The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 113

“If things continue like this, that Judas… will die.”

Epona’s words struck like death itself.

Eliza’s lips quivered dryly, but no words came out.

Epona continued in a sorrowful tone.

“When that friend becomes a complete moon, things might change. But… I don’t know for sure.”

She paused, observing Eliza intently.

A polished mask befitting a noble.

No emotion showed on her face.

But the fingertips clutching the book trembled ever so slightly.

Epona let out a long sigh.

“If it were just someone you’re using, it wouldn’t matter. But if it’s not… it’ll be very difficult.”

A pause. A relationship.

Judas and Eliza.

Eliza and Judas.

Since the Founding Festival, Eliza often pondered this.

When with Judas, she simply enjoyed their time together, but when alone, she thought deeply.

Levi’s voice echoed faintly.

“What kind of relationship do you two have? Can you explain?”

She had ignored it at the time.

To avoid falling into a psychological game.

But looking back, it was a blind spot.

Eliza couldn’t explain the relationship between herself and Judas.

It was nothing more than a simple master-servant relationship.

Objectively, that was true.

But Eliza’s own feelings rejected it.

She didn’t want to remain in such a bleak, cold, contractual relationship.

Then, what was he hoping for?

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“Well, for one, it’s a report related to your magic, isn’t it? We agreed I’d inform you of anything unusual in exchange for your providing magic.”

“……”

“And also, it’s heartbreaking to see a young flower wither without even knowing why. Age makes you sentimental. Besides, even if the result is the same, knowing and accepting it versus experiencing it unaware are very different.”

Eliza tilted her head, as if struggling to understand.

Epona merely smiled.

A dependable, almost adult-like smile.

Yet one tinged with pity.

“Some might disagree with this view, but I don’t think you always need a reason to help someone. That’s how I see it.”

“…That’s a rather idealistic way of thinking.”

“Oh, back to your usual cynical self, I see.”

“But… thank you. I’ll think about what you’ve said. By the way, do you know of any remedies or ingredients good for recovering magic?”

“There are a few.”

Epona replied with a slightly self-deprecating tone and let out a deep sigh.

Reluctantly, she wrote down a list of useful items for Eliza.

Ones that could aid in magic recovery.

“Don’t get your hopes up. As you know, your power… isn’t something human effort can manage.”

The fire passed down through the Bevel family.

A mad flame akin to their ancestor.

Not an ordinary fire, but the power of the sun.

It was akin to the power of a god.

“…I know. Thank you for your help.”

“Take care.”

Eliza left the tower with weak steps.

She stood motionless at the exit for a long time, unable to move on.

She ignored the people who spoke to her in passing.

She couldn’t hear them, so she couldn’t respond.

Looking up at the sky, she began to reflect.

The ashen sky seemed on the verge of rain.

Like the day her mother had died.

She wasn’t sure if it was gray because she couldn’t see colors or because storm clouds truly loomed.

How did it come to this?

She thought about the injustice and absurdity of reality.

When did we begin to change?

Was it me, you, or both of us?

She didn’t know.

But she felt she might have a faint idea of when it started.

The two events that occurred during the Founding Festival were critical turning points.

One moment they clasped hands and enjoyed the festival together.

And the second was…

.

.

One day during the Founding Festival.

Eliza wandered around the banquet hall, exchanging greetings with various nobles.

While Judas briefly went to the restroom, she was left alone, sipping wine.

At that moment, a man approached.

Bright platinum blond hair and green eyes.

Resembling Hagar, it was the hallmark of the imperial family.

His tall stature and gentle appearance were enough to capture the hearts of many noblewomen.

But, well, not by Eliza’s standards.

She preferred someone with a rougher, wilder look.

“Lady Eliza, it’s been a while,” the man greeted in a kind voice.

Abraxas Helios.

The second son of Emperor Johann.

Unlike Crown Prince Gomer, he was infamous as a libertine.

Notorious, in particular, for his indulgence in women.

“It has been a while, Your Highness,” Eliza replied indifferently.

There was no reason to get close to someone when she intended to turn the Empire into her enemy.

“You’re even more beautiful up close than from a distance,” he flattered.

“Thank you.”

“You seem to be alone?”

“I have company.”

“Oh, I see. But it seems you’re alone at the moment. If you don’t mind, perhaps we could…”

Eliza half-listened to Abraxas’s words, letting them flow out the other ear.

If she wanted, she could leave or coldly ask him to step back.

But she didn’t.

A wicked impulse, an irrational urge, stirred within her.

She thought of Judas surrounded by noblewomen.

What had she felt at that moment?

In short, anger.

Rage. Frustration. Unchecked hostility toward an enemy.

At the same time, a defensive instinct to protect what was hers.

It was the same when Princess Hagar proposed to Judas.

The calm and collected anger she felt then still lingered vividly.

It burned in her lower belly like fire.

And it made her feel resentful.

As if it was always only her who felt this way.

Whenever Judas looked away, women flocked to him.

For some reason, it made her a little bitter.

Even though she didn’t want to feel this way.

So.

Even knowing it was a terrible thing to do.

She wanted, just a little, for Judas to feel that emotion too.

“To share a glass of wine over there…”

“Who might you be?”

A low, heavy voice interrupted Abraxas mid-sentence.

Both Eliza and Abraxas turned their heads.

The man standing there exuded an overwhelming presence.

He wasn’t much taller than Abraxas.

But his broad shoulders and the thick muscles that jutted out in every direction made the slender Abraxas seem insubstantial.

Judas had returned from the restroom, raising one eyebrow as he looked down at Abraxas.

“The lady doesn’t seem interested. Why don’t you leave?”

“…Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“Hm. Not particularly important who you are.”

At that moment, Eliza felt a strange sensation.

He had grown to resemble her.

Judas had adopted her way of speaking.

“What matters is whether or not the lady dislikes it.”

“Well, I never. A mere knight interfering in such matters. My lady, could you explain—”

“Leave.”

Eliza spoke coldly, her expression one of annoyance, as if dealing with a pest.

“…Excuse me?”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bother me, Your Highness.”

“…Understood.”

Abraxas bit his lip, forcing himself to maintain a smile.

He couldn’t afford to appear disgraceful in front of a woman.

“Very well. Until next time.”

Abraxas bowed elegantly and brushed past Judas.

As he passed, he deliberately bumped Judas’s shoulder forcefully.

However.

“Eek?!”

It was Abraxas who had fallen.

The moment their shoulders collided, it felt as if he had crashed into a massive wall rather than a person.

Abraxas, landing on his backside, scrambled away in a hurry without even glancing back at them.

“So dramatic.”

Judas chuckled faintly as he watched Abraxas disappear into the distance.

Just as he turned to check on Eliza—

Thud.

She fell into his arms.

“W-Whoa, miss…?!”

Startled, he looked around nervously, his hands trembling.

Luckily, they were in a secluded corner with not many people around.

No one was watching.

“Why are you…? Miss, are you crying?”

Eliza’s body quivered as she clung to him.

Hiding her face against his chest, she shook her head.

“Don’t tell me that bastard just now…”

“No. I’m not crying.”

“…It’s not very convincing when you sound so nasally.”

“It’s true.”

Though her voice was still stuffy, Judas decided not to press further.

He hesitated for a moment before wrapping an arm around Eliza’s shoulder.

“Are you really okay?”

His large hand firmly encircled her, offering reassurance.

Surrendering to that sense of stability, Eliza tightened her hold around his waist and leaned her weight against him.

A reliable boy, willing to support her.

“…Yeah.”

Eliza couldn’t sum up her emotions in a single word.

It was horrifying and disgusting.

She had tested Judas.

She had done something awful, making him feel exactly what she had felt.

Even though she knew better than anyone how sickening it was when your insides twisted.

And yet, at the same time, she was thrilled.

She felt happiness and joy.

When Judas saw Abraxas, Eliza was certain.

He had felt the same emotions she did.

That gut-wrenching irritation.

The violent urge to push someone away.

Yes.

Judas had been angry seeing her alone with Abraxas.

It wasn’t just a professional reaction.

It was clearly emotional.

Possessiveness.

That defensive aggression people show when someone covets what’s theirs.

How arrogant.

Judas belonged to her; he was her possession.

A servant should not feel possessiveness toward their master.

Yet, Eliza wanted him to.

When she realized he wanted to possess her, she was intoxicated by an indescribable satisfaction.

She found herself longing for a mutually binding relationship, where they both owned and restrained one another.

And at the same time, she despised herself for it.

Because she knew.

She understood exactly how vile her actions were.

Only now did it hit her.

Sometimes emotions are like that.

You only recognize your own feelings when you observe them in someone else.

Humans cannot reflect on themselves in isolation.

Jealousy.

She was jealous of anything or anyone that approached Judas.

And she had made him feel that same painful emotion.

Eliza clung to him to hide her guilt.

She buried her face to conceal her heart.

She couldn’t bear to reveal such an ugly part of herself.

Even so.

Judas warmly embraced her.

Without asking anything, he patted her back.

Her unconditional ally.

A comfort so soothing she could fall asleep just like that.

If it’s you, I wouldn’t mind drowning.

She let that irrational feeling linger for a moment.

She wanted to.

Like a child, she wanted to cling to him and selfishly throw a tantrum.

Even though it was her fault.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t.

Sniffling, she finally mustered the strength to bring her emotions under control.

Just a little.

“I’m sorry…”

For committing such a terrible act, she felt deeply sorry.

Judas merely gave a weak smile.

“What are you apologizing for?”

“Just…”

“You don’t have to be sorry. It’s okay.”

Without even realizing how despicable she was.

Fool.

But those words felt like salvation to her.

As if it didn’t matter who she was.

Even though she knew that wasn’t the intention, Eliza selfishly interpreted it that way and happily accepted it.

Words she once heard from him:

“Birth doesn’t define existence.”

He was still there by her side, just as he was.

“…Yeah.”

Now, she thought she understood.

She realized it.

But Eliza decided to pretend not to know.

If she acknowledged and recognized what she realized, it felt like the reality and their relationship would distort.

She was scared.

So she let the warmth of the other melt her feelings.

The formless realization melted into something sticky and sweet.

The true emotion that was the root of her jealousy.

She didn’t want to name it yet.

***

The melted feelings took shape again.

Eliza could no longer ignore them.

She had come to understand her feelings for Judas.

Ironically, only after learning of her doomed fate.

If she had known this would happen, she wished she had realized it earlier.

With one hand, she adjusted her scarf.

With the other, she fiddled with a stuffed cat.

‘What should I do…?’

The ring on her right hand sparkled as she touched the scarf.

An ivory ring, reminiscent of Judas’s magic.

Worn on her ring finger.

Soon, she steeled her resolve.

‘…Alright. Let’s start with that.’