If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 137
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
read more chapters on luna kofi
Perhaps the reason Agatha was feeling uncertain about her impulsive decision to inform Cain of the unilateral termination of their contract and flee was because she wondered if it had been an emotional, hasty choice.
“Your Grace, we’ve arrived at the village.”
The faint light of dawn had passed, and now it was time when everyone was waking up and starting to move.
The carriage, arriving at just the right time—neither too late nor too early—had fulfilled its purpose and stopped.
“It’s going to take quite some time to repair the carriage.”
Agatha nodded. She could tell, just by looking at the completely broken wheel, that the repairs would likely take a significant amount of time, even without the coachman’s explanation.
The carriage carrying the hunters also arrived. The people getting off began quickly unloading the baggage.
They were now ready to head toward their destination, but unexpectedly, right at the beginning, their progress was halted.
Reaching Arta would require about twenty days of continuous travel, and now, with the carriage broken down, it was an overwhelming setback. It seemed they had rented a poorly maintained carriage.
“We’ll need to head into the village and find a mechanic first.”
From the moment she arrived at the station, things had slowly started deviating from the plan, but this level of deviation was still manageable. After all, Cain wouldn’t start searching for her outside the capital just yet. And even if she was heading toward Arta, he wouldn’t learn of it right away.
“Please stay in the carriage until I can gather the people, Your Grace. The road isn’t in good condition, and your clothes might get dirty.”
“Understood.”
After hearing Agatha’s response, Rubens immediately headed toward the village with the coachman. Agatha watched him anxiously as he headed off into the thick, unmapped grass, taking what seemed like a shortcut.
The wheel, with the temporary joint inserted earlier, was now completely broken. The makeshift joint, unable to withstand the weight of the carriage, had given way, causing the wheel to break apart as well.
Looking at the wheel, which was now half-destroyed, Agatha felt a sense of frustration. The wheel, having failed to fulfill its purpose before it was completely used up, seemed to mirror her own situation.
“Your Grace.”
“Just call me by my name.”
“That wouldn’t be proper. You are now, without a doubt, the true master of Kristin. One cannot address their lord so casually.”
Karon, who had been watching Rubens disappear in the distance, called to Agatha softly.
“Are you truly heading to Arta because of the orphanage?”
“Hmm?”
“I was just wondering if there was another reason.”
“I need the strength to protect myself. That’s why I’m trying to gather the old Kristin knights, and until I’m properly prepared, I thought it would be best to leave the capital and avoid Calvino’s eyes. That’s all.”
“I see. If that’s the case, then it must be so.”
He said in a tone that seemed indifferent, but his question was undoubtedly sharp.
Agatha realized that before an astute knight like him, it was impossible to hide anything. She bit her lip, recalling the image of the red-haired gypsy woman in her mind.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Cain was experienced in tracking down deserters from the battlefield. As for a naive noblewoman, he thought it would be no trouble for a few knights to quickly find her without him needing to get involved. But was Agatha Kristin truly so adept at fleeing?
She had only received proper education before the age of ten, and then a few more years after becoming an adult—so how could she have become so skilled at this?
“…Or maybe it’s because she’s still a Kristin by blood.”
Thinking this way made more sense. If she had inherited remarkable abilities from her father, the Empire’s greatest knight, even without formal training, it would be easier to understand her exceptional skills.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. Ethan, we need to visit the palace.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare.”
“No, I want you to go alone.”
“Me? Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if it’s to see the Emperor directly, that should be your responsibility, not mine. I’m not sure if I can report to His Majesty alone…”
“I’m not asking you to meet with the Emperor.”
“Then, why…”
“I need you to go to the palace and find the Palatine. I want you to deliver this.”
Cain handed over a paper envelope. The seal was marked with a red emblem, indicating urgency. Ethan narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the envelope. He wondered why Cain didn’t just go himself if there was something important to say—why send him instead?
But Ethan didn’t dare ask aloud. He simply took the envelope quietly.
“Ah, Commander, just a moment…”
Ethan didn’t finish his sentence and watched Cain’s figure disappearing into the distance. He was curious where Cain was going again.
For the past few days, Cain had been acting strangely, ever since his wife disappeared. Ethan was concerned if he was eating or even getting proper rest. At this rate, Cain would likely burn out quickly if he didn’t take care of himself.
Ethan suddenly remembered the question Agatha had asked him a while ago—whether he knew the whereabouts of John Calvino. Though he doubted it, it was worth investigating if Agatha’s disappearance was somehow related.
He had been planning to report it but hadn’t had the chance yet.
