Chapter 9
“What? You’re going out?”
“Madam is going out?!”
The moment I said I was leaving the estate, the maids’ eyes widened in shock.
It was suffocating staying inside the mansion all the time. Besides, if I wanted proof that the butler and head maid were embezzling money, I had to go out myself.
But their reaction was suspicious.
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“N-No, but…”
“We’re just worried about your health, Ma’am!”
“That’s right! If you catch a cold breeze, you might fall ill!”
“But the weather’s nice today.”
As if to prove my point, a gentle spring breeze drifted into the room.
It was May, cool but soft, carrying the scent of flowers.
A perfect day for an outing.
The two exchanged glances, trying to come up with excuses, but I cut them off first.
“I don’t have the energy for word games. Call the carriage. And don’t even think about reporting this to the head maid.”
No more questions.
No nagging.
I gave them a look that said exactly that, and their faces turned pale.
“Waaah! Mary, Madam used her mind-reading again!”
“Gasp! Rose, be careful what you say! And what do you think?”
After hesitating, the two finally proposed a deal: if I took them with me, they would call the carriage.
Fine. The more witnesses, the better.
“Alright. But hurry.”
The moment I agreed, Rose and Mary quickly brought out a light dress and shoes and helped me prepare.
Just in case, I slipped a knife from the tea table into my dress.
“Where shall we go, Madam?”
“To Dwelron Forest.”
If the information in my head was correct, the lords would gather there.
They would check the ingredients first, then send someone else to deliver them to the estate.
“But… there’s nothing there…”
“Let’s go and talk.”
The coachman looked confused, but I insisted.
Soon the carriage began to move at a steady pace.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
The sound of hooves mixed with the sounds of nature.
“Wow! It’s so beautiful, Madam!”
“Woooow~ No wonder it’s a protected ecological area!”
To preserve nature, the House of Hetis had petitioned the imperial family to designate Dwelron Forest as a protected zone.
Few people were allowed inside so endangered plants and animals could survive.
But some corrupt lords had built a tavern inside the forest.
Because almost no one visited, they used it as a hideout.
“Madam! There’s something over there!”
“Hmmm? An old tavern? And why are there so many knights?”
Surprisingly, there was indeed a tavern hidden in the forest.
Its exterior was shabby, with no signboard.
Normally, one would pass by without noticing.
But in truth, it was a den of corruption.
“Are those knights from the House of Hetis?”
“Judging by the insignia, yes, Madam.”
As we approached, I spotted Hans and several of Cassian’s trusted knights.
But something felt off.
Their faces were tense.
“Where’s my dear?”
“His Grace? Probably inside.”
“His Grace is used to being alone~”
What? He’s alone?
Does that mean he went inside by himself?
Those lords are ruthless!
“How could you send him in alone?!”
The moment the carriage stopped, I flung the door open.
“Madam!”
“How did you get here?!”
The knights’ eyes widened as I jumped out.
Shouts rang out around me, but I didn’t have time to answer.
I have to hurry!
Cassian might be in danger!
I pushed past the knights and reached for the tavern door.
“Dear!”
***
At that same moment, inside the tavern—
“You should’ve confessed earlier. You’ve made things unnecessarily bloody.”
A storm had passed.
After finishing the interrogation, Cassian frowned and brushed blood from his uniform.
The stains only spread darker.
“Ruined a perfectly good outfit. Should I charge them for this too?”
From the inflated food prices to the illegal subsidies they skimmed, they had exploited every loophole.
Demanding double compensation would still be generous.
“At least the rat trap worked.”
They were slippery and hard to track.
But the moment he offered extra money, they bit the bait.
They always gathered in secluded places, finished their schemes, and then sent a front man to handle transactions.
They avoided the ducal surveillance that way.
After a few rounds of torture, the lords confessed one by one.
At first, they swore they would never speak.
Ten minutes later, they couldn’t endure the punishment and began spilling everything.
Satisfied, Cassian walked between them, deciding whether to execute them immediately or hold a public trial.
He absentmindedly touched the hilt of his sword.
Then—
“Dear!”
A voice that should not have been heard here.
Cassian turned and saw Evelyn.
His calm expression cracked.
Why is she here?
He hadn’t told her where he was going.
This was not the place to question her.
“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
Evelyn ran toward him like a frantic puppy and examined him.
Her eyes were filled with worry.
Cassian was used to scenes like this, but the concern on her face was genuine.
Strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant.
In fact, something unfamiliar stirred inside him.
“I’m fine.”
To suppress that strange feeling, Cassian gently pushed her away.
But she stepped closer instead, pointing at the blood on his uniform.
“What do you mean you’re fine?! You’re hurt!”
Her voice was loud, but her hands were gentle.
It’s not my blood.
How do I explain that?
“Are you dizzy?”
“…Yes. I suddenly feel dizzy.”
Playing along, Cassian closed his eyes and leaned against the wall as if faint.
He even let out a weak groan.
Thankfully, Evelyn seemed to believe him and quickly supported him.
Meanwhile, the lords stared in disbelief.
What is that shameless bastard doing?
Anyone would think he was the victim.
Just moments ago, he had been torturing them and debating whether to kill them.
Now, in front of a woman, he acted like a fragile man.
A true con artist.
Of course, they were con artists too—but Cassian was on another level.
Who is that woman to him?
She was undeniably beautiful.
Green hair like it was painted by nature itself.
Eyes like the deep blue sea.
Delicate features, pale skin, and a graceful figure.
The kind of beauty that made people turn around for a second glance.
If she were a noble lady, she would dominate high society.
If she were from the South, everyone would know her.
Yet none of them recognized her.
That meant she was either low-born or from another region.
As the lords observed her closely, one of them muttered—
“Come to think of it… doesn’t she resemble the Witch of the North?”
