“Ahem! H-Hey! Come on, let’s get going!”
“Y-Yes. Right away.”
The moment the men met her glare, they hurried past the compartment with flustered expressions.
Emilia continued acting like a lover sulking at her boyfriend until the sound of their footsteps had completely faded away.
Only then did she finally stop.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
I want to die from embarrassment…
Still, pretending nothing had happened, she whispered,
“I… I think they’ve gone now.”
There was no reply from Kaiden.
Huh?
Just as Emilia looked at him in confusion and was about to call his name again—
His body suddenly lurched forward.
“Ah!”
Unable to support his weight, Emilia toppled backward with him.
“S-Sir?”
Startled, she called out to him.
But Kaiden didn’t move.
With considerable effort, Emilia managed to wriggle out from beneath him.
He’s alright… isn’t he?
He wasn’t answering.
Nor was he moving in the slightest.
Judging by the way he lay there like a corpse, it seemed he’d lost consciousness again.
Emilia wiped the cold sweat from her forehead before straightening her clothes.
Actually… it’s probably better that he fainted.
How am I supposed to face him after that?
How much time had passed while she checked on Kaiden?
The screech of the train’s wheels echoed through the carriage.
The train was preparing to stop.
It would remain at the station for only about fifteen minutes.
I’d better hurry.
Emilia quietly stood up.
They had escaped immediate danger, but they still weren’t safe.
She first peered through the small window in the compartment door.
Only after confirming that the corridor was completely empty did she quietly slip outside.
He said his aide has green hair…
She turned toward the train window.
The station platform slid past her view.
Green hair… green hair…
Then she spotted a group gathered around a man with distinctive green hair.
That’s him!
The instant the train stopped, Emilia jumped onto the platform and hurried over.
Several heavily built men stood behind him.
They were probably Kaiden’s knights.
“Excuse me!”
“…Who are you?”
Breathing heavily, Emilia called out to the man.
Meanwhile, Kaiden’s aide, Harold, regarded her with wary eyes.
Under normal circumstances…
He would have been delighted that such a cute young woman had approached him and would have greeted her warmly.
Unfortunately…
This was hardly the time for that.
Then the woman unexpectedly spoke first.
“You’re Assistant Harold, aren’t you?”
“How do you know who I am?”
Though slightly surprised, his tone remained guarded.
In response, Emilia immediately held out Kaiden’s pocket watch.
“The person traveling with you has been injured and can’t move. I’ll take you to him!”
The urgency in her voice made Harold’s eyes widen.
* * *
After taking the pocket watch and confirming it was genuine, Harold’s expression changed instantly.
He immediately dispatched several knights to the location Emilia had described.
Then he ordered the remaining knights to ambush the men disguised as railway employees.
Fortunately, thanks to Emilia’s detailed descriptions of each assassin’s appearance, they were identified almost immediately.
Just before the train departed for the next station—
By the narrowest of margins—
They successfully rescued the unconscious Kaiden, along with Ivan, who emerged from inside the suitcase drenched in sweat.
And now…
Emilia was standing outside the station with them.
“You have shown extraordinary kindness to His Grace. On behalf of the Duke, please accept my deepest gratitude.”
After thanking her repeatedly, Harold briefly explained the situation.
For example…
The man she had rescued was none other than the Duke of Valen of the Empire.
And Ivan…
Was a child from one of the Duke’s collateral family branches, whose life had been threatened by a cruel relative.
“How could something like that happen…?”
Although she appreciated the explanation, Emilia found herself in an awkward position.
She had to pretend to be shocked upon learning Kaiden’s true identity.
Fortunately, Harold seemed to mistake her discomfort for surprise.
“By the way…”
After examining her face, Harold asked cautiously,
“Did you receive that injury while protecting His Grace?”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard, Emilia blinked in confusion.
An injury?
Wondering if Kaiden’s blood had somehow gotten onto her face, she touched her cheek.
Instead, her fingers brushed against her split lip.
Oh… he’s talking about the injury Cedric gave me.
I’d completely forgotten about it after making such good use of it earlier.
She waved her hand dismissively.
“This was already there.”
“It was… already there?”
Harold’s expression became even more serious.
…Come to think of it, that sounded a little strange.
Realizing she might have explained it poorly, Emilia laughed awkwardly and hurried to clarify.
“No, I mean… anyway, it has nothing to do with what happened today, so you really don’t need to worry about it.”
She was just about to change the subject when she felt someone tug gently on the hem of her clothes.
“Hm?”
Ivan had somehow slipped through the knights and was looking up at her.
“[Name! Name!]”
“Oh, you want to know my name?”
“Mhm!”
Ivan nodded enthusiastically.
Come to think of it…
She had only asked for his name.
She had never introduced herself.
There simply hadn’t been time.
Lowering herself to his eye level, Emilia slowly pronounced each word.
“Emilia.
My name is Emilia.”
“Emilia…”
Ivan quietly repeated the name several times, as though committing it to memory.
Then—
He suddenly threw his arms around her neck.
“[Thank you!] Emilia!”
Emilia’s eyes widened at the unexpected hug.
A moment later…
She smiled and hugged him back.
After a while, she gently released him and brushed the sweat-damp hair away from his forehead.
Normally…
He should have felt sticky and uncomfortable after hiding inside that suitcase.
But somehow…
Seeing him covered in sweat only reassured her.
It was proof that, unlike in the original story, this child was still alive.
“[No.]”
She smiled softly.
“I’m the one who’s [grateful].”
Ivan’s eyes grew round with surprise.
“[You’re grateful… to me?]”
“Yes.
I truly am.”
Emilia smiled gently before standing up again.
At that moment, Harold quickly spoke.
He intended to repeat the offer he’d made earlier.
“Are you truly planning to leave just like this? Why not accompany us to the capital? There shouldn’t be any more danger now. And, of course, His Grace will reward you generously.”
“No, thank you.”
Shaking her head, Emilia politely declined.
She hadn’t been lying when she’d told Ivan she was grateful.
Things had certainly become difficult because the story had changed from the original.
But…
If that change meant this child now had a future…
That alone was enough to comfort her.
She didn’t need any reward.
“Well then… take care, Ivan.”
Giving him one final warm farewell, Emilia turned and walked away without looking back.
Watching her retreating figure, Harold muttered to himself,
“No way…
She heard His Grace’s identity…
And she’s still just leaving?”
Even the most celebrated ladies of high society constantly searched for opportunities to become connected with his master.
To them…
Even brushing sleeves with Kaiden was enough to boast about.
And yet…
This young woman had saved his life.
She could have asked for practically any reward she wanted.
If it had been Harold himself…
He would have spent days plotting how to empty Kaiden’s treasury.
Watching Emilia leave with such a light heart, Harold could only shrug in genuine amazement.
