Episode 24

Episode 24: I’m the Nuisance?

Twilight had fallen.

From somewhere far off, an owl hooted.

By now, the palace attendants were probably busy wrapping up the day. The head chefs would be focused on preparing a lavish dinner, and the maids would be bustling to ensure everyone had a restful night. I missed that cozy, orderly life. Honestly, at this point, even Jerome’s cold, indifferent face felt like something I could laugh off.

Because absolutely anything would be better than this—tied to a tree next to a bonfire, with Leonard unconscious beside me.

“Ugh…”

Then, Leonard groaned faintly.

“Sir Leonard? Are you awake?”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…”

“Your head might ache a bit. After you passed out, the bandits took out their anger on you.”

“I passed out?”

For a moment, his eyes wavered. It was the first time I’d seen Leonard look so flustered. But soon enough, he regained his usual calm composure.

“What happened?”

“It was all my fault.”

With a sigh, I recalled what had happened.

Leonard and I had been on our way back from the cabin when we were unexpectedly surrounded by a group of bandits. There were a lot of them, sure—but I hadn’t worried. I had with me the commander of the empire’s knights, a man who would one day become a hidden power in the shadows.

And just as expected, Leonard took down five attackers in a flash. Though he was still outnumbered, he didn’t falter. He moved like a falcon closing in on its prey—elegant and fearsome.

The problem had been me.

A masked man had come out of nowhere and pressed a blade to my throat.

“He threatened me, and you were forced to drop your sword.”

That was when it happened. A poison dart shot out from the shadows of the forest, striking Leonard in several places—and he collapsed instantly.

“It really was all my fault…”

I let out another sigh.

I’d always hated the kind of female leads who caused trouble for the hero in romance novels. But now here I was, that very person.

If I hadn’t been captured, Leonard could’ve easily defeated them all.

But surprisingly, he seemed to be more bothered by something else.

“A poison dart, you said?”

“Yes. From what I heard, it was coated in a powerful tranquilizer strong enough to knock out a bear with a single hit.”

And he had been struck with it not once, but several times. No wonder even someone like him passed out.

“…Poison darts.” Leonard muttered, his eyes darkening.

“I apologize. I failed to protect Your Majesty.”

“No, this wasn’t your fault.”

If anything, blame me. I’m the one who messed everything up.

Ugh… a nuisance heroine…

No, wait—I’m not even the heroine.

I’m the nuisance villainess…

In any case, both of us had been dragged back to the cabin and tied to a post side by side.

At least we hadn’t been seriously injured.

While I was recounting everything that had happened, a loud voice rang out.

“I’ll get a good price for them, so make sure you don’t damage the goods. If the price drops, you’ll be the one paying for it.”

A large, one-eyed man glared fiercely at the other bandits. He seemed to be the leader.

His name was Cola—or wait, no—Coleman.

“You’re going to sell them? How are you planning on doing that, Brother Coleman?”

“Got a good slaver contact. The woman’s decent-looking—should fetch a good price.”

“What about the man? We don’t need him.”

“Shows how little you know. High-born ladies these days have… refined tastes.”

Coleman leered at Leonard, his eyes gleaming.

“With a pretty face like that, there’ll be plenty of buyers.”

Slavery. Selling human beings.

They were saying it like it was nothing. It sent chills down my spine.

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”

Leonard’s voice was low but firm.

“I trust you. But… are you all right?”

I nodded toward the fire.

The desk and bookshelf, filled with Leonard’s cherished memories of his brother, had been reduced to firewood by the bandits.

“…I’m fine.” He offered a faint smile. “This isn’t the time to reminisce. First, let’s get out of here.”

“Don’t push yourself.”

I had tried to escape earlier—straining and tugging at the ropes with all my might. But it had been useless. After an hour of effort, all I had to show for it was sore wrists.

“I gave it a decent try, but those ropes were tied really tight…”

I was about to suggest we look for something sharp to cut the ropes when—

“I’ve freed myself.”

“…What?”

“I’ll untie Your Majesty next. Please hold still.”

He actually freed himself?

Then what was I struggling for all this time!?

Later, the bandits gathered near the fire, getting drunk and celebrating their “catch.”

And soon enough, they passed out.

“They’re drunk. Now’s our chance to escape. Stay close behind me.”

I nodded at Leonard’s words.

My wrists stung, but I didn’t have time to worry about that.

“You’re hurt.” Leonard had noticed.

He tore his sleeve and gently wrapped it around my wrists.

“Don’t worry about it. We need to get out first.”

“To me, this is the most important thing.”

His voice was firm, but his hands were gentle.

We crept forward like stray cats, dodging the snoring bandits. A few were on guard duty near the fire, but they were already nodding off.

“We’re almost there. Just a little farther…”

And then—

“Huh? The captives are gone.”

“What?”

“They both disappeared!”

“What? That guy’s awake already?”

“That poison could knock out a bear for a week. He took more than ten darts and he’s fine?”

“Is he a monster?”

Then Coleman roared.

“Idiots! Do you realize what happens if we lose them!? Get out there and find them! Now!”

The bandits poured out of the cabin.

Just a little later would’ve been perfect…

“I’ll hold them off. Your Majesty, go ahead—”

Leonard’s expression turned serious, a rough sword in hand.

Where did he even get that?

Just then—

Boom!

A massive burst of green flame exploded behind the cabin.

Naturally, the bandits’ attention shifted.

“What the hell?”

“It just exploded?”

“Did someone throw something into the fire?”

“What kind of fire burns green?”

“Damn it! All our stuff’s back there!”

“Some of you go deal with the fire! The rest, chase the runaways!”

Amidst the confusion, Leonard and I escaped the immediate area.

“A drunken bandit must’ve spilled strong liquor on the fire. We’re lucky. Let’s go.”

But I wasn’t listening. I had spotted someone lurking nearby.

A figure in a black robe—familiar somehow.

“Your Majesty?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

I’d never run so fast in my life.

Unfortunately, the bandits were faster.

“There they are!”

“Catch them! When I get my hands on you—!”

Their shouting and pounding footsteps grew closer.

“I’ll stay behind.” Leonard stopped. “Go ahead, Your Majesty.”

“Sir Leonard?”

“I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

He drew his sword again, eyes filled with resolve.

The pale moonlight glinted off the blade, making him look solemn and heartbreakingly beautiful.

I admired his determination—

“Sir Leonard…”

“Go now, Your Maje—eh?”

—and ignored it.

Grabbing his arm, I yanked him down the slope with me.

“Run!”

“Your Majesty, I appreciate your concern, but this time please trust me. I won’t let what happened before—”

I didn’t let go.

“I know. You won’t fall for poison darts again.”

Because Leonard wasn’t just strong; he was clever too.

“But even if you fight them off, if I get caught again, it’s all over.”

“We’ll be surrounded at this rate—”

“Don’t worry. If this goes the way I think it will…”

“Got them!”

“You bastards!”

The bandits were nearly within arm’s reach when—

“Flames, arise.”

A soft voice rang out nearby.

Suddenly, a wall of green fire surged between us and the bandits.

“Wh-what!?”

“Fire!?”

“Where did this come from—?”

“A mage! It’s a mage!“

A slender figure in a robe stepped out of the shadows.

Leonard’s eyes narrowed.

“That man is…”

I winked at him.

“I do have someone I can rely on.”

Of course, I hadn’t expected him to appear.

Still, Leonard’s shocked expression was a sight to behold.

I would’ve loved to admire it longer, but we had to run.

Even as we ran, I couldn’t help glancing back.

And just for a moment, I met the eyes of the robed man who was summoning fire and vines to block the bandits.

He smiled faintly beneath the shadows of his hood.

‘Go on ahead. I’ll catch up soon.’

That’s what his gaze seemed to say.

I gave a small nod.

‘I’m counting on you, flower-lover.’

No. I couldn’t call him that anymore.

I’d thought he was just someone with a fondness for flowers…

But, as it turned out, he was also one incredible magician.