APML 12

Chapter 12

Cain, rubbing his tired eyes, turned his head toward him.
“Tell me.”
“The official records show her from the time she entered the orphanage. She was handed over to the police at the age of seven. A woman reportedly found her wandering and thought she was a lost child, so she brought her in.”
“At seven? She should have known where her home was.”
“The age is an estimate. She seems to have been so shocked that she couldn’t remember anything besides her own name.”
“Hmm.”

Cain frowned briefly but gestured for him to continue.
“She’s likely from the north. Silver hair isn’t common in the Empire, but it becomes more frequent as you go north. In the Shuran Kingdom, there are more platinum- and silver-haired people than in the Empire.”
“That makes sense.”
“She grew up in the orphanage until adulthood and never caused any special trouble. She was described as quiet and composed.”
“Quiet? Composed?”

Cain repeated it as if he had heard something he shouldn’t, and Jade nodded, signaling understanding.
“Apparently, her personality changed after an incident six months ago. She’s almost like a different person.”
“I see.”

Cain nodded, recalling what the mistress of the house, the grandmother, had said.
So that’s why she became so docile.
“What kind of incident was it?”
“There was a persistent man bothering her for a long time. She was kidnapped, but while escaping, she fell into water. She was unconscious for several days.”
“Was the man caught?”
“There was a witness, so he was arrested at the scene, but released after three days.”
“Released? Even though he was caught on site?”

Cain frowned and looked at Jade.
As someone who emphasized strict adherence to military law and saw violations as punishable, this was unthinkable to him.
“He was the son of Baron Hettel.”

Baron Hettel handled administrative duties for the castle, and Cain already knew him professionally.
He wasn’t particularly competent but meticulous, so mistakes were rare.
“What does that matter?”
“The victim was a commoner, and the perpetrator was a noble. Moreover, Baron Hettel is a vassal of Lord Snople.”
“Tch.”

Cain understood.
It often happened in a class-conscious society, but it was always frustrating to hear.
“So that bastard is still walking around freely, huh.”
“Yes. I think you’ve probably noticed that, Cain.”
“Ah.” Cain nodded.
“No wonder. The pursuit seemed clumsy for an assassin.”
“We also investigated that man.”

Jade hesitated, flipping through the report as if unsure whether to read it aloud.
It contained many crude and unrefined expressions, making it hard to select appropriate ones:

• “His attempts were pitiful and insignificant.”

• “Like a shriveled, ruined cucumber.”

‘Kate, even if this wasn’t an official order, writing the report like this…’

Cain, observing the silent Jade with curiosity, asked,
“What is it?”
“It’s the assessment from those around him: his behavior was poor, and he gave a very bad impression.”

It wasn’t anything special.
A man who had done that kind of thing couldn’t have a good reputation.
Cain nodded disinterestedly.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, Evelyn doesn’t remember the incident or the man. It’s assumed to be temporary memory loss due to the shock.”

It happened sometimes even on the battlefield.
Soldiers who narrowly escaped death would consciously erase painful memories from their minds.
“No wonder she moves around without hesitation. Fearlessly.”
“People around her seem to take care, fearing she might run into the culprit.”
“So it’s true she’s close to the neighbors.”

Cain thought of the grandmother and Evelyn.
Although they weren’t actually grandmother and granddaughter, their bond seemed stronger than one.
“Yes. If there’s a problem, they investigate the law and related information to help as much as possible, as you saw the last time.”
“Despite being incapable themselves, they meddle.”
“Thanks to that meddling, we might also receive help, right?”
“Help or nuisance, who knows.”

Cain grunted and got up.
“I’m tired. That’s enough for today.”
“Yes. Will you go out again tomorrow?”
“Yes. Until they appear.”
“Ah, Kate said she relayed your instructions properly, Cain.”

Cain paused, then left the office without replying.

Evelyn stood in front of the mirror wearing a bright dress, very different from yesterday.
It was the dress Kate had left last night, prepared under Cain’s orders.
It was intentionally conspicuous, deemed inappropriate for the spring festival, to avoid blending in.
‘Wouldn’t standing out make me easier to spot for an assassin?’

The dress was beautiful but heavy and uncomfortable for walking.
‘If I don’t wear it, he’ll probably nag about the plan.’

Until the prophecy came true, Evelyn had no choice but to follow Cain’s orders.
Grumbling, she carefully checked her appearance in the mirror.
Still, she was quite satisfied with her reflection.

Cain, watching the time, turned his head when he heard Evelyn’s footsteps.
“Late—”

Seeing her, he immediately fell silent.
The dress, layered with thin fabric like overlapping petals, made a soft rustling sound as it brushed her legs.
Her silver hair flowed elegantly, cheeks flushed, lips pink—she was completely different from yesterday.

As Evelyn approached, Cain collected himself and finished his sentence abruptly.
“-I said.”
“Sorry. I’m not used to these kinds of clothes, so it took me a while.”

Seeing her awkwardly touching the hem of her dress, Cain cleared his throat.
“How do I look? Do I blend in with others?”
She looked far more noticeable than “blending in.”

Evelyn’s uncertainty grew as Cain stared at her intently.
“Does it look strange? Too awkward?”
“No, not that. I mean—”

Better than a black robe, at least.
Cain chose words that wouldn’t embarrass him.
“Hmm, it looks fine.”

Evelyn smiled in relief.
“Let’s go. We need to see if your prophecy is correct.”
“Yes, yes.”

How far would they have to walk today? She was already feeling tired.
“Cain, I’ve been thinking these past few days.”
“What about?”
“If the assassin’s target is you, wouldn’t it be easier if I weren’t around?”

“It doesn’t really matter. They might even see you as baggage and find it easier to attack.”
“Baggage? That’s… I could also be described as a good hostage, though.”
“Is that a good thing?”

Flabbergasted, Cain turned his back.
“Stop overthinking and follow me.”

Evelyn pouted but started walking after him.
Suddenly, Cain spun around and extended his arm.
Startled, Evelyn instinctively stepped back in a defensive stance.

“Why—why are you doing that?”
“My reaction isn’t that I’m going to hit you, right?”
“No, this is an instinctive defensive reflex.”

Cain looked at her in disbelief and sighed lightly.
“Put your hand here.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Look at your outfit. Do you really want to walk like that?”
“Oh. You mean escorting me.”

Evelyn placed her hand on Cain’s arm obediently.
It looked slender but was firmer than she expected.
“Don’t squeeze.”
“When did I do that?”

Her face turned bright red as she protested.
She had gripped his arm out of curiosity, which embarrassed her even more.
Suppressing a laugh, Cain led her.
“Today, let’s act like normal people around others.”

To someone unaware of the situation, they could look like a couple in a sweet relationship.

Jade and Kate watched Cain and Evelyn leave the castle from the second floor.
Kate’s expression suggested she had seen something shocking.
“Brother, Cain is waiting for the assassin, right? He’s not using this as an excuse for a date?”
“He’s on duty. Learn to distinguish work from personal matters.”
“It’s hard to call this work, isn’t it?”

Jade frowned but eventually agreed.
“But Kate, why didn’t you go today?”
“I’ve been following for days and caught nothing, so it’s boring. Today, I’m sticking to paperwork.”
“Too bad. Today, at least one small fry should be caught.”
“Eh?”

Evelyn’s legs started aching, and she glanced at Cain, wanting to rest.
Carrying the heavy dress was twice as tiring as usual.
Plus, the new shoes rubbed her heels.
‘My feet hurt.’

She stopped, sighed, and adjusted her shoes.
Cain held her hand to prevent her from falling and waited silently.
“Why so many sighs today? Nervous?”
“I’m always nervous. I’m worried something might happen to you, Cain.”
“Whatever happens, I’m the one facing it.”
“Then I’ll lose my chance to become a full-time staff member.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already instructed Jade.”
“What for?”
“If I die, compensate instead of hiring me full-time.”
“Oh, thank you for thinking that far ahead.”
“I don’t like owing anyone. I don’t want to leave things unsettled, even after death.”
“Then I’ll feel unsettled if that happens.”
“Ah. That’s not so bad either.”

Evelyn scowled at Cain’s smile but resumed walking.
“Wait a moment.”
“Huh?”
“Are you hurt?”

She had been walking awkwardly since earlier.
At first, Evelyn thought it was just the outfit, but something still felt off.
Feeling Cain’s scrutinizing gaze, she waved it off.
“It’s fine. The shoes are new, so I’m not used to them yet.”
“Sit down.”

Cain guided Evelyn to a nearby bench and knelt in front of her.