The Envoy's Deadly Encounter (3)
Unia had never engaged in polite conversation with a noblewoman of such elegant, refined bearing, and the prospect left her slightly nervous. She could hold her own with battle stories or filthy mercenary banter, but without those crutches she had no idea what subject to choose.
“Would you tell me about Lord Richard?”
Fortunately the lady raised the one topic Unia knew best. A small smile curved Unia’s lips and she relaxed at once.
“Lord Richard is devastatingly handsome and frighteningly clever. Any woman who sees his true face up close would have her heart hammering so hard she’d probably piss herself—or at least find it difficult to breathe.”
“My goodness, is he that magnificent? Forgive my forwardness, but may I ask his age?”
“He’s very young. I’ve never asked directly, but I’d guess early twenties.”
“A man in his prime, then. How intriguing.”
Lady Ronda’s eyes sparkled as she pictured Hyunwoo in her mind. Unia’s earlier worry that they might have nothing to talk about evaporated. Simply speaking of Hyunwoo made the time slip past pleasantly, and weaving in stories about Dana kept the conversation flowing without a single awkward pause.
“It’s no exaggeration to say Lord Richard wiped out every bandit group in the Nobern region by himself. The Ryan Hart unit barely lifted a finger. Our lord did it all.”
“To think he eradicated those brigands for the sake of suffering commoners—he’s a true hero. What a splendid man.”
They chatted comfortably until the cookies and tea were gone. Lady Ronda looked reluctant to end their time together and glanced at the maid waiting by the door with hands clasped.
“Clear the plates and cups, then bring wine and suitable snacks.”
“The sun is still high. Are you certain you wish to drink?”
“I cannot resist any longer. I’m in such a fine mood I want to get gloriously drunk.”
Buoyed by the pleasant atmosphere, Lady Ronda turned back to Unia.
“You can depart tomorrow without issue, yes?”
She seemed to be enjoying this rare bout of gossip and wanted to continue. At the word “wine,” Unia’s face lit up with open delight. The answer was obvious.
“A conversation this enjoyable would feel incomplete without drink. I’d love to spend the entire night with you, my lady. It truly feels as though we understand each other.”
“I’m delighted to have found such a good friend.”
“Then, before we drink, may I change into something more comfortable? These formal envoy clothes are dreadfully stifling.”
Lady Ronda smiled and agreed without hesitation.
“Of course. In fact, why don’t we both change into our nightclothes? It will be far more comfortable for drinking.”
“I’d love that. It sounds wonderfully fun.”
A pajama party with a noble lady. Unia grinned brightly. She and Lady Ronda got along surprisingly well.
“I’ll go change and return at once.”
Just as Unia rose from her seat, a fierce gust of wind suddenly blew through, whipping her hair wildly.
The windows were definitely closed during our conversation. Where is this wind coming from…?
She turned toward the window and her eyes flew wide. At the same moment the maids screamed.
“Kyaaak!”
A gray monster had crawled through the now-open window and clung to the wall with both arms. Its bald, vaguely human face lacked eyes, nose, and ears—only a long, gaping slit of a mouth remained. Its skin was a dull, corpse-like gray. A fin rose from its back, and where legs should have been, a short, thick tail twitched.
“What is the matter?”
Startled by the screams, Lady Ronda turned toward the window. In that instant the monster’s mouth split open impossibly wide. A long tongue lashed out and punched straight through her heart like a spear.
Blood erupted from the gaping wound and splashed across Unia’s face where she sat opposite.
“Oh gods!”
Unia’s eyes bulged. She lunged sideways to catch Lady Ronda as the noblewoman toppled from her chair.
Meanwhile the nameless monster casually tore out the throats of both maids, then slipped back out the window as though its task were complete.
“My lady! My lady! This can’t be happening…!”
Unia tried desperately to staunch the wound, but there was nothing to be done. Lady Ronda’s heart was destroyed; she had already stopped breathing.
“What is going on?!”
Knights who had heard the commotion burst into the room. They swept the scene with grim expressions, then without warning drew their swords on the sole survivor—Unia.
“The bitch from Lanchester has murdered our lady!”
“What the hell are you idiots babbling about?” Unia snapped, anger cutting through her shock.
“It wasn’t me! A monster killed her!”
“Denials won’t save you! Seize the whore at once!”
The knights charged together. Unia overturned the table, stepped back nimbly, dodged the first man’s blade, twisted his arm until he dropped his sword, then pressed that same blade to his throat and used him as a shield.
Seeing their comrade held hostage, the knights ground their teeth in fury.
“Release him if you don’t want to die here!”
“Lower your swords first and listen to what I have to say!”
While both sides glared at each other, Eidan appeared. The moment he saw Lady Ronda’s corpse with its ruined chest, his eyes widened and he clapped a hand over his mouth. He stared at Unia in disbelief.
“W-what in the world happened here?”
“I swear on my parents’ lives. It was an unidentified monster that killed Lady Ronda. It came through that window.”
“A monster? Why would a monster—?”
“Let me ask you the same question. Why would I, an envoy sent from Lanchester, want to murder your lady?”
The instant Unia spat the words in righteous indignation, Eidan understood exactly who was behind this. His brother and Ludmila had orchestrated everything.
Those filthy bastards! They finally killed my sister-in-law! And now they’ve cornered the Lanchester envoy as well—what the hell are they thinking?!
Noise erupted beyond the door—dozens of knights and soldiers rushing down the corridor. If Unia kept resisting, she would be cut down. Saving her came first.
“Lady Unia, please lower your sword and release that man.”
“I swear I didn’t kill her.”
Feeling utterly wronged, Unia abandoned all pretense of decorum.
“You’re second in command, aren’t you? Do something.”
“I believe you. So please believe me in return. I will save you without fail. I will defend you to the end.”
…
Eidan’s sincere gaze, the earnest weight of his voice, and the courteous behavior he had shown earlier were enough to sway her. Being surrounded by dozens of armed men with no other choice helped as well. She decided to trust him, released her hostage, and let the sword clatter to the floor.
“Arrest her!”
The knights swarmed. They slammed her to the ground, wrenched her arms behind her back, and bound her tightly with rope. One even kicked her thigh while snarling.
Even while being roughly manhandled, Unia kept a relaxed smile fixed on Eidan.
“If my body ends up with so much as a scratch, my lord won’t stay quiet. I am his concubine, after all. Clear my name before this becomes a catastrophe. I’m counting on you.”
Learning she was Lord Richard’s concubine made Eidan’s anxiety spike even higher.
My brother and Ludmila have gone completely mad. Behind Lord Richard stands the king himself! Our house will soon be hunted by the seven knights of the Wittensbach Order currently stationed in the south! I must free Unia before disaster strikes…!
Ristein approached Princess Irene’s room carrying a small bundle wrapped in golden silk, holding it reverently with both hands.
“A gift from Lord Hyunwoo.”
“From him?”
Princess Irene looked mildly surprised. She accepted the silk bundle, set it on the bed, and untied it. A gift from Hyunwoo—who had never shown her the slightest interest before—was completely unexpected.
Inside lay a breathtaking purple silk dress. The moment her fingers brushed the fabric she marveled at how fine and soft it felt; it seemed as though the warmth of her hands might melt it away if she held it too long.
“Oh…”
Princess Irene could not hold back a soft gasp. Even during her days in the royal palace she had never worn anything of such supreme quality. Curious, she checked the inner tag and found the name “Avignon Lechu Trading Company”—a provincial merchant house whose fame had reached the capital. The highest-grade dresses they produced each year were so limited that even the wives of high nobles could rarely obtain one. She knew without asking that the garment was exorbitantly expensive.
“No…”
Sudden anxiety gripped her. Such an extravagant gift could only mean Hyunwoo expected something in return. Princess Irene instinctively realized the moment had come when she would have to surrender her virginity to this stranger.
“Did he say anything else when he sent the gift?”
“He plans to go boar hunting after tomorrow’s lunch. He asked that you wear it then.”
Princess Irene stared at the dress in silence for a long while before murmuring in a hollow voice.
“Tonight will be my last night as a princess. And from tomorrow onward…”
Her words emerged empty, as though she had already laid down everything she once was.
“I will live as a concubine of the Richard family.”
Ristein’s blue eyes regarded her gently.
“Are you afraid?”
“Terribly afraid.”
Irene’s voice trembled.
“But my father has given me to Lord Richard, so I must accept my fate.”