The day Katia arrived began like any other.
"Let’s go with this one today!"
Katia thrust a light pink dress toward me. Mira stood beside her, preparing a white lace collar. Just as always, I let them dress me, style my hair, and pin back my bangs with a hairclip, completely at their mercy.
"You're so cute again today! Rein, you really are the best!"
"It suits you perfectly, Lord Rein."
Both of them looked quite satisfied. I let out a heavy sigh and looked at my reflection in the mirror. No matter how I looked at it, I saw a girl staring back at me.
We were scheduled to go shopping in the territorial capital again today. As I started to change out of the dress, Katia grabbed my arm.
"Let’s go just as you are today!"
"I told you, no. We’ve been over this."
"Just once won't hurt! I promise no one will ever know!"
Katia took both of my hands and shook them back and forth.
"Please? Pretty please?"
I couldn't turn her down. To be honest, I was a little curious myself—would people really not notice?
"...Fine, but just this once."
"Yay! Thank you!" Katia hopped for joy.
"But don't tell anyone. Father will be furious if he finds out. That goes for you too, Mira."
Mira looked hesitant for a moment, but then she gave me a small smile. "...It will be our secret. I understand."
"Of course! It's a secret!" Katia winked mischievously.
We boarded the carriage. Sitting next to Katia, our identical chestnut-colored bob cuts made it feel like looking into a mirror. The House Laufen crest identification pendant swayed against Katia’s chest. Since it was an item she was required to wear whenever she left her own territory, she always had it on when she visited us. My own crest identification was a dagger-style charm meant to be hung from a belt, but since a weapon would ruin the look of the dress, I had left it in my room. Besides, we were only traveling within our own territorial capital; I didn't think I'd need it.
Five official knights escorted us on horseback. Today, Anton’s younger brother, Paul, was among them. He was as serious as his brother and exceptionally skilled with horses. He pulled up beside the carriage and gave a small nod. He didn't seem to realize it was me, likely assuming I was just a friend of Katia's. It was a strange feeling.
The market in the territorial capital was bustling as usual. Katia headed straight for a clothing store she had visited before, spending her time browsing with Mira. Meanwhile, I looked at clothes for myself. I wondered if androgynous styles might suit me, even if they weren't as feminine as what I was wearing now.
Once we finished our shopping, we returned to the carriage. On the way back, Katia and Mira laughed together as Katia tried out a new ribbon in Mira’s hair.
◇◇◇
I was staring blankly out the window. The sky was overcast with low-hanging gray clouds, though it didn't look like it would rain just yet. The carriage rattled along the cobblestone street, leaving the market behind and entering a quieter district with less foot traffic.
Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a halt.
The driver shouted something I couldn't quite catch. Immediately after, the sharp ring of clashing steel echoed from outside.
The sound of swords.
"Huh?" Katia let out a small cry. Mira reflexively stepped in front of her.
I peered out the window.
Our escort knights had drawn their blades. They were surrounded by at least ten unknown men—perhaps more.
They were all armed. This was an ambush. Inside the territorial capital?!
Paul was fighting nearby. From his movements, it was clear that the knights were more skilled in one-on-one combat, but the attackers weren't moving like common bandits.
And there were just too many of them.
Another knight was slashed across the back and collapsed. A spray of blood hit the side of the carriage.
At this rate...
A cold clarity washed over my mind as my thoughts accelerated. His experience allowed me to analyze the attackers' motives instantly.
Given their numbers and coordination, they definitely weren't bandits. This was a calculated strike. They had brought enough men to overwhelm five official knights and target a carriage from House Werl.
I’m not the target. If they wanted to kidnap me, they would have snatched me when I was walking through the market with Mira. There was no reason to launch a high-risk assault on a carriage with a heavy escort.
We only used the carriage when Katia was visiting.
Katia is the target.
If they intended to kill her, they would have used arrows or magic to finish off the knights and the carriage from a distance. They weren't doing that. They were using close-quarters combat to eliminate the guards and secure the carriage intact.
A kidnapping.
I had to think. We were inside the territorial capital. If the struggle continued, reinforcements from the castle would arrive. The attackers were on a clock. Once they secured their objective—Katia—they would retreat immediately.
Why do this inside the city? No, that didn't matter right now. I had to find a way to get us through this.
I remembered the storage space for luggage under the seats. A child could squeeze in there. If I hid Katia inside, the attackers wouldn't have the time to conduct a thorough search of the carriage.
But hiding her wasn't enough. If they looked inside and found it empty, they would search the surrounding area and find her in seconds.
If I act as a decoy...
I was already dressed as a girl. I had the same hair color as Katia and similar clothes. As long as I had the pendant, they would believe I was her.
If I ran from the carriage, they would chase me. That would give Katia the chance to stay hidden.
As for me, if I pushed my Physical Enhancement to its limit, I might be able to make it to the castle. If I reached the gates, I would win.
The moment I reached that conclusion, the flow of time snapped back to normal.
"Rein, what’s happening?" Katia moved toward the window. I grabbed her by the shoulders.
"It’s an ambush! Katia, get under the seat!"
"What?"
"Just do it! Mira, shove Katia under the seat! You hide on the other side!"
"But, Lord Rein! What about you?!"
"I’ll use Physical Enhancement and run for the castle! I'm faster than a lower knight—I can make it!"
"But—!"
"Mira! That’s an order!"
Mira looked at me for a heartbeat, then nodded with a tearful expression. She immediately grabbed Katia’s arm.
"Lady Katia, this way."
"Wait... Rein, what are you doing?"
I pulled the pendant from Katia’s neck.
"Give it back! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Sorry."
I slipped the pendant around my own neck. The House Laufen crest felt cold against my chest. I removed my hairclip and let my bangs fall to obscure my face. Now, I was Katia.
"Don't come out, no matter what. Stay quiet. Everything will be okay."
I tried to smile to reassure them. I’m not sure if I pulled it off.
Katia tried to protest, but Mira forced her into the storage space beneath the seat. Mira's eyes were rimmed with red.
"Lord Rein..."
"It’s okay. Just wait for me."
Mira ducked into the opposite storage space.
I threw open the carriage door. The outside air was chilling, filled with the sounds of clashing steel and angry shouts.
I ran.
"There she is!" "The carriage is empty!"
I heard the shouts behind me.
I channeled every ounce of my Physical Enhancement into my legs. My body felt weightless. I kicked off the cobblestones and sprinted toward the castle. If I could just reach the gates—
I felt a presence closing in behind me.
They were fast.
As I rounded the next corner, a shadow lunged from an alleyway, blocking my path. I spun around only to find two more men closing the distance from behind.
If only I had offensive magic... if only I were a little faster...
The thought flickered through my mind for an instant, but reality was cruel.
An arm grabbed me from the side and slammed me onto the cobblestones. My body hit the ground hard. A sudden, sharp impact struck the back of my neck, and my vision fractured into white.
The last thing I saw was the gray sky.