After exchanging a glance with the maid, I calmly gathered my things and followed the knight.
Instead of the entrance we had arrived through, we exited through a far grander doorway, where a carriage awaited.
Only after getting inside did it hit me—
This was my first time at this restaurant.
As a foreigner, I knew nothing about its layout.
And yet, the grand entrance I had just walked through…
Was actually the servants’ entrance—the most modest one in the building.
And that knight’s uniform?
It didn’t belong to the royal knights of this kingdom.
* * *
I had just been kidnapped.
At this point, I had already accepted my fate and was staring out the carriage window.
Only now did I realize we were heading out of the city.
Great.
What was the motive?
There was no way this was about ransom money—the effort wasn’t worth it.
No doubt, having dinner with the First Prince had led someone to misunderstand my importance.
Right now, the noble circles were embroiled in a race to determine the next crown prince.
But Renato and I had nothing between us.
We were practically strangers.
If the kidnappers figured that out, I’d likely be silenced before anyone even knew I was missing.
I considered my options.
Should I escape the moment the carriage stops, steal a horse, and flee?
If they push the entire carriage off a cliff, I’m screwed.
Damn it. I shouldn’t have worn these fancy shoes.
Not that I’d planned on getting kidnapped today!
As I quietly stretched within the cramped seat to prepare for a potential escape, the carriage suddenly stopped.
I peeked outside.
A dense forest.
A small hidden cabin stood among the trees.
As its door swung open, several men and women rushed out.
I didn’t wait.
I jumped out of the carriage and ran at full speed.
I prided myself on my speed, but naturally, I couldn’t outrun trained knights.
I was easily surrounded.
“Seriously?! Huff, huff—What kind of lady runs like that?!”
Panting and struggling to keep up, a young girl finally reached me.
I squinted at her.
Wait.
I knew her from somewhere.
“Oh… you’re… Ka… Ga…? The… uh… Gacchan Baron’s daughter?”
“It’s Cashari Baron! Cashari!”
Standing before me was Baroness Eleonora Cashari.
“Weren’t you under house arrest?”
“I was! But if I stay put, they’ll execute me! That’s why I kidnapped you—I’ll demand ransom and escape the country with my mother!”
“Wow, you just confessed everything.”
What a spectacularly dumb crime.
Did she not consider how long it would take for my family to even receive the ransom demand, let alone pay it?
“I thought I was the only noble lady who blurts out everything she thinks.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?! Stop yapping and hand over a lock of your hair! We need proof to send to the Annobatt—Annobach—whatever your family’s called!”
“It’s Annovazzi. And don’t say it like that—it’s offensive.”
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