Chapter 4
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
First, I should just play dumb. There’s no way the Duke would be involved with a merchant guild. Maybe he meant I found money on the street or something trivial like that.
“A surprise bag of gold? I wish something like that would really happen. But honestly, it was just a small, insignificant discovery.”
“I see.”
The Duke of Calix surprisingly accepted that without pressing further. As expected, he didn’t know I sold the dagger. He was probably just fishing for information.
“Oh, by the way, did you receive the gift I sent? I picked it out since things have been a bit dangerous lately.”
The Duke asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as we walked side by side.
And whose fault is it that the world feels dangerous right now…? Besides, that sword’s already out of my hands.
I had to pretend not to know anything. If he realized I knew he was a murderer, he might kill me even faster.
“I’m grateful that you thought of me that much. But I don’t really know how to use a sword…”
“Then how about I assign a knight to teach you?”
“Ah, no thank you! It’s okay! I mostly stay inside the duchy anyway, so there’s not much danger! Really! It’s fine!”
“Hm.”
The Duke stared at me intently, seemingly lost in thought.
Even though the weather was quite chilly, sweat was starting to bead on my forehead.
Time to change the subject.
“It’s getting cold, shouldn’t you head inside before you catch a cold?”
“You’re right. The weather really has gotten colder lately.”
“Yes, yes. Please go on in.”
“Then I’ll head in first. Lady Elena, don’t stay outside too long either.”
“Okay.”
The Duke went inside the castle with Luka.
“Phew…”
A long sigh escaped me as the tension left my body. Seriously, how can anyone survive with their heart pounding like this?
“Ugh, I really need to get out of here. As soon as the doctor returns, I’m running.”
Shaking my head, I made my way to the kitchen, completely forgetting that I had planned to organize the original story that day.
Dr. Scott returned from his trip a week later.
During that time, I had tried to find a chance to escape every night, but I couldn’t even attempt it thanks to someone’s nightly strolls.
As soon as he arrived, Dr. Scott went to check on the Duke’s condition. He looked oddly pleased, though not close enough to share the reason with me.
“I’m relieved everything’s fine. Not that I was worried—I’m sure Elena handled things just fine even in my absence.”
“Lady Elena took good care of him.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll take my leave now.”
Dr. Scott really did just check on the Duke and immediately left his room.
I quietly followed him as he headed toward his room. Even if he was my superior, I needed to tell him I was quitting.
Noticing me trailing him, Dr. Scott turned around and said:
“If you’ve got something to say, say it now. Don’t follow me like a baby duck.”
“Then I’ll get straight to the point. I’m quitting and leaving the duchy.”
“…Why so suddenly?”
Dr. Scott asked, clearly confused.
“It’s been dangerous around here lately. I just want to live somewhere safer.”
“That’s all?”
“What do you mean, ‘that’s all’? It’s a pretty big deal to me.”
I could die any day now, and he calls that nothing?
“In any case, I can’t let you go so suddenly. Maybe once we’ve found a replacement.”
“Then please find one quickly. I’ll train them and leave right after.”
“I’ll put up a notice, at least.”
With that, Dr. Scott turned and went into his room.
“This doesn’t feel good…”
Even after saying it, I had a bad feeling. Like things wouldn’t go as I hoped. I’d just have to trust and wait.
There shouldn’t be another murder right away. In the original story, there was always some time between incidents. And the second victim hadn’t even appeared yet, so I could still escape before then.
Yes, it’ll be fine. The job conditions are good, so a replacement should show up quickly.
Trying to shake off the unease, I headed to my room.
To the me who thought it’d be fine back then: come out right now.
“Sigh, I really need to reflect on my past self.”
The trees had lost all their leaves, and cold winds were starting to blow in full force.
It had been a month since I told Dr. Scott I was quitting. Still, no replacement had been found. Wasn’t this a reasonable amount of time to find someone? For someone whose life could end at any moment, it felt like an eternity.
To make matters worse, the Duke had recently left the mansion, meaning I had little to do.
“This would’ve been the perfect time for a handover.”
Why hasn’t anyone been hired yet? Did they even post the job properly?
I had no idea. No one had told me anything, and in this massive duchy, there wasn’t anyone close enough to talk to me about such things.
After possessing this body, I never planned to stay long, so I hadn’t tried to get close to anyone.
“Who would’ve thought that would make things so frustrating later.”
If I was going to escape, now would be the perfect time with the Duke away.
“Maybe I should pack and run now.”
I hadn’t fully unpacked the bag I prepared before. If I just grabbed a few clothes and my identification for the bank, I could leave at any time.
Still, just to be sure, I should talk to the doctor one more time.
I left my room to ask Dr. Scott again to find my replacement quickly. His room wasn’t far from mine. When I knocked, he called out for me to come in.
Dr. Scott was leisurely reading a book, completely unbothered.
“Doctor, I have something to discuss—”
“Good timing. Go buy these medicinal herbs for me.”
Before I could finish, he handed me a paper with a list of herbs.
Holding the list, I felt a wave of frustration wash over me.
“Doctor, what about my replacement?”
“I’m still looking.”
He didn’t even look up from his book.
“It’s been a month. Are you sure you posted the job properly?”
“How am I supposed to do anything if no one applies?”
“But the job has great conditions. Isn’t it odd that no one’s applying? Maybe you should advertise more broadly—”
“Enough. I’ll find someone when the time comes. Just go buy the herbs.”
“….”
Holding back the anger bubbling inside, I left his room.
Calm down, just calm down. All bosses are like this. This place isn’t any different.
Honestly, aside from Dr. Scott’s attitude, this was a great job. Even with no patients, the pay was steady.
Come to think of it, it’s weird. Where did the Duke go without even taking his personal doctor?
Suddenly, I remembered something from the original story. Whenever something happened, the Duke’s whereabouts were always unclear.
No way… Did he go off to kill someone again? He even left the doctor and me behind…
Goosebumps prickled up my arms. Somewhere out there, someone I know might be getting murdered—and no one knows about it. Once that’s done, my turn will be even closer.
I was scared.
A chill of unease settled over me. What if I ran into the Duke while I was out? I might die of a heart attack before he even kills me.
But what could I do? I had to do what my boss said.
First, I needed to buy the herbs before it got dark. Winter days ended quickly.
I hurriedly prepared to go out and took a duchy carriage into town. Because of the cold weather, the plaza wasn’t very crowded.
“Let’s see… dandelion roots, dried plantain…”
I scanned the list as I headed to the herb shop. It wasn’t far, so I arrived quickly. As I opened the door, the earthy scent of dried herbs hit me.
“Welcome!”
“I need the items on this list, please.”
“Got it!”
The cheerful shopkeeper carefully checked the list and began wrapping each item with care.
There were two young children in the back helping to sort herbs. Probably his kids.
The shopkeeper handed me the wrapped items and spoke cautiously.
“Miss, we’re out of solidified goat liver at the moment.”
“Oh, really? Is there another place nearby that might have it?”
“There’s another herb shop a bit further away, but, well…”
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
“It’s just… it’s in a bit of a secluded spot. Not the best for a young lady to go alone.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just buy what I need and leave right away. I’ll carry these myself.”
“Alright, I’ll draw you a map.”
He flipped over the list and drew a simple map.
“Be careful out there!”
Taking the herbs and the map, I left the shop.
“It’s getting colder. I need to finish this quickly and head back.”
I followed the directions. The sun was already starting to set.
“This should be it.”
And finally, I stepped into the second herb shop.
Unlike the cheery jingle of the doorbell, the inside was a mess.
“……”
Someone who appeared to be the shop owner was collapsed inside. I rushed over—and saw it was the body of a middle-aged man, with a gaping hole in his chest.
He was the second victim.
