Chapter 16

Of course, Etias’s face was so perfect that a small blemish like this didn’t even count as a flaw!

But still, seeing a wound on my precious baby’s cherished face made my heart ache.

“If it’s not properly treated, it might leave a scar! What kind of lunatic would hurt that beautiful face?!”

I needed to slather on medicine so that not even a trace would remain.

“……”

Huh? I suddenly came to my senses at his complete silence.

Etias’s lips had been sealed for quite a while.

I opened my mouth to say something, then stopped.

I wasn’t exactly someone who should be worrying about Etias like this.

I had lost all reason at the sight of a wound on my beloved character’s face.

“Well, it’s not really my place to meddle.”

I tried to play it off and pulled my hand away—but at that moment, Etias suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“……!”

His blue eyes burned as they locked onto mine.

His brows were tightly furrowed, and there was a storm raging in his gaze.

“…You.”

He growled, gripping my wrist even tighter.

“What kind of trick are you trying to pull?”

Well, I had suddenly touched his face and shouted in a frenzy. Of course I looked suspicious.

Even my attempt to cover it up had been awkward.

I had no choice. Since I’m Catrin now, this was the only way I could respond.

“Your Highness said it yourself.”

I raised the corners of my eyebrows and twisted my lips into a smirk.

“That I’m good at sarcasm.”

I acted like I had just been mocking him for being a swordsman walking around with injuries.

“Judging from your reaction, though, I guess I failed to tease you properly.”

A few seconds passed in silence before Etias finally released my wrist.

A breeze blew, ruffling his hair. The now-thickening clouds cast a shadow over his face.

So I couldn’t see what expression he wore.

Maybe it was one of cold disdain.

I slowly pulled my hand back, but I had no idea what to say or ask him next.

“…Not even funny.”

That quiet voice slipped from his lips.

Suddenly, a dull pain tugged at my chest.

Then he spoke again, his tone chilly and devoid of emotion.

“I responded to a report submitted to the Bureau. I was dispatched for assistance. Please refrain from making absurd jokes.”

“Understood.”

I nodded shallowly and continued.

“Well, I’m still grateful for your help—on the official side of things. But the captured assailants will be taken to the Elemoer duchy estate, not the Bureau.”

At my rather final declaration, Etias narrowed his eyes at me.

I gave a small smirk and said,

“When someone harms a high noble, the victim’s party is entitled to interrogate them, right? Besides, most of the capture was done by my mercenaries. I hope you’ll cooperate, Your Highness.”

“……”

Etias looked at me for a long moment, his eyes filled with both coldness and complexity, then finally moved his lips.

“Do as you wish.”

Just as I was about to lower my head in a formal thank-you—

“…My lady!”

Suddenly, I heard Heros’s voice—the one who had disappeared earlier.

He was dragging someone by the arm, their hands bound with rope.

It seemed to be the leader of the assassins—the one we had lured into this forest by leaving the carriage behind.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“I’m fine. Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m unharmed.”

“And this person?”

Heros eyed Etias with faint suspicion.

Well, he wasn’t dressed like a prince, so the misunderstanding was natural.

“This is His Highness, Prince Etias. He said he came in response to a report to the Bureau.”

At that, Heros flinched slightly but still kept his wary eyes on Etias for a while before finally bowing politely.

“Heros, butler of House Elemoer, greets the esteemed royal.”

Etias didn’t respond. With a cold face, he turned to me and said,

“…I’ve confirmed the lady’s safety. I’ll be going now.”

He turned around with a chilly, indifferent expression.

My fingers twitched without meaning to—but I couldn’t stop him.

I could only watch his retreating back, desperate and aching.

…I still need to put ointment on that wound so it won’t scar.

Watching me, Heros spoke up.

“My lady, are you truly alright?”

Only then did I steel my expression and slowly return to my usual arrogant face.

“No injuries.”

“But… these men… did you… do all this?”

Groaning men lay sprawled everywhere around us.

“I got mad. These worms dared to lay hands on me?”

Heros looked at me in awe again.

“I didn’t have time to say this earlier, but… I had no idea you were so skilled with a bow.”

I doubt even the original Catrin Elemoer knew.

She didn’t expect her body to be possessed by a former archery athlete.

“How do you possess such a talent?”

His gaze held even deeper admiration.

“You’re truly perfect, my lady.”

He said it bashfully—even though, for a mere butler, he himself had extraordinary skill.

…So extraordinary, in fact, that it’s suspicious.

‘Heros must be hiding something. I’ll need to investigate him soon.’

He didn’t seem malicious, but I had a hunch he had some kind of unusual past.

Crossing my arms, I looked down and asked,

“What about the Scavengers?”

Inside the newly arrived carriage, across from me sat Cain—the field captain of the Scavengers, whom I had spoken with earlier.

Heros was outside tying up the prisoners.

Padelmon and the relatives had sent quite a number of assassins and private troops, but they couldn’t overcome the Scavengers.

Cain looked slightly stunned as he asked,

“To be honest, when you said there would be an ambush today, I didn’t believe it. Noble ladies are often overly cautious. But this wasn’t just worry—it was a real threat.”

I chuckled lightly.

He continued,

“I have one question. What would you have done if we hadn’t accepted your offer?”

The scale of the ambush was too much for just Heros and me to handle alone.

There was a spark of curiosity in his eyes.

“I would have made you regret it.”

“…Pardon?”

I spoke confidently and lifted my chin slightly.

“You were the best option, but of course I had backup plans. I have plenty of money—and mercenaries love money.”

When dealing with someone nosy, the best move is to act brazenly.

“You’d have regretted missing out, wouldn’t you?”

And what I said wasn’t even a lie.

“Even if you saw me giving this to other mercs?”

I reached into a nearby sack and handed him a prepared payment.

“Today’s compensation. Separate from the interview fee earlier.”

It was above-ground money they could actually use.

Cain’s eyes flickered at the glittering sum of 10,000 gold denar.

Usually, a job like this might net 1,000 at most. Paying ten times that? It was enough to make anyone dizzy.

He stared for a moment in surprise before meeting my eyes with renewed interest.

“You seem quite different from what the rumors say, Lady Catrin.”

He tucked the money into his pouch and added,

“I’d heard you were arrogant.”

Compared to the support funds I planned to give the revolutionaries, this was pocket change—but he seemed touched.

“You’re not arrogant. You’re confident—and that confidence is well-earned.”

“I hope this can be the start of some trust between us. As you can see, I generously reward those who work hard.”

He nodded firmly.

“I’ll try to remain your best option going forward.”

Money really is the best medicine.

The Scavengers were the empire’s top underground intel group—and their influence stretched far beyond, across the entire continent.

Even in Montella, where I’d eventually go into exile, they would be around.

And perhaps I could rely on them when needed.

“If you get the chance, tell your Guildmaster this too.”

At my words, Cain flinched again.

At this rate, I’d soon get close to information about the Guildmaster, Jeffrey Whistler.

I gave him a sly smile and said,

“Tell him Catrin Elemoer has opened a line of business with him. Though… being wanted makes that kind of tricky.”