"No one allowed me. I came on my own."
Everyone turned toward him, as his appearance struck them with unexpected shock—
a shock that nonetheless made them release a breath of relief, at least a little.
Seven minutes earlier…
Jinho opened his eyes to a warm, comfortable place, nothing like where he had been moments ago.
For him, he remembered nothing except collapsing in the forest.
He looked around in confusion, realizing he was in his room, just as Rora entered.
How badly she wanted to hit him. She had been terrified to the point of death, and now he was looking at her with those irritating eyes—
as if asking what are you doing here? or even how am I here?
"Could you explain, please?"
He smiled foolishly.
She looked as though she was searching for something—anything—to throw at him,
but he laughed lightly and said,
"Sorry, but really… what happened? I remember being in the forest."
"You idiot. Do you realize what you dragged us into? Do you know that you made the entire duke's household fall into turmoil because of you? And the guards in the forest—they'll be executed because you bypassed them."
His eyes widened in shock as he said, stunned,
"Wow—what exactly happened? Wait, help me. I need to go to him."
"As if I'd help you. I already covered for you once, and now I'm under surveillance because of you."
He stood up without listening.
His strength was strangely gone.
Even walking had become difficult.
He leaned on anything he could find, as his injured leg burned whenever the ointment rubbed deeper into the wound.
"Damn it… I bypassed them because I know there's a blind spot during their patrol."
What should I say?
He took a step, stumbled, and fell to his knee, staring at the floor while wringing his mind.
Which lie would save them all?
His body trembled at the mere thought of which family he was dealing with.
Rora stepped forward and helped him up, her face showing indifference as she said,
"Fine. If you insist on going, I'll go with you."
She looked at him coldly and added,
"As if your excuses and promises would be believed now."
At that moment, he began to think.
He remembered from the novel that one of the traitors had once entered through a gap in the guards' formation—
and he had used it.
The guards moved away from one another every five minutes to cover different positions.
He had fixed his gaze on the most suitable entry point—slipping past the eighth guard stationed by the river.
The moment that guard moved to patrol another area, Jinho moved quickly and entered.
Although the guard sensed movement behind him and searched the area,
Jinho hid beneath a fallen tree, emerging through the short grass.
If he told them this, they would question how he knew the timing of their patrols.
But now… this was the only option.
"Are you alright? What brought you here?"
He approached Seongjin with excessive concern, prompting Rora to step aside.
"Lean on me a little so I can reach him,"
Jinho asked.
Seongjin lifted his arm and wrapped it around Jinho's neck, helping him move forward.
Raphael stepped closer as well, careful not to burden them further.
Hanyul, meanwhile, approached quietly, trying not to show his concern
Raphael said reproachfully,
"Why are you wandering around at this hour? Return to your room. I'll deal with you later."
Jinho smiled despite the sharp pain in his leg and said,
"I can't let you punish them because of me."
Raphael said impatiently,
"I'll punish you alone, so don't rush it. Go back to your room."
Jinho's smile faltered slightly, but he said,
"Actually… I entered the forest through the river—"
Liar!
That was the first thought that crossed Hanyul's mind.
When he had seen him, Jinho hadn't been wet at all.
But he chose to remain silent.
He must be trying to protect them—fine. At least he was correcting his mistake.
Jinho continued,
"I waded into the river and swam for quite a while until I distanced myself from them, then emerged deep in the forest. After that, I ran into Hanyul, and the rest happened. Isn't that right?"
He looked at Hanyul with confidence, as if already certain he would complete the lie.
Hanyul lifted his head and confirmed it.
As soon as the explanation ended, the guards behind them visibly relaxed, their chests lowering in relief.
As if a curse had been lifted—
only to inhale sharply again when Raphael turned to them and said,
"If that's the case, then this is not your fault. You may leave."
He said it with eyes that were smiling, completely unlike his earlier expression.
He must be precious to him—so precious that Raphael's mood shifted merely upon seeing him.
The guards fled, thanking the gods for Jinho's last-minute appearance and salvation.
Jinho finally breathed in relief when Raphael ordered them away.
But Raphael's unconvinced gaze made him wonder why.
His brows were furrowed, as if countless questions crowded his mind.
Meanwhile, Seongjin studied Hanyul's face, noticing the tension mixed with forced composure.
Something is wrong.
That single thought screamed in both Seongjin's and Raphael's minds.
"Achoo!"
His sneeze interrupted their thoughts, prompting Raphael to order them inside, away from the freezing cold.
Once inside the palace, Raphael ordered Jinho to follow him.
Rora was still behind them; Jinho asked for her support, and she stepped forward reluctantly, shooting him a vengeful glare.
He made a comically apologetic face at her and leaned on her as they followed Raphael.
Meanwhile, Seongjin and Hanyul remained downstairs.
Seongjin's eyes barely left Hanyul's face.
He said with mock irritation,
"Honestly, did you like him that much? Stop staring."
Seongjin replied in mild surprise,
"You're hiding something. So did something else happen between you two? Or did you lie about something?"
He struck straight at the heart of the matter, but Hanyul killed his expression and said irritably,
"Who do you think you are, accusing us of lying?"
Seongjin sighed.
"I'm just asking out of curiosity."
Hanyul snapped,
"Swallow your curiosity."
"Idiot. Good night,"
Seongjin said, giving up as he walked away, waving without turning back.
Hanyul felt warmth creep up to the tips of his ears
Why was he treating him gently—just because he saved a servant?
"Tch. Damn it. Good night,"
he muttered with a sideways smile.
In the end, he'd have to get used to him.
If he looked at reality, he would be seeing him every day.
…
"Thank you, Rora. You may leave,"
Raphael said as he sat down, having Jinho sit on the couch to rest his leg.
She closed the door behind her, praying he wouldn't say anything that would end her life.
"I'm not convinced by his story, not even a little. But for now, I'll let it pass."
Raphael murmured to himself, sighing deeply in frustration.
Then he said,
"Explain your reason for entering the forest—with logic, with emotion, and with whatever principles you wish.
Because I am truly irritated because of you
"In truth, I had no reason other than delivering the knife to Seongjin.
In the end, my heart did not allow me to let him go—especially after the Duke said the banners would be cut by something sharp."
"Didn't they warn you that it was dangerous?"
Raphael replied with slight agitation, for he was always the one who delayed himself and put others' interests first.
"Miss Mariana said this. And if it was dangerous for me, then it would be far more dangerous for him without a weapon."
He showed a disappointed expression and said,
"He is the captain of our knights. Jinho, be more logical. His sword, his body, and even his mentality are prepared to keep him alive far more than you."
Jinho looked at him and replied with unintended irritation,
"And where is the mistake in delivering it to him? He forgot it because I asked him to drink water. I am the reason for that, therefore I will bear my mistakes."
Raphael responded provocatively,
"It was not good for you to go. Because of you, the first two days have already become full of problems."
Jinho looked at him with a kind of brokenness and replied,
"Stop blaming me and making me feel as if every step I take will kill me. I did it while knowing I was wrong. I truly know my excuse is unconvincing, and I know you did not believe it. I know very well that I am wrong—but please, try to understand me instead of blaming me. Thank me for thinking of him instead of shouting or getting annoyed or whatever you have shown. Try to see it from my perspective. I was afraid, and yet I put him before myself. Risking myself for someone who deserves it has become something that annoys more than it is appreciated."
He was frustrated and poured out what was in his heart without awareness,
and a tremor pierced his body when he finished,
his heart pounding strongly and slowly,
making him feel as if it were being struck by a hammer a thousand times.
Raphael straightened himself and walked toward him without saying a word.
He lowered himself to his level.
And said,
"..."