Chapter 8
What on earth is going on?
I had assumed, of course, that Duke Calix would offer to help. He had no real reason to oppose me, and unless he had already marked me as his next victim, there was no reason for him to keep me around. Honestly, how much trouble would it be to post a job notice? He could easily have someone under him do it.
I’d fought off my fear the whole way here! I cheered myself on, hyped myself up—I did everything short of a war dance. Anyone watching might’ve thought I’d lost my mind.
And then, out of nowhere, he makes me an offer? I nearly fell for the bit about tripling my salary, but I managed to resist.
Obviously, it’s a trap. An offer from a murderer? He probably wants me to kill someone on his behalf. Or maybe bring him someone he plans to kill.
And that angelic smile of his—what is that about? How can he smile like that while proposing murder?
Duke Calix beamed sweetly and slowly opened his mouth.
“Please take care of Luka and Dubu for a set amount of time each day.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Hmm, it might be tiring to play with Luka for too long, so let’s say just one hour a day. How does that sound?”
“What do you mean, ‘how does that sound’…?”
What in the world is the duke saying right now?
“My offer. I’d like to know if you’re interested.”
Was this what it felt like to be hit over the head with a hammer? I was so stunned that my mind went blank for a moment. And the duke was still smiling so beautifully.
He wants me to take care of his dog? Not kill someone? What’s his angle?
Not being able to read his intentions was driving me nuts.
“You don’t seem very fond of the offer. How about five times your salary?”
When I didn’t answer, Duke Calix raised the stakes and made the offer again.
Five times my pay? What is he trying to achieve here?
“May I ask why you’re making me this offer?”
I asked cautiously. If I turned him down and he took offense, that would be a whole other mess.
Duke Calix lowered his gaze slightly, as if considering something.
When his eyes met mine again, they looked calm. Just looking at his face, you’d never think he could be a killer.
“Because Luka likes you.”
“…That’s it?”
“Yes. Why? Do you think I need a better reason?”
“…”
The duke really knew how to leave people speechless. Dogs liking people is hardly rare. Every dog I’d seen in my previous life loved people. Even my friend’s poodle would go wild with excitement whenever I visited. Just that?
“Your Grace, most dogs like people.”
“No. Luka doesn’t like anyone other than me. You’re the only exception.”
“Hmm…”
“So it intrigued me. I thought it’d be good if you could stay with Luka a bit more.”
“Oh.”
Could it be because of that ability?
I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten. Since possessing this body, I could hear the thoughts of dogs. I didn’t know if it worked on other animals, but I was certain it worked on the duke’s dogs.
If that’s all it is, great. But what if he’s already marked me as his next target and just wants to keep me nearby?
“You’ll do it, right?”
Maybe noticing my hesitation, Duke Calix smiled even more gently, his eyes crinkling sweetly.
Damn it. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I can’t say yes, but I can’t say no either.
In the end, I had no choice but to reluctantly accept.
“But, um… how about we set a short trial period first? I’m not even sure I’ll have the stamina for it…”
I needed to leave myself an escape route. Once the trial period ended and a replacement was found, I could quit right away.
I planned to make the period end before the third victim appeared. There was still time. Who knows? Duke Calix might get caught before then.
“Sounds good. Three months should be reasonable. How does that sound to you, Elena?”
“Works for me.”
“I’ll send the contract through the butler. Please take good care of Luka and Dubu.”
“Okay.”
A brief, awkward silence fell between us.
Is… is that it? Is it really over?
“Well then, I’ll get going!”
Unable to handle the awkwardness, I quickly bolted out of his room.
“Ughhhh.”
Something about this felt… off.
Is this really okay? Seriously? Not only am I treating a murderer, but now I’m also taking care of his dogs? I’ve somehow gone from doctor to dog-sitter.
But then again… at least I’ll be earning more money now. Who knows? Maybe if I take good care of his beloved pets, he’ll spare my life.
All the way back to my room, I kept telling myself it would be fine. Because if I didn’t, I felt like I’d completely lose it.
* * *
“You’re going on another trip?”
“What’s so shocking about that? It’s not like this is my first business trip.”
The next day, after finishing Duke Calix’s morning checkup, I unintentionally raised my voice when I heard Dr. Scott say that.
Why does he go on trips every other day? Is he really going to take care of his sick sister like in the original story?
“Doctor, I’m really just curious… You’re the personal physician of a duke, right?”
“Correct.”
“Then is it okay for you to be going on so many trips? You’re basically leaving all your patients to me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with it. I got approval when I first took the job.”
I watched Dr. Scott’s indifferent expression and carefully continued. I needed to verify if this sick sister of his actually existed—then I could be at ease.
“Then at least tell me the reason. Where do you keep going?”
“Mostly to my hometown. Occasionally, to medical conferences.”
“And where’s your hometown?”
“Why so nosy? What do you need to know all this for?”
Apparently uncomfortable with my prying, Dr. Scott leaned back and avoided the question.
“It’s not like we’re strangers, Doctor. Surely you can tell me your hometown.”
“Maia, in the south.”
“Oh, so your family lives there? Since you visit so often?”
“My sick younger sister lives alone there.”
“Oh… I see.”
I couldn’t be sure if he was telling the truth, but it was a relief nonetheless. At least the story from the original novel seemed accurate.
“I’m sorry for asking. It must be hard being away from her. Please, go ahead and get going.”
“Will do.”
Dr. Scott replied quickly and hurried off.
Still, wouldn’t it be better for him to bring his sister here and care for her while working? I couldn’t shake that thought as I watched his retreating figure. Maybe he had his reasons.
I gave up trying to dig deeper. Maybe I’d learn more once I got closer to Dr. Scott. Though honestly, I wasn’t sure that would ever happen.
At this rate, it seemed more likely I’d grow closer to the duke. That’s insane. I’ve been spending time with him almost daily, but to be on such casual terms that we talk about our hometowns? That’s absurd.
Unbelievable. Totally unbelievable.
Shaking my head, I walked down the corridor. Time passed peacefully in the duke’s mansion, just as it always had.
* * *
Dr. Scott left the duke’s mansion and headed to the location written in the letter. He had been there once before.
As he opened the door, familiar faces greeted him.
“Welcome, Doctor.”
Inspector Jerry extended his right hand in greeting, and Dr. Scott casually took it.
“Where’s the body?”
“In the basement room. Please conduct the autopsy quickly—decomposition may have started.”
Dr. Scott gave a slight nod and headed toward the body.
The two men had to carry a lantern as they descended a long, narrow staircase. After what felt like forever, they reached a small, tightly locked wooden door.
Inspector Jerry opened the door with practiced ease and pulled back the white cloth in the center of the room, revealing a corpse with its heart removed.
“At least it hasn’t decomposed too much yet.”
“We cast preservation magic on it right away. But even that won’t last long. A week at most, three or four days if we’re unlucky.”
“Still, since I arrived within three days, we should be okay.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Inspector Jerry gave a polite bow and exited the underground room.
“This is the second one, huh.”
Dr. Scott took a pair of thin gloves from his bag—made of special material sold only by the Magic Tower.
“Well then, excuse me.”
After bowing respectfully to the corpse, Dr. Scott began the autopsy. The only sounds in the silent room were the faint noises he made as he worked.
