Episode 9
Knock, knock.
Ron froze in place just as he stepped into the office. His red eyes swept over the empty desk.
“Where’s Ayle?”
“She hasn’t come in yet. Maybe she went over to the Audit Team?”
Mien, who had been looking in the mirror, replied casually. Ron’s brow furrowed sharply. To move to the Audit Team, she’d need the captain’s approval—his approval. There was a procedure for that, so as Mien said, it wasn’t possible for her to just transfer without a word.
But David’s the type to move someone first and deal with the paperwork later.
The problem was that David, the Audit Team’s leader, had an enormous appetite for talent. If he saw even a glimmer of ability in someone, his eyes would light up and he’d snatch them away—ready to deal with the consequences later.
Ron’s gaze swept over Ayle’s desk again.
Still… she’s not the type to leave without saying a word.
Sensing something odd, Ron headed straight for the Audit Team.
“Ayle’s not here. I haven’t even gotten an answer from her yet.”
At the Audit Team’s office, David looked at Ron as if wondering why he was even looking for Ayle there. Ron felt both relieved—since he’d half expected this—and puzzled. If she wasn’t here, then where on earth was she?
Ron tilted his head and turned to leave, when David’s sly voice followed him.
“By the way, Marquess—if you see Ayle, tell her that if she joins our department, I’ll double her salary.”
“You think she’d be tempted by that?”
“She totally seems like the type who would.”
Well…
Ron couldn’t immediately think of a rebuttal, so he clammed up.
Given what he knew of Ayle, she would probably go, wide-eyed, saying, ‘Double?!’ Not to mention that the Audit Team offered far better perks than her current post.
With a sharp snort, Ron left the Audit Team without even saying goodbye. Since she wasn’t there, the next place to check was her quarters—just in case she was sick and had collapsed.
Yeah. She’s been losing sleep getting ready for the audit. It wouldn’t be strange if she fainted.
Nodding to himself at this plausible theory, Ron headed straight to the dormitory.
“Ayle? She didn’t come back last night.”
Luckily, her roommate was still home. Introducing herself as Rose, the woman stared at Ron with her mouth agape, but quickly composed herself.
“I figured it was because she’s been working late a lot. Did something happen to her?”
“She hasn’t shown up today, so I came to check.”
“No way. She’s not the type to just skip work without telling anyone… well, okay, she is, but lately she’s been coming in regularly.”
Ayle had once skipped work for two months straight without permission. Midway through speaking, Rose seemed to remember this fact and hastily rephrased her words.
Ron nodded in agreement. Ayle did have a history of absenteeism, but lately she had been working so hard she barely even went home. For her to suddenly not show up didn’t make sense.
And she didn’t come back last night…
That made things even more suspicious.
What was the last thing she did yesterday?
“The Second Prince?”
He’d sent her to deliver the audit results to the Second Prince, telling her she could head home right after. And now she was missing.
He’d have to check the West Palace.
“I’ll look for her myself.”
Ron didn’t even respond to Rose’s goodbye as he strode off. Rose, watching his broad back recede, squealed and hurried off to brag to the maids about their conversation.
If Count Poison asked whether I was on the Second Prince’s side, I’d have to say absolutely not. I’d claim that I didn’t even know what he looked like, only that his name was Rohail. Not just claim it—it was the truth.
How could I make him believe in my innocence? I was mulling it over seriously when the carriage came to a stop.
Hopping down, I noticed the knight who’d been offering his hand awkwardly withdrawing it. Was that supposed to be some sort of escort? Totally unnecessary when I was getting off, not getting on.
The two men who came to get me were both knights. I’d seen so many of them lately that I could now tell at a glance who was and wasn’t one. For example, that unnecessary gesture of offering a hand to help someone down—that was pure knight behavior.
Outside, night had already fallen completely. The Count’s mansion blazed with light against the pitch-black darkness.
How many lights did they hang up? That’s enough to buy a whole estate.
Unlike in Korea, where we used electricity, this place used magic stones. Magic itself had been abandoned ages ago, but stones imbued with magical power still existed in abundance—or so they said.
The important part was that these magic stones were insanely expensive. Every single light there was worth as much as a jewel.
Of course, the palace where I worked had them lying around like pebbles on the street.
…Not that they were mine.
“The Count is waiting for you.”
I was escorted to the reception room. A dazzling chandelier overhead, the air thick with the scent of flowers—it was grand, luxurious, and clearly expensive. But it wasn’t my style.
Sure, being rich and idle was my dream, but I preferred a clean, understated aesthetic. This was more of a ‘Look at me! I’m filthy rich!’ kind of decor.
Seated on a lavish sofa was a middle-aged man. Even without asking, I knew this was Count Poison. When he saw me, he smiled faintly. Contrary to Ron’s description of him as a viper, he had a kindly face.
“Please, sit. I’m Lucas Poison, for better or worse the head of the Poison family.”
“An honor to meet you, my lord.”
Not that it was particularly pleasant or honorable, but I smiled as I shook the hand he offered. Offending one of the Crown Prince faction’s big shots was the last thing I needed.
Not that I want to curry favor either.
Still, survival came first.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“I can guess.”
“Then let’s get to the point. What’s your relationship with the Second Prince?”
Whoa. Didn’t expect him to come right out with it.
I thought nobles liked to beat around the bush. Maybe Ron was blunt because he was a knight, but perhaps here they all just spoke plainly.
Suppressing my stray thoughts, I answered.
“I’ve never met His Highness.”
“But you’ve been going in and out of the West Palace.”
“I go there to deliver reports on the Knights’ budget usage. Following instructions is the proper duty of a government—no, palace—employee. But I’ve never met him in person.”
“So you go there and just come straight back?”
“No. I speak with His Highness’s attendant.”
“Attendant?”
“Yes.”
There’s this really handsome attendant, you know.
I almost added that, but thought better of it. This wasn’t the kind of place for idle chatter.
Count Poison’s expression turned strange—so strange I couldn’t quite describe it.
Why? Did I say something wrong?
“An attendant, you say. You talk with the West Palace’s attendant and then leave.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Would this attendant happen to have black hair and red eyes?”
“Oh, yes, that’s him.”
And incredibly good-looking, too.
When I nodded, Count Poison chuckled under his breath. It sounded a little like a sneer, which didn’t sit well with me.
“And his name?”
“Excuse me? Oh, it’s Mishi.”
“Mishi.”
Another little smirk. What was with him?
“Do you know the Second Prince’s full name?”
“I heard it was Lord Rohail.”
“Yes. Rohail.”
Was he fishing for the full name? If I remembered right… maybe Rohail Cassian? Ron had mentioned a middle name once, but I couldn’t recall it. Hopefully not knowing it wasn’t a capital offense.
“It’s late tonight. Why not stay here?”
“No, thank you. My roommate will be waiting for me.”
“Hmm. But the palace gates must be closed by now.”
Oh.
Right, the gates closed in the evening. How had I even gotten out? Ah, right—connections. In that case, maybe those same connections could get me back in.
As if reading my mind, Count Poison chuckled.
“I’ll have a guest room prepared. Stay the night.”
So much for reading my mind.
Count Poison turned out to be surprisingly gentlemanly. For a mere low-level palace worker, he offered a guest room, a warm bath, and a delicious dinner—and even prepared a full breakfast the next morning.
“If you leave now, you’ll be late.”
Maybe it was because the bed was so soft, or because my accumulated fatigue hit me all at once, but I’d slept like a log. And after that feast of a breakfast, I was definitely going to be late.
They’ll let it slide after everything I’ve done lately.
Since I was already late, I decided to go all in and leisurely enjoyed the ice cream dessert.
“The carriage is ready, miss. Once you’re finished, we’ll escort you to the palace.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Smiling at the polite butler, I returned to my ice cream.
Or rather, pretended to. Actually… no, I really was focused on it—it was that good. Wealthy counts sure didn’t skimp on quality.
Still, I wasn’t foolish enough to be swayed by a soft bed and a good meal. After nearly twenty years in the Korean workforce, I knew that when someone shows you kindness, it means one of two things:
They think you’re a sucker, or they’re the sucker.
And Count Poison was definitely no sucker.
He’s trying to butter me up, but fat chance.
…Though for someone immune to buttering up, I was already on my third cup of ice cream.
Well, the Count’s family was rich enough—surely they wouldn’t mind.
After finishing, I stepped out into the garden, where a footman opened the carriage door for me. A knight standing by offered his hand, but I ignored it and hopped up on my own. The step was high, but I wasn’t wearing heels, so it was no trouble.
Next
