#22. Good Intentions Don’t Always Lead to Good Results
A man and woman in love go out on a secret date in disguise. They go through some incidents, but in the end, they confirm their love for each other, something like that…
The more she spoke, the darker Olivia’s expression became.
The princess looks like she’s about to punch someone.
Well, of course I’m mad! I’ve been working myself to the bone solving murder cases and whatever else, and yet to Lady Taren, it just looks like I’ve been strolling around laughing with you! That’s what’s so frustrating and unfair!
Olivia realized she was getting way too worked up over something trivial and slumped her shoulders with a sigh.
Anyway, just follow me without revealing yourself. That should be easy for you.
That’s not hard, but is it really that upsetting?
What? Let’s drop the topic.
Pulled back into reality by Angbohe’s voice, Olivia emerged from her daydream.
“Shall we start by visiting the homes of the missing people?”
“What?”
“The investigation! Where should we begin? Just give me anything! I know the geography and the comings and goings around the merchants’ district like the back of my hand!”
Angbohe’s eyes sparkled as she enthusiastically beat her chest with confidence.
“Or should we look for clues about the culprit? The family sent the information to the imperial palace, but we might discover something new if we look again!”
Olivia, faced with a gleaming, practically burning-with-passion Angbohe, firmly shut her down.
“That’s not your job.”
“Huh?”
“Your job today is to accompany me, understand the suffering of the imperial citizens affected in this area, offer comfort, and help determine what steps we take moving forward.”
Clear, firm, and precise. Angbohe blinked rapidly like a hummingbird’s wings, but Olivia emphasized again.
“Tracking down the culprit or finding clues is a job for professionals.”
“Yes, understood.”
Angbohe nodded obediently. She looked quite disappointed, but she didn’t seem like the type to insist on helping capture the culprit or run off on her own. Usually, someone that innocent and eager to help would thoughtlessly throw themselves into danger. But she didn’t. That was unexpected in many ways. Maybe it would’ve been fine just traveling with Cryer instead? Olivia shook her head. Who knows. Life always finds a way to betray your expectations.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Before long, Olivia, Angbohe, and Cryer—who moved like a shadow—entered the Tarhen merchant district.
“Investigators have probably already gone through the homes of the missing, so it might be better to speak with people around the area.”
And while the chances were slim, there was still a possibility they might stumble upon the house where the murdered culprit had been found. Swallowing those thoughts, Olivia began moving, with Angbohe silently following her lead.
But things didn’t go as smoothly as Olivia expected.
“I… accidentally lost something really important…”
“I see. Maybe this will help?”
Angbohe approached a flustered person on the street, asked what was going on, and then, without hesitation, handed over a hefty coin pouch after hearing their story.
“Th-Thank you so much! Thank you!”
“I hope it all works out.”
Angbohe waved cheerfully at the person who bowed again and again, then turned and bowed to Olivia.
“Sorry, we got delayed.”
“No need to apologize. Helping an imperial citizen—what could be more urgent?”
Olivia responded nonchalantly and resumed walking. She let the first act of goodwill slide. But then came the second.
“I just don’t know how to win her back after the way things ended…”
“That sounds hard. How about starting with a gift she’d like?”
To the man sighing as if the world had ended, Angbohe once again extended a helping hand. Olivia nodded quietly once more.
But then came a third. A fourth.
Angbohe gave help to every struggling person she passed like a tree endlessly offering its fruits.
“Sob sob sob! Waaaah!”
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Try telling me instead of crying.”
“M-My sister…”
Though their schedule was getting delayed because Angbohe kept stopping to help, Olivia didn’t really mind. It was just for show anyway.
But her ears perked up at the child’s next words.
“Your sister? What happened to her?”
“My sister… she’s getting married and I ruined the gift I was going to give her… Waaah!”
Olivia’s interest waned. So it wasn’t a disappearance or anything related to their investigation.
“Oh dear, you messed up the gift. Well…”
Angbohe searched her pockets, but she had already given everything she had to others earlier. Despite the awkwardness, she didn’t turn to Olivia for help. Helping others was something she wanted to do herself. She wasn’t about to burden Olivia with another delay. There were merchants nearby anyway—maybe she could direct the child there…
But her hesitation didn’t last long.
“Wow, your shoes are pretty.”
The child glanced down at Angbohe’s attire and muttered in awe.
Without hesitation, Angbohe took off her shoes.
“They’re worn, but if these will do…”
“Thank you!”
Hugging the shoes, the child beamed and ran off. Angbohe waved goodbye until the child disappeared completely, then finally straightened her back and turned toward Olivia.
“Again, I’m sorry. We’re getting delayed…”
“No, like I said, don’t worry about it. But more importantly…”
Olivia looked at the spot where the child had stood and then spoke.
“My lady.”
“Yes?”
Smiling brightly, Angbohe was now nearly barefoot. Even her shoes were gone—now in the arms of a child who had run off somewhere. If lucky, the child might exchange them for money or keep them as treasure. But there was a high chance someone would steal them or the child would get hurt.
After all, good intentions didn’t always lead to good outcomes.
And surely, as a daughter of the Tarhen family, Angbohe must have learned that.
And yet…
“Why do you go so far out of your way to help others?”
A strange question, perhaps. Why help others with kindness?
But Angbohe responded naturally.
“Because there are people in need.”
“I know. I saw it too. But even when people see suffering, not everyone rushes to help like you do.”
Will she say something like, If you weren’t here, Your Highness, you would’ve done the same? Olivia narrowed her eyes slightly.
But Angbohe only tilted her head.
“Hmm… I’m not sure. I just saw people who were hurting or sad, and since I could help, I did.”
Her answer was full of sincerity, with no trace of falsehood. She didn’t even seem to be helping people to show off what a good person she was.
And so, Olivia spoke on impulse.
“May I offer you some advice?”
“Of course!”
Olivia looked her directly in the eyes and said,
“Good intentions don’t always lead to good results. People don’t always take them as good intentions either.”
Cold and harsh words—but very real.
“Especially when help comes from someone like you, who holds power. The ripple effect is greater.”
Olivia regretted speaking right after. She had overstepped. Angbohe had handled things well so far; there was no need to interfere.
“You’re very kind.”
Angbohe smiled brightly. Olivia was at a loss for words.
“Are you worried I might be harmed, or that the people I helped might be?”
Olivia hadn’t actually thought Angbohe would be harmed, but she didn’t deny it either.
“Maybe that could happen.”
A light yet sincere reply. And with a smile like the sun, Angbohe said,
“Even so, I’ll help those in need as long as I can.”
There was nothing Olivia could say to that pure, unshakable answer.
“Let’s call it a day and head back.”
“Okay!”
Though they hadn’t found the culprit or any missing persons, Angbohe looked completely satisfied after helping so many people.
Just as they were about to leave the Tarhen merchant district…
“Is it over?”
A low voice echoed, like it came from the bottom of a deep well.
“Who’s there?!”
A strange man suddenly appeared, and Angbohe instinctively stepped in front of Olivia, ready to protect her.
“Step aside.”
She was born innocent and kind, trusting of others. But she was still the Tarhen heir. She knew whose safety came first. Without hesitation, she stepped forward.
Olivia, hidden behind Angbohe’s back, was dumbfounded.
Why is he here?
“If you don’t move, I’ll make you.”
Angbohe, looking completely different from earlier, faced the man sternly. Cryer reached out his hand. Angbohe took a deep breath, ready to scream or shout.
But then—
“My lady, it’s okay.”
Olivia grabbed Angbohe’s arm and glared at Cryer. He stepped back obediently. Angbohe also closed her mouth.
“I know him. He’s in disguise, like me.”
“Oh, I see.”
Angbohe nodded and stepped aside. Without hesitation, Cryer stepped up to Olivia, who looked ready to grab his collar and give him an earful.
