Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 114

114.

It was dangerous—Ibelin knew that. Rationally, she should flee and hide right now. The commotion outside meant Kite had arrived. There was no need to confront a Teyrin agent head-on.

Can I hold my own against that man?

Honestly, her chances were low. She'd trained with her grandfather and gained confidence, but she wasn't forged for combat. Pavltin before her was different—a seasoned man who'd crossed countless battle lines to reach his position.

Still—

She couldn't abandon Unknown. She couldn't push the man consumed by his past back into suffering.

"A whip—rather brutal for a noble lady's toy."

Pavltin grinned, aiming his gun.

"But before a gun, it's just a crude leather strap. No matter how fast you are, you can't outrun a bullet—why not give up?"

Ibelin shrugged.

"Go ahead and shoot."

BANG—!

Before her words fully faded, Pavltin pulled the trigger. The deafening roar and acrid gunpowder smoke filled the storehouse.

"Ugh!"

The moment the muzzle turned on her, she dropped low. The bullet grazed her clothes and lodged in the stone wall behind her. Despite the terror that made her heart plummet, her hands moved swiftly.

Crack—

Rolling on the floor, she lashed her whip, striking a pile of old crates. They toppled over Pavltin's head, forcing him to retreat. Dust rose thickly, blurring vision.

She seized the opening, driving into his blind spot—a dagger flew from her other hand. Pavltin, however, was experienced. He knocked it aside with his fist and aimed his gun at her again. They were too close for her to act.

She bit her lip.

"Looks like I've won. This clumsy struggle ends here."

He aimed at her leg. Just as his finger tightened on the trigger—

"...!"

Unknown, who had been silent behind him, threw himself against Pavltin.

"Guh!"

Though frail, the impact was enough to unbalance him.

BANG!

The shot went wide, hitting the ceiling—and that was Ibelin's chance.

"You madman!"

Unknown clung to him, refusing to let go.

"Won't you let go?"

Pavltin struggled, punching Unknown's face. Each dull blow split his lips and sent blood streaming from his nose—but Unknown held on.

"Run—run!"

His bloodied face turned to Ibelin. For the first time, Unknown, who had been shaped like a puppet by Teyrin his whole life, acted on his own will.

"You worthless piece of trash—fine, I'll turn you into a lump of meat here!"

Enraged, Pavltin drove his knee into Unknown's chest. The pain made him release his grip. Pavltin threw him to the floor and raised his gun to strike him down.

Just then—

The jewel Ibelin carried blazed with light. In that instant, one wall of the storehouse shattered as if struck by a giant's fist. A figure stepped through the dust—unrecognizable at first, but she knew.

"Lord Kite!"

The figure turned to her.

"Ibelin."

Seeing her condition, Kite's expression twisted. She had no serious wounds, but small scratches were visible—she'd encountered some of Teyrin's men on the way.

"You."

He paused, choosing his words.

"...Why are you hurt?"

She answered his worried tone.

"This is nothing."

But he didn't seem to think so. His gaze moved past her to Pavltin.

"Familiar face."

Pavltin glared at him, grinding his teeth. He glanced at the secret passage—Unknown stood in the way. Pushing him aside and escaping wouldn't be hard, but could he truly get away from Kite?

Impossible.

The conclusion came quickly—there was no way to outrun Pabeln's strongest knight.

Gripping his gun, Pavltin thought. In this situation, a hostage was the only solution. Unknown was closest, but taking him hostage wouldn't stop Kite. Something seemed to connect Ibelin and Unknown, but he didn't know what—so the obvious hostage was Ibelin.

Wait for an opening.

He had to take Ibelin hostage to survive.

"Enjoying the way your eyes dart?"

Kite stepped closer.

Move—I have to move...!

But his body wouldn't obey. He realized he was trembling—fear had overcome his will.

"Sp-spare..."

He managed, but Kite didn't stop.

"Why would I spare you?"

"I know much!"

"Ah—true."

Kite stood before him. His curved blue eyes held no emotion. Something struck Pavltin's neck—darkness engulfed him.

After knocking Pavltin unconscious, Kite turned to Ibelin.

"Ibelin!"

Seeing her torn clothes and scattered bloodstains, fury surged again. He instinctively looked at Pavltin—but she grabbed him.

"No!"

She wouldn't let him. He wanted to kill the man, but he held back—he could deal with Pavltin later.

He checked on Unknown, who was in terrible shape. Beaten so badly he was almost unrecognizable. Prince Richt had escaped, but they'd still made a good catch.

He pulled Ibelin close, feeling her presence.

"I was worried."

"I'm sorry."

"Really worried—I thought I'd go mad."

"I'm truly sorry!"

"Truly? Then grant me one wish?"

"A wish?"

He intended to keep her from wandering out for a while—much like when she'd confined him to save him. Not with shackles, of course; she was his beloved.

"Will you?"

"Yes—yes!"

He'd secured her promise. Later, he'd let out all the pent-up emotion. Now, only cleanup remained.

"Oh dear."

Kailun arrived late, looking dismayed.

"What happened here? Is that man Unknown?"

He quickly bound Pavltin and tended to Unknown, who was still unconscious. Then he looked at Kite suspiciously.

"It wasn't me."

"I didn't say anything."

Clearing his throat, Kailun hoisted Unknown onto his back—light enough for an adult man, but he showed no strain. Taysh took charge of Pavltin.

"Wow—it really is Pavltin!"

Taysh grinned, loading him onto a small cart.

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