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Chapter 12
“I heard you were looking for me.”
“…Your Grace? Wh-when did you arrive…?”
Heidi’s eyes flew open.
“Do I need to announce myself when entering my own home?”
It was Desion.
Appearing like a savior.
Without sparing Heidi even a glance, Desion continued speaking.
“I found strangers wandering freely through my halls.”
“…”
“You’ll need to provide a proper explanation. As you well know, drawing a sword against intruders is considered self-defense.”
His tone was slow and calm.
Yet his eyes and voice were cold enough to freeze the entire corridor.
Slowly—
The strength drained from the commander’s hand that had been gripping Heidi’s wrist.
“W-well, the thing is…”
“…”
“I will explain everything. I cannot deny that this was an enormous breach of etiquette.”
The man hurried toward Desion, forcing a servile smile.
“But once you hear the circumstances, I’m certain Your Grace will understand. Please calm your anger and grant me a chance to explain.”
Desion stared at him expressionlessly before briefly glancing at the servants lingering in the corridor.
“Follow me to my office. There seem to be too many ears listening here.”
“Yes, sir!”
Whew.
The commander wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurried after Desion.
By now, he had completely forgotten about the maid who had occupied his attention moments ago.
Heidi pressed a hand against her pounding chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heart was beating so hard it felt as though it might burst through her clothes.
Even after sprinting at full speed, she had never felt it pound this violently.
“…!”
Then their eyes met.
Desion glanced back and gave her a slight nod.
As if to say—
Everything would be fine.
* * *
To My Dear Teacher,
I hope you have been well.
I write today to ask a small favor.
There is a valuable item I wish to acquire in Aras, so a journey by ship is necessary. Unfortunately, the nearest port happens to be Rotem.
The people traveling on my behalf have worked hard for me, and it would be improper to leave them to stay just anywhere. I would appreciate your cooperation in allowing them to rest comfortably as though they were in their own home.
You once taught me that those born into privilege must not mistreat those beneath them, and that a ruler’s heart should always be concerned for citizens suffering hardship.
As you can see, I have learned your lessons very well. Please be proud of me.
Until we meet again, please take care of your health.
Your student who always worries about her teacher,
Anastasia Janet de Panther
Ha.
A silent laugh escaped Desion.
He folded Anastasia’s letter and set it down on the desk.
“I’ve confirmed it. It is indeed written in the princess’s own hand.”
Lifting his head, Desion met the commander’s gaze.
Albert Gavitz.
This was their first conversation, though Desion recognized his face.
One of Anastasia’s loyal dogs. Back then he was nothing more than an ordinary soldier.
Judging by the elaborate decorations on his uniform, he had apparently spent years diligently currying favor with Anastasia.
Tap. Tap.
Desion drummed his fingers against the desk.
“I will overlook the rudeness of arriving unannounced at an occupied estate. However, you will need to tolerate some inconvenience. As you can see, this residence was meant for a single occupant. I do not have the staff necessary to lavishly host dozens of guests.”
“Of course, Your Grace. We are not so shameless as that.”
Commander Albert forced out a hearty laugh.
“The estate is remarkably large and beautiful. I must admit, I’ve gotten lost several times already.”
“Is that so?”
A faint smile touched Desion’s lips.
“Come. I’ll assign a servant to assist you throughout the day. It would be unfortunate if you lost your way again.”
“Thank you.”
They stepped into the hallway.
The butler and head maid were already waiting attentively.
“Butler.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Have the soldiers’ rooms been prepared?”
“Yes. We arranged the guest rooms and emptied several servants’ quarters so everyone could be accommodated.”
“Good. And—”
Desion tilted his head toward Albert.
“Head Maid, I want you to personally attend to the commander.”
“Then who will attend to you, Master…?”
“Send anyone. Even a novice will do. He is a guest representing the royal family, after all. We must show proper hospitality. Especially since the princess herself sent him.”
“Ahem.”
Albert turned away, trying unsuccessfully to hide the smile creeping onto his face.
Meanwhile, Desion exchanged a quick glance with the head maid.
She immediately understood his intentions and bowed deeply.
“As you wish, Master.”
Click.
The moment Desion returned to his room, he strode directly toward his desk.
The elegance remained on his face, but his eyes had sharpened.
Objects were almost exactly where they belonged—
Almost.
A paper slightly out of alignment.
A drawer not completely closed.
A leather strap protruding from between its edges.
Clear signs that someone had searched through the room.
“So that’s where you got lost.”
He yanked open a drawer and slammed it shut.
“You searched thoroughly enough, like a rat.”
Moving into the bedroom, he considered the situation.
The head maid already burned Heidi’s letters. The truly important evidence was never kept here in the first place.
His eyes swept over the room.
Then he noticed the bedside lamp resting at a slightly different angle than usual.
A sigh escaped him.
“You even crawled into the bedroom.”
He loosened his cravat.
“I always expected this day would come.”
A crooked smile appeared on his lips.
“But not this soon.”
He murmured quietly.
“You must be quite nervous, Anastasia.”
At that moment—
Knock. Knock.
A cautious knock sounded.
The door opened, and a moon-pale face peeked inside.
“I heard you called for me.”
For some reason—
The moment Desion saw Heidi, the agitation boiling inside him vanished.
He nodded, his expression noticeably gentler.
“Come in.”
After locking the door behind her, he examined her face.
“You were frightened, weren’t you?”
“Yes. Especially since you weren’t here…”
“I apologize. Still, I heard you handled the situation calmly. The idea to disguise yourself as a maid was yours, wasn’t it?”
His gaze dropped briefly to the maid uniform she wore.
“You did well, Heidi.”
Their eyes met.
Her eyes were slightly red.
Her violet irises shimmered as though wet with tears.
Desion abruptly looked away.
For some reason, he felt he shouldn’t hold her gaze any longer.
Walking toward the bedroom, he spoke.
“You probably have many questions.”
He paused.
“Ask them. I’ll answer everything.”
Heidi hesitated before speaking.
“I overheard part of the conversation between the butler and the commander. They said they came under the princess’s orders.”
Desion nodded.
“That’s correct.”
Her brows drooped with concern.
“How did the princess know you were here? Even Miss Eloise didn’t know your location…”
Desion shrugged.
“Just as I investigate her, she investigates me. I didn’t expect her to find me this quickly, but in a way it works to our advantage.”
He met her eyes.
“Now that she’s reassured herself, she’ll likely lose interest in this place for a while.”
Then he added:
“For the same reason, this room will be the safest place in the estate tonight. They’ve already searched every inch of it, down to the dust itself. They won’t bother checking it again.”
“Oh.”
“Tonight,” Desion said calmly,
“You’ll sleep here.”
