Only with Your Heart

The forest was dark and humid.

After walking for about two hours with their hands tied to a greasy rope and being pulled by horses, Chizuru and Exia’s small group were finally facing Lukrov’s army of knights.

She wasn’t sure if this was the place designated beforehand or if they just crossed paths on their way to each other.

Forced to march, Chizuru was unable to think of anything other than moving her feet forward.

Baru, her only hope, was tied to the rope even tighter than she was, and was even gagged, so he wouldn’t even have a chance to resist.

The winner of the battle was obvious.

The sight of an army with a dignified appearance, who seemed confident that they were going to win the war, confronting a remnant group of ruffians led by Exia was beyond insane.

Chizuru’s throat was dry and sore, and she wished that this moment would never come.

Surrounded by the dirty sweat of the men and the wild smell of the horses, Chizuru prayed that time would stop.

She prayed that the decisive moment that Exia was planning would not come forever. However, the more impatient she became, the more time passed like a running stream.

The next thing she knew, Lukrov was right in front of her.

I had wished so desperately to return to him, but now it’s agonizingly painful.

Ah, Lukrov. 

I have to protect him somehow, no matter the cost.

Chizuru looked around, looking for that sharp-eyed man in black clothing, but she couldn’t find him. That was a bad sign. The man must be hiding somewhere in the bushes of the forest.

He was holding an arrow aimed at Lukrov’s heart.

The only way to save him was for her to use her body as a shield.

It had only been a few days, but the chain mail had made Lukrov’s tall body look a little thinner. His short black hair appeared to have not been combed in days and looked wild and disheveled, but in fact, it gave him the appearance of a wild lion.

He carried a sword but was not wearing armor.

In other words, Lukrov prioritized mobility over his own safety. He wanted to get Chizuru back as fast as possible. 

But that would not be enough to prevent the arrow from aiming for his life.

“Good day, Duke Lukrov! Is this what you’re looking for?

Exia’s dramatic voice broke through the silence of the two armies as she leaped to the front.

Both sides’ horses were stamping their feet on the spot, snorting wildly. Harnesses and weapons jingled and rattled, making a clashing sound, but no one spoke except Exia.

“Please take a look at this woman. She had an affair with this knight and was trying to elope with him! We happened to find them by accident and captured them. You cut off my father’s head over a complete misunderstanding.” 

Chizuru, who was standing next to Exia, was pushed forward as if telling her to explain herself if she could.

Baru, who was being held at a distance, was gagged and unable to utter a word, but Chizuru was free except for her hands which were tied. She could scream at the top of her voice and say that it was a lie.

But.

But, surely, if she did that, Lukrov’s life would be in danger.

That man dressed in black had trained an arrow on Lukrov from somewhere. Usually, Lukrov would never show such carelessness around his enemies. But now, he looked way too vulnerable.

His eyes stared at Chizuru as if they were drowning.

His hands gripped the reins so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and there were some visible scratches on his cheeks.

‘Please, please, just believe Exia’s lie.’

‘Just dismiss me as a traitorous woman, and get out of this place. Then forget about me and be happy.’

Although she knew it was impossible, Chizuru couldn’t help but wish for such a miracle to happen.

“Why don’t you try to say something, you slutty whore?”