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It wasn’t because of my mood. Slowly, as the fight moved away, I realized the black-bearded man was running while carrying me.

“No way! This guy’s trying to escape with me! Hey, you knight bastards! I have to be rescued first!”

I shouted loudly, but my voice was drowned out by the chaotic sounds of the fight.

As we turned into a narrow alley, I couldn’t see the knights in front of me anymore.

* * *

From a distance, one could see someone’s eyes following them.

“Your Highness Etienne, Lady Dahlia has been captured…! We need to send additional reinforcements…”

“Quiet, Simon. I can see it too.”

Etienne remained calm, while Simon trembled uncontrollably.

He looked at Etienne for a moment, then at Dahlia, who was getting further away.

“No matter how much you dislike Lady Dalia, you can’t let her die like that!”

“Do you really think that’s what’s happening?”

“Yes?”

“It’s obvious that it’s a setup. They used a shallow trick to distract the guards.”

Etienne’s eyes flickered. Simon looked at him, his mouth hanging open.

“Was that it? How did you notice that? As expected, Your Highness Etienne, you’re a genius.”

Simon even clenched both fists in excitement.

“Do you think I’m as oblivious as you? This is basic stuff. You underestimated me. About Dahlia, I’ll secretly follow them, and you handle the remaining knights here.”

Etienne stood up confidently, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

I won’t be fooled this time. He vowed to himself as he stepped forward, trailing behind the black-bearded man.

* * *

“Hey, let me go!”

With each stride the bearded man took, a jolt of impact reverberated through his abdomen. I struck his shoulder with all my strength, but he paid no attention and continued running.

“If you want to escape, huff, do it alone! Why are you taking me?”

“Shut up!”

The man roughly tore his clothes and shoved them into my mouth. I could taste the stale smell of sweat.

Ugh!

The scream was muffled within my gagged mouth. In the struggle, my hat fell to the ground. I stared helplessly at the hat, now getting farther away.

The knight guards after seeing it would follow, right? It wouldn’t make sense for them not to come and rescue the princess consort, even if she’s not the favored princess consort.

Just as I started to think that the braised oxtail I had for breakfast might come back up, we came to a halt in front of a dilapidated building.

The bearded man, who had been discreetly concealed, made his way down the stairs.

The basement, seemingly built a long time ago, was filled with a damp, musty odor. I struggled to lift my head and surveyed my surroundings. Massive figures loomed in various corners.

The bearded man dropped me unceremoniously and then bound my arms and legs with a firm grip. I squirmed desperately, but it had no effect on him.

At that moment, a greasy-looking man emerged from the depths of the basement. He had long, black hair tightly tied back. The bearded man finished with his binding, gave him a familiar nod.

“Victor, long time no see. Came for a deal?”

“Yeah. Just passing through after I finish up.”

“Where’s Donin? Do you know where he is? It’s urgent.”

“He’ll probably show up soon.”

The man called Victor, casually replied as he passed by. But then, his greasy eyes turned towards me, and he abruptly stopped.

“…Dahl?”

“What did you say?”

The bearded man asked, puzzled. I also perked up my ears. He definitely said “Dahl” while looking at me.

Does he know me? This appearance of mine isn’t exactly common.

Victor scrutinized me carefully. Then, he shook his head, visibly shaken.

“Among the women, I do business with, there’s one with that distinctive pink hair.”

“What? Pink hair is rare. Are you saying this woman is one of your business associates? Could it be… a giant?”

“No, but she doesn’t seem like one either. That woman has long hair, and she’s not immature enough to get caught in a place like this. I’ve heard she has a very nasty personality. Pink hair may be rare, but it’s not unheard of. Well, I’m running late, so I’ll go check first. Have a good deal.”

Victor disappeared hastily as if his interest had vanished.

I stared at the spot where he had disappeared, mulling over his words.

Pink hair, transaction, an unruly woman? It’s starting to make sense. This might be related to Dahlia.

The first lead I found made my heart race. I needed to get out of here and tell Etienne about it.

Victor. Dahl. greasy eyes. Tall stature. He mentioned having done business with her.

To remember his words and impressions, I replayed them in my mind.

Then, a peculiar figure with a disheveled appearance emerged, staggering with each step.

“Hey, Donin. Why are you so slow? Settle up quickly, we don’t have time.”

The man with a black beard impatiently spoke before he even approached. He kept glancing towards the stairs, as if afraid of being followed.

You better be scared, you little bastard. The guards will be here soon, you’ll be skewered, you rat.

“No matter how little time we have, shouldn’t we still check the condition of the goods? Just wait.”

Donin raised my bound wrists, causing a sharp pain that felt like my armpit was being pulled, but I glared back at him with all my might.

He lightly tapped my cheek with a chuckle, finding it amusing.

Oh, I feel disgusted. If only I didn’t have this filthy piece of cloth in my mouth, I would have spit on his face.

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