“Ah.”
Eugenia let out a short exclamation, as if in agreement.
“True.”
She nodded, murmuring quietly.
“Dressing up as a noblewoman would definitely be more time-efficient.”
While she could somewhat pretend to be a noblewoman, this man would surely mess everything up from the start.
He looked like someone who had never bowed his head to anyone in his life.
That’s how strikingly handsome and overwhelmingly charismatic Enrique was.
A man like him could never pass for an ordinary commoner.
No one would believe it anyway.
Enrique thanked her.
“Thank you for giving up quickly.”
“Don’t mention it.”
With that, their conversation ended, and the two of them walked in silence for a while.
Surprisingly, it was Enrique who broke the silence first.
“I have something I’m curious about.”
“Yes? What is it? Please ask.”
The moment she gave permission, Enrique shot the question without hesitation.
“Those twin siblings you mentioned… are they by any chance the children listed on the wanted posters?”
Eugenia immediately shook her head.
“No. Absolutely, absolutely not.”
She strongly and repeatedly denied it.
“I don’t even have a gang.”
When Enrique raised a brow as if to ask what she meant, Eugenia responded in a slightly aggrieved tone.
“Do you have any idea how hard it is for a woman to take care of two kids on her own?”
Not that I particularly need to know.
It was a life completely unrelated to his, and one he had no intention of ever understanding. Enrique wasn’t interested.
I’m not in the mood to listen to a sob story.
Wondering how to explain this, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
Then, Eugenia muttered in a voice drained of all energy.
“It’s really hard work…”
Her face was clearly exhausted.
She let out a long sigh before continuing.
“And think about it. If I were really a kidnapper, do you think those kids would follow me so obediently?”
She grumbled as if deeply wronged.
“If that were the case, we wouldn’t have made it all the way from the capital.”
The moment the words slipped out, Eugenia froze.
She had let slip that she’d come from the duchy’s capital.
She stiffened like a rock.
Wh-What should I do?
Her gaze dropped to the floor, and she couldn’t bring herself to lift it.
After staring at the ground for a long while, she cautiously glanced at Enrique.
He was such a perceptive man. There was no way he hadn’t caught her slip.
But his expression remained unchanged from before.
Did he… not hear?
She started hoping that maybe he hadn’t.
Then their eyes met.
Enrique noticed she was feeling uneasy and watching him nervously, so he spoke casually.
“If it’s worrying you, you can take it back.”
Eugenia’s brows drooped at once.
See? He definitely caught it.
Enrique continued.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that just now.”
Should she be thankful…?
“Haha, would you really?”
Eugenia forced a smile, her face twisted with unease as if she were about to cry.
Meanwhile, Enrique chuckled inwardly.
She’s not lying in her answer, at least.
Sometimes, a person’s eyes and the way they carry themselves say more than words.
Enrique understood that better than anyone, which was why he kept close watch on the small, unconscious behaviors Eugenia showed.
Her baseline emotion is injustice. She’s worried about being caught but not afraid.
That meant Eugenia truly felt no guilt.
More than anything, he trusted his own instincts.
He liked to think his ability to read people wasn’t entirely useless.
“Let’s go.”
Enrique jerked his chin.
Eugenia understood it meant to guide him to the inn and began walking again, now more heavily than before.
She seemed even more weighed down, probably still conscious of her earlier mistake.
They walked for quite a while until Eugenia finally stopped.
We’re already here.
It had only been a few days, yet the place already felt familiar.
Still… what a contrast.
Compared to where Enrique was staying, this place might as well have been a stable.
The uneven ground had collected muddy puddles, and trash was strewn near the building.
Even the signboard had come loose and flapped in the rain.
It was so pitiful that Eugenia felt slightly embarrassed.
“This is… the inn where my siblings and I are staying.”
Her voice trailed off awkwardly at the end.
Enrique didn’t respond.
After a long pause, a heavy sigh escaped his lips.
“Whew… I really didn’t expect this.”
For once, he didn’t bother hiding his displeasure.
Eugenia didn’t quite understand, but she tried not to upset him further and carefully asked,
“Is there a problem?”
Enrique frowned slightly and looked at her.
His gaze carried a hint of reproach, as if to say ‘Do you really not know?’
That look irritated her for some reason, and Eugenia snapped slightly.
“I’m asking because I don’t know. If you don’t tell me, there’s no way I’ll ever find out.”
When she spoke her mind so clearly, Enrique scratched his temple.
“It’s just… it looks dangerous, that’s all.”
“…Excuse me?”
Eugenia blinked and blushed.
No, Eugenia. Don’t get discouraged. This is the best you can do.
She straightened her back, cleared her throat, and deliberately raised her voice.
“It might not look great, but the inside… isn’t as bad as you think.”
“Well, that’s a small relief.”
Enrique nodded and glanced around the inn’s shabby exterior again.
“Still…”
Then, looking straight at her, he continued.
“I think it would be better if you moved to the inn I’m staying at. What do you think?”
Eugenia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Her mind went blank, and words wouldn’t come.
After composing herself, she clutched the corner of her candy bag and stammered,
“I-I don’t mind… But I’m not sure if your inn will have any rooms.”
It was a tempting offer, but accepting it too quickly felt a bit shameless.
But it seemed Enrique had been quite serious. He pressed again.
“To carry out our plan smoothly, we need to use our time efficiently and exchange ideas. Going back and forth like this is a waste. Staying at the same place would be better in every way.”
“You’re right, but…”
“Then there’s no need to hesitate.”
His gaze was almost coaxing her to accept the offer.
“We’ve already booked the 2nd and 3rd floors entirely, so there’s plenty of space. Don’t worry about that.”
Eugenia bit her lip, then let go. Her face turned firm with resolve.
“Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll accept your kind offer.”
At last, Enrique’s frown eased, and his face relaxed.
“Of course. From the moment you agreed, I became your employer—and that means I have a duty to ensure you and your dependents are safe and comfortable.”
In those words, Eugenia sensed Enrique’s consideration.
He wasn’t trying to pity her—he was taking responsibility.
Eugenia smiled softly.
“Then I’ll pack and come to your inn tomorrow. Would morning or afternoon be better?”
After a short pause, Enrique suddenly asked another question.
“Do you have a lot of luggage?”
Eugenia shook her head. She only had two small bags. She could even move right away.
“Mm, no. Not really.”
“Then I’ll come get you this evening. Until we arrive, stay inside your room.”
So sudden?
His decisiveness startled her.
But since she had accepted his offer—
They say to strike while the iron is hot.
Besides, considering the attack she had faced earlier, this was clearly safer for the children.
No more reason to hesitate.
Eugenia gave a firm nod.
“I will. I’m staying in the last room on the third floor.”
“Good. I’ll remember that.”
As if everything was settled, Enrique turned around and walked off.
Eugenia watched his back for a moment, then turned away and entered the inn.
