‘Why… Why is he laughing?’
Isn’t this the part where he should be looking at me with contempt because he was being threatened for money?
However, Ludger wasn’t laughing as if mocking me. His expression seemed to be genuinely amused.
When I looked at him in bewilderment, he covered his mouth and let out a small chuckle before waving his hand.
“Oh, apologies. I wasn’t laughing at the lack of respect; it was because I found it amusing.”
“Amusing…?”
“Yeah. Individuals who are obsessed with money don’t really make that kind of expression.”
“….?”
“Sir had a very annoyed expression that seemed to say, ‘If I say it like this, the other person will understand’. You truly had that kind of expression.”
“…!”
Having my thoughts seen through, I unconsciously swallowed my breath.
“Nevertheless, I understand your intention. Although it’s a mystery to me, it seems Sir truly possesses no intention of reporting me.”
“….”
“But as I’ve said earlier, my intention to eliminate unpredictable risks remains unchanged.”
‘Ah!’
I should have put on a more dedicated performance fitting of a money-obsessed, villainous knight commander.…!
I ended up digging my own grave with my clumsy pretense.
“You said before that you have no intention of reporting me, would you mind telling me why that is?”
“….”
I wanted to avoid twisting the original villain’s storyline and causing a headache in the long run….
Obviously, I couldn’t give that crazy answer, so I looked away.
Just then, the carriage slowly reduced its speed and came to a halt. It seemed we have arrived at our destination.
While helping me down the carriage by grabbing my hand, he whispered lowly so that only I could hear.
“Well, that’s fine for me. Taking the time to get to know Sir slowly would be quite enjoyable in its own way.”
‘If others heard him, they would think he’s flirting with me….’
I got off the carriage with trembling legs.
The place we arrived at was a famous restaurant as a so-called ‘popular spot’ in Melshas City. I remembered overhearing Lionel boasting about this place.
Needless to say, since it catered to people with considerable wealth, the exterior was flashy from the start.
“Um… Is my attire proper for the place? I think there was a dress code for this kind of restaurant.”
Naturally, my attire was as shabby as it could be. I was dragged from work straight to here, so it was given that my clothes would look out of place.
If I had the cloak, I could at least pretend to be in uniform. But unfortunately, the cloak was neatly placed on a coat rack in the knights’ office.
Because of my shabby appearance, I had been mistaken for a palace servant before. Worried that I might be thrown out because of my clothes, I asked Ludger. But he dismissed my concern with a pleasant laugh.
“Haha…. I made a reservation for a private room. So Sir needs not to fret about that.”
“I see.”
Well, come to think of it, there wouldn’t be any place bold enough to throw away the companion of a super VIP like Ludger just because she was dressed a little shabbily.
It’s like the story of rich people going to a luxury brand store in tracksuits.
‘But Ludger is dressed up perfectly, so it’s kind of… strange….’
Fortunately, as if putting shame to my concern, the staff greeted us very courteously. Even though it was surprising to see a shabby companion with the Young Duke, they didn’t show any hint of it. They maintained their professionalism to the fullest.
Sitting in the chair provided by the attendant, I looked at Ludger with a hint of anxiety.
“Um, but Young Duke.”
“Hmm?”
“With what you mentioned earlier in the carriage, isn’t the matter concerning me settled? I was thinking that it might not be necessary for you to go so far as to buy me a meal.….”
“As I’ve said earlier, I want to keep interacting with Sir.”
“…Shouldn’t it be called surveillance rather than interaction?”
“Well, you could call it that too.”
Ludger removed his gloves and tucked them into his pocket as he agreed without much hesitation.
‘Oh, that’s right. Gloves! Those damn gloves!!’
I must return those damn gloves today.
I took out a small pouch from my bosom and handed it to Ludger.
“…These are the gloves I had borrowed last time. I apologize for returning them so late.”
“Hmm….”
After receiving the small pouch from me, Ludger examined it from various angles and then spoke.
“Haven’t I said you can keep it? You would definitely need it in the future if you want to avoid being affected by my magic.”
“I have no need for them! Could Your Highness please stop pushing me?”
Without realizing it, I was so overwhelmed that I ended up speaking rather informally to the Young Duke. When realization dawned over me, I could only think, ‘Oops’.
However, Ludger only smiled leisurely, not seeming to care much.
“Indeed. I feel reassured because I trust the Sir that you would not abandon your oath to the God of heaven.”
“….”
I resisted the urge to glare at Ludger.
Appetizers and aperitifs started arriving as if to cut through the awkward atmosphere between us.
‘Well, it’s fine. It’s a rare opportunity to eat at a high-class restaurant at someone else’s expense. I’d rather feel regretful for not enjoying it and being irritated.’
Nevertheless, it was a foregone conclusion that Ludger wouldn’t trust me and would continue to watch over me persistently in the future.
However, I wouldn’t continue chasing Ludger as Heilbronner in the future. Since that was the case, I thought there wouldn’t be any significant changes in the original storyline.
If the original storyline stayed true to its path, Ludger would naturally get entangled with the female protagonist and gradually leave the Heilbronner activities. In the end, the Second Prince, who was the male protagonist, and the female protagonist would emerge victorious.
Until then, my sole plan was to quietly do my assigned work without arousing suspicion.
“Still, if the thief Heilbronner was a real criminal who was causing trouble to people, I wouldn’t have stayed still either.”
I muttered while splitting the scallops and pouring yuzukosho sauce.
[T/N: Yuzukosho is a Japanese condiment made from yuzu citrus zest, green or red chili peppers, and salt. It’s known for its tangy, spicy, and salty flavour. When used as a sauce, it adds a vibrant, zesty kick to dishes.]
“In this case, too, it’s similar. The Sapphire Knights predicted that Heilbronner would go to release the criminal.”
“That’s quite an interesting inference. Have Sir also thought that the criminal was an accomplice of mine?”
“Yes.”
“You also thought that?”
“…Yes, well. From my observation of Heilbronner’s crime patterns so far, there was a sense of conviction. Of course, it’s also possible that all the conviction displayed so far could be a façade and that the Heilbronner activities might be part of a criminal organization’s covert operation with accomplices.….”
As I rambled on and on, my words soon turned like reporting to a superior. I coughed in embarrassment and summarized the lengthy speech.
“Nevertheless, I believed that Heilbronner was a lone criminal and not someone who creates mishaps for personal safety or extorts material goods. Even the boy involved in human trafficking, who seemed to be saved for ulterior motives, ultimately ended up being beneficial to society.”
“….”
It was a bit embarrassing to say this in front of the person involved.
As I thought about that and swallowed my scallop salad….
‘Huh?’
I saw Ludger avoiding my gaze with a slightly flushed face. Although he was pretending to wipe his mouth with a napkin, his expression was clearly that of embarrassment.
‘What the….’
“Is Your Highness happy hearing the compliment?”
“…!”
Ludger visibly flinched back. I’ve been thinking about this since last time, but he also didn’t seem to have a talent for maintaining a poker face.
He seemed to have a strange desire for recognition or a sense of vanity. He must have secretly felt proud for his actions as Heilbronner.
“Co, cough. It’s not what Sir thinks.”
“Ah, it’s okay. Your Highness has been helping people without revealing your identity to anyone anyway. It’s perfectly fine to want recognition.”
“…Are you perhaps teasing me?”
“A bit. Besides, Your Highness’ identity has already been revealed to me, isn’t it okay to pursue this much fun?”
After hearing my words, Ludger stared at me without responding. I’d been thinking this for a while, but even though I was being a bit condescending towards a high-ranking noble, he seemed to let it slide as if there was something endearingly incompetent about my behaviour.
“Yeah, I’m in a position of having lost to Sir anyway. It’s only natural that I would be looking down upon.”
“…I haven’t really thought that, though? Honestly, I had just accidentally removed Your Highness’ mask with my sword strike. I haven’t thought of it as victory or defeat.”
“No. I lost.”
But He bluntly admitted his defeat.
“To be honest, when I was first introduced to Sir, I was a bit over-confident. Commander Geloic had boasted a lot about Sir’s talent, even assuring me that you would definitely capture the thief Heilbronner.”
“….”
‘Wasn’t that just being a typical middle-aged man boasting nothing….’
“That’s why I moved earnestly to test Sir’s ability… In the end, I was defeated. Cleanly.”
“…I see.”
“Even so, it was not just simple arrogance that has driven me to do this. I have my own convictions as well.”
“….”
Yes, in the original, the thief Heilbronner wasn’t just a simple thief.
He was a proper mastermind.
“But I have some doubts about Your Highness’ convictions.”
“Doubts?”
“Yes. Not all of Heilbronner’s crimes were done for the purpose of exposing the nobles’ doing to the public.”
“….”
“Like that pocket watch this time, there are cases where he stole worthless items and then returned them a few days later. Was that just for the sake of a hobby? I pondered hard on that.”
In the original storyline, Ludger was in conflict with the Second Prince, the male protagonist.
I don’t remember the specific ways in which he operated in the shadows and committed evil deeds as a mastermind, though.
However, that pocket watch he stole this time.
I had a strange premonition that it might have hidden clues leading to the original story.
“What is your conviction for those crimes?”
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