Chapter 52
“What’s the plan?”
Evan asked Riette.
Inside the carriage heading deep into the mountain valley, only the two of them sat together.
The sight of a beautiful man and woman traveling secretly at night could easily be mistaken for an elopement—but the truth was far from it.
They weren’t running away for love. They were going tiger hunting.
I was going to go alone at first.
Just an hour before her visit to Marquis Callian’s villa, Riette couldn’t shake off a deep unease. She had to prepare for the possibility that things could go terribly, disastrously wrong.
Of course, she couldn’t tell her parents.
In the end, she stopped by the Croyt Duchy and explained the rough situation to Evan.
Well… except for the part where the marquis plans to propose.
That part was just too humiliating to admit. Being courted by such an old man—ugh.
Still, Evan listened silently to everything she said.
When her explanation was finished, Riette cleared her throat and offered,
“So, this evening, I’ll give you the chance to accompany me to the marquis’s villa.”
“Alright.”
Evan agreed without hesitation.
It was Riette who was left flustered—she hadn’t expected him to accept so easily.
It’s probably less because of me, and more out of duty between our families.
The Croyt and Meren duchies had maintained close ties for a long time. Evan had often visited her home and seen her parents; he wouldn’t have been able to just ignore this.
Resting her chin in her hand, deep in thought, Riette slowly turned her head toward him.
“What did you just say?”
“I asked what your plan is.”
Ah, the plan.
“We’re going to search the house thoroughly.”
“And if we don’t find anything?”
At his question, Riette folded her arms.
“Why are you always so negative?”
“Because we have to consider the worst-case scenario.”
Leaning back in his seat, Evan replied.
“Then of course…”
There’s a Plan B, but I’d rather everything end with Plan A.
The goal of Plan A was to uncover forged documents or real transaction records in Marquis Callian’s villa.
That was why she had swallowed her rage and accepted his invitation.
The marquis’s villa was, in every sense, a secret place. Unlike his main estate, with more than a hundred servants, the villa was hidden away, with only a handful of attendants—an ideal place to hide something.
“We won’t need Plan B. It has to be in his villa.”
Riette spoke with confidence.
Plan B was to visit the marquis’s main residence in the capital. That would require finishing their meeting here amicably, then inventing another excuse to visit his mansion.
Ugh, just thinking about it makes me sick.
First the villa, then even his main estate? No way.
That’s why she had to find something here.
While watching Riette’s face shift through many expressions, Evan finally asked what he’d been wondering all along.
“What kind of man is the marquis, from what you’ve seen?”
“A despicable piece of trash.”
Her scornful reply sharpened Evan’s gaze.
“Did he do anything to you?”
His voice dropped low so suddenly that Riette blinked in surprise.
…Do anything?
He had ogled her unpleasantly and spewed nonsense about marriage, but he hadn’t actually harmed her.
“No.”
“…Truly?”
“You’ll see for yourself. His face says it all. He just looks like a bad man.”
His delicate features contrasted with the fierce glint in his eyes—like a predator peeking through the guise of a harmless herbivore. It was uncanny.
“His face?”
Evan tilted his head curiously.
Riette froze.
The concept of “reading faces” existed in Korea, but not in this world. He’d never understand.
“Um… well, it’s a way of judging someone’s personality or fate by looking at their face or expression.”
“That’s new to me.”
Riette forced herself to sound casual.
“You really don’t know much, Evan. It’s a superstition that’s all the rage in the eastern lands these days. You’re just behind the times.”
She glanced at him, hoping he’d let it go.
Evan stayed quiet for a moment, then leaned closer, his handsome features filling her vision.
“And what does my face say, according to you?”
“Uh…?”
How am I supposed to know! The words rose to her throat, but she had just been boasting—she had to say something.
“Well… you…”
“Yes?”
What should she say? His dark eyes were right in front of her, making her mind race.
No, better idea…
She decided to use this as an excuse to give him some advice.
“You should focus on one woman. Don’t go around flitting from one to another.”
Like a warning against “rebound relationships.”
Since he was destined to meet the heroine, Merius, she was basically telling him not to waste his energy elsewhere. In her own way, it was sound advice.
“That’s what my face says?”
Evan gave a faint, bitter smile.
“Then this face-reading of yours must be completely wrong. That’ll never happen.”
He denied it, but Riette only shook her head inwardly.
Stronger than face-reading is the original story, and that’s how it goes.
What did he know? Hiding the truth only she was aware of, she added,
“And… it also says you should listen to your childhood friend.”
After all, she was his only childhood friend.
“Your face says that too?”
Evan chuckled.
Riette, flustered as if caught lying, barked back,
“Believe it or don’t!”
“I believe it, I do.”
He smiled warmly at her, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“Riette.”
“What?” she snapped.
“I’ve always listened to you.”
You? The thought sprang up immediately, but thinking back…
Come to think of it, he’s never once refused when I suggested something.
Even now, on their way to the marquis’s villa.
“You think so too, don’t you?”
When she didn’t immediately deny it, Evan leaned closer, as though he’d won something.
“Then shouldn’t you give me a little reward?”
“…Reward, my foot.”
“If not a reward, then at least treat me nicely.”
Riette coughed awkwardly.
“What nonsense—!”
And then—
Smooch.
Evan pulled her hand to him and kissed the back of it lightly.
It lasted only a moment, but the hot, soft touch burned into her skin.
“Just that much.”
His black eyes, hazy with languid warmth, locked onto hers, while his lips curved into a relaxed smile.
“You… you!”
Riette snatched her hand away, glaring at him as heat flared up her face.
“Hahaha.”
Evan burst into laughter at the sight, and Riette realized—
This bastard… he was teasing me!
She wanted to retaliate immediately, but this was no time. They had a mission.
Just for today, I’ll let it go…!
Right on cue, the carriage stopped.
“Wait.”
Riette grabbed Evan’s arm, forcing her flushed face to calm.
“To search the house, someone has to distract Marquis Callian.”
Evan nodded.
“Alright. How do we do that?”
“No. I’ll do it.”
She had brought Evan for two reasons.
First, because the marquis was as slippery as a snake. If he tried anything, she needed someone she could trust nearby. Even if he wasn’t much of a fighter himself, the villa was still his territory.
Second, she needed someone to move separately and investigate.
The marquis would surely be displeased that she hadn’t come alone, and would try to force some private time with her. While she was stuck with him, Evan would be free to search the villa.
When she finished explaining, Evan’s expression hardened.
“It’s too dangerous. You’ll be alone with him?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve beaten a man-eating bear before, remember?”
Riette fished in her sleeve.
“I even brought this, just in case.”
She showed him a small dagger strapped to her arm.
“Anyway, Evan, your role is crucial.”
“…”
“While I distract him, you must find something suspicious.”
Her crimson eyes shone with determination.
“…Alright.”
“Good!”
Pleased with his answer, she smiled.
Soon, the carriage pulled up at the gates of the villa. After showing the invitation, the gates opened easily.
Hidden in the forest, the villa was enormous. And with the eerie silence hanging over it, there was a sinister atmosphere about the place.
Fortunately, as they passed from the gate to the entrance, she noticed how few attendants there were.
Waiting for her at the front of the villa, Marquis Callian greeted her warmly the moment he saw her.
“Welcome, Lady Riette—”
But when his gaze landed on Evan, his voice faltered. Riette caught the sour look on his face but ignored it, smiling brightly.
“Good evening, Marquis Callian. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
After her greeting, Evan bowed politely.
“It’s an honor to meet you, my lord.”
“…You’re the Croyt duke’s heir.”
“My name is Evan Croyt.”
Even under the marquis’s frosty stare, Evan introduced himself without a flicker of unease.
When the marquis’s face demanded an explanation, Riette gave the excuse she had prepared.
“My father won’t let me go anywhere alone these days, so I had no choice but to bring Evan with me.”
“…Hmm.”
The reason was natural enough, though he still didn’t like it.
Unpleasant, but…
Riette leaned close and whispered,
“We can always talk privately later.”
He reluctantly nodded. It wasn’t as though he couldn’t understand.
When he had proposed marriage to Duke Meren, the duke had been furious—sending his barely-adult daughter off to an old man was no different from a business transaction.
So he’s keeping his precious daughter on a short leash.
Still, what irked the marquis was how dazzling Evan looked. Croyt himself had been handsome, but his son was strikingly so.
If only I were a little younger…
This was supposed to be his moment of courtship, yet with such a brilliant young man standing beside her, he felt both cowed and irritated.
But it doesn’t matter, as long as Riette came here.
His gaze swept over her—red hair and eyes, delicate features, a lithe figure. Her confident air only heightened her allure.
He had noticed her for some time, and she had grown up beautifully. Once she debuted in society, men would flock to her.
He had to claim her before that happened. And now was the perfect chance.
“Well then, there’s no helping it.”
Finishing his thoughts, the marquis led them inside.
