Chapter 7
“…I’m a bit nervous, so my throat’s dry. Advisor, could I have a glass of iced tea?”
My sudden request made Dylan frown. But Rian nodded, ordering him to do as I wished.
Clearly displeased, Dylan got up to prepare it. Watching his back, I added,
“Please make it with Caralares black tea.”
“What?”
“I know you recently received a fine batch of tea. Or am I mistaken?”
“…How do you know that?”
Dylan froze, eyes wide, then turned back toward me. But Rian firmly stopped him.
“Dylan. I’m thirsty too.”
“Your Highness—”
“You wouldn’t want me to die of thirst, would you?”
Biting back his words, Dylan left the room. Now it was just Rian and me.
“I’ll hold on to this handkerchief. It’s evidence of a spy.”
I slipped Dylan’s handkerchief into my pocket—it was my insurance. From here on out, it was a gamble.
Rian watched me, a smile on his lips. But I knew it wasn’t a real smile.
“So. Now that we’re alone, tell me honestly.”
“…About what?”
“The real reason you accused Dylan of being a spy. You came here to see me, didn’t you?”
As expected, Rian had seen right through me. I thought about denying it, but time was short.
I had only minutes left!
It was time to play my final card.
“I want to make a deal with you, Your Highness.”
“A deal?”
Rian scoffed, golden eyes narrowing with amusement.
“A deal is usually between equals, isn’t it?”
Before I could reply, his voice turned cold and sharp.
“Have you not considered that this little game of yours might get you killed—quietly, without anyone ever knowing?”
“…”
The pressure of his gaze was suffocating, like he was tightening a noose around my throat.
Forcing my stiff lips to move, I answered,
“…That’s how desperate I am. And it’s true—the one who gave Dylan that handkerchief is a spy. Of course, there’s someone higher pulling the strings.”
“You wouldn’t tell me for free.”
His look told me to name my price. This was the moment.
“Please take me as your maid. Even just for a day or two.”
Rian stared at me, then said flatly,
“Why bother with that?”
“…Pardon?”
“Wouldn’t it be faster to torture you until I get the answers I want?”
What the hell…!
I hadn’t thought of that possibility—but he wasn’t wrong. He didn’t need me as a maid.
He could just squeeze out the information.
“To be honest, you’re even more suspicious. How does a mere count’s maid know so much about my aide—even down to a counterfeit trinket like that?”
He rested his chin on his hand, smiling like an angel.
“And then there’s the matter of you conveniently being around when assassins targeted me.”
“That’s—”
“But the most suspicious thing of all…”
His golden eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
“…is that you won’t look me in the eye.”
“…What?”
“You said earlier you came because I’m handsome. And now you won’t even meet my gaze?”
My mind went blank. I suddenly remembered my earlier excuse—blurting out that I’d come to see his handsome face.
I hadn’t thought it would come back to bite me.
Forcing a smile, I said,
“I… I’m avoiding it because Your Highness is too handsome. It’s overwhelming.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes! When someone is too handsome or beautiful, you can only sneak glances, right?”
“I don’t do that.”
“Well, I do! I’m shy by nature. If I stare too long at someone so beautiful, my heart might give out. Ha… ha…”
Rian smirked. He knew I was lying but chose not to call me out on it.
“Then how about this?”
His voice was low and lazy as he leaned in—so close his face filled my vision.
“Y-Your Highness?”
His golden eyes glowed like melted honey. Then I saw his sharp nose, and his lips—curved in a faint smile, soft and enticing.
I swallowed hard. His eyes curved in amusement, as though he was enjoying my flustered reaction.
“If that’s the reason, wouldn’t you get used to me if you kept looking?”
“…What?”
“No matter how dazzling something is, if you see it every day, it becomes ordinary. Maybe my face would too.”
Not in a million years!
My pupils shook uncontrollably. What was he playing at?
In the original game, Rian only had two attitudes toward people: cold and merciless. The exception was the heroine.
But now—he was looking at me with eyes that gleamed with strange interest.
Why is he acting like this toward me?
I tilted my chin down, avoiding his gaze. His face was too close, too much. Anyone would feel uncomfortable at this distance.
Looking at the carpet beneath us brought me a little calm. But not for long.
Soon, my entire view filled with gold again. Rian smiled gently.
“Such a suspicious maid… Should I keep you close where I can watch you—or make sure you disappear where I’ll never see you again?”
He was smiling, but his words were a threat.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
Knock, knock.
Salvation arrived.
***
Dylan returned, setting two glasses of iced tea on the table.
Rian leaned back in his seat, but his golden eyes never left me.
I checked my time.
<Remaining Lifespan: 3 minutes>
Sweat pooled in my palms.
I have everything I need. Now it’s all or nothing.
As Rian reached for his glass, I snatched it away. Dylan stared in shock, while Rian watched me with growing curiosity.
I grabbed the second glass too, keeping both by my side.
“Your Highness, as royalty, please make me a promise.”
“…A promise?”
“Those who save a dragon are granted its heart in return.”
“…What are you talking about?”
I downed his iced tea in one gulp. The icy liquid burned down my throat, but I didn’t stop.
I had to act fast—before time ran out.
<Remaining Lifespan: 2 minutes 30 seconds>
My vision blurred. Something hot rose up my throat.
It was a gamble, but I had no choice. I had to get his word before I collapsed.
<Remaining Lifespan: 2 minutes>
I choked. Blood spilled from my lips.
With all the desperation I had left, I begged,
“Your Highness…”
“…”
“As payment for saving a royal… grant me a wish. Please… take me as your maid—”
I coughed hard, my body failing me.
Rian’s lips moved, as if to answer.
But my consciousness had already slipped away.
And this is why you don’t trust psychos~