Chapter 62
Dare to Harm My Wife?
“So this is the place? You mean she really lives in such a tiny house?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At the knight’s reply, Daimond muttered as he studied Marican’s home.
“Well, that makes it easy to break in. Good. When the woman comes here tonight, capture her and bring her to the cabin. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I can’t afford to be recognized, so I’ll head there first. You must bring her to me. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
After glancing one last time at Marican’s house, Daimond turned away.
***
“So this is what you call magic tricks? It’s different from real magic, isn’t it?”
“Isn’t it amazing? The body disappears except for the head, and even when you cut with a sword, the arms and legs still move!”
As Zelda and Marican chattered in delight, Ruan interjected,
“It’s all just sleight of hand. The body vanishing, the limbs moving after being cut—it’s deception. Magic is real, but stage tricks use devices to fool the eye.”
“Ruan!!”
“Your Grace!”
Both Zelda and Marican turned to him at once.
“Yes?”
“Just watch and enjoy it, please. When you explain like that, it ruins the fun.”
“Ah… my apologies. I thought you might not know.”
“Even if I don’t know, I’d rather see it as a performance.”
“Yes…”
Ruan lowered his head with an apologetic look.
Zelda shook her head in amazement.
“Honestly, it never ceases to amaze me. How can the man known as the God of War and the Empire’s Hero act so meek in front of Rosaline? Anyway, we’ve seen the show, let’s grab lunch.”
“Today’s on me.”
“Oh, perfect! Then let’s go somewhere I can finally use my knife again.”
Zelda looped her arm through Marican’s, and the group headed to a restaurant.
The second day of the festival was packed with performances.
After lunch, Marican, Zelda, and Ruan watched a play and a dance troupe’s show.
Time slipped by, and before they knew it, evening has arrived.
“Wow… when you’re at a festival, you really don’t notice the day flying by. It feels like today passed in the blink of an eye.”
“Mm. If Rosaline’s happy, then I’m happy. I’ve been to this festival every year, but never have I enjoyed it as much as this one.”
“What’s tomorrow’s event?”
“Tomorrow, the performance troupes will be here. That’ll be worth watching. And there’s also a swordsmanship tournament.”
“A swordsmanship tournament?”
“Yes. But I’d prefer if Ruan didn’t compete.”
“Why?”
“Because the winner earns the chance to go to the capital.”
“Oh, so first place becomes a knight of the capital?”
“Something like that. And I don’t want you entering. After all, your swordsmanship is already famous throughout the Empire.”
“May I at least watch?”
“Of course.”
“Very well, I’ll do that.”
“Thank you. Let’s part ways here then, and meet again tomorrow.”
“Yes, Zelda.”
Marican hugged Zelda before saying goodbye.
“Ruan, I had such a good time today, thanks to you.”
“And I as well, thanks to Rosaline. Now, one moment…”
Just as they neared home, Ruan suddenly caught Marican’s arm.
“Ruan? What’s wrong?”
“Shh. Stay behind me.”
His expression went cold as he placed her behind him and slowly walked toward the house.
***
Knock, knock.
“So, you’ve finally arrived! Get inside!”
At Daimond’s voice, the door of the cabin opened.
Two knights stumbled in, battered and broken, collapsing onto the floor.
“What—what is this? I told you to bring me the woman, and you come back like this?”
As if in answer, Ruan stepped inside behind them.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Or should I call you Prince Daimond now?”
Why…? How is he here?!
Cold sweat ran down Daimond’s back.
“R-Ruan… why are you here? I heard you had returned to the capital!”
“Apparently my warning last time didn’t sink in. I told you that once you were exiled, you’d better never crawl out again. I also told you, if we met again, I wouldn’t stop at breaking your limbs. And yet here you are—not only crawling out of exile but daring to come after my wife?”
“D-Duke… why are you even here? I was told you were in the capital…”
Tricked again? Damn that duke!
As Ruan leveled his sword at him, Daimond instinctively stepped back.
Ruan gave a cold smile.
“I see no need to explain myself. Just know this: this time, exile won’t be the end for you, Your Highness.”
As he advanced with that chilling smile, Daimond suddenly hurled a smoke bomb to the ground.
“Kill him! Kill the duke!”
Smoke filled the cabin.
Hidden knights rushed out, blades aimed at Ruan.
“Kh—!”
Ruan struck them down one after another, but in the chaos Daimond slipped out the back door.
“Wh-where’s the horse?”
A trembling servant outside stammered, “Th-the duke already freed them, Your Highness.”
“D-damn it!”
One knight burst from the cabin and rushed to Daimond.
“Your Highness! Listen carefully. If you run for about twenty minutes that way, you’ll find a horse tied to a tree. Take it and ride to the capital.”
“But I haven’t even—”
I didn’t even get to see her yet!
When Daimond turned toward Phenomenon Village, the knight seized his arms.
“Forget the duke’s wife for now! Once you become crown prince, you can take her later. But you must survive tonight!”
Kaimon had given strict orders: no matter the cost, the prince must be brought back alive.
Even if every knight perished, Daimond had to return.
“Which way?”
“Over there, Your Highness. Hurry, before the duke comes!”
At the knight’s urging, Daimond ran.
His lungs burned, his stomach ached, but fear of Ruan’s blade drove him onward.
Duchess… for now, I’ll retreat.
But mark my words—I’ll come back for you.
After twenty minutes of running, he found the horse.
Glancing once toward Phenomenon Village, Daimond mounted and vanished into the forest.
***
“Ruan… he’ll be all right, won’t he?”
It had been an hour since he told her to stay hidden, locked the door, and disappeared with two knights in tow.
Knock, knock.
“Wh-who is it?”
“It’s me, Rosaline.”
“Ruan!”
Marican flung open the door.
Ruan stepped in, drenched in sweat, his body spattered with blood.
“Did anyone come here while I was gone?”
He asked as he checked her for injuries.
“No, no one. But Ruan, are you hurt? This blood—don’t tell me…”
Ruan shook his head. “It’s not mine. I expected only two knights, but the prince had smoke bombs and more men hidden inside.”
“And Daimond?”
“Unfortunately, he escaped.”
“I see…”
“Don’t worry. He won’t return here anytime soon. He’s likely gone back to the capital.”
So… is it over?
At his words, Marican felt her tension dissolve, and she collapsed weakly into a chair.
“Rosaline!”
“I’m fine… just startled, that’s all.”
She had believed—even if she was hated—that her elder sister would never betray her to Daimond.
She had wanted to believe that.
But now… that last thread of trust had snapped.
And strangely, she felt calm.
It’s over. I have nothing to do with them anymore.
When she looked up, Ruan was watching her, his torn clothes revealing glimpses of wounds.
“You’re injured.”
He hastily pulled his clothes closed. “Ah, just a scratch. It was cramped, that’s all.”
But the gash was deeper than he admitted.
“Wait here.”
“Rosaline?”
She rushed outside.
“Rosaline!”
Panicked, Ruan followed—only to find her returning with a first-aid kit.
“I went to get this. I remembered you told me there were strangers nearby, and I was scared at first… but I couldn’t let you treat yourself.”
She pulled him to the table. “Take off your shirt.”
“…Right now?”
“Yes. I need to treat your wounds.”
Ruan blushed. “It’s still daylight, though…”
“What are you talking about? Off with it.”
“…Very well.”
With a disappointed sigh, he removed his shirt.
Their puppy padded over, wagging its tail.
“Were you frightened earlier?” Ruan asked.
“A little… but with you nearby, I felt safe.”
“I see. Seems this little one tried hard to guard you as well.”
At his words, the dog barked as if to agree.
“You two have really grown close,” Marican smiled.
“Perhaps because we both love the same person.”
“…What?”
Her cheeks flushed.
She quickly looked down and began cleaning his wounds.
His chest bore deep scars, each one evidence of the battles he had fought.
“They’re not… unsightly?” he asked quietly.
“Of course not. They’re proof of how hard you’ve fought to protect the Empire.”
She gently wrapped his chest in bandages.
“Does it hurt?”
“No. Thank you, Rosaline… for treating me.”
“No… it’s me who should thank you. You’re always protecting me. I’m grateful, Ruan.”
“It’s only what I should do.”
When she finished bandaging him, Marican began tidying the kit.
“All done. You must be tired after the festival and this fight. Please, get some rest.”
But as she stood to leave, Ruan caught her hand.
“Rosaline… no, my wife. There is something I must tell you.”
