RHNB 06

Chapter 6

Honestly, there was no need to ask—
it was obviously something brought for his commander.

Still, Dan planned to decide whether to confiscate it or let it pass depending on what it was.

“…They’re cookies for the Duke.”

Lady Jibon answered with a troubled face.

Cookies.

That was unfortunate.

Most of the cookies brought by ladies like this before had been mixed with strange potions.

Some were harmless—

but nine out of ten were not.

Dan held back a sigh.

“Why are they all the same?”

Trespassing.
Cookies with love potions.

“Do they really think the Commander would eat that?”

Really?

That Duke Roeln?

Even if he did—

what then?

Dan kept his expression calm and held out his hand.

“Cookies. Such a thoughtful gift. Please give them to me. Since they are so full of sincerity, I will personally deliver them to the Commander.”

The ladies—except Ivenne—were startled.

“N-no! That’s alright!”

“Y-yes, it’s fine!”

“Is that so? I was trying to deliver such a sincere gift for you.”

“How unfortunate.”

Dan muttered as if truly disappointed.

The ladies exchanged glances.

Then—

“Can we deliver them ourselves to Duke Roeln?”

“Yes. We made these cookies carefully while thinking of him. We want to deliver our feelings personally. Please, Sir Brown?”

Standing beside them, Ivenne turned pale.

“They’re saying that after all that scolding?!”

She glanced at Dan nervously.

“Then, I will deliver them.”

Dan took the basket from Lady Jibon almost forcefully.

The ladies’ faces turned pale—then red.

Their plan had been simple:

Make the Duke eat the cookies,
let the potion take effect,
and then one of them would spend the night with him—

and force him to take responsibility.

But now—

everything was falling apart.

“How rude!”

“How can you just take it like that?! Do you know who I am?!”

“That’s right! We can’t let this go!”

“When Duke Roeln arrives, we will formally complain!”

But Dan’s expression didn’t change.

Instead—

“Ladies.”

His voice turned firm.

“I said I will deliver your very special cookies. Did you not understand?”

“Special…?”

Only then—

their faces turned completely pale.

Their hands trembled.

They realized—

he had known from the beginning.

Ivenne, the only one unaware, just stood there confused, holding her document envelope.

Still—

she was just relieved the scolding hadn’t started again.

Dan clicked his tongue inwardly.

“At least they realize they’re in trouble.”

The ladies looked like they might cry, biting their lips.

But their pride wouldn’t allow them to beg.

“I’d like to throw them all in prison…”

But—

as always—

nothing would happen to them.

“Why does the Commander always let this go?!”

Dan grumbled internally.

Even with clear evidence—

nothing would be done.

And after a few days—

they would come back again.

So he ignored them.

“Ladies, it would be best for you to return home now.”

At his firm dismissal, Lady Jibon looked miserable and clutched her dress.

Lady A whispered, “Lady…” and she finally moved.

As she left—

she glared at Ivenne.

And so did the other lady.

‘Why are they glaring at me?!’

“Did I take the cookies? Did I chase you out?!”

Ivenne was furious.

But while she was distracted—

Dan’s eyes had shifted to the envelope she was holding tightly.

“What is that…?”

A document envelope.

New.

And—

pants under her cloak.

“A lady wearing pants… that’s new.”

She looked almost convincing—

like she actually came on official business.

“Lady.”

Ivenne flinched.

“Me?”

“Yes. What is that?”

He pointed at the envelope.

“It’s a document envelope.”

“…What’s inside?”

“Documents.”

“May I see?”

“No. It’s confidential.”

Dan was stunned.

“She says it so confidently…”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then I will check this confidential document.”

“I said you can’t. Only the Commander of the First Knight Order can see it.”

Dan almost believed her.

Then—

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ivenne Haiwen from the Magic Tower. I came regarding a contract. I have an appointment with the Commander at 5. I came early in case the checkpoint delayed me.”

She didn’t say:

“So I ended up getting scolded for nothing.”

She thought that explanation was enough.

But—

Dan was speechless.

“Wow… stalkers are getting more advanced…”

As far as he knew—

there were no female mages in the Tower.

“If you’re going to lie, why say the Magic Tower?”

Compared to previous ladies—

she was worse.

“Then why were you hiding?”

“…That’s…”

Ivenne hesitated.

“Why can’t you answer?”

“It’s not that I can’t—”

“It’s embarrassing!”

How could she say she hid because of those ladies?

She stayed silent.

Dan crossed his arms.

“Just as I thought…”

Then he looked at her again.

Rings.
Bracelets.
Earrings.

“Too many jewels for someone on official work.”

Now even her cloak seemed suspicious.

“Is she hiding a dress under that?”

“The truth is… I do have a reason. But I really have a 5 o’clock appointment. Can I go in now?”

Ivenne glanced anxiously at the entrance.

“It’s not past 5 yet… right?”

She had never been late before.

“Lady.”

She turned again.

“You bribed the checkpoint. You disguised yourself. You lied to meet the Commander.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t see it. Just give me that envelope and leave.”

Dan held out his hand.

Ivenne stared at it blankly.

Then—

looked up, shocked.

“What?! Bribed? Disguised? What nonsense is this?!”

“I came from the Magic Tower! I have a 5 o’clock appointment!”

“Lying is bad, Lady!”

“I’m not lying! Can’t you see the seal on this?!”

“…You even forged the Magic Tower seal.”

Ivenne almost exploded.

“Are you serious?!”

“Just come inside and confirm with the Commander!”

She had never wanted to see Duke Roeln this much before.

“Lady. Even if you meet him like this, it will only have the opposite effect. No one would like a woman who lies and chases after them like this. It would be better to act crazy and approach him at a ball.”

“I also think th—”

She quickly covered her mouth.

That wasn’t the point.

Dan narrowed his eyes.

Ivenne felt stuck.

How was she supposed to get past him?

“Ugh… I really need to go in…”

She tried acting cute.

But—

Dan’s expression became even scarier.

She immediately stopped.

“Ah!”

She clapped her hands.

“I found a way to prove it!”