Chapter : 07
I picked out a suitable job for Kaisa today and scanned the area where the carriage drivers gathered with sharp eyes.
Of course, renting a horse would be much cheaper and faster.
The problem was that Kaisa didn’t know the local area well. We either needed someone to interpret and guide him or we had to hire a carriage driver.
The first option was too expensive and hard to find.
So, we had no choice but to hire a carriage driver each time, but yesterday’s incident was a first.
Where is that goat-beard guy?
“Excuse me.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“The carriage driver with the goat beard from yesterday—where is he? Isn’t he here today?”
“He should be at the hospital. Getting treated. He was happy about catching a mark yesterday, but it seems the mark gave him a good beating.”
That mark must be our mark.
And he got beaten? Our mark would never assault a civilian.
He knew well that he could die if he did. But there was no need to explain that.
Better to keep up the villain image. Let people think that if they scammed him, they could die.
“Tch. That’s why you can’t cheat mercenaries. That guy messed up. Don’t they know the first punch comes fast?”
Sounds like the one throwing punches first is our guy.
Again, he’s gentle. He doesn’t hit just anyone. If that deadly weapon of his wanted to hit, it would already be instant death.
I let out a small, awkward laugh.
As long as no one provokes him, he never bites. That’s how gentle he is.
This time, I picked a seemingly trustworthy carriage driver and sent Kaisa off.
The driver flinched when he saw Kaisa. He seemed to know who he was dealing with.
Well, that’s good. Marks get scammed easily, but villains inspire fear. Be a villain, Kaisa!
Since I had Kaisa start work two hours early, I had time to wander near the harbor.
Maybe someone from the Luikaron Empire would be here. Or someone looking for us.
After coming to the harbor regularly, I knew the area well. I could see the police station in the distance.
Even if it was just a faint hope, I couldn’t let it go completely. I believed my family who loved me and the people who cared for Kaisa would be searching for us.
A police officer who recognized me from previous visits greeted me.
“Oh, you’re here today too?”
“Yes. I wanted to see if any missing person reports had come in.”
“Nothing yet. If any report comes in related to Luikaron, I’ll tell you immediately.”
“…Are you sure the royal court hasn’t sent any orders?”
“Yes. Absolutely certain.”
I slumped my shoulders and sighed. I had hoped the Luikaron royal court would contact the Cyern royal court. Maybe they didn’t know our exact location but could have expanded the search to Cyern. But not yet. Why aren’t they looking for us? Or maybe the information hasn’t reached them yet?
It’s not easy to think they could come this far. Across the Monster Sea to the opposite side.
Roela’s face and my family’s faces flashed through my mind. Could it be that they aren’t looking? Maybe they’ve already given up.
Maybe they’ve even held a funeral.
My heart swayed like a reed in the wind.
I left the police station feeling deeply disappointed.
Coming here was like torturing myself with hope. Every visit brought a faint hope, then greater disappointment.
Yet I couldn’t stop going. That deep disappointment might come from my desire to return home.
…I want to see you, Mom, Dad, and my brother. I want to see you, Roela.
As I trudged along, a police officer called from behind.
“Miss Milena!”
“Yes?”
Could it be?
I turned, and the officer held his hat in his hand, sighing.
“Instead of coming here, why not visit Count Kester’s house? Count Kester controls the security of the Cyern Sea. Especially the waters near here are under his jurisdiction.”
“Count Kester…?”
I blinked.
When I first came to this area and bought a house, I had done a shallow study of local culture. You had to know something to survive.
From that, I learned what the officer said—Count Kester controlled this area completely. Even at a young age, he earned the Emperor’s trust. That’s why he was assigned the largest harbor region in Cyern.
I remembered hearing that he was highly capable and handsome, popular among young noblewomen.
Still unmarried, he was known for easily winning people’s favor.
“Yes. He will know news much faster than coming here. Or perhaps you could ask him to contact you if anything comes up?”
I hadn’t figured out the temperament of the local nobility yet. But meeting Count Kester directly? That would be a new challenge.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. I’ll contact you immediately if any news comes in.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that too.”
I turned from the officer, my mind filled with Count Kester. You can’t just visit and meet anyone.
Still, he was a Count, the lord governing this territory. I was just a commoner.
Hmm. Then maybe I should do some work at his estate, while watching for an opportunity?
Lost in thought, I noticed a crowd in the square.
“I hear Count Kester is looking for people.”
“They’re recruiting maids, right?”
“Hm. Maybe I’ll send my daughter this time. The pay is good, as you know.”
“Eh, but I hear the mad matron has to be served?”
A mad matron?
I slipped into the crowd.
Luckily, the appearance of Cyern and Luikaron people wasn’t that different.
I could blend in without being treated as a foreigner.
“Is it true that Count Kester is looking for staff? What kind of maid?”
“They’re hiring a maid to serve the matron. She has dementia and the maids can’t last more than a week. She’s so difficult, even Count Kester worries. That’s why he hasn’t married at that age, you see.”
“Ah.”
My eyes lit up. I turned to look at the announcement.
It was indeed recruiting a maid to care for the matron.
The salary was high for full-time work.
Caring for a patient wasn’t easy.
And being a maid for the matron meant I’d meet Count Kester often. This was nothing short of a miracle for me.
At this timing, in this place.
It seemed I could only work at the bakery until today.
I studied the notice again and walked to the bakery quickly, hoping Count Kester would be someone I could communicate with.
