Chapter 43

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Chapter 43

“Count.”

The butler rushed to Ellie’s room. There, Marie and Kentrail, who were guarding, turned towards the butler.

“What’s going on?”

“Barry is back.”

With that said, the two hurriedly went downstairs.

“Fortunately, he appeared to be unharmed.”

Even after hearing the butler’s words, she was not relieved until she could see him in person. With that thought, Marie hurriedly ran down the hallway and went down to the first floor.

“Sister.”

As she approached the front door of the mansion, Barry caught her eye.

“Barry!”

She hurriedly ran up to him and wrapped him in her arms.

“It’s really you…”

She raised her hand and patted his face to make sure it was Barry. She felt cold cheeks because he had been outside for a long time. At that moment, Marie’s legs became relieved.

Kentrail, who stood beside her, quickly lifted her staggering,

“Count, please look after my friend quickly.”

As soon as the reunion with his older sister was over, Barry pointed to his side and spoke. When Kentrail turned to Barry’s side, he saw that the knights were carrying Siege that he had seen the other day. It looked like they had hastily stopped the bleeding from his belly.

“He’s hurt.”

“Yes, quickly to the physician.”

Kentrail called the physician who was waiting in the mansion for Ellie. He also asked to look at the injuries of the knights who went with them.

“Barry, are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

But, contrary to what he said, one of his legs was limping.

“First, see a physician.”

At Kentrail’s instructions, the butler standing next to him quickly went to arrange a room for the treatment.

“What about Ellie?”

Barry, who was watching, found his younger sister, who did not see him when he came. As soon as he arrived, he was worried as he didn’t see the child who was going to yell at him, ‘what is this?’

“That…”

Marie, who had to bring the bad news to her brother, who had been worn from the long journey, muttered her mouth.

“First, let’s get treatment and talk.”

On Marie’s behalf, Kentrail took care of the situation.

A stormy hour was about to begin.

Siege’s injury was more serious than expected. The vital point was avoided, but the fever was rising and falling.

“What happened?”

Kentrail asked Barry, who was standing next to him, about the situation.

“We’re almost there, but there’s another surprise attack.”

His face contorted as he recalled the helplessness of that moment. Siege was hurt because of him…

The four of them had lost a lot of stamina to get to the vicinity of the capital. Their whole body was frozen cold.

Siege was the first to notice the surprise.

[ They’re here again. It seems like you’ve bought a strong grudge. ]

The knights and Barry also drew their swords and were nervous. Turning to the side, he saw enemies hiding among the coniferous trees.

[ I think their number has increased. ]

They had more people than before. Barry hoped he could get out of here safely.

[ When we arrive in the Capital, treat me to a really big treat. ]

Of course. At Siege’s words, Barry nodded his head.

And so, the fight began.

He was the first to know that Siege fought so well. Although he was always third in the swordsmanship department, this was beyond the skills of the knights over there. His previous rankings were puzzling.

Barry raised his timid arm and barely stopped the man in front of him. He was already so exhausted that he couldn’t get enough energy.

The moment his sword met and struck, he thought that if he did something wrong, he could end his life here. The sword kept coming and going. Meanwhile, Barry discovered something strange. No matter how he looked at it, the man in front didn’t seem to have any intention of killing him.

He kept attacking while avoiding vital points. It seemed that his purpose was to capture Barry.

He had doubts, but he had to deal with them first.

One by one, the enemy fell. It was all thanks to Siege.

In the meantime, Barry stopped another attack on him again. However, another attacker was approaching from behind. Without a moment’s notice, the sword grazed his back leg. Because of that, one of his legs was injured immediately.

Upon discovering Barry, Siege hurriedly cut down the person in front of him. Then, he ran and attacked those around Barry, even the one that cut his legs.

But, maybe it was because Barry’s injury gave him a gap. Seeing Barry’s attacker regain consciousness, he launched a surprise attack.

Siege turned to avoid him, though the sword pierced his stomach.

[ Siege! ]

No matter how genius he was, he was dealing with several knights alone. His body became sluggish, and it caused him not to be able to avoid it in time.

[ Siege! ]

Barry, who had come to his senses, dragged his limp legs and attacked the knight, then held his friend.

[ I’m okay. ]

Siege said in a state of while not okay all. Barry’s heart raced.

Fortunately, the rest of the attackers were finished by the knights. In the meantime, Barry gave Siege first aid by pushing cloth onto the wound.

He was in a hurry, seeing Siege’s blood smeared on the first aid cloth. They had almost reached the Capital, but two of their horses had fled. After putting Siege and the other wounded on horseback, the other two had to walk right away.

Even with the Capital in front of him, they did not speed up. Barry felt that Siege’s consciousness was gradually disappearing, so he looked away.

Walking and walking, he had finally arrived at the Count’s mansion.

Hearing all those words, Kentrail’s expression changed to a complicated one. It seemed that the young Barry had gone through all the trouble because of them.

“The physician said that tonight is a turning point.”

Barry nodded his head.

The unconscious Siege had been infected. It was the result of being left wounded for a long time.

“I’ll contact Siege’s family.”

“Yes, Count.”

Kentrail felt sorry for Barry, who was standing by the side while he was also hurt. Instead of telling him to rest, he asked the butler to bring Barry some hot tea.

The night in the County has deepened.

“Barry, are you okay?”

It was Brielle. Last night, he thought he would just be a bother if he stayed, so the child who had been watching from afar, having tears in his eyes, found Barry as soon as morning came.

“Young Master, how have you been?”

“Hmm.”

Brielle looked at Barry’s legs wrapped in bandages and gave a sad expression. These days, the people in the mansion keep getting hurt, so he feels bad.

“How is this brother doing?”

“I think the crisis has passed, according to the physician.”

Fortunately, Siege’s fever went down at dawn. Then, Barry sighed.

“But, I didn’t get to see Ellie…”

Barry took care of Siege last night, so he didn’t hear about Ellie until the end. The child who was nowhere to be seen made him grow increasingly anxious.

“That…”

Brielle’s eyes fluttered as he realized that his uncle and Marie had not told Barry.

“What’s going on?”

Barry asked urgently at Briel’s unusual reaction. He abruptly got up from his seat as he opened his mouth again.

“I need to go see Ellie. Where is she now?”

“In the room….”

Brielle answered in a small voice. As soon as Barry heard the answer, he sprinted out.

‘What the hell is going on? Why did the people who were aiming for the County choose our family.’

What is with the assassins who seemed to be aiming for him, plus Ellie?

Barry shook his head as he recalled the past when their safety had never been threatened even though they were poor.

Didn’t his sister try to dump Ellie instead? It was a much more unhappy time than now.

While he was having some bad thoughts that then disappeared, he passed the annex with the guest rooms, and he finally entered the main building. He wanted to sprint all the way to Ellie’s room though his leg was injured.

He barely climbed the stairs and arrived at Ellie’s place.

Barry knocked and opened the door.

“Ellie…”

His eyes fluttered. The younger sister, who should have smiled and greeted him, lay still with her eyes closed.

“Barry.”

Marie, who was sitting inside, greeted Barry.

“What happened?!”

“Sit down for a moment.”

Saying so, Marie, looking anxiously at her bandaged brother, pointed to the seat.

“Hmm…”

Marie, looking at Barry’s legs sitting next to her, finally opened her mouth.

Tears welled up in Barry’s eyes when he heard the story. His eyes never even shed tears when he was in such danger.

“…Barry.”

At the sound of his sweet older sister’s voice, he burst into tears. His sobbing shoulders were showing how hard it was for the child.

“When will Ellie be able to open her eyes?”

“I do not know. The physician said nothing was wrong, but she kept closing her eyes like this…”

Carefully, he placed his hand on Ellie’s forehead. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like it was going to open or anything.

“…Who is the culprit?”

“There’s one captured, so we’ll be able to catch them.”

“Yes.”

The child with the struggling expression looked so tired.

“Barry, you know that we have to be stronger in times like this, right?”

“Hmm. do not worry.”

Nonetheless, Marie was worried that Barry, who was still wounded, might collapse mentally.

‘Ellie, you have to wake up quickly…’

Her troubles only deepened.

***

It was Siege who first regained consciousness.

Raising his eyes at Barry’s compassionate care, he burst into laughter at the fact that he was beaten like this.

“You are human, too, of course.”

“Yeah, I’m a human, too.”

“Why can’t my house be a normal family?”

Siege didn’t know what Barry was thinking to himself.

“Is this the County?”

“Yes. I have contacted your family separately.”

“Still, no one would come looking for me.”

It was right. No one came to protest or come to the County, in spite of the fact that Kentrail was prepared for a clash between the families. There must have been a rift within the Kaylers, he speculated.

“The physician said that you had to lie down for one more month to heal.”

“One month…?”

“Huh. I know it’s hard, but why don’t you stay here for a little while and then go back?”

“Right.”

He didn’t say he would go back or stay. His mind seemed complicated.

“I think you injured your leg, too.”

“That’s right. It’s nothing compared to you, though, because I only need one more week in bandages.”

“Well, I’m glad.”

It was a sincere voice.

“And, the other knights?”

“Everyone is all right, thanks to you. Without you, we would all be dead. Why the hell did you hide that skill until now? If it were me, I would have quickly graduated from the academy.”

At that, Siege laughed softly.

“Usually, it would be like that.”

Saying that, he looked so sad that he didn’t seem like the friend Barry knew. Still, he couldn’t ask anymore.

“Who the hell was after us?”

“I do not know either. I haven’t heard the details.”

“Hmm. We got hurt like this. Don’t we deserve to hear what’s behind it?”

This was also the Count’s internal affairs, so Barry couldn’t say anything. “There are many secrets in our house and in other people’s houses.”

He just has to face his friend bitterly.

It was a strange thing.

Less than a day after Siege opened his eyes, Ellie opened her eyes, too. Needless to say, Marie was greatly relieved.

She hugged Ellie to her chest tightly.

“Sister, I’m out of breath.”

“Do you know how long you’ve been lying in bed?’

“Huh. Of course. Look at the mess of my hair.”

Marie, who had grabbed Ellie, let her go. “Everyone was worried about you. By the way, Barry is back.”

“Brother?”

“Yeah, he was here until now. I have to call the physician since you already woke up.”

“Huh. But, what about Derek, who was protecting me?”

Worried, Ellie’s eyes fluttered as she asked that. The child trembled in fear that maybe something was wrong with him.

“Don’t worry, he’s fine. He is much healthier than you.”

“Thank God…”

Marie patted Ellie, as the maid came in after she pulled the string next to her.

“Oh, Ellie is awake…!”

The maid was sad because the child didn’t wake up. The same goes for everyone else in the mansion. The tomboy child who was actively running around was gone. It was rather empty.

“Yes.”

Ellie’s smile was less bright than usual.

The maid hurried out, saying that she would call the physician.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────