<CHAPTER 11>

“What do you mean?”

“There have been more and more cases of young women disappearing throughout the Empire recently… I thought… wasn’t that why?”

“I do remember receiving a report about that.”

Idwin lowered his gaze back to the documents.

With a soft flutter, another page turned.

Ah… I thought my lord had been looking at the bigger picture…

Turns out he was simply in a bad mood.

Mitchell quietly closed his eyes.

His head throbbed.

Another page flipped with a light rustling sound.

Just what put His Grace in such a foul mood?

It couldn’t possibly be because of that woman.

There was no way Idwin Lafareon would truly consider a wandering woman as one of his own.

Mitchell had spent his entire life as Idwin’s closest friend and secretary, yet this was the first time he found it impossible to understand what the Grand Duke was thinking.

“…Understood. Then what shall we do about that woman?”

“That woman?”

“The wandering woman. Before she even officially started working, she caused an incident like this. Shouldn’t she be disciplined?”

Mitchell’s expression was far more serious than before.

“…You know she was the victim.”

“If she truly belongs to Your Grace, then this could also damage the Grand Ducal House’s reputation. She already reported it to the village guards. She should have waited. Charging in recklessly was unnecessary.”

As soon as Mitchell finished speaking, Idwin frowned slightly.

The emotions he himself could not understand had finally been given a convenient justification.

Watching the silent Idwin, Mitchell let out a quiet sigh.

“As you know, I don’t approve of her. I’m only keeping quiet because Your Grace insisted those ghost-like five senses of yours were telling you something.”

“But what if she turns out to be a spy from an enemy nation… or a foreign witch?”

Mitchell’s eyes shone with certainty.

His voice carried faint anger and contempt, as though he desperately needed to convince himself.

“You were like this as a child as well. Your imagination is still remarkable.”

Leaning against the back of his chair, Idwin looked up at Mitchell.

Even after the sarcastic remark, Mitchell continued spinning increasingly wild theories.

“…I’ve heard there’s a nation beyond the continent that’s skilled in hypnosis. Perhaps that’s her power. It would explain why the Simos can’t remember their past… and how she knows the ancient language…”

“Mitchell Norbert.”

Even when Idwin called him in a low voice, Mitchell appeared completely absorbed in his own thoughts.

Finally, he straightened his posture.

“I know she’s a victim. However, considering she could have damaged the Grand Ducal House’s reputation, I’ll reduce her wages for three months.”

“Ha…”

Idwin could only sigh.

The Norbert family had served as secretaries to the Lafareon family since his grandfather’s generation.

Having grown up together, Mitchell naturally became his secretary after Idwin inherited the title.

Idwin knew better than anyone that once Mitchell became stubborn about anything concerning House Lafareon, even he found it difficult to change his mind.

He could overrule him as Grand Duke.

But he also knew Mitchell had devoted his entire life to House Lafareon.

“…Very well.”

His own mistake had provided Mitchell with sufficient justification.

Mitchell placed his right hand over his chest, bowed lightly, and left the office.

Looks like he got exactly what he wanted.

Watching Mitchell leave with light steps, Idwin sighed even more deeply.

Now alone, he tossed the documents onto the desk.

His thoughts drifted to the vivid red fingerprints around Arliata’s slender neck.

She didn’t look well.

She’s going to receive unpleasant news.

Without realizing it, his brows knitted tightly.

“Perhaps I should have executed him on the spot.”

Something hot boiled beneath his chest.

“My wages… are being reduced?”

Mitchell, leaning against her desk, silently nodded.

“How could the Grand Ducal House’s secretary act so recklessly? Your actions could have affected His Grace’s reputation.”

“But…”

“Surely you’re not about to say you never considered how this might make people believe the village guards couldn’t be trusted, or that His Grace was incapable of managing his own employees?”

Arliata had no answer.

Her precious friend had disappeared.

She had been terrified.

The moment she found a clue in the wrecked house, she had already started running before realizing it.

She had only signed a surface-level contract with the Grand Ducal House.

The family’s dignity had never once crossed her mind.

“…I never thought it could affect His Grace’s reputation.”

“Being a secretary isn’t an easy position. Be more careful in the future. Even this three-month pay reduction is only because you’re also a victim.”

Arliata could only lower her head.

As Mitchell turned to leave—

“Um… may I go out today?”

His sharp gaze immediately returned to her.

She instinctively shrank back.

“Why do you wish to leave?”

His icy voice made her swallow nervously.

“…My friend was injured yesterday. I’m worried about them.”

Mitchell stared at her for a long moment before checking the time.

“Two hours. I will not permit anything longer.”

His voice was as cold as ice.

It felt as though a freezing wind brushed down her spine.

She felt like a rabbit trapped before a hunter.

“…Yes.”

Avoiding his piercing eyes, Arliata quickly escaped his office.

The moment the door closed behind her, she let out a long sigh.

Does he really hate me that much?

He probably believed he hid his emotions behind a blank expression.

Unfortunately, his sharp eyes revealed everything.

Emotions weren’t expressed through facial expressions alone.

Still… it’s okay.

Even with reduced wages, I’ll still earn eighty Kronin.

Her plans would be delayed, but if that was how nobles thought, what could a commoner possibly do?

She simply had to accept it.

“I’d better go see Yuel first.”

She hurried back to her room.

Earlier that morning, Hansen had given her an ointment for bruises.

Since it had been made by the Grand Ducal Castle’s physician, it was surely more effective than ordinary medicine.

After being struck unconscious by Kai, Yuel would likely wake up covered in bruises.

Worried about Yuel, Arliata untied the handkerchief around her neck.

She examined the injury herself.

“It’s worse than yesterday.”

The faint bruises following Kai’s fingerprints had spread even farther.

From up close, it looked as though someone was still strangling her.

As her fingertips lightly touched her neck, the sensation of Kai’s hands squeezing her throat returned.

Her breathing suddenly stopped.

It felt as though she had returned to that place.

Though the room was perfectly still, she could smell dirt.

Kai’s low laughter echoed beside her ears.

The crushing pressure of his cold fingers returned.

Her heart plummeted.

Her mind turned blank.

She staggered, knocking everything off the dressing table.

“Hah…!”

She squeezed her eyes shut and desperately fought to breathe.

It’s okay…

I’m inside the Grand Ducal Castle now…

I’m safe…

Both hands trembled violently as she supported herself.

She felt as though she might faint.

No matter how hard she tried, the feeling of someone choking her refused to disappear.

Only weak gasps escaped her lips.

Without realizing it, her fingers searched desperately across the dressing table.

Then…

Her damp fingertips brushed against the handkerchief lying there.

The soft touch shattered the frozen moment.

It was like breaking through the surface of a dark sea.

Air rushed violently into her lungs.

The world returned in an instant.

“Gasp!”

It felt as though a tightly sealed lid had finally burst open.

“Haa… haa…”

She collapsed onto the floor, struggling to steady her breathing.

When she finally opened her eyes, Idwin’s handkerchief was clenched tightly in her right hand.

The silver dragon with crimson eyes embroidered upon it shimmered before her.

“How… when did I grab this…?”

She slowly unfolded it.

As her breathing calmed, her heartbeat gradually steadied.

Whatever fabric it was made from, the handkerchief possessed an incredibly soothing softness.

Inside the pure white cloth was the silver dragon with crimson eyes, looking as though it might soar into the sky at any moment.

Though it bared sharp fangs and claws, it somehow made her feel protected.

Once her breathing had completely returned to normal, she stood up.

She carefully applied ointment over the bruises before tying the handkerchief around her neck once more.

“I don’t want the ointment staining my clothes.”

That was what she told herself.

Yet somehow, the handkerchief hiding those bruises felt like the very thing allowing her to breathe.

The neatly tied knot seemed almost to glow.

Taking a deep breath, Arliata picked up everything that had fallen and neatly placed it back on the dressing table.

She packed the desserts the head chef had given her into a basket.

Looking into the mirror, she liked what she saw.

Only moments ago she could barely breathe.

Now she looked even more confident than yesterday.

Every time the handkerchief around her neck fluttered, it resembled a banner of victory.

“Let’s go.”

The cold sweat that had soaked her body had already dried.

Arliata smiled softly.

As she walked away, the knot of the handkerchief swayed gently around her neck.