Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 16

16.

"Nonsense."

Kite concluded thus and dismissed Baron Frillie's goodwill. But in the end, it is people who change people. Even a light drizzle, if it falls long enough, soaks through every garment.

Kite was changed by Baron Frillie. And he survived the battlefields and made it this far.

Yes—if Baron Frillie's granddaughter had grown up properly, she would be about that age now. Besides, Baron Frillie had occasionally shown flashes of remarkable ability on the battlefield.

He could single-handedly locate hidden enemy positions. He never spoke in detail about his abilities, but being beside him long enough gave one a rough idea.

It was possible that his granddaughter had inherited that ability fully. And if so, why had she—Ibelin—thought to kidnap and confine him? One thought led to another.

And then, the door opened again.

"You haven't run away yet."

Ibelin, who had opened the door and entered again, saw Kite still bare-chested and raised her voice.

"Please put some clothes on!"

"What, never seen a naked man before?"

"Have I?!"

"Quite moral for a kidnapper, aren't you?"

Kite chuckled and picked up the shirt he had tossed aside. He slowly pulled it on—but throughout, his gaze never left Ibelin. His stare was so intense that even when she squeezed her eyes shut, she could still feel it.

"About that headbutt earlier."

"I had no choice. It wasn't intentional."

"Not exactly fitting behavior for a noble lady."

At that, Ibelin's eyes widened. Fortunately, Kite was now fully dressed.

"There's someone I used to know. Have you heard of Baron Frillie?"

Ibelin clamped her mouth shut and stared at Kite.

"He often boasted about his grandchild. What did he say—that she was lovely, adorable, and kind?"

Her identity was completely exposed.

Should I deny it?

No—that didn't seem like the right answer. Hadn't she already decided to tell Kite the truth once her face was seen? Ibelin let out a deep breath.

"Your Grace, let me introduce myself properly. I have been rude until now. I am Ibelin El Frillie—as you said, the granddaughter of Baron Frillie."

"You said was?"

"Grandfather has passed away. I believe someone else has inherited the title now."

Kite tapped the bedpost with his fingertips. Yes—if Baron Frillie had died, one of his children would have taken his place. But then why was his granddaughter here out of nowhere?

"Very well. Then it's your turn to explain why you're here. I'm curious why you would leave your territory, come all the way to the capital, and kidnap an archduke."

"I meant no harm. I only—"

Ibelin lifted her head and looked earnestly at Kite.

"I wanted to save Your Grace."

"I see. The Baron Frillie I knew was a peculiar man. He would notice hidden enemy positions before anyone else, or casually mention information that was difficult to come by."

Baron Frillie was a thorough man, but he often made slips of the tongue in front of Kite—probably because of his soft spot for children.

"Lady Ibelin. Do you see the future?"

The age of magic had ended, and the world had changed—but abilities still persisted. Ordinary people might not know, but those of noble blood still remembered.

"...Yes."

"How?"

Ibelin opened her mouth more readily than expected.

"I dream."

"Dreams?"

"Yes. I sometimes see the future in my dreams. And I receive guidance."

"If you know the future, you'd have nothing to fear."

At Kite's words, Ibelin's expression twisted.

"That's not true. Because I know the future, I am all the more afraid. Knowing a future you cannot change—how agonizing that is."

"I see."

"Your Grace. You will be surrounded by assassins on His Majesty the Emperor's birthday."

"I encounter assassins often enough as it is. But I've never felt particularly threatened. Fine—since the problem is resolved, just let me go now."

What did he mean by resolved? Ibelin narrowed her eyes and shook her head.

"No. You will remain here until His Majesty's birthday."

"What? Lady Ibelin. Do you not understand what a Swordmaster is? Well, you lived in a remote territory, so perhaps not. A Swordmaster is one who has reached the pinnacle of the sword. If there were anyone who could defeat me, why would they bother being an assassin? They could receive at least a marquisate anywhere they went."

Families without imperial blood were not granted earldoms or higher—but there were exceptions. When a person's ability was extraordinary, regardless of bloodline.

"Even so, it's not allowed."

"Huh? What if I insist on leaving?"

"Try if you wish. But you won't be able to."

Ibelin's defiant declaration made Kite laugh in disbelief.

"Confident, aren't you. That confidence will soon break, though."

So far, he had stayed captive to satisfy his curiosity—but if he put his mind to it, he could leave at any moment. A Swordmaster's title wasn't won by gambling.

Kite walked to the wall and tapped it with the back of his hand. Then, suddenly, he clenched his fist and struck the wall hard. Even with shackles on, his form was solid.

Thud!

At the violent sound, Ibelin flinched. But Kite paid no heed and continued striking the wall. Breaking a wall with bare hands wasn't easy—but his opponent was a Swordmaster.

She had never seen his full power firsthand, so she didn't know the extent of his abilities—but it was certain he was strong.

Ibelin watched the wall nervously. It was still holding, but her anxiety didn't fade. So she pulled out what she had been hiding behind her back.

A broom.

She couldn't subdue Kite with something like that—but she had already confirmed the broom's extraordinary durability. Everything in the basement had uncanny properties, and the broom was no exception.

In truth, Ibelin was more comfortable handling a gun—but she couldn't very well shoot her benefactor, could she? Gun and broom—even the sound of the words was different. A gun felt menacing and weapon-like, while a broom didn't. For that reason, Ibelin held the broom and crept up behind Kite.

At the same time, Kite spun around quickly—but Ibelin was faster.

Thwack!

The end of the broom struck Kite's head.

"Ow!"

She hadn't actually meant to hit him! She had just grabbed the longest object she could find because she was afraid to physically stop him with her hands.

Startled, a scream escaped Ibelin's lips.

"I—I'm sorry! It wasn't intentional!"

"Intentional, you say."

Kite rubbed his head, which had taken a full hit from the broom.

"You hit someone in the head with a broom and say it wasn't intentional?"

Ibelin's eyes darted around. Then she slowly began backing away. Still, she was relieved that Kite's attention had shifted from the wall to her.

Wait—is this really a relief?

Ibelin broke into a cold sweat and forced a smile. She had already tossed the broom far behind her.

"Please hear me out first."

"I already heard you out."

"I—I haven't told you why I'm trying to save Your Grace!"

"The reason. Yes, I haven't heard that yet. Let's hear it."

Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her mouth. Still, Ibelin stood firm and spoke.

"Your Grace is my grandfather's benefactor."

"...I am?"

"Yes! Grandfather often said while he was alive that he owed his life to Your Grace!"

As she continued speaking, Kite's expression gradually changed.

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