Chapter 84
They must be searching for the missing ledger, and yet, not a word is said to Maya—the one who should be treated as the Knight Commander and worked to the bone.
On the road back to the capital, they had no problem handing her orders left and right, but in the most critical moment, they don’t even hint at anything.
Instead, they coax a knight who knows almost nothing about the situation and tell him to investigate.
The reason was simple.
“I think they suspect you, Maya, of stealing the ledger.”
Tristan’s assumption made Maya nod.
“I think so too.”
The fact that Risefield himself had come down, when he could’ve just sent someone else, meant there was something he needed to confirm with his own eyes.
And it wasn’t just about Maya’s awakening, either.
“But it bothers me that they suspect you, even though you were in the banquet hall when I carried the ledger out.”
If Risefield knew Maya had been with Seren at the time, then suspecting her meant there had to be another reason.
“Perhaps access to the hidden room was restricted.”
It was strange, really. For such an important place, it felt far too easy to enter.
But what if only a limited few could go in and out?
And what if one of those people belonged to House Pendragon?
That would explain why Risefield was suspicious.
Either way, the advantage was theirs for now.
After all, they won’t want to announce the ledger is missing.
That ledger was Risefield’s way of holding the surrounding nobles hostage. There was no way he’d want to expose such a weakness.
The real problem was that he still planned on using it. They couldn’t hide forever.
The real test will be how he reacts once he realizes we have it.
He would stop at nothing to take it back.
“For now, we should be careful,” Maya said quietly.
Risefield was keeping the ledger’s disappearance quiet because revealing it would only harm him.
But once cornered, he was the type to expose even his own shame if it served his needs.
If Risefield’s entire method of recruiting future revolutionaries rests on that ledger, it’s dangerous.
“We shouldn’t focus too much on the ledger alone.”
Tristan already understood that.
“Don’t worry. The ledger is only one tool to draw them in.”
Just because he had stayed in the North didn’t mean he lacked information.
The Bearden family members stationed in the capital weren’t just there to manage the estate.
“And if possible…”
Tristan recalled the secret room in the Imperial Library.
It didn’t seem like House Pendragon had been there.
They had almost no dealings with the Imperial family.
Which meant the room was practically imperial property.
“It would be worth checking that room again.”
That could also explain why Risefield had gotten his hands on the ledger so easily.
“Of course, since it was stolen once, he might have removed everything… but still.”
There had been more than just the ledger in that room.
“Moving all of it would attract too much attention. There’s a good chance much of it remains.”
Maya nodded.
If Risefield suspected her, then she must have access to that place.
And since Tristan had gotten in before, Bearden could as well.
“When we go for the investiture, we’ll check it. Though we’ll probably need Kendrick’s help.”
Maya thought of the magical device Risefield had shown them.
If Kendrick hadn’t altered Tristan’s face, his identity would have been exposed on the spot.
“Since we’re on the topic, maybe we should—”
“Not now,” Tristan cut her off.
“Why not?”
“Because after me, Risefield summoned Kendrick.”
Tristan, then Kendrick?
“Why go that far…?”
Risefield was thorough, but openly calling in both of them seemed excessive.
“I think he’s trying to set us against each other.”
Competition. As soon as the word left his mouth, Maya understood.
“Yes, that makes sense.”
It was one of Risefield’s favorite tactics—offer similar terms to multiple people and stoke rivalry.
But this time, he had chosen the wrong targets.
“Neither of us are the type to fight over that….”
What weakness could he possibly exploit?
“Maybe Risefield’s judgment of people is slipping,” Maya muttered with a sigh.
Tristan smiled awkwardly.
No, Maya. This time you’re wrong.
Risefield’s method was flawless.
If he had been Arthur instead of Tristan—Arthur who married Maya out of love—then he and Kendrick would have torn each other apart in the competition.
Arthur would have done anything to keep Maya.
“Anyway, Kendrick will probably come here later too.”
Maya grinned.
After all, we’re all on the same side.
Watching Risefield blunder around in ignorance was almost entertaining.
“Just two more days and we’ll be in the capital….”
Their western journey was nearly over. Once back, she planned to collapse into the soft bed of the ducal residence.
And buy some dessert.
How long it had been since she’d had the sweets of the capital.
“When we return, I’ll rent out an entire dessert shop for you.”
“…How did you know I was thinking about dessert?”
“I just know.”
Tristan chuckled at Maya’s astonishment. He was probably the only one who could read her so easily.
As the conversation turned lighter, Tristan hesitated, then spoke.
“…There’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
He swallowed nervously before speaking.
“What would you say to finally holding our wedding?”
“Wedding?”
Maya’s eyes widened.
“Yes. We rushed up to the capital so suddenly, we never did anything. But this time, even if it’s just the two of us, I’d like to have some kind of ceremony.”
…What?
Maya was flustered. She had never once imagined her own wedding.
A wedding?
But they were a contract couple.
Though, thinking back, hadn’t there been mention of a wedding when they first met in the North?
“Don’t think of it as anything grand. Just something like the debutante ball we shared.”
Hearing Tristan’s quick reassurance, Maya nodded slowly.
It’s not that I dislike the idea….
A wedding, just the two of them.
The thought alone made her heart warm.
But weddings were no simple matter. Tristan would already be busy preparing for their trip east and recruiting nobles.
She didn’t want to add to his burdens.
“It’s late already. We don’t need to do it. It’s fine.”
Tristan went quiet, then asked,
“Is it that you don’t want to, or that you’re saying it’s fine for my sake?”
The question struck home.
“It is because I was thinking of you… but really, I’m fine.”
“Don’t say you’re fine just because of me. I want to hold a wedding.”
“But the preparations are such a hassle.”
“What matters more than hassle is hearing your honest feelings. Seeing you happy is what matters to me.”
His words made her chest feel warm and tender. Embarrassed, even.
“Because you’re that precious to me.”
When she was with Tristan, she felt like she became a better person.
“So… do you really not want to?”
His steady gaze lifted her heart.
I want it. I really do.
“No. I want to.”
Maya finally confessed her true feelings.
If, in this life, she could repay her debts and save more people—
Then maybe she could allow herself to stand by his side.
It was a feeling she hadn’t dared voice before—not even to Kendrick.
“Tristan.”
After a pause, she spoke again. There was something she needed to say.
“It’s the same for you.”
She had come to read his expressions over time.
Even when his face seemed blank, she could catch the subtle changes.
The way he bit his lip, or clenched his fist, or his face darkened.
It was always when he wasn’t himself—when he needed her help.
Maya was glad to help him, but she also understood how he must have felt.
Because I’d been Risefield’s hound once too.
Just as his words had given her courage, she hoped hers would do the same for him.
“Tristan, you are also someone of worth. Without you… I would never have come this far.”
Words she normally couldn’t say kept spilling out. Maybe she was becoming more like him.
“The curse doesn’t change that truth.”
And she was glad to be able to say it.
She clasped the fist he had been clenching.
“So don’t think of yourself only in a bad light.”
She grinned.
“After all, if not for the curse, we wouldn’t have met.”
