“I was trying to make amends by inviting her to the fencing hall, but it all went wrong. Should’ve just killed him…”

The faces of those who had violated Elizabeth each night came to mind.

If Elizabeth hadn’t stepped in, a massacre might have unfolded, one that would be remembered in the empire’s history.

Lately, Nikolai had grown to despise his own patience.

He wanted to dry up the seeds of all those lawless nobles.

Not for the empire, but because they had violated Elizabeth with their foul tongues.

That alone was reason enough for their destruction.

“What are you looking for, sir?”

The owner, wearing a leather apron, shrank back.

Only then did Nikolai survey the stable.

Bits, bridles, saddles, whips, and various riding equipment were neatly arranged.

“I heard there’s a skilled craftsman here.”

“You’ve come to the right place. We can make anything you need from the finest materials.”

“I need a twoseater saddle.”

“We don’t have anything like that.”

“Then make it.”

Nikolai spoke, his tone tinged with incredulity.

The owner hunched his shoulders at Nikolai’s assertiveness.

“Well, but…”

“Is ten days enough?”

“Sorry, but that’s impossible! The craftsmen won’t even want to make it. We’re backlogged with orders.”

Before the owner could finish, Nikolai turned his purse upsidedown.

Seeing the pile of gold coins tumble out, the owner’s mouth dropped open.

“Feeling motivated now?”

“Are you giving me all of this?!”

“A valuable lady will occupy the front seat. Pay attention to the comfort, as she’s not used to horses.”

“With this much, I could buy dozens of horses and build a stable!”

“I already have plenty.”

“Eh?”

“I’ll return in ten days.”

Leaving the stunned owner behind, Nikolai exited the stable.

Thinking of Elizabeth’s surprised reaction to the twoseater saddle brought a faint smile to his lips.

“If she asks if I’m carrying another woman, I’ll say it was made just for her.”

He was looking forward to ten days from now.

He was dying to know what expression Elizabeth would make.

“Should I go back to the skewer place? Ah, maybe she’s still full? Where should I go? What do women like?”

It was a problem he’d never pondered before.

Politics and war were one thing, but dating?

It was foreign and difficult.

But not unwelcome.

If it could make Elizabeth happy, he felt he could do anything.

Even spending a fortune didn’t seem wasteful.

“I should have had Cares investigate in advance. I’m unprepared.”

Nikolai pulled his hood closer.

He was afraid his anxious anticipation might show on his face.

He hastened his steps, then suddenly stopped.

A powerful anxiety pierced his heart.

“Elizabeth’s scent has vanished! Has something happened to her?!”

He began running as the thought crossed his mind.
The knights who were secretly escorting the emperor also started to run.

Sweat broke out on my clenched fist.

Pedestrians scattered to the sides, yelling.

The café where Elizabeth was waiting was too far away.

When did I come so far?

Why did I leave her alone?

A bad premonition and overwhelming regret constricted my chest.

By the time Nikolai arrived, Elizabeth had disappeared.

(This is a time marker.)

Kidnapping?

How cliché.

The original work didn’t have such a plot.

If it did, I would have enjoyed it.

There was no reader who disliked a villainess facing adversity.

‘Feeling disgusting now that it’s happening to me. My limbs feel numb. What’s in this bag? Ah, the smell! My head hurts.’

I groaned in the backseat of the shaky carriage.

The fear of possible death had disappeared.

Because I overheard the kidnappers talking among themselves.

“Handle her carefully. Do you know how much she’s worth?”

“A hundred million gold, right? Even if you told me it was the price of the empress, I’d believe it!”

“Keep your voice down. If she wakes up, it’s going to be a headache.”

“Who is she, anyway?”

“I’ve only heard she’s a wicked woman like a vixen. They warned me not to fall for her tricks.”

My worth is just a hundred million gold?

What do they see the intelligent and beautiful heiress of Emster as?

Grinding my teeth, I clenched my fist.

The kidnappers didn’t know my identity.

If they knew, they wouldn’t be satisfied with such a paltry sum.

So, who wanted to kidnap me?

‘Obviously, not Simon’s father. He’s after my fortune. Is it one of the heads of the other three families? They might have joined forces. To think that kidnapping was the best they could come up with. How uninspired. Tsk, tsk.’

I clicked my tongue as I fidgeted my hands and feet.

Anything could happen at any time.

Especially for a pretty woman like me, I had to be more careful.

I couldn’t stand the stinking bag anymore.

“Excuse me?”

“What?”

“Take it out of the bag. I’ll behave.”

“Shut up! Don’t try anything funny.”

Thump, the sound of a fist hitting the floor was heard.

Trying to threaten me, but only their hands will get hurt.

With a calm and businesslike tone, I spoke again.

“If you take off the bag, I’ll give you twenty million gold.”

“Tw, twenty million?”

“Loosen the wrist restraints a bit, and I’ll add another ten million gold.”

“What?!”

“Isn’t it a good deal for just loosening them? Thirty million gold?”

I heard them swallow their spit, even inside the bag.

‘Their minds must be jumbled. They’ll be suspicious. But they’ll be tempted, right? You guys are moved by trifles.’

As expected, a hesitant answer came back.

“How do we know we can trust you?”

I’ve got them hooked.

The initiative had passed to the fisherman.

Moreover, I was very good at this type of fishing.

“Shall we start by taking off the bag?”