Chapter 34

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 130

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Rozhi is alive.

Right before his eyes, locked in Marquis Evantes' embrace.

Rihart could easily piece together the truth these two facts revealed.

He'd been played for a fool again.

Rozhi had staged her death to slip away from him and run straight to Marquis Evantes.

Gazing at the scene, his gut churned, his lips twisting in revulsion.

His fist clenched so tight it drained white, as if the blood had been squeezed out.

She had definitely been dead that day on the snowy plains when he found her.

'No. Demon Worshippers could pull a stunt like that.'

Rihart clenched and unclenched his fist over and over, fighting to tamp down the seething desire inside him.

"Aren't you going to grab her?"

The woman eyed Rihart and spoke up.

"I figured you'd come charging out like a starving beast, drooling all the way."

"......"

"But here you are, just slobbering like an animal."

She wasn't wrong—he could storm over there right now and drag Rozhi back by force.

But Rihart held back.

The same mess would just play out all over again, like always.

This time, he'd take it slow. Build a proper plan, step by step.

"Why show me this moment?"

The woman flashed a smile.

"I told you. I'm here to help you."

"You?"

He couldn't fully buy the goodwill from this shady woman he'd just met today.

"What do you want?"

"Sharp as ever."

Sure enough, her eyes lit up—she clearly wanted something from him.

"How about a deal?"

"A deal?"

"That's right. I'll help you get your hands on that girl you want. In exchange..."

The woman knew full well how badly he craved Rozhi.

That's why she was so sure he'd take her hand.

On the night I woke in the coffin, Arjen helped me slip out of the Northern Castle in secret.

The carriage he'd arranged for me didn't go far before halting smack in the middle of the forest.

We were waiting for Arjen.

Our plan was to travel to the capital separately—no need to meet up—but he insisted on checking in, convinced I might bolt halfway.

It was absurd.

Surrounded by the burly knights he'd assigned to me, how was I supposed to run?

Even so, Arjen wouldn't budge. He had to see for himself.

'The knights would feel insulted if they heard that.'

I grumbled to myself but waited patiently anyway.

After a bit, Arjen showed up—alone.

A knight opened the carriage door, and as I started to step down, Arjen stopped me.

"No need to move. Stay put."

He really did just come to confirm I hadn't fled. He stayed outside, peering in at me without climbing aboard.

Luckily, I was seated by the door, so we were pretty close.

"You came alone?"

"Yeah."

I'd expected a few knights tagging along, so his solo arrival caught me off guard.

Was it safe for someone so important to wander out here by himself?

"You holding up okay?"

"Of course. What's there to struggle with? If anything, you look pale, Marquis."

His face was ghostly white—not a good sign.

Was he ill?

Arjen just shook his head.

"Or maybe it's because you haven't seen me? Missing me that much?"

He didn't seem eager to show weakness, so I tossed out a light joke to ease things up.

A touch of playacting thrown in for good measure.

But Arjen suddenly went rigid.

His lips tightened—he couldn't muster a comeback.

......Why so serious?

It was meant to lighten the mood, but now I just felt awkward.

"Kidding, of course."

"You've gotten mouthier since last time."

"Gotta keep up as the woman who's snagged your heart."

"......"

Arjen didn't reply, just quietly creased his brow.

Was he actually sick? He was extra quiet today.

That's when a black pattern started creeping up Arjen's neck.

That's the curse mark, isn't it?

Panicking that someone might spot it, I reached straight for his neck.

Smack!

I'd moved too fast and pressed too hard—a sharp tearing sound rang out.

The knights around us bulged their eyes and glared daggers at me.

"No, I mean, it's just..."

I shot Arjen an awkward look. He stared back, equally stunned.

"What the hell was that?"

"Well..."

Worried about eavesdroppers, I glanced around and leaned in close to his ear.

Arjen's shoulder twitched at the sudden proximity.

"I saw the pattern..."

I whispered softly into his ear.

Arjen squinted and gave a small nod.

As I pulled away, he casually covered his neck with one hand and turned to the knights.

"Everyone, fall back a bit."

"We can't say what might lurk in these woods, Marquis."

The order felt off.

If the mark bugged him, he could just leave, right?

He'd already confirmed I hadn't run—no reason to stick around with me.

The knights hesitated, eyeing each other without budging, so Arjen let out a sigh.

"No sense among you. I want some alone time with my lover. All of you, back off."

What kind of nonsense excuse is that?

Yet the knights flushed red and retreated without protest.

'Weren't they just talking about dangers?'

Hey, wait—where do you think you're going!

"Why send the knights away?"

"You..."

Arjen trailed off, like he had words caught in his throat.

"Are you a Transcendent?"

"......What kind of random nonsense is that? A weakling like me, a Transcendent?"

"Right, yeah. Must've been a momentary lapse."

......Then why even ask something so weird?

But that was only the beginning.

"Touch me."

"......Pardon?"

"Come on."

What's gotten into him all of a sudden?

Flustered, I extended my hand as instructed.

'But where, exactly?'

My hand hovered uselessly in the air until Arjen shot me a look like, what gives?

Screw it—I went for his cheek. No real reason behind it.

Arjen's body jerked and went stiff.

He scowled, looking outright displeased.

Why? You told me to.

Maybe a former maid touching a noble's face rubbed him the wrong way?

His open grimace soured my mood too.

'Hold on. Why'd he ask me to touch him out of nowhere?'

There had to be a reason.

Then it hit me.

I pulled my hand away from his cheek.

His half-lidded eyes tracked my movement.

"What're you doing?"

He'd looked annoyed a second ago, but now he was protesting me stopping? Ridiculous.

I hopped right out of the carriage.

"Hey, what..."

"Pardon the intrusion, Marquis."

I wrapped my arms tight around his waist. Arjen froze, breath catching as he peered down at me.

His body went rigid with surprise—I could feel it plainly.

Ignoring that, I studied his face up close.

"What're you doing now?"

"You said to touch you."

I replied boldly, scrutinizing his complexion.

His gaze held no warmth, but his color looked more relaxed than before.

Maybe this was the real reason he kept me close.

If it matched the exact thing I'd been dodging with the Transcendents, it left me feeling more than a little fed up.

"......You're looking for Marquis Evantes' fiancée?"

Yurta nodded.

He wanted to see Rozhi as soon as possible.

Even though she'd tried to kill him—stabbing him with a knife, shoving him off a cliff.

And yet, he'd never let her go. Not for the rest of his life.

"That lady..."

The servant hesitated to speak. In that instant, Yurta felt a chill of foreboding.

"She's..."

Right then, Yurta wanted nothing more than to clap his hands over his ears.

Those words looped endlessly in Yurta's ears.

It couldn't be true.

Sis couldn't have died.

He still hadn't seen Rozhi.

He wanted to snap at her—why'd you try to kill me? Or apologize for everything from way back. Or...

Beg her not to abandon him.

But...

Yurta's eyes burned red. Breath ragged, he roamed the North like a lunatic.

Convinced Rozhi was out there somewhere, alive and waiting for him.

Yet her scent eluded him everywhere.

Her cherry-blossom pink hair never fluttered in sight.

Despair swallowed him whole.

Reason shattered, instinct alone drove him—like a beast without a home, drifting aimlessly.

When he snapped back to himself, he was submerged deep in a lake.

The North's winds howled with snow. Sharp as whetted blades. But he plunged into the frigid waters all the same, oblivious.

Without Rozhi, what was he...?

Suddenly, a memory from long ago surfaced.

Not long after he'd first met Rozhi.

Back when she'd call his name so sweetly.

Looking back now, she hadn't hated him from the start.