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Chapter 6
The main businesses representing the Adelheit ducal family were magic stones, as well as wine and coffee.
These were deeply embedded in the leisure culture enjoyed by nobles.
One troubling fact was that Killian was the hidden villain of the original story.
“I’m just trying to secure the purchasing rights anyway.”
At present, there were dozens of businesses trying to get in with Killian.
Even if I became just one of them, I wouldn’t stand out much to him.
—that’s how I tried to rationalize it, but in truth, being pushed to the edge meant I no longer cared whether he was a demon or not.
I quickly rang the bell and called Daisy.
“Contact the Grand Duke Orfeo’s household. Tell them we want to participate in the bidding for the purchasing rights.”
“Whoa—does that mean we’re really going to meet the Grand Duke Orfeo himself?”
The one most excited by my words was Daisy. She beamed brightly, delighted as if she were about to meet a superstar.
“Yeah, yeah.”
For some reason, I couldn’t help but laugh, letting out a light chuckle.
Two days later, Daisy and I arrived at the Principality of Orfeo.
“The castle is so beautiful.”
Daisy admired Orfeo Castle, and I, too, looked up at it and muttered inwardly:
‘Who would ever think a demon lives here…?’
It was so white and beautiful it almost felt sacred. As our carriage approached, the gates opened on their own.
Since it wasn’t publicly known that I was Debora’s representative, I was in disguise today, wearing a wig and glasses.
‘Will he recognize me?’
I felt slightly uneasy recalling our encounter at the flower shop. Just in case, I had changed my appearance from back then.
‘No, he probably forgot. It was only a few days ago.’
He wasn’t someone with time to remember every passerby.
‘Since it’s come to this, I have to win those purchasing rights no matter what.’
As expected, many people coveted the Buchanan coffee purchasing rights. The palace was crowded with participants.
“…Miss, what if they don’t sell to us?”
Daisy whispered anxiously.
This acquisition would be decided through interviews.
In other words, the rights would go to whoever pleased Killian the most.
“We’ll just have to offer the highest price.”
Killian was a thorough businessman. The person he favored would most likely be the one offering the highest bid.
It was practically a blind auction.
‘A complete game of wits.’
Inside the castle, a man who appeared to be staff handed out numbered tickets.
“…Number 66?”
Seeing the number associated with demons made me feel uneasy.
The man then addressed those behind us:
“Apologies, but participation is limited up to this person.”
Daisy and I widened our eyes.
We had no idea it was first-come, first-served.
Naturally, those behind us protested.
“There was no mention of this beforehand!”
“If you wish, I can inform His Highness that Viscount Rios has lodged a complaint.”
“W-well… no, not at all! I was just joking! Haha!”
The viscount immediately backed down, laughing awkwardly. The others quietly withdrew as well.
‘Well… if you get on Killian’s bad side, your life is basically over.’
Considering his influence, the viscount’s reaction was only natural.
From overheard conversations, the man handing tickets was Russ Marty, Killian Orfeo’s aide and closest confidant—the only human in a castle full of demons.
‘He probably doesn’t know…’
…that all the staff here were demons.
Still, judging by how the viscount acted, Russ Marty was clearly important.
“We got lucky,” Daisy whispered.
I nodded in agreement.
Despite being number 66, our turn came surprisingly quickly. The interviews seemed very short.
“Miss Daisy Roa, please prepare. You’re next.”
At Russ Marty’s call, we swallowed nervously. The moment to meet Killian was just ahead.
‘Even if he remembers me…’
At the flower shop, I had just been an ordinary customer. Nothing suspicious.
Probably…
The person before us came out in less than five minutes.
“…Caleb.”
I knew the Adelheit family wouldn’t miss this chance, but seeing him still irritated me.
“Oh, I see a familiar face here.”
Caleb approached with an arrogant smirk. Though I was disguised as Daisy’s maid, he recognized me instantly.
I didn’t respond.
“…Hmm, maybe I’m mistaken. You just look like that gloomy girl.”
Daisy bristled, but I held her back.
Causing a scene wouldn’t help.
Thinking he had the upper hand, Caleb left smugly.
Hope you trip and break your nose.
“Miss Daisy Roa, it’s your turn.”
Daisy knocked.
“May we come in?”
“Come in.”
A low, pleasant voice answered, though slightly cold.
We entered.
“Good, they’re not stopping you,” Daisy whispered.
Inside, the room smelled strongly of flowers. A vase of fresh blue lisianthus bloomed on the table.
‘He bought those at the flower shop.’
Strangely, they hadn’t wilted.
“I am Daisy Roa, representative of Debora. It’s an honor to—ah!”
Seeing Killian, Daisy forgot her manners and gasped aloud.
‘Ah…’
Was this going to be okay?
Still, I understood.
‘That face is the problem.’
Even I had been momentarily captivated when I first saw him.
I nudged Daisy, and she awkwardly sat down.
“It’s a pleasure. Please, sit.”
Killian smiled calmly.
Then his gaze shifted to me.
“And this is?”
“Th-this is Rachel, my maid.”
“I see.”
His eyes curved slightly.
“So we’ve met before. Nice to see you again.”
I flinched.
“…Have we?”
“Do you not remember meeting at the Rose Flower Shop?”
Damn. He remembered.
Daisy looked between us in shock.
‘Relax. You didn’t do anything wrong.’
I replied with exaggerated gratitude.
“Oh! Yes! I’m honored you remember someone like me!”
A faint smile crossed his lips—though not a kind one.
“…Let’s skip the small talk.”
The conversation between Daisy and Killian began, mostly about business plans for the coffee.
After a while—
“I would now like to speak with Debora’s true representative.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Not a figurehead.”
My ears rang.
Daisy froze.
‘Idiot!’
Acting like that makes it obvious!
But I realized denial was pointless.
He already knows.
Cold dread spread through me.
He was said to have more information than even the emperor.
“I apologize.”
I bowed quickly.
“You won’t deny it?”
“You already know everything. I was foolish.”
“You think highly of me.”
He smiled, but his eyes remained cold.
“…Or is that also a lie?”
“No. Everything Daisy said is true.”
The tension didn’t ease.
“I hid my identity due to unavoidable circumstances. I have no excuse.”
He studied me.
“So the flowers back then weren’t a thank-you gift, but returns for investors.”
“…Yes.”
Damn it.
He remembered everything.
I’m finished.
Now I looked like a liar.
And you’re pretending to be human while being a demon.
Somehow, that felt unfair.
He exhaled softly and smiled lazily.
“Are you aware of the secret gatherings among businessmen?”
“Yes…”
“In those places, many things are discussed. Recently, I heard of an interesting business idea.”
He paused, eyes fixed on me.
“More interesting, however…”
A bad feeling crept in.
“…is that I alone was excluded from the investor list.”
…In quite a troublesome way
