Return of the Female Knight

Elena opened the door to her room. Most of the servants were now asleep, save for Michael who waited for her by the doorstep. But she sensed someone else’s subtle presence in the room.

‘It’s too early for the Countess to hire an assassin…’

Elena entered the dark room, wary of her unidentified opponent. She snapped on the lights and looked around.

It was Kuhn. She was a little surprised by his unexpected visit.

“What are you doing here?”

Kuhn did not usually come unless she tied a red handkerchief to the window. It was the first time he arrived before her even though she did not call for him.

“The General wants to see you.”

“Me?”

The sudden proposal struck her as a strange. Of course they could contact each other anytime for business, but there was something unusual about how Kuhn had waited so long at this late of an hour.

“Well, that’s fine. Right now?”

“No. The General is far away now, but he will come to the capital in three days.”

Three days. She didn’t have time for him then. That was the day of the party where she would confront Helen.

“My apologies, but please tell him that I already have something scheduled for that day.”

“I will pass on your message, but I don’t think you will get a response. He can’t be immediately reached at the moment.

She had heard that Carlisle was away from the capital, and wondered what he was up to. She could ask Kuhn, but thought better of the effort. He would probably say, “You should ask the General directly.”

Elena wanted to finish this conversation soon. She had had sleepless nights because of the rumors, and was also exhausted after her meeting with Stella.

“Let me know as soon as he returns, and we’ll reschedule our meeting.”

“…I understand.”

Kuhn looked a little taken back, but had nothing else to say as he could not contact Carlisle immediately. Finally, he gave a brief farewell, saying it was late.

“Good night, My Lady.”

“You too. Be careful.”

As always, Kuhn disappeared silently into the darkness. After watching the scene for a moment, she prepared to go to bed.

*

*

*

The day of battle finally arrived. Elena stood in front of the mirror wearing an elegant dress as Mirabelle looked on with pride.

“Hehe, I did it myself, but it really suits my sister.”

“Thank you for attention. I really needed your strength today.”

“Why? What’s happening?”

Mirabelle, who was little involved in social gossip, was completely oblivious about the rumors spreading about Elena. At her sister’s curious look, Elena smiled.

“Nothing. I was chosen as Madonna at the ball and it would be silly if I attended another party in a shabby dress.”

“Oh, of course! Yes!”

Mirabelle’s innocent smile filled Elena with an indescribable energy. This was all to protect her family. To maintain this happiness, Elena would walk along any thorny path in the future. Elena slipped her hand around Mirabelle’s slim shoulder and spoke in a low voice.

“Wish me luck, sister.”

“Yes, cheer up!”

With Mirabelle’s firm support behind her, Elena smiled and closed her eyes. She would not take the slander lying down. Elena had a family to protect. There was no time to hesitate.

*

This was her first social event after the ball. Although she was dressed just as beautifully then, the gazes on her were different from that night.

Kkiigg–

As soon as she opened the door and entered the banquet hall, she could feel everyone’s repulsive stares all over her body. Although Stella had started spreading rumors about Helen, the abuse about Elena had been more intense by far. She felt self-conscious by the men’s encroaching gaze, but she kept her head upright.

At the center of the hall was the largest crowd, including two faces that Elena was familiar with. Helen and Sophie. Elena had two plans, as she was unsure whether they would attend or not, but she wanted the pleasure to deal with Helen personally.

Next to Helen was Sophie narrating loudly to the crowd.

“…so I went into Lady Elena’s room, and there was a man right there!”

Ttogag, ttogag.

As Elena strode towards Sophie, the nobles’ eyes turned towards her. When Elena stood in the center of attention, Helen noticed and lifted the corner of her mouth. Then she held her finger to her nose and said,

“Oh, isn’t that the stench of a rag?”