I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 86

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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After Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 86
Clyde and Kaelunn approached the Abandoned Cottage in silence, their presence concealed.
The structure, worn down by years, had crumbled in places—enough that they could see into the interior without venturing too deep inside.
Through the flickering firelight inside, the two figures they expected came into view.
The man stood alert, his gaze fixed on the cottage entrance, while the woman was bound to a rotted wooden pillar that was falling apart.
“……Elodi.”
The image of a kidnapping victim was unmistakable, and Kaelunn couldn’t help but move forward.
Clyde caught him by the arm, pressing a finger to his lips and shaking his head.
“Shh. Stay still for a moment.”
“But——!”
The moment Kaelunn began to protest.
“Miss Elodi, the princess’s guards and others are approaching.”
The man’s tone—far too composed for a kidnapper—made Kaelunn freeze.
“Is that so? Theo, did you scout an escape route beforehand?”
The princess’s response that followed was equally composed.
While Kaelunn stood slack-jawed, as if he’d forgotten the power of speech, the two continued their conversation with perfect naturalness.
“Yes. I’ve destroyed most of one wall. Before we’re surrounded, I’ll break through it with my body and escape.”
“Good. Well prepared, as always. Now come here and blindfold me.”
“……Are you truly certain? The blindfold… and being bound to the pillar…….”
“It’s necessary to keep his resolve from wavering further, wouldn’t you say? And to maintain his suspicion of you. I did wonder if we should make it more convincing—leave a wound or two——”
“Miss Elodi, that I cannot allow——!”
“Why so serious? Never mind. I’ve already abandoned that idea.”
“…….”
“On reflection, your loyalty to me is so absolute that you’ve kidnapped a princess just to oppose this marriage. A man of such devotion would never willingly harm me.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, Elodi’s bright voice filled the cottage.
There was no thought in her tone that someone might be watching from the shadows.
Given the location and the circumstances they’d constructed, it was entirely reasonable.
After all, if Clyde and Beatrice—who had returned through the Regression—hadn’t happened to encounter Kaelunn, this scene would never have been discovered.
Clyde, listening quietly to the exchange inside, slowly turned his gaze toward Kaelunn, then looked away.
It felt like witnessing something he shouldn’t.
Even before the Regression, he’d never seen Kaelunn wear an expression of such complete collapse.
“…….”
“…….”
The two men maintained their silence as they continued listening to the rest of Elodi and Theo’s exchange.
Soon, the sound of multiple people running approached from a distance. Theo quickly checked the situation outside, then moved toward the princess. “Miss Elodi.”
“Miss Elodi.”
“Yes.”
The princess nodded her head as though she were an actress awaiting her cue.
And the moment the door burst open with a bang——
“Miss Elodi!”
“Your Highness! Are you unharmed?”
“Ce-Cesare? Is that you all?”
“Everyone, don’t move an inch!”
Without a fraction’s error, the two began their rehearsed performance.
The man drew a sharp blade with a flourish and brandished his short dagger at the guards, shouting loudly.
“One step closer and her royal person will bear a scar!”
The guards halted in unison at the genuine conviction in his voice.
“Do you even comprehend what indignities she suffers at your hands?”
“…….”
“A noble of such standing, reduced to mere mistress of some duke’s household? How could you expect me to stand idle——!”
The guards answered his near-frenzied tone with reproach and anger.
“To think a man so loyal would dare abduct Her Highness the Princess!”
“Silence!”
Theo’s voice cut sharp.
“Her Majesty deserves to walk a path far greater than this! There are many who would see her as the future of the empire!”
After a moment of heavy breathing, he cast a suspicious gaze around.
“……Where is your master? Where is Kaelunn Dalton?”
“…….”
“If that man will merely agree to release the princess, I shall return her safely. Her safety is what I desire above all!”
A brief silence fell among the guards at Theo’s proposal, as if they were discerning his true intent.
Then, just as that silence deepened, an urgent voice rang out as Beatrice pushed through the guards.
“Sister!”
“……Beatrice?”
“Yes, sister! It’s me!”
“……Why are you here…….”
She spoke as though the sight was utterly unexpected, then immediately continued in a trembling voice.
“It’s dangerous here, Bea——! Where’s Kaelunn? Is he with you?”
“No, he went searching with Clyde. I happened to run into him, and he said you’d been kidnapped and asked for my help. We thought splitting into two teams would increase our chances of finding you…….”
“…….”
She bit her lower lip for a moment, then nodded quickly.
“Thank heavens…….”
“Sister……?”
Her voice was wretched, as though she might weep at any moment, and her lips trembled as she caught her breath.
“I’m grateful he didn’t have to see me like this…….”
“……Sister…….”
“Beatrice, as I said before, it’s dangerous here.”
Elodi forced a smile to reassure her, her body twisting slightly as she spoke.
“I’m fine. This man… he won’t hurt me. So please, you should go——”
“I won’t!”
Beatrice cut her off like a spoiled noble lady, her voice breaking.
“How could I possibly leave you here!”
“Beatrice!”
“You vile wretch!”
Beatrice, who had been pointing accusingly at Theo, suddenly couldn’t contain herself and rushed at him.
“Young lady!”
“Guh——!”
Beatrice’s unexpected outburst caught everyone off guard—the guards, and even Theo, who had been observing the situation.
Several of the guards caught the moment Theo’s movements faltered.
“Now!”
“Protect the princess and the young lady!”
“Damn!”
Theo cursed under his breath and threw himself sideways.
Though the plan had diverged slightly, capture here meant everything was lost.
With a bang, the prepared wall crumbled. Dust and debris scattered everywhere, and he moved swiftly through the haze.
“He’s escaping—seize him!”
“Your Highness, are you well?”
“Y-yes…….”
The princess trembled lightly as she regained her composure, and the moment her blindfold fell away, she found Beatrice.
“Beatrice……! You, you really……!”
“Sister…….”
The two embraced with tears in their eyes, a touching scene—though the true reasons for their tears were quite different.
“Sister, it’s alright now. The danger has passed. Let’s go home together, yes?”
“Yes, let’s. I’m sorry, Beatrice……. Because of me…….”
Elodi’s voice caught as she held Beatrice’s hand tightly, speaking with careful deliberation.
“Beatrice……. If you’re willing, could you help me hide from him for a while? I don’t want him to see me like this.”
“……You mean go to the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes……. I’m sorry, I’m sorry……. I know he’ll worry more if I return this way…….”
“It’s alright. Don’t worry, sister. I’ll explain everything well.”
Beatrice held Elodi close, patting her back gently, while her eyes quietly swept across the rear of the Abandoned Cottage.
She needed to signal Kaelunn and Clyde, who were somewhere hidden here, that “the situation was over.”
And moments later.
Something glimmered faintly in the gap of the old wall, then vanished.
It was a small flash of light that one would miss without careful attention, but for Beatrice, it was enough.
It meant Clyde had confirmed her signal.
Beatrice swallowed her sigh of relief, helped Elodi to her feet, and deliberately spoke once more, her voice slightly louder than necessary.
“Sister, don’t worry. Rest well today. I’ll handle what’s left at the Duke’s Estate while I stay there. You… trust me, don’t you?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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