NLBM CH 4

Chapter 4

“As expected. He’s released his subordinates and is searching for Evelyn.”

“Viscount Hetus sent out his men? Even though he knows it could be a trap?”

“Yes. There are traces of his forces moving around in several places.”

“That means…”

“It means he intends to find Evelyn no matter what.”

Cassian had thought it was just a marriage of convenience, but their connection seemed deeper than he expected.

Maybe Hans was right. Bringing Evelyn here had been the right choice.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine? Viscount Hetus is vicious. If he finds out she’s with you—”

“I know better than anyone what kind of man he is. Don’t worry.”

Because Hetus always hid his face with a mask and robe, Cassian had never seen his true appearance, but they had crossed swords several times.

Unlike Cassian, who had learned orthodox swordsmanship, Hetus’ style was wild and rough.

Cassian had the advantage in strength, but in technique, Hetus was superior.

He used varied movements and elegant skills to slip into Cassian’s openings.

It felt less like a battle and more like a sparring match where one side enjoyed the thrill.

If only he weren’t an enemy.

If only he could be recruited.

But Hetus was not someone who could be persuaded easily.

Unfortunately, for the Empire’s stability, he had to be captured.

“How’s Evelyn’s condition?”

“She’s past the critical stage. Thankfully, her recovery speed is fast. Otherwise, she would have died long ago.”

Now she could move around, but when they first saw her, she had been on the verge of death.

She would still need consistent treatment, but at least she had survived.

After finishing the remaining notes, Matthew handed the parchment to Cassian.

Cassian’s eyes stopped at a particular line in the medical record.

“Her meridians are blocked… Does Evelyn have some kind of special ability?”

Usually, meridians were blocked to seal away power.

But Evelyn showed no sign of aura or magic.

She seemed like nothing more than a fragile lady.

No matter the reason, her health had to be restored.

If she were to serve as effective bait.

“Spare no expense. Make sure she fully recovers.”

***

Around the same time—

“My lord, we’ve received a reply from the informant you hired.”

The knight’s voice echoed through the grand hall.

From inside the room came a low hum, followed by permission.

“Let him enter.”

At the dignified command, the door opened.

Mode hesitated at the entrance.

Under orders from the head of the intelligence network, this low-level informant had come alone to the dark guild run by Viscount Hetus.

Clutching the parchment, Mode trembled and sent a desperate look toward the knight guarding the door.

“D-Do I really have to go in?”

“Who else would?”

The knight looked at him with contempt, as if staring at a bug on the street.

With no choice, Mode forced his shaking legs to move and stepped inside.

As expected of a place where Viscount Hetus spent most of his time, the guildmaster’s office was imposing.

Diamond-studded candlesticks.

A desk made of ebony.

High-quality parchment and ink neatly arranged.

Various types of fountain pens.

Each item alone was priceless.

“Bring it here.”

The man seated at the head gestured gently with his hand, wearing what looked like a kind smile.

But to Mode, that smile only deepened his fear.

He carefully placed the parchment in the man’s hand, then quickly stepped back and prostrated himself on the floor.

After reading the report, the man’s voice grew colder.

“Another failure?”

Crunch.

He crumpled the parchment and rose from his seat, approaching Mode.

“Do you think I gave you fifty thousand crosh just to bring me this?”

“We tried our best! But the result—ugh!”

“What matters isn’t how hard you tried. What matters is finding my Bell.”

Bell.

It was his pet name for Evelyn, his fiancée.

Grabbing Mode’s chin roughly, the man called for the knight outside.

“Take him to the basement.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“W-Wait! Please contact our leader and try again!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make him just like you.”

Mode’s desperate cries echoed, but the man locked the door firmly and turned away without hesitation.

Now alone, he returned to his desk and opened a drawer.

Click.

Inside was a portrait of Evelyn.

He took it out and gently stroked the frame.

“Bell… where are you?”

“Madam, how are you feeling today?”

“Does your head hurt? Do you remember anything?”

Rose and Mary, who had been assigned as Evelyn’s personal maids, began questioning her the moment they saw her.

Evelyn tilted her head slightly and answered casually.

“I’m not sure.”

“Hmmm, I see.”

“Oh dear, another failure.”

At her lukewarm response, their shoulders drooped.

That was because they had received a secret order.

A few days earlier—

“Mary, Rose. I have an important mission for you.”

Head maid Sophia had summoned them with a serious expression.

Confused by the sudden call, Mary and Rose swallowed nervously and waited for her to continue.

“This task is extremely important. If you succeed, you will both be promoted to official maids, and your pay will increase fivefold.”

“F-Five times?”

“Five times means we could live comfortably for two years?!”

“Yes. You may refuse. But if you do, you’ll have to take this memory-erasing drug and sign a nondisclosure agreement.”

In other words, keep the secret and earn a fortune, or lose your memory and leave as you are.

After much hesitation, Mary and Rose both accepted.

“We’ll do it!”

“Me too!”

Whatever it was, they couldn’t turn down the promotion and five times the salary.

They had been determined.

But then—

“Lady Seldian is staying on the third floor of the main building.”

“What?”

“She believes she is the Duchess of Hetis.”

“Whaaat?!”

The shocking news came immediately after signing the contract.

“The Witch of the North is here?”

“The villainess who devastated the South is pretending to be our mistress?”

They hoped it was a lie, but Sophia’s stiff expression said otherwise.

After hearing the full explanation, it felt like a storm had hit them.

“So His Grace and the lady are pretending to be husband and wife?”

“Oh my, how romantic!”

“Rose! Get a grip! This isn’t a novel. We must deceive her completely and capture Viscount Hetus!”

“But she’s already engaged! Isn’t that wrong?”

“…Sometimes, for the greater good, it must be done.”

“But—”

“The most important thing is the House of Hetis. Remember that, Mary! And you too, Rose!”

After firmly warning them, Sophia dismissed the two.

Reluctantly, they became Evelyn’s closest maids and began observing her carefully.

“Hmmm, I wonder what we’re having for lunch today?”

Meanwhile, Evelyn herself seemed perfectly carefree.

“Madam, do you truly remember nothing?”

“Not even a little?”

They reported daily to the head maid, and they couldn’t keep giving the same answer.

So they carefully noted every small detail, determined to uncover something.

At their earnest questioning, Evelyn rested her chin on her hand and looked thoughtful.

Then she answered brightly.

“Nope. Nothing.”

Mary’s and Rose’s faces fell in disappointment.

“I see…”

“Another failure.”

As they muttered gloomily, Evelyn nodded in agreement.

“Yeah. It would be nice if I remembered something.”

Seeing them disappointed made her feel a little regretful too.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have the usual transmigration bonus of remembering the original story.

“At least I can read and write.”

She scratched her cheek awkwardly.

The drooping maids suddenly lit up and quickly pulled out parchment.

“Oh! She scratched her cheek!”

“Write that down!”

Evelyn smiled at the sight.

Cassian must really like me.

He said he was sorry he couldn’t visit often because of work, so he must be getting reports about my daily life through the maids.

Come to think of it, what is Cassian doing right now?

“Where’s my dear?”

“Your dear? You mean His Grace?”

“Mary, who else would my dear be besides Cassian?”

“Haha… of course.”

“Then why are your hands shaking, Mary?”