The Fake Madam Disappeared

Daphne suppressed the derisive laugh that threatened to rise.

Though Edmund had said he loved her and she claimed to believe him, her heart couldn’t quite follow that belief.

He… loves me?

Hiding the confusion churning inside her, Daphne cleared her throat.

“Go on.”

“…It’s nothing serious. There are reports that Damian’s been seen, and he’s unharmed.”

On the surface, at least.

Edmund deliberately omitted the rest. There was no need to say more. If anything, it would only burden Daphne with unnecessary worry. He had heard the news just before departing and had already ordered someone to approach Damian in secret. Once they arrived in the capital, the truth would be revealed.

“There’s no problem.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean Damian. He’s in good health.”

Daphne blinked.

“…I see.”

Then, after a brief pause, she bowed her head slightly and murmured a response. Her grip tightened around the sleeve opposite her, her lips biting down so hard they turned pale. Her chest ached with every unfamiliar gesture Edmund made, things he never would have done before.

She was angry. Whether at herself or at Edmund, she wasn’t sure.

Afraid that she might start to expect something from Edmund’s changed behavior, Daphne dug her nails into the palm of her hand through her sleeve. As pain shot up her forearm, the stabbing pain in her chest seemed to lessen just a little.

‘Get a grip.’

She had hoped alone and been hurt alone too many times already. Drawing in a shallow breath, Daphne let it out slowly, her face visibly subdued. She was just about to raise her head again when…

BOOM!

A deafening roar exploded around them. Edmund sprang up at once, pulling Daphne into his arms and ducking to the ground with her. Another thunderous crash shook the earth, loud enough to send vibrations through the floor.

“Monsters, Your Excellency!”

At the cry from outside, Daphne squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again. Her surroundings had completely changed in an instant.

“Daphne.”

Still not fully grasping what was happening, Daphne looked up at Edmund. He held her by the shoulders and spoke firmly.

“I’ll be back soon. Stay in the carriage.”

She nodded instinctively. A cold gust of wind blew in as Edmund vanished in a flash.

Clack.

The door shut. Daphne shivered as though surfacing from underwater and rose to her feet. Her startled muscles refused to cooperate, and she had to drag her legs just to reach the window. Right at that moment, Edmund passed by.

“Protect the carriage.”

“But, Your Excellency, there are too many of them—”

“I don’t need assistance. Stand down.”

Brushing aside the subordinate trying to stop him, Edmund strode forward. His black cloak flared behind him in the wind. Only when he’d walked far enough to ensure the carriage wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire did Edmund stop and narrow his eyes.

Judging by the multiple boulders being hurled, each the size of a grown man, this was no ordinary monster. The chances were high that it was a mutated one.

His guess was spot on.

Through the snowstorm, a massive creature charged forward, snorting heavily. Despite its size, it was faster than its smaller counterparts. As soon as the mutant spotted Edmund, its crimson eyes flickered and it sped up.

Twenty steps. Ten steps. Five steps.

With a crash, something burst open as the creature lunged right at him. Edmund raised his hand.

“Your Excellency!”

Just as a shout rang out from behind, ash appeared in the air. Edmund lowered his outstretched hand and looked ahead. Due to the creature’s sheer size, the volume of ash was immense.

He turned, gazing indifferently at the ash piling on the snow. Daphne, along with the Black Knights, stood frozen, blinking in disbelief at him. Edmund passed them and approached Daphne. Removing his cloak, he draped it over her shoulders.

“Why did you come out?”

“…You…”

Daphne struggled to speak, stammering. In the past five years, she had never seen Edmund use aura. This was the first time.

“…Forget it.”

Snatching the cloak from her shoulders, she shoved it into Edmund’s chest and climbed into the carriage. Edmund absentmindedly fiddled with the cloak, still warm from her touch, and stared at the carriage.

“Your Excellency.”

Johann approached. He swallowed nervously, his face still caught in a mix of shock and awe, and said, “Your aura…”

“My threshold has increased. It seems dealing with the monsters in the snowy plains helped.”

Edmund spoke as though he had prepared the explanation in advance.