And when Tiberio arrived at his office, he opened the door and smiled gently and calmly. “Well, well, well, it seems I’ve got a rat infestation. Just what do you think you’re doing here?”
Fortunately Paige and Dion were both wearing black hoods, so their faces weren’t visible. However, it was clear they were surprised by Tiberio’s appearance. Paige was the close confidant of the other candidate for empress, and Dion was a close associate of the crown prince. If it were known that they had trespassed in the duke’s mansion, it would lead to the disrepute of both masters, and they all might be severely punished, even though Tiberio was really the one who should be punished for all the horrible things he’d been up to.
Tiberio’s guards pulled out their swords and pointed them at the intruders. Paige and Dion also readied their swords. Elizabeth knew that Dion, besides being Leonardo’s most trusted subordinate, was famous for his mastery with a sword. On the other hand, Paige, the woman who looked like a man, had a murky background, and Elizabeth didn’t know much about her skill with a blade. However, the fact that Westalia, a very intelligent woman, kept Paige by her side suggested that her abilities must be at least above average.
“Capture them,” Tiberio ordered, and his knights all rushed at the pair.
“No! Stop!” Elizabeth cried, at the same time that Paige cut down two knights with her longsword. Dion was also dodging each successive attack and taking down his own assailants. He was clearly more skilled with a blade than Paige was, but her sword arm was far and away stronger than his.
I can’t believe there’s a woman in this country who wields a sword so easily and beautifully... Her technique looks somewhat like Sir Gasparo’s, Elizabeth thought. Gasparo was a former deputy commander of the Imperial Guard who had died tragically. He was a much admired sword prodigy, and Elizabeth had once witnessed one of his matches. Paige’s sword hold and form reminded her somewhat of him. Perhaps she had studied under him in the past?
The sound of metal on metal echoed throughout the room. No matter how hard the knights of the Reyn family fought, they were unable to inflict even the slightest scratch on Paige. She dodged the oncoming swords with an easy swerve and then made precise follow-up attacks.
“Amazing. If you weren’t a petty burglar, I’d hire you,” Tiberio said in admiration. He’d seen a fair handful of excellent knights before.
The office windows are locked, so the only way out is through the door, Elizabeth thought. All the windows in the mansion were locked by a standard key and could be opened with the same one Elizabeth had used on the kitchen door. As she watched Paige and Dion fight, she subconsciously grabbed the pocket containing the key. If I just sit back and watch, nothing will change. I don’t want to be meek and obedient anymore.
One of the knights was knocked unconscious by Paige’s sword, leaving a brief opening, and Elizabeth, filled with determination, seized her moment. She unlocked a window and flung it open. A cool night breeze blew in, ruffling Elizabeth’s long pink hair.
“Come on, hurry!” she said. Dion quickly jumped from the window to a tree in the garden. Just as Paige was about to follow him, Tiberio strode up to Elizabeth and pulled out his sword. The blade glinted unpleasantly in the light from the ceiling, and Elizabeth held her breath.
“Ah—!” Elizabeth was so terrified she couldn’t even move to avoid it. She looked up to see the tip of the blade descending toward her in a beautiful semicircle.
“Watch out!”
The pain Elizabeth was expecting to feel never came. The blow landed instead on Paige, who had pulled the would-be empress in close to shield her. Paige took the hit on her right arm and let out a small grunt.
Just as Elizabeth opened her eyes to see the blood dripping from Paige’s arm, Tiberio followed up with another attack. The tip of his blade grazed the left side of Paige’s face, narrowly missing her eye, but she immediately reacted with her own sword, pushing Tiberio’s away and sending it flying into the far wall.
“I’m surprised you could still have such reflexes even after being injured. You’re really something, huh?” Tiberio said. “Just who are you?”
“You don’t deserve my name. You’re a demon in a human body. You’re insane to raise your sword against your own daughter,” Paige said.
“I knew you would protect her. Thanks to that, you didn’t escape, and Elizabeth didn’t get a scratch on her,” Tiberio said.
“It’s not about that. That’s not even worth discussing,” Paige replied, looking at him coldly. She raised the tip of her sword and pointed it at his throat.
Tiberio, completely unperturbed by the sword pointed at him, slowly shifted his gaze to Elizabeth. “I didn’t think you had the guts to betray your father and side with the thieves. Who is this robed man? I wanted his hood off, but I seem to have misplaced my sword. Why don’t you tell me who he is?”
Paige had been unable to escape because she’d protected Elizabeth. Fortunately, Tiberio thought Paige was a man and didn’t seem to recognize her true identity.
“I’m...” Elizabeth started, but she was trembling too hard and couldn’t get any more words out.
Paige pulled Elizabeth even closer. “Betrayed you? What nonsense! You just controlled her with violence and abusive language. She’s never truly been on your side, you scum!”
Tiberio was silent. Elizabeth had never used such vicious words against Tiberio like that, but now that Paige had stood up for her, she felt a deep sense of relief.
“Eek!” Elizabeth suddenly cried out as Paige lifted her up and set her on the windowsill.
“Remember this,” Paige said. “One day I’m gonna wipe that creepy smile right off your face.”
“Heh. I don’t know who you are, but you certainly seem to hate me. What can a little thief like you do?” Tiberio asked.
“Anything. I can do anything. My family taught me that everyone has the strength to do that, no matter how much someone in power tries to stop them,” Paige answered. She was likely referring to Westalia as her family.