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Chapter 61
It was a struggle to get out of the uproar at the Duke of Jepino’s residence.
It was only natural, after all, that the secluded Lady of Jepino, who hadn’t opened her door to anyone, had reappeared.
Once I got into the carriage, I helped myself to the cookies neatly wrapped in a cloth.
‘Hian and His also looked quite flustered.’
The Duke of Jepino must have almost been caught by the others, which is why he had rushed out in a real hurry.
Even the twins seemed surprised at seeing the lady, repeatedly thanking me as I left.
‘Seems like they have a good family bond.’
That was rare in noble families where most marriages were political arrangements.
‘It looks good.’
I swayed my feet back and forth, stuffing the remaining cookies into my mouth.
A pair of white earrings shimmered at my ears.
Kiscel’s gaze followed them.
“The princess gave them to me. Now I can go to the sorcerer and have the side effects of my failed spell undone.”
Perhaps hearing the answer I wanted, Kiscel rested his elbows on his thighs, pressed his hands together near his mouth, and finally closed his eyes tightly, as if letting go of a deep worry.
“If I do well, I might survive.”
I could finally escape this body whose lifespan had tormented me all my life.
Truly… really.
‘Of course, there’s still more I need to do to avoid returning to my previous state.’
But since I had successfully dealt with another danger, I decided to immerse myself in joy for the moment.
“Why can’t you say anything?”
He seemed even more expressive than me.
I could feel Kiscel’s happiness intuitively.
I fiddled with Kiscel’s bowed head, then fell into thought.
“Kiscel.”
He lifted his head.
Since the carriage’s lightball wasn’t on, I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I could guess his expression, so I pinched his cheeks.
“We have something to talk about, right?”
I spoke teasingly, and Kiscel finally relaxed the tension he had been holding in his body.
I poked him gently.
“Well? Did you think carefully while I was talking with the princess?”
“Yes. I came in saying that, and I was anxious, trying to figure out what misunderstanding you might have had.”
I widened my eyes at his words.
“You know better than anyone that I wouldn’t misunderstand you, and yet you lie without even wetting your lips?”
“Caught?”
I had left the lightball off as a courtesy, but feeling mischievous, I just turned it on.
Kiscel immediately turned it off again.
After a back-and-forth struggle of me turning it on and him turning it off, Kiscel finally confessed everything.
“That’s how it happened. We have very little information on the emperor’s side, and since it’s threatening to us, I thought it might help the duke.”
I quietly listened until he finished.
Feeling a little frustrated, I kept my mouth shut.
He glanced at me and continued.
“It’s the result of careful planning. The emperor’s side hasn’t found out yet.”
I sighed naturally.
“You know… if they find out, it becomes far more dangerous, right?”
Kiscel only puffed out his cheeks and raised the corners of his mouth as if to say, “Of course I know.”
I lowered my voice further.
“You… did it knowingly, didn’t you?”
“Planting someone inside the enemy is also a skill, isn’t it, Duke?”
Even though I knew everything, he seemed unwilling to cut off contact with the emperor’s people.
I had no choice but to say:
“I’m not going to abandon you or cut ties like the emperor’s side would. If you’re in danger, I, your master, am in danger too.”
“Oh… I briefly regret not teaching you more passionately to be selfish when you were younger.”
“You die, I die too.”
I gripped Kiscel’s arms tightly.
Then I said what I had been hesitating to say.
“Do you know why I’ve been angry these past few days?”
“For not reporting this? I don’t think that’s it.”
“No.”
I answered firmly.
Seeing me more serious than expected, Kiscel straightened his slouched back.
“Really?”
“Yes. Because it’s reckless. Do you think I’d like information obtained at the cost of your life?”
My face twisted involuntarily.
“So promise me. Never do this again.”
“Promise…”
“I’ve finally secured my position. With my own hands, by myself. And you can’t be absent. If you can’t value yourself, I will value you.”
“…”
“This is an order as your master. Don’t do this again. Understand?”
I waited until he answered.
He kept looking at the carriage floor, so I couldn’t see his face, but after a long while, he nodded, and I let go.
✦ ✦ ✦
The Rymen Empire was an ally of the Libedro Empire.
Since traveling there required legal channels, I hesitated at first.
“To meet the sorcerer, I’d have to go to the Rymen Empire, but I can’t go there.”
“Would it be possible to visit as a guest?”
“Then every move I make in the Rymen Empire would be watched. It wouldn’t be easy to see the sorcerer.”
That was true. By law, there was no way to immediately enter the Rymen Empire.
Kiscel had gone in and out several times to undo the side effects of my spell, but I was no longer the person he could carelessly leave behind, abandoned by a marquis.
“We do have a trading company in the Rymen Empire. If its owner visits to check on it, can anyone stop them?”
“That’s also a guest visit, so you’d still be heavily watched.”
Considering that high-ranking nobles were monitored more strictly, going “legally” could turn into a death trap, so I sought another way.
“Tell me a way to sneak into the Rymen Empire.”
After thinking, I went to an informant and demanded it outright.
If official entry isn’t possible, you find another way.
“I’ll pay whatever you want.”
Kiscel immediately offered a large sum.
The informant, wide-eyed at the money, squirmed in excitement.
“Now I feel like I’d make information up for you… but even that’s hard…”
The informant’s lips trembled as he muttered.
I was filled with question marks.
“What do you mean?”
“Unfortunately, not possible at the moment.”
“This money is upfront. Even if the answer isn’t what I want, I won’t take it back, so tell me everything you know.”
Ignoring the financial power of the Asra Trading Company, which was among the top two in the empire, would be foolish.
The informant clutched the pouch tightly, then hurriedly spoke.
“Yesterday at dawn, the Emperor of the Rymen Empire passed away from old age. The Crown Prince will soon succeed the throne, so it’s not a good time to sneak in.”
The Rymen Emperor had grown too old to leave his bed, it seemed.
“If you’re caught sneaking in now, it’s instant execution.”
Clearly, entering the Rymen Empire in any way right now was impossible.
I subconsciously touched my ears.
On one side was the communication device with Kiscel, and on the other, the earrings given by Lady Jepino… the price the sorcerer wanted.
“How unfortunate.”
At that moment, someone quietly approached, draping an arm over the sofa where I sat and leaning forward.
“Sneaking in? That’s quite bold for a duke.”
Startled by the voice near my ear, I whipped around.
“…Esh?”
I was so shocked my voice cracked. Why was Eshdwa here?
“Then I’ll take my leave. You two continue your discussion.”
The informant, who had been fidgeting, quickly left, leaving a few questions about the Rymen Empire unanswered.
But for now, it was more important to play my part.
The surprise on my face turned into joy at this unexpected encounter.
“What’s going on here?”
He moved from the sofa, sitting with his back against it.
“You’re not the only one seeking the best informant in the empire, I suppose.”
“Did you have questions too, Eshdwa?”
There was something strange in his smile.
He had sent Kiscel out. I wanted to stop him, but I had no power in front of Eshdwa.
