The news of Decain’s unexpected visit had caught me off guard, but since he was on his way here, I’d find out when I met him.

First, I decided to check the message sent by the steward of the Clisha mansion.

“Could you bring me the carrier pigeon first?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Upon my request, Baron brought the carrier pigeon from the capital into the room.

I immediately unfolded the note tied to the bird’s leg.

The note also had a little more written on it: I didn’t see the intruder myself, but Leiana definitely said that.

I was able to intuitively understand.

‘They must be pursuers from the Calua Empire.’

I didn’t know what was going on, but it seemed like Askan’s whereabouts had been revealed through Leiana.

Having read the novel “The Beloved Holy Lady”, I knew how persistent the pursuers sent from the Calua Empire could be.

The original work didn’t provide details on how Askan was taken to the Calua Empire, so I couldn’t be certain, but I guessed that perhaps Tanashia had pushed for it.

I prayed for this part to change as the original story was altering, but it seemed that the pursuers from the Calua Empire would find Askan no matter what, even without my intervention.

‘If they’ve met Leiana, they must already know that Askan is at the Brelopf mansion. It’s dangerous to stay here.’

Askan wanted to stay by my side. I, too, preferred to keep him close and protect him, but the situation had become urgent.

Unfortunately, we were not at the safe Brelopf mansion but at a secluded vacation spot.

Given that the pursuers from the Calua Empire could arrive at any moment, I didn’t hesitate and gave Baron an order.

“Pack our things right now.”

“Excuse me? We haven’t been at the villa for very long…”

“No, not mine. My foster brother’s.”

“Your foster brother, Miss?”

Baron looked at me in confusion, but Askan, standing next to me, seemed even more surprised.

As Askan looked at me questioningly, I showed him the note I received via the carrier pigeon instead of explaining, and then I spoke again to Baron.

“There’s no time. Quickly gather his clothes and emergency rations. Also, take all the cash in the villa.”

“Ah, um…”

Baron seemed uncertain about this unexpected order, but facing his hesitation, I repeated my command with a firm voice.

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

Baron seemed to regain his senses at my words and nodded in reply.

“Understood, Miss. I’ll prepare immediately.”

And so, Baron hurried out of my room. Only Askan and I remained in the room, creating a peculiar atmosphere.

Askan looked at me seriously and asked,

“What’s going on?”

“The explanation is long. Since the academic festival ended and I saw your power, I planted a steward in the Clisha mansion. I had to know if something was being plotted.”

“No, my question is… How do you know that I am being pursued?”

Askan had never said that he was an experimental subject of the Calua Empire, or that he was being chased.

If I was someone who didn’t know his situation, I wouldn’t have ordered him to pack his things based on this short note.

Askan, being clever, had noticed that I knew something.

I didn’t know where to start explaining, or whether he would believe me. But the important thing was that there was no time to explain right now.

“Do you trust me?”

To my question, Askan replied without a moment of hesitation.

“Yes.”

Recalling our first meeting, it was remarkable that he had this much trust in me now.

Without knowing it, I smiled faintly and spoke.

“I promise. You may not believe me, but I’ll explain everything later. For now, it’s best to leave this villa.”

“Until when?”

I couldn’t easily answer Askan’s question.

If it was discovered that he had been staying at the Brelopf mansion as my foster brother, there was no place more dangerous for him than by my side.

“Let’s wait and see the situation for now. We still don’t know for sure what’s happening, so we’ll see if the pursuers find their way here…”

“If we encounter them, you could be in danger.”

Askan looked serious. I could tell he was worried about me.

“Who’s worrying about whom right now? I am the honored daughter of the Brelopf family. They can’t do anything to me so easily, don’t worry.”

“They’re not the kind to follow such common sense.”

“But if I move along, our location will be exposed. You should first evade yourself. I’ll try to buy us some time.”

Askan frowned. It was palpable that he was highly displeased with the current situation, but regardless of what anyone said, this was the best option.

“Askan, you know too. At this moment, this is the only way…”

“Even if the possibility is minute, I hate the fact that you could get hurt. I’m furious that I have to be apart from you because of someone else.”

The smart him would undoubtedly understand my words. He didn’t like the situation itself where he had to evade, leaving me behind.

“I’d rather evacuate you to safety, and I…”

“No.”