Chapter 56 - Volume 2 (1/2)

It’s just then. In this room that doesn’t even have space for wind to blow, a sudden violent wind sweeps over. But that wind doesn’t hurt me, only caressing my cheek. There’s a sound as if something’s repeatedly struck against the wall. No matter how much time passes, there’s no signs that the knife will stab me.

I timidly open my eyes. Then I gasp at that person standing between me and Lunamerie, holding his staff, protecting me.

「So you finally called me.」

It’s a beautiful voice, not even trying to hide its displeasure. I can’t believe my ears at that voice, obviously lower than usual.

‘How… is he… here?’ Dumbfounded, I can do nothing but look up at the man who is my husband. Turning over to look at me, he leans over and helps me up. My wounds hurt again at that gesture but not that much.

「You’d still be too slow no matter how much you called.」

「E…di…」

At a glance, he doesn’t look different from usual. But since I’ve known him for so long, I can tell. That he’s extremely angry.

「How?」

Although I feel like I know the reason he’s here in a fit of anger, but that’s why I can’t understand it. How could he appear in this place at this timing? It seems he correctly understood my question, speaking indifferently even though his voice is still low.

「I gave you that bracelet with the magic jewel, didn’t I? That’s the child stone of the magic jewel in my staff. As long as you carry it with you, I can tell where you are and what you’re doing too.」

「……」

I blink without realizing at him suddenly bringing up the bracelet I wear on my wrist. This is the first time I’m hearing about this. And on top of that, that’s such an unignorable thing he said. Did he really give something like that to me?

I can’t help but squint. It seems he realizes how weird that is, awkwardly averting his eyes and mumbling:

「……Don’t make that face, this is the first time I actually used it. Besides, it’s actually helpful.」

That’s certainly true, but if you ask me whether I understand, that’s a different question. ‘We really have to have a thorough talk over this,’ I think. That reminds me, this isn’t the time for this. I look over my surroundings.

Lunamerie’s shadows have all been struck against the walls in all directions, collapsing there. The sound I heard earlier must have been the sound of them being thrown against the wall by his magic. That was a rather clever act, even for my husband. In the midst of all that, Lunamerie is the only one standing in shock, looking here as if she can’t believe it, her earlier smile vanished.

Holding me, he looks at her over his shoulder, saying as if he’s spitting the words out:

「Ronein confessed. That you bastard were behind him. Seems like he confessed pretty easily once we told him it would save Filmina’s life.

「What……?!」

Lunamerie raises her voice in shock at his words.

「There’s, there’s no way Sir Celves would do something against my wishes!」

「No, it’s the truth. The fact that I’m here is the greatest proof of that. And now, it’s your turn, knights.」

Along with those words, he swings his cane once. The second I see its magical jewel radiate a light, the knights of the chivalric order all appear in this jail cell, standing organized in a row. The leader standing in front draws his sword from his waist, raising his voice. In this decidedly not-big room, that voice resounds clearly.

「Lunamerie Elle Valentine! For your crime of attempted murder against Filmina Von Lancent, wife of Agedilus Von Lancent, in the name of our Goddess, we bind you!」

With those words as the start, the knights and Lunamerie’s shadows begin their fight with swords. Though, the shadows have already taken damage from being thrown against the wall by that man’s magic. Their motions are different from the knights, who are in perfect condition. Even to the untrained eye it looks like the knights are overwhelmingly better, in skill and in number. Leaving his subordinates, the leader of the knights slips through the gaps in the swordplay and approaches me as I’m held in that man’s arms.

His sunrise-colored eyes glare at the leader of the knights, but the leader ignores them, using his sword to cut the rope that ties my hands behind my back. I let out a sign of relief at my arms, finally free.

He tries to hold me up in his arms; getting the better of that, I borrow his shoulder to stand up. The painkillers have worn off on my body, and I’m unsteady at my feet. I feel like I’ll fall back down any second. That man gently supports me. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve been too embarrassed to cling to him like this, but just this time I can’t say things like that.

In front of me, the leader of the knights’ usual calm smile disappears as he starts talking to me with a serious expression on his face.

「Hey, Filmina. Don’t be angry at Agedilus over this.」

「Huh……?」

I tilt my head at the unexpected words. The knights’ leader deeply lowers his head, facing me.

「Even though Ronein confessed, we couldn’t tactlessly put suspicion on someone like Valentine. It was necessary to directly step in the crime scene at all costs. I forced what Agedilus was against until the very end. While I had the princess forcibly take Agedilus away from your side, I let Valentine kidnap you. So if you have to be angry, be angry at me. Since you were almost killed anyhow. It’s alright if you don’t forgive me.」

「……No. No, it’s alright, it’s not like that.」

The leader of the knights was just doing his job, that’s all. Like he said, he couldn’t possibly treat the daughter of the Valentine family, the grandest aristocrats of the grand aristocrats, as a criminal so easily. It’s like that everywhere in the world for powerful people. Even I understand that much. But even though I’m saying that I don’t mind, 『he』 really is such an annoying creature.

「Relax – even if Filmina forgives you, I never will. Prepare yourself from now on, Alhelm.」

「Right. I’ll bear that in mind.」

……This is him. He really is so annoying.

As the three of us are having a conversation, the shadows – who are very skilled by any standard – are captured and tied up in the blink of an eye by the hands of the elite knights our country boasts of. Left is just Lunamerie, watching that dumbfoundedly.

「Sir Edi.」

Her light pink lips move.

「Sir Edi, haven’t you come to meet me?」

That voice sounds deeply bewildered. It’s a voice so lovely that anyone would let her do anything, but the man supporting me from behind clicks his tongue in annoyance.

「Don’t call me that. It’s disgusting. The only one I allow to call me that is Filmina.」

「So wouldn’t it be fine if Lady Filmina wasn’t here? I mean, I’m much, much more suited to Sir Edi than Lady Filmina is.」