The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

“Haah…”

Laria let out a sigh, not knowing how many times it had been.

She felt frustrated because, even after hearing Theodore’s past, there was nothing she could do immediately.

The opponent was the head of the Sorcery Office, and if she rushed in without a plan, she might end up being counterattacked.

To clear her father’s name and restore his honor, she needed evidence that Marquis Hashir used forbidden magic. 

‘Solike is investigating it.’

She had received some information about Marquis Hashir through Solike and had identified his suspicious activities.

Once she had the evidence, she could plan her next steps. 

‘I should inform Zenox first.’

However, she hadn’t heard from Zenox since they attended the banquet.

She had been worried because he looked unwell when they parted ways after meeting his uncle, Rubenta.

Although he had said he was fine when he sent her a letter a few days ago, something didn’t feel right.

Her decision was swift. 

“I should go meet him.” 

She knew that Marquis Hashir was planning something again, and she also wanted to check the mansion while she was at it.

Laria, who had finished preparing for the outing, went downstairs with a vial of potion in hand. Rodit, who had been waiting, came running. 

“Miss! Where are you going today?” 

“I’m going to Krassium Manor.”

Rodit’s excited face turned solemn in an instant. He still seemed wary of Zenox.

‘But isn’t it a bit strange to visit someone’s house empty-handed?’

Although she had brought a potion that could give him pleasant dreams, she felt like it wasn’t enough.

Thinking she should bring something, even if it wasn’t as grand as what Zenox had given her, Laria changed her destination. 

“Let’s go to the marketplace first.” 

Laria leaned against the backrest and looked out the window.

The trees that passed by quickly were lush green. Just a while ago, they had been bare branches, but now they were in full spring bloom.

It was hard to believe that several months had passed since she had met Zenox at the banquet.

Laria thought back on everything that had happened during that time. Recent events seemed to outweigh what had occurred in the past three years.

Of course, things were bound to get busier in the future… 

“Ahh!” 

The coachman’s scream snapped Laria’s head up.

As excited horses began to run wild, the carriage shook violently. 

“Miss!” 

Rodit, who was sitting opposite her, quickly got up and pulled Laria into his arms. Thanks to his protective gesture, the impact wasn’t too severe.

Rattle!

The carriage, which had been teetering as if it were about to tip over, suddenly righted itself. 

“Rodit, are you okay?”

“I am fully alright. I’m sturdy.”

Rodit slowly relaxed his arms and immediately looked out the window.

People dressed in black cloth from head to toe surrounded the carriage. Rodit, with a hardened expression, stood up.

“Stay hidden here.”

Rodit, with sword drawn, immediately jumped out of the carriage.

In an unusual situation, Laria followed Rodit out without hesitation.

“Miss!”

Rodit shouted in surprise, but Laria looked around instead of answering.

‘What’s going on?’

There were seven guys with their faces covered in black masks, and three people wearing light armor and showing their faces.

They were even fighting among themselves.

A large man with his face completely exposed spotted Laria and shouted.

“Protect the lady!”

“Miss, please go inside!” 

Rodit urgently blocked Laria’s path.

Everyone was focused on ensuring Laria’s safety, and they were all in a hurry to defend her. But they kept their eyes on Laria.

“I’ll give my life to protect you, Miss…” 

Before Rodit could finish his declaration, Laria unleashed her magic. 

“Why would you give your life?”

Clatter!

One of the emeralds hanging from her neck shattered into pieces.

Shafts of light rained down from the sky, like arrows, surrounding the intruders. The attackers were trapped in a prison of light from which there was no escape. 

“…”

In an instant, everyone froze in shock.

Only belatedly did the attackers draw their swords, but the light only tightened its grip on them. 

“Uuggh!” 

As their bodies began to be crushed, cries of pain erupted. Laria, who had been pondering what to do, raised her hand once more. 

‘I need to find out who ordered this.’

The sturdy light that had been as strong as steel lost its form and scattered like mist. The attackers’ bodies floated helplessly in mid-air. 

“What is this…?!” 

The bewildered attackers struggled.

Laria tied them all together and threw them in a corner. The attackers who had hit their heads and fainted were piled on top of each other, forming a small garden.

When the situation was over, even the sound of breathing couldn’t be heard.

“…”

Laria saw Rodit, whose eyes were about to pop out of his head.

He looked even more astonished than she had.

‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve properly used magic in front of Rodit, isn’t it?’

Laria turned her gaze to the others, who were also stunned.

“Who are you?”

The man, feeling an unspoken pressure that not providing a proper explanation would lead to dire consequences, reflexively shouted:

“We are knights of the Krassium family!”

“…Krassium?” 

Laria, who had completely put away her magic, scrutinized them. The emblem of the Krassium family was engraved on the hilt of their swords.

Why were knights from the Krassium family here? 

“My name is Tigur. I mean…” 

Tigur, who had been stumbling over his words, recalled the events from a few days ago.

It had happened just a few days ago when Tigur, under Zenox’s orders, had led his subordinates to protect the area around the Rohan Manor. It was thorough protection, with not a single ant getting through.

While members of the Rohan family occasionally went out, Laria, Zenox’s prospective fiance, never left the house.

Tigur, who hadn’t seen her face, had let his imagination run wild.

Maybe she was too frail to go outside, or perhaps she had grown like a greenhouse plant.

Either way, he felt a sense of responsibility to protect the delicate young lady.

When Laria finally went out for the first time in a few days, Tigur immediately followed with his subordinates.

However, before they could reach their destination, Laria’s carriage was attacked.

When Laria revealed herself for the first time, Tigur was engulfed in a sense of duty to protect her. The sight of her body felt like it would shatter if he so much as touched it.

But not long after that, his thoughts were completely shattered. 

Your Excellency, should we be the ones protecting her?

It seemed like they were the ones being protected…

Tigur swallowed the words he couldn’t bring himself to say. 

“Could you… quietly follow us?” 

Tigur politely requested.

“We have a duty to protect the lady…” 

His voice gradually faded away as he became embarrassed.

Laria, who was watching Tigur, asked:

“Did His Excellency send you?” 

“Yes!” 

It wasn’t the first time that Zenox had assigned people. Didn’t he come right away during the bank robbery?

Of course, she hadn’t known that knights would be assigned this time. 

“Do you know where His Highness is right now?” 

“We do, but…” 

Tigur scratched the back of his head.

‘Well, since I was planning to visit Krassium Manor anyway, it shouldn’t matter.’

Laria, who was about to get back into the carriage, checked the coachman again.

There was blood dripping from his arm as if he had been hit by a flying dagger.

Laria took a handkerchief from her bag and handed it to him. 

“Go back home immediately. Brother will treat you well.” 

“If it’s the young master’s skill, it’s definitely reliable. But who will drive the carriage…” 

The coachman looked worriedly at Roditwith a worried face.

He seemed to be unsure about entrusting the carriage to Rodit, who was still in a daze.

Nevertheless, it would take a long time to return home. Laria, who was pondering, asked Tigur:

“Do you happen to know how to drive a carriage?”