*****

Picking the word "fire" out of the sea of screams and angry shouts, I turned my gaze toward the monastery. I froze as I saw plumes of pitch-black smoke billowing into the sky. The Director was in the thick of it, taking command of the chaotic scene. Telling myself I had to help, I urged my parents to evacuate and parted ways with them.

「Director!」

「Where did the fire start?」

「Well... the information is conflicting, so right now we are prioritizing the evacuation of the children.」

「I'll leave confirming the source of the fire to the gentlemen, then. I’m going to make sure every child is safe. Where are they?」

「Duchess! We have orders from Lord Dominic to return you to the estate by carriage immediately in the event of an emergency.」

「Eh?」

Two knights had appeared out of nowhere. What’s more, they were dressed in the white military uniforms and navy capes of the First Knight Order—the ones usually tasked with guarding the Royal Castle.

Why was my husband...?

Even if he was worried about me, calling in the First Knight Order seemed a bit excessive—or maybe not. Knowing how doting he’s been the last few days, I couldn't exactly rule it out as an impossibility.

「Director... I should...」

「We cannot have anything happen to the Duchess. For safety's sake, it would be best for you to return to the estate for now.」

The Director's words were sound. Even as the Duchess, I knew I ought to follow the knights' lead—yet something felt off. Carrying that lingering sense of unease, I climbed into the carriage.

It wasn't until we were passing through an unpaved forest near the border, far from the estate, that I realized it was a trap.

***

A sudden jolt woke me, and I realized I had been dozing. I must have slept longer than I thought; it was pitch black outside the window. More importantly, the city streets of the Royal Capital were gone, replaced by an unfamiliar forest.

Wait. Why?!

Weren't we going back to the estate?

Cold sweat trickled down my back, but I tried to organize my thoughts as calmly as possible. I was approached by the First Knight Order and was supposed to be taken home. But I got sleepy on the way, and when I woke up, I was in the woods.

The only conclusion I could draw was that I’d been kidnapped.

The title of Duchess carries significant influence among the royalty and nobility. If my husband is the Minister of Finance, there are bound to be people who want to curry favor or use me. He’s spent the last few years purging the corruption and embezzlement from the department, but there are surely nobles who resent him for it.

I'd never faced such danger before, but perhaps my husband had been preventing it behind the scenes, or maybe I’d just been lucky. No—given that everyone knew our relationship was strained, they probably figured I wasn't a useful weakness to exploit and left me alone.

But things are different now. To a Dragonoid, a mate is of paramount importance. If this abduction was timed to coincide with my sudden increase in "value," then the culprit is an incredibly well-informed tactician.

At this point, my options are to escape on my own and seek help at a nearby house, or face the kidnapper—no, if I see their face, they’ll definitely dispose of me.

Even so, where are we heading?

Looking out the window, the forest was so dense it practically hid the moon. If we're on an unpaved road, the only directions from that orphanage leading to deep forests are West and North. But the North is winter for most of the year with very short springs and autumns, so trees don't grow this thick there. Assuming we're in the West... what's in the Western territories?

The Slinsha territory to the West is a trade hub and a key point on the border with the Empire. The Slinsha family has been moderate for generations; they have a bit of a calculating streak typical of merchants, but the current head is a reliable man. If it’s not a high-ranking noble or a regional lord, then perhaps a faction under them, or a noble with a grudge against my husband... Hmm, but those nobles had their assets seized or were demoted, so they shouldn't be able to move the First Knight Order. I heard those families were driven off to the South or East...

I don't know if I'd call it a grudge, but could Lord Ash—who was involved in the curse and is currently missing—be the mastermind?

Did he think killing me would be the best way to inflict damage? I ran through the possibilities, but I couldn't find a motive. Neither I nor my husband had any real connection to him. Realizing my deductive skills were failing me, I gave up on thinking and prepared to jump from the carriage.

The horses in this world are sturdier and faster than the ones in my old world. Specifically, the horses used by the Royal Family and Knight Orders undergo special training.

The carriage is moving quite fast, but it’s slowed down a bit for the forest path, so I should get away with only minor injuries! Probably!

I've already decided to have our big talk today, so if I’m too late, my husband might actually cry.

I was terrified, but I knew I had to move before things got worse. I gripped the handle, flung the door open, and threw myself out. Bracing for the pain, I curled into a ball to protect my head and prepared for the impact. But the pain never came. Instead, I was wrapped in something warm.

Huh?

「Honestly, why must my wife be so reckless?」

「—!」

I looked up to see my husband—now with massive, pitch-black bat-like wings—holding me in mid-air. I was momentarily breathless at his divine silhouette against the night sky. Long platinum hair, twisted black horns. The whites of his eyes were black, his skin resembled scales, and his thick tail was wrapped securely around my waist.

「Husband!」

「I finally found you. I’m sorry I’m late.」

「No... I’m just so happy you came for me.」

I threw my arms around his neck, and I could hear his heart beginning to race even faster. His shirt was damp with sweat and his breathing was ragged; he must have been searching for me desperately. Between the joy and the relief... and perhaps because the tension finally snapped, my consciousness faded away right then and there.

*****

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