RETURN OF THE FEMALE KNIGHT

154. That's Not What It's For

Lalisa wasn't the only one that noticed the fire and activity around the Blood Assassins headquarters. Namgil was the first person to receive the report that Jungkook's army had managed to sneak into Lunen and launch an attack in the middle of the night, and the Grand Duke was able to reasonably infer that their goal was to save Lalisa. There would be no reason to attack the Blood Assassin headquarters otherwise. If anyone wanted to inflict damage on Namgil before the war, it would be most effective to attack the castle or a military location, not the Blood Assassins.

'...How surprising.'

It was an unexpected move by Jungkook. Namgil had prepared for this situation of course, but he never thought it was much of a probability. When he stayed at the Imperial Palace, he witnessed and heard rumors about Jungkook's and Lalisa's relationship. It was why he had not yet killed her; as a hostage, she was far more valuable. But Namgil didn't realize Jungkook's attachment to her would be to this degree.

'I thought politics would be mixed in their relationship...but perhaps he really does care about the Empress.'

It was already clear that the Ruford Empire and the state of Lunen would soon go to war. Jungkook moved quickly to save Lalisa before a full-scale battle broke out, which meant that she was an extraordinarily precious person to him. A smug, satisfied smile spread across Namgil's mouth.

'Did I catch a bigger fish than I realized?'

In fact, when his assassination attempt on Jungkook failed, he was so furious that he intended to kill Lalisa. Once Namgil saw her determined red eyes glaring at him, however, he became intrigued and eventually changed his mind. No one had shown such a commanding presence in front of him. Even the proudest, most arrogant noble would grovel for their lives, such as Ophelia and Mingyu did. But Lalisa...she was different. It was providence that he decided to keep her alive.

Men tended to think highly of themselves. For Namgil, women were merely tools to support stronger men, and he had believed that Jungkook thought the same as well. There were other men who were humiliated at the thought of being lesser than a woman. Namgil wasn't sure what category Jungkook fell in, but...

A funny idea flashed across his mind.

'If Jungkook were to choose between the Ruford Empire or the woman Lalisa...what would he choose?'

Jungkook couldn't be foolish enough to choose Lalisa, but Namgil wondered how the emperor would react when the moment came. Namgil spoke to a servant.

"Update on the Empress?"

"Yes. I sent the men as you ordered, and they will cut off one of the Empress' arms and bring it back."

"Good. I'm looking to see how Jungkook will respond."

Jungkook had invaded his territory, and Namgil intended to repay him generously. He ordered Lalisa to be moved to a secret place where she could not be found, and ordered his men to cut off one of her arms. Then he'll send Jungkook a little present...

He smirked and stroked his bard as he imagined Jungkook's reaction.

A soldier burst into the room with a harried look on his face.

"My Lord, we're in trouble!"

"What's going on?"

Namgil's brows furrowed at the soldier, who wheezed his report without even taking a moment to breathe.

"There's another army coming from the border, led by Emperor Ruford."

"Wh-what?"

Namgil jumped up from his seat. He knew that the enemy's soldiers had been gathering at the border as of late, but he didn't expect Jungkookto launch a preemptive strike so quickly.