The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 19

The road heading west was quieter than I had expected.

Only the sound of hoofbeats crossing the dirt road echoed continuously.

Even after riding for more than half a day, I didn’t really feel sore or tired. Whether it was the result of training, or just because I was tense.

‘…Probably tension.’

I thought while looking at the sun that had started tilting westward.

To reach the West like this, we had to pass through the road toward the Capital. If the Imperial Family’s pursuit was following us, there was a high chance we’d encounter them near there.

“But.”

Around that time, Demian, who had been holding the reins behind me, suddenly spoke up.

“Why are you trying to go to the West?”

It was an out-of-the-blue question.

‘At this point, suddenly?’

Since he became my escort, he hadn’t even brought up the topic, so I thought he wasn’t curious.

I, who had been looking straight ahead the whole time, glanced at Demian.

“Isn’t that question a bit late?”

“I wasn’t particularly curious.”

“Now I don’t want to tell you.”

“Then don’t.”

Demian responded in an indifferent tone, as if he had just casually asked.

As expected, he never loses with words. So annoying I could die.

I glared at him sideways, then looked forward again and answered.

“There’s someone I need to meet.”

Demian tilted his head.

“Your Highness has connections in the West too? If they live in the West, they must be a mage.”

“Why are you asking in that tone? You didn’t think I’d have any, did you?”

I answered sharply.

Demian didn’t deny it.

Silence was affirmation.

Actually, I felt a bit guilty. Because it was someone I had never met ‘at this point.’ I was just going to find them recklessly, and they probably didn’t even know of my existence.

Demian, who had been observing my subtle expression, narrowed his eyes and asked.

“Does that person know about our visit?”

“…”

Sharp indeed.

I pondered for a moment about how to answer.

“They might not know.”

I ended up being honest.

Naturally, Demian’s expression twisted.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to visit them out of the blue again? Like when you came to the Duke’s Mansion?”

“Yes.”

“…I don’t know whether to call this bold or reckless.”

“It sounds like you want to say the latter.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Now he’s not even denying it.

“I can’t help it. I didn’t have time to send a letter.”

Demian looked at me.

His eyes seemed like he wanted to say something.

“…What?”

He was silent for a moment, then asked.

“Is it because of your father?”

“…What?”

My eyes widened at the unexpected question.

Why is Carlos suddenly coming up here? Though it is an accurate question. In what context?

“You mean the Duke?”

“I heard that Your Highness personally prepared your father’s lunch every day.”

Mia told him everything.

Well, it’s not something that needed to be kept secret.

“Saying it was food good for detoxifying magi. You even left the recipes behind.”

“…Yes, well.”

“What does that have to do with the West?”

I pressed my lips together tightly. It was a difficult question to answer.

To escape from the Emperor? To save Carlos? Or to deliver my purification stone?

I couldn’t say it. Not yet.

“…I’ll tell you later.”

I ended up answering like that.

“Not yet.”

Demian looked at me.

For a long while.

“…I see.”

He didn’t press further and turned his gaze away. A long silence followed after that.

Only the quiet sound of hoofbeats echoed, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Rather, it was peaceful.

It was something I couldn’t have imagined even ten days ago. That there would come a day when I’d feel comfortable riding alone with Damian Carter.

‘…They say you never know what life will bring.’

That’s when it happened.

Demian suddenly pulled his reins sharply. And he blocked my horse with a hand gesture.

“Shh.”

His voice was cold.

I was startled and closed my mouth.

“Lower your head.”

Demian pressed down on my shoulder firmly but not painfully.

“What’s happening?”

“Quietly. Don’t speak.”

As soon as we hid ourselves in the thicket, faint hoofbeats could be heard from the distance.

The chaotic noise gradually grew closer, and a group of knights appeared not far away.

At the same time, my heart dropped with a thud.

White armor and golden cloaks.

It was the Second Imperial Guard.

My prediction was correct.

The Emperor was tracking me.

I clenched my fists. So tight that blood couldn’t circulate.

They stopped their horses at the crossroads and looked around while speaking.

“Are you certain it’s this way?”

“Yes, they say she disappeared around here.”

“Any witnesses?”

“The coachman who was paid was the last one, but even he said he couldn’t see clearly since it was a rainy dawn….”

“Tsk.”

I could see the Knight Captain clicking his tongue in irritation. Anyone could tell they were talking about me.

Demian’s eyes narrowed as he observed their movements.

“Why are the Imperial Guards….”

He muttered and slowly turned his head to look at me.

“So it was true that you ran away?”

“…Did you think it was a lie?”

“I was half-doubtful.”

Demian answered honestly.

How kind of him to tell me so openly that he didn’t have even a grain of trust in me.

“I never thought Your Highness would truly abandon the Imperial Family and leave.”

“I told you, I didn’t abandon it.”

I cut him off.

“I ran away. Because I’d die if I stayed there.”

Demian looked at me.

He seemed to remember what I’d said in the apothecary.

“I felt like I’d die if I stayed there.”

It might have sounded like a joke then, but not now. Because there was evidence right before our eyes.

“It seems that route will be difficult.”

Demian said while checking the retreat path behind us. His voice had lowered.

“It would be better to escape through the opposite side of the thicket. I’ll lead the horse, so keep your body low and….”

Demian stopped mid-sentence.

He looked at me while pulling the reins.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

At my counter-question, his straight brow furrowed slightly. His expression seemed to ask why I didn’t know.

“Your face is pale.”

“What are you talking about, my face is naturally white.”

I answered him, trying to sound nonchalant.

But my hands kept slipping on the reins several times. My whole body was pounding with a heartbeat as if it had become one giant heart.

“Your Highness, that’s not what I mean, your complexion right now is….”

Demian, who was about to reach out his hand, suddenly stopped speaking. And without a moment’s hesitation, he roughly grabbed and pulled me toward him.

Whoosh- Thunk!

At the same time, an arrow that flew through the air grazed my cheek and embedded itself in the tree right beside me.

My body, having lost balance in an instant, crashed to the ground.

“Ugh!”

Tremendous pain washed over me. It seemed I had hit my shoulder wrong against the ground.

But that wasn’t the problem.

It was because I heard a familiar voice from behind me.

“So you were here? You vermin.”

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