Chapter 190

The knights’ eyes had glistened with admiration for Kaywhin until the very moment they left the count’s castle. They had witnessed Kaywhin slay monsters—the same monsters that they just barely brought down by attacking from both sides—with a single arrow. They couldn’t help but respect and envy him.

‘Fufu.’

Yelena shrugged smugly.

‘Haha!’

She tossed her head back proudly.

It was as if whenever Kaywhin was acknowledged for his skills, Yelena felt prouder than he did. She hummed gleefully.

But her high spirits did not last for long.

“What did you just say?”

Yelena gave Kaywhin an incredulous look.

“You’re going to go without me?”

The next morning after the crown prince had left the count’s castle, Yelena’s party made preparations to excavate the Holy Sword. Naturally, Yelena thought that she would be part of that journey, but before their departure, Kaywhin expressed his wish for Yelena to remain at the castle.

“It could be dangerous. As Miss Morgana said, no one knows what could happen during the excavation of the Holy Sword.”

“But…”

Yelena’s eyes quivered. In her head, she understood her husband’s decision, but in her heart, she couldn’t accept the reality of being separated from her husband.

“That’s why I brought Aendy. Won’t it be okay with the three of us?”

“You will be safer here.”

“Do you really think there’s a safer place than by your side?”

Count Morgana’s eyes widened as he watched the situation unfold from a distance. His face was overcome with emotion.

‘Newlyweds…!’

Then, his eyes grew damp. There was a time when he and his wife had been like the duke and the duchess as well. But after a fierce couple’s fight, the countess had lost her temper and moved back in with her family.

‘Indeed… There was a time when we truly loved each other… I didn’t want to be apart from her for even a moment. Oh, honey. I promise I’ll be good to you if you come back!’

Yelena, unaware of the big help she had been in the reconciliation of one middle-aged couple, dropped her head. She knew she was being stubborn.

But still.

“…This doesn’t feel right.”

“Wife.”

“I’m the one who wanted to excavate the Holy Sword in the first place. So to send you somewhere dangerous while I stay in a safe place…”

“Yelena.”

Kaywhin reached out his hand. He brushed Yelena’s hair behind her ear with a soft touch.

Yelena held her breath and focused on the feeling of his fingers brushing past her ear. The careful touch that fixed her hair but dodged her skin was part-ticklish and vaguely, part-tantalizing.

Yelena nervously tensed her back without realizing. Kaywhin lowered his hand and then spoke.

“It’s okay. I can promise you that I will return safely.”

“…”

“I’ll be right back, safe and sound. So please wait here for a little bit.”

Yelena briefly thought of the three knights whom she had left at the ducal castle, Thomas, Colin, and Max. Their injuries had recovered significantly, but she deliberately came here without them because they weren’t fully recovered.

‘I wish I could have sent them with my husband…’ Yelena thought, but shook her head soon after.

No. Even if the knights were here, her husband would still choose to go alone.

Truth be told, that may have been what was best for Kaywhin. Considering his strength, anyone else who was with him would end up being a burden in the event of an emergency.

A dispirited Yelena opened her mouth.

“Put Aendy to good use. He’ll be helpful, since he’s an animistic sorcerer…”

“I will.”

“If things become dangerous, leave it to Aendy and run away.”

“Hey, what about me? What about my safety?”

Aendydn, who had been waiting silently, gaped, dumbfounded. Yelena ignored him and gave Kaywhin a look filled with lingering attachment. Kaywhin smiled, as if telling her not to worry.

“I’ll be back.”

***

‘I should’ve just let the crown prince excavate the Holy Sword and then stolen it from him afterward.’

At the count’s castle, an upset Yelena stared out the window. She was filled with belated regret. This was all because the crown prince had been so obnoxious.

‘If that jerk had been less hateful, I would have conveniently chosen the profitable choice.’

Sitting in the tea room on the second floor, Yelena let out a long sigh.