The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 26.2

Narcissa’s hand trembles faintly.

Her face turned pale.

“Although it’s true that the lady entrusted authority over that matter to me, I hoped not to handled it without my knowledge.”

“You misunderstand, it’s just that…”

“Sigh… It seems there’s no more to discuss here.”

Only then did Narcissa turn to me.

She’s a strange woman.

Even though she’s not her daughter, she should have scorned me before Eliza.

“Remember not to lightly interfere with Eliza from today onwards, Lady.”

Narcissa nodded silently.

It implied a lot.

Barak had tacitly tolerated Narcissa’s abuse and violence.

But from today onwards, that tacit approval was officially revoked.

The reason was easy to figure out.

A mage.

Eliza had fully developed an incredible ability with insane magic.

Mage are rare and precious beings worldwide.

Among them, Eliza possessed overwhelming talent.

In the future, her growth would be unstoppable.

At this point, perhaps only Barak recognized her potential, excluding me.

He’s also a powerful and exceptional Mage.

‘Perhaps, with his current abilities, he might be stronger than Eliza…’

That’s why he declared she wouldn’t be disregarded anymore.

“Disgusting.”

My impression was brief.

I had pretended not to know until now, only valuing her usefulness afterwards.

“Calling such a thing family…”

I couldn’t bear the distortion of my expression.

But Eliza remained as calm as ever.

As if it were a familiar task, expressionless, she ran her fingers through her hair.

“Anyway, Eliza. What happened?”

Eliza glanced lazily as if annoyed, then let out a faint sigh.

“I got confused with the room.”

“Do you seriously think that excuse will work? Even if it did, what about the guards outside?”

“They were distracted.”

“… …”

Barak slowly turned his head back.

The two Knights who had guarded the door all night sweated nervously.

“… Did you see something?”

But does that even make sense?

No matter what distractions there were, leaving the location was impossible.

Unless multiple lives were at stake.

It’s impossible not to see Eliza.

“How did she really get here?”

Eliza muttered vaguely to Barak.

“I was so distracted and tired because of yesterday’s events, I got confused.”

“… …”

Barak didn’t press further once the matter was brought up.

But did he leave at least a hint of conscience-like thing?

“Okay, I get it… Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

“Breakfast with your family for the first time in a long time….”

“I don’t want to.”

Eliza rejected without even listening to Barak’s words.

Barak didn’t suggest any more.

“Shall we eat here?”

Eliza seemed to have decided to solve the meal by taking it to her room.

… Wait, here?

“Eliza. I can’t allow it.”

Barak seemed to understand her meaning.

“It is such a shame to be baseless…?”

“If you don’t allow it.”

Eliza raised her head and smiled at Barak intently.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to kill me? Or take away all my authority and assets?”

“… …”

“It’s too late for that.”

Her eyes slowly filled with an unusual color.

Orange. And yellow.

Her glowing golden pupils narrowed.

“If you were going to kill me, you should have done it sooner. If you were going to take it away, you should have done it earlier.”

If she was going to be kill, it should have been before her abilities awakened.

Her position would change dramatically from now on.

Unless someone kills her.

“It might not be too late. Even though I’ve just awakened my power, I can’t defeat the Duke. Will you kill me now? Or will you take it before news of me spreads?”

“……”

“If that’s not the case, please leave. I have nothing more to say.”

“… Come back after the meal. I have something to discuss about yesterday’s incident.”

“Alright.”

With a puzzled expression, Barak took Narcissa and left.

Her gaze before leaving was chilling.

I was also conflicted.

Not for anything else, but because it was uncomfortable for a young girl to talk about killing herself or arranging a marriage.

Even the speaker herself was indifferent and shameless.

I feel like I know what kind of life she lived.

Only Lia, Eliza, and I remained in the room.

“Bring something for Judas to eat.”

Lia instructed the maid waiting outside.

“Excuse me, Miss.”

I said to Eliza.

“May I ask how you got in?”

I couldn’t help but be curious.

Lia seemed to share the same sentiment, glancing at Eliza.

Eliza looked at me quietly.

Her hair was tousled from just waking up, and her eyes were a bit swollen….

… No.

She nodded her head and commanded Lia.

“Lia, step outside for a moment.”

“Yes…?”

“Just for a moment.”

Reluctantly, Lia left.

Eliza said,

“Take a good look.”

“What…?”

Suddenly, Eliza disappeared.

“Huh? Oh, darling….”

Before finishing the sentence, Eliza reappeared.

“…Teleport?”

“It’s teleportation.”

“What?”

I exclaimed in astonishment.

Eliza’s response was completely calm.

“I tried using it.”

“….”

A response as casual as picking something up on the street.

It felt unreal.

Teleportation is a skill that only a very few geniuses can master.

To the extent that in this game, characters can die during the process of learning teleportation.

In reality, there are quite a few mages who died while trying to master teleportation.

Eliza said she tried it yesterday morning and it worked.

“I understood the theory a long time ago, but this is my first successful attempt. The distance is still short, though….”

She says this as if to downplay its significance, since the teleport distance is still short.

Eliza’s deception is on a different level.

She looks at me and smiles broadly.

“I’m telling you because it’s only for you, only you know.”

Why would she tell only me….

“Now tell Lia to come in.”

She commands very naturally.

I have to do it if she commands.

I opened the door and called Lia.

As she entered, Eliza said to her,

“Lia, I have something to ask you.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Clean the room next to my bedroom.”

“I will do that.”

“Judas will stay there.”

“What?”

Both Lia and I exclaimed simultaneously.

What’s going on here?

Lia blinked her eyes rapidly and met my gaze.

Even if you look at me like that, I don’t understand either.

“Miss, what are you saying… is this?”

“Even the moon deer seems to be following you, so I’m not needed here anymore… right?”

“Don’t go.”

Eliza didn’t explain the reason.

There was no need for Eliza or anyone else to explain.

Was the just now ‘don’t go’ like an extension of the screams I heard yesterday, or is it my delusion?

Even when I heard the words ‘wait a moment’ yesterday, she was startled.

She just tried to wipe the blood off her hands.

“Miss. I can’t go on like this no matter how much you want.”

When I protested, the door opened.

Several maids brought food.

After opening the folding dining table, they piled the food on top.

For a moment, my gaze was stolen by an endless feast of food.

‘There are two people eating, why is there so much?’

I was worried if I could eat my share with this difficult body.

It would have been different in the past.

Before Eliza sat down, Lia said.

“Miss, when you eat, you have to put down what you have in your hands.”

Eliza held the cat doll in her arms and tried to let go.

It’s a facial expression that doesn’t want to let go.

“Maybe if you eat, the food will dirty the doll.”

Before Lia’s words ended, Eliza handed the doll to Lia.

I quickly untied the blanket.

With a stunned face, Lia carefully put two things on the bed.

Eliza sat down first and said to me.

“Eat comfortably.”

I sat across from her for now.

The dining table was so big that she was very far away.

To think two people would sit at this table.

Isn’t this also a kind of luxury?

‘I have to say that I can’t stay here forever after dinner…’

At that moment, Eliza said indifferently.

“If you say you can stay in the main house, there is nothing special about the annex. The rules of life may change a bit. And meals like this will come out every day.”

“……”

I glanced briefly at the dining table.

Half of the table. That’s one serving. My portion.

It doesn’t compare to what they prepare in the main house.

‘With this amount and arrangement…. Maybe I could try following the diet our nutrition coach recommended…?’

…No! What am I thinking!

I quickly shook my head.

I mustn’t be swayed.

Nutrients and performance are deeply interconnected.

Yes, I understand that very well.

Even though I dislike theory, I’ve studied nutrition enough.

Moreover, I’m still growing.

To grow healthily, I need to eat well during my growth phase.

I know all that, and though this suggestion is tempting enough to really hurt my heart…!

‘But I won’t live here together!’

Regrettable as the diet may be, I had to refuse.

Eliza must also feel pitiful.

Eliza who came in the early morning.

Crying.

Like fog in my eyes, an unforgettable scene. I remember it all.

But….

I can’t rashly take on responsibilities I can’t handle, relying on cheap sympathy.

Saying I’ll watch over her or help her because she’s pitiful is arrogant consideration.

I’ve experienced that in a past life. Weak justice. Incompetent ethics. It was futile.

Still, helping Eliza was purely for ethical reasons.

I’m not extraordinary or special.

Anyone would have stepped up in that situation.

There’s a possibility she may change.

My actions may have influenced her.

But I can’t risk my life based on such a possibility.

That would be too reckless.

‘I probably don’t need to refuse now.’

After all, I’m in a position where I have to do what Eliza asks.

In fact, I can’t say I’ll refuse.

It’s okay.

There’s someone else who will fight in my place.

***

“…I cannot allow it.”

Barak spat out in a tone as if chewing on anger.

Beside him was Lady Narcissa.

She contorted her face like a demon and screamed hoarsely,

“You should speak sensibly! This is ridiculous!”

I expected this.

“Moreover, that was said to me yesterday…!”

Eliza cut him off and rebutted,

“I have already made the decision and granted permission.”

Narcissa clenched her lips and glared at Eliza.

Barak’s gaze was equally sharp.

Eliza was no less formidable in response.

Tension tightened like a taut rope.

There was no room for anyone to retreat or compromise.

I reluctantly found myself silently rooting for these strange humans.

Sitting beside Eliza, I prayed inwardly,

‘Barak, Narcissa… I don’t like you, I hope you win this moment…!’

The father, stepmother, and daughter began a fierce debate.