Chapter 19
—A bad man.
—He came in.
—While you were gone.
Someone had broken into my room.
And they’d done it while I was away.
But finding out who it was wouldn’t take long—
because Matthias had seen the intruder’s face.
A man with silver hair just like mine, and green eyes.
Even his sly, unpleasant expression was unmistakable.
It was Xavier Persha.
‘I knew it.’
Honestly, the moment he agreed to my proposal, I’d known something was off.
A greedy man like him couldn’t resist temptation for long.
Even if he’d accepted my plan on the surface, I’d been sure he’d start scheming behind my back.
I just didn’t think he’d move this fast.
‘He must’ve wanted more.’
If I had hidden one valuable necklace, maybe there were more treasures somewhere — that’s probably what he thought.
He must’ve rummaged through every inch of the house hoping to find more heirlooms.
‘Well, good.’
Better for me if he moved boldly like this rather than plotting quietly.
At least this way, he was easier to deal with.
‘Search all you want, you idiot.’
The jewels I planned to take to the auction were hidden between the bed frame and the mattress — tucked perfectly into the gap.
The slightly raised spot was covered by a pillow, so no one could tell.
‘Now… what to do next.’
If he came all the way into my bedroom, he’d already checked the study and the reception rooms.
And knowing him, one failed attempt wouldn’t stop him. He’d be back soon to search again.
As I thought about it, a sly grin spread across my face.
‘Right. This calls for a trap.’
“Aria?”
Matthias, sitting across from me, tilted his head curiously.
.
.
.
And that’s how I ended up here.
“Aria?”
“……”
“Why are you here again?”
Good question.
How did things end up like this?
***
A few hours earlier — late at night.
The carriage rattled through narrow streets, its wheels clattering against cobblestones.
Dim lights flickered from the shops we passed as I sighed deeply.
‘I wanted to come alone.’
The moment Matthias told me about the intruder that morning, I’d decided on my next move.
Operation: Mess With Xavier.
If he was going to sneak into my room, then I’d set a trap waiting just for him.
That night, I left the mansion quietly, moving under the cover of darkness.
Night was best for avoiding prying eyes, after all.
Originally, I’d planned to bring Sofia with me.
But if Xavier or one of his lackeys decided to break in again while I was gone, someone had to stay behind to guard the mansion.
But then—
a problem arose.
***
“How could you go out alone, Miss?! Absolutely not!”
“But I—”
“It’s far too dangerous! The last time you went to the bank by yourself, you almost got hurt! What if those awful men threaten you again?!”
“…”
“If you insist on leaving, you’ll have to bury me first!”
“…You’re overreacting…”
Sofia blocked the doorway, refusing to budge.
And honestly, I couldn’t blame her.
House Renesti was drowning in debt, and plenty of merchants hated us because of it.
Even without Xavier, there were bound to be people holding grudges.
Going out at night really was risky.
Still, I had a plan.
Among the knights protecting the estate, there was one I trusted — a loyal man who’d been taken in by my parents years ago.
He’d once been a street orphan before the late Count and Countess took him in.
Since then, he’d been fiercely loyal to our family.
‘He even offered to sell one of his organs to pay the debt once…’
He also despised Xavier as much as I did.
There was no way he’d betray me.
But before I could call him, Matthias stepped forward.
“…I’ll go.”
“What?”
“I fight better.”
I tried to say no — but it was useless.
Matthias listed 3,920 reasons why he had to come, clinging to me with stubborn determination.
And honestly… he wasn’t wrong.
He had, after all, escaped from a slave trader’s den on his own.
His strength and reflexes were terrifyingly good.
In the end, I had to give in.
“Matthias.”
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
We were heading toward the shopping district a short distance from the main plaza.
It wasn’t near the theater where the auction would be held, but the dark alleys could still trigger bad memories for him.
But he didn’t hesitate.
He just nodded, fiddling with the edge of his cloak, looking oddly pleased.
‘Sigh… fine.’
As long as he didn’t freeze up, it would be okay.
We both had our hoods up anyway — no one would recognize us.
‘Let’s just think positive.’
By the time I finished convincing myself, the carriage stopped.
We’d arrived.
I paid the coachman — not from our household funds, but from my own small stash.
I’d hired an outside carriage to avoid suspicion.
“Matthias.”
“Mm?”
“Your hand.”
The last thing I needed was to lose him in the crowd.
He obediently placed his large hand over mine.
When I gripped it tightly, his body flinched slightly.
‘Oops. Too tight?’
I started to loosen my hold, but before I could, his fingers twined firmly with mine.
I looked up in surprise — our hands were now fully interlocked.
“It’s fine,” he said softly.
“…”
“Let’s go.”
“O-okay…”
My heart gave a startled jump as I swallowed hard.
Matthias held my hand and led the way down the narrow street with natural confidence.
That simple gesture… why did it make me flustered?
“Hey, Matthias.”
He stopped immediately and looked back.
“Yeah?”
“Do you even know where we’re going?”
“…”
After a moment of hesitation, he took two small steps back, coming to stand right beside me again.
Then, with a tiny shake of his head, he admitted, “…No.”
His voice was quiet and embarrassed.
***
Meanwhile — somewhere else in the city.
“Haa… how boring.”
The woman examining her freshly polished nails sighed.
Her name was Selina Repitte — the owner of a small jewelry shop just off the first district plaza.
She had one big problem these days.
“There’s never anything interesting…”
Her life was dull.
Sure, business was fine — she was famous for making perfect fakes that looked identical to the real thing.
Rich idiots came in all the time to buy them.
But meeting the same greedy, shallow people over and over had long since lost its charm.
She didn’t even feel like going out anymore.
If only something exciting would walk right through her door…
Ding-a-ling.
The bell above the door chimed.
Selina straightened up with a groan, rubbing her sore back.
‘Ugh, my spine…’
When she finally looked up, two figures in cloaks had entered — one man, one woman.
‘Hmm.’
Probably another couple looking for matching jewelry.
There were plenty of those — nobles who wanted to flaunt their love in shiny gold and gems.
‘Well then… time to bleed them dry.’
She smirked to herself. Boring or not, money was money — the best kind of excitement.
Putting on her best customer-service smile, she greeted them brightly.
“Welcome! What can I show you today?”
The woman spoke first.
“We’d like to see some jewels. Something with good shine — not dull.”
“Of course! Please wait just a moment!”
Selina disappeared into the back, returning with several display cases full of gemstones.
“What size were you thinking? Most couples go for something big and bold, like this—”
“It’s not for matching rings,” the woman interrupted.
“Oh?”
She pulled out a small piece of paper from her sleeve and slid it across the counter.
“I want to make a few necklaces and earrings. Ones so beautiful… people won’t be able to look away.”
Selina’s eyes gleamed as she read the note.
When she looked up, the woman was smiling.
“A set so dazzling,” she said softly,
“that it’ll drive everyone insane.”
