Episode 6
“Be careful of Cargo.”
“Cargo? Cargo Linzer? Why him…?”
When I suddenly brought up an unexpected name, the Duke’s eyes filled with confusion.
Cargo Linzer was one of Duke Ruslo’s subordinates. He was originally a poor commoner the Duke had saved from some thugs during a patrol of his estate. The Duke paid off his debts and took him in. Since he was smart, he became like a strategist for the Duke.
However, the Duke’s right-hand man, Melas, had always been against Cargo. He said Cargo was sly and not trustworthy. Still, our kind-hearted Duke insisted, and so Cargo stayed by his side.
Even when I read the novel, I thought Melas had a sharp eye for people. So now I needed to use that — agreeing with Melas would help shake the Duke’s trust in Cargo.
“You know that Cargo can’t be trusted.”
Instead of going into a long explanation, I kept it short and firm.
“Wait… how does the Lady know that?”
“I can’t tell you the details. But please, Duke, you must trust me completely.”
I added a dramatic touch, like a line from a TV drama.
In the original story, it was unclear exactly when Cargo betrayed the Duke, but it seemed to happen soon after Aileen got kidnapped — and the Emperor got involved. So now was the right time to plant the warning.
The Duke’s eyes trembled like an earthquake. His gaze held doubt, confusion, trust, and suspicion — all at once. But when he saw how certain I looked, his expression slowly settled down.
“I don’t know how you know this, Lady… but thank you for the warning.”
He seemed to calm down, at least on the outside.
I didn’t know how deeply he took my words to heart. The Duke was always serious and listened politely, no matter who was speaking. But since Aileen (me) was seen as someone close to the Emperor, he might trust the quality of my information.
At least, I hoped so.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I quickly got up from the sofa. I’d said all I could — now it was time for him to think and prepare.
“Lady, wait.”
The Duke suddenly grabbed my wrist as I was about to leave.
“Yes?”
I froze. It wasn’t fear — it was excitement. My heart pounded wildly.
My favorite character, the one I dreamed about, had just stopped me from leaving.
The Duke stood up, still holding my wrist. I realized just how tall he was. My thin wrist looked so small in his big hand — the contrast was striking.
“You are… no, never mind.”
He seemed like he wanted to say something but gave up. Then he gently let go of my wrist.
As my arm dropped back down, I screamed in my heart:
Nooo! I don’t want freedom! Hold me tighter!
I wanted him to keep me here forever. But of course, I acted calm on the outside.
If he found out how I really felt, all my carefully delivered warnings would lose their power.
This wasn’t the time for fangirl behavior. I needed to stay cool.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going.”
“Very well.”
I bit my lower lip and turned toward the door.
I had hoped he would stop me again… but the Duke stayed silent.
My beloved Duke Raymond Ruslo seemed to have given up on threatening me. His servant told me I would be sent home tomorrow morning.
In the novel, Duke Ruslo kept Aileen for three days before sending her home on the fourth. He was worried she might starve. In my case, I’d stayed for six days — probably because I ate well. Still, the result was the same.
I wouldn’t see my favorite character anymore.
That fact alone made me feel miserable from head to toe.
Was there no way I could stay here longer?
Sigh… My heavy sigh seemed to echo.
As I stared at my empty teacup and the quiet garden outside, the Duke turned toward me.
“Is something troubling you, Lady?”
“Yes, I do have worries.”
I murmured, almost blending my sigh into the words.
“What is it?”
The Duke asked gently. I almost started complaining but stopped myself.
This conversation was weird, wasn’t it?
A kidnapper asking his hostage if she had worries? And the hostage being sad because she didn’t want to leave?
It was funny. I chuckled.
If I were to speak honestly, I’d have to say something like:
‘Aren’t you planning to keep me here longer?’
‘What can I do to remain kidnapped by you?’
‘I want to stay by your side forever!’
But those lines started to sound more like a confession, so I threw them away and asked something else instead.
“Anyway, am I leaving tomorrow morning?”
“Yes. My man will escort you safely to the Duke’s mansion.”
“I see…”
Another sigh escaped me. The Duke looked uncomfortable, like he had sand in his mouth.
“You must be eager to return. I know it’s been tough. Just one more day, alright?”
“No, not at all! I like being here.”
Oops — I had blurted out the truth.
The Duke’s eyes widened at my words.
“I-I mean… I’m okay with staying a bit longer. So please, don’t feel pressured to rush me out. Ha ha ha…”
I turned red and started rambling.
My feelings and my duties clashed inside me, spilling out uncontrollably. I was heading toward full meltdown when thankfully, the Duke changed the subject.
“Thank you, Lady. I have one request, though…”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
The word “request” instantly made me serious again.
The Duke’s eyes held a troubled light. It seemed like a difficult favor. He hesitated, then finally spoke.
“When you return, I’d like you not to tell anyone who your kidnapper was.”
He probably realized how unreasonable that sounded. Normally, no one could expect a victim to keep quiet about such a thing.
But… he was very lucky.
Because I’m your number one fan!
“Of course! Don’t worry at all, Duke! I’ve got this!”
I pounded my chest like a pumped-up salesperson.
Just imagining how much the Duke would worry about me afterward — skipping meals, losing sleep — broke my heart. So I answered with full energy.
…And scared the Duke. His eyes nearly popped out.
Maybe I went too far?
I should tone it down.
“I’ll keep the secret,” I said quietly, like a proper noble lady. I lowered my voice and tucked some hair behind my ear.
“Thank you.”
Only then did his startled face relax a little. Though… one of his eyebrows seemed to twitch.
That night — my last in the Ruslo estate.
I lay in bed but couldn’t sleep. Instead, I kept thinking about why I was here.
At least I could warn the Duke about the danger. That made my being here worth it, right?
If I could be Raymond’s guardian angel, that would be enough.
I tried to comfort myself like that… but tears still ran down my face.
The fear and loneliness of being in this strange world finally hit me.
Even though I’d read the novel so many times and felt familiar with everything… living it was different.
Sigh…
Another deep breath didn’t help much. I got out of bed and opened the window, hoping the cool night air would clear my mind.
That’s when I saw someone in the yard.
The clouds moved, and the moonlight shone down, reflecting off the figure.
His black hair glistened, and his deep blue eyes sparkled like stars.
There was only one man who could look like that — Raymond Ruslo.
“Raymond.”
I whispered his name, barely moving my lips.
But somehow, he turned his head and looked right at me.
Oh no. My hand on the window jerked in surprise.
I wasn’t doing anything wrong, but my heart jumped like I got caught spying.
The Duke’s gaze looked sad under the moonlight.
Maybe it was just the light, but those sorrowful eyes swept over me like a silent storm.
It felt like we made eye contact.
The window wasn’t open much — he probably couldn’t even see me. But still, it felt like we were looking right at each other.
After a few moments, he turned his head back and slowly walked away.
His figure disappeared into the shadows of the mansion.
End of Episode 6
