Chapter 95
Ardion was supposed to arrive in a carriage with a sword-shaped crest, but the carriage that ca bore no insignia at all.
I turned around and began walking down the road, whispering to Derol as I moved. “Derol, can you secretly check behind ? I’ll lift my hand just a little for you.”
“Yes, Master.” Derol climbed onto my palm.
“Derol, can you see who’s getting out of the carriage nearby?” I moved my hand behind , pretending to wrap my arm around myself.
Derol squeaked. “Master, soone wrapped completely in a cloak just stepped out.”
“Do they look familiar?”
“Yes. They look exactly like the person we saw during the hunting competition.”
No wonder things were going so smoothly. I smiled and slipped Derol back into my pocket.
“Derol, now we need to find the right place. Sowhere not too crowded, but still within Ardion’s line of sight… Do you think Ardion has arrived yet?”
“I saw a carriage stop sowhere earlier.”
“Did it have a sword emblem?”
Derol looked up at and nodded.
“Then it’s ti to make our move.”
Pretending to take in the surroundings, I carefully surveyed every detail. The riverside looked decent, but one wrong step and soone could fall into the water. And there were still a few people wandering the road.
As I looked around, I heard footsteps drawing closer. I frowned slightly. Still haven’t found the right spot…
Sothing about it felt ominous. Still, I kept up the act of casually observing the scenery, then suddenly turned around.
I wanted to see if the person was really following . Suddenly, I heard a scuff on the dirt. They must’ve stopped abruptly. In a rush, perhaps? I smiled and picked up my pace.
I needed to find the right spot and fast.
As I kept glancing around, staying aware of what was behind , I finally saw it: a bridge—a large arched bridge with barely anyone beneath it. Ardion would have a clear view from there too.
I headed towards it. The footsteps behind quickened.
“Derol, how’s it looking behind us? Anyone else around?” I lifted Derol to my hand again and subtly reached behind . As soon as I heard his squeaks, I returned him to my pocket.
“There’s no one but Serina. She’s just staring at the back of your head and seems completely absorbed.”
“That’s actually good for us. It ans she’s desperate to catch .”
This ant she wouldn’t even question it if I suddenly headed sowhere odd.
I descended the stairs leading beneath the bridge. The footsteps behind continued. I picked up speed, almost running. She matched my pace.
I stepped under the bridge. The shadows cast by the arch darkened the surroundings, and I feigned a casual glance around. Suddenly, everything went silent. Serina must’ve stopped.
I covered my mouth with my arm and gave a little cough. Then ca the sound of a body collapsing to the ground. A faint cloud of dust rose up.
Turning around, I saw Serina lying on the ground, eyes closed. In the distance, Ardion was approaching. He looked down at the fallen Serina with a hardened gaze, then locked eyes with .
“Laila, leave this to . Go back to the carriage I ca in.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring her shortly.”
I nodded and climbed the steps of the bridge, spotting the carriage Ardion had arrived in waiting nearby. The coachman opened the door as soon as he saw .
A few monts later, the carriage door opened again. Ardion had carried Serina over, and she was floating beside him. Startled, I quickly grabbed her and pulled her into the carriage.
Ardion’s brows furrowed slightly. “Laila, are you really okay with this? She tried to kill you.”
“We don’t have a choice. She’s the only one who knows about the magical drug.”
Even so, Ardion continued glaring at Serina as if he wanted to kill her right then and there. People passing by were glancing at him, whispering to each other.
“Isn’t that the prince?”
“Yeah, I think so. But he’s nothing like the rumors say.”
They couldn’t take their eyes off his face. It was true. Ardion’s appearance was striking, especially for a prince.
If we stayed here any longer, gossip would spread. I quickly reached out and grabbed Ardion’s arm. His body twitched in surprise.
Without hesitation, I guided him into the carriage.
“Laila.” Ardion seed flustered but followed in.
As soon as he was inside, I shut the door. “We’ll get noticed if we stand out there too long. And let’s be honest, you’re pretty hard to miss.”
“I’m… hard to miss?” He tilted his head slightly.
The answer to the question was obvious. I nodded right away. “If you don’t stand out, who possibly could?”
“So then… that ans I stand out to you too, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Ardion lowered his head and chuckled. There was an innocent joy in his smile. I looked at him, puzzled.
He asked brightly, “Laila, are you jealous?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. But it’s okay. You can be jealous, as much as you want.”
“…”
“I’ll allow it.” He looked at with a grin.
I couldn’t keep up with him.
Jealousy? Where was that coming from? One mont, he was staring Serina down like he was about to kill her, and now, he looked so… soft.
I shook my head and looked out the window. Thankfully, there was nothing suspicious outside. It looked like Serina had co alone. There wasn’t anyone searching for her.
I stared at her. Her cloak had completely co undone, and with her eyes closed, she looked like she was just sleeping. The carriage swayed gently, but she didn’t wake. It seed she was completely unconscious.
I couldn’t shake off a growing unease. I glanced at Ardion, who was still smiling at . Then I rembered. When he brought her over, she was floating beside him… What kind of magic did he use?
Curious, I asked quickly, “What kind of spell did you use on Serina?”
Only then did Ardion turn his head. He looked at Serina briefly and replied casually, “Just a simple knockout spell. Usually used on monsters.”
“If it’s strong enough for monsters, doesn’t that an it’s really powerful?”
His brows furrowed slightly. “Well, yes, but not that powerful.”
“What do you an?”
“For soone like Serina, she’ll wake up after a certain amount of ti.”
“But what if sothing goes wrong?” I argued.
Ardion scooted closer until his knee brushed against mine. He calmly took my trembling hands into his. His large hands enveloped mine, warmth slowly spreading from them and calming my heart as well.
“Laila, Serina’s a mage with mana. A spell like this won’t kill her. She’s not an ordinary person.”
“…”
“And besides, Serina was supposed to die a long ti ago. She tried to kill you.” His expression turned cold.
I looked back at Serina. She was still unconscious. I’d always been haunted by her presence, but now that she was here like this, it felt… strange.
She did try to kill , and even Ardion, but…
I couldn’t bring myself to agree with Ardion so easily. Before we caught her, I never felt like this.
I just wanted to stop being tornted by Rowell, so I focused only on capturing Serina. But now, the idea of killing her didn’t sit right with .
With a conflicted heart, I stared at her. “Do you know when she’ll wake up?”
“Depends on the person. Probably two or three days.”
“But if she doesn’t return soon, Rowell will start to get suspicious.”
“Didn’t you say Serina was out looking for you?”
I nodded.
Ardion answered coolly, “Then he’ll probably assu she’s taking a while because she’s found you.”
“What if he sends soone else instead?”
“That won’t happen. There’s no other mage like Serina. And besides, you’re with now.” Ardion cupped my cheek.
I lowered my gaze to look at Serina. “So… where do we keep her for now?”
“I think taking her to my palace would be best.”
I looked at him, shocked. “Isn’t that too close? What if Rowell finds out sohow?”
“So what if he does?”
“What?” The question escaped my lips louder than I intended.
Ardion, on the other hand, nodded calmly. “Rowell won’t be able to touch you easily, not with involved. Sa goes for Serina.”
“…”
“And if we hide her sowhere else, it’ll be harder to keep an eye on her.”
I stared at Serina with a tense expression.
Then Derol squeaked. “Master, you need not worry too much. As the saying goes, ‘the darkest place is under the lamp’. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage. Rowell might not suspect that Serina is right under his nose at Ardion’s palace.”
I nodded slowly, then glanced at Derol curiously. “Derol, how do you know that saying?”
“I heard you say it before, Master. You often used it when you misplaced sothing and found it later.”
I was speechless for a mont. I had said that often at Duke Orchid’s mansion, but I never imagined Derol would rember.
“Did I say sothing I shouldn’t have, Master?”
“No, Derol. It’s the perfect saying for this situation.”
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