Chapter 17
At the end of the secret passage was a room. It seemed to be unused now, with white cloths draped over the furniture.
“Thanks to you, Sir Beors, I survived. Truly, thank you.”
While passing through the dark passageway, she hadn’t dared utter a single word, afraid that Cain might be chasing after them. She had simply walked, holding Vaileon’s hand, letting him lead. Only once they emerged into the light did Marien finally greet him.
“Ah, you can let go of my hand now.”
…Though that was a shame.
Even just a few more seconds would have been nice.
Marien glanced regretfully at Vaileon’s hand holding her small one.
Long, straight fingers, neatly trimmed nails, and veins running across the back of his hand to top it all off.
Yes, a man’s charm really is in his hands.
Not long ago, she had been thinking a man’s charm lies in his chest. In short, Marien Didi’s standard for what was attractive in a man changed day by day depending on Vaileon.
If she ended up clinging to his waist someday, she’d surely change her mind again— A man’s beauty lies in his waist. And among them, our Sir Beors is number one.
“But Sir Beors, how did you end up saving me? Isn’t this normally the time you’d be in your office?”
Marien asked, a little surprised, while watching her beloved’s hand slip away.
If I hadn’t said anything, maybe he would’ve kept holding it.
Regret lingered.
“This morning when I left for work, you came carrying a bundle, didn’t you? Then you disguised yourself as a maid and left the ministry. That’s when I knew—today was D-Day.”
Marien thought she had prepared discreetly enough to avoid attention, but Vaileon had seen right through everything.
There are eyes and ears of Chancellor Beors even in the walls.
She realized the saying that floated around the palace was true. At first, she had thought it just meant the chancellor had lots of informants. But maybe the walls really were walls with eyes and ears.
“That guy… doesn’t the duke know about this secret passage?”
“He only knows that such passages exist.”
Vaileon gave a bitter smile.
“With Blackwood’s power, he wouldn’t need to bother with secret tunnels anyway.”
True enough.
Marien nodded.
When you have strength, you don’t need to rely on cunning. Many things in life work that way.
After all, wasn’t she relying on Vaileon’s help because she herself lacked strength? If she’d had enough power to surpass Cain, the problem would’ve been over ages ago.
She would’ve grabbed him by the collar with one hand, and with the other, smeared depilatory cream all over his head. Shaving him bald with her own hands would’ve been so satisfying.
“So in the end, you really did cut his hair?”
He looked at the lock of black hair she was carrying.
“Yes, but that was just to create a distraction. I almost got caught while applying the cream. I didn’t want my secret weapon to be exposed.”
“As a distraction, that’s a bit…”
“I cut off a lot, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.”
Maybe her resentment had unconsciously manifested. Marien stared at the troublesome bundle of hair.
Then Vaileon spoke with a resolute expression.
“If you don’t mind, why not stay at my estate for a while? Even the Duke of Blackwood can’t just barge into the Beors household.”
Marien couldn’t answer right away.
“We’ll commute together too. Same carriage.”
“Um, Sir Beors. I’m grateful for the thought, but isn’t that too much for my sake?”
“It’s dangerous otherwise.”
Vaileon said quietly.
“Do you know what your voice was like when you shouted for help earlier? I’ve never heard such desperation before. For that brief moment, I was terrified I wouldn’t make it in time.”
True, she had shouted so loudly it echoed through the palace corridors. But that was then. Now the crisis was over.
Embarrassment crept in at the thought of her outburst. Marien opened her mouth to decline again, but Vaileon didn’t let her.
“Yesterday, as you requested, I stopped prying and gave you a solution. So this time, you’ll follow my words. No refusing. You’ll stay at the count’s estate. Understood?”
Commuting together with her superior. In any other workplace, the very idea would make her blood pressure spike.
But her workplace was the Chancellor’s Office, and the one making the offer was Vaileon.
He really is considerate.
Honestly, from her perspective, it was nothing but a generous offer. A moment ago, she’d been so desperate to keep her trump card hidden that she’d cut Cain’s hair.
No doubt the duke was furious beyond belief.
Later, when she returned to her room after work, there’d be no guarantee she wouldn’t run into him.
And so the next step unfolded while Marien hesitated. All she did was sip the tea Vaileon poured for her and catch her breath.
Meanwhile, the guard who had gone to pack her things returned and reported.
When he’d arrived, the door was already smashed in. The Duke of Blackwood had been standing there, arms crossed, in front of the gaping doorway.
“He didn’t set fire to the room, did he?”
Marien quickly opened the old trunk and asked.
“No, he didn’t set a fire.”
“My expensive, precious bedding… He didn’t slash the mattress with a knife, did he?”
“No, the bed was intact.”
Inside were her journals, notebooks, writing tools, two bottles of depilatory cream, and a few clothes.
The guard had even carefully packed the portrait of the chancellor that Marien often pulled out of her drawer to look at.
“Gasp.”
Marien quickly flipped the portrait over and put it down.
He didn’t see that, right? Vaileon’s a gentleman, he wouldn’t snoop in a lady’s belongings. And I was quick—so quick.
She cautiously glanced at her superior.
If my horrified face met his eyes right now, it’d be a disaster.
Fortunately, Vaileon seemed lost in thought, his expression serious. Marien let out a sigh of relief and asked the guard:
“So he only broke the door but didn’t touch the room itself?”
“Yes, that’s what it looked like.”
Then the guard corrected himself a beat later.
“Though, one of the wardrobe hinges was broken.”
“Unbelievable.”
Marien made an exasperated noise.
“Did he think I might’ve hidden inside the wardrobe?”
At least it seemed everything important had been retrieved. She was about to lock the trunk when she looked back at the guard.
“Wait, did you pack while the duke was still standing in front of the door?”
Now that she thought about it, it was bizarre. How was that even possible? The guard nodded seriously.
“My rank or strength is nothing compared to His Grace’s. But words—I can manage.”
Vaileon added that this was exactly why he’d chosen that guard: for his eloquence.
Who hires a bodyguard for their way with words? That was so typically Vaileon Beors.
When she returned to the ministry, sticking close behind Vaileon, the atmosphere was heavy. Apparently, the Duke of Blackwood had left a message.
Tomorrow at noon, in his own reception room, the chancellor was to bring the third secretary along to a luncheon.
“If I’m the target, why didn’t he just call me alone?”
Marien frowned, looking at the bundle of black hair.
“Because he knows I won’t let you go alone.”
Vaileon replied calmly. He then ordered Marien’s desk moved into the chancellor’s office for “security reasons.”
Originally, he’d wanted her desk right beside his. But Marien had objected strongly, so it ended up near the entrance.
The only thing separating her from Vaileon now was a stylish partition.
Living and working this closely with her boss. No more private time. No more muttering to herself. In any other situation, it should’ve been stifling.
The perks of working in the chancellor’s office really are the best…
Marien sighed as she peeked at the handsome Vaileon beyond the partition.
◇ ◆ ◇
“I’ve troubled you so much, Sir Beors. I’m sorry.”
“That’s the twenty-second apology, you know?”
Vaileon gave a faint smile.
“That’s more than enough. And besides, I’m the one who suggested it. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“But you had to leave work early because of me.”
“That’s true. I’ll get home earlier than usual. My family will be pleased.”
Her face suddenly felt hot. Marien turned her gaze out the window in a fluster.
That phrasing…
She knew he hadn’t meant it that way, but it sounded strangely suggestive.
My family will be pleased?
It’s like I’m going to meet his family or something.
Kyaa—Marien Didi, you’re crazy! There’s no limit to your thoughts. But imagination isn’t a crime, right?
She blushed, fidgeted, regretted not changing clothes, shifted in her seat… The ride to the count’s estate was anything but boring.
Then the carriage stopped.
Finally…!
Marien’s anticipation was at its peak. The original story had little description of the count’s estate. She had never even imagined visiting Vaileon’s home.
So from here on, this was all new—unwritten territory, something only she, who had stepped into the novel, could experience.
Vaileon reached for the carriage door but paused, glancing back at her.
“Oh, I almost forgot to mention.”
“What is it?”
“My family is a little… unusual. The atmosphere is quite different from other noble houses. If their friendliness feels burdensome, you can refuse anytime.”
“I’ve never visited another noble estate, so I wouldn’t know. But… unusual how?”
“Well… you’ll see.”
What kind of family could warrant a warning from Vaileon himself?
Marien tilted her head, puzzled. Vaileon wasn’t the type to reject anyone. Surely he could handle any personality.
“Watch your step.”
As she descended from the carriage, he naturally offered his hand. Marien thanked him and looked around the garden slowly.
There were no meticulously sculpted trees. Honestly, it looked more like a botanical garden than a noble’s yard. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and earth.
As the carriage entered, a middle-aged man who had been working in the corner of the garden removed his straw hat and approached Marien.
“Welcome to the House of Beors, young lady.”
“Oh—hello. Pleased to meet you!”
Marien quickly bowed.
“I’m Marien Didi, third secretary to Sir Beors at the chancellor’s office.”
“So you’re Lady Didi.”
“Please, just call me Marien.”
“How kind you are.”
Judging by his rolled-up sleeves and soil-stained clothes, he must be the family’s gardener. Likely someone who had watched over Vaileon since childhood. That would explain his ease in speaking directly to the guest of the eldest son.
“Forgive me, my hands are like this. I’d feel rude offering a handshake.”
The man showed his dirt-covered hands with an awkward smile. Marien shook her head, assuring him it was no offense at all.
She felt genuinely welcomed. Even before stepping inside the house, the warm atmosphere of the estate brought a smile to her face.
Then the man turned to Vaileon.
“You’ve returned.”
For the first time, Vaileon spoke up.
“Yes, Father.”
“I heard. This young lady has drawn Blackwood’s wrath.”
“Yes.”
“Whether it’s Blackwood himself or even his dead grandfather, I will never allow them to set foot in my garden. Much less harm my guest.”
The middle-aged man ended his stern words, then returned to his work.
Marien glanced at Vaileon, silently asking for an explanation.
“He likes to act. Even my academy classmates were fooled.”
Vaileon added quietly:
“And this is only the beginning, Marien.”
