Chapter 47

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 47

Chapter Title: Midnight Intruders

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The thin sandwich, with its crisp vegetables crunching between bites, was surprisingly decent.

Even though I'd lost my appetite, my stomach must have been hungry, because the sandwich vanished in no time.

"Why not have another one?"

"No. This is enough."

As the empty plates were cleared from the table, fresh tea was brought out.

"There's a rumor going around lately. Something about the Marquis and Marchioness Aratus growing distant."

While savoring the perfectly warm aroma of the herbal tea, Antoni suddenly brought up a piece of gossip floating around high society.

"And they haven't even been married for half a year yet."

Agatha could read the concern hidden behind Antoni's probing words.

"I know about that rumor too, Your Highness."

Just because they hadn't appeared together at an official event for a few days, the rumors were already flying.

It was the kind of idle chatter that would die down the moment they showed themselves together even briefly.

But instead of going out with Enoch, Agatha had let the rumors run their course. It wasn't the sort of gossip that would cause any real damage anyway.

"Letting it slide like that... does that mean there really is a problem?"

Seeing Agatha merely shrug it off, Antoni clicked his tongue.

"Agatha, wouldn't it be better not to give them any openings?"

"Are you saying they'll use this as an excuse to send assassins after me?"

"That's what they've always done."

He had a point. Agatha took a sip of her tea and brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her face.

"You don't need to worry about that."

Until the divorce, Enoch—as her husband—had a duty to protect her.

In fact, he'd even increased the size of her escort.

"The Aratus Knights aren't pushovers, so they won't dare draw their blades lightly."

"Is that so?"

In her current mood, she almost wouldn't mind if assassins did show up.

Antoni eyed Agatha suspiciously, staring right through her.

"You know there's trouble brewing inside the Aratus family, right? The marquis even submitted a report to Father about revoking some of his relatives' titles."

"Really? Sounds like the internal issues are more serious than I thought."

"A few days ago, the Aratus Knights even mobilized."

Agatha paused for a moment—well, she did—but set her teacup down without a word.

She already knew about the problems within the Aratus family from her first aide, Esel Maso's reports.

She'd even heard that some relatives who'd been staying on their estates had come to the capital and made contact with her husband.

Instinct told her it was connected to Esther, but she wasn't in the mood to do anything about it.

Reason had returned, and she wondered if maybe she was misunderstanding something.

-I'm not doing that because I dislike you.

Agatha quietly lowered her gaze. She wanted no part of dwelling on it further.

"My husband is staying at the estate with me. Is there any safer place than where a war hero resides?"

"You know that's not what I mean."

"Then can I spend a few more hours at the crown prince's palace? Since it's dangerous, I should stay longer in this safe palace."

Agatha ended up lingering in the crown prince's palace for several more hours after that.

She drank tea, played chess, and even held Antoni back as he tried to leave, watching him handle his paperwork until he finally looked thoroughly annoyed.

"Go home already."

"But you were so worried?"

"When did I say that? Even if I was, that worry wore off ages ago."

"I was just thinking it was about time to head back anyway."

The sky was dyed red with sunset. For Antoni, this was impressively patient of him.

"I'll come again."

She curtsied to the crown prince—who was too lazy even to see her off properly and just waved—and left the palace.

"Sir Leon."

At the palace entrance, First Vice-Captain Leon Takran waited with her carriage ready.

"Welcome back, my lady."

"Don't head straight to the estate. Stop by the shopping district first."

She'd tormented Antoni for so long; she should at least send him a gift.

Who knew what that petty crown prince might do next.

"The marquis said he'll be a bit late tonight as well."

Leon Takran urged her to return quickly, his face etched with worry.

"It would be best to get back before sunset."

"Things must be pretty hectic lately, huh?"

"Pardon?"

He faltered for a split second, but Sir Leon managed his expression admirably.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

Experience told her it was wise to heed her escort knight's advice in situations like this.

"All right. Then we'll do as you suggest."

With Agatha's agreement, the carriage headed straight for the newlywed estate.

Since Enoch was away when Agatha returned, the estate's security was even tighter than usual.

"My lady, shall we prepare a bath and bring dinner to your room right away?"

"Yes, do that."

Agatha stared out the window in silence, then spent the rest of the day in her room.

After bathing and changing into a simple indoor dress, she ate dinner and sprawled on the sofa, continuing the book she'd started reading at the palace.

"My lady, your nails seem to have grown quite a bit. Shall I trim them now?"

Before bed, her close attendant maid Jessie came in, pulling out a nail file and offering.

"Sure, go ahead."

Glancing down, she saw her nails really had grown long.

Jessie knelt before Agatha and began filing her nails. The soft scraping sound filled the air as Marie appeared out of nowhere and lit some scented candles.

In the cozy atmosphere, Jessie finished trimming and meticulously applied oil.

"All done, my lady. Shall I prepare the bed for you now?"

"Yes. I should."

"What about the candles?"

"The scent is nice. Leave them burning tonight."

"I'll place them by the bed then."

After her close attendants drew the curtains, lowered the bed canopy, and straightened the covers before leaving, Agatha went straight to bed.

Was it the warm glow of the candlelight and the faint fragrance wafting through the bedroom?

Unlike the past few nights of tossing and turning without sleep, she fell asleep as if by magic, almost instantly.

It was a deep sleep after a long time.

Shallow breathing echoed softly in the snug bedroom, where she wouldn't wake even if noises came from outside.

Agatha awoke thanks to instincts honed from countless raids over the years.

Her eyes snapped open to commotion outside.

"...Intruders again."

The assassination attempts, quiet for a while, had struck tonight.

Antoni's warning about not giving them openings flashed through her mind. She sighed.

No helping it.

Agatha now stood at a crossroads.

Continue this shattered marriage with no trust left, or call it quits and move on satisfied?

Ending it might be one valid choice.

Agatha pulled the thin golden cord by the bedside—a signal to summon nearby knights on nights like this.

Then she drew a dagger from the nightstand drawer.

She probably wouldn't need to use it, but...

"...Better than bare hands."

Clutching the cold hilt, Agatha sat blankly on the bed.

Had Enoch returned to the estate?

A quick glance at the clock showed it was nearly midnight. It was late, so he was probably back.

Noisy clamor filtered faintly from outside.

"Don't let anyone inside the estate!"

The voice that had just rung out sounded like First Vice-Captain Leon Takran or Second Vice-Captain Huber Carwen.

Where were the knights, though?

It felt like ages since she'd sent the signal, yet no one came to report or check on her.

A chill ran down her spine just then.

Sss...

The bedroom door slid open without a knock. Agatha slowly turned her gaze.

Beyond the dim lantern light, black-masked intruders stood with blades gleaming sharply.

Spotting even more blocking the inner chamber door behind them, Agatha let out a small laugh.

"So that's why the knights aren't coming."

"......"

Break down the door! Get through!

The knights' shouts echoed dully from beyond the inner chamber.

The lead intruder spoke.

"Quite relaxed. Got something else you're counting on?"

"Not really. I just laughed because a mystery got solved."

"As expected of a Noblesse. Amazing that you can think like that even now."

The intruder crossed the bedroom with heavy steps and swept aside the bed canopy.

"...Even more beautiful in person than the rumors say."

Agatha looked up at him wordlessly. A gloved hand caressed her smooth white cheek.

"Come quietly? I promise to take you alive."

Among those who'd attacked her before, some had made similar offers.

The client might order a hit, but sometimes it was a kidnapping attempt.

Or the intruder himself taking a fancy to her.

Or figuring a ransom would do instead.

Various reasons, and normally Agatha wouldn't provoke them—but tonight was different.

"Why would I follow trash like you?"

"...!"

"Just kill her. She was getting sick of living anyway."

With a grunt, her hair was seized. The intruder threw her down onto the marble floor beside the bed and approached, cursing.

"In such a hurry to die. Guess noble ladies grow spines even before the blade?"

"Nngh..."

She'd been acting fine, wandering around unscathed, but of course she wasn't truly okay.

Despite telling herself not to, she'd fallen into the delusion of a real lover, flailing about.

And between the shredded hopes and the lingering expectations she couldn't shake, her heart felt like it might burst at any moment.