‘Was he originally planning to move alone?’
She didn’t know what he was thinking or what plan he had in mind. He had never shared it. Their conversations were always limited. Even though they were bound as a married couple for a year, it remained that way.
‘He could have at least told me beforehand.’
As Milena watched Lexion disappear alone, she found herself experiencing a new and unexpected emotion—disappointment.
How selfish of her. She, too, had kept many things from him, yet she still felt this way.
“Aunt, let’s go.”
There was no time to waste. She took Ashid with her and walked through the damp sewage passage.
Milena Lastia—the woman everyone despised so much that they avoided her entirely.
No one cared about her, but if she were caught sneaking out, she could be accused of abducting not only the Grand Duchess but also the Grand Duke’s heir. Or worse, they might think, ‘This is a perfect opportunity,’ and try to kill her. Given the Grand Duke’s current state, the latter seemed more likely.
First, they needed to escape.
“Ash, breathe as shallowly as possible. Hold onto my clothes tightly.”
“Okay.”
She covered Ashid’s mouth with a handkerchief and led the way, relying on the faint glow of the luminous stone.
Just like Lexion, she also knew the castle’s interior well.
This sewage passage was one of the security loopholes. Once an intruder entered the Grand Duke’s castle, they would never leave alive. However, due to the Grand Duke’s strict policies, certain secret passages had unavoidable security gaps.
He was fully aware of them but chose to ignore them—out of arrogance, believing he could kill anyone who dared trespass. That arrogance had cost him Larriete.
‘If Lexion gets caught by the Grand Duke while leaving the note, will he be able to escape?’
Lexion Silbert—an entirely unpredictable man. Yet, she couldn’t help but worry about him. It was inevitable to be concerned for her one-year husband.
He seemed to think she had come up with the idea of the note on her own.
She appreciated the high regard, but in reality, she had merely kept quiet about her sister’s connection to the Tower Lord.
She couldn’t risk complicating matters by revealing everything she knew.
The Tower Lord was an enigma. He rarely appeared, to the point where his very existence was questioned. It was rumored that only the Emperor had ever seen him. He had become more of a mythical figure.
Yet, Milena’s sister was entangled with him.
Perhaps she could tell Lexion about the Tower Lord—if she ever came to fully trust him.
But with only a year before they parted ways, she might never get the chance.
“Aunt, there’s someone ahead.”
As she walked, lost in thought, she saw a man holding a torch at the end of the passage.
As they approached the exit, the man, dressed in shabby clothes, lit up with recognition and waved his hand.
“Are you Lady Milena?”
She felt awkward at being addressed as ‘Lady’ and nodded with a small smile.
“Did Lexion send you?”
The flickering torchlight illuminated the man’s red hair, which stuck out in all directions. His pale skin was covered in freckles. He smiled brightly and began speaking at a rapid pace.
“Yes! I’m Gerard, my lord’s right-hand man and the busiest person in the world. Have you heard of me?”
“No…”
“Oh, you haven’t? That’s surprising! How could he not mention me? I mean, I know he’s my lord and all, but honestly, he’s so cold sometimes.”
“Uh…”
“Anyway, let’s get going. The outer castle gates are closed, so we’ll have to walk out. There’s a side door used only by the servants—we’ll exit through there. If we run into any knights, just follow my lead. Understood?”
He was quite the talkative man. Like master, like servant. Lexion was already an odd one, and this man seemed to be just as peculiar.
As he quickened his pace, Gerard glanced back and said casually,
“By the way, are you good at acting?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh, Lady, you can just speak casually with me. I’m ranked way below my lord.”
Before she could answer, Ashid jumped in.
“Alright, I will.”
“Hm?”
Gerard’s gaze naturally fell on the boy.
“Haha! So you’re the little lord my master wanted to flick on the forehead.”
“What? What did you just say?”
Ashid’s eyebrow arched under his hood. So prickly—he reminded Gerard of his lord’s younger days.
Smiling good-naturedly, Gerard replied,
“Haha, it’s nothing. Yes, yes, just treat me however you like.”
He extinguished the torch and ran his hand along the outer castle wall, feeling for something.
“Lexion…”
“Oh, my lord, you mean?”
Milena barely started speaking when Gerard launched into another speech, adding unnecessary details.
“He’ll make it out on his own, so don’t worry. But, honestly, I have to ask—why did you marry my lord? Hm? Why? Don’t tell me you were fooled by that handsome face?”
Were there really no other men? Ashid silently nodded in agreement with Gerard’s muttering.
“Ask Lexion yourself.”
Milena brushed off the question. If she started explaining, there would be no end to it.
“Then why did Lexion go back?”
“He hasn’t found what he’s looking for. That’s why he’s risking his life for it—he can’t leave so easily. Who knows when he’ll come back? This is his last chance. Time is running out.”
“What exactly is he looking for?”
Something worth risking his life for?
Lexion had said it was something the Grand Duke had stolen. But he hadn’t given any details.
“A person for whom my lord would sacrifice everything.”
Gerard stopped and looked at her with a meaningful gaze.
“His one and only brother.”
His golden eyes gleamed in the darkness.
“The life of the Silbert family’s heir.”
Life?
Was he speaking figuratively, or did he mean something tangible?
As her expression hardened, Gerard shrugged and turned away.
“This is all confidential, so you must keep it a secret. Understood? Also, my lord utterly despises the Grand Duke. That’s a secret too.”
For something top secret, Gerard sure was talking a lot. Did he have some hidden motive?
Sensing her wariness, Gerard smiled subtly.
His lord had said she was different from the rumors—and indeed, she didn’t seem like the foolish villainess people claimed her to be.
“My lord is a very lonely person. He takes on all the dirty work of his family, and despite his shameless demeanor, he has a soft heart.”
“So?”
“If someone by his side could share even a little of that burden, wouldn’t that be nice?”
Did Gerard not know that this marriage was only for a year?
As if reading her thoughts, he added,
“You never know what might happen. Even if it started as a marriage of convenience, it could turn into something real.”
“Even though this is our first meeting, I feel like you must hear that you’re overly optimistic quite often, Gerard.”
“Haha! Please, call me ‘Jer.’ I’m giving you the special privilege of using the nickname my lord calls me.”
Turning his head slightly toward the darkness, Gerard studied her carefully before stopping once more.
“By the way, Lady…”
He reached out and attached an earring to her ear. His movements were so swift that she barely felt it.
“I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“What do you—”
Before she could ask, a voice rang out.
“Hey! Who’s there?”
A group of torch-wielding guards approached from a distance.
She quickly pulled Ashid into her arms.
“Remember, follow my lead.”
Gerard whispered before clearing his throat.
His voice suddenly turned husky as he hunched over like a frightened commoner.
One of the armored guards shouted,
“Identify yourselves!”
