Episode 15
We stepped out onto the street where the night market was held. Even though it was late, the place was still crowded like inside a busy bar. Most of the stalls were selling food, so it looked like an open-air food market.
Even though it was nighttime, the lively atmosphere made me feel excited. Most of all, walking through the night market with the Grand Duke felt quite romantic.
After walking a bit away from the market, we reached an area where commoners’ houses were clustered together. If I remembered correctly, the house we were looking for had a short tree and a green mailbox that was the same height, standing side by side.
“That’s the one.”
“?”
The Grand Duke followed the direction I pointed at with a curious look.
“The father in that house borrowed money from a noble because his business wasn’t doing well. He was almost forced to do it.”
“Sounds like loan sharking.”
“That’s right. He can’t even afford the interest anymore, so their eldest daughter is about to be taken away soon. Only the noble and the father know about it.”
“Hm.”
The Grand Duke frowned as he listened closely to my explanation.
The Emperor was the one who allowed nobles to openly run loan-sharking businesses. It was part of his cruel rule, a tradition that started with the previous emperor. What mattered was that the current emperor, Kyle, had no intention of stopping it. That was also one of the reasons the Grand Duke sharpened his blade against him.
“It’s late now, so I’ll check on it tomorrow morning.”
“Yes. That sounds good.”
I nodded.
“Thank you, my lady. Then I’ll contact you again through Elizabeth—no, Oki.”
The Grand Duke turned to leave after saying that. He was ready to send me back since our business was done.
“Um… Your Grace.”
“?”
I suddenly called out to him in a panic. He looked at me with wide eyes, waiting to hear what I had to say.
What could I possibly say to Raymond? “I love you”? “You’re handsome”? “Do you want to date me”?
None of those were appropriate, so I went with the most reasonable option I could think of. And to me, it was something urgent and very important.
“Let’s hang out together!”
“Hang out… together?”
The Grand Duke looked completely stunned, as if he had never expected that. I quickly started throwing out random reasons.
“Yes. The night air is nice, and I think watching how the people live can be good learning. Plus, with all the kidnappings lately, security has been so tight that it’s been forever since I’ve gone out. It’d be a shame to just go back now.”
As I spoke, it seemed like I was poking at the Grand Duke’s conscience. It was a perfect shot. His expression turned serious, and he slowly nodded several times.
“I think you’re right, but isn’t it a bit late?”
“Of course not. If time runs out, we’ll just catch more time and keep playing!”
I answered cheerfully. Maybe he liked my answer, because he finally agreed.
“Alright then.”
Yes! I was so happy I almost jumped for joy.
If this were a game, I would’ve heard a notification: [You have unlocked a date with Raymond Ruslo.]
Even though I was dancing with joy inside, I just smiled calmly and gracefully.
From the look on the Grand Duke’s face, it was unclear whether my act worked. Maybe my eyes, nose, and mouth were dancing instead of my body.
“Over there! Let’s go eat that!”
I started pulling his arm in different directions. At first, I was focused on spending time with him, but somehow it turned into a mission to try every street food available.
Even though it was late and many stalls were closed, everything we ate was delicious. It felt like I was on a fun trip.
This time, we found skewers with alternating pieces of meat and fruit. The smell was so good that I had been looking for it for a while.
“How much is it?”
“10 Forbies.”
While the Grand Duke paid, I stood beside him licking my lips like a puppy waiting for a treat.
Since the Grand Duke had a hideout among the commoners, he also carried their currency. I had come out without any money, so I had no choice but to rely on him. But this much, he could surely buy for me.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you!”
I held the skewer he gave me and began nibbling on each piece. The meat, flavored with fruit, melted in my mouth. It was so tasty that I didn’t envy even a fancy steakhouse serving ten plates of expensive meat.
While I was happily eating, I suddenly noticed the Grand Duke looking at me. I held out the skewer to him.
“Don’t you want a bite, Your Grace? It’s really good.”
“I’m fine. You eat it all.”
“Really? You won’t regret it? It’s super tasty.”
I teased him playfully. People often say they’re full, but seeing someone else enjoy food can make them want to try it too.
It worked. The Grand Duke hesitated instead of rejecting me outright.
Now’s my chance! I stretched out my arm and held the skewer right under his nose. No one can resist the smell of freshly grilled meat.
“Come on, try it.”
“Just one bite…?”
In the end, instinct won. He took a bite of the meat and fruit combo all at once. He looked so cute eating it that I almost bit him instead of the skewer.
He chewed and swallowed it carefully.
Aww, look at him eat so well. My dear Grand Duke.
Watching your favorite character eat is always satisfying.
Boring moments drag on like a snail, but fun moments disappear in the blink of an eye. When I was with the Emperor, every second felt suffocating. But with the Grand Duke, it felt like time flew by in a single breath.
Sigh…
I couldn’t help but sigh as it was time to part ways. But this time was different from last time. The Grand Duke said he’d call me as soon as he confirmed the prediction I gave him.
Please hurry and check… and call me.
I didn’t say it out loud, but I prayed it hard in my heart.
“Take care, my lady.”
After saying goodbye, I followed Koa just like I had when I came. The Grand Duke’s face, growing smaller in the distance, left a clear mark on my heart.
The Next Day
We met again the next day.
The Grand Duke handled things quickly, and I was very satisfied with that.
I was so happy on my way to see him again! I followed Koa with a spring in my step. My knees lifted higher than usual as if I were flying.
Seeing his face, getting things done, building trust, and going on a date—all at once. This is what I call a perfect deal!
As soon as I arrived at the hideout, the Grand Duke rushed to speak.
“Everything you said was true.”
He seemed a little excited, like a child eager to share news. I nodded calmly, pretending I already knew.
“It just so happened that today was the day the eldest daughter would’ve been taken away.”
“Oh no! Really?”
If we had been even one day late, it would’ve been too late.
The original novel didn’t mention the exact date, only a rough time, so I was lucky things worked out just in time.
The first to blame for this tragic situation was the noble who loaned the money. The second was the Emperor, who allowed it to happen.
“So what happened?”
The Grand Duke offered me a seat and explained what happened.
Knock knock.
Late in the morning, close to noon, Raymond knocked on the door of the commoner’s house. A middle-aged man with graying hair opened the door and looked extremely nervous.
“Who are you?”
From his shaky voice, it was clear he’d done something wrong. Seeing Raymond’s noble clothes, he grew tense.
“I came to ask something.”
“Y-yes. Please go ahead.”
The man seemed slightly more relaxed.
“Are you in a lot of debt?”
“How did you… Did Count Spurl send you? A-Are you here to take my daughter?”
He guessed wrong again.
He thought Raymond was sent by the noble who loaned the money. He was scared his daughter would be taken right then and there. His hand shook as he held onto the door.
Sensing something was wrong, the rest of the family came out one by one.
“Dear, what’s going on?”
“Dad, who is this man?”
His wife and daughters asked, but the man stood in front of them protectively, trying to shield them. Even though it was useless against a noble, a father’s love made him do it anyway.
So it was Count Spurl, thought the Grand Duke.
According to his people, the man had simply been unlucky. He had worked hard all his life as a merchant, but the value of his goods dropped, and his shop suffered for a while. That much was known publicly.
What only Count Spurl’s people and the man knew was that the count used that moment to lend him money at high interest, and when he couldn’t repay it in time, threatened to take his daughter.
“Calm down. I’m here to help you.”
“H-help me…? You’re really here to help?”
“Yes. I’ll pay off your debt. Just live your life like normal now.”
The man was stunned and could only keep saying, “Why… why…” His family asked, “Debt? What do you mean?” and “Do you know him?” but he couldn’t hear anything.
When the Grand Duke turned and took a few steps away, the man finally came to his senses and ran after him.
“Sir! Sir!”
He just barely caught up.
“Why are you showing us such kindness?”
Raymond turned and looked at the man, who was panting, then calmly replied.
“Just a noble cleaning up another noble’s mess. That’s all.”
“Then at least tell me your name! I’ll make sure my family remembers this grace for generations.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
The Grand Duke gently reassured him and walked away.
“T-thank you. Thank you so much.”
Maybe because Raymond turned away so firmly, leaving no room to follow, the man gave up on chasing him and bowed deeply toward his back.
