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Chapter : 09
Mysterious Carriage Accident
The moment the overturned carriage plunged toward the ground, a sheet of pure white light burst from the fountain pen in my hand.
A massive magical barrier unfolded, enveloping Michael and me as if protecting us.
When I regained my senses, chaos surrounded us—broken carriage fragments scattered everywhere, and thick choking dust filled the air.
“…We… survived?”
I stared blankly at the fountain pen still clenched in my hand.
Good heavens. I thought it was just an expensive pen—but it was actually a magical artifact.
When I return to the Royal Library, I’ll probably need to bow to the Director a hundred times in gratitude.
“Ow… my head hurts…”
Michael, still in my arms, groaned with a pained expression. Fortunately, he didn’t seem seriously injured.
Beyond the shimmering silver barrier, urgent voices rang out.
Calix’s shout, and the tense voices of what seemed to be the Shadow Knights who had appeared from somewhere.
“Michael! Erica!”
“The carriage has overturned!”
“Rescue the young lord!”
In the distance, Calix and the knights were rushing toward us on horseback.
Just as I began to feel relieved, unfamiliar shadows appeared in front of the magical barrier.
Three masked men in black charged at us with swords.
Fear froze my entire body.
Even knowing that Calix and the Shadow Knights were rushing to rescue us, they boldly attacked the barrier.
Clang!
They swung their swords, trying to break through—but instead, their blades snapped.
“Damn it! It won’t break!”
“We don’t have time. Where’s the compass?”
“The barrier is blocking access. Retreat before they arrive!”
Realizing their attacks were useless, the assailants panicked and immediately began to flee.
At that moment, one of the Shadow Knights raised a bow and shot.
“Argh!”
An arrow struck one of the men in the shoulder, and he let out a short scream. Clutching his wound, he staggered but still fled into the forest.
“Michael! Are you alright? Answer me!”
The Grand Duke urgently called Michael’s name as he approached the barrier.
With a single swing of Calix’s sword, the barrier vanished like melting snow.
“Brother… I’m fine…”
Michael weakly lifted his head from my arms.
“You’re safe? Any injuries?”
Calix gently checked Michael’s face, stroking his cheek.
Michael shook his head weakly—then suddenly looked at my forehead with wide eyes.
“Sister… are you okay? Your forehead is bleeding…”
“Me? I’m fine…”
When I touched my forehead absentmindedly, my fingers came away sticky with blood.
No wonder it hurt and felt hot—it must have been from when the carriage flipped.
Calix quickly removed his coat, then tore one sleeve of his shirt.
With practiced precision, he wiped away the blood from my forehead and used the fabric as a bandage, wrapping it firmly.
He focused silently on treating my wound. The problem was me.
He was so close that I could feel his breath, even the movement of his long eyelashes.
Ah… this is dizzying. Why does the male lead look unnecessarily handsome? If I were the heroine, I’d probably heal just from looking at his face.
“When we get to the library, I’ll have William treat you properly. Erica, are you alright?”
He gently brushed away strands of hair stuck to my sweaty forehead as he asked softly.
His cobalt-blue eyes, looking directly into mine, were filled with genuine warmth and concern.
For a moment, it felt like I was someone precious to him.
Since he usually only teased or mocked me, this sudden concern made me awkward, and I turned my head away.
“Ah… yes. I’m fine now. Thank you for treating me, Your Grace.”
The four knights who had been scanning the area for another attack returned to Calix.
“Shall we pursue them, Your Grace?”
“Matten, continue tracking them. Send reinforcements immediately. Captain Liam, take Michael. Gilbert, escort the injured driver. Lloyd, provide protection. Return to the duke’s residence before sunset and receive medical treatment.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Calix’s command, the knights moved in perfect coordination.
As Captain Liam prepared to lift Michael onto his horse, Michael quickly asked,
“Who will take Sister? She needs treatment too!”
“I will escort Lady Diehl to the Royal Library.”
“What?”
“Brother will?”
“The Grand Duke himself will escort the lady?”
At Calix’s words, Michael, the Shadow Knights, and I all shouted in surprise.
Wait. I was surprised because he personally offered to take me—but why are the Shadow Knights surprised too?
They stared at us in shock, and in their eyes was even admiration.
In particular, Captain Liam and Knight Lloyd were smiling warmly at us, like proud fathers watching their grown son.
What is going on?
Calix frowned at them.
“What are you waiting for? Move!”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
The knights quickly mounted their horses and prepared to depart with Michael and the driver.
“Sister, thank you so much. I’ll come to the library later. Please take care of yourself!”
Michael kept looking back at me, calling out anxiously as he rode away.
Seeing the child tearfully thanking me made my heart ache.
Living a life where I saved a pretty boy… no regrets.
Maybe we’d grown attached during this short time. I already felt sad not seeing Michael anymore.
While I watched him disappear into the distance, Calix approached on horseback.
“Erica, let’s go as well.”
“Yes. What should I ride?”
Calix looked at me as if I had just asked the most foolish question in the world.
“Isn’t it obvious you ride in front of me?”
He placed a hand lightly on my waist.
“Excuse me.”
Before I could react, he lifted me effortlessly and placed me on the saddle.
I barely held back a scream and grabbed the horse’s neck to keep my balance.
Calix swiftly mounted behind me and took the reins, pulling me close.
His presence behind me made me instinctively lean forward, but he stopped me firmly.
“If you don’t want to fall, you should come closer to me.”
“I’ve never ridden a horse before…”
“Then endure it. It’s my first time riding with a lady too.”
He kicked the horse.
The sudden acceleration made me press against him unintentionally.
His warmth and breath surrounded me, and all I could do was wish for the Royal Library to appear quickly.
He said nothing during the ride.
At first I was tense, but over time fatigue and pain from my forehead injury made me drowsy.
Before I knew it, I drifted into sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, we had already arrived in front of the Royal Library residence.
The sun had set, and night was quickly falling. The sky was a blend of burning crimson sunset and deep blue darkness.
“Did you sleep well, Erica? You’re the first person I’ve seen fall asleep on a moving horse.”
Calix’s low voice sounded beside my ear, his proximity making my body twitch.
I quickly pulled away.
“I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion. Are we at the library?”
“Yes. We’re at the front of the residence.”
He dismounted first, then carefully lifted me down.
My legs wobbled from sitting so long on a moving horse.
He caught me immediately.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah… yes. My legs just went numb for a moment…”
I was practically in his arms again.
What a cliché—the heroine falling into the male lead’s arms after stumbling.
I always laughed at scenes like this in novels… but now I couldn’t even lift my face from embarrassment.
I quickly stepped back and fixed my clothes.
Only then did the cold night air hit me.
Calix stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“Lady Diehl. You saved my younger brother. I sincerely thank you.”
His formal tone toward me was unfamiliar—and strangely intimidating.
What is wrong with this man suddenly?
“It was nothing. I survived thanks to the fountain pen the Director gave me.”
“No.”
His gaze lingered on the bandage around my forehead.
“You protected my brother even while injured. I sincerely respect your courage.”
His expression softened into something I had never seen before.
A faint smile curved his aristocratic lips.
My heart began to beat faster, and I had to force myself to stay calm.
“Lady Erica! Are you alright?”
William’s urgent voice cut between us.
He rushed out from the entrance hall.
“I’ve been waiting for your report. Are you hurt?”
Unlike his usual calm demeanor, William looked shaken as he checked me.
His expression darkened when he saw my bandaged forehead.
“This is my fault… I should have been responsible…”
Before I could reassure him, Calix spoke first.
“Director William, it’s my fault. I failed to protect her.”
Calix bowed his head briefly in apology.
William exhaled deeply, regaining his composure.
“Let’s treat Lady Erica first, then discuss the incident.”
Inside the residence, I received treatment from a physician—fortunately, only a minor abrasion.
Afterward, William attempted magic healing.
“Please… don’t overdo it,” I said quickly.
But he insisted.
Warm light flowed from his hands like spring haze.
The pain faded from my forehead.
And finally, I sighed in relief.
I was back.
Safe inside the Royal Library—my home.
