UDBL~42

Chapter 42

“This time, I didn’t just drop by—I got lured in.”

Riana’s tone was annoyed.

She had already spent all night practicing mana arts while unintentionally thinking about him the whole time.

It was both embarrassing and frustrating to realize that—after all that—she still ended up here again, drawn in by something else.

This time, it was the scent that lured her, but she promised herself she wouldn’t be swayed by his too-handsome face.

As if mocking that promise, Killian’s eyes gently curved in a smile. Like he was thanking her.

“I only used a trick to make sure we didn’t miss each other. Still, thanks for getting lured in.”

“Whatever. I’m technically off-duty right now. You don’t have the right to keep me here, Your Grace.”

It wasn’t like she couldn’t see his face with her eyes closed. She didn’t want to deal with him in person while fighting off her embarrassment.

When Riana tried to leave, Killian followed after her in two long strides.

In no time, he blocked her way at the door and opened his mouth.

“What if I said I wasn’t your employer—but your partner?”

Riana almost ran straight into his chest but stopped just in time. She frowned in confusion, not understanding his words, so Killian added,

“The man who was your partner at the desert welcome party said he had something to return to you.”

He was talking about himself like it was someone else. Riana stayed on alert.

“To be exact, it’s not something to give—it’s something to return.”

Killian gestured with his hand like he was escorting her. He wanted her to walk back toward the center of the dining hall.

“Is it… what I think it is?”

“Go see for yourself.”

Riana had a good idea what it was. So she relaxed her guard—just a tiny bit—and followed him.

On the table was a box. When Riana opened the lid, she found exactly what she’d expected.

Even just a glimpse of the fabric was enough to recognize it instantly. A blue dress!

‘My precious retirement fund!’

—Or at least, it used to be.

She had once stored it safely in her room, planning to sell it later. But things had gone off track.

She had ended up rolling around in a prison cell while wearing it, and the poor dress got ruined. In tears, she’d asked Bastian to throw it away…

“I picked up the thing you threw out, Miss Riana.”

“You even had it cleaned?”

It looked brand new!

Riana was touched and felt her eyes sting a little.

The dress she took out of the box was soft, smelled nice, and somehow looked even prettier than before.

“No need to thank me.”

She almost got charmed again, but snapped back just in time.

Nope. Not falling for it again. Stay focused!

“…I’m not really that thankful.”

Riana looked at Killian with dry eyes.

“Didn’t your butler pick it up and ask if it should really be thrown away?”

She had handed it to Bastian. The fact that it didn’t get tossed out was thanks to Bastian—not Killian.

“I thoughtfully told him not to throw it out.”

“And you didn’t even wash it yourself.”

“I gave direct orders to have it washed using my personally invented Droche-brand magic detergent, Doubtney.”

“Not that impressive. And it’s second-hand now.”

“Fashion’s value is decided by the owner. Since you wore this, Miss Riana, it’s worth even more now.”

Seriously? Riana raised her eyebrow.

“If you like it so much, why didn’t you keep it?”

“Sharing is a gentleman’s virtue.”

Riana examined the dress more closely, trying to find flaws.

Then she noticed the spot she had cut out to make a makeshift cape. It was still missing.

So she couldn’t even sell it now!

She narrowed her eyes and pointed at the torn spot. Killian finally fell silent.

“Yeah, this won’t do.”

Riana shook her head and said like it couldn’t be helped,

“I can only give this about 1.4 stars. Try harder next time.”

“…What kind of weird half-score is that?”

“Face bonus…?”

Killian’s expression went pale, as if 0.4 points for his face was a shock.

“That’s all I get?”

Riana nodded with a kind, almost motherly smile.

“But thanks for the dress, former partner.”

The fabric was high-quality, so even if she broke it down and sold it, she could probably get the price of a cow.

Riana hugged the box to her chest, thinking practically.

Pat pat. She gave Killian’s shoulder a friendly tap, as if to say thanks. Before he could react to the sudden contact, she had already skipped off.

Killian was left frozen in place, unable to believe what had just happened.

The lips that had calmly bantered with Riana moments ago were now pressed into a straight line.

‘Why do I feel like I lost again?’

Killian wasn’t used to losing. And that’s exactly why this woman who kept making him feel defeated got under his skin.

It was probably why he couldn’t focus on work or stop thinking about her all night.

He absentmindedly placed a hand near his chest.

Lately, his heart had been pounding like it didn’t even belong to him—wildly, like it wanted to break out of his ribs again.

‘Maybe I should have fired her when I had the chance…’

Back when she broke contract by being late, he wondered if that would’ve been the cleaner option.

But that thought only passed briefly. He didn’t really regret it.

Because he was confident.

He would make it happen.

He had to—because otherwise, it just wouldn’t sit right with him.

Outside the window, Riana could be seen hopping toward the main building, hugging the gift box.

Her reddish hair bounced in the sun, and Killian’s lips curved into a smile as he watched.

Yes, Riana.

“I’ll do better, just like you said.”

He didn’t blink until she turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

Even after her last footprints vanished, he didn’t realize it—

—that it was the most focused moment he’d had all day.

Riana placed her precious retirement fund—er, dress—safely back in her room at the main building and returned to the maid wing.

Just as she expected, Killian was already gone. He was a busy man, after all.

The dining hall had returned to its usual noisy state, now filled with the maid group known as Knights’ Aunts.

“Hey, you! Come sit over here!”

As soon as Riana stepped through the door, Mrs. Baker shouted.

She hadn’t even handed over any gold coins, and yet she was being treated so warmly. It felt suspicious. Riana walked in cautiously, eyes narrowed.

But Mrs. Baker’s attitude wasn’t the only strange thing.

The table was filled with a massive feast.

“Oh wow, what is all this?”

“What do you mean ‘what is it’? I always feed you well! Now stop talking and start eating!”

Pushed by the commotion, Riana reluctantly sat at the table. Several maids were already enjoying their meals with happy faces.

Mrs. Baker handed her a plate and utensils, and Riana looked over the food.

Bread, meat, cheese… all perfectly balanced protein, carbs, and fat—with fruit, too.

‘Well… I guess I’ll eat.’

Can’t let the meat get cold.

Riana gave in, picked up her fork and knife—and cleared her plate without leaving a single bite.

Then—

“Alright, now that you’ve eaten—time to get to work!”

“…Huh?”

Mrs. Baker clapped loudly, rounding up the maids who had finished eating.

Riana blinked, still chewing the last bite of meat.

Her cheeks were still full. She hadn’t even swallowed yet when her empty plate was suddenly whisked away.

“Hurry up! No time to waste!”

“…Huh?!”

Before she knew it, Mrs. Baker pulled away her chair and pushed her forward with both hands.

Riana, now on her feet, was being shoved somewhere by Mrs. Baker’s massive hands.

“The new knight’s appointment ceremony just ended! The welcome party is about to start!”

“And what does that have to do with me?!”

Mrs. Baker stopped pushing and looked up at her with big, round eyes.

She was a head shorter than Riana, and this was the first time her eyes sparkled like that since Riana got possessed.

“Help me.”

“…Oh no.”

‘Mrs. Baker, you sneaky human being.’

Riana grumbled inwardly as she carried food to the knights’ quarters.

She had just been fed an amazing meal and couldn’t bring herself to refuse the favor.

‘Ugh, this is heavy!’

She had baskets hanging from each arm. They were filled with bread—heavy, but not unbearable.

The real weight was in her hands: two large crates full of alcohol.

And there was one more item—clenched between her teeth. A crescent-shaped croissant that Mrs. Baker had graciously given her.

‘So good… This rich Diarres butter…!’

Wait, no! This wasn’t the time to be swayed!

Riana shook off the deliciousness and tried to refocus.

Mrs. Baker was a master manipulator. If Killian were as skilled at playing tricks as she was, Riana might’ve already fallen for him.

So this load she was carrying was the price for falling for a trick like a fool.

‘Still a long way to go, and my arms already hurt.’

As her skinny arms trembled and she kept walking, one thought crossed her mind:

‘Should I try using mana arts?’