Doing so, she stepped back out of the circle of his arms. In front of her was the mansion she'd lived in all of her life, her family's ancestral home.

Her mouth dropped in confused surprise, her hand lowering back down to her side, nausea forgotten.

She had lived here until shortly after her coming-of-age celebration when she had moved into the royal castle. Everyone—the royal family, citizens, and other nobility alike—had assumed that her marriage to the crown prince would take place.

In preparation, she had left her father and younger brother behind, taking up residence in one of the side wings of the castle. It was from here that she had been dragged out of bed to the castle dungeons.

But...Luther had brought them to her father's home, which meant all of what she would be able to bring would be of lesser worth.

Swallowing, she reminded herself that this was probably a good thing.

Based on Luther's reaction to her words earlier, her current guess was that she would be taken into Luther's household as a concubine. As such, her social status would be less than his lawful wives.

Even if the dresses she had here were considered 'lesser' by her, that had been based on her assumed status of queen-to-be.

It will be fine, she told herself firmly.

At this point, she decided that all she could do was try to accept this godly-like man as much as possible.

I won't even try to ask how he managed to transport us here in a single moment.

Nodding to herself, she started forward confidently, leading the way to the front doors.

The knight on duty jumped to his feet from the chair he'd been resting in, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who goes—m, my lady?!"

Rushing over, the knight stared down at her with wide-eyes. "Young Miss, what in the world?"

Taking in a deep breath, the young woman steadied herself. Calling forth the aura of a noblewoman, despite the shameful state she was currently in, she took command of the situation.

"Sir Alred, I apologize for showing up without notice in the middle of the night. An emergency has taken place and I must speak with my father immediately."

The knight gazed down at her in shock for a moment before quickly shifting his gaze away in embarrassment from her current state. "O, of course."

His sights instead set upon the dark man standing silently a few steps behind her. "W, who?! B, barbaric beast!" Fumbling in fear, the knight quickly settled down and drew the blade at his hip.

At the sound of the metal coming free of its sheath, Luther smiled wolfishly, showing teeth. "I recommend you lower your blade, sir. If you attempt to harm me, I will do the same. You won't even live long enough to feel your death."

Thinking of all the insane things she had seen the man do already, the young woman stepped between Sir Alred and Luther, using her own body as a shield. "Lower your weapon!" She spoke in a commanding tone, her gaze steady as she stared into the knight's eyes. "He will do the lord no harm. Now, quickly, we must see my father!"

Though reluctant, Sir Alred sheathed his sword, his cold gaze watching Luther like a hawk. "...This way, Young Miss," he muttered, starting into the mansion.

Most of everyone was asleep, since it was the middle of the night, causing the little noise they made seem all the louder in the quiet of the darkness. Walking through the familiar corridors, the young woman felt a bitter smile lift her lips.

This would be the last time she would see this place, her home.

Memories came and went, but the biting nervousness in her belly refused to let the melancholy stay for long. Eventually, Sir Alred stopped, knocking on a door. They had reached their destination.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Luther step to her side, his face an expressionless mask. "Have faith, sweetling," he whispered softly. “Everything will be fine.”

"...Y, yes?" A timid voice called out after Sir Alred had spent about a minute knocking and calling out. The door slowly opened, revealing a familiar face. "Y, young Miss!"

Larson, her father's valet, stared at her in surprise. Even in the darkness of the night, she could still make out his greying blonde hair and pale green eyes which were wide in disbelief.

"Larson," she murmured in relief to see a face she knew so well. "I need to speak to my father immediately. It is a matter of life and death."