Chapter 182

“Where… Where am I!? W-Who are you!”

“What did a young master who grew up so well come here for?”

“R-Release me right now.”

“We’ll send you home, so stop nagging like a sissy.”

Loud laughter came out of the mouths of the men who were looking at Louis, who was stuttering.

Louis’ fingertips trembled slightly as he bit his lips at the rushing feeling of being belittled, but there was nothing he could do. Not long after, the men’s hands grabbed Louis’ large body and dragged him roughly.

‘Looks like I came somewhere deep…’

He couldn’t tell how long he walked along with the men who grabbed both his arms.

When he was starting to feel frustrated, a soft light permeated beyond his dark field of view.

Although it was covered by a black cloth, he could feel that he was outside when the faint breeze touched his skin.

***

“Don’t cry.”

Ayla, who had been looking down as if she were a criminal, turned her gaze towards her fingers, where she felt the warmth.

One tear. And another tear.

The number of tears flowing down Ayla’s cheeks increased gradually.

She held back the tears that were about to burst out and closed her lips firmly, but it wasn’t easy.

A faint smile appeared on Eden’s face, who had frowned at the pain he felt in the affected area.

“If you cry like that, you’re less pretty than usual.”

“I mean, if you get struck by a sword, you should get treated. Why did you do that? For a person? I thought you were really going to die… You don’t know how worried I was…”

“I survived. Well, although I don’t look very good.”

“Are you ignorant? Are you brave? Did you really intend to die there?”

“…”

Eden, who had been silently looking at Ayla, who was glaring at him with her big eyes, slowly raised his body.

“Stop crying.”

Eden’s white hand touched Ayla’s cheek, who was constantly crying.

Wiping off Ayla’s wet eyes with a slow touch, the corners of Eden’s mouth rose slightly.

“But where are we? It’s a place I haven’t seen before.”

Eden, who was slowly examining his surroundings, opened his mouth, which was swollen due to the hardship he had been through.

“My name is Luke Jenners, a member of the Knights.”

“I don’t think I asked you anything.”

Luke, who had suddenly entered the room, answered Eden’s words.

Seeing the unfamiliar man, Eden’s silver eyes were full of caution.

“I answered since you asked where you are. This is where I live.”

“I am curious about your intentions.”

Eden, who glanced up and down at Luke, answered with a blunt tone.

Luke’s expression, constantly giving a soft smile at Eden’s aggressive attitude, gradually faded.

“He helped me.”

“But why.”

Even with Ayla’s persuading voice, Eden didn’t seem to have any intention of lowering his guard regarding Luke.

She could understand Eden’s aggressive reaction as he had come to the threshold of death because of the person he trusted, but it was a difficult situation.

She couldn’t believe he had such a threatening mood towards Luke, who was no different from a lifesaver…

She couldn’t just watch them, but she was also curious about the reason.

If things go wrong, even the person who helped could be hated by Kyle. Why did Luke take the lead in solving what everyone was keeping quiet about? Why?

There was only one person who could satisfy her curiosity.

Ayla’s gaze silently turned to Luke.

“Do you need a reason to help people in need? I just did my job. There is no other meaning. Above all, aren’t you a member of the Royal Knights?”

“The Royal Knights? I never said anything like that.”

“… You are ruder than I thought.”

“It seems that there are some stupid people who work with a sense of duty in the Royal Knights. I thought everyone was busy taking care of their own job to make a living. It’s very touching.”

A shallow groan escaped Eden’s mouth, who was raising his body with a sharp-tempered attitude.

Little by little, red blood stains appeared on the white bandage that was carefully tied around Eden’s naked body.

“Looks like the wound opened.”

Luke, who had completely erased the smile on his face as if he were offended, spoke in a dry tone of voice.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t know what your true intention is, but I won’t let it slide.”

Eden, who replied to Luke’s concerns as if it was nothing, made the battle of nerves between the two of them even more tense.

Whether his pain had increased, Eden, who put his hand on the affected area, bit his lips tightly to avoid letting out a pained groan.

Luke let out a small sigh as Ayla put herself between the two men who were staring at each other.

“The bandage must be replaced. I’ll be back in a moment. Miss Ayla.”

“Unbelievable. You’re telling me to trust the Royal Knights? It’s ridiculous.”

“It’s not because of you, but because of my promise to Miss Ayla. I promised to save you.”

“…”

“So, don’t act prideful and stay still. If I leave it as it is, you might never wake up this time.”

Luke, who had a firm expression on his face, slowly turned around and walked out of the room.