TOOCM 64

Chapter 64

Even as Kaiden left, he kept glancing back to ensure Reina’s safety.

His protective demeanor, like a parent watching a child by the water, made her smile.

I handled it on my own.

She couldn’t wait to tell him about today.

Overcoming her greatest fear filled her with confidence.

“I miss you,” she murmured, startling herself as the words slipped out.

Chirp chirp.

Ritsi flicked its tongue, scrunching its face as if it had caught her thoughts.

Her cheeks flushed, her heart pounding.

Kaiden returned to Crensia Castle before dinner, as planned.

Learning through Dive that Michael had requested a private audience with Reina, he hurried to their chambers.

“Reina.”

She was reading in the chamber’s reception room and stood to greet him.

“You’re back?”

Her calm, welcoming face didn’t ease his worry. Knowing how well she hid her emotions, he couldn’t relax.

Rushing to her, he grasped her shoulders, inspecting her.

“You met alone with the From heir. Are you hurt?”

“Do you think Michael would harm me?”

“You can’t trust royals.”

Kaiden answered offhandedly, then caught himself. “Not you, of course. You’re always the exception.”

“It’s fine. I feel the same. Royals aren’t trustworthy—especially after what happened to my brother.”

Mentioning her brother, Reina gave a bittersweet smile.

No royal could rival her disdain for them, having lost her only family.

Cautiously, she shared what she’d most wanted to tell him.

“I think I fooled him.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We don’t need to worry anymore.”

Her radiant smile, filled with relief, made Kaiden’s chest tighten.

She’d longed to escape the Emperor’s grasp since before their marriage.

He still didn’t know why she was so desperate, but if this eased her heart even slightly, that was enough.

Caressing her cheek, he said, “Good. Now you can stay by my side in peace, Reina.”

“Thank you.”

She grinned, grasping his hand.

Their gazes met softly, a subtle tension lingering.

Lately, an unspoken chemistry had been growing between them, but neither addressed it, unsure where it might lead.

After a moment, Kaiden sighed and slowly released her hand.

He shifted to the day’s events outside.

“I confirmed it was a Medusa’s doing.”

As the topic changed, Reina focused on it naturally.

“What happened to the petrified victim?”

“It’s too late to reverse it. The issue is the family opposes disposing of the body.”

“That’s understandable. It was their loved one.”

Reina fell into thought.

Medusa victims turned to stone and withered away.

Normally, that was the end, but this Medusa was a variant.

Left alone, the bodies could turn and attack their families.

“Were there any missing women in the village?”

“Not really. Medusas usually target men.”

“What about women who recently moved in?”

“There are a few we could narrow down. Why? Do you know something?”

Kaiden asked seriously, sensing she was onto something.

She shared what she knew. “This Medusa might not be a typical isolated type.”

“A variant?”

“Yes. It can wear a human guise, using a woman’s body as a host.”

Variant Medusas moved through young women’s bodies, building their influence.

They marked followers and bided time to create their own dominion.

The North’s regions were cursed by a Medusa before.

It had to be stopped. Reina continued, “Gomel might not be the first. We need to check how many men and women have gone missing across the North.”

“Got it.”

“Move quietly. We don’t want innocent women facing a witch hunt.”

In her past life, fear of Medusas led men to round up and burn suspected women, causing massacres and unjust deaths.

“If you find a suspect, protect her first. The host was likely human originally.”

“I will.”

Kaiden didn’t dismiss her words.

He knew her abilities and had benefited from them before, making her advice trustworthy.

“Is there a way to identify the host?”

“The host will have a core. Removing it saves them. Bring any suspects to me—I can see the core.”

Pointing to Ritsi, Reina spoke confidently, and Kaiden nodded immediately.

Her ability to see supernatural energies was vital in the North, especially now with unpredictable demonic beasts.

“I’ll arrange discreet meetings. As you said, we can’t let innocents suffer.”

Kaiden saw Reina as a divine gift—a protector of the North and his sole companion.

The only woman he’d risk his life for.

With a warm gaze, he added, “But don’t push yourself too hard. Your safety is my priority.”

His words were so sweet that Reina nodded deeply, hiding her flushed face.

The appearance of a Medusa plunged Gomel village into fear.

Though hushed, families of petrified victims knew the truth.

Rumors could spread quickly.

To make matters worse, conflicts arose with families over body disposal.

Upper orders demanded cremation for safety, enraging them.

The village chief understood their grief but had to prioritize the safety of the living.

Overwhelmed by complaints, he returned home exhausted.

His young granddaughter approached, massaging his shoulders.

“Grandfather, you must be tired.”

“I am. What a mess this is.”

He looked at her wearily—glossy black hair, vibrant skin, red eyes.

His precious granddaughter, who’d come of age this year, had lost her fiancé to this tragedy.

Pitying her, he said, “You must be suffering more than me.”

“I’m fine living with you, Grandfather.”

She continued massaging calmly. “So don’t worry about me. I’m really okay.”

“You’re comforting me instead. You give me strength.”

He didn’t notice the unusual glint in her eyes.

Unlike his assumptions, she felt no sorrow.

She was the one who’d killed her fiancé.