“It’s been a while, Heath.”

Even in the chaos of war, Aurelia’s voice was clear and resonant.

“What’s all this about?” Heath growled in a low voice.

“The imperial forces intercepted them and carried out a second kidnapping. For Serin’s safety, there was no other choice.”

Before she even finished speaking, Heath’s hand roughly grabbed the collar of Kaiden’s shirt, pulling their faces close together.

“Are you joking?”

“We’ll resolve it later.”

Kaiden tried to move forward, but Heath grabbed him forcefully again, his veins bulging on his hand.

“How could you…”

That night was still vivid in his memory. When they had returned from the capital, the way Rohana had reacted when she saw Aurelia at the Duke’s residence.

“How are you going to explain this to Rohana?”

At that moment, Heath had wanted to knock Kaiden out as he chased after her.

He later understood that Kaiden had done it to prevent anyone from disappearing into the clutches of the imperial family.

Even so, whenever Heath recalled that day, he felt a surge of anger despite his reasoning.

It was then that Kaiden leaned in even closer, closing the gap between them with a forceful stare, his intense eyes locking onto Heath’s.

“If anything happens to Serin, what do you think will happen to Rohana?”

Heath’s brow furrowed. The image of Rohana’s face flashed across his ocean-blue eyes.

Probably.

He remembered the sight of her crying. The time she had suffered the most.

Heath slowly blinked, closing and opening his eyes again.

“It’s better if she hates me instead.”

Kaiden growled and shrugged off Heath’s grip with a harsh flick.

“So, are you planning to take them along?”

Still, there was no plan. Heath pursued him, demanding answers.

“Of course not. When the time is right, I’ll get rid of them too.”

The corner of Kaiden’s hardened face twisted into a bitter smile.

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Why? Because you’re…”

“Yes.”

Kaiden interrupted, his cold gaze sweeping down at Heath.

“I’m the lord of Kark, the ruler of Nopthal, and your liege. Soon, I’ll be the leader of the rebellion.”

“Kaiden…”

“And more than anything, I am someone who has no mercy or regard for honor or rules when it comes to those who kidnap children.”

Heath frowned.

He knew. He understood. But ‘Kaiden Delcliff’ had to remain a whole, complete person. He couldn’t be anything like Rentworth. That had been the condition under which he was able to kill Axton.

As Heath struggled with conflicting thoughts as Kaiden’s comrade, Kaiden’s voice abruptly broke through his inner turmoil.

“Find Rohana.”

His voice was low.

“You’ve done nothing wrong to her, so you have the right to stop her. Find her and take her somewhere safe.”

Though his tone was cold, the worry in his fleeting glance was unmistakable.

He quickly checked on the princess one more time before spurring his horse toward the palace at a breakneck speed.

***

Rohana galloped toward the southern wall. While the west had collapsed, the south still appeared relatively untouched. Dust rose into the air.

Then, screams erupted from the people.

A flaming cannonball was flying through the air. It had been launched from beyond the southern wall.

The sight was so overwhelming that Rohana instinctively halted her horse. She quickly stopped and turned to see where the cannonball was heading.

At that moment.

As if by magic, massive ice pillars shot up from the ground with astonishing speed. The sharp, towering ice ensnared the cannonball in mid-air. Screams and cries of fear echoed several times.

‘Kaiden?’

Rohana furrowed her brow and silently prayed for the safe return of the princess.

Please be safe.

Please.

Rohana looked up at the sky. The Caladrius was urging her to go. The gate had been closed for the siege.

Perhaps because of her feminine cloak, the soldiers paid no attention to her.

Rohana charged straight toward the gate.

“Stop her! Catch that woman!”

She was moving fast. She narrowly squeezed through the closing gate, which was being shut as part of the final defenses.

The heavy gate slammed shut behind her. The southern terrain was rough, with slippery rock formations.

That was where the cannonball had been fired from.

In the distance, she could finally see the banners of an army.

It was the imperial forces.

Rohana came to a sudden halt.

What does the Caladrius want me to do here?

As she pondered for a moment, she suddenly sensed someone’s presence. Rohana turned her head.

Her eyes widened, freezing in place.

It was an imperial guard. In her line of sight, she saw an arrow aimed at her.

Rohana pulled hard on the reins, lowering her body. With skilled hands, she drew her bowstring taut and released it.

Ssswwish.

The arrow flew with a chilling sound, striking the guard in the chest. At the same moment, the guard’s arrow hit Rohana’s horse.

For a moment, she checked on the condition of her horse. The animal, which had slowed from the impact, staggered. Another soldier swung a blow at the horse’s neck. On the slippery ground, the horse lost its footing and collapsed, sending Rohana tumbling across the rocky terrain.

She had never taken a life before.

It was a fleeting thought that crossed her mind. Tension coursed through her body. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she raised her eyes and drew her sword.

‘Still, I must kill.’

At that moment, she caught sight of a black-masked assassin moving swiftly toward her as if flying.

R.D.?

How could she forget their uniform from Pincheser?

For a split second, Rohana hesitated, unsure whom to attack with her blade.

Should she shoot them with her bow first?

Here’s the accurate translation with correct grammar:

—

No.

Am I too late?

It was a fleeting moment of realization.

As she gripped her sword to attack the imperial soldier, something unexpected happened.

The masked figure leaped into the air and drove his blade deep between the imperial soldier’s armor.

Without a sound, the man collapsed. The imperial soldier who had shot at Rohana turned his horse and quickly cut down the masked figure.

A stab wound from his side to his armpit. Blood gushed out.

Cursing, the man threw his sword, and it pierced the enemy’s neck.

There was no glow from the weapon.

It’s R.D., but why isn’t he using magic?

Rohana furrowed her brow and drew her bowstring.

Wait, is he not from R.D.?

If necessary, she was ready to shoot anyone.

The masked man, gravely wounded, continued cursing as he slowly walked toward Rohana. Blood poured from him, quickly forming a small puddle.

“Stop right there.”

Rohana tightened her grip on the drawn bowstring. The man waved his hand weakly and stopped in his tracks, then swiftly removed his mask.

His violet eyes widened.

“Franz…?”

“The Marquis Franz Soyez of the South, at your service, Lady Rohana. It’s been a while.”

His sharp, upward-tilted eyes glared with frustration beneath his unusually bright brown irises.

The infamous rebel.

Despite his young age, he had become the head of the southern protector family. He often spoke of Kaiden Delcliff or suggested that the East might become independent, making bold statements to anyone who would listen.

“Ah, but now you’re the Duchess. I’ve heard you’re a woman of action, but this is quite unexpected.”

As Rohana furrowed her brow further, Franz’s knees buckled. His blood soaked the rocks beneath him.

“Marquess Soyez.”

Despite everything, Rohana hurried over to support him.

“Ha… I’m more suited to a desk job, after all.”

As she helped him, her pristine white cloak became stained with blood.

“Why… why are you here, Marquis…?”

But Franz quickly began to lose consciousness. She needed to revive him with her healing power, even if just for a moment. A soft white light emanated from her fingertips.

Then it happened.

She sensed something sharp behind her.

It wasn’t a soldier’s sword. She could feel hesitation in the tip of the blade, as if it was merely a threatening gesture. Just as she thought that, a very familiar voice came from behind her.

“This is ridiculous.”

Her heart dropped.

Rohana slowly stood up and turned around.

“You’re telling me you’re using magic?”

Standing alone in disarray was Gregory Hanover. Given Brandt’s involvement, it wasn’t all that surprising to find him here.

“Where’s Serin?”

Why was no one else with him? Behind him, there was only a single horse, which had presumably carried him here. Rohana’s eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.

“Magic!”

Gregory was trembling. Rohana swiftly drew her sword, extending her arm.

“Where is Serin?!”

The tip of her blade remained unwavering and firm.

Even as it was pointed at a person.

“The princess? Didn’t you lot already take her?!”

Rohana frowned. He didn’t seem to be lying. She remembered the ice pillars that had shot up earlier, and slowly closed her eyes before opening them again.

“Your house must be quite something. Involving both the head and heir in the kidnapping of a child, alongside Brandt and your father.”

Her elegant white cloak and dress were soaked in blood. Her dark hair, tied up high, glistened in the sunlight. Gregory’s expression was one of disbelief.

“You can wield magic?”

“Yes.”

The setting sun cast a deep red glow across the sky, making it hard to look directly at it.

“How dare you…”

The trembling father figure before her, Gregory Hanover, was a shadow of his former, dignified self.

Alone, he looked pathetic. No longer the man he once was.

Rohana sighed. Even her form-fitting black armor was spattered with blood.

“Healing magic… Do you think that’s the only magic I can wield?”

Rohana spoke in a low voice. The Caladrius was flying overhead.

“You’ve hurt many people for a long time.”

Anger flickered in Gregory’s eyes.

“Have I ever laid a hand on you?!”

To think he used that as an excuse.

“Do you even realize what you’re doing right now? The history and fate of our empire rest in the hands of the Demonic Realm—”

She couldn’t bear to listen anymore.

Rohana’s eyes gleamed, and Gregory couldn’t utter another word. He gasped as if something blocked his throat, then struggled to catch his breath again.

“Apologize.”

“How absurd.”

“Of course you would think that.”

Rohana replied in a resigned tone, as though she had expected it.

“It was just a suggestion.”

Rohana stood tall and tilted her head slightly, extending her hand to the side. A shimmering white light enveloped her sword.

“And my magic isn’t just for healing. There’s no need for me to…”

Rohana spoke softly.

“Explain further, is there?”

Her sword slashed at Gregory’s wrist, which was holding his own weapon awkwardly. His scream echoed, but she paid it no mind as she moved again.

A sharp clang rang out, piercing the dry air.