Chapter 28
“Well, if you say so, then I guess that’s how it is. It’s not like we’re close enough for me to deny it or make excuses.”
Catherine shrugged, copying what the man had done to her just moments ago.
“I don’t want to explain myself or beg anyone to believe me.
I know they won’t anyway. People only believe what they want to believe—whether it’s a lie or the truth.”
Catherine and the man locked eyes for a long moment.
It was the man who looked away first, his silver-gray eyes breaking the gaze.
“…Enough small talk.
Now, tell me what you want, miss. After solving such a tough riddle to get here, I’m curious what kind of request you have.”
“Bring me the root of the Blue Flower Fruit. The more, the better.”
The root of the Blue Flower Fruit came from a plant that bloomed high up on cliffs.
Long ago, people had picked the pretty blue-violet flowers, using them to decorate food or make jewelry, not knowing the danger.
But the flower was a deadly poison.
Just touching it could leave poison on your hands—and if you carelessly brought it near your nose or mouth, you could die from poisoning in under ten minutes.
“One time, a whole village got sick and died after eating it by mistake. They were hallucinating and in pain before the end.”
So most people remembered the flower as a dangerous, toxic plant.
Pause—
Pause—
“…The root of the Blue Flower Fruit? It’s not easy to get, but it’s not exactly rare either.
I wonder—why do you need it? Can you tell me?”
The man, knowing it was a poison, was clearly curious about what Catherine planned to do with it.
But Catherine had knowledge he didn’t.
In the original story, three years later, a researcher discovered that the Blue Flower Fruit Root could neutralize other potions.
It was used in antidotes—a type of “nullifying” poison.
Only Catherine knew that for now.
And she planned to use any advantage she had.
“Why should I tell you? You’re just an informant, aren’t you?”
The man smiled at that.
But Catherine had the sense that his smile was sharp—too sharp.
“Usually… people buy it to hurt someone. That’s why I asked. I wondered if you were the same.”
It wasn’t a normal question for a supplier.
It was personal. Concerned.
Catherine realized what he was thinking—he was worried she might use the poison to harm someone.
“You already know who I am, don’t you?”
She believed he knew the answer.
The man smiled like he’d been caught.
“Aren’t you the precious second daughter of the Duke of the North? No matter how well you hide, someone like me is bound to find out.”
“…Hmm.”
“Haha. That’s what informants do. We buy and sell information based on what we see. Observation is everything in my line of work.”
He pointed at August, the knight standing quietly behind her.
“I noticed because of your bodyguard, too. It wasn’t hard to figure it out.”
As expected, Catherine could tell that the man had already investigated her thoroughly.
Most people didn’t know much about Catherine Valentine yet, but the rumors said she was arrogant, spoiled, and shallow.
“So beautiful, but just a flower with no scent—just for display.”
That’s how people saw her.
So the man had probably thought she wouldn’t be able to answer the gatekeeper’s riddle—that she’d be too stupid to even make it inside.
“Then, if I were to use that poison to hurt someone, wouldn’t my target be my sister? Since you already know who I am, you must also know who I’d be after.”
“…”
“Hah, I get what you’re thinking… But that won’t happen, so stop wasting your thoughts.
My knight is right behind me, listening to everything we say.
If anything happens, I’ll be the one taken away. He may be my bodyguard, but he’s not completely on my side.”
“Lady Catherine!”
She gestured to August.
Though he was her guard, he also served the Duke family.
If something happened to Eleanor, August would immediately report everything to the Duke.
If Catherine planned to harm her sister, she wouldn’t have brought August with her—she would’ve come alone or sent someone else to avoid leaving any trace.
“Why would I do something so obvious and careless?”
Catherine sighed loudly, as if disappointed.
“I expected more from someone called the best informant in the empire.
Maybe your skills aren’t as sharp as I thought.
Or maybe you have an overactive imagination?”
She said it boldly, but she wasn’t planning to back out of the request.
She knew exactly how skilled he was.
“Haha. You’re interesting. I didn’t expect this kind of person. My mistake—I guess I haven’t done enough homework on you.”
Thankfully, the man didn’t seem offended.
He nodded, accepting her challenge with a calm smile.
“Alright, I’ll get you the poison. Even if you won’t tell me why.”
He still looked suspicious, but he must have decided Catherine wouldn’t be stupid enough to try something reckless while leaving so much evidence.
“Hey, what should I call you?”
“Most people say Red Bird or Guildmaster. You can pick one—don’t call me ‘hey’ or ‘you.’”
So this was how he was usually referred to by his clients.
Still, Catherine felt like names were important for trust between partners.
“We’re going to be working together. We need trust.
My name is Catherine. Just call me that—or Kitty, whichever is easier.”
“…”
“Well? Aren’t you going to tell me your name too?”
“…Eve. You can call me Eve.”
He seemed slightly annoyed at how boldly she demanded it but still gave her a name.
It suited him… and yet, didn’t.
It was a nickname. A short version of his real name.
Catherine smiled to herself. What a cute name.
Evan Ortega.
He was the heir to House Ortega, a powerful Marquis family.
He was also the ruler of the underground informant world and Guildmaster of “Red Bird.”
In the original story, The Duke’s Daughter Refuses Regret, he was one of the sub-male leads in love with Eleanor.
His symbol was a brilliant, burning red.
Of course, Catherine had known who he was from the beginning.
In the novel, Evan Ortega was a man who loved Eleanor.
He had once saved her—and became her dearest friend and teacher.
At first, it was just a pity.
He helped her because she seemed clumsy and lost.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her, so he helped her again. And again.
That was all.
But to Eleanor, his small kindness became a lifeline.
And that’s how Evan Ortega fell in love with her.
By the time he realized his feelings, it was too late.
Eleanor had already met the true male lead.
And so, his love could only end as unrequited.
He buried those feelings.
But stayed by her side—forever watching, protecting.
His love was like a quiet, warm flame glowing in the darkness.
Catherine suddenly felt a little jealous of Eleanor.
To have someone love and protect you for a lifetime… even if you didn’t know it…
That was a blessing.
And in this world, where the main characters were already chosen—
That kind of love was something Catherine could never have.
Something she could never even dream of.
