Chapter 87
The day after tomorrow.
Raylenne’s heart pounded furiously as she left the office. However, there was no time to be anxious.
She had to expedite her plans.
Today, she needed to find a horse for Aiden to escape the Ergen estate and figure out a way to distract the guards at the main gate.
Lost in thought and wandering aimlessly, Caverion grabbed her wrist.
“Raylenne, let’s talk for a moment.”
Oh, Caverion. I needed to talk to him too.
Raylenne felt as if her head would explode from the sudden urgency. They arrived at Caverion’s room in a daze.
As soon as the door closed, Caverion spoke.
“Is the plan to help Aiden escape perfect?”
“…”
“I promised to help you, but a haphazard plan won’t work. It could put you in danger.”
When Raylenne didn’t respond right away, Caverion sighed.
“Actually, Father’s decision to advance the timing has disrupted my plans as well. I’ll try to adjust as best I can, but if things go awry, I might have to…”
Caverion trailed off, but Raylenne could guess the rest.
‘He must be saying that protecting me from Duke Ergen will be difficult.’
Raylenne slowly began to speak.
“That’s fine. If I were afraid of my father’s consequences, I wouldn’t have started this in the first place.”
“Why on earth……”
Raylenne understood what Caverion wanted to ask but didn’t answer. He probably already sensed there was something special between Aiden and herself.
Asking why she was so determined to save Aiden now was irrelevant.
If he had wanted to question her motives, he should have done it earlier.
Raylenne said with a serious expression.
“Brother, Aiden must leave the estate without any problems.”
Meeting Caverion’s gaze, Raylenne continued.
“Please keep your promise not to track Aiden yourself.”
“I…”
Caverion’s lips quivered, and he soon fell silent.
He lowered his gaze slowly, washed his face with cold water, and then left the room.
‘He just walked out…’
Despite this, Raylenne had a vague trust in Caverion. He wouldn’t betray his loyalty.
He would understand how desperate she was to undertake such a dangerous mission.
As she stared at the door where Caverion had disappeared, Raylenne realized there was no time to waste.
There was still much to do.
Returning to her room, Raylenne immediately called for Tantaan from the Shangman Merchant Guild.
Tantaan was the merchant who sold pain relievers for the Hayashin fruit, known as the fruit of agony.
Since he sold all sorts of things, Raylenne thought he might have what she needed.
‘If Caverion can’t protect me, I’ll have to find a way to protect myself.’
She had a backup plan in mind, just in case.
Tantaan arrived at the office as swiftly as ever. He was truly quick on his feet.
“Can you get what I asked for?”
When she mentioned what she needed, Tantaan nodded.
“Although it is expensive, procuring it isn’t difficult.”
“Good. The price doesn’t matter; just get it to the estate as soon as possible.”
“As soon as possible……?”
“Yes, is there a problem?”
“Well, it might take a little time to order.”
This was troubling.
Raylenne chastised herself. If she had known it would come to this, she would have prepared earlier.
But back then, she didn’t anticipate Duke Ergen would advance the timing.
Realizing that regret was useless, Raylenne told Tantaan.
“Still, please hurry as much as you can.”
“Understood.”
Without wasting time, Tantaan stood up and left.
Left alone, Raylenne prayed inwardly.
She hoped Tantaan would manage to obtain the items in time.
* * *
The day for Duke Ergen’s plan was just a day away.
Tonight, Aiden needed to leave the estate. Duke Ergen would kill him the next morning.
The preparations for Aiden’s escape were complete.
She had arranged a horse for Aiden yesterday and finalized the method to distract the guards at the main gate.
Additionally, she had procured a lightweight medium-sized dagger and a vest-type armor for Aiden. She had discreetly taken them from the armory where she had previously talked with Caverion.
Although she hadn’t heard from Tantaan yet……
‘No, let’s wait a little longer. There’s still time until tonight.’
Hiding her anxiety, Raylenne prepared for her final task.
There was one last obstacle for Aiden’s escape.
She needed to inform Aiden that he had to leave tonight.
Raylenne pressed her forehead.
‘This will be a shock.’
Even for the emotionally detached Aiden, it would be difficult to accept that he had to flee the estate immediately because Duke Ergen planned to kill him the next day.
Raylenne, pressing her throbbing head, packed the medium-sized dagger, the armor, and a rope for the escape into a bag and attached it to the inside waistband of her voluminous dress.
Haele was easily deceived by plausible excuses, so when bringing items into the prison cell, she would generally manage to make up a story. However, this wouldn’t work on the guards at Aiden’s door.
Thus, whenever she had to bring something to Aiden, she would dress in a voluminous gown and secretly carry the bag in the folds of her dress.
She imagined that they would find it suspicious if she entered the room with items.
Especially since what she was carrying now could be dangerous if discovered, it needed to be thoroughly hidden.
‘This will be the last time.’
The last time she would secretly bring something for Aiden, and the last time she would visit him.
Thinking about this made her feel an emptiness in her chest.
It was surely a good thing for Aiden to leave and find a new life. It was also good for her not to have to worry about Aiden’s situation anymore.
Even with the reasons she had ingrained in herself, sadness surged, causing Raylenne’s eyes to redden.
Was it because a part of her daily life was disappearing with Aiden’s departure……? Because she had grown attached to him……?
She didn’t know.
Why did she feel so unreasonably melancholy?
However, Raylenne soon wiped away the tears threatening to spill with her sleeve.
She couldn’t face Aiden with a tear-streaked face.
* * *
“I’ve come to see Aiden.”
As Raylenne spoke, the guards standing on either side of the door exchanged glances and then opened it. Aiden was sitting on the bed, and upon seeing Raylenne, he sprang to his feet.
“Lady Raylenne.”
Aiden shuffled toward Raylenne, dragging the heavy chains attached to his ankles.
“Why didn’t you come yesterday?”
Raylenne’s eyes, which had been carefully composed, grew warm again at Aiden’s concerned voice.
“Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?”
Raylenne bowed her head, unable to meet Aiden’s gaze. Aiden gently lifted Raylenne’s face to meet his own.
As their eyes met, Raylenne’s reflection briefly appeared in the depths of Aiden’s dark pupils. Realizing the expression she was making, Raylenne quickly pulled away Aiden’s hands from her face.
“From now on, listen carefully to what I have to say, Aiden.”
Aiden’s expression slightly twisted at Raylenne’s deep, somber tone.
“Something’s definitely wrong, isn’t it?”
“It’s not about me; it’s about what will happen to you.”
Raylenne struggled to continue, finding it extremely harsh to utter these cruel and malevolent words herself. And the fact that she was the daughter of someone who would commit such an atrocious act was deeply distressing.
Finally meeting Aiden’s eyes, Raylenne said, “My father… plans to kill you tomorrow.”
Despite the unbelievable nature of the words, Aiden seemed to grasp the situation immediately.
“So, he intends to provoke my mother with my death.”
Aiden’s chilling calmness, even in the face of imminent death, showed no sign of fear.
“Exactly. He intends to use you for political reasons.”
“Then why are you telling me this in advance?”
Aiden’s perceptiveness was impressive. It seemed he already understood the reason for her visit.
Raylenne realized again that Aiden was not the type of person who would die in a place like this.
“I will help you escape from here.”
At last, Aiden looked genuinely surprised. His round, gray eyes widened in clear astonishment.
As Raylenne revealed the words she had been hiding, she felt a slight relief. However, Aiden didn’t seem to show any joy at the prospect of survival.
“It’s impossible. Didn’t you say yourself that escaping was out of the question?”
“I’ve completed all the preparations to ensure you can escape safely. You shouldn’t face any difficulties leaving the estate.”
“I’ll be caught while fleeing.”
“No, with your current abilities, you should be able to handle one or two guards.”
“Caverion. Even he would be a challenge for me.”
“Brother won’t pursue you.”
Aiden furrowed his brows. “Why not?”
“Because he promised me.”
Even after answering all his questions, Aiden’s expression remained unchanged, shadowed with deep concern.
In a situation where there’s a chance to live, he should be happy, so why didn’t he look pleased at all?
Raylenne soon understood the reason.
“If I escape from this estate, what will happen to you, Lady Raylenne?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“Duke Ergen won’t leave you, my observer, alone.”
Aiden’s gaze was sharp, as if he could see through to the truth deep within.
Raylenne tried to sound nonchalant. “Still, I’m my father’s daughter. It won’t be as severe as you think.”
“No. If they’re willing to kill me, it means the Ergen family’s situation is dire. If I disappear under such circumstances, no matter how much of a daughter you are, he won’t let it slide.”
“It’s not of your concern! Your life is at stake. No matter what happens, you have to leave tonight.”
Aiden stared at Raylenne silently, his expression cold and detached.
“What if I don’t want to leave?”
Raylenne’s voice grew sharp. “Don’t be absurd.”
“I can’t run away alone knowing the consequences you’ll face.”
“Even if it means you die?”
“…I don’t care.”
Raylenne bit her lip tightly.
How could he say such a thing?
‘He doesn’t care if he dies…!’
Raylenne felt a surge of anger towards Aiden.
She had been anxiously searching for a way to help him escape, swallowing her tears and fears. And now, to think Aiden would refuse…!
Struggling to control her rage, Raylenne finally managed to speak.
“Stop being stubborn. There’s no time for excuses. Prepare to escape the estate this evening.”
“No. I absolutely refuse to run away alone.”
Raylenne glared at Aiden, her eyes red once more. This time, it was not sadness but anger. Her deep-seated frustration boiled over.
Aiden’s indifference to her efforts and his dismissive attitude infuriated her.
Finally, a fierce voice erupted from Raylenne’s throat. “What can you do if you don’t leave?”
Raylenne’s blue eyes burned intensely.
“Will you meet a death disguised as suicide, where no one will know? Do you think that’s for my sake?”
“…”
“Speak!”
Aiden, staring at Raylenne, slowly lowered his gaze.
Seeing this, Raylenne took a step back from Aiden.
She had never yelled at him like this before, but she couldn’t contain her boiling rage.
After catching her breath for a moment, her heated mind gradually cooled.
Raylenne looked at Aiden once more. “Aiden, I understand why you’re being so stubborn.”
“…”
“But you must leave here alive if you want to imagine a future where we meet again someday. If you die, that future ends. So you have to escape this place alive.”
“…”
“Aiden… please…”
Raylenne clasped Aiden’s hands tightly with both of hers and bowed her head.
A heavy silence followed. Though only a few seconds, it felt like an eternity.
At last, Aiden’s mournful voice was heard above her head.
“…I understand.”
Raylenne raised her head. Aiden’s dry lips parted once more.
“I will follow Lady Raylenne’s wishes…”
