Episode 2
This, this insane father!
“If you can’t pay it back in time, the interest will double. If that happens, it’d be more profitable for me to sell you and flee from the loan sharks.”
Lowering my head, I let out a short, “Hoo.”
Get sold or pay back 300 gold in three days.
There was only one choice anyway. To end this miserable connection and part ways with my father.
“I’ll come back with the money in three days.”
Despite my bold declaration, I fell into deep thought.
How was I supposed to come up with a fortune like 300 gold overnight?
“Haa.”
Standing in front of the job postings board, I let out a series of short sighs.
No matter how well-paying the job, I’d only receive a salary after working a full month.
I considered borrowing from a bank, but tied to the Walker family, no one would lend me money.
Even after rummaging through the postings, there was no clear way to resolve this situation.
Outside, the rain continued to drizzle relentlessly.
Twisting my body and shaking my head a few times, I seriously considered.
‘Should I just run away?’
I hadn’t told my father, but I currently had about 3 gold.
It wasn’t enough to live comfortably for a lifetime, but it was sufficient to escape and settle somewhere.
Of course, running away meant living as a fugitive forever, always trembling with anxiety.
The damned reality loomed before me.
“Haa…”
No matter how many sighs I let out, the situation didn’t change. I banged my head against the wall.
At that moment, someone’s hand slipped between the wall and my forehead.
“Doing that will only bruise your pretty forehead.”
At the sound of a refined voice, I instinctively looked up at the person.
The moment our eyes met, my mouth fell open. Though half their face was covered by a robe, their appearance was impossible to hide.
Rare, deep black hair and ruby-red eyes that sparkled like gems.
It was a face striking enough to make me forget what I’d been thinking about.
As I blinked, the person gave a faint smile and took the stack of papers in my hand.
“Looking for a job?”
“Uh, well.”
Only then did I remember what I’d been agonizing over, along with the fact that my hands were now empty.
“Yes, that’s right.”
With an awkward smile, I retrieved the job postings from them.
Glancing at me, the man asked.
“Seems like you’re in urgent need of money.”
It was embarrassing to discuss my family’s circumstances with a stranger.
I gave a faint smile, nodded once, and started to walk away.
After a couple of steps, that refined voice called out again.
“Miss Liliana Walker, right?”
I couldn’t help but be shocked at my name coming from his mouth.
‘How does he know my name?’
Was he a loan shark?
Did my father already flee? Is that why he’s here for me? Terrifying possibilities swirled in my mind.
Clearing my throat, I turned around.
“So you know me.”
Noticing my wariness, he shrugged once and extended his hand.
“Shall we start with introductions? You can call me Roan.”
Ignoring his outstretched hand, I asked.
“What do you want with me?”
Roan glanced at his ignored hand, shook his head lightly, and spoke as if nothing had happened.
“I’ve been looking for a highly capable person.”
His words, different from what I’d expected, made me pause. At the same time, I felt a slight spark of interest.
As if sensing my guard lowering slightly, Roan continued.
“To be precise, someone highly capable who can stay by my side every day.”
Most people want to leave work at the end of the day. Staying by someone’s side meant a job with no time off, likely no vacations either.
Most would prefer to earn less and spend time with family, friends, or lovers, not live at their workplace.
“And they need to know how to write, handle documents, manage schedules, and oversee the estate’s internal affairs.”
His list of demands continued shamelessly.
As Roan went on, my expression crumpled. Based on his description, it’d be faster to find a unicorn.
Who in the world fits that description?
“I thought such a person wouldn’t exist anywhere in the empire. But you, Miss Walker, are quite famous in that regard.”
As if reading my thoughts, Roan said with a faint smile.
“They say you’ve done work typical of commoners despite bearing a noble name, that you’re discreet, and that you’d never run away.”
Though there was no mockery in his tone, I couldn’t help but feel offended. No one wants to hear their reputation from a stranger.
“And they say you excel at any task you’re given, which piqued my interest.”
Noticing my sour reaction, Roan emphasized again.
“I’m saying I want to work with you, Miss Walker.”
“Oh, me.”
“Yes, you, Miss Walker.”
“So you came to find me?”
“You could say that.”
Narrowing my eyes, I scanned Roan up and down.
Putting aside his claim that he came because of my reputation, there were more than a few suspicious points.
This was the northern region, yet the person introducing himself used a southern accent. Plus, he was dressed in visibly expensive clothing.
There were too many reasons not to trust the man in front of me.
“You could find someone like me in the south, couldn’t you?”
Testing him, I said this, and his eyes widened.
“You’ve got a sharp eye.”
“Your accent is southern. I worked in the south before, so I’m familiar with the accent.”
“I see. The rumors of your competence seem true. Noticing that so quickly.”
Despite Roan’s praise, I responded impassively. I didn’t feel the need to react to every word he said.
“Thanks for the compliment, but I’m in a hurry. I should get going.”
I decided getting entangled with this strange man wouldn’t lead to anything good. The fact that he knew everything about me and appeared at this exact moment was suspicious.
At that moment, Roan held up three fingers.
“Three years of service, 300 gold signing bonus.”
Despite my consistently lukewarm responses, his offer rang in my ears.
“40 gold monthly salary. Performance bonuses separate. Retirement benefits guaranteed.”
The monthly pay was five times what I earned at my previous job.
To most noble ladies, it might seem a trivial amount, but to me, it was desperately needed money.
Noticing my wavering, Roan continued calmly.
“That’s the basic outline. We can negotiate any additional terms. What do you say?”
‘What do you mean, what do I say?’
Suspicious, strange, and unsettling.
But with the money he offered, I could escape the Walker name.
‘Damn it. I hate gambling like this.’
I clenched my fist tightly.
If I didn’t take this suspicious man’s hand, I’d likely spend my life cleaning up after my father or be sold off.
Closing my eyes, I took a few deep breaths. When I opened them, my decision was made.
“Alright. Let’s review the labor contract first.”
Hearing my response, Roan’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Hm, I didn’t expect you to agree so quickly. You’re quite decisive, Miss Walker.”
Only then did I notice he wasn’t holding anything in his hands.
“Oh.”
“If you’re alright with it, how about we head to the workplace now to review the contract?”
I nodded at his suggestion. Then, it suddenly hit me that I hadn’t asked where the workplace was.
“Oh, where did you say the workplace is?”
Judging by his speech and accent, it seemed like it’d be in the south…
“The Winspear Duchy.”
“Yes, Winspear… Wait, what?”
There was a good reason I was so shocked.
