Chapter 21
“We should check the rat hole properly.”
As if she had expected it, Lerazier grinned and asked,
“Do you like thrills?”
“Of course.”
“Then get ready.”
As Lerazier slightly bent his knees, Calliope frowned.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean? I’m more mobile than you.”
“That’s true.”
Without another word, Calliope reached out and wrapped her arm around his neck. Instantly, a large hand gripped her waist tightly and pulled her in.
With one hand holding Calliope, Lerazier placed the other on the railing and leapt into the air.
Calliope enjoyed the sensation of floating. The rush of wind as they dropped through the air was indescribably refreshing.
With a soft thud, Lerazier landed cleanly on the ground and let go of Calliope’s waist.
However, she didn’t release her hand from around his neck.
Slightly surprised, Lerazier looked at her before asking playfully,
“Are you trying to go in for a real kiss?”
“Want me to kick your shin again?”
With a raised brow, Calliope threatened him and gestured in the direction where the shadow had appeared earlier.
“We need to approach stealthily and quickly. Like someone said, a sword master is more useful than a mage in this case.”
“Oh, so you want me to carry you?”
“Correct.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if I just moved alone?”
Calliope wagged her finger side to side in disapproval.
“I’m not letting you roam the mansion alone, not knowing what you’ll do.”
“So you’re more worried about me than the intruder?”
“Exactly.”
Calliope gave a sweet smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
Lerazier clicked his tongue but nevertheless supported her back and knees, lifting her again. Then he quickly followed the shadowy figure.
As they expected, the uninvited guest had arrived at the annex building.
The area was already dark, but the lights leaking from the annex made the surroundings bright.
The intruder moved deliberately through unlit areas.
Following along the side of the building, the person reached a window on the first floor. In the faint light, his face was briefly illuminated.
Calliope and Lerazier had been waiting for this moment and quickly checked his face. But due to his black mask, all they could see were his gray eyes.
The masked man knocked on the window.
There was a specific rhythm and pattern to it, which Calliope memorized carefully.
After knocking, the man completely disappeared to the back of the building, where tall bushes, about human height, were thickly grown.
Lerazier whispered, shrugging,
“Perfect place for someone up to no good to hide.”
“Right? We should burn that whole area down one day. After we beat up that bastard, of course.”
Lerazier could easily imagine Calliope blasting dozens of fireballs into the bushes and scorching them instantly.
“Arson is a serious crime under imperial law.”
“This is my private property.”
“Technically, it belongs to your grandfather, Margrave Archibald.”
“Shut up and follow me.”
Calliope smacked his arm to hurry him along.
Only then did Lerazier follow the intruder and hide behind a large tree, perfectly out of sight.
He hadn’t made a single footstep of sound while pursuing the suspicious figure, and Calliope found herself impressed once again.
‘He really is a sword master, after all.’
At that moment, Gilbert finally appeared.
He cautiously approached the intruder, glancing in all directions.
“You didn’t get caught on the way, did you?”
“Of course not,” the man nodded. His voice confirmed he was male.
“Good. You must always be careful to avoid being followed. That bitch Calliope has an insanely sharp intuition. If we let our guard down, we’ll be the ones getting caught!”
Lerazier looked down at Calliope with an amused expression.
“Was that… a compliment? Ow!”
Calliope rolled her eyes and yanked on his earlobe—one of the few places she could grab that wasn’t all muscle.
“Just pay attention.”
Gilbert and the intruder continued their conversation.
From their hidden spot, Calliope and Lerazier listened in, wearing meaningful smiles.
“Looks like we’ll have to tweak the plan a bit.”
Before a full day had passed, news spread throughout high society about Calliope Verdi’s “accident”—and of course, the person who saved her was none other than Prince Lerazier.
People became intensely curious about how this incident might affect the famously antagonistic relationship between the two.
In the capital square’s bustling commercial district, crowds moved through the streets as usual. Faces were full of excitement and happiness as people strolled between elegant and luxurious shops.
Amid that lively energy, Calliope’s group walked as well.
Dangling from Sylvia’s bag was a cute, sparkling anti-eavesdropping magic device, glowing softly.
Checking its activation with a glance, Calliope turned to her right and asked,
“Sylvia, are you tired?”
“Tired? Not at all! I never get tired of shopping, no matter how much or how long, so don’t worry.”
Sylvia shook her head enthusiastically.
“Besides, you’re the one buying everything today, right? I get free stuff and get paid for it. This is the sweetest side gig in the world.”
Smiling, Sylvia glanced at Agnes, who was walking to Calliope’s left, then leaned in and whispered,
“Also, Lady Agnes looks like she’s in a great mood too.”
“Of course, Miss Sylvia,” Agnes replied, adjusting her glasses out of habit. Her eyes gleamed sharply behind the lenses.
“What could be more fun than this?”
Sylvia nodded in agreement.
“Well, yeah. Who doesn’t love free stuff—”
“I couldn’t sleep last night, just thinking about watching the righteous punishment of those villains with my own two eyes!”
Oh. So that’s why…
Sylvia flinched at the sight of Agnes, who now had literal sparkles in her eyes.
‘She really does have an unusual way of thinking.’
Shaking her head slightly, Sylvia then asked,
“By the way, are you okay, Miss Sylvia?”
“Me? Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Didn’t you make a huge fuss last time about seeing a ghost?”
“Oh, come on, Miss Agnes. Ghosts and people are completely different, you know?”
Sylvia widened her eyes as if asking what nonsense that was.
That’s when Calliope, who had been listening silently, casually commented,
“Most people think the opposite, Sylvia.”
“Huh?”
Agnes chimed in,
“She’s right. Normal people fear people more than ghosts or spirits.”
Sylvia blinked, covering her mouth with both hands in disbelief.
“I… I see…”
She mumbled as if she’d just had a great revelation.
A moment later, regaining her usual cheerful demeanor, Sylvia leaned in and whispered to Calliope,
“If this goes well, your plan will move along nicely, right?”
“Exactly.”
If everything went according to plan, they’d be able to reframe her relationship with Lerazier convincingly.
‘Of course, some might still doubt it… but it won’t become the dominant opinion.’
For now, that was enough.
The three of them chatted and strolled merrily through the lively streets, acting completely carefree.
And trailing secretly behind them… someone was watching.
