Sounds that should only be heard in a training ground continued without pause. The sharp noise of swords clashing against each other stimulated Roa.

Roa turned her head.

There, the coachman who had already lost his life was lying on the ground, and in this surreal situation, Roa felt as if he was just sleeping.

“Kill them all!!”

“Even knights can’t win against superior numbers.”

People twice the number of escort knights threatened them, each holding weapons.

Roa instinctively realized they belonged to the Slave Syndicate.

Their faces were covered with scars. Those fierce faces were trying to kill people without mercy.

Roa stepped back after making eye contact with one of them. Terrible desire resided in his eyes.

‘I’m scared.’

Roa’s body trembled. She trusted her escort knights.

But even for knights who trained daily, fighting against the Slave Syndicate who had no regard for common sense seemed difficult.

Above all, the knights appeared overwhelmed as they were attacked from all directions. Additionally, the knights had someone to protect.

Hannah froze at the bloody scene.

“Mi… Miss.”

Hannah called Roa with a trembling voice. Roa knew from Hannah’s call that it was a situation to flee.

Though her mind was frantically trying to escape, her legs wouldn’t follow her will.

Roa’s body wouldn’t listen. She couldn’t hear any sound.

Beep- A strange sound rang in her ears.

“Miss!”

What awakened Roa’s senses were two knights who had escaped from the Slave Syndicate’s attack.

Amid the chaotic situation, the knights calmly grabbed Roa’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. Tears fell from Roa’s eyes.

“Come to your senses, Miss. This isn’t a dream.”

“You must leave this place quickly.”

Enemy blood was splattered on their faces. The knight grabbed Roa’s wrist and pulled her out of the carriage.

There was no time to complain about the rough handling. Hannah, who had regained her senses, hurriedly helped Roa get out.

‘Am I going to die here?’

Roa’s legs trembled weakly after getting out of the carriage. It was hard to maintain her sanity when what she had doubted would happen was actually unfolding before her eyes.

The only sensations she could feel were that the knight’s hands were colder than usual and that Hannah’s hands were applying force.

“These people consider human lives as insignificant as flies. No matter how hard it is, you must escape to survive.”

“Where to?”

Where should I go to survive? Can I survive? To Roa’s anxious question, the knight wiped her tears as if to ease her worries.

“Don’t worry, Miss.”

“No matter what happens, we will protect you.”

Unlike what they said to Roa, the knights were internally worried whether Roa, whose body was weaker than others, could escape well.

But they tried to think positively. They couldn’t just wait to die here.

The knights had to choose the option with a slightly higher chance of survival. The knight turned his gaze to Hannah to check her condition.

‘Don’t worry about me.’

Fortunately, Hannah was prepared to protect Roa even at the cost of her own life.

For the knights, having one more burden wasn’t welcome either.

Safely bringing Roa to the duke’s house—the knights had only one goal.

“While we buy as much time as possible, you must get away from here.”

The knight ran with Roa, avoiding the eyes of the Slave Syndicate.

Although they couldn’t completely avoid the eyes of the syndicate that had originally targeted Roa, they couldn’t follow her without dealing with the knights first.

They needed to get as far away as possible in the limited time.

“Miss, please hold on a little longer.”

Physical limitations quickly caught up with her. It was entirely predictable that she wouldn’t last long since she rarely had occasions to run.

“Huff. Huff……”

Roa’s steps gradually slowed as she gasped for breath as if she might pass out.

Without the knight pulling her from the front and Hannah pushing from behind, Roa felt like she would collapse.

Seeing Roa’s face turning pale blue, the knight stopped walking.

It seemed more likely that Roa’s health would deteriorate before they could even escape.

The two knights exchanged glances and quickly divided their roles. The knight with the better build carried Roa.

“Please forgive me for this rudeness.”

Roa screamed involuntarily at the suddenly elevated view. The knight hurriedly covered Roa’s mouth.

Screaming in the quiet forest only served to reveal tposition of heir.

“Kyaak!”

“Miss, shh.”

Roa regulated her breathing and calmed her rapidly beating heart. Fortunately, there was no sign of people.

“From now on, we’ll divide our roles.”

After catching her breath thanks to the knight’s careful handling, Roa rested her head weakly on his shoulder. Hannah examined Roa with a worried expression.

Roa felt guilty about her body becoming a burden.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not at all, Miss.”

With a steadfast expression, the knight secured Roa with his thick arm to prevent her from falling while running.

Roa hugged his neck to help the knight as much as possible.

The remaining knight gave Hannah a dagger in preparation for any unforeseen situation.

It meant that Hannah would have to use that dagger if a dangerous situation arose. Fear rose in Hannah as she touched the knife.

“I will inform the patrol of the situation first, Miss.”

The knight bowed his head to Roa and ran at a speed incomparable to before.

Watching his colleague running away, the knight started moving again with Roa.

Even in this moment of delay, the Slave Syndicate would be chasing after their prey.

“Miss, the village isn’t far from here, so please hold on a little longer.”

The knight ran in the opposite direction of the duke’s house. The duke’s house was too far to run to, and they might be caught by the Slave Syndicate faster.

A tree should be hidden in the forest, and a person was safer hidden among people.

The mountain path without proper roads was treacherous. Sweat dripped from the forehead of the knight running while carrying Roa.

A sour smell also came from Hannah’s mouth. Even for Hannah, who had worked in a mansion all her life, climbing a mountain path wasn’t easy.

Roa felt uncomfortable being the only one at ease while everyone else was struggling.

“I’ll run on my own now, Sir Eyle.”

“No, Miss. The mountain path could be dangerous for you.”

The mountain path was incomparably harder than flat ground. They chose the mountain path despite its difficulty to prevent the Slave Syndicate from following.

The village was faintly visible below the mountain. One second felt like an hour.

The village, which didn’t seem far when riding in a carriage, now gave the illusion of being an unreachable distance.

“Now the downhill path begins. When we reach the village, we’ll hide among the people.”

Today was the last performance of the circus troupe, so there were more people than usual, enough to hide one small body.

The knight spoke while glancing at Hannah following behind. Roa’s gaze also turned to Hannah.

“When we reach the village, change clothes with the servant.”

“No! Hannah could be in danger.”

“Listen to me well, Miss.”

The knight coldly responded to Roa’s words. Hannah had no choice but to feel disappointed.

Worrying about others now was merely a luxury.

“The easiest way for them to identify you is through your clothes. A commoner could never make and wear clothes with the fabric you’re currently wearing.”

“But……”

“We are employed to protect you.”

Anyone could guess Roa’s status just by looking at her clothes.

Moreover, Roa was on her way home from the imperial palace. Since she wouldn’t have worn plain clothes to the imperial palace, she stood out too much.

It was obvious without saying that the Slave Syndicate, who didn’t know Roa’s face well, would judge whether she was a noble by her clothes.

“Even if we divert attention, if you’re wearing those clothes, they won’t be fooled.”

In other words, changing clothes could buy them some time. Following the option with a slightly higher probability was the right answer.

“If something happens to you, we can’t be safe either. I’d choose an honorable death.”

Roa, who hadn’t yet been immersed in the atmosphere and coldness of the noble world, couldn’t stake someone else’s life.

On the other hand, the two who had naturally learned the class differences of nobility since childhood firmly rejected Roa’s opinion.

“What’s important to us is your life, Miss.”

“If it ensures your safety, I can gladly accept it.”

Hannah was a bit afraid. No one was calm in the face of death.

The courage to risk her life was possible because Roa was a precious existence to Hannah.

Roa’s eyes reddened at their loyalty. Surviving alone was of no use.

As much as she wanted to return to the duke’s house together if possible, Roa knew that this resistance wouldn’t help them at all.

Roa was furiously angry at her weak self. It was humiliating to only receive help.

“Don’t die. Stay alive until the end. I won’t forgive you if you die. Let me repay your kindness.”

Although Roa’s words were close to an order, they contained worry and sincerity, making Hannah and Eyle feel warmth.

However, a rustling sound that soon followed didn’t allow their emotion to last long.

The shouts of enemies who had approached right up to them sounded as if they were speaking right next to them. The situation was tense.

“Miss, hold tight.”

Hannah and Eyle ran to the village with all their might. Fortunately, the village was bustling with people watching the circus.

The Slave Syndicate would have a hard time finding them among the numerous people. That was fortunate for Roa’s group.

“We will shake off the Slave Syndicate. Miss, hide among the people as much as possible.”

“Okay.”

There wasn’t even time to change clothes in a proper changing room.

After quickly undressing with each other’s help, Hannah stood next to the knight, and Roa looked at them with her back to the people.

Roa gave a small response to the knight’s request.

“If an urgent situation arises, stab without hesitation.”

The knight taught Roa the vital points of a person in a crash course.

There was no time to check if Roa remembered properly. The knight had no choice but to trust her completely.

“I wish for your safety, Miss.”

Roa watched the two quickly disappearing backs and plunged into the bustling crowd, covering her ears.

She could hear the shouts of the Slave Syndicate searching for her just a span away, and the sounds of Hannah and Eyle fleeing.

At these unpleasant sounds, Roa felt suffocated. It was actually difficult to breathe properly.

‘Why is this happening to me?’

As the fearful situation unfolded, she was filled only with resentment.

Although she desperately wanted to escape from this place, she didn’t move a step from among the people, following the knight’s instructions.

Right in front of her, she could see the troupe members giving their best for the final performance, but it wasn’t enjoyable at all.

‘This isn’t what I wanted to see.’

In contrast to the joyful expressions of the people, Roa’s expression looked as if she would burst into tears if touched.

She also felt guilty, wondering if this incident happened because she had insisted on seeing the circus.

Roa earnestly prayed for this time to pass as she blankly stared.

“Miss, is something wrong?”

Crying among joyful people, Roa stood out. Anyone would find it strange if someone cried during a part that wasn’t sad.

A man who was watching the circus right next to Roa asked about her well-being with a worried expression.

Whether she was crying because she was sick, or if she was a lost child.

Despite the man’s consideration, Roa was startled by the hand on her shoulder and shrank back.

A feeling of anxiety arose, as if everyone’s touch would harm her. Roa unknowingly screamed loudly.

“Nothing! I’m fine, so please don’t worry about me.”

When Roa reacted sensitively, the man’s expression changed strangely, as if he was looking at a crazy person.

Seeing Roa’s reaction, a woman who appeared to be the man’s lover sent a silent signal not to interfere and held back her lover.

“Honey, let’s go.”

“What did I do wrong? I’m seeing all sorts of strange people!”

He had only tried to show kindness, thinking she seemed to be in a difficult situation.

From their perspective, not knowing the circumstances, Roa’s sensitive reaction was offensive.

The man clicked his tongue and left with his lover. Roa’s world became quiet once again.

Roa, who usually enjoyed mingling with people and immersing herself in pleasant atmospheres, locked away her inner self.

Right now, rather than someone’s consideration, being left alone was more comfortable for Roa.

“Thank you for watching our performance!”

While subjectively time felt endlessly slow, the actual flow of time was fast, contrary to Roa’s perception.

The performance ended, and cheers poured out for those who had provided the wonderful spectacle.

Roa kept her eyes fixed forward until the troupe members’ final greetings concluded.

In this unrealistic situation, Roa couldn’t judge how she should act.

“Shall we go now?”

“Child, the circus is over. Mom will be waiting.”

Eventually, the people who had been watching the circus left one by one.

Among the people departing to their homes, Roa had nowhere to go.

Having always traveled by carriage, she had no way of properly finding her way.

There was no news from Hannah and the knights who were supposed to come for her. Roa was alone.

‘Where should I go?’

Even her usually sharp mind was working sluggishly. Her constricting mental state pressured Roa’s broad thinking.

The only words she could think of now were Eyle’s instructions to hide among people.

‘Where should I hide?’

Roa wanted to grab anyone and ask. She couldn’t tell where there might be many people.

It was hard enough to regain her senses properly, but now she was tasked with finding another place to hide among the dispersing crowd.

Roa looked left and right, checking people’s movements to find a hiding place. She needed to naturally blend into a group and leave this space.

‘What should I do now!’

Finding a hiding place wasn’t easy. Roa stamped her feet helplessly, like a lost child not knowing what to do.

Only today did she realize how frightening it was to be left alone. She even missed the protection that had felt suffocating before.

‘Mom, Dad, Brother. Where are you?’

‘Why aren’t you coming to get me?’

Roa crouched down in place and lowered her head. Her mind knew she shouldn’t just stay still like this, but stupidly, her body wouldn’t cooperate.

Time passed slowly. After sitting for a long while until the streets became quiet, Roa raised her head.

“Where was the bookstore?”

It might seem irrelevant, but the only fact Roa could recall was that she had a scheduled visit to Yvel’s bookstore.

Roa led her uncooperative legs. Right now, she desperately needed someone to protect her.

* * *

“Your Majesty!”

The meeting discussing the disposition of the Slave Syndicate was proceeding in a heated atmosphere when the assembly hall became chaotic due to sudden bad news.

Among them, three people’s reactions were more sensitive than others.

“Tell me again.”

Roan, who was staring at the knight who brought the bad news as if he wanted to kill him, asked once more. He prayed it was a lie.

Mikel, Roa’s father, whose hands and feet trembled at the unbelievable news, and the crown prince Yvaine, whose heart inexplicably turned cold, all fixed their eyes on the knight’s mouth.

The knight reluctantly voiced the tragic reality. The emperor frowned at the knight’s bad news.

“Currently, the Helena grand ducal family’s carriage has been attacked by members of the Slave Syndicate.”

“How many are injured?”

“Except for Lady Roa Helena, who fled the scene, one maid following her, and two knights, all personnel have been confirmed either seriously injured or deceased.”

“What about the whereabouts of the others?”

The emperor asked the knight. Though the knights’ deaths were regrettable, the living were more important for now.

The knight couldn’t deliver good news to the emperor’s question.

“Patrol soldiers who heard the news immediately deployed, but they couldn’t find the whereabouts of the lady’s party except for one knight who reported the news.”

“No progress at all!”

“Currently, we are searching based on a witness’s testimony who saw a woman accompanied by a knight being chased by men several tens of minutes ago, Your Majesty.”

“Impossible! Is it really our child?”

Mikel grabbed the knight’s collar and lifted him. He wanted to hear the knight say it was a mistake, that they had confused someone similar to Roa.

The knight bowed his head at the cruel reality and murmured. He couldn’t look him straight in the eye.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

Mikel’s hands lost strength at the knight’s words. Suddenly collapsing, Mikel sat down in place and stared at the ground.

“It’s a lie! Our child is at home! I need to go see our child right now!”

“Your Grace! Please calm down!”

“Let go! My Roa will be waiting for me!”

Mikel’s voice trembled thinly at the news of his daughter. The news that they still couldn’t find his daughter’s whereabouts made him anxious.

Mikel, with a pale complexion as if he might collapse at any moment, suddenly stood up.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty.”

Forgetting that he was in the emperor’s presence, Mikel quickly left the assembly hall, and Roan also followed after slightly bowing his head to the emperor.

Hearing the news of the abduction of the grand duke’s cherished daughter, the emperor held his throbbing head and slumped down in his chair.

Not only was it disturbing to hear that another noble had been attacked, but the idea that the grand ducal family, second highest in status after the imperial family, was threatened by the Slave Syndicate’s hands broke his composure.

Of all people, she was a child who had recently become close with his own child.

Thinking of the shock his daughter must have received, the emperor’s expression grew increasingly rigid. After all, the emperor was also a father with a daughter.

‘I should have killed them earlier.’

The emperor thought. But the incident had already occurred. He couldn’t turn back time.

“Father.”

Yvaine’s voice echoed through the assembly hall. The emperor’s gaze, which had been lost in thought, turned to his son at the unfittingly low voice.

Despite his claim of merely being acquainted with the aide’s sister a few times, Yvaine’s face was expressionless itself.

Though he appeared unaffected on the outside, the emperor noticed that his son was excited. There was no emotion in his eyes.

‘Not just any relationship.’

The emperor momentarily forgot the seriousness of the situation and recalled his son’s implausible denial. He was interested in Roa.

“Please deploy the imperial knights immediately.”

Yvaine stormed out of the meeting room. Before realizing the gravity of the situation, the emperor’s eyes caught something unusual about his son.

His son, who had never shown interest in any woman, was reacting to one person’s name.

‘Did the grand duke’s daughter have a marriage arrangement with any family?’

The emperor looked at the place Yvaine had left with curious eyes, then hurriedly turned to the captain of the royal guard and commanded.

The captain awaited the emperor’s order.

“We are entering a state of emergency as of this hour. Shoot to kill any member of the Slave Syndicate on sight.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“There will be no leniency.”

The safe return of his potential daughter-in-law. The emperor’s goal was set.

* * *