Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 94

94.

Kailun's eyes reddened. Though he couldn't give her everything, he'd raised her with all his strength. Seeing her so grown moved him deeply. Even a man who'd spent most of his life in blood-soaked battlefields crumbled before his granddaughter.

"My little girl—when did you get so big?"

"Grandfather."

"Ibelin!"

A warm, tender atmosphere flowed between them—but Kite naturally cut in.

"Yes—so grown she even kidnapped someone."

"...Kidnapped? Who?"

"Me."

"Me—Kite von Gracias, Archduke."

Kailun trembled and turned to Ibelin.

"Is this true?"

She avoided his gaze, pretending to study her teacup—but couldn't evade forever.

"Yes."

Quietly, but he heard.

"But—there was a reason!"

"Confinement too."

"There was a reason for that too!"

"Oh, heavens!"

Before she could explain, he pressed his hand to his forehead. He'd taught her many things, but not kidnapping and confinement. Still, there must have been a reason.

"Because of me?"

He'd always said he owed Kite—she must have wanted to help.

"Partly—I dreamed of him in danger."

"You wanted to save him?"

"Yes."

"Then that's enough."

What mattered more than the reason? Nodding, he then narrowed his eyes.

Wait.

Had they fallen in love because of that? A word struck him.

Thief!

To a grandfather, Kite looked no better. But he couldn't scold either—seeing Kite joke with Ibelin, he sensed a change.

He'd grown, expressing emotions properly now. The Kite he'd known in the North was mature but awkward—yet with Ibelin, he seemed like any young man.

Thank goodness.

Kailun relaxed.

Meanwhile, Ibelin seemed resolved, tapping the table.

"Leave the rest to me!"

"No—that's not right."

Whatever it was, no. This was his burden.

"Grandfather—it's not just yours. Unknown has been blocking my visions. Why blind a seer?"

"To harm someone connected to her—maybe even her."

Kite answered.

"Right—so something big may happen."

Just then, someone approached the window—a second-floor window, no less.

Neither Kite nor Kailun was surprised—the face was familiar.

"She's right."

Martin.

"Uh—that's a window."

Only Ibelin was startled.

"Urgent business—I'll use the door next time. Shall we continue?"

"Sir Martin, what do you mean?"

"The Black Scorpion has crossed the border, heading for the capital. We're tracking them—but they're not ordinary. A new assassin guild, hard to gauge—ruthless and efficient."

"Whoever hired them wants something."

"Exactly."

Kailun frowned.

"It could be Duke Barkel—he'd do anything to kill Kite and cripple the Emperor."

"Draven?"

Kite said incredulously.

"Even he knows assassins won't work on me—would he hire an unproven guild? He's foolish, but not that empty-headed."

His eyes gleamed coldly. Kite had his own intelligence network—knowledge is power.

What use would Draven have for assassins? They wouldn't work on him. The Emperor? He'd built defenses there too.

Perhaps Draven was prepared for the worst—collaborating with enemies for gain.

"They may have learned Ibelin is a seer."

"What do you mean?"

Kite answered.

"If they understand a seer's strategic value, they'd not kill her—they'd take her, make her a puppet."

The Teyrin Emperor wouldn't act directly—his power-hungry princes would. One had promised Draven a future.

"Arrogant."

Ibelin flinched—his uncontrolled killing intent was more frightening than the threat. But it came from concern, so she didn't back away.

"Unknown's desperate interference makes sense—blinding her to prevent foresight."

The puzzle pieces fell into place. Their target wasn't royal blood—it was Ibelin.

"Let me add one more piece."

Martin spoke.

"People connected to House Frillie have been suffering accidents—too precise to be coincidence."

Kailun clicked his tongue bitterly.

"To block her visions—seers often see the futures of those close to them, especially blood."

"So, Kailun—what do you want?"

"I have no deep affection for them—I lost my parents young and got no help. But innocents shouldn't die—basic decency."

"Good—I'll help."

"Thank you."

"Thank you!"

They both thanked her.

"It's our duty to catch those threatening Empire nobles—no need to thank me. Now that we have a direction, let's get to the point."

They continued, assuming Ibelin was the target.

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