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Chapter 21
The investigator replied more thoroughly than necessary.
“Yes, Duke. I’ll let you know once the desert people’s trial is finished.”
“Oh, wasn’t that in three days?”
“Yes, three days from now, in the desert city. As you know, the association holds trials in the suspect’s home country. They left the Kingdom of Diares this morning, so the trial will begin as soon as they arrive.”
The investigator followed Killian out of the prison, talking nonstop.
“Of course, we can schedule your trial at your convenience. When would be best for you?”
“It’s no use delaying too much. Make it five days from now.”
“I’ll pass that along.”
Climbing the long stairs out of the underground prison, sweat poured down the investigator’s face like rain.
He paused briefly to wipe his face with a handkerchief, then called out.
“Um, excuse me—”
Killian, who was ahead on the stairs, turned his head.
The investigator gave a bright grin, wiped his palm on his clothes, and held it out a little shyly.
“Could I possibly shake your hand… just once?”
Killian’s face showed obvious irritation.
He almost let it slide.
Still, for a magic association official, the man had held back a long time.
The moon rose, and it was Killian’s isolation time—also Riana’s work shift.
Riana was heading to the Isolation Tower, but standing outside was Allen, who should have already gone off-duty.
“Allen? Why are you—”
But her question didn’t matter. Something was definitely up. Killian, Bastian, and Kim were also standing there with Allen.
“What’s going on?”
Killian replied.
“Someone has come forward claiming to be a witness.”
“…What?”
“They say they saw what happened while you were unconscious, Riana.”
Riana’s expression turned stiff.
‘If there’s another witness besides me…’
A bad feeling crept over her.
Killian looked into the distance. Riana followed his gaze.
It was dark, so visibility was poor.
But walking with Kim was a large man—easily recognizable.
“Glad everyone’s out here. How kind of you.”
His casual tone and laid-back walk were unmistakable.
‘It’s that guy from yesterday.’
His hair, which looked black in the prison, now appeared dark gray under the moonlight.
She suddenly remembered—his hair wasn’t black in the original story. It was a dull, dead gray.
And his name was Gray.
“Thanks for the warm welcome—”
As his red eyes casually glanced around and met hers, Riana held her breath.
“—everyone.”
That lunatic.
Why did he come back?
An emergency meeting was held in the Isolation Tower. Because of the situation, even Allen stayed for it.
“I was their slave,” Gray began. “My master needed help, so I was ordered to assist. That’s when I found out they were trafficking illegal test subjects.”
He lied with confidence. Riana was impressed by how well he acted.
‘Good thing I told him the script.’
He had gone along with her story without being told.
“I didn’t want to take part in such a horrible thing. Then, they started fighting each other, and I took the chance to escape.”
He shrugged, like everything after that was common knowledge.
“But then I heard a noble family might get falsely blamed. As a decent person, I couldn’t ignore that.”
When he finished, Riana finally relaxed a little. She’d been nervous he’d say something weird about her—but he hadn’t.
Gray then slowly scanned the room, checking everyone’s reactions from across the round table.
‘Gasp.’
Riana, who had been standing far away, panicked and lowered her head.
‘Did he recognize me?’
No way. It’s too dark. My clothes are different now.
Killian then said quietly, “We’ll need some time to discuss things among ourselves.”
Immediately, Kim stood up and came over to Riana.
“Miss Riana, could you look after Mr. Gray for a bit?”
I’m doomed.
Riana bit her lip, her face pale.
She wanted to run and jump out the window…
But she couldn’t just give up now, not after surviving so much. With tears in her heart, she agreed.
“Mr. Gray, Miss Riana will take care of you. Please wait with her and have some tea.”
Gray stood. Riana bowed her head and let her hair fall over her face as she addressed him.
“Pl… ease follow me.”
“What was that?”
He wouldn’t remember her voice, right? She closed her eyes and spoke louder.
“Please follow me.”
Gray chuckled and replied, “Gladly.”
Did he recognize me…?
Riana frowned but gave up trying to figure it out.
‘Ugh, I have no idea anymore!’
She walked quickly, leading him to a wide hallway arranged like a lounge.
“Please wait here.”
I’ll bring the tea quickly, then hide in the maid’s room. That’s the plan.
Riana rushed into the maid’s room and grabbed a teacup from the cupboard.
Then—
“You tricked me.”
Gray was leaning on the doorframe.
Startled, Riana almost jumped. She forced herself to act normal.
“…Didn’t expect to see you again.”
And definitely didn’t expect him to recognize her so easily.
“Didn’t expect it? That’s cold.”
“What are you talking about?”
She pretended to focus on the tea, hands busy as the cups clinked softly.
“I escaped that hellhole thanks to you—”
“……”
“And you didn’t even expect me to return and say thank you?”
“…I guess I kind of thought you wouldn’t.”
As soon as she said it, she wondered if she was too honest. Should she have denied it?
But Gray casually stepped inside the maid’s room.
“My savior was supposed to be a lady, but there’s just a maid here.”
He glanced around and mumbled to himself.
“I came back to search the guest list from the ball. Never thought I’d find you here.”
Riana, upset by the invasion of her space, bit her lip and glared at him.
The room, which also served as kitchen, break area, and bedroom, felt cramped now with him in it.
He rudely dragged his hand along the desk and picked up a book: “Tea Blending for Professional Maids.”
When Riana saw the cover, she jumped.
“Hey! Don’t touch random stuff!”
She had turned the book into a personal notebook after memorizing all the recipes.
She reached for it, but Gray opened the book faster.
“What’s this?”
He held it above his head and scanned a specific page with narrowed eyes.
It was the Mint Green Tea section—marked with a bookmark—and had a very embarrassing note!
Goal: 1,000 gold. Salary: 500.
Just survive for 2 month
It was scribbled in sleepy handwriting—something she did during late-night shifts, like in her school days.
The next page had a homemade calendar.
Only two months, from hiring date to payday. Past days were crossed off in red.
The last day had a big island drawn with the words: “Island of Spes.”
“Give it back!”
Riana jumped with all her strength and snatched the book away. She hugged it tightly to her chest.
Gray looked down at her with a slightly pitying expression.
“I’ve never seen a magic-user work this hard for money.”
As soon as he said magic-user, Riana’s eyes darted around in panic.
“Shut up…!”
She slammed the door shut. Gray was already sitting in a chair without being invited.
This uninvited guest couldn’t be controlled.
Riana rubbed the back of her neck, which had been tense since they met.
“Spes Island? Never heard of it.”
“You wouldn’t have. It’s uninhabited.”
Grumbling, Riana shoved the book deep into a drawer. Gray silently watched her.
“A magic-user hiding her identity and working as a maid to buy a private island…”
He slapped his thigh and stood, the corners of his mouth lifting.
“You’re not a lady, but you are interesting.”
“I’m not doing this for your entertainment, you know?”
Bang! She slammed the drawer hard.
Sure, he found out she was a magic-user, but that didn’t mean he had the upper hand.
She put her hands on her hips and marched toward him.
“You’re not in a position to act all smug, you know? I’m the only one who knows you’re not some slave from the desert kingdom. Remember?”
Gray was a magic experiment subject. If Riana opened her mouth, he’d end up executed at the magic association’s trial.
As she smiled confidently in threat, Gray met her gaze with an amused smile of his own.
