ITSM 02

Chapter 02

“Y-You crazy father!”

“If you don’t pay it back in there, the interest will double. If that happens, it would actually be more beneficial for me to sell you off and dodge the loan sharks myself.”

I lowered my head and let out a short breath, “Huh…”

Be sold off—or repay 300 gold in three days.

Either way, there was only one choice: to end this miserable relationship and part ways with my father.

“I’ll gather the money and come back within three days.”

Despite saying it so confidently, I immediately fell into worry.

How on earth was I supposed to gather 300 gold overnight?

Sigh.

Standing in front of the job postings, I let out short, repeated sighs. No matter how generously the pay, I could only get my wages after the work was done.

I thought about borrowing money from a bank, but no one would lend money to someone tied to the Walker family.

Even after rifling through the postings for a long time, there was no proper way to solve this situation.

Outside, the rain continued to drizzle.

I twisted my body and shook my head several times, then seriously considered,

‘Should I just run away?’

I hadn’t told my father, but I currently had about 3 gold coins. Not enough to live a full life, but sufficient to escape and settle somewhere.

Of course, if I ran away, I’d live as a fugitive forever, constantly trembling in fear.

The damn reality gnawed at me.

“Haa…”

Even as I sighed heavily, nothing changed. I slammed my head against the wall repeatedly.

Then, someone’s hand slipped between my forehead and the wall.

“If you keep doing that, you’ll bruise that pretty forehead of yours.”

Drawn by the soft, beautiful voice, I unconsciously lifted my head to look at the speaker.

The moment our eyes met, I instinctively parted my lips. Half of his face was hidden by a robe, yet his appearance couldn’t be concealed.

Rare jet-black hair, eyes gleaming like rubies.

A face so striking it made me forget all my previous thoughts.

As I blinked, he smiled faintly and took the bundle of papers from my hand.

“Looking for a job?”
“Uh, yes…”

Only then did I realize what I had been worrying about—and also that my hands were empty.

“Yes, that’s right.”

With an awkward smile, I retrieved the posting he had taken.

He glanced at me and asked,

“Seems like you’re in urgent need of money.”

It was embarrassing to reveal my family’s affairs to a stranger. I only gave a small nod with a forced smile, then moved to walk away.

A few steps later, the gentle voice reached me again from behind.

“You’re Liliana Walker, right?”

I couldn’t help but be startled by his words.

‘How does he know my name?’

Was he some kind of loan shark? Had my father run away and he came looking for me? Thoughts of frightening possibilities swirled.

I cleared my throat and turned my head.

“So you knew who I was.”

He shrugged slightly at my caution, then extended his hand.

“Shall we start with introductions? I’m Roan—just call me that.”

Ignoring the hand in front of me, I asked,

“What business do you have with me?”

Roan looked at his own hand, shook his head, and spoke as if it were nothing.

“I was looking for someone competent in many areas.”

His words were not what I expected. I hesitated for a moment, intrigued despite myself.

Seeming to notice my lowered guard, Roan continued.

“Specifically, someone competent to stay by my side every day.”

Most people want to leave work. Being by his side meant no leaving, no vacation—basically, full-time commitment.

No one wants to spend their whole day at work if they can avoid it—they’d rather spend time with family, friends, or a lover.

“And you must be able to write and handle documents. You’ll also manage schedules and take care of the estate.”

The list of demands kept going, showing no consideration for my own comfort.

The more Roan spoke, the more my expression crumpled. By his description, finding a unicorn might be easier than finding someone like him wanted.

Who even exists like that?

“I thought such a person couldn’t be found anywhere in the Empire. But you… you’re quite famous in that regard.”

As if reading my thoughts, Roan smiled faintly.

“Even though you have a noble surname, you handle tasks a commoner might, keep your mouth shut, and never run away—that’s what everyone says about you.”

It wasn’t mocking, but it still annoyed me. Who wants to hear rumors about themselves from a stranger?

“On top of that, everyone said you do your work well, which caught my attention.”

Seeing my hesitant reaction, Roan clarified.

“It means I want to work with you, Miss Walker.”
“Ah, I—”
“Yes, you, Miss Walker.”
“So that’s why you came looking for me?”
“Something like that, yes.”

I narrowed my eyes and sized him up.

Leaving aside that he came because I was ‘famous,’ something about him felt off.

This is the North, yet his speech had a Southern accent. On top of that, he wore obviously expensive clothes.

I couldn’t fully trust him.

“You could find someone like me in the South too, you know.”

I tested him, and his eyes widened.

“You have a sharp eye.”
“Your accent is Southern. I know the Southern way of speaking from my previous experience.”
“Impressive. So the rumors of competence were true. You noticed that in an instant.”

Even with his praise, I reacted indifferently. I didn’t see a need to acknowledge each word.

“Thanks for the compliment. But I’m in a hurry. I should be going now.”

I judged it was better not to get involved with someone suspicious. Knowing all my personal information and showing up at this precise moment was too convenient.

At that moment, Roan made a number 3 with his fingers.

“Three-year term, 300 gold signing bonus.”

Even though I had reacted indifferently, the offer rang in my ears.

“40 gold per month, plus performance bonuses. Retirement pay guaranteed.”

The monthly pay was five times what I earned at my previous job.

For most noble girls, it would be trivial—but not for me. I desperately needed money.

Seeming to notice my hesitation, Roan calmly continued.

“That’s the basic outline. Any other requests can be negotiated. What do you say?”

‘What do you say? It’s a no-brainer.’

Suspicious, strange, and uneasy—but the money he offered could free me from the Walker name.

Damn it. I hate gambling like this.

I clenched my fists.

If I didn’t take the hand of this suspicious man before me, I’d spend my life supporting my father—or be sold off.

I closed my eyes, took several deep breaths, and opened them with resolve.

“Fine. Let’s start by checking the employment contract.”

Roan’s eyes widened, surprised.

“Hmm, I didn’t expect you to accept it so quickly. Miss Walker, you are decisive.”

Only then did I notice that Roan’s hands were empty.

“Oh.”
“If you’re ready, shall we move to the workplace and check the contract?”

I nodded at his proposal, then suddenly remembered I hadn’t asked about the workplace.

“Oh, where is the workplace?”

Judging by his speech, it seemed Southern…

“The Duchy of Winspear.”
“Winspear… Excuse me?”

There was a good reason I was so taken aback.