CHAPTER 44…………………………………………….
“Sorry if I was rude upon first meeting you.”
The man bowed politely toward Trisha.
Trisha stared at him intently, pretending she hadn’t lowered her guard.
The most effective way to reassure prey is to act weaker than you actually are.
“I can’t reveal my name, but I’m not a suspicious person. I only came here, where the Goddess’s Chalice is said to be, to obtain information necessary for my future business.”
“Oh, I see.”
Trisha nodded slightly, as if letting her guard down.
But knowing the man’s true identity, it was merely a ridiculous performance.
‘I know you well.’
Very well indeed.
The man before her was Bill, the servant of the Princess’s palace and the most cherished lover of the Marchioness of Devon.
Trisha had obtained the Goddess’s Chalice today with Millard’s help, just to draw him out.
‘I also know very well what you need most.’
Knowing the prey’s weakness precisely—
That was the greatest weapon for today’s hunt.
‘I should signal Jane.’
If she hadn’t met Bill today, she would have simply returned with her group.
But since things had turned out this way, the plan needed adjustment.
“There’s someone with me.”
“Then perhaps next time…”
Bill looked disappointed at Trisha’s words.
“Would it be alright to tell your group to head back first?”
“Oh, of course.”
Bill’s face brightened, thinking Trisha was rejecting him.
What an easy-to-read man.
Trisha, hiding her true intentions, politely asked for his understanding and waved toward Jane, who was at the entrance.
It was a prearranged signal, so Jane waved back.
“That’s enough.”
After that, Trisha led Bill toward the balcony curtained off for privacy.
They needed to discuss matters more discreetly.
“Do you have gambling debts?”
“…Pardon?”
“You seemed to want the Goddess’s Chalice.”
He hesitated for a moment at her direct words but quickly regained a composed expression.
“Who wouldn’t want the Goddess’s Chalice? Surely everyone feels the same.”
“Normally, people don’t want the chalice itself, but the thrill of obtaining it.”
That was why everyone left without hesitation once the owner of this chalice appeared.
They weren’t after money—they wanted the pleasure of being the protagonist.
Even after Trisha pointed this out, Bill remained shameless.
“I’m merely curious about this Goddess’s Chalice. And…”
“You really don’t want it?”
Trisha cut him off.
“As far as I know, you’ve lost a significant amount at the casino, and your family seems to be struggling with poverty as well.”
“…Who are you?”
Bill’s expression changed.
“Just who are you to know that much…?”
“I know what you’ve done to pay off your debts.”
“Hah…”
Bill bit his lip.
He was probably thinking of the Marchioness of Devon now, and how he clung to her to pay off his debts.
“What is your purpose in doing this to me?”
“I have a proposal.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Bill’s eyes glinted coldly. He revealed his true nature, showing he had no intention of listening further.
He drew a dagger hidden in his sleeve, threatening Trisha.
“A proposal or not, if you don’t hand over the Goddess’s Chalice immediately, I can’t guarantee your life.”
“So that’s your true intention.”
Trisha abandoned her polite tone.
There was no need to act noble when her opponent had revealed his true colors.
“I thought you’d be more cautious, but what a pity.”
“…Who do you think you are to lecture me, cuhk!”
At that moment, the curtain opened, and someone punched Bill in the stomach.
The dagger clattered to the floor, and the attacker picked it up.
“How dare you brandish such a dangerous weapon.”
“….”
“Such bad manners.”
It was Millard.
Trisha frowned as she met the eyes of the still-masked Millard.
She had expected Jane to bring guards, so why was Millard here?
The hand wave earlier had been the prearranged signal with Jane.
It was a signal to bring guards and wait at the second balcony.
Before Trisha could gather her thoughts, Millard threatened Bill with the dagger.
“If you harm even a single hair on my master’s head…”
“….”
“I cannot guarantee the safety of you or your family.”
Bill’s face went pale at Millard’s warning.
“Remember that.”
Millard finally sheathed the dagger and stepped back, keeping a distance behind Trisha.
It was far enough that speaking softly made it hard to hear, yet close enough that he could cover the distance in a stride. He nodded, signaling her to continue speaking.
“Hah…”
Trisha, though dumbfounded, had other matters to attend to first.
She looked directly into Bill’s eyes, filled with fear, and made her proposal.
“I’ll pay off all your gambling debts.”
“Th-That’s ridiculous…”
“Don’t you want to free yourself from the Marchioness of Devon?”
Bill faltered. Trisha, noticing his reaction, continued gently.
“The casino where you incurred debts belongs to the Marchioness of Devon. Meaning it wasn’t a coincidence that you got into so much debt in the first place.”
Trisha had already completed her investigation on Bill.
She knew that although he had no real feelings for the Marchioness, he couldn’t escape because of his debts and family.
She also knew it was the Marchioness who put him in debt.
“The Marchioness of Devon will never let you go.”
Bill shook his head, refusing to believe her.
“…No, she’ll get tired of me eventually.”
“If she gets tired, she’ll kill you.”
“….”
“Do you think otherwise?”
Trisha sneered. Bill couldn’t deny it.
He had seen enough while staying by the Marchioness’s side.
“Either wait for the rope to break, or switch to another before it does.”
Trisha elegantly took a piece of paper from her chest.
“The choice is yours.”
Instead of handing it to Bill directly, she placed it on the railing.
It contained instructions on how to contact her, written with ink that would evaporate after a set time.
“The sooner you decide, the better.”
Having said that, Trisha lightly tapped Bill’s shoulder in encouragement and turned away.
As she raised her hand to pull back the curtain, a large hand reached from behind and drew it aside.
It was Millard.
Trisha bit her lip, almost calling his name unconsciously.
“…Why did you intervene earlier?”
“Why? I was busy looking for my master.”
Only then did she notice what she had missed before—the eyes filled with anxiety, the messy hair, things like that, though the mask made them indistinct.
“Why were you looking for me?”
“I had something to say.”
“I have nothing to say.”
Trisha’s gaze shifted behind Millard as she spoke.
Someone was watching the argument closely with wide eyes.
“Jane.”
“Oh, yes!”
Trisha ignored the masked Millard and approached Jane.
“Let’s go.”
Jane cautiously glanced at Millard, aware of him.
“Uh…by the way, what’s your relationship with each other?”
Jane asked in a low voice, but the answer came from the other side.
“Lovers.”
Millard repeated what he had said earlier in front of Edwin.
“…Lovers?”
“We just broke up.”
Seeing Jane’s startled face, Trisha replied coldly.
“We won’t meet again.”
“You shouldn’t make such claims lightly.”
Through the mask, Millard seemed to smirk slightly.
Trisha sighed.
“I can’t let Jane go alone again.”
“I’m fine!”
“I’m not fine.”
Saying that, Trisha sent Jane to the carriage where she was to wait.
She made it clear that she would be returning home with Jane immediately after finishing the conversation.
Millard silently observed the entire process.
“What’s going on?”
Trisha was puzzled by Millard’s uncharacteristic silence.
“What’s happening…?”
“What was that guy to you?”
Trisha frowned.
She couldn’t understand what she had just heard.
When she stayed silent, Millard pressed further.
“What’s your relationship that you’d enter the balcony alone with him without fear?”
