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Chapter 6
Of all people, to run into Duke Holt like this.
Once I recognized his face, my heart began pounding even harder.
“Espin, are you okay? Isn’t it dangerous for you to be outside?”
“Ah, well… I felt too stifled staying in the mansion, so I came out.”
My voice trembled. I hadn’t intended it to, but like a guilty thief, my shaking voice must have sounded to Haren like fear.
“Your voice is really shaking. Did something happen?”
“Well… I felt like someone was following me. I wasn’t planning to come to the gate terminal, but I ran here to escape.”
“You did well. Only high-ranking nobles can enter here after inspection, so anyone suspicious should be filtered out.”
“Yeah. So I’m planning to stay here just until that strange person disappears…”
Haren, looking worried by how much I was shaking, patted my shoulder.
“Oh, Espin. You haven’t met our commander before, right?”
“Huh? Yeah. I haven’t.”
“That’s perfect. Let’s go greet him together. It’ll definitely help you.”
“No, it’s fine. He looks busy, and I—”
I really was fine.
There was absolutely nothing good about catching Duke Holt’s attention. As befitting the male lead of the novel, he was an extremely perceptive character, so it was best to avoid him as much as possible.
But Haren either didn’t understand me or ignored me, and simply grabbed my hand and led me toward the duke.
“Commander.”
The duke lifted his gaze from the report he was reading and looked at Haren and me.
“This is Espin Leon, a friend of my younger sister and also a friend of mine. Espin asked to greet you, so I brought her.”
His sharp eyes turned toward me. Just his presence alone was overwhelming, and my heart, which had finally begun to calm down, started racing wildly again.
“Are you the daughter of Count Leon?”
“Pardon? Ah… yes. That’s correct. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“You seem to be trembling. Are you all right?”
“Commander, she went through something frightening. I was actually hoping to consult you about it.”
What Haren wanted to talk about was clearly Sebastian.
‘No, if even the duke finds out, things will get too big….’
For some reason, it felt like the duke, with his protagonist buff, would see right through my scheme.
In fact, even in the novel, he was known for his exceptional reasoning and analytical skills. Even without a protagonist buff, he might uncover my plan on his own.
I desperately tried to stop Haren from speaking by shooting him sideways glances, but unable to read my signals, he continued.
“Recently, around Espin—”
‘Haren, shut your mouth.’
When I tugged on his arm, he finally turned his head.
“There are too many people here.”
“Oh, sorry. It’s not a great place to talk with so many people around, is it?”
“Yeah. I’m worried about my reputation in high society if strange rumors start…”
‘So don’t tell the duke. Just keep it between us.’
I swallowed the rest of my words and forced a smile.
“Okay. I’ll tell you next time.”
‘No, I’m telling you not to tell him at all.’
How did Haren even survive life in the knight order with such poor awareness?
He truly looked like he was planning to tell Duke Holt everything later.
“All right. Then we’ll talk next time.”
The duke replied calmly with a slight smile and turned his gaze back to the report.
‘But… he really is handsome.’
There was a reason people constantly talked about the Duke of the North.
He had looks that naturally drew the eye.
‘Get a grip. Travis is supposed to fall in love with the female lead.’
As with most novels, Travis, who had lived his life ignorant of love, fell in love at first sight when he met the pure-hearted female lead, Chloe.
He ignored all other women and charged straight toward Chloe, making him even more popular than the crown prince, the official male lead.
‘Ah, the duke was so sweet to the female lead.’
Remembering Travis from the novel, I unknowingly smiled softly.
And at that moment, the duke, who had been reading his report, lifted his gaze—and our eyes met.
‘Gasp. I’ve lost my mind. Get it together.’
Faced with his deep, unfathomable black eyes, I hurriedly turned my head away.
“Oh, it’s our turn. Commander, it’s almost time for the gate.”
At Haren’s words, the duke nodded and turned away.
“Espin, will you be all right on your own?”
“Yeah. I’m totally fine. Go do your work.”
“I’ll assign a knight to you. He’ll escort your carriage on the way home.”
“No, it’s okay. My driver will be waiting out front. Hurry and go to work.”
Please, just go.
My heart was pounding so hard I felt like I might die of a heart attack, so I rushed Haren away.
Only after the knights had completely disappeared did I finally let out a deep breath.
“Phew, I’m finally home.”
“Welcome back, my lady.”
“Yeah. I want to take a bath right away.”
“My lady.”
The head butler, looking serious, hesitated before speaking.
“There is a guest waiting in the drawing room.”
“A guest?”
“It is Sir Sebastian.”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
‘So impatient. He’ll never become a great con artist.’
Not even 24 hours had passed since I handed over the money, and he was already here.
He must have been terribly worried about losing the 10,000 ritas he had previously given Espin.
When I opened the drawing room door, Sebastian was pacing back and forth, unable to hide his anxiety.
“Espin!”
“Sebastian…”
“Why do you look so unwell? The seal—did you bring the seal?”
Sebastian searched my face with anxious eyes as I said nothing.
“Well…”
I couldn’t easily open my mouth. Or rather, I pretended I couldn’t.
This wasn’t something I started just to get a mere 10,000 ritas. I needed to deceive him further.
‘You know, I think I’m better at acting than I thought.’
I was impressed with myself. My acting was convincing enough that Sebastian, completely fooled, began breathing noticeably harder.
“Espin. You did bring the seal, didn’t you…?”
“I’m sorry… Sebastian…”
Sebastian stared at me as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He seemed to have forgotten how to breathe, and a heavy silence fell over the room.
“What do you mean… sorry? What are you saying?”
“Well… I did manage to sneak into Count Leon’s estate.”
“And then?”
“But since my father happened to be away, I tried to hurry and get the seal…”
As I deliberately dragged out my words, Sebastian unconsciously swallowed.
“And then?”
“I was caught…”
“Caught? By whom—don’t tell me the count himself caught you?”
Sebastian’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
“No. Not by my father. I was caught by Baron Terramis, one of my father’s retainers.”
Hearing that it wasn’t the count, Sebastian let out a huge sigh of relief.
“You should have been more careful! Why are you so clumsy?!”
Relieved just moments ago, Sebastian suddenly exploded in anger.
I stared at him with shocked eyes.
“Sebastian…”
Realizing his mistake, he swallowed his anger and spoke calmly again.
“I apologize. I lost myself for a moment…”
“Sebastian, were you always like this?”
“No, no. I was just too excited for a moment. I’m sorry.”
Perhaps because he still saw me as a useful card, Sebastian softened his voice.
“Espin, were you very frightened?”
“Yes. I’ve never seen this side of you before…”
“I’m sorry. Ha… I thought everything was almost over. I thought only happy days awaited us now…”
‘Oh, now he’s pretending to be pitiful?’
Sebastian suddenly lowered his head, trailing off.
“Sebastian… there may still be another way.”
Sebastian slowly lifted his bowed head.
“But… ha, no. That would be too much.”
“What way is it? Espin, this is a situation where we must use every method available.”
“Well… Baron Terramis has always had money problems. He’s someone who really loves money and gambling…”
“Money problems?”
“Yes… He’s managed to scrape by somehow, but I think he’s in serious trouble now. I heard he’s trying to gather a large sum of money.”
“And?”
“He hinted at it to me earlier. That if I gave him money, I could get what I wanted…”
Sebastian’s slumped shoulders straightened.
“Then…?”
“If we give him money equivalent to his debt, I think he’ll help us steal the seal.”
“Excellent. Espin. Do that immediately.”
Sebastian spoke as if issuing an order.
“Are you sure? Sebastian?”
I looked at him with worried eyes, and he tilted his head as if confused.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“That’s a large sum of money. Wouldn’t it be a burden?”
“Me? Why would it be a burden…?”
“You’d have to prepare it, after all. The 30,000 ritas for the bribe.”
I held up three fingers in front of him.
“Me? I have to pay that?”
“Of course. Like I said before, I don’t have any money.”
Sebastian went silent, looking as if he’d just been hit hard on the back of the head.
“…”
“If it’s too much of a burden, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll just have to speak frankly to my father.”
“N-no, that won’t do.”
‘Wow, I can practically hear the calculator running in his head.’
Watching Sebastian’s trembling eyes, I could practically see him calculating. Once he finished, he bit his lip tightly and spoke with a grim expression.
“Very well, Espin. I’ll prepare the money.”
“Really? That much money?”
“Yes… If I dispose of the kingdom’s jewels through a secret channel… I should be able to manage somehow.”
“I’m so touched, Sebastian! I’ll do whatever it takes to bring it back this time.”
Sebastian let out a deep sigh at my words and spoke with difficulty.
“Then, within two days, I’ll bring 30,000—”
“40,000. 40,000 ritas, Sebastian.”
This time, I spread four fingers wide. Sebastian stared at me blankly.
“Why…?”
“We’ll need money for the gate, too.”
“Ha…”
He nodded weakly, almost collapsing.
“I’ll prepare 40,000… ritas within two days.”
Sebastian answered in a trembling voice, sounding on the verge of tears.
