CH 112.2

A haggard expression and cold eyes loomed over him.

When the two were added, the pressure that weighed on Lewis was unusual. A common individual would have tried to apologize and move on, but Lewis had a much stronger ego than a normal individual.

He trembled inwardly but didn’t betray his fear, straining his eyes.

“Acts like a slave to Gis and exhibits aloofness at others. What? Did I say something wrong?”

Kwak.

Neria clenched her fists.

“What are you going to do with your fists? Are you going to hit me? Hah, just go away. If you do that… What?!”

Lewis’ body coiled like a hunchback.

He shuddered as he held onto his stomach. Although Neria managed to calibrate her strength, he was not a person accustomed to suffering.

Just when he felt like he was going to lose his mind, Neria raised her hand.

Lewis, who saw, quickly came back to his senses.

“Stop it! I apologize for my mistake earlier. Please…”

Thack-!

But before he could finish his sentence, he was smacked and rolling on the floor.

“I, I’m sorry. I was wrong…”

Puck!

Got kicked in the stomach by foot.

“Don’t, please…”

When the area that was hit was hit again, he started to feel difficulty in breathing. Neria stood and looked down at him as he groaned, unable to speak properly.

– Acts like a slave to Gis and exhibits aloofness at others.

What Lewis had said echoed in her ears.

Like a tide.

The moment she heard the disgusting name, unpleasant memories, touches, and voices come to mind.

Ah… she hated…

Why did he had to bring that name infront of her?

Why make her re-experience that unpleasantness?

Why make her angry?

What wrong she had done to him?

Why was he making things hard for her by bringing out that obnoxious name?

Why did he had to say that?

Why!!!

A slimy mixture of disgust, hatred, displeasure, and anger flamed her eyes and ears.

Neria lifted her foot.

Just when she was about to hit Lewis hard.

“Neria.”

She heard her favorite voice. Ironically, just hearing his voice once melted away all the stale emotions that shackled her.

Neria turned towards the direction she heard his voice.

“What are you doing here?”

Cloud was there.

…with a woman who was said to be Lorian’s younger sister.

Why was he with that woman, especially at such a late hour?

Wasn’t his lover Katarina?

Just when she couldn’t stand the doubts and was about to ask about him.

“Wow… you gave those yorkels quite a good beating. How are you going to take care of that now?”

Seeing the collapsed trio, Lorraine exclaimed in admiration.

That awakened Neria’s sense of reality.

‘My, what have I done…’

She turned back to see the form of the one she had just battered.

She couldn’t even recall his name.

However, seeing that he was accompanied by two escort knights, he must have been a nobleman.

Since she didn’t know his face, he must be from Lorian’s party currently negotiating with Lupus, and she assaulted such a person.

What would be the aftermath of this incident?

Would she be able to solve it alone?

Probably not.

They would try to take this incident as a pod and lead the negotiations to their advantage.

“Ah…”

Cold sweat streamed from the back of Neria’s neck.

The fact that her own actions had become a nuisance to Cloud seemed to disorient her mind.

Cloud put a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay? Are there any injuries?”

“Uh? Yes…”

“What are you asking about? Just looking at it, it was a one-sided attack… Agh! You-you hit me?!”

“You should be shutting up by now. The moment you open your mouth again, you know you’ll be rapped again.”

Cloud raised his knuckles. After confirming that Lorraine’s slightly parted lips were screwed shut, he turned his gaze back to Neria.

“What happened?”

“Oh, no… that’s…”

“I’m not pushing you, so don’t be afraid. What have they done?”

Cloud’s voice was kind.

In fact, it was more of a plain tone rather than a kind one, but even that felt considerate to Neria, especially now.

‘…just say it.’

She was unscathed and all of her opponents were on the floor.

No matter how one looked at it, it only seemed like she launched an one-sided assault. They had first quarreled and resisted with swords, but there were no eyewitnesses to testify.

No one would believe her.

‘But if it’s Cloud…’

He might believe.

No, he would believe her.

Neria opened her mouth to explain what had just transpired.

And she closed it again.

At that, Cloud tilted his head.

“What’s the matter? What are you trying to tell me?”

He said it was okay and asked her to speak comfortably, but she shook her head while keeping her mouth shut.

She wanted to say something too.

That aristocrat reminded her of painful memories by mentioning Gis.

But she couldn’t speak.

She had already hurt Cloud a lot with Gis.

How could she mention that man’s name in front of Cloud?

Just the mention of that man’s name coming out of her mouth would bring back unpleasant memories for him.

‘Ah… Why can’t I do anything properly?’

He had always been there for her.

Why was it so different?

Maybe he didn’t need her…

Neria lowered her head and spoke in a low voice.

“Sorry…”

Emotions began to rise as she spoke those words. Sorrow punctuated by helplessness and guilt.

Clenching her fists to hold back her tears, she spoke again.

“Sorry…”

* * *

Neria sobbing and Cloud pacifying her.

Seeing the two of them, Lorraine strained her brows.

‘The assaulter’s crying after beating others?’

Who was actually crazy here?