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Chapter 05
I unconsciously inhaled sharply at the heavy, pressing aura of the Dragon Blood.
They said ordinary people could barely meet his eyes… and the original description wasn’t exaggerated at all.
‘I never imagined I’d meet Cain like this.’
While my head was frozen with tension, my body executed the tasks I had rehearsed in my mind countless times.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace…!”
“You know me?”
His deep, sweet voice pierced my ears. I barely lifted my head to meet his gaze.
‘He’s… really handsome.’
Even without being Dragon Blood, no one could hold eye contact with that unreal face.
‘Have I seen such a handsome man recently? Or am I imagining things?’
But now was not the time for such thoughts. I quickly answered his question.
“I… I doubt there are many who don’t know you…!”
I babbled nonsense from nerves, but thankfully, the duke didn’t mind.
“Sit for now.”
“Y-Yes!”
Cain nodded lightly and sat on the sofa opposite me. I awkwardly followed, but it didn’t feel real.
‘I came to meet Cain, so I’m happy… but why?’
It felt strange—like the chairman showing up at a low-level employee interview.
I pretended to look at the table while sneaking a glance at him. Cain crossed his legs, scanning the documents slowly. The interview began.
“Your résumé is quite simple. No record of studying at an academy. Did you have a mentor?”
Ouch. Right off the bat, he hit a sore spot.
“I… self-taught!”
“Self-taught?”
Cain’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion clear.
‘I understand, but there’s really nothing to hide… It’s true.’
Recalling my ancestors’ advice—“Even if your mouth is crooked, speak truthfully”—I mustered courage.
“Yes… I didn’t have the opportunity to study formally.”
Pharmacy wasn’t easy to access; most learned through apprenticeships or academies before passing the national exam. I had skipped the first step.
‘Technically, the Marquess’ house never gave me a chance to learn, so it was skipped…’
“Hmm.”
Luckily, Cain didn’t press further. He asked only a few simple questions afterward, mostly about healing techniques and herbs—nothing too difficult. I discreetly wiped my sweaty hands on my skirt and answered sincerely.
After a while, Cain placed the papers on the table with a soft thud.
“That’s enough for the interview.”
I closed my eyes tightly at what was effectively the verdict.
‘I guess I failed.’
It was a formal Ashlern estate interview, so it shouldn’t end so quickly—but it seemed like a rejection. No matter. The job wasn’t my true goal anyway.
‘Alright… now I can tell him my real purpose!’
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, but before I could speak:
“I want you to start working tomorrow.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve passed.”
“Me…?”
I blinked, dumbfounded. I hadn’t even shown him anything yet.
Cain pulled a pen from his pocket and scribbled on the papers.
“This salary should be sufficient.”
The amount made my eyes widen automatically.
“Uh… this is monthly pay?”
“Weekly, actually. Prefer monthly?”
I couldn’t hide my astonishment. I had heard the Ashlern estate was a good place to work, but this exceeded expectations.
‘Wow… no wonder they have the nobles’ servants lined up.’
The money was more than enough to clothe Melody in new outfits daily, pile up expensive treats like macarons, and more… I let my imagination run for a moment before it ran dry.
“No, the salary is fine. But more importantly…”
I thought of little Melody waiting for me like a tiny rabbit. My heart pounded.
I clenched my fists, steeling myself, and spoke:
“Before anything else, I must insist that others be excused.”
Cain tilted his head, mildly intrigued. A subtle crack appeared on his otherwise statue-like face.
“If you’re trying to pique my interest, you’ve succeeded.”
He gestured, and in an instant, the room was empty—just the two of us. Cain motioned for me to speak.
My mouth went dry. Once I spoke, who knew what would happen? As this was estate confidential information, my life could be at risk. But if I didn’t speak first, I couldn’t propose a contract.
I checked my plan one last time and spoke firmly:
“I wish to make a proposal. I will cure your nephew, Prince Jaden, of Tamutar disease. In return, please protect the young Saintess candidate.”
A short, quiet chuckle broke the silence. Cain’s usually icy eyes glimmered with faint interest.
“A spy, were you?”
“Ah, no, sir!”
Cain Ashlern had two nephews: Noah and Jaden.
They were left behind when their parents died in an accident. Cain never expected to live the life he did now, even as a duke. His heavily Dragon Blood-infused body alone intimidated others.
From a young age, he traveled the Empire, hunting monsters instead of staying in the mansion. But after his elder brother, the heir, died, followed by their father, Cain suddenly inherited the dukedom and became guardian to the two children.
He dutifully fulfilled his obligations, defending the estate and the Empire from daily monster waves. People feared him, yet respected him.
But his nephews didn’t bend easily. Cain honestly found neither comfortable. He’d always been uneasy around children—they cried and ran away. Yet he tried his best, despite being too busy with monster hunts to be at the mansion. Gradually, the children grew up. They still feared their uncle…
‘It doesn’t matter.’
He was used to the fearful looks; in fact, not seeing them would feel strange.
That’s why the pink-haired woman in front of him kept catching his attention.
“Hmph! Stay still a moment.”
Seeing her frown as if scolding a child left him both frustrated and fascinated.
He initially brought her to the mansion under a pretext, but that was just an excuse. From the start, he had been interested in her.
‘A healer of this caliber is rare.’
Her fluffy pink hair kept lingering in his mind. But he never imagined she would audaciously bring up Jaden’s illness.
“Nowadays, spies are fearless. How dare you make such a proposal before me?”
A wry smile formed on Cain’s lips.
“So, where did you hear about this?”
“I-I…?”
“Did some lackey send you?”
Her eyes widened. Boldly making a deal one moment, now completely overwhelmed by his presence. Her pink lips had lost their color.
“N-No, absolutely not!”
“Not?”
Even suppressed, she forced the words out. Cain smirked.
‘A lie without sincerity.’
The fact that Jaden had Tamutar disease was highly confidential. Cain had kept it secret, impossible for a mere individual to know. A spy must have been sent by a significant organization.
“It’s really not me!”
She still shook, denying it.
“Just denying in a situation like this? That’s it?”
Cain stepped closer; she inhaled sharply.
“Might as well admit you found out yourself.”
His warning made her bow her head. She had held out until now, but the next moment:
“Yes! That’s it! That’s right!”
“What?”
“Exactly as you said! I deduced it!”
She looked up at him with sprout-like eyes, trembling but honest in her gaze.
