CH 96

I couldn’t even raise my head and bit my lips.

“I heard a call for help, so I rushed here—”

Richard muttered in a low voice and moved forward. 

Where is he going? I couldn’t bear to raise my head and only looked at Richards’ legs moving. 

And the place where Richard’s leg stopped was where my mask fell. Then he picked up my mask.

What is he going to do with that—.

“It seems like this is your first time killing someone, Miss Shabrina.”

“….”

“Don’t worry. In fact, killing people isn’t as big as Miss Shabrina thinks.”

What kind of nonsense is he talking about? Ordinary people don’t kill people in the first place! They don’t even think about that!

I wondered if it was comforting that I couldn’t get back to it, but it seemed like that wasn’t the case with that personality.

“Don’t you need this?”

Richard put a mask in front of me.

However, he unconsciously reaches for the mask and cleans it up right away.

“…What are you doing?”

“It looks like there is blood on your face, are you going to wear a mask as it is?”

“…it’s none of your business. Give me the mask.”

However, Richard didn’t willingly hand over the mask. 

“Hey.”

When I call him as if to urge him, Richard speaks only at that moment.

“I wonder.”

“…To return my mask?”

“That too, but I’m curious about Miss Shabrina’s face, so I’m wondering if I should check it like this.” 

“…don’t talk nonsense and just give me my mask.”

“….”

“Give it to me!”

I shouted at him. 

Normally, I would have been able to pass slyly. 

However, it was difficult to deal with Richard now that my mental state was unstable.

Because the moment when blood spurted from the knight’s neck lingered in my mind. 

I feel nauseous.

“Please take it.”

Richard handed me the mask and put a handkerchief inside the mask. 

“Isn’t it uncomfortable to wear a mask as it is?”

“….”

“I’d like to wipe it for you if I could, but I thought you wouldn’t like it.”

“…You know it well.”

I accepted the mask without saying thank you.

The handkerchief was also handed over, but I didn’t feel grateful. 

Just a little bit, I thought this situation was miserable. 

I wiped the blood off my face with the handkerchief I received from Richard.

But the blood wasn’t easy to clean up.

There was a sticky feeling on the face, which was already hard and dry. 

I wiped off only the wet part and put on the mask again.

“I’ll get you up.”

“Nevermind.”

I can get up alone. I’m not even a child—.

“Ugh.”

However, it was difficult to get up properly because the whole body trembled and overshadowed such thoughts. 

In the end, Richards caught me, and it seemed impossible to insist on walking alone.

“I’ll help you.”

Noticing my condition, Richard gently closed his eyes and smiled. 

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Eventually, I walked with Richard’s help.

“Miss Shabrina.”

“…What?”

“Miss Shabrina smells like blood.”

“…Because there’s blood on it?”

“It’s strangely exciting.”

“…Are you crazy?”

Richard laughed instead of answering.

“And I have something to say to Miss Shabrina….”

Richard mumbled slowly, sweeping the back of my hand slowly with his finger.

“Never take off your mask in front of me.”

“….”

“I have little self-control.”

What the hell is he talking about?

I mean, did he really not know who I was?

He secretly whispers that he knows who I am but warns me not to reveal my identity. 

I didn’t answer back to what he said. 

And that’s how we got out of the woods.

As soon as I left the forest, I saw people. 

People who found me covered in blood and being supported by Richard looked surprised.

“Aide, what happened—!”

“What happened to the attack?”

“…It wasn’t an attack. We must have misunderstood because there was a problem on our side.’ 

As expected. 

What I had guessed returned to certainty.

“The Baron— is in the room.”

“I see.”

I’m glad Michelle’s safe.

I scanned the Count with a cold face. 

What should I do?

******

“That b*tch Shabrina coming back alive!”

The Count hated Gilbert, who could only scream like a pig.

I can’t believe his territory’s fate depends on a guy like this. 

How ridiculous. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it for sure next time.”

“Do I look like I don’t have to worry now? Shabrina that b*tch, and Michelle, both are fine!”

A few hours ago, as he informed Shabrina that it was a raid, he told Michelle that she had to evacuate because it was a raid.

But there was an unexpected situation.

<What about Shabrina?

<We will also take the aide safely. So don’t worry…>

<Until Shabrina comes, I won’t move.>

That sassy personality caused problems even in important situations.

In the end, Michelle was in a situation where she was stuck and he couldn’t take her into the forest like Shabrina.

“Isn’t there anything I can do about this? I have a chance next time—” 

“Next time? Ha! I guess the Count thinks you have endless opportunities.” 

“….” 

“I think I know why the territory looks like this.”

“What did you just say, Gilbert!”

“Why? Are you mad?”

“….” 

The Count’s hands trembled, but he held back for his territory. 

Gilbert, who had been furious for a long time, left, and the Count was left alone and burst out laughing.

This situation was absurd and angry, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The people in the territory who starving. 

The number of permanent residents who can’t stand it and run away at night is decreasing.

“Ha…”

The face of the Lord, who recalled the unresolved troubles, became dark.

Knock, knock.

Then he heard a knock.

“Lord, Aide Shabrina came to see you.” 

…Shabrina? 

It’s not a good situation, so her visit doesn’t feel very positive.

“Take her inside.”

Shabrina came in as soon as the order was given.

She naturally sat down in a chair with her brown hair pulled back.

Unlike usual, the colorful mask not only gave a strong impression but also gave a sense of intimidation.

“…I heard what happened today. It was the knight’s decision. I want to reiterate the fact that this has nothing to do with the North.”

It was a position where he had to bow his head to a mere assistant. But he didn’t think his pride had been hurt.

It’s something that can’t be helped for his territory—.

“I never sent the article to the Baron’s aide. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and reveal it—” 

“That’s all right, Count.”

“It’s okay—”

Shabrina smiled as the Count looked curiously.

“Can you give me your tea before that?”

“…Tea?” 

“Yes. I’m tired of what happened today, so I want to talk while drinking tea.”

“…Oh, yes. Let’s get the tea, hurry.” 

The Count ordered the servant to bring the tea immediately, and a teapot and a teacup appeared on the table soon after.

Shabrina drank the warm tea. Her appearance was really relaxing.

“The Count won’t be able to say that the North isn’t responsible for this case at all.”

“….” 

“Because it happened in the North. How many times has this been already?”

“….”

“Count, do you know how my master, Michelle, led Savlin?”

Shabrina sip her tea and spoke slowly.

“There were enemies everywhere. So I had to be suspicious first. I learned it through those days…” 

Shabrina’s pink eyes flashed red. For a moment, she had a terrifying feeling.

“Three times.”

“What do you want to say?”

“If it’s three times, by chance or by mistake, it was intentional.”

The Count realized.

Shabrina wants to say that the Count made up this whole situation.

“From meeting Gilbert here, to peanuts in food, and to the knight who tried to kill me.”

Things turned out to be difficult.

If it’s like this—.

“Can all of this be dismissed as a mistake or coincidence?”

He must kill her now. 

As long as she realizes it, if she returns it alive, the influence of the Savlin will crush the North.

“Since this has happened all the time, even if the contract is broken, the temple will understand.”

The Count fiddled with the sword in his arms.

But then, Shabrina’s pink eyes turned round.

“Nevertheless, one of our business principles was ‘Generosity’.”

“What…” 

“I don’t give everyone a chance, but sometimes I give it a special opportunity.”

What does she mean by that now?

“It’s about giving the Count a chance.”

“Give me a chance?”

The Count came to his senses. Don’t get caught up in it.

“Do you know what you’re talking about? Stop it. More disrespect—” 

“I am well aware of your situation.”

After cutting off the Count’s words, Shabrina threw her words out.

“The situation in the north is going to be difficult, so you probably wanted to sell your soul to Gilbert to learn how to grow special products.”

“….” 

Shabrina’s red mouth was curved devilishly.

“If you are desperate, you want to hold the devil’s hand, right?”

“….” 

“But you better hold the hand wisely, Count.”