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Chapter 17
“…….”
The man who cautiously stepped inside scanned his surroundings with sharp awareness.
Matthias, who had quickly hidden under the bed, held his breath.
Tap, tap—
Impatient footsteps followed.
“Damn it. Where did I put it, anyway?”
And then, a familiar voice.
The moment Matthias realized who it was, his face went cold.
His red eyes, partly hidden by long eyelashes, darkened as he quietly rolled his eyes and licked his lips.
“Ugh, that damn—”
It was prey.
“So, you’re saying you want to catch that slave trader?”
Xavier and Marquis Odilon. And a slave trader running illegal auctions.
After hearing all the details and solutions, Madame Odilon stayed silent for a while before asking, her voice tinged with suspicion.
I sipped the tea the maid had poured and spoke.
“I’ve identified the place and time where the auction will take place, so we should be able to catch him soon.”
“…….”
“Of course, if you assist me, Madame.”
Here’s roughly how my plan went:
-
I sneak into the auction first.
-
The Marchioness also sneaks in to see if her husband is there.
-
Call in the guards waiting nearby and have everyone arrested.
‘Step one is already handled.’
Since I knew the meeting place and time, I just needed to follow discreetly.
The remaining part required the Marchioness’s cooperation.
“You could have just reported the slave trader, though.”
“Simply reporting wouldn’t work.”
Judging by appearances, he’d been running this for quite a while. Why hadn’t he been caught until now?
‘Someone’s covering for him.’
Marquis Odilon, a high-ranking noble in the Empire, was behind it.
Coordinating with the capital’s guards would be trivial. Other nobles were likely involved too, so even if we reported him, they’d try to silence us.
No, silencing wouldn’t be enough. People who do such dirty work never fear the heavens.
‘They’d try to attack me immediately.’
That’s why I needed a strong witness and ally—someone powerful enough that they couldn’t get away with anything.
And the person who would gain the most from this auction? That ally was Madame Odilon.
“So, what exactly is it you want?”
“…….”
“I understand you want to make me a witness. I suppose reporting alone would be difficult.”
The Marchioness narrowed her eyes.
By now, she meant I should reveal any hidden motives beyond what I’d already said.
I gladly complied.
“I need the Imperial Guard.”
“……Huh.”
Madame Odilon let out a dry laugh.
“The Imperial Guard? Is that really what you want?”
“Yes.”
Even as a noble, Madame Odilon was a cousin of the Emperor. With his approval, she could bring in the Imperial Guard.
Exactly what I needed.
‘If I’m not careful, I could be accused as an accomplice.’
Even though he was at fault, I couldn’t let him drag me and my family down.
Xavier wouldn’t want to die alone; if captured, he’d try to involve Renesti.
‘And you think I’d just watch that happen?’
I needed insurance to prove my innocence.
“It might sound impertinent, but honestly, wouldn’t His Majesty be pleased to hear this?”
“That’s—”
Madame Odilon hesitated, unsure if that was correct.
I smiled.
“Besides, the nobles involved with the slave trader… they probably have a lot to hide. Quite a few shady dealings.”
People like that always leave a trail of crimes if you scratch the surface.
Then, from the Emperor’s perspective, he could catch the slave trader and possibly launch a campaign against crime at the same time.
‘Not bad at all.’
At that moment, Madame Odilon looked me over intently.
“Surprising.”
“Pardon?”
I asked, snapping out of my thoughts. The Marchioness, who had been observing me suspiciously, lifted one corner of her mouth.
“Since you’ve come this far, you must be determined. Honestly, I didn’t expect you, Young Lady, to propose something like this.”
“Excuse me?”
“When we last met, I thought you were rather well-behaved.”
I flinched slightly.
The “well-behaved” part referred to the time when I had just realized I was possessed. I had been mentally unstable and quiet… yet she described it as being well-behaved.
As I wondered whether to take that as a compliment, Madame Odilon finally smiled genuinely.
“Still, I like it.”
“……You mean the well-behaved part?”
“No. Now.”
She lifted her teacup again, her expression complex as she continued.
“I much prefer someone who meets my eyes and speaks openly rather than trembling before me.”
Was that a compliment? Or was it a scolding for being too bold?
Aristocratic speech was tricky, but it didn’t seem insulting.
So, I decided to be equally brazen.
“I can’t just stay quiet anymore.”
I may have been submissive in the past, but not anymore. Back then, Xavier had acted recklessly… and now, to survive, I had to do everything I could.
“……I feel sorry for the Marquis, and for your family’s situation as well.”
Madame Odilon sipped her tea, showing sympathy. But it was a problem that would be resolved soon enough.
‘I’ll pin it all on Xavier.’
I had no intention of paying off the debts he created.
“So regarding the slave trader—”
“You want me to report it to His Majesty, including the Imperial Guard and Renesti’s innocence.”
‘She’s quick.’
She understood exactly what I wanted. Nodding without a word, Madame Odilon smiled faintly.
“Alright then.”
“!”
“I will follow your proposal, Young Lady.”
“Really?”
I expected her to deliberate longer, but she decided quickly.
“I wanted to end this dreadful marriage anyway.”
She tilted her head, noting how our interests aligned perfectly.
“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“Then—”
“However.”
She gently interrupted me, looking down at the remaining tea.
“I also want to set one condition.”
“A condition?”
I straightened, surprised by her request.
“It’s not unreasonable, so don’t worry.”
I swallowed nervously, wondering what she would ask. My mind raced through possibilities.
The answer, however, was unexpected.
“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
A meal? Just a simple meal together?
‘That’s too easy.’
Then she added a detail.
“Of course, including my son.”
“Your son…?”
“Dian.”
“Ah.”
Dian Odilon. The name came naturally to mind. But hadn’t he already broken his engagement with Young Lady Odilon?
Even in the original story, they weren’t particularly close.
‘Is she trying to bring us together again?’
…No way.
Even if she liked me, Madame Odilon was pragmatic. A single favor wouldn’t reunite me with her son.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a meal together.”
“Ah, yes.”
I nodded absentmindedly. It was just a meal—no reason to refuse.
“Alright then.”
Madame Odilon rang a bell with a satisfied look.
A maid cautiously entered the room and bowed.
“Since you’re here, why not stay for dinner as well?”
“But—”
If I stayed for dinner, it would get too late. I was worried about Matthias waiting alone at the mansion.
Seeing my hesitation, Madame Odilon spoke.
“I’d like to discuss the future direction a little more.”
No, that would make it impossible to refuse!
I had no choice but to nod after a moment of consideration.
Madame Odilon smiled brightly and asked the maid to prepare a proper dinner. She seemed genuinely pleased.
…Or maybe it was just my imagination that she looked excited.
‘Ha, I don’t know.’
We were only going to have a quick dinner.
‘What could possibly go wrong?’
