How to Run Away from Obsessed Men

Episode 37

Flute continued, his tone casual but laced with interest.

“The monsters have been especially aggressive on the road to the capital lately, so I came to escort you. But what an interesting show this turned out to be.”

“……”

“The rumors were true after all.”

He smirked, clearly entertained.

Lindsey quickly realized that Crain’s plan had worked perfectly. Displaying her healing powers in front of the imperial family was precisely what Crain had wanted. Lindsey could see the greed in Flute’s eyes.

‘Crain wants to sell me for an even higher price.’

The Radian family was powerful, but Crain was a man of ambition. In the world of transcendents, an exceptional cleric was always in high demand, even if they came from “filthy blood.”

Crain wasn’t just aiming for Mikhail; he wanted Lindsey to heal the princes too.

‘These arrogant princes wouldn’t even treat a lowborn cleric like a human being.’

But that wouldn’t matter to Crain.

Once again, Lindsey was reminded that she needed to escape this wretched family at the first opportunity. She smiled bitterly at the realization.

“Interesting… what was your name again?”

Even though Lindsey was a nominal member of a noble family, Flute didn’t bother to remember her name. It wasn’t surprising; people like him rarely cared.

Just as Lindsey was about to respond, Mikhail stepped in front of her, blocking Flute’s view.

“Mikhail Dweisi. What do you think you’re doing?”

“She’s my personal cleric.”

“You’ve never shown any interest in clerics before. You’re one of those who treat them as disposable tools, aren’t you?”

Mikhail’s already expressionless face turned even colder.

“Are you insulting me?”

Flute remained silent.

Mikhail’s attitude was shockingly insolent for someone speaking to a member of the imperial family, but provoking Mikhail wouldn’t lead to anything good.

‘If only he weren’t so favored by my sister…’

If Mikhail hadn’t been one of Princess Rebecca’s most cherished transcendents, Flute might have ordered him executed on the spot.

Flute’s gaze shifted back to Lindsey, full of disappointment. He had been eager to test her abilities but found himself thwarted by Mikhail.

“I would’ve liked to greet her properly, but I never expected someone like you, Mikhail, to take such an interest in a cleric.”

With those final words, Flute turned and left.

⋆★⋆

The journey to the imperial palace was peaceful, aside from the unexplained tension between Mikhail and Flute.

Lindsey sighed in frustration.

“Mikhail, you’re unbelievably rude. Don’t you have any respect for the imperial family?”

Each time Flute approached Lindsey, Mikhail stepped in to block him. The two of them engaged in frequent, silent standoffs, leaving Lindsey caught in the middle.

‘Not that I mind.’

Flute, who had initially tried to maintain his composure, was growing increasingly agitated.

“Tell me… are you two involved in some secret affair? Your sudden breakup with Azhet is rather suspicious.”

“……”

“Isn’t it odd? Azhet Radian is the most eligible bachelor in the empire.”

Flute narrowed his eyes as if scrutinizing Lindsey for any hint of deception.

‘That bastard, the most eligible bachelor in the empire?’

Lindsey couldn’t help but feel indignant. The people of the empire had terrible judgment.

‘Sure, he’s handsome, powerful, and wealthy, but…’

What did any of that matter?

He had the personality of a devil.

‘Not to mention the dreadful mother-in-law and that horrible younger brother.’

The more Lindsey thought about it, the worse Azhet seemed. But she chose not to point that out.

Although the journey was physically comfortable, Lindsey’s mind was far from at ease.

In truth, Flute’s petty remarks were hardly a bother.

Compared to the way she’d been treated by the Radian and Kesion families, this was nothing. What truly worried Lindsey was the chance that Mikhail might lose his temper and attack Flute.

The occasional, icy killing intent Mikhail exuded was terrifying, even though it wasn’t directed at her.

‘Please, let us get through this without any incidents. I don’t want to be dragged into anything else.’

Flute was clearly frightened of Mikhail. Yet, he kept talking, probably out of a sense of imperial pride. Lindsey could only hope Mikhail’s patience would hold out.

But her hopes were dashed. Mikhail’s patience wasn’t as limitless as she’d hoped.

‘Perhaps it didn’t need to be.’

Mikhail glared down at Flute with a threatening gaze.

“W-what are you doing?” Flute stammered.

“I don’t care if you insult me,” Mikhail said, his voice steady but ominous.

“……”

“But don’t insult my personal cleric. I can’t guarantee what I’ll do if you continue.”

Mikhail’s killing intent flared, so palpable that even the knights near Flute instinctively reached for their swords.

Flute began to sweat, raising his hand defensively.

“Did you just direct killing intent at me? I’m royalty!”

“……”

“Very well, we’ll settle this in the capital.”

It was the sort of villainous line Lindsey would expect from an antagonist. She found it amusing but chose not to say anything that might provoke Flute further.

‘Mikhail should be fine, right?’

Even if Flute held a grudge, there was little he could do as a prince. His power was limited, and Mikhail, a transcendental of the Kesion Marquisate, wasn’t someone Flute could easily challenge.

‘I understand why Mikhail had to step in.’

Had Mikhail not intervened, Flute would have forced Lindsey to use her healing powers, likely dragging her into more trouble.

Lindsey sighed at the thought of the complications to come.

⋆★⋆

Flute seethed with anger.

‘That arrogant bastard!’

He had disliked Mikhail for a long time, resenting how a non-royal could draw more attention than a prince.

‘How dare he speak to me, a royal, with such insolence?’

But what enraged Flute the most was his inability to do anything about Mikhail.

‘That filthy blood… they seemed close. Suspiciously close.’

While Mikhail was beyond his reach, Lindsey, his personal cleric, was a different matter entirely.

Lindsey had heard that Kenyan Radian was about to embark on a dangerous mission, tasked with dealing with black magicians and heretics.

It was a mission assigned after some kind of arrangement between him and the First Princess Rebecca. There were even rumors that it was related to Sylvia being sent to Lrsen for recovery.

The mission itself was considered highly dangerous.

‘They said he’s headed to the lawless territories in the east.’

No doubt they were short on clerics.

Although Lindsey was Mikhail’s personal cleric, she hadn’t yet received official recognition from the imperial family.

That meant there was still a chance she could be sent elsewhere, subject to the whims of the imperial court.

As soon as Flute returned to the capital, he sought out the emperor.

“You’re saying there’s something suspicious between that filthy blood and Mikhail?”

“Yes, I’ve never seen Mikhail take an interest in any cleric before.”

The emperor eyed Flute with a curious expression.

“My son, Mikhail Dweisi is indeed an arrogant transcendent. You’re well aware of how far the Marquis of Kesion’s arrogance has risen with Mikhail at his side.”

“Exactly.”

“This is the perfect time to show them what happens to those who challenge the authority of the imperial family.”

The emperor already knew what had happened between Flute and Mikhail, and he knew why Flute was pushing this.

Flute was desperate to strike back at Mikhail, working his small brain to find a way to hit him where it hurt.

‘Pathetic fool,’ the emperor thought, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

Unlike his eldest daughter Rebecca, Flute lacked courage and intelligence.

He was greedy and prideful, yet completely ineffectual in dealing with someone like Mikhail. He sought revenge by trying to manipulate the situation rather than facing Mikhail directly. It was a pitiful display.

And yet, despite this, the emperor still cared for his son.

If Flute had possessed power similar to Rebecca’s, he might have been worthy of the throne.

‘Still, there’s some merit to what he’s saying.’

The emperor decided to let this one slide. After all, Mikhail’s behavior had indeed crossed the line.

What was so important about that filthy blood? Wasn’t it enough that Flute, his own son, wanted to use her for healing?

And Mikhail had dared to threaten Flute for such a trivial matter?

‘If Mikhail cares so much, he’d better be prepared for the consequences.’

The emperor smirked. Flute was right—this was a good opportunity to remind the Marquis of Kesion who held the true power.

“Very well. Lindsey Kesion will be sent on the same mission as Kenyan Radian and Bianca Rosset.”

⋆★⋆

Lindsey, who had been enjoying a rare moment of peace in the capital, was taken aback by the sudden news.

“Lindsey Kesion is to be dispatched to the lawless territories. Investigate the disappearances of the clerics.”

Lindsey couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

“So, this is how they’re planning to mess with me.”

It was obvious to her what Flute’s intentions were.

Too afraid to confront Mikhail directly, he had chosen to target her, someone without the same power or influence.

‘So, Kenyan Radian is headed there as well, huh?’

The imperial order specifically stated that she was to join Kenyan on this dangerous mission.

Would Crain intervene for her sake? Would he dare to defy the emperor’s order on her behalf?

Lindsey knew the answer to that.

It was a resounding no.