Taking a deep breath, Bianca steadied herself. She couldn’t afford to make a fool of herself in a place like this.
At this moment, she had to be more elegant than anyone and more beautiful than anyone. This, the best moment of her life, couldn’t be ruined by tension.
But then, it happened.
ââŚ!â
Something deeply unpleasant caught Biancaâs senses.
The source was none other than a killing intent.
She turned her eyes to locate the origin. It didnât take long for Bianca to recognize who dared to aim such death at her.
The individuals responsible were people Bianca knew well.
No, “knowing well” wasn’t even enough to describe it. How could she ever forget their existence?
These were the scum who had betrayed the Marquis of Castana, the same filth that would drive Cain to his fate ten years later.
Heron del Castana, the younger brother of the family head, and Joshua Pendel, a member of the Knights of the Black Wind of the Marquis of Castana.
Come to think of it, weren’t they the ones in charge of security at todayâs engagement ceremony? That explained why they were the only ones permitted to carry weapons.
For a moment, Biancaâs gaze at them became one of irritation.
âThose mindless, worm-like fools,â she thought.
A week ago, Bianca had tried to “persuade” themâpush them toward the desired results and recklessly send them to the underworld.
In her mind, they were disposable. Garbage that couldn’t be recycled.
On the other hand, she viewed them as useful props to highlight Cain’s achievements. K!lling them immediately would have been a waste.
Yet even Bianca couldn’t have predicted that they’d interfere with her at such a crucial moment without realizing it.
Now, at the most important moment of her life, the moment sheâd been anticipating for over twenty yearsâwhere theyâd exchange rings and whisper eternal loveâthose ignorant fools dared to ruin it!
Bianca raised her eyebrows slightly, wiggling her ring finger. The souls of those wretches were connected to her magical power. Rescinding the order she had given them a week ago was easy for her.
And that was her greatest mistake.
Prrrring!
ââŚAh, ughhâŚ!â
A soft groan escaped Biancaâs lips. Her knees buckled before she even realized it, and blood dripped from her mouth.
âBianca!â
Cainâs voice, filled with concern, echoed in her ears.
ââŚCa, CainâŚâ
In that moment, Bianca realized what a grave mistake she had made, driven by her obsession with happiness. She had forgotten her own condition. She was nothing more than a helpless woman, unable to wield magic properly due to the backlash from her familiarâs forced reverse summoning! Trying to withdraw the command now had been a grave miscalculation.
Serureung!
As Cainâs worried eyes remained fixed on her, Joshua began drawing his sword behind him. The killing intent radiating from him was clearâhe was ready to strike Cain down at any moment.
Something had gone terribly wrong. Bianca had never ordered them to do this. She had only instructed them to put on a convincing show, not to actually harm Cain! She couldnât understand why they were acting on an order that had never been given.
âWhy? What the hell is happening?â
Her fingertips throbbed painfully. No matter how much she tried to focus, her already battered body refused to respond. Frustration boiled within her. If only she were at full strength, she couldâve torn those wretches apart!
âWhatâs happening?â
âKyaah!â
Screams erupted from the guests as they sensed the escalating danger.
Joshua charged toward Cain, his sword ready. His eyes were unfocused, his mouth dripping with saliva, likely due to some form of control over his mind. But despite his insanity, his swordsmanship remained precise. The thrust of his sword was sharp and clean, aimed directly at Cainâs heart.
âCain, move!â
Bianca cried out, throwing herself in front of Cain as if she could shield him with her body. She couldnât use magic, and she had no other way to protect him.
She shut her eyes tightly. The idea of dying like this didnât sit well with her, but in Cainâs arms, during their engagement ceremony, it felt oddly romantic. Perhaps if she died like this, Cain would never be able to forget her. That thought alone brought some comfort.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Kaang!
ââŚ!â
Joshuaâs sword was deflected.
No, it wasnât a misstep. The sword had been knocked aside.
Cain had deflected the blade with his bare hand.
It was unbelievable.
Cain, without wielding a weapon, had used his bare hands to repel Joshuaâs sword!
And it didnât stop there.
Cain spun gracefully, as if in a ballroom dance, and delivered a swift kick to Joshuaâs side.
Kwaang!
Joshua barely managed to raise his sword to block Cainâs kick, but the force behind it was too strong to completely neutralize, and he was pushed back.
ââŚBianca.â
Taking advantage of the gap, Cain glanced at Bianca and smiled reassuringly.
âItâs okay now. Iâll handle this.â
With those words, Cain lowered his posture.
In response, Joshua adjusted his grip, holding his sword with both hands. Though deranged, the instincts of a seasoned warrior told him that Cain was not to be underestimated.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
Prraang!
Cainâs fist shot toward Joshua with a force that tore through the air.
Joshua countered with a lethal strike of his own.
Quaang!
Thus began a fierce battle for survival, with both men determined to k!ll the other.
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