IMTVD| Chapter 10

Episode 10

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Heh. What’s wrong with it?”

Emilia had grabbed her suitcase and hurried outside, but the man chasing her caught up fast.

She darted a glance around—no one was passing by.

“Let go.”

She tried to wrench her arm free, but she didn’t have the strength.

“Can’t do that. I’ve got business with you, miss.”

“…Do you even know who I am—”

“Emilia Casper. Or wait—guess you’re not a Casper anymore, huh?”

The moment he said her name, she felt a chill run down her spine. He’d known exactly who he was coming for.

She quickly looked up at him. Beneath the shadow of his fedora was a smirk she didn’t like one bit.

“And what exactly do you want from me?”

“Collectin’ on a debt the Hermann family never paid back. Figured you could settle the bill, sweetheart.”

“I have no idea why I’d do that. I never borrowed anything from you.”

In that moment, she realized—he was the reason she’d felt that strange chill back on the train.

He wasn’t some random thug acting on impulse. He was here to collect a debt tied to the Hermann downfall.

But why come to her?

“Shouldn’t you have sorted all that out before the family collapsed?”

By imperial law, creditors get paid before the crown can seize a disgraced noble house’s assets.

And even if she had been a Hermann once, she wasn’t one now. She had zero reason to pay.

Apparently, that wasn’t the answer he wanted. His face twisted, and he barked at her—

“Quit running your mouth! When I say hand it over, you hand it over!”

He started shouting for some sum she didn’t even know, then suddenly pulled a knife.

In the capital, security would’ve been on him before he got within ten feet. Out here, it was a different story. The

place was practically deserted—no help coming.

She’d have to get herself out of this. But the sight of the blade froze her in place.

“If you can’t pay, then you’d better come with me.”

He yanked on her arm, trying to drag her along. She twisted and fought to break free, but he was too strong.

Just as she was starting to feel the weight of hopelessness—

“Hey. What the hell do you think you’re doing to a lady?”

Someone else grabbed her other hand, pulling her away. She looked up—and saw a tall, sharply dressed man with

platinum-blond hair.

The so-called debt collector scowled, clearly unhappy about the interruption.

“Mind your own business. This is between me and her.”

“Miss, do you have any business with this man?” the blond asked politely.

Emilia flicked her gaze at the thug, then shook her head.

“No. Nothing at all.”

“You hear that? And you still think you’ve got business?”

The thug’s temper snapped. He swung his knife at the blond but it was over before Emilia could even gasp.

“…You’re not hurt, are you?”

“Thanks to you, no.”

The man had disarmed and restrained the thug in an instant, giving her time to calm her racing heart.

“You’re alright, ma’am?!”

Only then did the local constables show up, drawn by the commotion.

Emilia let out a breath and picked up her bag again. The blond stepped closer.

“If you’re alright, would you consider letting me accompany you?”

“I’m grateful for what you just did, but I’ll be fine on my own from here.”

He’d helped her, yes—but he was still a stranger. And while the thug had needed a knife, this man had taken him

down barehanded. That alone made him someone to be wary of.

Best to say thanks, part ways, and move on.

But he smiled with his eyes and stepped closer.

“What’ll you do if the same thing happens again?”

“You don’t even know my name. Not sure you’re in a position to be asking.”

At that, he paused, then grinned.

“Then we just need to fix that. I’m Leo. And you are?”

“…Why should I tell you—”

“Is it that hard to tell the name of the man who just saved you?”

She almost sighed out loud. Still… he had a point. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered.

“Amy.”

“Amy. Easy name to say.”

She’d given him the alias she’d decided to use, since she’d left “Emilia” behind.

It felt strange that the first person to hear it was the man who’d just rescued her. But there was no need to read too

much into that. She turned to go—only for him to speak again.

“Now that we’ve exchanged names, how about you let me walk with you?”

“And why should I trust you?”

Rather than answer, Leo pulled something from his pocket and held it out a badge stamped with the imperial seal. A

detective’s credentials.

“You believe me now?”

He’s a detective?

He didn’t exactly look the part. But the badge was real—she’d seen enough of them to know. Too many, in fact.

The memory soured her expression for a second before she smoothed it out and looked back at him. He was smiling

brightly, almost boyishly.

She didn’t like it. Especially the way he seemed to be enjoying this whole exchange.

“Amy, I know this area well. Walk around the Grand Forest without protection, and you won’t just lose that suitcase

you’ll lose the wallet you’ve got tucked in your inner pocket too.”

Her grip on the bag tightened involuntarily. He noticed, and stepped closer.

“Is it really that bad here?”

“Depends on where you’re headed.”

Even with the badge, she wasn’t ready to trust him.

She remembered what a capital investigator had told her once—that every detective in the empire hated the

Hermann family and her along with it.

It wasn’t true for all of them, obviously. But the thought still made her uneasy.

Did he overhear everything earlier? Does he know I’m Emilia Hermann? Does he think I’m guilty?

Her innocence had been proven during the investigation—she’d done nothing for the Hermanns, and even the

suspicious bits had been explained away thanks to the Caspers’ legal help.

But rumor had it there were still detectives lying in wait for the day she and the Caspers parted ways. For all she

knew, Leo was one of them.

If he was, he wasn’t showing it. Instead, he grinned.

“First time in these parts, Amy?”

“And why do you want to know that?”

“Well, I grew up around here. And I’ve gotta say, I’ve never seen a woman this pretty walking these streets before.”

That made her blink. No one had ever approached her like that.

She stared at him silently for a moment. He scratched the back of his head and watched her, as though waiting for a

reply.

She decided he must be joking.

A joke, huh.

Just to get close to her, he’d say something like that? It was ridiculous enough to make her laugh.

“You look good when you smile like that,” he said warmly.

“Cut it out. Flattery’s not gonna get you anything from me.”

Her smile faded, and she briskly walked away, leaving him behind.

It’s not flattery, he thought.

Watching her hurry off, Leo looked faintly surprised.

Emilia didn’t seem nearly as bad as the rumors claimed. She looked… wounded.

But there was something else that nagged at him.

She doesn’t… remember me? Even though I never showed my face back then… she really doesn’t recognize me?