His hand movements as he handled the revolver became much slower and more discreet.
Enrique feigned calmness. That was one of the things he was best at.
He silently wished she wouldn’t be wary of him—so that she might willingly let slip more information, drawing it out like whispers into the flames…
Then, he threw another question at Eugenia.
“You seem to know a lot about guns?”
Eugenia tilted her head, wearing an expression that said it was a strange question.
“I wouldn’t say I know a lot. Just… as much as anyone else. That’s all.”
Just enough to know what kind of weapon it was, and how to use it. Just that much.
After giving her brief answer, Eugenia shrugged. Her face said, “Is that a problem?”
By then, Enrique had regained his composure and quickly finished tending to the revolver.
He slid the gun into the belt at his waist and covered it again with his robe.
As if he were trying to hide it.
Then, Eugenia asked brightly,
“But why are you asking about that?”
“No reason. Just curious.”
Curious? About what, exactly?
Eugenia still looked like she didn’t quite understand.
Enrique added, almost like an excuse,
“Most noblewomen don’t usually show any interest in things like this.”
Eugenia laughed lightly.
“Well, I’m not a noblewoman.”
“Hm.”
That’s exactly the problem.
Enrique swallowed the rest of his thought.
This revolver—this “gun”—was a recently developed piece of equipment. In fact, it was a new weapon.
Very few people even knew it existed. Enrique was one of those few.
‘And yet… Miss Eugenia knows about it?’
He pressed his lips tightly together to stifle the sigh threatening to escape.
Eugenia’s response had been ordinary, and yet not ordinary at all.
She knew about guns and silencers, yet asked back as if there was no issue.
He resisted the urge to interrogate her on the spot and instead spoke in an unaffected tone.
“Let’s get out of here for now.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Eugenia pulled her hood back over her head and buttoned up her coat.
Just as they were about to walk out of the alley side by side, Enrique suddenly paused.
“Oh, wait.”
“Huh? Ah, okay.”
Did he forget something?
Eugenia looked at him curiously.
He turned around and walked a few steps back.
He was the kind of man who probably never bowed his head, but he stopped at a certain spot and bent down.
He picked something up off the ground and lightly shook it twice, as if shaking off water.
“Ah.”
Eugenia let out a soft sound and blinked.
What Enrique had picked up was her bag of candy.
She had dropped it during the scuffle with the thugs and completely forgotten about it in the chaos.
‘Look at me. I completely forgot.’
Enrique walked back holding the bag and held it out to her.
“Here.”
Even though the top and bottom of the paper bag were quite damp, he held it out without hesitation.
Eugenia stared at him for a moment before lifting her gaze.
She looked directly at Enrique, then curved her eyes gently.
“Thank you. I almost left it behind.”
He simply gave a short nod in response.
“Let’s go, then.”
Eugenia hugged the candy bag close to her chest and followed Enrique with a slight delay.
They turned several corners of the narrow alley and came out onto a main road. Though it wasn’t a clear day, there were people on the street.
She could even hear occasional chatter. It was no different from a normal day.
That made Eugenia wonder—was what she just experienced maybe a dream?
Still, neither of them spoke a word as they walked.
‘Maybe we’re heading somewhere quiet to talk?’
Thinking that, Eugenia stayed patient and matched his pace, waiting for Enrique to speak first.
Soon, they arrived beneath the clock tower in the plaza.
Then finally, Enrique spoke, as if continuing a casual conversation.
“I know I mentioned it earlier, but I’d like to hire you.”
Eugenia responded calmly, without surprise.
“May I ask what made you change your mind?”
Enrique paused for a moment, as if choosing his words.
“At first, I thought your situation would be too much of a hassle. So I declined. Are you upset about that?”
“Not at all. I understood. It was a bit disheartening, but I wasn’t offended. I’m just curious—why the change of heart so soon?”
“Well… I figured there’s no guarantee that hassle will actually happen. And Albury wouldn’t stop nagging me about it.”
“Ah.”
Eugenia nodded in agreement.
Even though she had only met him briefly, she had a clear sense of Albury’s personality.
Right before she left, he had whined—no, begged—not to part with her. So she could easily picture him running upstairs and pestering his master the moment she was gone.
“You seem far more generous and open-minded toward your subordinates than I expected.”
“Miss Eugenia, whom I met today, already knows me that well. Why Albury doesn’t, I’ll never understand.”
Eugenia chuckled softly.
“I’m sure he does. Maybe he’s just playing the spoiled child.”
“A spoiled child? With that build? Just the thought makes my skin crawl.”
Enrique clicked his tongue and frowned. Even the subtle crease on his cheek from the expression was handsome.
Then Eugenia realized she had been staring at him too intently and quickly looked away.
Feeling slightly awkward, she fixed her gaze ahead and kept her ears open as they walked.
“Well, anyway. That’s why I changed my mind.”
Enrique trailed off ambiguously.
‘That can’t be the only reason, right?’
It felt like there was more, but he remained silent, so Eugenia awkwardly filled the pause.
“I see. I understand.”
But to her, it didn’t seem like a convincing enough reason to hire someone.
As if he’d sensed she was thinking the same thing, Enrique soon opened his mouth again.
“There’s no guarantee those troubles will arise. And if they do… I figured you’re someone I can reason with. That’s the main reason.”
Eugenia easily caught his true meaning behind the words.
‘He thinks I’ll be convenient.’
Even if problems arise, he expects her to keep quiet.
That was Enrique’s condition.
‘Not bad.’
It also implied they wouldn’t pry too deeply into her or the twins.
‘No reason to refuse.’
Eugenia saw no need to drag it out and nodded right away.
“I understand what you’re asking of me. And I can give you a firm answer on that. My lips are very sealed.”
“Good to hear.”
Enrique nodded quietly.
Though the conversation had gone smoothly, his dark expression remained unchanged.
The truth was, Enrique had one more reason—something he didn’t say out loud.
But he had no intention of explaining that to her. So he kept his mouth shut.
He focused all his attention on the weight at his waist.
That was the strongest reason he’d firmly decided to keep Eugenia close.
The gun belt felt particularly heavy today.
Of course, he knew it was just his imagination. And yet, the revolver still felt oppressively weighty.
‘She knows about guns… Just who is Miss Eugenia?’
He glanced sideways at her profile with a sharp gaze, then masked his thoughts again and spoke in a calm tone.
“I’m glad we wrapped up this talk quickly.”
“I’m also thankful that you changed your mind.”
Eugenia bowed her head again, expressing her gratitude.
“Oh! I need to turn left here. Could we continue the conversation tomorrow at the inn where you’re staying?”
She pointed down an alley, her voice cheerful.
Enrique looked in that direction and asked,
“Where are you staying? You never know what might happen. I’ll take you there.”
“Pardon? You’ll walk me there?”
Enrique nodded.
“There’s still more we need to talk about.”
“More to talk about?”
Eugenia stopped walking and looked at him directly, blinking.
“Yes. The role you’ll take on—it’ll be a little different from what was originally posted.”
