The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 148
“The Viscount suggested that the three of us meet, but I told him I wanted to talk to you first. I think it might be good for you to meet him on your own later, too.”
“…Alright.”
What is the Viscount of Bantwood thinking? Did he simply decide to sponsor Daniel because he saw potential in his future? But he’s my little brother, after all…
“Hmm…”
“Why?”
“It’s nothing.”
On second thought, it seemed possible that Daniel was chosen as a ward because he was Johanna Lucerne’s brother. Perhaps the Viscount was trying to prove, in his own way, that he had moved on—that he no longer clung to Leonid, that he had overcome his unrequited feelings.
‘Well, the Viscount of Bantwood is the heir of a noble family… He can’t keep being at odds with Leonid over something that happened in the past.’
Regardless, it seemed necessary to meet with the Viscount of Bantwood. He wasn’t particularly skilled at hiding his emotions for a noble, so perhaps a face-to-face conversation would reveal what he was thinking.
After finishing their tour of the bustling city, Johanna escorted Daniel back to his dormitory. By now, the sun was beginning to set. It was time for her to return to the Weimar estate.
“Alright, I’ll be going then. Take care, Daniel.”
As always, she wanted to add, *’If anything happens, make sure you tell me,’* but she swallowed the words. Daniel’s voice, emphasizing that he couldn’t rely on her forever like a child, lingered in her mind.
She wondered if she had been too overprotective, treating him like a child all this time. Being too protective wasn’t necessarily good for his upbringing either.
“Get home safely, sis!”
She smiled at Daniel as he ran toward the dormitory building, waving. It was a relief to see that he seemed to be doing well. The situation with the Viscount of Bantwood was unexpected, but… she’d need to arrange a meeting with him as soon as she got home.
“Is your stomach feeling better, Marchioness?”
Nella asked gently as Johanna relaxed in her seat with her eyes closed. Johanna opened her eyes slightly, met Nella’s gaze, and responded.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“…I’m glad you ate well today. It might be nice if you could dine with your brother like this from time to time.”
“That would be nice, but I can’t disrupt Daniel’s studies.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Nella seemed like she had more to say, but Johanna closed her eyes again, cutting the conversation short.
In the heavy silence that followed, only the sounds of the carriage wheels turning, the horses’ hooves clattering on the paved road, and the noise of the bustling streets filled the air. Since it wasn’t completely dark yet, there were still many people outside.
How much time had passed like that?
Suddenly, everything grew quiet. The background noise of the street faded away.
The carriage came to a stop, and Johanna thought they might have finally reached the estate. But when the driver opened the small window to the coach box and spoke, his words were unexpected.
“I’m terribly sorry, Marchioness. It seems the carriage wheel has stopped moving suddenly, and I need to check on it.”
A guard was also seated with the driver. It seemed the driver had briefly stepped down to inspect the issue, while the guard looked through the small window and reassured Johanna.
“It’s likely nothing serious. Please don’t worry and rest easy—”
And that’s when it happened.
A scream rang out nearby from the driver. Startled, Johanna flinched and quickly pulled back the curtain to peer outside.
A group of about five or six assailants had surrounded the carriage.
“What on earth…”
She murmured in disbelief, but Nella swiftly moved to shield Johanna protectively. The guard’s urgent shout followed closely.
“Marchioness! Stay inside the carriage! Do not come out!”
From behind Nella, who concealed her, Johanna watched the guard as he faced off against the assailants. Despite being outnumbered, he held his ground with surprising skill.
However, in the next moment, one of the attackers sprayed something at the guard’s face. The container resembled a perfume bottle at a glance, but whatever it held was clearly not perfume.
Seeing the guard staggering, Johanna covered her mouth, stifling a gasp. Even as he wavered, he stood firm at the carriage door, determined to protect it until the very end—until he finally collapsed, sliding to the ground.
The assailants quickly moved his body aside, and moments later, the carriage door was flung open.
“What is this?”
“Knock her out.”
One of the men, glancing at Nella with a mocking smile, grabbed her arm roughly. At that moment, Johanna snapped back to her senses and shouted,
“Nella, run!”
“……!”
