LWRF 99

Synopsis

“Was the black wolf a woman?”
“You didn’t come all this way at this hour just to argue about that, did you?”

That?
Annje’s arrogant tone, as if correcting him, made the Duke of Side’s brow tighten in displeasure.

“I have something for you to do.”
“Even so, I’m retired now.”
“I’ll pay you as much as you want. Find out about Hildegard Crow.”

Hildegard?
At that name, Annje’s shoulders twitched despite herself.
She was to become the duke’s fiancée. In the original story, weren’t those two hopelessly in love, to the point of life and death?

Her doubts lasted only a moment. Enticed by the promise that she’d be able to repair the hard-won house she had just bought, Annje ended up accepting the duke’s request.

If only their relationship had stopped there...

“There’s someone I’d like you to accompany me to a ball and keep an eye on...”
“When you say accompany?”
“As my partner.”
...Me?

What she thought was just a minor involvement with the ducal household soon turned into something much deeper.

“I’d like to consult the lady about something...”

“First of all, I’m not a lady—just an information broker. And those subtle looks of yours... What is it you’re plotting this time?”

Avoiding Annje’s wary, distrustful gaze, Joseph finally spoke:

“What do our fortunes say—mine and the lady’s?”
“Well, your fortune is overflowing with earth’s energy, so you’d need someone full of water’s energy... but wait, why are you asking me—”

Was that... a proposal?
Annje’s eyes shook violently as she looked at Joseph.

Something was starting to go terribly wrong.