Return of the Female Knight

“This is what I was hiding from you, Young Lady.”

Mirabelle’s mouth was opened in fright. All she knew was that Elena and Kuhn were somehow connected, but this was the first time she had details of the nature of his work. This was exact confirmation of the danger of his profession, which she could only vaguely guess at before.

‘If he’s one of Carlisle’s men…does this mean he’s been serving Elena too?’

Mirabelle wasn’t naive enough to not understand what the blood on his clothes meant. The differences between an assassin and an official knight were sharply divided. Knights would kill in a fair battle, but assassins would kill when given any order. Knights were often of noble birth, while assassins were looked down in contempt for coming from low birth, and their work was usually associated with deceit.

Mirabelle’s dark green eyes gradually regained their reason. She stared at Kuhn’s bloody clothes.

“Are…are you hurt?”

Kuhn’s footsteps paused for a moment, but he approached Mirabelle again. When he got close enough, he cut the ropes binding her hands.

“…Yes. I’m glad that you’re alright.”

When he leaned in close to Mirabelle, she noticed the beads of sweat on his forehead. He must have rushed here urgently.

For a moment she wondered if he worried about her, but then she soon dismissed the thought. It was likely he had come here because she was Elena’s sister and Carlisle’s sister-in-law. However, Mirabelle was still grateful that it was him who came to her rescue and not anyone else.

Kuhn quickly took Mirabelle’s delicate hand and led her through the cage. After being completely freed from her cage, she was able to look at him face-to-face.

“…Thank you for saving me.”

“Please thank the General and Her Highness later. They mobilized every single soldier to find you.”

In truth, it was Kuhn who quickly discovered Mirabelle’s abductors, and rushed here as soon as he confirmed the information. Mirabelle nodded, realizing that her guess was not wrong.

“I will, but…thank you for coming here in person.”

“I just followed the directions from above.”

Kuhn answered in a stiff reply, and Mirabelle hesitated before she spoke again.

“…I suppose so. Is that why you went to Blaise mansion?”

“Yes. Her Highness could not tell you anything about me.”

“…I see.”

“Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t want the two of you to be estranged because of me.”

“I understand. It would have been impossible for Elena to tell me about you. I’m also sorry what I said to my sister.”

Kuhn gave an inward sigh of relief.

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

“…Will you answer everything?”

“If it’s possible. I can’t give you any confidential information.”

“I’m not curious about that. Only…”

Kuhn stared at Mirabelle in slight puzzlement, but she only wanted to know one thing.

“When I confessed, you mentioned our difference in status. After this…what answer would you give to me?”

Kuhn was still not a social match for Mirabelle, but he was not as lowly as a servant. Because his status was somewhat more elevated, Mirabelle wondered if his answer to her confession would change.

Kuhn’s reply was still cold.

“…Do you still not see why I am not suitable for you, Young Lady?”

It was more of a question than an answer, but it was enough to convey Kuhn’s intentions. There was not much difference in eligibility between a low servant and an assassin.

Mirabelle hung her head in dismay. That was the answer that robbed her of her last hope. She couldn’t even count how many times she lost the same man.

Kuhn stared at her subdued form before speaking again in a low voice.

“We’ll wait here for the other knights to arrive. And please note that Blaise mansion has not yet been informed of your kidnapping. However, Her Highness is very concerned about your safety, so you will be sent to the Imperial Palace. That is all.”

Kuhn coolly turned around. Mirabelle looked at the back of his head, realizing in her gut that this might be the last time she saw him. She had no reason to pursue him anymore.

Kkuug—

Mirabelle’s small hand urgently caught Kuhn’s sleeve. He didn’t shake her off, and he turned back to look at her. She was so relieved…yet her heart ached at the thought she may never see him again…

Tears formed unbidden in Mirabelle’s eyes again. She didn’t want Kuhn to see, so she kept her head down. It was best not to cry, but she could not stop the tears from flowing. She stood frozen as they slipped down her chin.

“…Young Lady.”

“I’m sorry. But I still didn’t understand it when you were a servant, and I still don’t understand it now. Why can’t we be together?”

All she cared about was his heart, yet Kuhn kept speaking as if they could never be together. No matter what his feelings were, the end was already fixed for him. Yet Mirabelle was prepared to give up everything if she had to. The problem was that she could not be alone in this.

“There is one thing I understand clearly. When I let go of you, our relationship will be broken.”

“…”

“If I bravely walk towards you ten footsteps, and all you do is step back…there’s no progress between us.”

Love was not a solo endeavor. Even if Mirabelle had love enough for the both of them, if Kuhn did not accept it, she would be nothing more than a mere nuisance.

“I don’t know what I look like to you, but…I’m serious. I like you for who you are.”

Mirabelle lifted her head. She looked straight at his face for what was possibly the last time. Kuhn’s gray eyes were trembling slightly.

“Whether you are a servant for Blaise mansion…”

She didn’t want much from Kuhn from the start. She just wanted Kuhn.

“Or an assassin with endless blood on your hands…”

She didn’t know how to put this feeling of love into words. Kuhn had filled up her own heart.

“…No, I don’t care if it’s worse than that. Even if you’re a slave, my heart won’t change.”

Mirabelle had pretended not to know, but another servant had seen Kuhn bathe, and they told her about the mark of slavery that was on him. She knew everything about Kuhn, and still loved him. She couldn’t stop the urge to keep running after him.

Meanwhile, Kuhn’s gray eyes widened in surprise. He didn’t expect her to know about his past.

“How did you know?”

“It doesn’t matter to me at all. So let me ask you one more time. Will you hold my hand?”