If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 59
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Considering the invasion alone, the appropriate response would have been to withstand the attacks and then retreat the defense line southwards. However, thinking of the citizens living along the defense line made it impossible to simply decide on a retreat.
Invasion leads to looting, and looting brings the horrific outcome of human trafficking.
The number of citizens they’ve failed to protect has already surpassed three digits. It was only a few months ago that he firmly declared he would not witness the bloodshed of innocent citizens anymore.
Cain’s words left the senior knight, Lehman, visibly flustered.
“It’s only a matter of days. We must depart immediately…”
“That’s not possible.”
The wedding is scheduled for fifteen days later. Even that date was brought forward with difficulty.
Despite it being a merely formal ceremony, it was impossible to rudely suggest changing the date twice. Such a request could be misinterpreted as disrespecting one’s marriage partner.
Certainly, Agatha would understand his situation and agree to change the wedding date, but that made Cain even more reluctant to do so. The purpose of the wedding was to publicly declare his respect for Agatha and his high regard for Kristin’s name.
But a wedding that goes completely against this purpose is worse than not having it at all.
“Commander, we really don’t have time to delay!”
They had rushed directly to the Marquis’ residence without even stopping at the Imperial Palace.
Properly, they should have met with the Emperor to report on the border defense and current situation, but the urgency of the matter led them to bypass Imperial law and head straight to the Marquis’ residence.
That’s why Lehman couldn’t understand his superior’s lukewarm attitude. He had thought he would immediately arm himself and hasten to deploy north upon their report.
For some reason, Cain was indecisive and maintained his silence.
The Cain Vernat that Lehman knew prioritized the knight’s duty and the safety of the Imperial citizens above all else. It seemed out of character for him to be preoccupied with a personal matter like a wedding in such a critical situation. At least as far as Lehman knew.
“Commander!”
Despite Lehman’s urging, there was no response.
Just as he was about to say more, Ethan stepped in and silenced Lehman.
“The Lady recently suffered a great ordeal. It’s not easy for him to leave his unsettled fiance behind. Besides, the sudden influx of people has thrown the residence into disarray.”
“The lives of citizens are at stake.”
What Lehman meant was, what’s so important about a mere wedding when the people they must protect could be killed by pirates?
He wasn’t wrong. Cain, as a knight who received the Imperial Command, should prioritize the safety and stability of the Empire’s citizens above all else.
It was bad enough that Cain had suddenly left for the capital leaving his troops behind during such a crucial time. It was puzzling that he then unexpectedly announced his wedding. It was such an inscrutable intention.
The situation was so urgent that they couldn’t wait for a messenger bird to return and had to come in person.
Cain should be aware of this.
“Just fifteen days… fifteen days only…”
“Sir, it’s okay.”
Cain’s sigh-laden response was drowned out by another voice.
The knights all turned towards the source of the sound.
“…Agatha.”
“You should prioritize the matters at hand. There’s no need to stay for the wedding.”
Agatha, who had entered the study at some point, stood by the door with a resolutely firm attitude and addressed the knights.
“I’ll instruct the servants to prepare for your departure right away.”
So this person is Lady Kristin. Lehman had heard rumors but seeing Lady Kristin in person was a first.
He looked back and forth between Agatha and Cain.
Her lips pursed, expression determined. She was nothing like the fragile, dependent lady he had heard about, but rather appeared quite resolute.
Lehman, who had been red-faced and on the verge of an outburst, stepped back and observed Lady Kristin.
The knights, surprised by her sudden appearance, fell silent as if by agreement. To them, Agatha Kristin was an unwelcome guest. Of course, the origin of the Vernat Knights was the Kristin Knights, but that was a story of the past. Now, it was merely a forgotten name that served only as a hindrance.
Some astute members of the knights were aware that Cain’s involvement with Lady Kristin had started to create a rift in the Emperor’s favor towards him. Thus, their gaze towards Lady Kristin was not particularly kind.
Aware of these looks, Cain quickly left the place with his fianceé.
“It’s a bit different from what I’ve heard,” said Senior Knight Craig, who had been observing the situation.
“I was worried she might insist on having the wedding no matter what.”
Everyone had the same thought. Lady Kristin, known for her absence from the public, had little information available about her.
While knights from Kristin origin talked about how adorable she was as a young girl, that was all there was.
Knowing Cain wasn’t the type to be swayed by a woman’s appearance, the beauty or charm of the Lady was not of much interest to the knights.
