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Chapter 9

"Don't worry. I'm here to help you at the request of a child named Ivan."

"Ivan? But that child doesn't speak Imperial..."

"Is that really what you want to know right now? And I'm in the middle of first aid, so please let go of my wrist."

As the woman said, that detail wasn't important at the moment.

Kayden quickly conceded and released her wrist, cooperating.

"Where is the child now?"

"...Safely hidden for now."

Emilia answered as she moved her hands again.

Though the fact that "hidden" meant inside a travel bag was a problem in itself.

"There's a man posing as a conductor searching for you right now."

She gave Kayden a rough summary of the situation.

"But by any chance... are you completely unable to move?"

"Yes. That's correct."

Kayden glanced briefly at the dagger lying beside him.

The unknown substance smeared on the blade had been lethal even to him, who had a tolerance for poison.

Aside from slightly moving his arm just now, he was immobile.

Even his vision was hazy.

Because of that, he couldn't get a clear look at the woman's face even if he wanted to.

He quietly looked down at the woman who was moving cautiously, making soft rustling sounds.

...Who is this woman?

Even if a child had asked for help, most people wouldn't step forward in such a dangerous situation.

And to act with such composure, at that.

Just then, the train lurched.

At the jolt, Kayden frowned, then spoke.

"Can you tell which station this is?"

"Ah... The last station was Bandia Village, in the Viscountcy of Tinus."

"Then that's fortunate."

"Fortunate?"

"Yes. My people should be waiting at the next station."

"Really?"

At his words, Emilia's face lit up as she finished tying a knot.

That was truly welcome news.

But there was one problem.

Even if they boarded the train to help Kayden and Ivan, it would take time to find them.

"Then I'll go to them and tell them where you and Ivan are."

"Would you do that?"

Kayden immediately described his aide's appearance.

As Emilia pictured the face in her mind, she let out an "Ah."

"But won't they suspect I'm up to something?"

Even if she went to tell them the location, they might misunderstand and think she was luring them into a trap.

"Is there anything you have that could serve as a token?"

"Then would you check the inside pocket of my jacket?"

"Ah, yes."

Emilia quickly nodded and reached into his jacket.

Her fingers touched a small pocket watch.

She grabbed it and pulled it out—Kayden flinched.

"Did I hurt your wound?"

"...No."

"Is this the right thing?"

"Yes. If you show them that, they'll recognize it immediately and—"

At that moment, Kayden abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

Why?

Emilia looked up at him in confusion.

"Wait."

"What? What is it?"

Suddenly, Kayden leaned toward her, and Emilia tensed her shoulders.

A low voice reached her ear.

"Someone is approaching this area."

"Huh?"

Startled, Emilia whispered back.

"Could it just be an ordinary conductor?"

It seemed unlikely that the man from earlier had already made his way here.

"No. The footsteps aren't those of an ordinary person. Probably the same sort as the one you mentioned."

Emilia froze.

Wait.

"Same sort" meant more than one.

What do I do?

Biting her lip, Emilia nervously glanced toward the door.

If only they'd just pass by without noticing!

Just then, a scene from the station waiting room flashed through her mind.

Oh, right!

They might not pass by without noticing—but she could make them pretend not to see.

Still, she hesitated to actually go through with it.

At that moment, Kayden grimaced and pushed her away.

"Get out of here for now."

"Huh?"

She couldn't understand what he meant and asked again.

"The corridor leads right out—once you step out, you'll—"

She explained quickly, but Kayden shook his head.

"No. I'm saying go out and tell them there's a suspicious person here."

"What?"

That meant she should pretend to be an unrelated passenger and escape on her own.

"Don't say such nonsense!"

Emilia scolded him in a hushed shout.

She had no need to hear any more of Kayden's pointless talk.

Instead, she replayed the scene she'd witnessed earlier in her mind.

Was this really the only way?

I don't care! It's the only thing I can think of right now—what else can I do!

Swallowing hard, Emilia steeled her resolve.

"Just so you know, I have no ill intentions whatsoever, alright?"

No matter what, she felt she had to say that much.

"What are you talking about—"

But Kayden's questioning words couldn't continue.

Because Emilia stretched out her leg and kicked the dagger far away in one motion—

Then immediately climbed on top of him.

"What... are you... doing..."

Kayden, who had remained composed even as the enemies approached, was utterly baffled.

At the same time, the small, soft body and the gentle scent of her pressed against him.

"Just stay still!"

Did she think she wanted to do this with a man she'd just met?

Snapping at him, Emilia unfastened a few buttons and bared her shoulder.

"Are you any good at moaning? No, no—never mind."

She quickly shook her head.

Even to her own ears, it was an absurd question.

Besides, she didn't have time to wait for his answer.

The footsteps were close enough now for her own ears to hear.

"I'll just borrow your arm."

She positioned his right arm around her waist.

Holding her breath, Emilia waited, watching sideways as the men approached the door.

And when they grabbed the handle—

"Ahhn~"

Emilia let out a sultry voice.

"Wh-what was that?"

Thankfully, her moan clearly flustered the men outside.

But Emilia didn't stop there.

"Ah, honey, wait—slow down, just a little..."

She spat out whatever words came to mind.

Instead of opening the door, the men peered in through the window.

They saw a woman straddling a man.

A pose that left little to the imagination.

A thoroughly indecent act that needed no explanation.

At that moment, Emilia turned around and shrieked.

"What—what are you peeping at?!"

She pulled Kayden's head into her arms.

Just in case they get suspicious from his hair color.

Even as she did so, Emilia was so mortified she wanted to die on the spot.

But there was an eternal truth about public places:

The ones who feel awkward are not the ones doing something embarrassing—but the ones who witness it.

Please, please.

Praying they would be like that too, Emilia pretended to sob.

"Oh no! That's why I told you I didn't want to do it here! What if people came!"

At the same time, she glared at the men outside as if they were the shameless ones.

All while mentally memorizing every detail of their appearances.

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