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nIt's been so long since I graduated from the academy and entered society— or that's how it should have gone. I should be entering society, which I did, but not for the right reasons. Me, a daughter of a marquis household, the pinnacle of what a lady should be, a role model for the young women of the nobility, has done nothing of the sort for these past few months.

nI should have been throwing soirees, or matinees, or evening balls, or afternoon tea parties. I should have been steadily growing my contacts and affiliations with other ladies my age to stabilize my standing for the future. I should have been meeting my in-laws. I should have been managing something. That's what a noble lady of my rank should have done after leaving the academy.

nYet not one tea party, or soirees has happened. My circle of friends stayed the same. I have not mingled with the other engaged or married ladies to gain connections. At my age, I should have already been married off, or be engaged at least. I should have been taking lessons of fulfilling the role of a matriarch of whatever house I will be marrying. Yet here I am, still unmarried, doesn't have a fiance, nor am I taking any lessons of any kind.

nNothing.

nIn short, I'm a failure for a noble lady of a high-ranking household.

nAnyway, what have I been up to, you're asking? Well, currently, I'm trying to live!

nGasping, my wild eyes locked on the man in front of me.

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"Are they gone?! Are we safe now?! What's going on?!

"

nThe man with eyes the color of the purest amethyst furrowed his thick heroic eyebrows, hinting at his annoyance.

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"Stop yelling, you're distracting my people,

" he muttered.

nOf course, I have to ignore him.

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"I'm not going to die, right? We're going to be safe, right? Oh, gosh. When will I regain my peaceful life?!

" I continued my passionate ramble, half meaning everything I said.

nLukas was not amused by my antics but it's fine, it was my purpose anyway.

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"Little cat, shut up. You're not going to die.

"

nA mocking smile appeared on my lips aimed at him.

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"I know, I'm just annoying you.

"

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"...

"

nHe scowled at me openly which I responded with another sickening smile. He then rolled his eyes, an act he had been constantly doing unironically for some time now. He's so sassy, I tell you.

nThat's right, I'm currently trying to live and I meant it literally. You all already know that I am being targeted by some freak group that is thirsting over my beauty and my abilities. They had come back just as we predicted because apparently, I'm too good to be given up. I'm just that valuable, you know. So they are risking everything just to win me over.

nHaaah~ It's so hard to be a strong beautiful woman sometimes… I can't even… My life is so hard…

nLukas opened the door of the carriage to spectate outside. The sound of fighting got louder and if one paid attention, it was slightly muffled due to the erected barrier that enveloped us. I'm not sure who put the barrier to stop the magic attacks from harming the carriage, blocking every spell effectively, which is why we are still safe and sound.

nIt could be Lukas himself but I doubt it. I mean, I have no idea if he knows some magic spell for barriers because as far as I know, Lukas is more of the offensive type. His flame is both a weapon and shield for him.

nIf not him then it would be a certain furry figure that loves belly rubs.

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"Tch. You all can't even take those small fries down?

" Lukas snorted in disgust as he eyed the people skirmishing outside.

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"Lukas, they are fighting against magicians with swords,

" I reminded him blandly.

nWhat can he expect from ordinary humans? They can't possibly win against someone who shoots projectiles out of thin air, am I right?

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"That's why they are useless,

" Lukas retorted with a bored look on his face.

nMy brows immediately furrowed from his comment.

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"Hey! My people are not useless! They are strong and valiant and brave!

" I strongly opposed,

"Plus your people are also useless.

"

nWell, maybe not entirely useless because they could fight against those fake magicians without being totally overwhelmed. They hold their own ground just fine but should I just accept that insult? No way.

nLukas' lips thinned as he looked at me,

"I told you to stay quiet.

"

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"Then stop badmouthing our knights,

" I countered.

nLukas did not respond. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and prepared to join the fray.

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"Don't come out,

" he said before pulling the curtains down, so now the inside of the carriage is a bit dark.

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"Wait! Where are you going?

" My back straightened when I realized he was about to go out, feeling anxious all of a sudden.

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"I'm going to slay those people for you, my lady,

" he mocked with a fake earnestness. Like he's a white knight offering a tribute. It almost moved me— almost. One would be easily fooled when he has this kind of face. It's truly unfair.

nI recoiled just as quickly,

"Errr, you're giving me goosebumps right now, please stop.

"

nLukas snickered,

"Heh. Stay put and don't bother us.

" And then he vanished like the wind.

nDid he teleport? Who knows… He's probably just really really fast.

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"Tsk.

"

nThere goes the devil himself. I could only pray for the souls of those persistent kidnappers. Now that Lukas is out there to hunt them down, I don't think they would have the chance to escape death. After all, Lukas is like death itself…

nThis is why we should always stick to strong people. So remember, if you want to live and always be safe, find a Lukas.

nThe commotion stopped and the constant barrage of explosions and rumblings disappeared. I quietly peered through the curtains to see the situation outside and only saw a few scattered knights, some injured, but the cloaked figures I have grown accustomed to are missing in the picture.

nMy first thought was, 'Wow, Lukas had already taken them all down? That quickly?' But then I saw Lukas' gloomy figure not from afar, standing there blankly with a scowl on his handsome face.

nWhy does he look so disappointed? What happened?

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