Episode07
Undercover job (part 3)
Temia had only just said she was a graduate, and he responded like that?
She already knew from the way he talked before that he wasn’t a polite person, but still…
Even now, the man remained the same.
Always making Temia angry.
But this time was different.
Now, she had to get under his command — she needed this job.
She couldn’t afford to upset him.
Even though she really wanted to argue back when he insulted her, she forced her lips shut.
Still, he kept talking without a care in the world.
> “The academy? It’s just a place where rich and powerful people pretend to learn. It’s not a real place of knowledge.”
Her ears turned hot with anger.
Was she really supposed to endure this kind of insult just to achieve her goal?
Even though he had agreed to hire her, his attitude didn’t make sense.
Afraid that she might snap if this kept going, Temia tried to change the mood.
> “Ah, haha… But the Royal Academy also gives scholarships to students with good grades! It’s not just for nobles or the rich. Anyone with talent can study there, so it’s not all bad, right?”
> “Ah, you mean those scholarships that nobles share among themselves? Figures you’d say that — you’re a graduate, after all.”
> “N-no, that’s not exactly what I meant… I was just saying… it’s not all bad? Haha…”
She forced a laugh, but the man — Roem — just shook his head, looking unimpressed.
Then he leaned in and said,
> “Really? Then I’ll trust you to prove it.”
He clearly didn’t care about her discomfort — he said whatever he wanted, without guilt.
> ‘Calm down. Just hold it in.’
Temia clenched her fists inside her sleeves, trying not to show her frustration.
The man came closer with seven steps, then tilted his head.
> “Is something wrong? Your expression looks a bit off.”
> “Me? No…”
> “Then what’s with those eyes?”
> ‘Is he seriously crazy?’
She began to wonder what kind of life Kaili had lived, and why the Ricru family agreed to marry her off to someone like this.
She couldn’t hold back anymore — the frustration exploded inside her.
Even the fake smile she had been forcing all along started to crack. Temia glared at him and said:
> “Really? I think I’m opening my eyes just fine.”
> “A minute ago, they looked triangular to me.”
She had deliberately opened her eyes wide, but now he narrowed his, mocking her.
> ‘Okay, at least he’s not violent. Better than being punched.’
Temia lowered her head to avoid his stare.
Sure, his words stung, but at least he didn’t lash out physically.
She had to survive. Only then could she help Camille and get rid of this man.
Quietly, under the table, she lifted her middle finger toward him — a silent sign of her frustration.
Still, she wasn’t going to quit.
No matter what he said, Temia planned to stick by his side and wait for her chance.
Whether he knew that or not, Roem shifted back to a more businesslike tone.
He handed her a paper.
> “Alright. Let’s continue. Here’s the employment contract. Read and sign it.”
> ‘Wait… That’s it?’
Temia blinked in surprise, then quickly signed it.
The terms didn’t matter — her goal was to stay close and watch him.
She handed the signed paper back confidently.
> “So, is it all settled now?”
> “Yes. There’s a room next to the stairs on the third floor — it’s yours. Let me know if you need anything.”
> “No, I’ll ask if anything comes up.”
The conversation wrapped up smoothly after that.
Temia felt relieved — she had taken her first real step.
But just as she turned to leave with her things—
Grrrrrrowl!
Her stomach made a loud noise.
Silence fell in the room.
Temia locked eyes with the man, completely embarrassed.
> ‘Ugh, no — I didn’t want him to hear that!’
Her face turned bright red.
> “You don’t seem very ready to start work. Let’s get that noisy stomach settled first.”
> “Be in by 7 a.m. tomorrow. I’ll explain your duties then.”
Luckily, he pulled out a wrapped sandwich from somewhere and handed it to her before walking away.
> ‘Huh… that was a weirdly soft ending.’
Not even remembering what she mumbled, Temia quickly bowed and went to her assigned room.
Once inside, she closed the door and collapsed onto the floor.
She stared at the sandwich in her hand… and threw it in the trash.
Yes, she was hungry. But it felt like he was pitying her.
First, he mocked her for being from the academy. Now, he gave her food like she was some poor dog.
> ‘If I eat this, it’ll feel like I gave in. Like I’ve been tamed.’
She had already bowed her head enough in front of him today.
Her stomach screamed in protest, but she ignored it.
Exhausted, Temia fell onto the bed without even unpacking her things.
> “Can I… really do this?”
She had only just begun, and already she was worn out.
Could she really handle what lay ahead?
But that thought didn’t last long.
Too tired, she quickly drifted into sleep.
Her first night in enemy territory.
—
Temia frowned.
Running away from home was fine, but did she take the wrong path?
It felt like she had been wandering in circles for hours.
Even though she kept heading toward what seemed like the right direction, she kept ending up in the same spot — five times already.
Her head hurt.
To make matters worse, the plants around her were getting denser — thorny branches and sharp leaves blocked her way.
She had to carefully push through them, slowing her down a lot.
Drip… drip…
Sweat fell from her face.
Her soft clothes got torn, her skin scratched by the thorns.
It was getting on her nerves.
> ‘Wait… where was I even going?’
Her vision grew fuzzy.
She was exhausted.
She had tried hard — more than enough.
> “I can’t do this anymore… I’ll just rest here…”
Suddenly—
> “What the?!”
She sat up with a shout, her blanket flying up with her.
It was a dream.
Thankfully, she wasn’t in a thorny forest, but lying in a warm bed under a soft blanket.
But…
She felt something poking her cheek — sharp and real.
> “Wait… Is this still a dream?”
She slowly turned her head toward the poking.
> “KYAAAAA!!!”
She screamed and jumped into the corner of the room.
It was probably the fastest she had ever moved in her life.
And it made sense.
There was a bird beside her, pecking at her face!
Unless you were raised in the wild, that’s not something you’d expect to happen.
Temia looked at the bird standing next to her, its beak still aimed at her cheek.
> ‘Did I leave the window open last night?!’
> “Ah… you’re awake…”
> “KYAAA!!!”
> “Thank goodness… you’re awake, Lady Temia!”
> “EEEEK!!!”
> “Please calm down and listen to what I’m saying.”
Before she could even check the window, she heard footsteps — but the only ones in the room were her and the bird.
And birds don’t talk.
So who was speaking?
She looked around in fear, her eyes darting around the room.
> ‘Don’t tell me… Roem did some kind of magic?!’
> “Please, calm down and listen to me.”
The footsteps continued.
But there was no sign of anyone else in the room.
No one under the bed — her luggage was there.
No one under the desk — it was too small.
No way anyone could fit in the drawers either.
> “Ahem. Over here. Where are you looking?”
