# 16
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Of course, Ethie's face is so perfect that even these small imperfections are nothing!
But I can't help but feel upset that my little darling's face has been cut.
“If not treated properly, it may leave a scar! What crazy person would cut a beautiful face like that?!”
I have to apply a large amount of ointment so that it does not leave a trace. …
Oh? Suddenly I realized he didn't say anything.
Etheus remained silent for a long time.
I opened my mouth, then realized too late that I had made a mistake.
It's not my place to show him all this concern.
I lost my mind for a moment when I saw a cut on my favorite character's face.
“Well, it's not my place to interfere.”
As I was trying to correct the situation and pull my hand away, Etheus suddenly grabbed my wrist.
His blue eyes sparkled with a sharp look.
His cheeks were stiff, and his eyes filled with confusion.
". … You ."
He squeezed my wrist forcefully and asked again in a growling voice.
“What is this trick of yours?”
Naturally, it seemed strange, she suddenly touched his face and shouted excitedly. Even trying to correct was embarrassing.
There is no escape from that.
I'm Katherine, and I can only respond this way.
“His Highness said it himf.”
I raised my eyebrows as hard as I could and curled my lips sarcastically.
“I'm good at sarcasm.”
I was making fun of the fact that, as a judge, he comes back injured.
“It seems from your reaction that I failed to provoke you.”
A few seconds passed, then finally Etheus released his grip on my wrist.
A sudden gust of wind tickled his hair.
The thick clouds cast shadows over his face, so I couldn't see his expression.
Maybe he was frowning contemptuously.
I slowly put my hand back in place, not knowing what to say to him or what to ask him.
“…It’s not funny.”
Only a quiet voice came out from between his lips.
Suddenly I felt a tingling sensation in my chest.
Then he looked at me with cold eyes and said.
“I came
There was no emotion in his calm voice that seemed to draw a line.
"Understood ."
I nodded slightly and then continued.
“Well, I am grateful for your official assistance, but the prisoners will not go to the Guard Headquarters, but to Elmore Palace.”
Etheus stared at me with his eyes hardened at his brow at my warning-like statement.
I curled my lips into a slight smile and said.
“Don’t those who harmed high-ranking nobles have the right to interrogate the perpetrators? Anyway, most of them were captured by my mercenaries, so cooperate with me, Your Highness.”
Etheus stared at me with a cold and complicated look for a long time, then moved his lips.
“Do whatever you want.”
When I bowed slightly in formal thanks—
“…Miss!”
Suddenly I heard Hirose's voice that had disappeared earlier.
He was dragging an unconscious person tied with a rope.
He appears to be the leader of these killers who promised to catch him.
We deliberately left the carriage and entered this forest to attract him.
“Are you okay, miss?”
“Yes, I'm fine, are you injured?”
“No, I'm fine.”
“But who is this?”
Then he stared at the man standing in front of me, Etheus, with wary eyes.
After all, his clothes didn't look like the prince's clothes, it was natural for him to misunderstand him.
“It is His Highness Prince Ethios. He came after receiving a report at the guard headquarters.”
Despite his eyebrows twitching, Hirose continued to stare warily for a while before slowly bowing and greeting him.
“Hirose, Chief Butler of Elmore Palace, I salute the great imperial family.”
The cold-faced Etheus did not respond to Hieros' words, but said to me.
“...Since the safety of the Duchess is assured, I will go now.”
He turned coldly and walked away.
My fingertips moved unconsciously, but I couldn't stop it.
All I could do was stare anxiously at his back as he walked away.
I have to put ointment on that wound so it doesn't leave a scar. …
Hirose who was watching me looked at me and said.
“Miss, are you really okay?”
Finally, I furrowed my eyebrows and slowly regained my usual arrogant expression.
“There are no injuries.”
“But were these men...you the one who did this to them?”
The men were groaning and rolling here and there.
“I was angry, how dare these insects touch my body?”
Hirose looked at me surprised and admired again.
“I couldn’t say this earlier because of the emergency situation, but I didn’t know that you were so skilled at archery.”
Maybe even Catherine Elmore herf didn't know.
Who would have expected her body to be possessed by a former archer?
“How did you have all these talents...?”
His eyes were shining with admiration.
“You really are perfect.”
What a shame!
He himf, despite being a butler, has great skills. …
Suspicious, actually.
“Hirose must be hiding something too, I have to check his background soon.”
He doesn't seem to have any bad intentions by hiding his identity, but he does seem to have an unusual past or story.
I crossed my arms and looked at him out of the corner of my eye.
“Where is the group of prospectors?”
* * *
Inside the new vehicle, the leader of the prospectors group, Cain, who I had spoken to earlier, sat in front of me.
While Hirose was tying up the captives outside.
The number of assassins and soldiers gathered by Vadelmon and his relatives was not small, but they were unable to defeat them.
He asked me with a slightly confused look.
“Honestly, when you told us there was an ambush today, we didn’t believe you. Safety-sensitive noblewomen are everywhere, but it turns out your concerns weren’t just worry.”
She laughed lightly.
Then continue.
“I have one question, what would you do if we rejected your offer?”
We wouldn't be able to fend off this many assassins alone, Hirose and I.
His eyes were full of curiosity.
“I was going to make you regret it.”
". …What?"
I raised my chin confidently and told him.
“You were the best choice, but it is impossible for me not to have an alternative plan. I have a lot of money, and there are a lot of mercenaries who love money.”
The best way to deal with a curious person is to act overly confident.
After all, my words are true.
“Wouldn't that be unfortunate?”
Well, what I'm saying is the truth.
“Did you see me giving this to other mercenaries?”
I took out the money I had prepared for them from the bag next to me and handed it to him.
“This is the reward for your hard work today, in addition to the previous interview fees.”
It's the money they need in the overt world.
The leader's eyes sparkled as he held out ten thousand shiny gold coins.
Even if he led them to work as mercenaries, a thousand coins was considered a large amount, let alone ten times that!
After a moment of astonishment, the leader looked at me with interesting eyes.
“You seem different from what is said about you, ma'am.”
He put the money in his bag and said.
“I heard that you are very arrogant.”
Compared to the Revolutionary Army's support money, this is a trivial amount, but it seems to have been affected.
“You are not arrogant, but very confident, and this confidence has a clear basis.”
“I hope this is the beginning of trust between us. You see, I am someone who rewards fatigue with abundance.”
He nodded.
“I will make sure we remain your first choice in the future.”
Isn't financial therapy always better?
The best secret information organization in the empire, in fact, their influence is not limited to just the empire, but extends to the entire continent.
Even in Montilla, where I will go for refuge later, I can find them.
In emergency situations, I may get their help.
“If the opportunity arises, tell the guild leader...”
His hand trembled again at my words.
If our friendship continues like this, I will get closer to information on Jeffrey Whistler, the guild leader.
I smiled at him wickedly and said.
“Katherine Elmore wants to deal with him, well, that might be difficult because he's wanted.”