After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 108

In that instant, Isla’s face hardened.

She had expected it, but this was the moment it became clear that it was a trap aimed at Leo.

“You simply gifted the wine Leo gave you, knowing nothing else. If you testify only to that, you will suffer no harm.”

“But it was Alexander who recommended that wine!”

“No one will know that fact. And it’s best if they don’t.”

Alexander’s tone was resolute.

“I know the reason you are praised as the Blue Rose of the Empire is not solely due to your beauty. You are a clever girl, so you can surely calculate why this happened and how you should act to benefit yourself.”

As if to prove his words, Isla calmly asked back.

“Why are you giving me this opportunity? Even if I don’t testify, you can still steer things to the outcome you desire.”

“You’re right. Frankly, your testimony would be nice, but it’s not essential.”

In truth, Tatiana’s plan didn’t require Isla’s testimony.

It was enough to implicate Leo by using Isla.

However, Alexander couldn’t bring himself to simply use Isla like that.

Wasn’t she the girl Edward held dear?

He didn’t want to be a father resented later, should the truth come to light.

“It’s the same reason I imprisoned you here, not in a dungeon. You saved Edward and protected his secret. This is merely a small repayment for that.”

“…Give me time to think.”

Alexander gazed at her for a moment before rising from his seat.

“It would be best to end your contemplation quickly. I will expect your answer after tomorrow’s noble council meeting.”

“Being confined all day is tiring. Allow me to use the Imperial Archives.”

“…Very well. I will inform the knights.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope you make a wise decision.”

The door reopened, and Alexander’s shadow left the room.

Left alone, Isla quietly bit her lip.

Then, she walked back to the balcony and met the bright yellow eyes of Wiltus, perched on the railing.

“Wiltus.”

A little before Alexander’s visit.

Trapped in endless thought, Isla lifted her head at the sound from the balcony.

A hawk was landing on the railing, flapping its large wings.

Isla recognized Wiltus at once and rushed towards it, but Alexander’s voice was heard from outside the door.

Isla had to turn away from Wiltus, and thus, she was only now properly facing it.

“How did you find me? Don’t tell me he’s here too?”

How worried she was that Leo might come looking for her.

Wiltus shook its head from side to side at her urgent question.

“He’s not coming? Are you sure?”

“Kee-ik─.”

This time, Wiltus nodded up and down, prompting Isla to double-check.

“You understand what I’m saying, right? Nod if you do.”

“Kee-eeik─.”

Seeing Wiltus nod again, her legs gave way.

Relief washed over her, and the tension drained away.

“That’s a relief. What a relief…”

Isla sank to the ground and hugged Wiltus.

“He can’t come here. Not until I find a solution, never.”

Muttering to herself, she remembered something and took out the necklace she was wearing, showing it to Wiltus.

“Look at this. Can you see it?”

Wiltus’s head followed her fingertip.

The sapphire pendant, resembling the color of her eyes, was faintly glowing.

“It suddenly started glowing. I received it from the Grand Duke’s estate, from that mage I met in the spire.”

Isla’s eyes sparkled as she recalled that day.

There was a reason why she had asked Alexander to allow her to use the Imperial Archives.

“Wiltus, listen carefully. If things go wrong, His Highness will be falsely accused of attempting to assassinate His Majesty. An arrest warrant might already be issued. No, it’s highly likely. So, you must never let him come here. Understand? I’ll find a way somehow…”

“Kee-eeik!.”

Wiltus rested its head on Isla’s arm, as if telling her not to worry.

It was a contact devoid of warmth, but Isla quietly smiled and stroked Wiltus.

“I’m worried about the people at the townhouse too. And Bam…”

The only fortunate thing was that Ian and the knights had quickly left the scene.

The fact that Wiltus had found her meant that the current situation had been properly conveyed to Leo.

“His Highness will take good care of things outside. Won’t he?”

At the words she uttered as if reassuring herself, Wiltus nodded once more.

“I’ll do what I can here. Tell His Highness not to worry too much.”

Isla smiled bravely and whispered to Wiltus.

“And… tell him I miss him. That I love him very much. And that I’m sorry he got caught up in this because he came even though I told him not to…”

Trailing off, Isla gave a bitter smile.

Even if Wiltus understood her words, it wouldn’t be able to convey them.

Yet, the reason she was speaking the words in her heart was because she was afraid.

Afraid that she wouldn’t be able to overcome this situation, and scared of being alone here.

However, she stood up, remembering the boy’s words that she had to try anything to get what she wanted.

In front of Wiltus’s eyes, which steadily followed her movements, Isla bravely smiled and said goodbye.

“Return to him, Wiltus. Watch over him by his side, and if he tries to act rashly, stop him. I’ll find a way to return, no matter what…”

“Kee-eeik─.”

Turning away without regret, leaving behind Wiltus’s sound that somehow sounded mournful, Isla confidently opened the door.

Through the slowly closing door, Isla’s figure, looking up at the knight guarding the door, could be seen before disappearing.

Wiltus, no, Leo stared intently at the tightly closed door.

On his clenched fist, which was sharing senses, thick veins stood out prominently.

When Leo severed the connection with Wiltus and opened his eyes, Dex and Lucas were before him with anxious faces.

“Did you find her? What are you doing?”

“Where is she? Is she safe?”

At the two men’s urgent questions, Leo covered his eyes with his palm and let out a groan-like reply.

“She’s safe. She’s being held on the top floor of the Empress’s Palace.”

“Ah, that’s a relief.”

At Dex’s relief, Lucas also sighed and asked back.

“Did you confirm His Majesty’s condition?”

“I didn’t see him directly, but I overheard the palace physician. He seems to be unconscious but he’s not on the verge of death.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“You know me. The Imperial Family has a tolerance for most poisons. Father will be fine.”

“Well, that’s if he wasn’t given a lethal dose.”

“I’m telling you, that lethal dose is different from that of ordinary people.”

Leo replied with a sigh and stood up from his seat.

This was a secret hideout prepared in advance, two hours away from the Imperial Palace where Isla was being held, if riding a horse.

Through the window, the gray wolf knights were seen sitting haphazardly.

‘They gathered quickly.’

His knights, scattered throughout the North, had rapidly assembled.

‘If, by any chance, Father dies if they lay even a finger on Isla.’

Then there would be no turning back.

He would occupy the Imperial Palace, track down everyone involved in this, and tear them limb from limb.

He was already enduring with all his might, but after seeing Isla through Wiltus, it was even harder to bear.

“Haa. I need to check on the Empress.”

“Indeed. By now, she must have realized that Edward has been kidnapped and is in an uproar.”

Leo sat back in his chair to share senses with Crow, who was monitoring the Empress’s residence.

As he closed his eyes, a slight dizziness came over him, and a completely different view unfolded.

It was Crow’s view, perched on the window frame of the Empress’s residence.

‘As expected.’

Tatiana was throwing a teacup at a group of knights.

Seeing her shouting to search every inch of the capital to find Edward, the corners of Leo’s lips twisted upwards.

‘You should have expected this much when you touched Isla, Empress.’

Their rebellion had already half failed.

Because Edward was in his hands.

It was a painful mistake for the Empress, but the outcome would not change.

The fact that Ian and the knights were able to quickly withdraw from the scene.

The fact that Ian’s group split into two, evacuating the people from the townhouse, and Leo, who was in the slums, was able to kidnap Edward and retreat.

It was probably because the Empress had strictly maintained security to prevent the plan from being leaked.

Thanks to that, they were able to shake off the Imperial Knights by a hair’s breadth without engaging in combat.

Leo persistently began to monitor the Empress’s residence.

Focused on Edward’s kidnapping, they easily failed to recognize the presence of the crow perched outside the window.

Support