Shuher, who had snatched the gun from Evenel, aimed it at a target just as she had. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.

The swiftly flying bullet accurately hit a spot almost identical to where she had aimed.

To Evenel, his shooting skills were as excellent as his swordsmanship.

“Is that all you can do?”

To her, that’s how it sounded. His seemingly self-assured shooting skills were nothing special.

“You still seem to be deluded. You still don’t know your place.”

Saying so, Shuher emptied the remaining bullets and shells from the gun and tossed them to the ground.

“The only reason you’re still alive is because of your abilities. Without them, your worth is merely that gun. A gun without bullets is useless.”

“Right now…”

“Whatever you think, whatever you feel, whether you struggle not to die, it has nothing to do with me. Why, did you think I’d be grateful because you said so?”

Evenel’s gaze landed on the gun that lay worthless on the ground.

Even so, Shuher didn’t withdraw his piercing gaze. Once he had exploded like this, he couldn’t stop. He wanted to completely shatter her confident expression.

“I didn’t mean to say it like that…”

“You won’t be able to protect anyone. No, people will die because of you.”

At that sentence, all movement stopped for Evenel. Even the smile on her face completely disappeared.

‘I will cause their deaths?’

At that moment, she tightly shut her eyes, recalling the cold face of Aran in her arms. Her hands didn’t tremble, but the emotions she felt then flooded back once again.

The helplessness of being unable to do anything, and the deep guilt. No matter how much time passed, she could never forget it.

So she should say ‘no,’ but her mouth wouldn’t open.

“Don’t forget that you belong to Aodin, Lady Evenel Istella.”

With those final words, Shuher was the first to leave the training grounds. Left alone, Evenel stood still for a moment, then slowly picked up the fallen gun and shook off the dirt.

She thought she had adapted to this place in her own way, but she hadn’t. Facing that cold gaze again felt like being doused with cold water.

Even knowing Shuher despised, even loathed her, she couldn’t hide her disappointment at hearing such words directly. All her efforts for the past two weeks had been in vain.

“Is there nothing I can do…”

Evenel’s faint words dispersed into the air without a trace.

The day of departure dawned as if asking what had happened. Evenel began preparations early, but her expression was not particularly good, perhaps due to lack of sleep.

She dressed in the comfortable activewear Emil had prepared in advance, tucked a gun into her waist, and donned a robe over it.

Then Lia entered the room.

“You’re already prepared.”

“I have to leave soon. Why the long face?”

Though Lia tried to force a smile, an undeniable worry shone through. Knowing her feelings, Evenel tightly grasped her hand.

“I’ll be back soon. You’ll probably ask why I returned so quickly.”

“You’re something else.”

At her jest, Lia finally laughed. She too held Evenel’s hand tightly.

“I’ll be praying for your safe return here.”

“Alright.”

As Evenel exited the palace and headed towards the main gate, Shuher and the knights were already assembled. She bowed her head in greeting but said nothing more.

She went straight to the horse she had trained with since learning to ride.

“It won’t be an easy journey, but I’m counting on you.”

Then, spotting Emil, who seemed to have come to bid her farewell, she approached him first. She finally voiced the thought she’d been wrestling with since last night.

“I’ve decided to trust you again, Emil.”

“What?”

“You’re the only one who came to apologize to me.”

The only person who had sought her out regarding Lia was Emil. And because his apology felt sincere, she decided to trust him once more.

Besides, she had no one else to entrust Lia to.

Her warnings had stilled the waters for now, but it was sure to be only temporary. Similar issues would undoubtedly resurface soon.

“My request remains the same. Treat her simply as a maid. Praise her when she does well, scold her harshly when she doesn’t. That’s all I ask.”

“Yes.”

Emil answered with even more conviction than before. Over the past few days, he’d watched Lia closely and found her to be more diligent than anyone else, doing her utmost even when somewhat clumsy at times.

It seemed, for the first time, that he saw not a servant from Aodin, but Lia the maid.

Reassured by his answer, Evenel turned her head and locked eyes with Shuher. But she quickly avoided his gaze.

“Let’s depart.”

Following the knights, she too mounted her horse. Her posture, as if to show all her prior training, lacked awkwardness. Evenel took a deep breath against the rising tension.

With Shuher leading the way, they began to gallop, and she flicked her reins.
Her hair and robe fluttered as she rode through the wind. The tightness in her chest eased just a little.

Evenel was at the very back of the party, and the momentum of the knights leading the way pierced the sky.