The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 45

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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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Chapter 45.
Artiela’s eyes flashed with killing intent as she swept a sharp gaze across her subordinates.
The whistling had stopped, but the excitement never left his face—he kept giving Kirien thumbs up, then clenched both fists and shook them encouragingly.
“Those lot.”
When Artiela showed him no attention, Kirien tugged at the hem of her robe again.
“Please focus on me.”
Whether the spring breeze that brushed past her ear had given her a cold, or whether spring had been deleted entirely and summer had already begun—
Starting a journey like this would be troublesome.
“I’m listening. What’s your proposal, Duke?”
Artiela looked at Kirien without betraying her thoughts.
“Please call me by my name.”
The whistling started up again loudly from below. How much longer were they planning to see her off?
“Just a moment, Duke.”
Artiela pointed at Bardo with her finger and shot her subordinates a menacing glare.
‘Aren’t you going to training? I’ll inspect you with the Holy Sword Inspection when you’re back?’
Say it once, say it twice—without a word spoken, they all understood. The Holy Knights scattered at once toward the Training Grounds or their own quarters.
“I’m heading off early since I’m busy, so travel safely. Make sure you bring the Magical Tool and Scroll Mother lent you.”
Yusiel also ushered the priests away with a gentle shove and left gracefully.
Left alone at the entrance to Edelion, Artiela slowly turned toward Kirien.
“Well, but my name…?”
“Yes. I’d like to be called by my name, not my title. Have you forgotten what my name is?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then why won’t you call me by my name?”
There was no real reason. The title was simply proper enough and convenient to use? At first, she’d only thought they’d part ways after removing his bad luck.
‘I never imagined we’d see each other every day.’
They were the same age, and since they’d be spending time together for a while, it seemed better to call each other by name comfortably.
“Since I’ve become a member of the Holy Knight Order, I’d like you to call me by my name warmly, like you do the other knights.”
Warmly? That’s a perfect misunderstanding. She could clear it up.
“Well, you’ll come to regret…won’t you?”
“I won’t regret it.”
Her eyes were so bright and sparkling that her heart hammered wildly, as if he could walk right in and build a house there.
As the blood rushed faster, every nerve in her body heightened.
“These young people these days, tsk tsk.”
“Saintess, it seems we need to strengthen discipline among the Holy Knights.”
“Hehe, it’s quite a sight—why are you all acting like that? You’re embarrassing the Saintess.”
“The priests are struggling with their celibacy vows, and the Holy Knights keep clinging to them, stirring up trouble. Aren’t they leading the priests into sin?”
“If the young priests find it unbearable and abandon Edelion, it would indeed be disrespectful to God.”
Of all things, why did that have to reach her ears!
As if to prove the truth of those words, the priests working in the distance kept sneaking glances at Artiela and Kirien. Among them was even the priest in charge of the library.
Which meant that someone who’d already built a mountain of misunderstandings was now looking very sorrowfully—
“O God, why do you test us with such trials?”
No! Those misunderstandings were forbidden!
Artiela performed Diaphragmatic Breathing and tightened her grip on the reins.
She already had problems with her right hand; if the priests abandoned their faith because of this, the price wouldn’t end with losing Bardo.
So she couldn’t grant Kirien’s request right now.
“Then I’m still not allowed?”
But this person here was one who could summon the world’s ruin if he felt disappointed or anxious.
Artiela bit her lip.
“Let’s head out. Hold on tight.”
Artiela turned her body. Without giving Kirien time to feel disappointed, she urged her horse forward.
“Hyah!”
“Wait, just a moment, whoa—”
Unable to withstand the unfamiliar speed and rush of wind, Kirien had no choice but to bury his face against Artiela’s back.
“Sorry, but bear with me.”
Though the wind roared around them, Kirien could hear the sound transmitted through her back perfectly. The force of Artiela’s heartbeat, racing powerfully, came through with absolute clarity.
“If you’re scared, hold my waist tighter.”
A hint of defiance stirred in him. It seemed he could do anything if it meant capturing her attention.
But such a thought was quickly folded away carefully.
“Kirien.”
Hearing his name called warmly for the first time in so long felt too good to bear.
“Yes, Artiela.”
His grip on her waist tightened. He buried his face deeper against her shoulder.
He knew well enough that such desire was dangerous—that if even a trace of impurity mixed with this longing, that malevolent thing might try to consume him again.
Yet knowing all this, he dared to dream of happiness once more.
For as long as he was happy, that creature wouldn’t be able to prey on him.
* * *
Though Kirien proved quick to learn most things, Horsemanship was where his aptitude faltered.
Whether it was truly his lack of experience, or simply the toll of the journey, he needed her help dismounting each time they paused. And his clumsiness mounting was even more pronounced.
“Ugh, my apologies.”
Whenever the horse shied at a stone or branch in the path, he would latch onto her desperately.
When they’d departed Edelion, there had been proper space between them. Somewhere along the way, there wasn’t a sliver of daylight left.
‘Gods, it’s hot.’
But she couldn’t slow their pace.
“Sorry. If we go any slower, we won’t be able to secure rooms for the night.”
The village ahead had only one inn, and it filled quickly. Besides, there was a specific reason they had to stop here.
“No, it’s my fault. I’m simply not skilled at riding…”
“Once this is over, I’ll teach you properly.”
“Personally?”
“Of course.”
“I look forward to it.”
Noticing his arm tighten around her, Artiela urged the horse faster. Fortunately, they arrived at their destination well before sunset.
“Is this the right place?”
“It should be, according to the markers Bailey left us.”
Kirien, barely able to sit upright, withdrew a map from his bag and consulted it as he spoke.
“The orphanage director who handled the late Duke’s affairs apparently received this inn—the largest in the region—as a reward for escorting me to the Duke’s House.”
They were on a mission to track down that orphanage director.
“The previous Duke must have been quite generous with his rewards.”
The inn was sizable, built to accommodate nobles. It had a courtyard, a separate carriage house.
“Do you remember his face?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
“Good. Let’s go check right away.”
As Artiela dismounted, she suddenly felt the weight behind her lighten.
“Hmm?”
Had he finally picked up the technique? He was walking with unusual haste toward the building. Not waiting for her at all.
‘Did the ride hurt him that much?’
His gait looked uncomfortable. Well, his backside had to be sore by now.
Just then, an inn attendant approached him.
“How many nights will you be staying?”
“Just one.”
“Then I’ll prepare our largest room with the best soundproofing—”
“Two! I need two rooms!”
He sounded almost desperate. His face suggested that having no rooms would be catastrophic.
“Ah, yes. I thought you were a couple in a hurry, so I—”
The attendant gave Kirien an odd once-over, from bottom to top. It was so rude that Artiela stepped forward, letting her presence be felt.
“Is there a problem?”
“Well, our standard rooms are fully booked. We only have two deluxe rooms left. Would those be acceptable?”
“How much per night?”
“Ten Gold per room.”
Ten Gold. That was a holy knight’s monthly wages. Burning that much in a single night felt criminal.
“Where is the inn’s owner?”
Maybe it would be better to finish their business quickly and ride through the night to reach another village.
“The owner won’t be able to create rooms that don’t exist, even if you ask him.”
“No, it’s fine. Just call the owner for me.”
“I’m afraid he won’t return until tomorrow morning.”
So they were committed to staying the night.
Artiela had no choice but to look at Kirien.
“Look, Kirien. What if we just took one room—”
Since I’m just a poor knight, after all.
“Absolutely not.”
Wow. His mouth barely opened, yet…
treated like a beast.

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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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