Chapter 06
Hamiel blinked. Rosen shook his stinging palm in the air and muttered irritably.
“Didn’t you tell me to think it over and contact you? If both sides want something, they can make a deal—why jump straight to killing? I’m not that kind of dangerous person.”
“Uh… I’m sorry.”
Only after blurting out an apology did Hamiel realize the situation had flipped. She was the one who should be sorry, not him.
“Wait, but the commissioner was the one who—”
“Then sit down.”
Before she could protest further, Rosen cut her off and sat on the secretary office desk. Hamiel blinked blankly at him as he spoke again, as if it were obvious.
“You planning to talk while standing? I don’t mind, but still.”
“……”
Something felt wrong, but Hamiel still sat down as he suggested. The moment she did, Rosen spoke.
“So. What do I have to do?”
His tone was still blunt and slightly annoyed, but the tension had clearly softened. Hamiel shook her head with an uneasy expression.
“No, you don’t really have to do anything.”
That unexpected answer made Rosen’s brows knit slightly. Hamiel quickly added,
“I think you misunderstood. I don’t intend to make a deal with you, Commissioner.”
“…What?”
“You probably have a reason for hiding your identity, considering how carefully you tried to keep your secret. I don’t intend to casually leak anyone’s secrets. All I’m asking for is information about the patent invalidation ruling.”
“……”
Rosen looked at her with suspicious eyes.
Hamiel let out a small sigh. As expected, Rosen didn’t trust her at all.
“Even if I learn your identity, the only benefit I’d get is the ability to consult you directly. Like I said before, I’ll figure out the method myself.”
“……”
“So you don’t need to pay any price. I’m the one asking you for a favor—I can’t betray your secret, can I?”
Rosen’s expression softened slightly. But his eyes remained guarded.
After a moment of thought, he murmured,
“So you’re refusing the deal?”
“I’m sorry. But I will keep your secret.”
“Then there’s only one option.”
“…Pardon?”
Was he not giving up?
Hamiel lifted her head—and met Rosen’s gaze. The moment she saw his bright blue eyes, she realized something was seriously going wrong.
“Um… Commissioner?”
“If I let you go, you’re troublesome enough already. But I can’t trust you if I leave you alone like this.”
Rosen stepped closer.
“Eek—!”
Hamiel instinctively shut her eyes and shrank back.
“…What are you doing?”
At Rosen’s baffled voice, she cautiously opened one eye. Right in front of her was his outstretched hand.
“Take it.”
Confused, Hamiel reached out and grasped it. His hand was large and warm.
“Good. From now on, you’re mine.”
“…Yes… huh?!”
Hamiel’s eyes flew open in shock. Her voice cracked at the end.
“B-but I really don’t want a deal or anything—”
“I know. This is just my insurance.”
“…?”
“You don’t want to use me. But I can’t feel at ease unless I have something in return.”
As he calmly explained, Hamiel slowly nodded as she followed his logic.
Rosen seemed satisfied with her obedient reaction and continued lazily,
“If you belong to me, you’ll naturally work harder to keep my secret. And I can observe how well you do it up close.”
“Oh.”
Hamiel blinked as if she understood.
It made sense.
Keeping Rosen’s secret wasn’t difficult—but proving she kept it was another matter. If he stayed close, there would be no need for proof.
“Instead, I’ll actively help you reclaim your patent.”
“No, you don’t have to go that far…”
“I do.”
Rosen smiled faintly.
Hamiel froze.
It was the same smile she had seen before—but it felt completely different now.
Watching it, she realized this might be the first time she had properly seen him smile.
“In the end, humans don’t betray those who are useful to them.”
“……”
“If I’m useful to you, you won’t betray me. Trust me on this—I’m more capable than I look.”
It was an absurdly shameless statement considering he had just said he didn’t trust her, but Hamiel couldn’t refute it.
He was right. Hamiel needed Rosen, and if she could get his help in exchange for keeping his secret, it was a fair trade.
“…My plan might not end anytime soon.”
“Of course. You’re basically going up against the Price Guild head-on.”
“Whether it ends quickly or slowly, I won’t give up. But you don’t have an obligation to keep helping me. So…”
Hamiel hesitated before continuing firmly.
“If my plan ever becomes a burden to you, you can walk away anytime. That’s my condition.”
“……”
Rosen didn’t answer. His thoughtful blue eyes simply studied her.
“…Can I ask you one thing?”
He finally spoke.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Is it possible that by ‘becoming a burden to me’… you mean—”
Rosen muttered seriously. Hamiel held her breath.
Whatever he was about to say, it seemed important.
“…that I might be so useless I have no value to you?”
“That is not the case.”
Hamiel shook her head immediately.
Rosen let out a short laugh.
“Good. Then let’s talk about my employment conditions.”
“Employment… conditions?”
There were more conditions beyond secrecy?
Rosen raised his fingers one by one.
“First, don’t ask why I hide my identity. Second, cooperate with me unconditionally. That’s it.”
Hamiel blinked.
It was so simple it almost sounded fake. But Rosen looked serious. He wasn’t lying.
After thinking for a moment, Hamiel raised her hand.
“First is fine, but for the second condition, please add an exception: I cannot cooperate with anything that is inhumane, antisocial, or immoral.”
Rosen’s expression turned faintly strange again. Seeing it, Hamiel asked cautiously,
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No… well, whatever. Fine.”
He looked like he had more to say, but ultimately nodded.
“Then, I look forward to working with you, Lady Hamiel.”
“Likewise, Commissioner.”
Hamiel politely shook his hand. Rosen smirked and leaned against the secretary office desk.
“Are you really going to keep calling me ‘Commissioner’?”
“Oh, right. Then… Mr. Hazel.”
“Just call me Rosen. It’s not that expensive of a name.”
He shrugged.
Hamiel looked at him with curiosity.
In Kyrgyz, he had been a kind passerby willing to help a stranger. As a secretary, he had seemed like someone who could charm anyone in the world. And now, he felt like a familiar neighbor older brother.
It was astonishing that one person could have so many faces.
“Alright then.”
Rosen clapped his hands to change the mood.
Clap.
Hamiel looked up.
“So, let’s hear your plan. Your brother stole your patent, right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s going to be troublesome.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“No, not for me.”
Hamiel looked puzzled.
Rosen smiled faintly. His sapphire eyes glinted with predatory amusement.
“The Patent Commissioner has stepped in. The one who’s going to have a headache… is your brother.”
“…Uh.”
Hamiel swallowed dryly.
“Why? Do you think the Patent Office Commissioner can’t ruin a man’s life?”
Judging by her expression, Rosen chuckled.
“Relax. So tell me—what’s your plan?”
“It’s going to be a long story. Is that okay?”
“I’m not okay with it, so make it short. Start.”
Rosen clapped again.
Clap.
‘…Am I going to be okay?’
It was too late to back out now. Hamiel sighed softly and began speaking.
As she explained, Rosen’s eyes began to shine again. A dark, violent gleam of interest flickered in his sapphire gaze.
“Is Mia still not back?!”
Pacing anxiously in front of the mansion entrance, Hailo shouted at the butler who had just arrived.
Rarely had Hailo looked so agitated. The butler, startled, quickly pointed behind him.
Across the garden at dusk, Hamiel was walking toward the estate.
“Mia!”
Hailo rushed out like a charging boar and hugged her tightly. Hamiel staggered from the sudden impact, but Hailo didn’t care.
“Where have you been this late?! I even tried contacting Forsvender—no one knew where you were! I was worried sick!”
“Sorry. I went to Orlen for a bit.”
“…Orlen?”
Hailo looked up in surprise.
Orlen was the so-called “Lady Street,” the leading fashion district. The most trendsetting place in the Empire of Radras was undoubtedly the capital, Pendra—but even there, trends often began in Orlen.
Orlen was home to the most expensive tailoring houses and boutiques in Pendra. Even royalty sometimes had to wait for appointment tickets just to receive the latest dresses and fabrics. It was a dream street for every noble lady—but Hamiel was different.
“Orlen… why?”
“To buy some spring clothes.”
Lisa, who had come to greet Hamiel, blinked in shock. Hailo shook his head in disbelief.
“You’re joking, right?”
“I’m not. A package should arrive soon. Please send it to my room.”
Hamiel replied calmly and walked past Hailo into the house. Hailo grabbed her arm.
Hamiel turned back with a questioning look. Hailo’s expression was strange.
“Mia… did something happen at Forsvender today?”
“No. Nothing. Really.”
“Then why—?”
He looked dazed.
Hamiel gently removed his hand.
“It’s just… it’s spring.”
Hailo stood frozen as she walked past him and went upstairs.
The servants’ stares prickled at her back, but Hamiel ignored them and lifted her chin as she climbed the stairs to her room.
