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Chapter 24.
Thud, thud-thud!
“You damned old hag! Just die already!”
“Can’t even pay back what you owe. You’d be better off dead.”
The sound of one-sided violence made me stop in my tracks.
A frail-looking old woman was being beaten by two sturdy men.
“What could make you treat an elderly person so harshly?”
“What’s this? A knight in shining armor?”
The two men snickered at me.
“Answer my question.”
“She couldn’t pay her debt.”
One of them crossed his arms as he replied.
The old woman’s body, collapsed on the ground, trembled faintly.
I had died many times, witnessed death hundreds of times, and even taken lives with my own hands.
It wasn’t that I suddenly felt pity for someone’s death.
But I couldn’t help feeling a little envious of those who still got to live their one and only, precious life.
For those people, this life is all they have — I just wished they could live it by their own will.
That’s all this was: a whim of mine. That old woman just happened to cross my path at the right moment.
I couldn’t stop my own regressions, but this — this was something I could fix.
“How much does the old woman owe?”
“What, are you planning to pay it off for her?”
I took a few silver coins from my pouch and tossed them at their feet.
“That should be enough, shouldn’t it?”
The men picked up the coins, checked that they were real, and grinned slyly.
“Well, well, must be a noble lady. What’s someone like you doing out here without a guard?”
Both swaggered toward me, and I couldn’t help but snort.
Unless the male lead himself kills me, I can’t die.
I drew my dagger. The men laughed, as if I were amusing them.
I lowered my stance, waiting for them to come closer. Only one moved forward — maybe thinking one would be enough to deal with me.
As I tensed and aimed for his vital spot—
“Wha—what the hell?!”
Cloaked figures rushed past me toward the men.
The two thugs were subdued almost instantly. I went to the old woman who lay collapsed.
“Ma’am, are you all right?”
Thankfully, she was still breathing. I helped her up, steadying her so she could breathe properly.
“Take a slow, deep breath in… and out. That’s it, just like that.”
“I didn’t expect to find you here, Lady Revian.”
A familiar voice behind me sent chills down my spine. Of course — I really was the unluckiest villainess alive.
I slowly rose to my feet and turned toward him.
“Glory to the Empire—”
“We’re outside. Skip the formalities.”
It was the Crown Prince himself. He glanced between me and the old woman leaning against the wall.
“What are you planning to do with her?”
“I started this, so I’ll take responsibility for her.”
“You mean to bring a commoner into a marquis’s household?”
“Whether commoner or noble, she’s injured. She deserves treatment. After that, I’ll find her a suitable place to stay.”
Instead of arguing, the Crown Prince simply studied my face. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
“You look pale. Didn’t even bother with powder today?”
“My apologies.”
“For what?”
“For daring to show Your Highness such a ghastly, pale face.”
I stepped back and bowed slightly. The Crown Prince looked momentarily speechless — amusing, since he was the one who’d called me that before.
The knights beside him gave their prince a disapproving look, as if silently calling him shameless.
“I—uh…”
He tried to speak, then let out a short, awkward laugh.
“Never mind. I’m leaving.”
With that, the hooded Crown Prince departed. I helped the old woman up and headed for the carriage rental station. Before I could board, someone caught up — a knight, carefully lifting the old woman into his arms.
“His Highness ordered me to escort you home, my lady.”
Was he afraid I’d abandon the old woman? Planning to accuse me of cruelty again if I did?
If so, he might as well have sent someone to spy from afar.
Still, the knight’s strength was useful, so I didn’t refuse. Not that my refusal would’ve mattered — the Crown Prince’s knight wouldn’t leave without me anyway.
We rented a carriage, and he accompanied me all the way to the Revian Marquisate.
“Thank you for your help.”
As I saw him off, the knight’s cheeks flushed.
“It was nothing, my lady.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he raised his fist to his chest — the knightly salute.
“I am Milt of House Bellang.”
“Oh my, from the Bellang County family?”
“Yes. I saw you once before, my lady, at a knighthood ceremony. You probably don’t remember me. I was one of the knights standing in formation that day.”
“One of the fine knights in the center, then. Sir Bellang, thank you for remembering me.”
“There are few who could forget you, my lady.”
His feelings toward me were favorable — and the more people who felt positively toward me, the better.
I gave him a bright smile in return, and his ears turned red.
“Thank you again for your help today. I hope we meet again.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After Sir Milt Bellang saluted and departed, I helped the old woman into the mansion.
“My lady!”
“Roa, you—!”
Of course, I’d been caught sneaking out — both by Cassie and by my mother. I explained it away as “just needing some fresh air” and called for the family physician to examine the old woman.
“Fortunately, just some light bruising. With medicine and a few good meals, she’ll recover soon.”
Since she had nowhere to go, we decided to employ her at the mansion. Though “employ” might be overstating it — she’d hardly have any work to do.
“A highborn lady with such a kind heart — rare indeed.”
“I’m only doing what I can.”
“Plenty of people can and still don’t. Thank you, truly.”
“Just a whim, don’t think too much of it.”
Yes — a whim. Maybe tinged with a bit of envy.
“Still, this old woman is grateful. If you ever have troubles, come find me. I’ve seen much in my years, and I know a few things.”
“That’s reassuring to hear. If I ever face something I can’t solve, I’ll come to you.”
The old woman smiled, satisfied with my answer.
A few days later, word spread that I’d nearly gotten into danger while out alone. Mother immediately forbade me from leaving the estate unless it was an official outing.
Ted, who was away managing our lands, must’ve heard as well — he sent a letter that read, “I’ll handle the matter of the Blue Bird, so please refrain from reckless behavior.”
So, I was stuck in the mansion until the hunting competition.
“I really love hunting tournaments!”
Stella, who often went hunting with her father, was practically glowing with excitement.
“I’m glad you’re joining this time. But when did you even learn to ride?”
“Not long ago.”
“You can shoot, right? You’ll have to see some blood — will you be okay with that?”
“You sound just like Calvin.”
Stella shuddered.
“Don’t lump me in with that kid. And he’s still following that Merina Ekel around? Even after what she did to his sister?”
I chuckled quietly.
What Merina did to me at the embassy had spread widely enough that both my parents and Calvin had heard. Father had even tried to confront the Empress about it — I had to stop him.
Calvin, who felt guilty for Merina’s actions, had to be persuaded just to attend the hunt with me.
“He’s still young.”
“He’s of age now, hardly a child. You’re too kind — that’s why that shameless woman thinks she can trample over you.”
Stella cast a hateful glance in Merina’s direction.
Surrounded by men as usual, Merina looked delighted — but what caught my attention was something else.
“Wait — is that the Duke of Lisianshus getting ready to hunt?”
He wasn’t in his usual knight’s uniform, but plain clothes, with several soldiers and servants from his house beside him.
“He’s hunting, so of course he’s preparing.”
“…But why him?”
“What, you haven’t heard?”
I blinked in confusion, and Stella slung an arm around my shoulders.
“They say the Duke’s joining the hunt this year. He’s never done it before.”
So why now?
He had never once attended the royal hunt — and I’d assumed he wouldn’t this year either!
“I heard he’s aiming for the flower crown, Roa. Roa — are you even listening?”
How on earth was I supposed to beat a Sword Master?
Lexian Lisianshus… utterly useless man!
