family. Anything. Gladly.”
“What trick is this brat playing…!”

Dochef waved his unharmed hand before disappearing outside. His words were absurd, but even more astonishing was that one-star Dochef had dodged a five-star skill. He usually took every attack from Nikolai…
It must have been luck. Just luck.

Shaking off his thoughts, Nikolai hurried to his desk and pulled out parchment. His ink-dipped pen moved rapidly.