Chapter 02
“E-excuse me.”
I put on my best poor-citizen face from my previous life, trying to look as pitiful as possible.
With my eyes drooping and a hint of tears, I pleaded,
“Isn’t there any way we can work something out…?”
“I’m sorry.”
A firm refusal.
‘Damn it.’
I leaned back in my chair and sighed silently.
Banks—especially the first-class ones—are strict no matter the world.
“We really want to help you, but the debt is far too large. Six months was already the maximum extension we could give.”
“Yeah, yeah, I understand.”
The banker wasn’t wrong.
With that much money involved, the bank would naturally want it back quickly.
They’d probably only given me six months because of my family’s past credit history.
Leaving the bank empty-handed, I unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it into my mouth.
‘Life tastes bitter. Chew, chew.’
After wandering around the plaza, I sat down on a bench.
‘The sky’s so blue today.’
Too bad my life’s flashing red.
‘No! Stop self-pitying!’
The first plan had failed, sure, but I wasn’t giving up yet.
I jumped to my feet and set off for my next destination.
“Don’t worry! I’ll be a Count soon enough!”
That loud voice made me instinctively turn my head.
And there—
“What the…”
I blinked hard.
No mistake.
Same pink hair. Same green eyes.
Same sharp, arrogant face.
It was my uncle — Xavier Pusher.
‘Wait a second…’
Was he—going into a bar?
I looked up at the sky. Still bright blue.
So yes, he was drinking in broad daylight.
‘Well, I guess he can drink if he wants.’
Honestly, I wanted a drink too.
But this wasn’t some tiny tavern.
That was clearly an expensive, high-class bar.
‘Something smells fishy.’
I glanced at the clock tower — still plenty of time left in the day.
My eyes narrowed.
‘Yep, it stinks.’
I decided to follow him.
The place looked luxurious even from afar, but up close it was ridiculously extravagant.
“How may I help you?”
The doorman bowed politely.
I smiled sweetly and pointed toward the door.
“The man who just came in is my uncle. He told me to meet him here — said he’d go ahead and grab a table.”
A blatant lie.
Well, not entirely a lie — he was my uncle, and I did have a prior appointment (with the bank).
“Where is your maid, my lady?”
“Oh, I sent her to run an errand.”
The doorman tilted his head, suspicious but confused — I did look quite a lot like Xavier, after all.
“Sir Pusher didn’t leave any message.”
“Ah! He must have forgotten again!”
I clapped my hands cheerfully. His eyes narrowed at once, studying me.
But if you show weakness now, you lose.
“As you can see, my uncle’s a bit scatterbrained.”
A lie should sound confident. I even pulled out my trump card —
The Renesti family seal, engraved with a white stag.
The doorman’s eyes widened.
“He told me to hurry inside.”
“……”
“Or you can go ask him yourself. If I’m telling the truth, though, I expect you’ll apologize for making me wait.”
His expression shifted uncertainly.
He clearly hadn’t expected such boldness.
A few seconds later, he sighed and opened the door.
“…Please, go inside.”
“Thank you!”
I flashed a bright smile and slipped in quickly.
Inside, the place was just as fancy as it looked from the outside.
Polished wood, crystal chandeliers, soft music — pure money.
It didn’t feel like a bar at all; more like a noble’s private salon.
‘Figures. Never been in a place like this before.’
Trying not to look like a complete newbie, I straightened my back and scanned the room.
Tables for casual drinking in one area, private rooms with heavy doors in another — perfect for secret meetings.
Just then, a server approached.
“Are you alone, miss?”
“Yes.”
I smiled politely and pointed toward the closed rooms.
“The gentlemen who just came in — which room did they go to?”
The server smiled pleasantly — and said nothing.
‘So, not allowed to talk. Makes sense.’
Strict confidentiality. Of course it would be, for a place like this.
A pity, though.
It would be nearly impossible to spy on Xavier in here.
Still, I wasn’t leaving yet.
If that arrogant man came here, he must have a reason.
After thinking for a moment, I looked back at the server.
“Then could you show me to a seat, please?”
“Of course, miss. This way.”
He bowed and led me deeper inside.
Xavier Pusher.
Younger brother of the late Count.
He inherited the title of Viscount after his brother’s death.
He was greedy and obsessed with noble pride.
Rumor said he’d envied his brother — the former heir — since childhood.
So when the Count died, he wasn’t sad at all.
He just raged over the 200-billion-marni debt left behind.
‘Yeah, I already knew he was trash.’
Yelling at a twenty-year-old niece in the middle of the night over her dead parents’ debt — what more proof did I need?
‘Serves him right. He’s doomed anyway.’
In the novel, Xavier had picked a fight with the main character and ended up mysteriously disappearing soon after.
So what was he plotting now?
‘I saw him with two or three men earlier…’
Couldn’t make out their faces, but anyone meeting him here had to be someone important — probably other nobles.
‘He’s definitely up to something shady.’
Considering his history, that was a safe bet.
“Here’s your coffee, miss.”
“Thank you.”
I took a sip of the cheapest coffee on the menu.
‘Ugh. Tastes like capitalism.’
So bitter.
Halfway through the cup, I glanced around again.
It had been at least thirty minutes, but there was still no sign of Xavier leaving.
‘Did he sneak out through a back door?’
Places like this would have secret exits, probably.
If so, waiting here was pointless.
“Ugh…”
A glance at the wall clock told me I was running out of time.
I had other things to do today.
‘Guess I’ll call it quits.’
Oh well. I’d just count this as an overpriced coffee break.
But whatever my uncle was up to, I’d need to keep an eye on him.
I stood, placed a gold coin on the table, and headed for the door.
‘Damn it. What a waste of time.’
I should’ve just gone straight home.
Scowling, I stepped out onto the street.
But as I turned the corner—
My world flipped upside down.
“Ugh— what the?!”
Pain shot through my knees as I hit the cobblestone.
Before I could even cry out—
“Eek?!”
A hand clamped over my mouth.
