[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 30

While I was silently wrestling with my thoughts, Edwin lifted me into his arms again.

"Now, let’s go see something fun."

Was there some kind of attraction in the square?  

With a mix of curiosity and anticipation, I waited to see what it might be. But after a while, I started to feel that something was off. Edwin, who had just left the Charlotte jewellery store, suddenly led us deep into a narrow alley.

At the end of it, we encountered something I could never have imagined.

"……!"

A group of people, bound and restrained.  

And red eyes. 

'Why is Raven here?'

I forced myself to unclench my fingers and clung tightly to Edwin. He seemed pleased by this, his eyes softening with satisfaction.

"Do you like my gift?" he asked.

"A g-gift?" My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest at the sight of Raven, and he called this a gift?

"Yes, a gift. These fools tried to follow us, so I caught every last one of them," Edwin said, smiling triumphantly. In contrast, I was stunned.

Raven followed us? Why? Did they somehow figure out that I’m a Jueri?

Suddenly, I remembered the encounter with Raven in the desert.

'Edwin said he took care of them all. He said none of them escaped.'

So why now? My mouth went dry, and my body began to tremble. Desperately, I turned away from Raven and buried myself in Edwin's arms, driven purely by survival instinct.

"My bride seems really scared. But then again, who wouldn’t be afraid of assassins with red eyes?" Edwin clicked his tongue softly, holding me close and gently patting my back. He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"They don’t know. So don’t be afraid."

His low voice snapped me out of my panicked state.

'That’s right. I don’t have white hair anymore.'

If none of the Ravens who recognized me in the desert had survived, then these wouldn’t know I was a Jueri either.

After hesitating for a long moment, I slowly lifted my head and met Edwin's gentle, smiling eyes.

"Didn’t I tell you I’d protect you? So don’t worry." He whispered softly, smiling confidently. The warmth in his blue eyes and the relaxed curve of his lips gradually thawed the chill in my hands.

"Look them in the eye. They’re nothing but your prey," Edwin murmured, his words as enticing as a siren's song, urging me forward.

Not them—I was the predator. There was nothing to fear.

Almost hypnotised, I turned my head and locked eyes with Raven. Had Edwin’s words really bewitched me?

It wasn’t as terrifying as it had been when I first encountered them in the desert. My shoulders straightened, and I stood taller, though I still clung to Edwin’s collar as if it were my last lifeline.

Edwin noticed my grip and his smile deepened.

"Curious about my bride, aren’t you? So, what do you think? Impressed?" Edwin boasted as he spun me around to face them, showing me off to Raven.

A faint irritation crossed Raven’s otherwise expressionless face, but there was no sign that they recognized me. Unlike in the desert, their eyes didn’t hold that ferocious, predatory gleam. Instead, they seemed solely focused on their curiosity about Edwin’s fiancée.

Realising this, my heart, which had been racing like a runaway train, slowly began to calm.

"My bride is so beautiful it left you speechless, huh? That’s how it should be." Edwin laughed, clearly amused by Raven’s attention on me.

"Consider it an honour. You’re getting a glimpse of my bride before you die," Edwin said arrogantly, his chin lifted, his eyes glinting coldly.

"Beryl, my sword."

At his low command, Beryl stepped forward and handed Edwin a greatsword. The massive blade, tinged with a bluish aura, was so intimidating that just looking at it made the back of my neck tingle with fear.

'He doesn’t intend to handle this here, does he?' I thought anxiously, glancing at Edwin, but his focus was solely on Raven. Unlike in the desert, his expression was cold and serene, carrying a quiet yet lethal intent.

The face that once held an empty smile was now entirely unfamiliar to me. Only now did I realise just how lenient he had been with me.

'Is this the true form of the Dragon of the West?'

The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly shook my head. They said that when Edwin wielded his sword, the overwhelming pressure and savage killing intent would cause everything around him to hold its breath—even the passing clouds would stop in their tracks.