The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria turned her head towards Rubenta.

Rubenta, his face set in a terrifying scowl, glared at Laria with eyes burning with the desire to kill her on the spot.

Unflinchingly, Laria met Rubenta’s gaze.

‘I wish I had brought more gems.’

Originally, she had planned to simply take a brief stroll with Zenox before retiring for the night.

While she had brought some for emergencies, it was woefully insufficient for a prolonged battle.

Laria readjusted the umbrella Zenox had personally handed to her.

Urging her not to catch a cold, Zenox fought with only his sword sheath in hand.

In the midst of the skirmish, Zenox occasionally checked on Laria.

When their eyes met, whe gave a reassuring nod.

Crack!

One of the gems in her pocket shattered, unleashing a brilliant white surge of magic power.

The dense magic power was suffocating, causing the sorcerer to falter.

“…”

As the commotion continued, lights began flickering on in the surrounding buildings.

Curious about the disturbance, people emerged one by one.

The longer this dragged on, the more unfavorable it became for Rubenta.

“Use forbidden magic.”

At Rubenta’s urging, the sorcerer hesitated.

He had avoided using forbidden magic in public places as much as possible, but saw no other choice.

There were still few witnesses, so silencing them remained feasible.

As the sorcerer released his magic power, the vials hidden in his robe simultaneously shattered. His own blood gushed out, drenching the ground.

An acrid scent of blood filled the air as crimson magic power began to churn.

Black waves erupted from the ground, viciously rushing toward Laria.

Laria folded up the umbrella she had been holding.

Concentrating her magic in one place, she swung it against the oncoming waves.

The black waves split apart, shattering like waves crashing against rocks and dissipating into mere foam.

“My magic…!”

Witnessing the complete negation of his ultimate attack, the sorcerer’s face drained of color.

Rubenta shouted at the flustered sorcerer:

“Get a grip!”

“I lack… blood.”

“Blood, you say…”

Rubenta turned his gaze toward Zenox.

He too knew fresh blood would be more effective.

He had considered using the blood of his guards, but not a single drop could be seen.

It was then that Rubenta realized the reason Zenox had only used his sheath against the knights – to minimize any spilled blood in preparation for this very situation.

Reopening her umbrella, Laria addressed Rubenta:

“Just give up already.”

“…Give up?”

Echoing Laria’s words in a mutter, Rubenta lowered his head.

After silently staring at the ground, he suddenly burst into laughter, drawing the eyes of everyone present.

“I’ve had to give up so much since birth…”

“…”

“And now what else?”

Though his tone was gentle, his eyes betrayed a dark glint in the shadows.

Sensing his unsound state of mind, Laria shattered all her remaining gems. The falling lights unfurled like a spider’s web, intending to ensnare Rubenta and his remaining followers in binding spells.

“A blade.”

Rubenta extended his hand toward the elder who had been silently standing by.

As if entranced, the moment the elder handed over his short sword, Rubenta unhesitatingly struck him down with it.

“Argh!!”

Blood sprayed in all directions as a delayed scream of agony rang out.

Having witnessed the gruesome sight firsthand, Laria froze in place.

The binding spell she had been casting faltered, and the gathered magic power dispersed into the air.

Wasting no opportunity, Rubenta swung the short sword again.

The snow piled on the ground was stained crimson.

“Well, is there still not enough blood?”

Then, someone embraced Laria from behind.

As large hands covered her eyes, Laria exhaled the breath she had been holding.

Soon after, a thick, unpleasant energy seemed to seep into her skin.

The sorcerer was undoubtedly casting another forbidden spell.

She needed to stop him immediately.

Struggling to break free from the embrace, Laria found Zenox wouldn’t release her.

‘If I don’t dispel it now…’

Strangely, her voice wouldn’t come out.

It was only then that Laria realized she was trembling.

This was the first time she had witnessed a death firsthand.

Though she had steeled herself for such a possibility after becoming entangled with Marquis Hashir…

Ruthlessly stabbing others to achieve his aims, Rubenta was a demon incarnate.

Even hunters would not treat their prey with such cruelty.

“People…!”

“Hey, guards!!”

The screams and shouts of onlookers who had emerged rang out in disarray.

Holding Laria in his arms, Zenox slowly retreated.

Only after putting considerable distance between them did he remove the hand covering her eyes. As Laria made to observe the spot where Rubenta had stood, Zenox cupped her cheek, preventing her from turning her head.

“He has already fled.”

As expected, it seemed Rubenta had escaped along with the sorcerer.

An overwhelming sense of powerlessness left her drained of strength.

Unable to support herself, Laria was scooped up into Zenox’s arms.

He then issued orders to the Krassium knights who had belatedly arrived on the scene.

“See to the corpses and provide aid to any distressed witnesses.”

* * *

It was dawn by the time they returned to the Grand Duke’s castle.

Though magic could have transported them instantly, Zenox opted to travel by horse-drawn carriage.

Upon arrival, several servants, including the butler, were awake.

Catching sight of Laria cradled in Zenox’s arms, their initial surprise quickly gave way to composure.

Feeling awkward, Laria fidgeted restlessly.

Instead of setting her down, Zenox adjusted his hold on her as he instructed the butler:

“Bring a cup of warm milk to the bedchamber.”

He then carried Laria not to a guest room, but to his own bedroom. Zenox gently laid Laria down on the spacious bed.

As he moved to add logs to the dying embers in the fireplace, Laria hurriedly spoke up:

“There’s no need for a fire.”

She added to his puzzled eyes:

“I’m not cold.”

Setting the logs aside, Zenox approached Laria once more.

A heavy silence pervaded the expansive bedchamber.

After a prolonged pause, Laria murmured faintly:

“…I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?”

Taken aback by his prompt response, Laria hesitated.

“Because of me, you… let him get away.”

Had she properly cast the binding spell, they could have apprehended Rubenta.

At Laria’s self-recrimination, Zenox’s expression turned grave.

“It is I who should apologize.”

“…”

“For making you witness such a sight…”

His voice was laden with profound regret, as if wishing he could erase that memory from Laria’s mind if possible.

“I didn’t expect him to go that far, so I grew careless.”

Through Zenox, she had been informed of Rubenta’s character, but had only anticipated the likes of Marquis Hashir’s depravity.

This direct experience, however, made her realize that Rubenta Krassium was far more ruthless and cruel.

“To my uncle, others are merely chess pieces.”

A man willing to kill even his most valued subordinates with his own hands to achieve his goals.

“I wonder where he fled to.”

“He likely couldn’t leave the North.”

Originally, he would have sought refuge at the elder’s residence, but that was no longer viable.

Word would undoubtedly spread of what transpired with the elders.

Even those who supported Rubenta couldn’t overlook this incident.

“I will send pursuers, so do not worry.”

Though her unease hadn’t completely dissipated, all she could do was nod in acknowledgment.

“Tomorrow, I shall summon the knight guarding the prison for questioning, but his ability is likely…”

Knock-knock.

A knock at the door caused them both to turn their heads.

“Enter.”

At Zenox’s permission, the butler entered carrying a tray.

Spotting Laria, he momentarily paused.

“Tsk.”

At the tutting sound, the butler swiftly averted his gaze.

“I’ve brought some warm milk.”

As Zenox accepted the cup, one of his eyebrows arched.

“It’s too hot.”

“I…I shall prepare it again.”

Zenox waved a dismissive hand, signaling him to leave.

Beads of sweat glistened on the butler’s brow as he turned away.

Once the door closed, Zenox remarked:

“I’ve been considering replacing the butler.”

Just now, he couldn’t even make eye contact…

Yet the butler was certainly lacking in many regards.

“I prefer someone like Butler Verdo.”

“…That is your preference?”

“He’s the pinnacle of butlers. Skilled, treats you comfortably, and has a great personality.”

Following Laria’s words with a murmur, Zenox suddenly paused.

“Personality…”

The look of consternation on his face was akin to one grappling with a complex issue.

“So you prefer that kind of personality as a butler?”

Perplexed, Laria nodded in affirmation.

“Since Verdo will be managing the capital residence for the time being, I should hire someone similar.”

Zenox tested the cup’s temperature once more.

Satisfied that it had cooled to the perfect drinking temperature, he handed it to Laria.

Taking a sip of the warm milk, she felt the tension completely drain away.

After a few sips, Laria hesitated.

‘Will I have to return to my room once I’ve finished?’

Zenox must be tired too and need rest, but somehow, she felt reluctant to part ways.

‘I’ll probably just have nightmares if I sleep now.’

As Laria’s pace noticeably slowed, Zenox asked:

“Shall I have it reheated?”

“No…”

At her feeble response, Zenox’s brow furrowed.

After silently regarding Laria for a moment, he pulled up a chair and plopped down beside the bed.

Then, extending his arms toward her as she sat on the edge of the bed, he said:

“Shall I stay with you until morning?”