RCHR 20

Chapter 20

“Since it’s come to this, why don’t we just enjoy the moonlight together? I’ve wanted to have a proper conversation with you for a while, Crowley.”

“…Please, call me Robert.”

“Why? Do you dislike your family name?”

“It’s not that…”

“Family ties can be cruel. You loathe even being called by your house’s name, yet you let yourself become a dog just to save them.”

Robert, unable to look Rebecca in the eye, had been staring down—until her words made him raise his head.

What did I just hear?

Rebecca, seeing his eyes tremble, let out a stifled laugh.

Robert clenched his fist as goosebumps crawled over his arm.

Rebecca’s cold smile made her seem like a different person altogether.

Suppressing his unease, Robert asked slowly,

“What exactly do you know?”

“Not much. Just that your family is an old and prestigious Cadir faith lineage. And that they’re all in Zeppelin’s clutches.”

No one knew about the weakness Zeppelin held over him. Officially, Robert was known to have grown up as an orphan.

Rebecca seemed to enjoy his fluster for a moment before she continued, deliberately drawing it out.

“And one last thing… that I’m going to save you.”

“You’re going to save me? Lady Rebecca?”

Robert unconsciously swept his gaze over her.

Rebecca’s legs were tightly bound in bandages.

Kanna frowned.

“Where do you think you’re looking? Move those filthy eyes before I rip them out.”

“It’s fine, Kanna. I hardly look trustworthy in this state, do I?”

At Rebecca’s words, Kanna bit back further protest, though her burning glare stayed fixed on Robert.

Rebecca reached toward her.

“Could you hand me some paper and a pen?”

Kanna passed over a small sheet and a pen.

Rebecca scribbled something, folded it neatly in half, and waved it before Robert’s eyes.

“Here’s a clue to your family’s whereabouts—the ones you’ve been searching for all this time. I wish I knew more, but this is all the information I have. Still, you’re resourceful. You’ll find them someday, won’t you?”

Robert gave a short, scornful laugh.

“And you expect me to believe that? I’ve searched for over twenty years without uncovering so much as a fingernail’s worth of information. My lady, I’ve been watching you a long time. You, of all people, should know that.”

What do I do with such a naïve mistress…

He sighed deeply, then managed a kindly smile.

“My lady, leave such threats to the Count. Don’t try to imitate him poorly. As far as I can help you, I will. There’s no need for you to resort to intimidation.”

“No. I don’t want unconditional help. I’m sick of being indebted. Instead, let’s make a deal. I’ll give you this information first. In exchange, be my eyes and ears.”

Rebecca handed him the note.

Robert unfolded it with trembling hands. His eyes widened.

“And what if I betray you? You’d give me this information up front?”

“I trust you, Robert. You’re Cadir, aren’t you? As far as I know, Cadir followers don’t lie or betray.”

Rebecca blinked her pretty eyes at him, and Robert broke into loud, incredulous laughter.

Finally, he could make sense of this ridiculous situation.

Kanna must have whispered advice here and there, piecing together scraps of information she’d overheard. The note held quality intelligence, but coming from a Countess, it wasn’t surprising—she could easily access such things.

After all, countless secrets get whispered in a married couple’s bed.

But this foolish lady clearly didn’t know how to use such precious knowledge.

She probably believed everyone was as honest as she was.

Of course. Rebecca is still Rebecca.

Robert composed himself and said seriously,

“Lady Rebecca, you shouldn’t trust people so easily. Even Cadir followers can be wicked. See this scar? At fifteen, I ripped out my own tattoo in front of my father and left my family. It’s proof I renounced the faith. I don’t believe in God anymore.”

Rebecca only smiled faintly.

“But you’re not just any Cadir follower. You’re Robert Crowley—the heir of a family that for generations served as Cadir’s high priests.”

“That changes nothing.”

“You’re wrong. Robert, you always wear muted, colorless clothes. When others pray, you rub your scar. And when someone is beaten or killed, your eyes turn to the empty air. Crowley, you never let go of Cadir. Yet somehow, you remained Zeppelin’s hunting dog.”

Robert’s face flushed crimson. She was listing every little habit he’d thought shameful, one after another.

And beyond that—her sharp eye unsettled him.

He was just a low-born commoner to her kind. Furniture, at best.

Had she really been watching him so closely… all for this moment?

Rebecca pressed on.

“And not just that. I know you’ve helped me in small ways, knowingly or not. Even if you betray me, I don’t mind. This information will just count as repaying your kindness.”

In her past life, it had been her fault he died.

So even if she failed to win him over, Rebecca felt this was enough.

“That alone is enough for you?”

“Yes. I like to keep my accounts straight. But tell me—can you really do it? Can you sit back and watch Count Devonshire, who treated you so cruelly, live happily?”

Her lips twisted into a crooked smile. A faint madness flickered in her eyes.

“Robert. I could never watch that. Let’s take revenge. Let’s destroy him utterly—until he begs for death in his suffering. With all of us working together, it isn’t impossible.”

Robert stared at her—at that wicked, almost gleeful smile.

Had she been hiding her true nature all this time?

The saint he once thought he had to protect was now offering him salvation.

No, not a saint. Perhaps a villainess.

He had spent years trapped in a pit without light.

At last, someone reached out a hand.

And Robert realized—whoever that hand belonged to, he wanted to take it. As long as it could lead him out.

On a night when lilacs poured their fragrance under a radiant moon, Robert knelt before Rebecca.

Taking her pale hand, he pressed his lips to it.

“Robert Crowley pledges you his loyalty.”

Early the next morning, Danae’s eyes opened of their own accord.

Rebecca’s proposal had left her restless and sleepless for days. Dark circles shadowed her eyes.

She hurriedly washed and dressed.

Glancing once at Theo, still sound asleep, she slipped from the bedroom.

“My lady, you’re up early?”

Her only maid, Catherine, greeted her brightly.

Danae studied her face for a moment.

Mother, Catherine is Zeppelin’s spy.

Rebecca had explained in detail how Zeppelin had brought down the Obelia house—and pointed out the hunting dogs placed around Danae.

A surge of anger rose in her.

Catherine, who had endured long hours for meager wages, had been like family.

Betrayal burned so bitterly she wanted to slap the girl then and there—but she restrained herself, recalling Rebecca’s face.

“I’ll be going to the market for a while.”

“Oh? Then shall I come with—”

“No. When my husband and children wake, see they have breakfast. And since I might be late chatting with the market women, prepare lunch as well.”

Danae slipped out, leaving Catherine behind.

Once she confirmed no one followed her, she made her way to the place Rebecca had described.

Down a quiet alley, a carriage stood waiting as promised.

Inside, baskets brimmed with fruits and vegetables.

Danae smiled faintly. They were all her family’s favorites.

As expected of my daughter. So thorough.

“Then we’ll be off!”

The driver snapped the reins.

Danae turned her gaze to the passing scenery, pressing down the swell in her chest.

The road to Duke Johannes’ estate was calm all the way.

“Hm, she should have arrived by now.”

Lying in bed, Rebecca spoke as she read through the stack of documents Robert had brought.

Kanna refilled her cup with fresh hot tea.

“Yes, most likely. Don’t worry—trustworthy escorts are with her.”

“Thank you. Still… Robert is impressive. To know so much detail about Zeppelin’s hunting dogs.”

“Well, he’s been one himself for a long time.”

The first task Rebecca had given Robert was to investigate Zeppelin’s hunting dogs.

If she could uncover the chains Zeppelin held around their necks, perhaps she could turn them to her side.

Even if they didn’t join her outright, simply leaving Zeppelin would help immensely.

Rebecca carefully examined each piece of personal data and weakness.

But one thing she most wanted was missing.

Head maid Grace Duncan.

She had served since the previous Count’s time—not Zeppelin’s person, but the Devonshire family’s.

Grace knew more secrets about the household than Zeppelin himself, and she held the keys to every room in the manor.

That made her the first target to win over.

But she seemed purely loyal to the Devonshires.

She acted only out of fidelity to the Count’s house.

Which meant she would never willingly go along with Rebecca’s plan to bring it down.

Rebecca sighed.

Grace had no apparent weaknesses for Zeppelin to exploit.

Her only daughter had died, leaving her alone in the world, with no family left to threaten.

And Rebecca couldn’t discern any ambition or desire to bargain with.

But why?

Why devote herself to such a rotten house?

From her background and skills, Grace could easily have transferred to a far greater family.

What reason could she possibly have to stay, in a place where servants were abused daily?

Rebecca pondered, but it only made her head ache.

At last, she pressed her hand to her brow and handed the documents back to Kanna.

“I’ve finished. Burn them.”