Chapter 8
“And what’s in that luggage?”
For a split second, Emilia’s heart nearly stopped.
“I thought you were only checking for passengers without tickets.”
She quickly put on an irritated expression.
The man remained completely unfazed.
“We received a report that someone boarded the train carrying a large number of concealed weapons.”
The lie rolled off his tongue as naturally as breathing.
The only ones carrying weapons are you.
“I’ll need you to open it immediately.”
Though phrased as a request, it was unmistakably an order.
What do I do…?
If she flatly refused, he would only become more suspicious.
There has to be some way to make him back off on his own…
Then—
Ah.
An idea flashed through her mind.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
Emilia let out an exasperated sigh, as though the whole situation were nothing but a nuisance.
“I’m a maid serving the House of Count Ileyk. Inside this suitcase is a very valuable item entrusted to me by my young lady.”
She had decided to borrow the Ileyk family’s name.
“The House of Count Ileyk?”
One of the man’s eyebrows twitched.
Emilia immediately noticed the slight change in his expression.
Just as I expected.
Although the family’s influence had weakened considerably, House Ileyk was still one of the capital’s most distinguished noble houses.
More importantly…
They had no ties whatsoever to the Empress.
If he behaved suspiciously toward a servant of such a family, it could become troublesome should anything go wrong.
“If you insist, I’ll open it for you…”
She deliberately trailed off, looking deeply troubled.
“But I’ll have no choice except to report this to my lady.”
She lowered her voice.
“And my lady absolutely despises other people even looking at her belongings.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
Rosia—Reina’s half-sister—had always been obsessively possessive of her possessions.
Once, Reina had unknowingly touched one of Rosia’s necklaces…
The resulting uproar had been enormous.
Emilia shook her head with an expression that said what a headache.
“She might even decide to track you down personally.”
She gave him an apologetic smile.
“I thought you should know.”
“…”
The man fell silent, clearly weighing his options.
He was carrying out a secret mission.
Leaving behind unnecessary traces—or allowing someone to identify him—would only complicate matters for his side.
Still…
His silence dragged on.
He’s almost convinced…
I just need one final push.
As she searched desperately for another angle, she caught sight of her own reflection in the window.
That’s it.
Emilia brushed her hair behind one ear.
Then she turned her face toward him.
“This…”
She hesitated before speaking.
“My lady is actually the one who did this.”
The swollen red mark on her cheek was fully exposed.
The man’s gaze instinctively fell upon it.
Emilia lowered her eyes in apparent humiliation.
“I’ve already shown you enough consideration.”
She sighed softly.
“But do as you please.”
Of course…
If he actually tried opening the suitcase, she fully intended to claw at his face if necessary.
Swallowing nervously, Emilia waited.
Finally—
“…Forget it.”
The man clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Apparently he had decided it wasn’t worth wasting time arguing with her when he could simply continue searching elsewhere.
Without another word, he turned and left for the next compartment.
Slide.
Click.
“…Phew…”
Only after his footsteps had completely faded did Emilia finally release the breath she’d been holding.
“[Did… he leave?]”
A tiny voice came from inside the suitcase.
Emilia immediately opened the lid enough to let fresh air inside.
“[Are you alright?]”
She was asking whether he had been able to breathe.
Ivan nodded.
“[Bad man… gone?]”
he whispered.
“[Yes, he’s gone.]”
Then Emilia hesitated.
Judging by Ivan’s reaction…
The male protagonist’s injuries had to be extremely serious.
But taking Ivan outside now was far too dangerous.
After a brief moment of thought, she spoke.
“[Wait… here.]”
She pointed to herself.
“[I’ll help… injured person.]”
Fortunately, Ivan seemed to understand.
He nodded obediently.
Instead of closing the suitcase completely, Emilia left the lid slightly ajar before covering it with her coat.
That should be enough.
She then checked the small pouch tucked inside her clothes.
Several medicine bottles clinked softly together.
Alex—
Her childhood friend and Mrs. Anderson’s son—
Worked in the Imperial Palace’s Apothecary Department.
Because of him, these medicines were far more valuable than anything ordinary people could obtain.
I wondered whether I’d ever have a reason to use these…
She certainly hadn’t expected it to happen this soon.
Casting one last glance toward the suitcase, Emilia quietly slipped out of the compartment.
Since the assassin had already searched this area once, he was unlikely to return anytime soon.
Using Ivan’s clues as her guide, Emilia headed toward the rear of the train.
Soon she reached the employees-only section, where passengers weren’t supposed to enter.
She continued without hesitation.
This must be the cargo carriage…
Then—
She spotted droplets of blood on the floor.
That’s…
Stopping abruptly, Emilia immediately followed the trail.
She opened the door.
It’s Kaiden.
The male protagonist of the novel.
He sat slumped against the wall with his head hanging low.
His long, glossy black hair concealed most of his face, leaving only his sharp jawline visible.
Yet even in that condition…
He possessed an overwhelming presence that set him apart from everyone else.
After confirming his identity, Emilia stepped back outside.
What is this, Hansel and Gretel?
Muttering under her breath, she rubbed the bloodstains from the floor with the sole of her shoe, carefully erasing the trail Kaiden had left behind.
…Then again.
If he’d collapsed from blood loss, there was no way he could have worried about something like that.
But then…
How did no one discover him in the original story?
Wait.
Could it be…
She suddenly remembered Ivan running off the train to ask strangers for help.
Maybe they caught Ivan before anyone ever found Kaiden.
Returning to the compartment, Emilia knelt beside him.
A dagger soaked in blood lay nearby.
Did he pull it out himself…?
She clicked her tongue in disbelief at his sheer willpower.
Taking out one of the medicine bottles, she poured the wound treatment directly over his injury.
I don’t have any bandages…
After a moment’s thought, she glanced at Kaiden…
Then looked down at her own dress.
Lifting the outer skirt, she grabbed the hem of her petticoat with both hands and pulled with all her strength.
Nothing happened.
The fabric didn’t even stretch.
So much for all those movies where clothes tear so easily!
Giving up, Emilia searched the cargo compartment.
Fortunately, she found a sharp splinter of wood that had broken off one of the freight crates.
Using it like a blade, she sliced through the fabric.
Riiip—
She pressed the makeshift bandage against Kaiden’s wound and carefully began wrapping it around him.
Then—
Tap.
A warm hand suddenly closed around her wrist.
The first thing Kaiden heard upon regaining consciousness…
Was the faint rustling of fabric.
Then…
He felt something brushing softly against the back of his neck.
…Breathing?
Acting purely on instinct, he seized the wrist of whoever was touching him.
Why is this wrist so… slender?
The thought flashed through his mind.
Then the owner of that wrist spoke.
“Oh… you’re awake?”
The woman’s clear, gentle voice, barely louder than a whisper…
Felt strangely out of place amid his current situation.
