The Countess' face turned a bit gloomy.
"The Captain of Special Task Squad isn't even a civilan of the empire, is he? We don't know which country he came from and whose blood run through his veins. How could we accept him into our family? This problem could tarnished the Epheria household's legitimation."
(T/N: 'whose blood run through his veins' basically means whether his parents might be royalties, ordinary people/commoners, criminals, etc)
…, this isn't the Imperial Family, why should we talk about family legitimation? This family is just a normal noble family who owned some territories at the countryside, isn't it? I knew she wouldn't easily compromised, but I never thought she would resort to this absurd reasoning.
"So both of you will continue to opposed?"
"This is all for your own good. You also know how important a wedding for a woman is. You will regret it for whole your life if you get married just because of some fleeting affections."
For the umpteenth times, she'd been trying to coerce me while the corner of her lips slightly raised.
"You'll really regret it in the future."
It was as if she would really makes me regret when I heard her words. Well, that's not a surprising matter though. It would be better for them to get rid off me from the beginning if I still insisted on this engagement. However it may be, Silla Epheria was just a hindrance that could make the situation worsened. They must be thinking that they could do nothing to Silla before the contract ended, and Silla would be dead as soon as the contract was fulfilled. Therefore, it's as if they're sitting on pins and needles because Silla still alive and well as she is now. And not to mention, I declared I would get married with a man that could danger their positions. Right now Silla wasn't just a thorn inside their hearts anymore, but more like a ferocious teeths which tearing up their flesh.
…, I guess there would be some intruders coming for me tonight.
I looked at the Countess and talked with a smirk.
"That's my own problem, so even if I regret later, I'll just bear with it."
"Could you deal with it when you're still this young?"
"I'm already eighteen, so it makes me an adult."
"You're very stubborn."
"I just want to decide for my own life."
If you don't like it, then just confronted me openly. Don't talk in a roundabout way only to brew some schemes.
When the atmosphere between me and the Countess grew colder, suddenly a servant appeared while running hastily.
"The Captain of Special Task Squad, Jullius Rizar, come over. He said that he wants to meet with Miss Silla."
"Find a reasonable excuse to make him leave."
The servant became confused after hearing the Countess' order and had a terrified face.
"M-make him leave…?"
"Yes. Does he have no manners? He should have informed us before he came."
"B-but, Countess… it's not as easy as you said–"
"Does that mean you don't know how to do your work?"
The Countess' words were clearly ruthless. The Countess' reprimand made the servant hesitated on what he should do, then he turned around to leave with slumped shoulder. Sigh… Blocking Captain Jullius' way need extra courage and effort. If he could do it, why would he work as a servant then? He better became a knight or joined the army.
After that servant left, the Countess was looking at me in silent.
"Do you want to meet him?"
"Not really."
He would certainly found his way in to meet me and it's unnecessary for me to welcome him. This place wasn't a battlefield with many layered barricades, how could he willingly return just because they won't let him pass the front gate of this mansion? As I've expected, there're some faint noises coming closer shortly after. Some of the Count family's guards could be seen rushed up into the garden.
"C-Countess! Quickly run!"
"We couldn't chase him out!"
…, this has gone too far. People might be thinking that a war broke here. The guards' exaggerated shouts and actions made the Countess raised from her seat with a frown on her forehead.
"Where's Daren, the captain of the guards? Give a clear report!"
"Ermm… that… the captain fainted after being knocked out by the Captain of Special Task Squad!"
Well, thats normal. The captain of the guards obviously wasn't his match. If it's me, perhaps I still have a chance though. The Countess bit down her lips and spoke in lowered tone.
"Did he kill the guards' captain?"
"…, no. The guards' captain was only made unconscious, no one get wounded or died."
"Then just attack him even if you need to risk your life! If someone get injured badly, I will give him twenty folds of his salary as compensation and if someone dies, I will give his family a part of our lands!"
Giving out a part of our lands? What an unexpected offer! She wanted to instigate Captain Jullius to commit murder and took advantages from it. The guards' abilities were much lower below Captain Jullius so confronted him wasn't an easy task for them. But, it's possible that they would injure theirselves and put the blame on Captain Jullius. I can't let it happened. I have to do something. As soon as I stood up, all the gathered guards and servants very quickly dispersed all over the place, like a group of mouse run for their life when they encounter a cat. There I saw a black-haired man entered the garden. That man was no other than Captain Jullius with his gloomy face. Following behind him was Blackie with his light steps as if he wasn't a sturdy horse but a thin deer.
"Sir Jullius Rizar."
The remaining guards and servants tried to stay away with stiff movements, but then the Countess came forward.
"You are being too presumptuous here."
Captain Jullius glanced at the Countess when he heard her talking in sharp voice. Even for the Countess, his ferocious glare made others trembled in fear unconsciously. Although she had a strong heart, it couldn't deny the fact that she was just a noble lady who had lived her life inside a safe cage. The Countess avoided his gaze while clenching her fists.
"I never thought you'll dare to force your way here. This is an offence towards the Count Epheria's family."
"I just want to take Miss Silla away."
Captain Jullius spoke with a tired voice. Huh? Tired voice? It's impossible for him to get tired just because he dealed with twenty measly guards and some servants that didn't even know how to use a weapon. Besides, other than the captain of the guards, he didn't truly up against anyone else. Is there other reason…? I muttered to myself and suddenly I remembered assistant Ortzen.
Captain Jullius is just miserable as I am.
Assistant Ortzen was definitely stricter than Sofia. He came here without taking a rest after all his hardwork. That means…
He escapes!
He ran away by using me for his excuse. It must be the case. I knew for sure because I had done the same many times in the past. If he said he would like to know his fiancee better or go out to gather information as his excuses, then assistant Ortzen would definitely let him go.
The Countess' expression immediately turned cold as soon as she heard Captian Jullius wished to take me away. Even so, she couldn't directly meet at Captain Jullius gaze.
"If you took interest on my daughter, then the more you shouldn't behave this way. At least you should notify your visit a day befo–"
"Actually we've already made a promise to meet up yesterday."
I quickly rushed forward and said loudly. I did said 'see you again soon' to him.
"Seems like there's a misunderstanding because I forgot to inform you."
"Silla, you–"
"Then, I'll take my leave, stepmother."
The Countess' eyes became more terrifying, but what she could do anyway? I've already said that I've promised Captain Jullius. She couldn't prevent us from leaving using words and couldn't even more by forced. I respectfully bowed to my dear stepmother then linked my arm to Captain's arm and dragged him away.