"I just remembered there are some papers I have to deal with urgently. I'll go back into my room and finish up."
"Alright. Don't work too hard, sister."
Lalisa hurried back to her room. There was no guarantee that Jungkook would appear at the Flower Bridge's opening ceremony according to Roseanne's story. The exact thing to do was to verify with Jimin. At the possibility of a threat to Jungkook's safety, Lalisa tied several red handkerchiefs on her window instead of the usual one.
As a precaution, she
reminded herself of the location where she hid the black armor in case
she needed it. She had put a great deal of effort in bringing it with
her this far without being discovered. Fortunately, the armor was so
heavy and solid that it was stored separately from the clothing luggage,
otherwise Tilda might have found it when she destroyed her ball gown.
Lalisa was lucky to have avoided that situation. It would be bad news if
the person who was behind Tilda heard that Lalisa had strange metal
armor.
Lalisa paced nervously by the window, hoping for Jimin's swift arrival. She was sorely afraid that Jungkook would be put in danger again. He was not supposed to be alive, and she wondered if the
shadow of death would attempt to strike him again.
As well as her family.
'...No.'
Roseanne, Namjoon, and Father. She needed Jungkook to prevent their deaths and protect her family. So far she had thecontract marriage to deal with Namgil, but if Jungkook was gone she would be back at the starting
point again. She couldn't afford to go back when this was her best
chance. She would defend Jungkook by any means possible.
Even if destiny or God stood in her way, she would not let anything threaten Jungkook's life.
*
*
*
Fortunately it did not take long for Jimin to arrive. Perhaps he realized her urgency from the multiple red handkerchiefs she had hung.
For the first time Lalisa was glad to see this man's expressionless face.
"Why have you–"
"Are there any plans for the prince to attend the Flower Bridge festival?"
Lalisa quickly cut off Jimin. He thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, there is."
"...Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I remember hearing about it a some time ago. What is the problem?"
He could not help but noticed Lalisa's darkened expression.
Lalisa desperately wished it to be untrue, but now there was the strong
possibility that Jungkook would be involved in the accident. There was
only one way. He had to be prevented from attending somehow.
"Deliver this message to His Highness. Tell him to cancel his plans."
"...What?"
Jimin questioned her uncharacteristically before he could stop himself. It was simply too surprising to hear.
"I was told that the Flower Bridge was poorly constructed. Please tell him not to go. It would be too dangerous."
Jimin looked at Lalisa with disbelief. Then he carefully spoke to her again.
"Are you serious?"
"Do you think I'll say this as a joke?"
Jimin still looked doubtful despite Lalisa's grim expression, but he simply nodded.
"If you say so, I will pass it on. But I can't say what the General will do."
"Just deliver the message to him as soon as possible. And let me know right away."
"...I understand."
Jimin did not understand Lalisa's reasons, but he did not question anything more on what she claimed. Lalisa was not mistreating him. She did not have to explain every single thing she said.
"I'll take my leave."
Jimin dipped his head as usual, then moved to climb out of the window. She could not help but interrupt again out of nervousness.
"As soon as possible, please."
"Yes, My Lady."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jimin disappeared out of the window. After
several experiences with him, Elena was confident in his abilities and
he was sure to bring an answer soon. She fervently hoped that Jungkook
would miss the festival.
It was the safest way.
*
Time crept into late afternoon. There was already a red glow on the edge of
the sky, signaling the sun's descent. Lalisa sat motionless in the room
as she waited for Jimin. It was then.
Someone's hand was on the open window, which she left slightly ajar to make access easier. In one swift motion, Jimin landed lightly into the room. He had arrived
in short time, as Lalisa had asked, but even then time seemed to stretch
out longly before her. However, she couldn't complain as she didn't know
Jungkook's location.
As soon as she saw Jimin's face, Lalisa could not bear to wait any longer and rushed to him.
"What did he say?"
"He says it is an event arranged by the imperial court and cannot be
missed. But he will listen to your advice and come back safely, so don't
worry."
"...."
"...My Lady?"
Lalisa was silent for a moment, and Jimin repeated her name again. After a moment's thought, Lalisa replied calmly.
"...I understand."
"Are you sure?"
"If it's unavoidable, then there's nothing I can do about it."
"No, I suppose not..."
Jimin trailed off, not knowing what to say. Lalisa looked up at him with questioning eyes.
"Is there something wrong with my face?"
"...You've changed a little. Like you're going out to battle."
Lalisa smiled at Jimin's sharp observation.
"Of course not."
She walked straight to her desk and wrote down some words on a white sheet of paper, then placed it in an envelope and sealed it with the Blaise
crest. Lalisa stood up and handed the envelope to Jimin.
"I'm sorry for keeping you so busy, but please pass this on to the prince."
"You want me to give him this?"
"Yes."
"Alright."
Jimin carefully tucked away the envelope, curious about Lalisa's sudden change in attitude.
As Jimin was about to leave for his new task, Lalisa intercepted him again.
"What time will the prince attend the festival?"
"Nine o'clock this evening."
"Thank you for telling me."
"Yes."
After watching Jimin's fleeting disappearance, Lalisa turned back to her room.
The best way to keep Jungkook safe was not to allow him near danger in the first place. It would be ideal to cut the problem at the bud, but barring that there was another alternative. That was what Lalisa was doing now. She could never rest unless she kept Jungkook safe herself.
She strode towards the place where she kept her armor hidden. Once again, it was time to go in disguise.
*
The sun finally died beneath the horizon. The heavy, dark night found Lalisa armored in black, much like the day she stole away to save Jungkook. No one could identify her with her helmet, and it was difficult to tell whether she was a man or a woman with her armor.
In her previous life, she would sometimes conceal her golden blonde hair by wearing a helmet to avoid being noticed by her enemies. It was fortunate her past experience did not make her present situation uncomfortable at all. Fighting with heavy armor was extremely difficult and uncomfortable for the untrained.
Lalisa had already disguised herself once to rescue Jungkook. And fortunately this time, this was not Blaise Castle in the south, but a small mansion in the capital, where there were fewer knights in comparison.
Lalisa pressed her hand against the window frame and jumped, just like Jimin did. Although the armor was a little uncomfortable, she was flexible enough that she could creeped out of the mansion as sleek as a cat. Lalisa carefully padded around to where there was no one in sight.
'I've already calculated the route to the stables just in case.'
Lalisa stole a horse from the stable, then carefully pulled the horse some ways away from the mansion. As soon as she determined she was at a safe distance, she mounted the saddle and kicked the horse with all her strength.
The galloping hooves sounded at a rapid pace. The breeze didn't feel as cool as the time she rode with Jungkook because of her heavy armor, but that didn't matter at all right now.
*
*
*
The Flower Bridge.
True to it's name, the large bridge, which crossed a river, was decorated with rose vines. Small lanterns dotted the area, making the view a magnificent spectacle even at night.
On a hill overlooking the sea of people enjoying the festival, Lalisa stood alone in her armor. She was not as dazzled by the scenery around her as everyone else. She quietly looked up at the night sky, calculating how much time had passed.
It was then.
She saw a cloud of dust kicked up by horses approaching her from some distance. There was the rumble of dozens of hooves striking the ground. A man was at the head of the group, and his hair flying in the wind was recognizable at a glance.
It was Jungkook. Blue fire burned hotly in his eyes, and his lips were tightly pressed. He was heading straight for Lalisa, releasing some terrible energy.
He must have read her letter if he was here on time. Jungkook ordered his royal guard to stop a little distance away, then approached Lalisa alone. He had seen her wearing armor once before, and recognized her immediately.
As soon as he reached Lalisa, he quickly opened his mouth to speak.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Jungkook fixed her with an icy gaze. Lalisa stared unflinchingly at him before her.
"This?"
Lalisa deepened her voice to hide her identity. Jungkook held out the letter she sent to him with his long fingers.
I'll come to protect you. You won't forget our contract, will you?
Below that were brief instructions on where to meet and what they had to do when attending the festival.
She glanced at the letter then back at Jungkook, unmoved.
"Exactly what it says."
It was clearly one of their terms of their contract, on the condition she would have to do one thing, anything, for Jungkook in the future.
"It's number five on our contract. I disguise myself every night and act as a knight."
"That's–"
Lalisa interrupted him.
"I will also keep the condition that I will stay by your side as much as possible, Your Highness."
Jungkook's face twitched at the mention of his title. She noticed it, then attempted to explain again.
"I can hide my identity with the helmet, so please understand."
"...Alright."
Jungkook yielded in a low voice, but his expression was still reluctant.
"But this is too early. There are more people who are after me than you think, and my presence may put you in danger. "
Although Jungkook could not see it, the corners of Lalisa's mouth lifted underneath the helmet.
"Well then, it's time for me to play."
It was that moment.
As if in response to Lalisa's words, fireworks announcing the festival exploded into the sky.
Bang! Bang!
The explosions sent an array of colors scattering on Lalisa's black armor. She spoke in a deep voice, her blood-red eyes shining in the light.
"Even if the sky falls, I will protect you."