I Was Hired by the Black-Minded Prince for My Life's Ransom - Chapter 26

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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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Episode 26. Trailing
…Handcuffs?
I blinked, dazed.
My mind felt like it was swimming.
A noblewoman and handcuffs—what in the world was this combination?
‘And worse,’
Brennon’s expression was utterly unfazed.
The glimpses of her face visible between the folds of her thin robe were remarkably detached.
As though she were simply choosing an ordinary piece of jewelry.
“I think this will do.”
Click—
The noblewoman examined the handcuffs on the Servant’s wrist from every angle, while the Servant offered her arm without a word.
“Or perhaps they’re a touch too small.”
……
“Don’t you have something in a sturdier material?”
She was even handling other handcuffs and conversing with the merchant about them.
This was plainly wrong.
I was about to step forward as though in a trance.
“Where are you going?”
A large hand caught my wrist—warm, sudden.
It was Yulian.
I spun around, startled by the heat radiating from his grip.
“Your Highness, Brennon is right there with—”
“She seems quite content with Banilin’s beloved Servant.”
That’s not the point right now.
When I looked up, he smirked.
“What were you planning to do?”
“Well, I…”
“Question the noblewoman about her refined hobbies?”
That… that’s not it.
Is that even a hobby?
My pupils trembled.
I’d moved without thinking, but truthfully I had no idea what to do about it.
“This is no concern of yours, Banilin.”
Yulian spoke unhurriedly.
His pale amber eyes drifted slowly toward the noblewoman and the Servant.
“Stay quiet.”
At those words, I pressed my lips together.
Click.
The cold sound of metal brushed my ears once more.
Brennon spun the handcuff key between her fingertips with perfect ease.
As nonchalant as if she’d just purchased a new toy.
The Servant, meanwhile, kept her head bowed and said nothing.
“Let’s go.”
Yulian gave my wrist a gentle pull.
I followed him, glancing back several times.
But their figures soon vanished among the crowds.
…This feels wrong.
No matter how I thought about it, something felt deeply wrong.
“Your Highness. You saw that too, didn’t you?”
“The handcuffs?”
“Yes…”
So you did see them.
I nodded listlessly.
“Why would she put those on her?”
“I couldn’t say.”
“Normally people don’t do that, do they?”
“Normally, no.”
I’m genuinely unsettled.
I pressed my lips together and glanced back once more.
Something gnawed at me without reason.
The whip marks I’d seen at dinner, the way she’d pinched the back of her own hand, and those Handcuffs I’d glimpsed just moments ago.
Every last detail unsettled me in ways I couldn’t name.
“Your expression has grown quite grave.”
“I suppose something’s been weighing on me….”
“Hmm.”
Sunlight fell softly across Yulian’s glimmering platinum hair.
His white shirt gleamed brighter in the rays.
He shaded his eyes with the edge of his hand as he looked down at me.
“You seem quite interested in that servant, Banilin.”
“Well, I do know them, after all….”
Compassionate, perhaps, or simply meddlesome.
The words, muttered under his breath, carried an edge.
I stole a glance at him.
…Had his mood shifted again?
But his face soon softened into a smile.
“So then.”
“Yes?”
“Are you thinking of rescuing that servant?”
“I….”
I couldn’t bring myself to answer at once.
Rescue was perhaps too grand a word, but still.
‘If they really are being mistreated….’
I didn’t want to look away.
That was when it happened.
A desperate cry erupted from somewhere above.
“W-wait… what’s happening?”
“Get out of the way! Move!”
From higher up the slope, a Cart came barreling down like a thing possessed.
“Ahhh!”
Screams pierced the air ahead of us.
Thump, thump!
The heavy Cart bounced across the stone path, tumbling down the incline toward us.
Fruit baskets stacked on its bed came crashing down in a shower, and people scattered in panic.
And then it charged straight toward us.
My mind went white with fear.
“D-danger!”
Again.
Without thought, without deliberation, something alien pulled deep within my soul—a visceral, commanding need.
To shield him. That resolve blazed through me, and I lunged forward without thinking—
Whoosh.
My waist was wrenched backward.
“Yelp?”
The world spun.
In one fluid motion, I was pulled into Yulian’s arms as the Cart barreled past, crashing headlong into the wall.
Crash!
The wooden Cart shattered into pieces.
“…….”
“…….”
I stared blankly at the wreckage.
This damned Contract.
‘…I nearly died again.’
A chill ran down my spine.
Then, from above my head, a sigh-laden voice drifted down.
“Banilin.”
“Y-yes….”
“Is worrying about others simply your nature?”
His voice carried a bitterness, as if stripped of venom.
I lifted my head.
…Right. He’d been asking if I meant to rescue the servant if they were in danger.
It seemed he’d found his answer in my previous action.
“Before worrying about others, look after your own life first.”
“I apologize….”
Though it wasn’t entirely my will just now.
A pang of conscience made me mutter dejectedly.
At that, Yulian laughed softly.
“You look like you’re about to cry again.”
“I’m not going to cry.”
“You were just welling up a moment ago.”
“That was because I was startled.”
“Ah. I see.”
…Was he teasing me?
When I looked up at him, he finally released the arm he’d wrapped around my waist.
Whether from the sea breeze or something else, his body carried a cool, clean scent.
When the warmth of his firm embrace vanished, I felt oddly hollow.
‘Wait. Hollow?’
…Why?
‘Of course.’
I glanced up at him furtively.
Had I simply grown too accustomed to sleeping beside him?
Was that why the absence of his arm around my waist each morning left me feeling this way…?
‘Ugh, never mind.’
Digging deeper into that thought felt dangerous.
Fearing our eyes might meet, I quickly turned my head away.
That was when it happened.
“Hm.”
A familiar black robe flashed across my line of sight.
My eyes widened.
“Your Highness, that—!”
Down the Alley.
A young woman in a black robe and her Servant were walking briskly toward somewhere.
Both of them seemed acutely aware of the eyes around them.
Without thinking, I caught hold of Yulian’s sleeve.
“Isn’t that suspicious…?”
“It is suspicious.”
“Isn’t it?”
“However.”
Yulian smiled slowly.
“Following someone in secret is hardly virtuous behavior, is it?”
…….
I never expected to hear such words from him, of all people.
I stood gaping.
Then is cutting down a person in the Back Garden and covering it up virtuous? Is making your disadvantaged brother dig up his own weakness with his own hands virtuous…?
I had no words in response.
Seeing my mouth flap uselessly, Yulian shrugged.
“I’m trying to be virtuous right now. I’m not particularly inclined.”
“Then….”
“If you’re about to say you’ll go alone, swallow that instead.”
Gulp.
I swallowed hard without meaning to and averted my gaze.
How did he know what I was about to say….
It didn’t seem like he was reading my mind.
I fidgeted with my fingers quietly.
I know Yulian dislikes doing these things.
If he says firmly that he won’t, I won’t argue or press the matter.
It’s no longer my place to meddle either. I’m his, as he said.
But.
“Couldn’t we follow them for just a moment?”
Something stirred in my instinct.
A very suspicious feeling—that we had to go now, that something grave was unfolding.
“Just a little bit, really.”
“……”
“Just a tiny bit… one step?”
“Sigh.”
Yulian exhaled softly, as though admitting defeat.
Then, still holding my wrist, he turned toward the Alley.
“Only this once.”
“Really?”
“On one condition.”
Yulian leaned closer.
Those golden eyes drew near until they were right before me.
“If you sense any danger, come behind me at once.”
My heart dropped.
Aren’t you standing too close…?
And isn’t this kindness overwhelming?
Feeling my heart flutter without reason, I nodded softly.
“Yes… I will, just as you say.”

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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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