TOOCM 66

Chapter 66

Kaiden casually took a bite of the shaved ice with the same spoon.

The cool ice and sweet syrup melted in his mouth.

“Ugh.”

His grimace made Reina burst out laughing.

Only Kaiden could make something so delicious look unappetizing.

Knowing he disliked sweets, she found his effort endearing.

“It’s super sweet, right?”

“Seriously. I don’t get why anyone eats this.”

“It melts in your mouth—that’s why it’s good.”

Reina snatched the spoon and took a bite, unbothered that he’d used it.

It was proof they’d grown close.

She savored the shaved ice, eagerly scooping more.

Kaiden, watching her, felt jealous of the spoon for the first time.

Leaning closer, he said, “Give me more.”

She stared blankly, and he urged, “Hurry.”

“You said you don’t like sweets.”

“Just give it.”

Stubbornly opening his mouth, she reluctantly offered the spoon.

In a flash, he swallowed it, his gaze fixed on her.

“!”

Reina flinched, shrinking back.

He was closer than expected, and somehow, she felt shy meeting his eyes.

For a moment, a strange tension filled the room.

Kaiden, spoon in mouth, signaled, “Ah.”

She quickly pulled it back, catching her breath.

“Refreshing,” he said, smirking mischievously, as if nothing had happened.

Weird.

Reina touched her racing heart.

Lately, she kept feeling flustered around him.

Days later, the feared incident erupted.

A man in Gomel accused the village chief’s granddaughter of being the Medusa, causing a commotion.

Hearing the news, Kaiden headed to Gomel immediately.

Fortunately, a patrol had subdued the man, preventing worse outcomes.

Reina worried this could spark a witch hunt across the North, as in her past life.

Fearful people often acted irrationally.

Michael decided to stay until the Medusa issue was resolved.

“I might face trouble on the way to the capital.”

His logical excuse left no room for objection.

Since then, he sought daily tea with Reina, claiming she was the only familiar face.

But his interest felt like it had another motive.

Though burdensome, she lacked a reason to refuse.

That day, during their tea, Celine rushed in.

“Your Grace.”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s something you need to check.”

Celine, glancing at Michael, handed over a document—the list of Northern women compiled under the guise of hiring servants.

Lowering her voice, she said, “After the Gomel incident, I rechecked the list. The village chief’s granddaughter isn’t on it.”

“Really?”

That the woman nearly accused in a witch hunt was missing was suspicious.

Celine, sharing Reina’s thoughts, added cautiously, “It could be an oversight, but the timing is too convenient. You should verify it yourself…”

She glanced at Michael, worried about interrupting with such a sensitive matter.

“Don’t mind me,” Michael said, reassuring her.

Relieved, Celine continued, “If you wish, I’ll go to Gomel and bring her.”

“No, I’ll go myself.”

“What? No, Your Grace! It’s too dangerous!”

“Is something wrong?” Michael interjected.

As Celine faltered, Reina said, “I need to handle something.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

“It’s…”

“Then I can’t let you go alone. I’ll come with you.”

Michael set down his teacup and stood, moving swiftly as if he’d been waiting for this.

Reina blocked him. “I can go alone.”

“No, Your Grace, I’ll go,” Celine insisted.

The situation grew awkward.

Michael said calmly, “Your maid seems to disagree. For your safety, I should accompany you.”

Reina, at a loss, saw him smile faintly.

“No need for thanks. I’ve been curious about what a demonic beast looks like.”

“If you get hurt, I’ll be in trouble.”

“I’m decent with a sword. Not as skilled as the Duke, but I won’t be a burden.”

“But…”

“The more you resist, the more I’ll think you’re hiding something.”

With a polite smile, he offered his hand, his courteous escort laced with a subtle threat.

Reina sighed. Refusing him might raise suspicions.

Reluctantly, she took his hand. “…Let’s go.”

When Kaiden arrived in Gomel, the man was already detained.

The village chief’s granddaughter, gravely injured in the commotion, was unconscious.

The chief was furious.

After consoling him, Kaiden headed to the cell holding the culprit.

A knight saluted, and Kaiden pointed to the man inside. “This him?”

“Yes.”

The man looked terrified, his young face aged by white hair, like an old man’s.

“What’s with his state?”

The knight reported, “Since the Gomel incident, he locked himself in his room. His hair turned white in that time.”

“Must’ve been extreme stress.”

“Likely. The victims were his friends, and he’s gripped by fear of dying himself.”

Five men in Gomel had been petrified—all friends of the man.

His fear was understandable.

“But why attack the chief’s granddaughter?”

“Well…” The knight glanced at the man uneasily.

“He claims she lured and killed his friends. Says he saw it through a window.”

“Is he certain?”

“The chief denies it. Says she hasn’t left the house since the incidents and one victim was her fiancé.”

“Hmm.”

Kaiden paused, then entered the cell.

The man, recognizing him, crawled over, clutching his pant leg.

“Please save me! I’ll die! She’s the Medusa, I swear!”

His sobbing was pathetic, his fear rendering him unhinged.

Kaiden looked down and asked, “Is that the only reason you accused her?”

“…What?”

“You saw your friends go with her from the start. Why didn’t you speak up sooner? Unless you had something to hide, it would’ve been smarter to talk earlier.”

“I-I…”