Even as her eyes were nearly closed, she managed to say this, eliciting a burst of laughter from Shuher, almost involuntarily.

“I’m not that heartless.”

“Good.”

With those words, Evenel’s eyes closed completely. She appeared to have fainted.

‘To this extent.’

How desperate must she have been to not only handle things herself but also bring Hibru back safely?

“Your Majesty, shall I take Evenel to…..”

“It’s fine.”

Preventing Demil from approaching, Shuher effortlessly picked up Evenel. Hesitating momentarily at her weight, which felt lighter than when they first met, he proceeded to walk.

The knights followed him.

Thus, the subjugation ended safely.

“Her injuries have been treated, and fortunately, there’s nothing severe. She should regain her strength after some rest.”

The doctor who treated Evenel left, and Shuher stared at her soundly sleeping form. With the help of the maids, she had changed her clothes.

Her fair skin made the scars stand out.

‘Is this a debt?’

If something had gone wrong with Hibru, the bonds that had spanned since the past could have wavered. Renel cared for his only son more than he let on.

Leaving the sleeping woman behind, Shuher headed to Renel’s office. There, Renel and the treated Hibru were present.

As soon as he entered, Hibru asked about Evenel’s condition.

“As for Lady Evenel,”

“She’s not severely injured.”

“That’s a relief.”

Hibru finally exhaled a sigh of relief. How startled he must have been to hear she’d collapsed.

“What happened right after you fell off the cliff?”

At Shuher’s question, he provided a detailed account of the events there.

“Lady Evenel stayed with me, which is why I could survive. Even when I said I wouldn’t go, she didn’t give up on me until the end. Told me to stop whining.”

That was something only she could say.

“She saved me multiple times. And thanks to her, I was able to face the demon. This bow.”

For a moment, Hibru’s eyes changed significantly. Renel noticed this change clearly.

Hibru vehemently emphasized the accomplishments Evenel showed during the subjugation.
Thanks to Lady Evenel, the subjugation was much easier than usual. She was the first to detect the appearance of the monster; had she not, many would have been injured. Moreover, she took the lead in defeating the monster without sparing herself.

Lenel had already heard this through the Knights. It was the unanimous opinion. The perception of Evenel had clearly changed since before the subjugation.

“She also knew well about the characteristics of the monster. She must have studied it before coming here.”

After hearing Hebr’s story, Shuher looked at Lenel and asked,

“Isn’t this reason enough to keep Her Ladyship in Karies? She’s proven herself.”

Without waiting for a reply, he stood up from his seat.

“We’ll leave first thing tomorrow. There’s been no significant damage anyway.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once he left, only Lenel and Hebr remained. Recalling Evenel’s encouraging voice, Hebr mustered the courage to speak.

“Father, I want to use this bow instead of a sword from now on. I’ve gained confidence in my own abilities. I no longer want to run or hide.”

This was what Lenel had always hoped for—a son who could speak with confidence without avoiding his gaze.

His thoughts grew heavy, realizing that something he couldn’t achieve in a lifetime was accomplished by none other than Evenel.

“Mm…”

Deep into the night, Evenel regained consciousness. When she got up, there was not a single part of her body that didn’t ache.

“I guess I made it back alive.”

Carefully stepping out of her room, she looked at the darkening night sky.

As she walked slowly, dragging her heavy body, she heard a clamor in the distance. Following the sound, she saw through a slightly opened door that all the knights involved in the subjugation were gathered together.

Shuher was among them.

They seemed to be celebrating the successful completion of the subjugation with drinks.

‘Looks like they’re having fun.’

“Lady Evenel?”

Startled by the voice calling her from behind, she turned to see Demil standing there.

“Ah, it’s you, Sir Demil.”

Realizing she was blocking the entrance, Evenel stepped aside.

“I must have been blocking the way. Please go ahead.”

Observing the bandages on her arms and shoulders, Demil hesitated for a moment but soon bowed deeply and said,

“Thank you for today.”

“Excuse me?”

“Thanks to you, we were able to return without significant damage.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected gratitude, Evenel Istella felt flustered yet proud that she’d been of help.

“I’m glad no one got seriously hurt. Hearing words of thanks from you, Sir Demil, somehow makes the pain feel like it’s gone away, you know?”

At her playful response, a smile involuntarily crept onto Demil’s lips. Being with her, he found himself inexplicably drawn into her pace.

“Let’s go inside. You haven’t had dinner, have you?”

Evenel glanced at the people beyond the door and then shook her head.

“I’m fine. Plus, I don’t want to spoil such a good atmosphere.”

She was certain that the moment she stepped in there, an awkward silence would fall over the room. And she didn’t want that.

“I think I’ll get some fresh air. Please go ahead, Sir Demil.”

Leaving him behind, Evenel walked away from the spot. Demil couldn’t bring himself to hold her back.