Episode 7
Lana didn’t know what was going on, but she hoped whatever it was, it would take a long, long time—so she could keep seeing him.
If it takes days, that’s fine. Heck, he can even stay in my room. I’ll sleep in the stables, she thought.
Sophia shrugged and whispered quietly,
“Honestly, I have no idea. But yesterday Jake said it might have something to do with the family’s debts…”
“!”
That woke Lana up instantly.
In the Empire, moneylenders were considered among the lowest and dirtiest professions.
He’s a debt collector? With that face? How could someone like him do that kind of work?
Her expression turned disappointed for a moment, but when the man’s eyes met hers again, her gaze went hazy all over. She shook her head and scolded herself silently.
Lana, watch your tongue. No job is shameful.
The man stroked his chin as he looked her over, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
“You didn’t come by carriage, did you?”
Lana blinked.
“Oh, right. The weather was nice, so I walked.”
“May I ask… from where?”
“From downtown.”
She didn’t understand why he was asking, but decided there must be a good reason if a man like that wanted to know.
He seemed to do some quick mental math, and then his eyes widened.
“Amazing. That’s at least a three-hour walk for most ladies.”
“Actually, just a bit over two hours.”
“Impressive!”
He looked genuinely delighted, and Lana felt a little proud.
Leaning closer, she whispered as if sharing a secret,
“Once I even made it in an hour and a half—though I was in better shape back then.”
“Really now… Hey, Harry! Did you hear that?”
He turned to the man standing stiffly behind him, as motionless as a statue in armor. The aide nodded creakily, like a rusty hinge.
“Truly… that’s stamina you rarely find in a lady her age.”
“Exceptional, isn’t it?”
Cullen nodded eagerly, eyes shining.
“The Count told me she’s never once fallen ill since childhood—is that true?”
Lana blinked. Why is this loan shark asking about my health? But since he was handsome, she nodded obediently.
“Yes. I hardly ever get sick.”
“Knew it!”
The man grinned from ear to ear, obviously very pleased.
“Haha… ha….”
Lana let out an awkward laugh and scratched the back of her neck.
Something about this felt… off.
Why does it feel like he’s evaluating livestock? Like I’m some healthy sow being picked for breeding?
If it had been anyone else, she’d have brushed it off—but since she was the “pig,” it was hard not to feel uneasy.
She instinctively took a half-step back, but the man followed smoothly with a friendly smile.
“Lady Burndale, we’ll be seeing each other often from now on. Please take care of me.”
“Pardon? Often? Why?”
She smiled politely but was confused. He pulled a pocket watch from his vest, checked the time, nodded to the quiet man behind him, and said, “Unfortunately, I have another appointment. You can ask the Count for the details.”
“Ah, yes—of course.”
He took her hand again, pressed his lips lightly over her glove, and nodded farewell. Then he turned and disappeared like a gust of wind.
Lana stood frozen. Sophia came to her side and murmured,
“I didn’t expect the Duke to be like that. Isn’t he something?”
“Wait—who?”
Lana tilted her head, not sure she’d heard right. Sophia pointed at the carriage rolling away.
“You must’ve heard of him—the Empire’s most eligible bachelor, Duke Lorvant.”
“!”
Lana’s eyes flew open. Of course she knew the name—he was said to be the most handsome, mysterious man in the entire Empire.
Her face turned serious as she stared at the departing carriage.
Wait… why would someone like that be looking for pigs?
In the carriage, Cullen hopped in, shut the door, and burst out laughing.
“Did you see her face? That dazed look was perfect!”
He was laughing so hard he nearly teared up.
“I’ve never met anyone so honest before,” Harry replied awkwardly.
It was true—the young lady’s face had displayed every single thought in real time. She wanted to look away but couldn’t, wanted to act polite but failed. Her inner battle was written all over her expression.
Cullen grinned wickedly.
“That’s what makes her so adorable. She’s pure. You can see right through her—like a lake.”
Harry shook his head.
“Still, there’s a limit. It’s kind of… overwhelming. I wouldn’t know how to act if someone stared at me like that.”
Cullen cut in sharply, voice calm but cold.
“Harry, that’s a strange thing to say.”
“Me? How so?” Harry blinked innocently.
Cullen folded his fingers together, resting them on his knee, and gave a smooth smile. His white teeth gleamed sharply.
“Why would Lady Burndale ever look at you that way? That assumption doesn’t even make sense, does it?”
A jolt ran through Harry’s head. Oh… that’s it.
He immediately straightened.
“You’re absolutely right. Ridiculous of me to even think that.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Utterly foolish of me, sir.”
“Good. Then I can trust there won’t be any more of these wild misunderstandings or fantasies, right?”
Cullen’s eyes narrowed like a snake’s. Harry gulped. It felt like being scolded by his mother and interrogated by the Inquisition at the same time.
“I swear, never again—never, ever, under any circumstance. I’d stake my life on it.”
“Your life isn’t worth much to me, but I suppose it’s precious to you,” Cullen said smoothly. “So as your employer, I’ll take your word for it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Good. Now think about it—soon that lady will be the Duchess. Imagine the absurdity if rumors started about her and her aide. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely unthinkable. I couldn’t even imagine it. I’ll make sure not even the tiniest suspicion could ever arise.”
“Now that’s the kind of reasoning I like to hear.”
Finally satisfied, Cullen’s fierce air faded, and Harry felt his throat loosen. Trembling, he crossed himself.
I’ll eat my vegetables from now on… especially carrots.
Meanwhile, Lana sat before Jake, reading part of the document Cullen had brought.
“The Duke’s family… wants me?”
“Yes,” Jake replied stiffly, glancing at the drawer holding the rest of the contract. He kept his face neutral.
Lana blinked, trying to process it. Wait—wasn’t that the man I saw at the debutante ball?
Come to think of it, maybe she had seen him then.
Because she’d been isolated and had few acquaintances, Lana knew almost nothing about the social world. Only after attending her debut had she learned that the Duke of Lorvant had escorted one of the most beautiful ladies in the Empire even before his official social debut.
The ballroom had been utter chaos before the event even began. Girls in pristine white gowns prowled the room like lions hunting prey. It had been a sight she would never forget.
So that really was him. Back then, I could only see the top of his head while hiding behind a pillar…
No matter how much she liked beautiful faces, even she knew when to give up — survival came first.
She’d wanted to see him up close, but to do that, she’d have had to wade through a battlefield of debutantes.
Those young ladies were as fierce as mercenaries from the Eastern continent.
Not wanting to draw their attention, she’d slipped out into the garden instead, to calm her heart.
And that’s when she’d stumbled upon a scene — a group of bullies harassing a timid young lady.
She couldn’t just walk away. So she’d stepped in, scattering the troublemakers like chickens after harvest, and returned the trembling girl safely to the hall.
The grateful girl had bowed over and over, thanking her profusely. It felt good to help.
But, of course, villains always come back for revenge.
They’d somehow found out who Lana was within minutes — whispers of “illegitimate,” “country bumpkin,” “smells like a farmhand” started flying.
She’d lured them into the hedge maze to shake them off, shaking her head in disbelief.
City girls even insult so politely. If it were me, I’d line them up and skewer the lot of them with one stick.
