Chapter 5

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 5

Chapter Title: The Marquess's Rescue

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By the time she noticed, the man had drawn his sword instead of his bow. He took out the sniper first, then cleaved through the rear of the assassins.

"Huff... retreat... ack...!"

Both the man and the Aratus Knights following behind him were terrifyingly strong.

These were the ones who had rendered half the assassins combat-ineffective in their initial charge, now cutting through their ranks and severing necks with ruthless efficiency.

In the midst of those precise movements.

Agatha couldn't tear her eyes away from Enoch Aratus. The sharp gray gaze that had briefly met hers felt like a lightning bolt embedded in her mind.

The strangely blood-scented stare etched in her memory, the hand gripping the sword, and the overwhelming martial prowess crushing the assassins.

Only then did Agatha realize.

Her family must have rushed things because of this man.

"My lady, are you alright?"

"...I'm fine."

Even as she belatedly stanched the bleeding from her torn scalp and calmed the fidgeting imperial knights, Agatha stared at him as if entranced.

Finally, the man who had finished subduing the assassins led his knights toward the carriage in formation.

With his hood thrown back, his fully revealed face was unexpectedly suited to the battlefield yet unmistakably noble at first glance—stunningly handsome.

"Are you alright?"

His voice was low and solemn.

The moment it blended with that sweet face and the voice that had precisely pinpointed her amid the chaos of battle.

Agatha couldn't stop her ears from burning hot. Her heart tangled in disarray.

"...Marquess Enoch Aratus?"

"Yes. A pleasure to meet you. I am Enoch Aratus."

Instead of kissing the back of her hand, he removed his cloak and draped it over Agatha's shoulders.

She could feel the searing heat radiating from the man who had drawn close.

"...Thank you for saving me, Marquess."

What kind of face am I making right now? Is my voice trembling?

Though she managed to speak coherently amid the confusion, Agatha's gaze remained fixed on him.

"It was merely my duty. There might be stragglers left, so please ride with me."

Enoch smoothly exchanged greetings with the imperial knights and reorganized the procession.

Even on the same warhorse breed, Enoch Aratus's black steed was a full one-and-a-half times larger than the one Agatha had ridden.

He seated her in front first, then mounted behind, holding the reins as if embracing her.

"Baron Vasily. Have you informed His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Agatha's back twitched at the voice coming from right behind her.

"Yes, Marquess. He should be heading this way shortly."

"Then we'll decide the route after linking up. Let's go."

Clop, clop—

The marching pace was surprisingly unhurried. Amid the slow gait of the horse, Agatha winced at the throbbing pain surging through her body.

She hadn't thought of anything when she fell from the horse.

But now that the tension had eased, the aftereffects were slowly creeping in.

At that moment, the hand holding the reins lifted slightly to tuck the cloak more securely around her.

"We're almost there."

It was a gentle motion, incongruous with the man who had mercilessly swung his sword moments before.

Soon after, Agatha encountered the Crown Prince's group, who had rushed over upon receiving the news.

"Agatha!"

Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba looked pale even from afar. The imperial knights escorting him formed an even thicker protective formation, scanning the surroundings warily.

"Your Highness."

"Blood...!"

Antoni's eyes frantically checked the bloodstains on her hair and face, her body covered in dirt, scratches, and bruises. His face drained of color as he lashed out in anger.

"To dare assault a noble under my knights' protection! Have they truly lost their minds?"

"Your Highness, please tend to the lady first. I've already ordered transport preparations."

The Crown Prince's aide hurriedly set up a sofa and summoned a physician.

With support from Enoch and the imperial knights, Agatha dismounted and received a preliminary diagnosis from the doctor.

Antoni, who had followed close behind, hardened his expression.

"How is she?"

"I've stitched the laceration. No threat to her life, but she has bruises all over. She'll need at least two weeks of complete rest."

"At least it's not too severe. That's a relief, Agatha."

By then, Agatha was dizzy from significant blood loss.

They laid leather padding in a servant's carriage and hurriedly fetched blankets.

Once preparations were complete and she finally lay down, Agatha gazed slowly at Enoch through the window. He was receiving praise from Antoni, who had been briefed by the imperial knights.

As the escort formation was reformed and they prepared to depart.

Agatha parted her dry lips.

"...Marquess."

Her voice, now rising with fever, was faint as the wind. Yet the man easily caught it and urged his horse closer.

"Yes, my lady."

"...I'm sorry for suddenly breaking our promise. Once my fever breaks, I'll send you another invitation. Will you come see me?"

When she woke, there would surely be a great deal to deal with.

The escort situation might have deteriorated into something unimaginably dire. Yet amid it all, Agatha wanted to meet this man again.

To repay him, and if things miraculously resolved to allow hiring escorts once more.

She wanted to see him again. Enoch, who had been gazing at her steadily, had a faint smile play on his lips.

"Worrying about that even now?"

...She thought she heard those words.

But with the fever rising, she couldn't be sure.

"Rest for now, my lady. I'll await your word."

Having gotten the response she wanted, Agatha finally closed her eyes. Soon, the carriage lurched into motion.

While Agatha, delirious with fever, was carried straight to the imperial palace.

Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba entered the Emperor's office alongside Enoch Aratus.

The Emperor, who had been holding audience with the Prime Minister and some ministers, could not hide his fury upon hearing the news.

Bam!

"An assault! What of Agatha? What happened to Lady Agatha?!"

The Emperor didn't care that his chair toppled backward.

He had indeed profited from the Noblesse situation, but if Agatha died, he would be the most troubled.

All that immense wealth and territory would go to a foreign power!

"Calm yourself, Your Majesty. Lady Agatha was safely rescued here by Marquess Enoch Aratus. She's injured but in no danger to her life."

"Ah, Marquess Aratus! Your功 is great indeed!"

The Emperor immediately praised Enoch, but soon could not contain his boiling rage.

Even if intrigue among nobles was tolerated, this was a large-scale assault right before the Emperor's eyes—in the imperial hunting grounds, no less.

Outrageous enough in broad daylight, but to strike while under imperial knights' protection.

"How could they commit such heinous acts in the capital where I reside, unless they've gone mad? Have I been too merciful all this time?"

"Your Majesty! You must root out these insolent curs and make an example of them at once!"

"The Interior Minister is right, Your Majesty. To assault a noble under imperial knights' protection in broad daylight? Seize the attackers and their backers immediately and punish them all severely!"

"Summon the War Minister! Call the War Minister now!"

The Emperor immediately summoned the Guard Captain, War Minister, and Intelligence Chief, ordering them to capture the culprits' lair and backers.

This was a declaration of his intent not to let it slide.

He also granted Agatha a palace in the Crown Prince's residence said to be good for recuperation, attaching several imperial physicians and healers, before sighing in lament.

"This is why I never welcomed the divorce. What am I to do with a granddaughter who ignores my wishes?"

At those words, Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba's eyebrow twitched faintly. He, the ministers, even Enoch who had just returned to the capital—all knew what would follow the Emperor's intent.

"My son, Agatha still has no intention of marrying?"

"Father, it's only been two months since her divorce. It's unlikely she's found a lover in that time."

"Only two months? It's been two months already. Look at today. If Agatha had married sooner, would this have happened so easily? They wouldn't have dreamed of openly assaulting her, fearing she'd rally an army through her husband!"

The Emperor's argument seemed plausible at first glance. And this statement was no different from declaring he would once again select husband candidates to his liking.

"I must find a good match for my granddaughter."

"Father, when the time comes, won't Agatha choose a spouse herself?"

"The situation is urgent, and she's ill. Can't I offer some help? I am her grandfather, after all."

"......"

Beside the Crown Prince Antoni Roxiba, whose face was openly souring.