Chapter 105

“Then tie my hands with this or something.”

“Even if I tied you up, they wouldn’t accept it. And, Aivert—”

Rodella looked straight into his blue eyes.

‘You know better than anyone how things stand right now.’

‘You know what you’re insisting on is unreasonable.’

‘But you still want to stop me, don’t you? You want to call it madness, right? I know.’

But.

“I’m sorry for saying this every time, but there’s one condition—and it’s that.”

Rodella took a short breath, then emphasized her words.

“There isn’t a single noble in the Empire besides me who has someone who will definitely, without fail, come to save them safely.”

Of course, even if another noble cooperated in this operation, you would save them.

But… still.

I know it’s childish to think this way… but wouldn’t you value saving me more than saving that person? More than anyone else?

A strange mix of expectation and nervousness shimmered in her gaze toward him.

She felt certain that, no matter what, he would come to rescue her.

Of course, it wasn’t as if Rodella planned to rely solely on Aivert.

She quickly continued.

“Of course, I won’t just sit and wait for you.”

Her eyes sparkled.

“Let’s do it again. Together.”

Just as always—let’s find a way to return safely, together.

“When I get on the ship, I’ll secure safety first. I already have a plan in mind.”

Then she told Aivert,

“This plan needs my abilities, sure—but it also needs someone who can definitely, without fail, come to rescue me. Is there any noble in the Empire besides me who has such a person?”

The moment Aivert heard her words, it felt like he couldn’t breathe.

‘Why is it, every time…’

‘Every time you persuade me with words I can’t refuse?’

‘Why do you trust me so much? Why do you believe in me, yet… never give me that place by your side?’

Aivert exhaled.

Rodella’s unwavering gaze met his.

‘You’re not the type to do reckless things.’

‘Do you have some plan in mind?’

‘Or do you really trust me that much?’

“Time’s still ticking, Aivert.”

Then Rodella said,

“Sorry again, but… can I rely on you this time too?”

The corners of her mouth trembled as she smiled—likely because it was a forced smile.

‘You’re prettier when you smile naturally.’

That’s what he thought, though he also knew why she was acting this way.

He closed his eyes.

Because he mustn’t say she’s pretty. He mustn’t tell her that he’s been in love with her for a long time.

That every time she says things like this, it drives him crazy and he can’t think of anything but her.

It’s been that way for a long time—but he mustn’t say it.

“I’ll give you an artifact.”

When he spoke, Rodella’s eyes lit up—not sure if it was the usual sharp glint, or a slightly tearful one.

He wanted to believe it was the former.

“It’s an artifact imbued with explosive magic. If you feel in danger, use it to blow a hole in the ship’s side. Then jump into the water.”

Aivert spoke in a deliberately calm voice, hiding his hand clenched white with tension.

“I’ll come to save you. No matter what.”

‘Just as you believe in me.’

‘So go ahead—do what you want.’

From the Azure Knights Order, a carriage set out.

—Clatter! Bang!

It was driven at maximum speed, the ride far from smooth.

Even though the matter was urgent, they didn’t go on horseback for a simple reason—

They needed to act in a way that made the other side believe there was someone truly valuable on board.

After all, nobles almost always traveled by carriage, no matter how urgent things were.

“……”

After giving her the artifact, Aivert said nothing.

Even sitting across from her, he seemed unable to turn his head toward her, staring out the window instead.

Feeling a little hurt, Rodella was just about to reach for the window curtain when—

“Wait.”

As if he had anticipated her movement, he stopped her a beat earlier—and suddenly opened the carriage window.

At that moment, a hand stuck in from outside.

“My lord, I’ve brought the information you requested.”

Apparently, someone had been approaching outside her field of view.

“……”

Was he avoiding her eyes? Or was he simply looking at that man?

Rodella wanted to be confused… but it was probably the former.

Someone like him could sense a person’s approach with his eyes closed—there was no reason to avert his gaze otherwise.

While she came to that conclusion, Aivert unfolded a small slip of paper and then handed it to her.

“The kidnappers were people from the same social club as the noble hostages.”

At that, Rodella took the note and examined it.

“As I thought.”

Her suspicions from the meeting were now fully confirmed.

It was currently the social season.

Carriages were abundant on the roads, but there had been no reports of those heading to social gatherings being attacked.

So, the abductions must have happened elsewhere—and if nobles had clashed with nobles, the Azure Knights would have received that information.

But they hadn’t.

That left only one conclusion.

“There was a split within the same social club. For some reason.”

She looked at the names marked in red.

Unlike the hostage list, which had both noble faction and moderate faction members, these were 100% noble faction.

Nobles kidnapping nobles from their own faction?

If this were a staged play, there’d be no reason for such an obvious setup. That meant it was internal strife.

“I’ve heard the noble faction has been shaken ever since Royden’s scale was revealed.”

When she looked at him for confirmation, Aivert nodded.

“That’s right.”

“If people who joined thinking the noble faction would win suddenly turn toward the imperial faction, there’s no way Benerix wouldn’t notice.”

And the Duke of Benerix she had seen…

—Smash!

From breaking a wine glass with his bare hands, to issuing brazen threats, to producing that absurd contract…

He was a man who asked her to side with him—

And one who would never enjoy seeing his plans fall apart.

“There’s no way the Duke of Benerix would like people wavering like that. If they were in the same club, they’d have met often…”

And naturally, their political stance would have aligned.

Rodella looked at him.

“If the Red Knights drag their feet, the Azure Knights will step in. The fact that Marvin singled me out so conveniently… and above all.”

Nobles kidnapping nobles from their own faction—yet the kidnappers seemed willing to risk death, which didn’t match a staged act.

Putting all this together—

“You’re saying it’s a plan to wipe out both the traitors and those intending to betray, all at once, aren’t you?”

Aivert came to the same conclusion.

Rodella nodded.

“And the fact they specifically included me means they also want me gone. And you too.”

Because of course you’d follow me in.

No matter how inhuman your power is, there’s little you can do in the open sea.

If anything, that power could make it easier for them to sink the ship.

The plan was clear to see.

Aivert must have reached the same conclusion—he crumpled the paper and said, “Don’t go in. Even if you do, you can’t save them. Once you’re on board, they’ll just sink the ship.”

No hostage exchange, nothing—there was no reason to walk into a trap knowingly.

But Rodella met his eyes with a sharp gaze.

“No, I’m going in. This is an opportunity.”

The noble faction was so threatened that they kidnapped their own members just to survive.

And Benerix was almost certain to sink that ship.

His goal: eliminate the traitors and remove Rodella Syveric, a leading candidate for the next chancellorship.

If she could obtain proof that this was the plan of the Duke of Benerix—or someone equivalent—

And if she could persuade the kidnappers to testify whose life had been threatening them…

Rodella opened her hand.

“My plan is…”

She briefly explained it.

Aivert listened without blinking, then asked: “What do you think I’m going to say?”