Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 23

23.

Thump.

Ibelin sat up abruptly, gasping for breath, and remained still for a moment. What had she dreamed about? She slowly sifted through her memories—and soon understood.

Kite had never intended to stay here until the very end. He was worried about his nephew, Leonhardt.

Not having thought that far ahead was her mistake.

"What now?"

How could she stop a man who wanted to leave out of concern for his bloodline? Ibelin rubbed her forehead.

"He said someone would come to meet him."

That meant someone already knew Kite was here. She had a suspicion—the two knights who had carried her books home the other day. Perhaps they were the ones coming to meet him.

But how? How had they noticed Kite was here? From that point on, she could only guess.

Kite was one of the Empire's foremost Swordmasters. It had long been said that Swordmasters surpassed ordinary human boundaries.

[The abilities they possess are beyond prediction for ordinary people. From the moment of their awakening, each Swordmaster gains a unique ability—whether it be strength, agility, or some strange power.]

If Kite belonged to that category of Swordmaster, she could understand.

Ibelin let out a low sigh. She had even resorted to the extreme measure of confinement to protect her benefactor—and yet in the end, he would leave this place.

"Grandfather."

I did my best. So perhaps it's time to let go.

Ibelin rose slowly from the bed. She went downstairs and prepared a more elaborate breakfast than usual.

She made steak from good meat, mashed potatoes for salad, seasoned and roasted fresh vegetables, and even made a sauce from scratch. For the drink, she chose an aged wine.

The wine she had found in the cellar bore a label she recognized—her grandfather's favorite. She hoped Kite would like it as well. Thinking that, she went down to the basement to serve what might be their last breakfast together.

"This morning's breakfast is different."

Kite was neatly dressed. Usually, he left his chest buttons undone or didn't care if his clothes were wrinkled. So the time had truly come. Ibelin smiled awkwardly and laid out the meal.

"Please eat."

As she tried to step away while Kite ate, he caught her.

"What about you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Won't you eat with me?"

"This is only one serving."

"It's fine—it's a lot for one person."

Normally, Ibelin would have recoiled in horror—but this was the last time. With that thought, she pulled up a chair and sat across from him. Kite calmly cut the steak and speared a piece with his fork.

"Here—open wide."

She wanted to run away. Even in this situation, his playfulness persisted. Ibelin frowned and leaned back, then gave up and took the bite. Perhaps because of the quality meat, it melted in her mouth even under these circumstances.

"You eat well."

Kite watched her with a satisfied gaze.

The meal itself was quite pleasant—except for Kite's constant attempts to feed her directly.

After finishing, Kite spoke.

"I think it's time for me to go."

She supposed so.

"But I thought about it—and going alone doesn't feel right. When I have a beloved by my side, how could I leave them behind?"

Supposed so—no! Ibelin's eyes went wide as she stared at Kite. She couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Darling."

"Don't call me darling!"

As she cried out in alarm, Kite firmly took her hand.

"Come with me."

His sweet whisper made Ibelin panic.

"Wh-where are we going?"

"Where else—to my house."

Kite's house meant House Gracias. Ibelin shook her head so fast she could feel the wind.

"No. No!"

"Didn't you say you wanted to repay a favor?"

"I think I've repaid it enough!"

"No need to be shy."

Reason didn't work. Kite acted as if he had decided not to listen to her.

"I'm just a nobody noble lady from the provinces."

"What does that matter? What's mine is yours. I have everything."

At this point, she began to doubt whether Kite was really acting. But she didn't think she had any particular charm to seduce someone—so there was only one answer.

He's after my ability!

Even if it was only occasional dreams, the power to see the future was remarkable. He must covet it. That was why her grandfather had told her never to speak of it.

Ibelin became even more guarded.

"I decline."

"Where else will you find a better match than me?"

"Are you serious?"

"If I am, will you come?"

"No."

Anything excessive was worse than nothing. Ibelin planned to save Kite and then return quietly to the provinces.

"But it's already too late."

"Too late for what?"

"They've come to meet me."

Kite smiled, his eyes rounded. As Ibelin found herself staring at him, entranced, a knock came at the door.

Ding.

Normally, knocking on the first-floor door wouldn't reach the basement. But this house had a special installation—whenever someone knocked on the front door, a bell rang in the basement.

Ding.

The unknown visitor knocked persistently.

"Go up."

Kite released her hand with a smile. Ibelin rubbed her flushed face and hurried upstairs.

"Is anyone home?"

Once out of the basement, she could hear the visitor's voice—a familiar one. She had only met them once, but their voices were distinctive enough to remember.

"Is anyone theeeere~!"

It was the knights Lucen and Alex—the ones from House Gracias.

Ibelin exhaled calmly and approached the door. She wanted to turn and run, but she couldn't.

The moment had already arrived.

Creak.

As she opened the door, two tall knights stood before her.

"Hello. We met the other day, didn't we?"

Alex grinned and greeted her.

"We came on business—may we come in?"

Though politely phrased, the underlying meaning was clear. If she refused, they would force their way in.

"Please, come in."

So she let them inside.

"Hmm—an ordinary house."

Alex looked around and commented. Lucen's demeanor was more serious.

"Lady Ibelin. I believe you know why we're here."

Ibelin squeezed her eyes shut and opened them. Her clasped hands began to tremble slightly.

"I'll guide you."

"Thank you."

For the first time, she led others into the basement.

"Whoa—an ordinary house has a place like this?"

"Alex!"

"What—it's fascinating!"

Lucen occasionally scolded Alex, but he showed no sign of shutting up.

Thus, the two descended with Ibelin—and there they met Kite.

"Hey."

Kite raised his hand and waved lazily at them.

"My lord!"

"Lord Kite!"

The two immediately approached Kite and knelt. They truly looked like master and knights, and Ibelin watched blankly.

"Are you well?"

"I'm fine. If anything, I've rested and feel better."

Kite gestured to Ibelin. She, who had been hiding in the corner, placed a hand over her heart. She wanted to go unnoticed—but because of Kite, Lucen and Alex's gazes turned back to her.

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