<CHAPTER 7>

Arliata returned to her room before going to Mitchell.

As soon as she quickly shut the door, her knees gave out and she collapsed onto the floor.

Her heart was pounding like crazy.

“Phew… I was really nervous.”

Cold sweat coated her palms, and even her fingertips were still trembling.

Ever since she had made a living by singing lullabies in exchange for money, checking on her clients the next day had become essential.

She had to see whether they had slept well and whether their complexion had improved, so they would never ask for their money back.

Of course, most people had paid her out of gratitude, but there had always been a bit of salesmanship involved as well.

That was the only way a wandering life could be sustained.

“His eyes look like rubies.”

The precious gem so red and beautiful that people gifted it to their lovers.

She had never actually seen a ruby before, but if she ever did, she felt she would think of Duke Raphaeleon’s eyes.

They had been clearer, brighter, and more beautiful than the crimson of an apple or a rose.

Wait… beautiful?

“Beautiful… What am I even saying…?”

Well, he certainly was handsome.

His face carried obvious fatigue, dark circles shadowed his eyes, and the frown between his brows made him look intimidating, but honestly, she had never seen anyone so good-looking.

Still, considering everyone said Duke Raphaeleon’s eyes looked like the blood of a demonic beast…

“They really were beautiful.”

Arliata rubbed her sweaty palms against her dress, unable to make sense of her own thoughts.

“Enough thinking. I have to go or I’ll be late.”

She forced her trembling legs to stand once more.

Mitchell, whose sleeves were decorated with blue feathers, stood with his arms crossed as he watched Arliata organize the books.

How does she know the ancient language?

Many people throughout the Empire could read and write, but very few knew the ancient language reserved for the nobility.

The language had long disappeared, making it difficult to learn, and even nobles only used it when reading ancient texts.

She’s classifying the spelling perfectly.

The Simos, the elite knights of the Grand Duke’s household, carried out all kinds of duties across the Empire.

Among them, information gathering was their greatest specialty.

A woman whose past even the Simos couldn’t uncover… yet who knows the ancient language…

Could she be a spy sent by the Imperial Family?

Although the Emperor outwardly cherished the House of Raphaeleon, the Grand Duke’s household knew he was wary of them.

“How do you know the ancient language?”

Mitchell’s voice was noticeably lower and firmer than before.

Startled, Arliata blinked while carrying a stack of books.

Mitchell stepped closer and pointed at the title of the top book she was holding.

“It’s a dead language.

How does a commoner like you know it?”

His gaze was as long and persistent as a serpent’s.

It carried an aura sharp enough to cut something apart at any moment.

Completely flustered, Arliata blinked several more times before speaking.

“This is the ancient language?

I thought it was just…”

To her, they were merely symbols that lingered somewhere in her memory.

But saying that outright would only make her seem suspicious.

“…I happened to see it while wandering around.

Books that had once belonged to nobles would eventually find their way to the marketplace bookstores.

I saw it a few times there.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie.

Instead of saying they were simply symbols from her memories, Arliata chose to reveal only part of the truth.

Mitchell’s eyes were far too sharp, constantly searching for anything suspicious.

If I say I just remember them somehow, he might think I’m a spy from another country.

Mitchell silently stared at Arliata.

Under his intense gaze, she gradually found it difficult to breathe.

Cold sweat trickled down her back.

After what felt like an eternity, Mitchell finally eased his killing intent and gave a slight nod.

His eyes, however, remained sharp.

“Very well.

I’ll accept that explanation for now.”

It was a strategic retreat.

Her explanation did not sound false, but he could not completely believe it either.

I should have the Simos investigate the ancient language further.

Leaving behind the eagerly nodding Arliata, Mitchell turned away, the feathers attached to his sleeves swaying like they were dancing.

Arliata hugged the books tightly, feeling as though her heart had dropped to the floor.

A weekly wage of one hundred Cronin for singing lullabies every night while managing the library was an unbelievably sweet job.

She had almost lost that dream job in an instant.

Quietly letting out a sigh, Arliata carried the stack of books to the opposite bookshelf and set them down.

“Um… Sir Mitchell, would it be possible for me to go out sometime soon?”

“Where do you intend to go?”

“Actually… I was practically dragged here when I came to the Grand Duke’s residence.

I think my friend must be worried about me.”

Turning back toward Arliata, Mitchell lightly rubbed his chin as his eyes narrowed.

“Going out is permitted on weekends.

As it happens, tomorrow is one.

However…”

As his gaze lingered and his voice dropped lower, Arliata unconsciously swallowed.

His eyes were as persistent as a serpent’s.

Meanwhile, Mitchell was worried that Arliata might flee after learning the Grand Duke family’s secret.

She had been a wanderer.

She could travel throughout the Empire spreading rumors that Duke Raphaeleon possessed such a weakness.

If Raphaeleon’s reputation is damaged, I’ll simply unleash the Simos.

Even if they could not uncover her past, assassination remained one of their specialties.

Mitchell decided to swallow the rest of his words.

“…Never mind.”

The tension left Arliata as she quietly sighed in relief.

“Then… tomorrow I’ll inform Head Butler Hansen before I head out.”

Mitchell nodded but continued staring at Arliata with that same relentless gaze.

Pretending to ignore it, Arliata resumed sorting the ancient language books.

“Hans!”

“Big Sister Lily!”

Arliata spread her arms wide and tightly embraced Hans as he ran toward her.

“Are you really okay now?

Should you already be running around like this?”

“It still hurts a little, but I can endure it.

It’s all thanks to you, Big Sister.”

Perhaps because Arliata had hugged him too tightly, Hans clutched the area around his still-healing ribs.

“That’s right.

If it weren’t for our goddess, Hans might have followed my husband.”

Janie stood beside the smiling Hans as she wiped away the tears gathered in her eyes.

“Mrs. Janie, Uel keeps saying things like that too.

What if the Goddess becomes angry?”

“The temple has already lost its power for decades.”

Holding Arliata’s hands tightly, Janie continued.

“Seeing how quickly Hans recovered, I can’t help wondering if you’re truly the reincarnation of the Goddess, Lily.”

Faced with such warm eyes, Arliata could only scratch her head awkwardly.

Hans’s youth certainly helped his speedy recovery, but his injuries had truly been severe, and she really had used her power.

“Anyway, I heard you were taken to the Grand Duke’s residence.

I’m so relieved nothing happened.

They even hired you?”

“Yes.

That’s what happened.”

“I’m just grateful His Grace didn’t chase you away.

When everyone heard you’d been taken there, the whole village was worried.”

Janie’s eyes welled with tears once again.

“I’m fine now, so please don’t worry about me.

But where’s Uel?

Her shop was closed.”

“I didn’t see her last night either.

Thomas and Rina won’t be back for quite a while, so I was starting to worry.”

Uel’s parents, Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Rina, had gone to the Imperial Capital last month.

They were craftsmen who had gone there to produce handicrafts for delivery to a merchant guild in the capital.

“Since last night?

Did you check her house?”

“I was just about to when I ran into you, Lily.”

Arliata felt something was wrong.

Cheerful and diligent, Uel always opened her shop first and closed it last in the marketplace.

She also loved chatting with neighboring merchants and townspeople.

Since she disliked eating alone while her parents were away, she often invited herself into neighbors’ homes for dinner.

For someone like Uel to disappear since the previous evening was truly unusual.

Even though it was already well past lunchtime, her shop remained closed.

“I saw Big Sister Uel yesterday.”

Hans, who had quietly listened while holding Janie’s hand, suddenly spoke.

“You saw Uel?

Where?

When?”

Hans pointed toward the alley behind the far end of the marketplace.

“I saw her in the alley behind the market.

She was talking to someone with purple hair.

Big Sister Uel was really angry.”

Janie covered her mouth in surprise.

“Is that really true?

I’ve watched Uel grow up all her life, and I’ve never once heard of her getting angry.”

Listening to both Hans and Janie, Arliata became increasingly uneasy.

“Mrs. Janie, I’ll go check Uel’s house.

Could you notify the village guards as well?

I’m worried… something may have happened.”

“Of course.

Go quickly.”

Arliata nodded and sprinted toward Uel’s house.

Alarm bells echoed through her mind.

Wanderers inevitably developed sharp instincts.

Their lives exposed them to far more danger than ordinary people.

Arliata was no exception.

Her attractive appearance had only made surviving as a wanderer even harder.

That was why she desperately hoped the warning echoing in her head was wrong.

Uel had been her very first friend.

“Why do my bad feelings always turn out to be right…?”

The front door of Uel’s house, which should have been locked if no one was home, stood wide open.

Inside, everything had been completely ransacked.

Broken chair legs lay scattered across the floor, while shattered glass glittered everywhere.

The wind caused the door to creak open and shut.

The dining table had been overturned, and broken dishes littered the room.

A cake that had apparently been wrapped as a gift had fallen onto the floor.

Whatever had happened here had been serious.

“Was it a robbery?

What on earth happened, Uel…?”

Stepping over the overturned table, Arliata searched the living room before entering Uel’s bedroom.

Maybe there’s a clue.

Maybe the culprit returned to the scene.

How did detectives in mystery novels handle situations like this again…?

Arliata opened the desk drawer and carefully searched through its contents.

“Did Uel use this?”

Tucked away in the back of the drawer was a small notebook, worn smooth by years of use.

A strong feeling washed over her that it contained an important clue.

Her fingertips trembled as she slowly opened it