Chapter 5
Ivenne saw two noble ladies standing right in front of the First Knight Order entrance and quickly hid behind a large tree.
Then she suddenly paused.
‘Why am I hiding?’
She hadn’t done anything wrong.
“I didn’t commit a crime, so why am I hiding?”
And yet—
she was still behind the tree.
Only her eyes peeking out.
“Thanks to Lady Jibon, we got here easily. That was amazing! The checkpoint guards let us pass as soon as they heard your name.”
“It’s nothing. My father knows someone at the imperial checkpoint.”
“But that’s not something just anyone can do.”
“Well… anyway, Lady Aye. When do you think Duke Roeln will arrive?”
“He’ll come soon. Let’s keep our promise. Whoever succeeds with the Duke, we support each other.”
“Of course.”
Just from a few lines, Ivenne understood the situation.
They were waiting here because of Duke Roeln.
But Ivenne was angry for a completely different reason.
“What the heck?! When I came on official work with the Tower Master’s seal, they inspected me for 30 minutes through three stages!”
“But people with suspicious intentions like them get in easily?!”
Memories flashed through her mind—
being thoroughly checked at the checkpoint every time.
Even when she smiled sweetly—30 minutes.
Even when she offered cookies—30 minutes.
Even when she acted cute—30 minutes.
She had even thought,
“At least they’re doing their job properly…”
But apparently—
only for her.
Ivenne glared toward the checkpoint in frustration and kicked the tree.
“I’m going to report this to the Commander today.”
Knowing complaints work best when directed upward, she calmed herself.
Just deciding to complain already made her feel better.
Meanwhile, the noble ladies kept praising each other.
Ivenne shook her head.
“There’s no way the Commander would like this.”
From what she had seen, Duke Roeln was a very rational man.
He would never welcome women who came like this.
If anything, approaching him at a royal ball would have a better chance.
“By the way, Lady Jibon… did you hear?”
At the lowered voice, Ivenne perked up.
‘What? What is it?’
“It’s fresh news from a tea party this morning.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“They say Duke Roeln gave Lady Nine a handkerchief with his family crest embroidered on it!”
“What?! Really?!”
“Lady Sara saw it clearly. Lady Nine used it to wipe her hand—and it had the Roeln family crest! If he didn’t give it, then who did?”
“Oh my!”
Ivenne widened her eyes.
“A handkerchief with the Roeln family crest? That’s basically a confession!”
She was surprised at first—
then nodded.
There had been rumors between Julia Nine and Duke Roeln for years.
Now that Julia was twenty, it made sense.
‘The wedding will probably be at the ducal house…’
Her thoughts shifted instantly.
“There will be so much delicious food…”
“And desserts…”
She swallowed unconsciously.
‘Since I’m technically a coworker… they’ll invite me, right?’
In reality, she mostly came for snacks—
but she firmly decided from today:
“I am a coworker.”
“Lady Jibon, we must succeed today. We can’t lose Duke Roeln like this. Even if he likes Julia Nine, it may not be serious. We still have a chance.”
“You’re right. That’s why I prepared the December—”
‘What?’
The rest was whispered too quietly.
“Even if one of us becomes the Duchess, we’ll stay friends.”
“Of course!”
Ivenne didn’t hear the important part—
but she suddenly felt bad for Duke Roeln.
“They’re already deciding who becomes his wife without asking him…”
Watching them, she felt impressed instead.
“Commander, you actually have a great personality…”
If it were her—
she wouldn’t just chase them away.
She would make an example so no one would dare come again.
“Since he only chases them away, they keep coming…”
She decided—
“I’ll make sure they never come here again.”
For example—
reporting the checkpoint.
Yes, reporting the checkpoint.
“Today, I will be a righteous citizen of the Empire.”
But first—
after they leave.
Dan Brown, a knight of the First Knight Order, was patrolling the empty building.
As he walked down, he heard the voices of noble ladies.
He sighed.
“Again?”
His commander was too popular.
Dan walked toward the door.
‘Didn’t I tell them to deal with the checkpoint? They clearly accept bribes and let these ladies in…’
Then he shook his head.
“No way the Commander enjoys this.”
More likely—
he just didn’t bother.
Still, Dan decided to speak strongly this time.
He opened the door wide.
Ivenne watched with great interest as a huge, red-haired knight came out and began scolding the ladies.
“I am Dan Brown of the First Knight Order.”
He questioned them strictly.
“Who are you? How did you get in? How did you pass the checkpoint?”
The ladies couldn’t answer properly.
“Sir Brown, please… just let us see Duke Roeln for a moment.”
“Yes! Just for a moment!”
They begged.
But Dan only grew more annoyed.
And then—
he noticed something else.
Someone behind the tree.
“What is that woman doing there?”
From the moment he came out, he had noticed the cloak peeking from behind the tree.
At first, he thought—
a spy?
But then—
he saw her peeking in and out.
“There’s no way a spy would be that obvious…”
Long hair appearing and disappearing.
The answer was obvious.
“It’s full of stalkers…”
Stalkers in front.
Stalkers behind.
Meanwhile, the ladies thought he was hesitating.
“Please just pretend you didn’t see us.”
“We won’t forget your kindness.”
Dan sighed deeply.
“That won’t be possible.”
Then he shouted loudly—
“Lady behind the tree, come out!”
Ivenne froze.
‘Lady behind the tree? Me?’
No way.
‘I’m good at hiding!’
But then—
“Lady in the golden cloak, come out.”
Ivenne looked down.
Her cloak—
was gold.
She hugged the document tightly and stepped out from behind the tree.
Dan looked at her and sighed.
“She looks normal… why is she acting like a stalker?”
“Stand next to them.”
Ivenne awkwardly stood beside the other ladies.
They glared at her.
‘…I’m just here for an errand.’
She started sweating.
They clearly thought she was the same as them.
“This is why I hid…”
She tried to explain.
“I—today—”
“Ladies!”
Dan cut her off.
“You must not come here like this! Do you think you can meet the Commander this way? Absolutely not! Even if you do, it will have the opposite effect! I guarantee it!”
He continued scolding nonstop.
Ivenne felt her soul leaving her body.
“Why am I included in this…?”
She couldn’t even interrupt.
Finally—
the long lecture ended.
She tried again—
but failed.
Dan spoke first.
“By the way, Lady… what is that?”
He pointed at the small basket hanging from Lady Jibon’s wrist.
