Chapter 76

Step step.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the silent night.

Annie walked towards the front door from the carriage. The closer she got to the black iron gate, the more Annie’s expression turned into a puzzled look.

‘It’s strange… I didn’t see any guards, they went to rest for a while.’

Then, someone approached.

“Lady Dsev.”

As she reflexively turned her body, she saw an unwelcome man. A slender-looking, skinny man.

His name flowed out of Annie’s mouth.

“… Lord Girkan?”

At the last meeting, she heard that most of the property was confiscated due to tax evasion. Lord Girkan’s clothes were full of dirt as if he had been rolling on a mountain road.

His eyes sank dimly as he turned his back on the night.

*

In the moving carriage, Ejed covered his mouth with his hand. He felt as if he had something in him.

‘Did I act too rudely a while ago? No, do I have to make it so obvious?’

Ejed, who was worried, glanced down. It was Annie’s empty seat. The red seat she had been sitting on until a while ago.

Ejed looked at it and smiled.

[I hope that the people of the Porcaus Empire will make happy memories about the amusement park.]

[The festival will be held again, right? If you cut your budget, I’ll be disappointed. I’m going to write it all down in the book. ]

Annie, who was chattering all the way to the amusement park, was still vivid. The purple eyes are full of determination, a clear voice, and a smile.

Ejed was sure. It’s more beautiful than the festival Annie expects so much.

Ejed couldn’t help but feel sorry for the coveted full moon shining through the window.

‘…Time goes by too fast.’

It feels like yesterday he checked the X on the calendar while waiting for a year. The problem was that time went by so fast these days. He didn’t even know how the day would go when he met Annie.

It was a waste for him to enjoy all his precious time slowly.

‘I learned well, I must confess to Miss Annie.’

Something caught Ejed’s eyes, who was determined.

A small cloth bag was lying on the floor of the carriage.

“Ah…”

Ejed let out a small sigh. Isn’t it a bag with the note that Annie wrote down hard today?

Annie liked to document her feelings on her travels that day, right away.

She also didn’t forget to tidy it up at the mansion.

Ejed was now engrossed in the thought of knowing the passionate process well.

‘Oh, dear. If I just go, she’ll be frustrated… Maybe if I just return the bag to the guard and come back, that’ll be fine.’

After having been thinking about it, Ejed made a decision.

“Return to Dsev.”

Ejed, who commanded the coachman, headed to the Dsev mansion.

But then, an unpleasant sight caught his eye. The missing Lord Girkan appeared.

Lord Girkan was holding Annie’s wrist and dragging her somewhere. At that sight, he felt the blood all over his body get cold.

“What are you doing! Let go! Let go of me!”

“Shut up!”

Annie’s face contorted with pain, and Ejed’s eyes froze cold. What does that mean to a weak woman?

He couldn’t wait and see or even forgive it any longer. Ejed strode between the two arguing people.

Crunch.

“Aaarghh!”

A terrible scream rang out at the place as Ejed twisted Lord Girkan’s arm. Only his arm was broken, but Lord Girkan was white as if he were foaming.

Lord Girkan grabbed his arm and rolled on the floor.

“Arghh! H-Help me! Help me!!”

Annie would be surprised if he made a fuss like that, so he had to knock him out. Ejed stamped the stomach with his shoe to keep Annie from seeing it.

Puck!

Lord Girkan, who was groaning in pain, soon passed out.

Annie, who was watching from behind, swallowed dry saliva. In the quiet night, only the trembling sound of Annie’s breath was scattered.

Annie smiled awkwardly when Ejed’s gaze finally reached her.

“Uh… I didn’t know you would come again. Thank you for saving me.”

Annie hastily hid her convulsive hands behind her body. No matter how openly a tyrant he was, he wouldn’t feel good if she was afraid of him.

Then, Ejed took off his cloak and put it on her shoulder. Ejed is not a talkative person. But his gestures were full of sincerity.

Annie, who had been hesitating, said with a ferocious smile as the warm cloth wrapped her up as if comforting her.

“Well… it’s okay. No one was hurt.”

Ejed didn’t add another word. He picked up the bundle of cloth that had fallen on the floor and quietly placed it in Annie’s hand.

Then he took her hand and made their way to the front door of the mansion. In keeping with Annie’s startled steps, he walked as slowly as possible, shortening his stride.

As the view of the dark mansion spread out in front of the two of them, the sound of footsteps was heard in the distance.

From the dimly visible silhouettes, presumably the guards and butlers. Annie quickly grabbed him by the wrist.

“Your Majesty, go back now. Your Majesty’s position is…”

No matter how many business excuses she made, his position might be really in a bind.

But now, he didn’t move. Instead, he gave exact orders to the butler, who ran right in front of them in an instant.

“Let the Lady go in first. And bring warm water and towels.”

It was a good thing it was dark. The butler didn’t even know that Ejed was the emperor.

He simply agreed, thinking that he would be a nobleman due to the pressure he exudes.

“Yes, Master. Lady, please come in.”

Annie kept looking behind as the butler forced her in.

Ejed was standing and watching Annie. As if he was blocking her from the horrendous thing with him outside the front door.

Annie forcibly raised the corners of her lips.

Thank you.

As if he knew it well, Ejed gently raised the corner of his mouth.

Annie’s eyes widened.

‘…Ah.’

It was a beautiful smile that couldn’t even be compared to the one from the forced practice.

The dark night brightened.