ITMDR 05

Chapter 05 …

📖 I Am the Mistress of the Dragon Ranch

Stellarius, the moment he saw Louiseette, wore a deeply flustered expression.

Until now, whenever he had faced Louiseette, he had always acted like a composed adult. But now, he opened his mouth like someone cornered and scanned Louiseette from top to bottom.

Even that alone gave Louiseette a small sense of victory. She watched him with growing curiosity, trying to predict how this man would respond.

Stellarius ran his hand back over his forehead and said:

“Mademoiselle. Just in case I’m misunderstanding… you mean right now?”

“Yes.”

Through the small window in the corridor of the apartment building, the sun was slowly beginning to rise. Louiseette adjusted her large travel bag, growing impatient.

“If I don’t leave today, I’ll be dragged straight into my meeting with Duke Truffaut. I have an appointment at noon. I’ll probably just be made to sit there like some luxury doll in the duke’s residence.”

She absolutely hated that idea. Being controlled by Catherine for every single movement, then being asked by a duke old enough to be her grandfather, “Will you marry me?”—and obediently lowering her gaze and saying, “Yes, I will.” She could never accept that.

“To be honest, I wanted to leave earlier. But I spent all my time paying off the debt and packing. Now I only have a few hours left, Monsieur Stellarius.”

The massive debt under the House of Onueve name. She had spent days calculating every interest detail, carefully breaking down and repaying the full 1 million laurans. The process alone had taken a long time.

But compared to a lifetime of struggling under debt, that was nothing. Louiseette genuinely wanted to thank him. However, the situation was urgent, so her gratitude came out clumsily, followed immediately by pressing urgency.

“If you won’t come, I’ll go alone. My mother will have already noticed I ran away.”

Louiseette immediately stepped forward as if she would run down the stairs with her bag.

It was easy to imagine what was happening at the Count of Onueve’s mansion right now. Catherine would be screaming, searching for her daughter. The butler would be trying to calm her down, and one of the maids would already be rushing to notify the capital guards.

Stellarius quickly grabbed her shoulder. He, too, spoke rapidly, almost hurriedly:

“Wait, wait. Mademoiselle. I understand. You’re running away to escape an unwanted arranged marriage. But why Haeyet, of all places?”

Louiseette lifted her chin immediately and answered stubbornly.

“I’m going to work.”

Her resolve had already solidified days ago. She was not in a mood to be stopped now.

“The only thing left of our family is the dragon ranch. I’m going there first. And if I can restore it, I will.”

“Ambitious. And how do you intend to do that?”

“I don’t know anything about dragons, of course…”

Louiseette swallowed dryly, feeling a sting of humiliation. She deeply regretted never caring about the household or financial matters in the past, when she had lived carefree as a noble lady.

“But you said you’re looking for a place to hatch Fleur’s egg. At least help me until I learn about dragons.”

Her eyes drifted toward the living room, where the dragon egg rested carefully on a chest. In her mansion, it had been decorated like a jewel, but now it was wrapped neatly in the wool pouch that had once belonged to her.

This was her plan. If the egg was to hatch and grow, it would take time. And during that time, having the empire’s best dragon knight as a mentor would be ideal.

Stellarius let out a dry laugh.

“So… you’re asking me to do this for free?”

“I am no longer a debtor.”

Louiseette shot back sharply. She grabbed the brooch from her cape.

“One of my most precious jewels. A high-grade diamond piece.”

“Here. I’ll hire you as assistant for our ranch. This brooch is your first payment. Please help me and come to Haeyet with me!”

She tried to sound commanding so her desperation wouldn’t show, but she glared at him anxiously. Now that she thought about it, this man could casually produce 1 million laurans. Would a single diamond brooch even tempt him?

Still, he was the best person she knew for this. And though blunt, he didn’t seem dishonorable. He had also helped her by giving up the dragon egg.

She silently prayed he would agree.

Stellarius stared blankly at the brooch in his hand. Not like someone dazzled by jewels—but like someone facing something absurd beyond belief.

Then he let out a short, hollow laugh and covered his forehead.

“Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable, Mademoiselle. I’ve never seen such bold arrogance in my life.”

Louiseette flared up at the word arrogance.

“You think my courage is trivial? Call it the spirit of an ancient heroine instead.”

“Look at you. You can’t stand losing even a single exchange. Let me ask you this. If I lured you to an unknown land and then… violated your honor, what would you do then?”

At that, Louiseette flinched at the blunt example. For a moment, she noticed his broad shoulders and strong arms beneath his refined face. If he wished, he could easily overpower her slender arms.

But she refused to show fear. She cleared her throat and straightened her posture.

“You said you want to hatch a dragon egg, right? Dragons are sensitive to their environment. I know that much. I think the Onueve ranch could help you. I don’t think you’re foolish enough to throw away that opportunity just to commit a crime.”

“Flattering. As I told you before, if I ever intended to rebuild a ranch, I could always choose other opportunities besides Onueve. I used to be a dragon knight, after all.”

“Even so, it won’t be the best opportunity. There’s no land better than Haeyet, is there?”

Stellarius chuckled softly, acknowledging her point.

“You’re not wrong. There’s a reason the Onueve ranch once prospered.”

Finally, he slipped the brooch into his pocket.

Then he pointed lightly at Louiseette.

“Fine. I’ll help your runaway plan. I’m being paid more than I earn repairing guns anyway. It would be troublesome if the young lady got lost on her way to the provinces.”

Louiseette clenched her fists.

“I know how to take a train!”

“With tickets arranged by your maid and butler, no doubt. Wait here. Even a runaway noble needs to pack lightly.”

He went into the bedroom while unbuttoning his shirt. Louiseette quickly turned away, covering her mouth. The sight of his bare upper body was completely different from anything she had ever seen before.

Unlike the soft, aristocratic boys she knew, his body was hardened and solid, built by training and battle.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably.

When Stellarius returned dressed, he said:

“Let’s go. Quickly.”

He took Fleur’s egg carefully from her and handed her his bag.

“I’ll carry the luggage. You hold only the egg.”

Then he walked out without even locking the door, as if there was nothing worth stealing.

By the time they reached the stairs, morning light filled the sky.

Stellarius flagged down a passing carriage, threw the bags in, and climbed aboard. Then he reached out a hand.

“Come, Mademoiselle. Let’s succeed at this absurd escape.”

Louiseette took his hand, suppressing an unexpected laugh.

“Train station. As fast as possible.”

They set off.

But—

“Stop! Stop! Lady Onueve!”

A shout came from behind.

Louiseette turned pale.

“City guard!”

Armed soldiers were chasing them on horseback.

“Stop the carriage!”

“Lady Onueve, return home!”

The driver slowed hesitantly.

But then Stellarius stood up abruptly.

“Don’t stop. I’ll handle this.”

“Sit down! You’ll fall!”

“Don’t worry. Compared to flying dragons, this is nothing.”

He pulled out a long rifle, aimed, and fired.

BANG.

A soldier’s hat flew off perfectly.

Chaos erupted.

Louiseette stared in shock as Stellarius calmly sat back down, brushing his black hair from the wind.

“How was that?”

He smiled faintly.

“I completed my first mission. So… how was it, employer? Am I a useful worker?”