HIFH | Chapter 33

Episode 33

03. Plan

[“An Icon of High Society or a Righteous Hero? Charles’ Bold Stand Against the Crocodile Swarm!”]

[“Once Again, A Hero! The Life Story of Charles Courtney”]

“Haha.”

I let out a hollow laugh at the newspaper article I faced early in the morning.

Honestly, I had seen plenty of sensational headlines like this before, so it wasn’t something to be dumbfounded about.

The truly absurd part was the content of the article.

[With Charles, We Are Safe!

In the midst of continuous incidents, Lady Charles has emerged as the hero of the aristocratic society once again, astonishing people.

—–

This latest event has sparked a new belief among the nobility.

—If we are with Lady Charles, we are safe from terrorism and assassination threats!—

In fact, some nobles are now even more proactive in sending invitations to events, hoping to have her in attendance, while those close to her express a subtle sense of pride.

——

Certain figures in high society have commented on this phenomenon, saying, “Lady Charles is no longer just another noble; she has become the guardian of the aristocracy.”

“Now, when attending a ball, we have to consider not just the dress code but also whether Lady Charles will be present.” — A certain noble gentleman

How far will Lady Charles’ legend continue?]

“Haha.”

I laughed.

“Hahaha.”

I laughed again.

Because it was impossible to endure this situation without laughing.

‘How did it come to this?’

A hero, they say.

Someone like me should never be called a hero!

‘Thinking back to everything that happened…’

The wasp incident at Count Floria’s estate,

The intruder incident at Marquess Bydon’s residence,

The assassination attempt at Count Lockwood’s estate,

Even saving Cecil Rosefeldt’s nephew.

“…….”

Right.

After four times, I suppose it makes sense to be called a hero.

But…

‘I never intended for this to happen!’

Every single one of those incidents was purely coincidental!

Letting out a deep sigh, I crumpled the newspaper in my hands. My stomach churned, aching from the stress.

Perhaps it was because I had a gut feeling that these incidents were not just ‘coincidences’ but rather orchestrated by Catacle.

‘This time too…’

The boy I saved, Theo, had been holding a biscuit in his hand.

One could assume it was just a treat given to visitors at the crocodile farm, but the moment I caught its scent, I knew it wasn’t an ordinary biscuit.

‘Someone had smeared it with blood.’

The biscuit reeked of blood, rotting innards, and a very specific pheromone.

A scent highly effective in attracting crocodiles.

In other words, Theo being attacked had been intentional.

Due to the resulting outcry from their noble clientele, the crocodile farm was eventually forced to shut down.

The moment I wondered who could have orchestrated such an incident, Catacle came to mind.

I had already suspected them to be behind previous events, so it was only natural to think, ‘Could it be them again?’

If so, then why—?

‘Damn it.’

I ruffled my hair in frustration and sighed.

Maybe it was the overthinking, but my stomach felt like it was tearing apart.

“Ugh…”

Deciding I needed to take some medicine, I reached for the bell pull to call for some water.

Before long, Mardi arrived.

“You called for me, miss?”

“Yeah. Can you bring me some water? I think I need to take something for my stomach.”

“Is it hurting? Oh dear! Please wait just a moment, I’ll bring it right away!”

True to her word, Mardi quickly returned with water and medicine.

I swallowed the pill in one gulp and slumped onto the sofa. Ugh, my stomach.

“Are you alright, miss?”

Mardi asked, her voice filled with concern. I forced a smile and waved my hand dismissively.

“This happens sometimes. I’ll be fine.”

“But…”

Even after my response, Mardi still looked at me with a worried expression.

“It’s because you and Master Lu haven’t been getting along, isn’t it?”

Hm?

“I’ve been worried since I haven’t seen you two together lately… And now you’re feeling unwell, which makes me even more concerned.”

Hmm.

I scratched my cheek.

Mardi wasn’t wrong—Lu and I had been distant lately.

— I hate you so much, it’s driving me crazy.

Since that conversation, Lu hadn’t sought me out.

It was to the point where I wondered if he was deliberately avoiding me.

Honestly, after hearing those words, it was awkward for me to see him as well, so I had been trying not to think too much about it.

And yet, here was Mardi bringing it up.

Clicking my tongue, I shook my head.

“Lu and I have no problems. We’re just both busy and don’t have much time to spend together.”

“So, you didn’t have a fight?”

A fight…

— I hate you so much, it’s driving me crazy.

Rather than a fight, it was more like I had been one-sidedly beaten down.

No matter how much someone hates me, saying it so bluntly to my face…

‘I have feelings too, you know.’

The words kept gnawing at me, to the point that I ended up feeling sick.

‘So that’s why my stomach hurts even more now.’

That raised another question.

Why was I so affected by Lu’s words?

Back when I was in Catacle, I wouldn’t have cared if someone hated me.

After all, most—no, all—of them did.

But now… somehow, this felt worse than facing outright hatred back then.

My chest felt heavy and stung.

‘I don’t understand myself.’

Still, thinking about it wouldn’t give me any answers. So, I let out a long sigh and forced a smile.

“No, we didn’t fight. We’re just both busy. Sorry for making you worry over nothing.”

“No, no! You don’t have to apologize. But…”

Mardi hesitated before speaking.

“If something is wrong, please tell me. I might not be able to solve your problems, but I can at least listen.”

I blinked slowly.

And I thought…

Mardi is such a good person.

Had I ever met someone this kind before in my life?

So, I spoke with sincerity.

“Thank you.”

Of course, I couldn’t possibly tell her what was actually wrong.

Late at night.

When everyone was fast asleep.

After confirming the crescent moon hanging diagonally in the sky, I carefully opened the window.

‘No one’s around, right?’

Like, for example… Lu. Or Lu. Or Lu…

Fortunately, thanks to the clouds obscuring the moon, the night was thick with darkness, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead.

Even if Lu was out there, he wouldn’t be able to spot me.

So, I quietly leaned forward.

A three-story drop was enough to deter most people, but not me.

Tap!

I placed my foot on the window ledge and leaped into the air.

Grabbing onto a branch of an elm tree beyond the wall, I flipped midair.

Swish—!

Perching myself on the branch, I scanned the surroundings once more.

‘No one’s there.’

After confirming, I landed softly on the ground.

“Whew.”

Exhaling lightly, I quickly picked up my pace.

Tonight, I was meeting Pinky.