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Chapter 72
The Duke was laughing, surrounded by the girls.
Beneath the hood pulled low over his forehead, his curved eyes were visible, illuminated by the light of the oil lamp in his hand.
After gesturing to say “see you later,” he closed the door again and went about his tasks.
Today’s last patrons at the pawnshop were the three graduating girls from the orphanage, chatting and laughing with him.
Each had clear ambitions, which was pleasant to see.
After finishing the interviews, I tidied up the pawnshop.
When I stepped out into the street, the Duke was leaning against the wall, waiting for me.
The early morning moon was bright. I gestured to Katarina to leave first.
Since the Duke had volunteered to escort me through the night, I wanted to walk alone with him if possible. I only needed him to accompany me to Sir Julio’s house.
[You’ve worked hard today. I’ll see you home.]
The Duke transferred the sword at his waist to his back and took the oil lamp I had placed at my feet, following me.
Not knowing the way, he let me lead a step ahead.
I could hear his footsteps softly behind me.
We walked along the main street for a while before turning into the alley that led to Sir Julio’s house. The narrowing street made the surroundings dark.
Though there seemed to be no one around, the Duke heightened his alertness, scanning sharply.
Suddenly, I realized something.
This wasn’t the kind of atmosphere for conversation. If I wanted to talk, I’d need to use sign language, but he had the oil lamp in his hand.
[I’m bored. Keep me company while we walk.]
I turned back and gestured to the Duke, then took the oil lamp from him, freeing both his hands.
The Duke paused, nodded, and I heard his low voice answer, “Understood.”
He did the same at the pawnshop; even while using sign language, he spoke aloud to convey his meaning—a habit, it seemed.
From then on, we took turns holding the lamp and talking.
I decided to start with what I was curious about.
[How do you know sign language?]
[My younger sister is hearing impaired.]
[The girl you asked me to rescue?]
He nodded at my question. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, reflected in the lamplight.
Having a deaf family member gave me a sense of familiarity. I had also learned sign language to communicate with my mother.
So he learned sign language to communicate with others, too.
[Is she your biological sister? Not a cousin?]
[She’s my biological sister.]
[Really?]
The Duke tapped his right index finger to his lower lip, then pressed his thumb and index finger together twice—sign language for “Yes, that’s correct.”
Alright, now for another question.
[Walking around this late at night with a woman, doesn’t your wife mind?]
[How would you know I’m married?]
He flinched at my question.
I quietly pointed at his left hand.
He wasn’t wearing gloves today, and the marks from his rings on his middle and ring fingers were clearly visible. It seemed he had been wearing a wedding ring and an amethyst ring until he left.
[My wife doesn’t know.]
He wiggled his long fingers as he answered.
Of course, he thinks I know nothing.
Well, human. How would I know, sneaking out at night like a thief? If I weren’t the pawnshop owner, I’d probably have no idea.
[And your wife, working this late, isn’t your husband worried?]
Suddenly, the Duke changed the subject. I shrugged and raised both hands.
[He’s basically useless. He says he’s worried, but I know nothing of his real thoughts.]
Answering frankly, as I asked.
The Duke remained silent for a while. He probably didn’t want to hear bad things about a stranger’s husband. He couldn’t possibly know I was talking about him.
[How is the mission I assigned you going?]
He spoke again, a faint tremor of anxiety in his voice.
So, here was the real topic.
[Our agents ran hard and reached Medinople. From there, if they cross the Utram Mountains and keep going, they’ll reach Bedeph.]
I had been tracking Vera’s location in real time. Family agents placed throughout Dvorca reported back whenever they made contact with her.
[From Medinople to Bedeph, three days at a leisurely pace. Six hours by boat from the harbor. Including the rescue operation and returning, it’ll take about ten days.]
He gestured anxiously as he estimated the remaining time.
[It could be delayed by two days.]
[What’s the chance of failure?]
[For a typical small-to-medium stronghold, infiltration is easy. The problem is extracting her. Your sister doesn’t know the details of your mission. Unless informed beforehand, she’ll resist, thinking she’s being kidnapped.]
[That’s my biggest worry.]
The Duke spoke in a somber voice.
A deep sigh followed.
I lifted the lips hidden beneath the veil.
[You volunteering to escort me at night is really just to check on the mission, isn’t it?]
Did I hit too close to the mark? The Duke instead glanced up at the dawn sky. The dark, clear expanse was dotted with salt-like stars.
[That is one reason, of course.]
[Why is your sister living on Paddon Island? And why are you so far away in Blansk?]
[During Levanteia’s invasion, I evacuated to Paddon Island with my sister. I came to Blansk recently after my marriage.]
He didn’t lie about his marriage. It was true that he had moved here because of it.
A lie blended with truth is as deceptive as it gets.
[You married a woman from Blansk, then.]
I pretended to misunderstand intentionally.
Dvorcans, as colonial residents, cannot freely migrate. There is only one legal exception: marriage. By marrying someone from another region and registering it, one can move with the lord’s permission.
Truth or lie, the Duke had started revealing personal information. How could I make him feel less guarded?
[You seem quite distinguished; speak freely.]
[How would you know I’m using honorifics?]
The Duke furrowed his brows. There’s no formal sign language; he seemed surprised I understood.
[My assistant told me. You use formal speech with me.]
[It’s courtesy for a creditor. And I am not a distinguished person.]
[Looking at the sword on your back, you seem like the son of a prominent family.]
I pointed at his back and gestured.
The Duke’s eyes widened, startled. Carrying the longsword he always used, he seemed to realize something.
The sword bore no special mark. It was his personal weapon from Paddon Island, but being a knight, it was large with a simple silver trim—clearly distinct from the swords of common soldiers.
[I’m just a lowly woman with money. Speak freely. I’m the one uncomfortable here.]
I urged him again.
Perhaps concerned about my discomfort, the Duke cleared his throat.
It seems lowering his tone to a stranger is not easy.
But I wanted him to feel comfortable enough to share more.
I wanted to hear him—not as his wife, but as a pawnshop owner who happened to meet him by chance.
[Those girls from before, how did the interviews go?]
Wow, I really used casual speech. His sign language stiffened, probably from awkwardness.
[Yes. Cute, energetic girls.]
[I wonder if they passed.]
[The one who wants to be a teacher passed. She’s good at sign language. Since the school for the deaf is short on teachers, we recommended her there.]
[There was a girl who wanted to be a soldier too, right?]
[Not feasible in many ways. Admirable intention, but I couldn’t allow it. Being energetic, I found her a job at the quarry instead.]
[Pity.]
His long eyelashes drooped in melancholy.
The girl reminded me of my own childhood.
Raised as an only child in the kingdom’s top noble family, I grew up knowing no limits.
I thought there was nothing a girl couldn’t do.
I negotiated with the Minister of War to allow women to enter the military academy, and I enrolled. Four female classmates joined me—noble girls like me, practicing swordsmanship, riding, and shooting for leisure.
Even with a diploma, we couldn’t become officers. We tried to change the system, but judges refused. The king also shook his head. Without precedent, it wasn’t allowed. My classmates eventually married suitably and lived as housewives.
Anyway, Dvorca has a severe shortage of men. Security must rely on Levanteian garrisons, which have little concern for protecting the weak.
Dvorca’s people, especially women, have no means of defending themselves.
[I’ve sometimes wondered if Blansk had a vigilante group.]
[Vigilante group?]
[A community-organized security force.]
[You can gather people, right?]
[Hard to recruit openly with a garrison right there. Not sure if enough women like that girl would volunteer. Everyone’s busy farming and trading.]
There’s another problem.
If I recruit a security force, I, as a pawnshop owner, would be seen as a potential threat. If the garrison commander reported to the Crown Prince, “Some unknown woman is forming a private militia,” it would be dangerous.
It would look like I’m training a force against the garrison.
My clandestine support for the residents would be exposed.
Then I couldn’t secretly help them anymore.
Suddenly, I felt a gap beside me. Turning my head, the Duke had disappeared. I looked back. He was three steps behind, walking slowly, probably lost in thought.
He soon strode up to match my pace.
Out of nowhere, he said something unexpected:
[My mother was a sword-dance performer.]
