Chapter 43

It was dark, but Christine's eyes were sharp enough to catch it clearly — that beautiful face, half-hidden beneath the hood.

Even after the carriage pulled away, a familiar scent lingered in the air behind it.

Adele...?

"Someone you know?"

Zimmer, who had come out after him a beat too late, asked.

Instead of answering, Christine stormed into the general store and grabbed the shopkeeper by the collar.

"Why was that woman who just left here?"

"Gck! Keeping our customers' secrets is this shop's lifeblood. Please, understand—"

Clang! Clang!

Before anyone noticed, the door behind the counter burst open, and a dozen or so men poured out with swords drawn. In an instant they had Christine and Zimmer surrounded.

Shing...

Zimmer, too, slowly drew his own sword and stepped in front of Christine. At the same time, he calmly tried to talk his lord down.

"Nothing good comes of making…