If it was the Second Prince, he wouldn’t have let this case go easily. Conversely, his faction could face significant risks if the situation escalated beyond control, even if he stood to gain something from it.
Ludger, too, must have had his political considerations.
However, he firmly offered to help me get the recognition I deserved, that also if I wished.
‘It probably won’t benefit me much.’
I thought, reflecting on his offer.
As expected, Ludger was kind to me, though it may have been because I held his secret. He had, after all, admitted that he needed to ‘stay on my good side.’
But even if that was the case, it was hard to deny that Ludger had been unusually lenient and accommodating with me.
While dealing with Ludger, another thought crossed my mind…..
‘This wasn’t my intention, but given the circumstances…. I should probably mention that I’ve been invited to the tea party.’
He had advised me— more like warned me—not to get too close to the Second Prince or Lady Serphenne.
Even though it was an unavoidable situation, it seemed better to tell him upfront. That way, there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings later.
Otherwise, it would seem like I was disregarding his advice (or warning, depending on how one looked at it).
‘My effort was dismissed like this… and they even scheduled it on the weekend. Who enjoys working on weekends?’
Wiping away the imaginary tears, I get back to work.
I couldn’t decline the invitation of a living, breathing storm. As the main characters of the original story, chaos was bound to follow them.
This time, the appearance of a demonic creature, causing havoc was also related to that.
Though I couldn’t remember all the details from 《I Became the Baby Prince’s Maid》, I vaguely recalled some pretty dramatic events that took place.
Being near these main characters increased the odds of getting swept up in those ‘drama’.
I closed my eyes tightly, hoping nothing bad would happen this time.
It was a tough world for an ordinary person to navigate.
***
The townhouse of Count Rentorich, belonging to a collateral branch of the Duke of Kassen, boasted its grandeur and had a rather splendid appearance, even among the other estates in the area.
A man wearing a thick hood, which contrasted with the elegance of the surroundings, stood outside the Count’s office, guided by the butler.
“Your Excellency, a guest has arrived.”
“Let them in.”
As the door swung open, the Count, a middle-aged man with graying blue hair, greeted the visitor while stubbing out a cigar. The hooded figure stepped forward without a word.
Once the butler shut the door and left, Count Rentorich greeted the guest with a smirk.
“It’s been a while, Marquis Mayr.”
“.…”
“Or should I be calling you Captain Gustav now?”
At the somewhat sarcastic remark, Gustav impatiently threw back his hood, revealing his chestnut hair in disarray.
“Please, enough with these threats. We’re on the same side here, after all.”
“Whoa, please calm down. His Excellency is well aware of your hard work. There’s no risk of you losing your position, so don’t overreact.”
“..…”
Gustav glared at the Count before collapsing onto the sofa in front of the desk. Count Rentorich chuckled and sat down across from him.
“So, what has been bothering you? Hadn’t I handled things as requested? I myself confirmed that Clara’s name wouldn’t appear in a single newspaper, you must have seen that too.”
“.…”
“No one could have predicted she’d get involved in the first place. Given the circumstances, I’d say we did a decent job to control the mouth of other nobles.”
“…I suppose.”
“Come on, you are still a young man. If you’re not going to risk everything for a woman when you’re young, when else will you?”
“Enough with the chit-chat. Let’s get to the point.”
“Hmm, alright.”
The Count leaned back, crossing his legs.
“This is just the beginning—a mere prelude. You know very well that the real events will be coming next after this.”
“.…”
“He has high expectations of you, so make sure you’re well prepared.”
“…I know.”
With that, they continued discussing their future plan before wrapping up.
Gustav, pulling his hood back over his head, muttered darkly,
“Please take care of Heilbronner.”
“There’s no need to worry. That’s what this operation was for, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Gustav left the office after giving a short reply.
As the Count Rentorich returned to his desk, while lighting another cigar, a wicked smile crept across his face.
‘All young men are fools. Wasn’t his nephew interested in the woman named Clara as well?’
Apparently, Ludger had taken her into his estate after she was badly injured. The aristocratic circles had already treated the relationship between the two as an open secret.
Though she has a minor chance of becoming the Duchess with such little real influence, however, she was not someone who could afford to overlook the second son of a Marquis.
‘Of course… My dear nephew’s downfall is imminent.’
Gustav Mayr might still have a chance at winning her over after that.
Though, it was unlikely that a woman as ambitious as Clara, who sought to become the Duchess, would settle for someone as insignificant as Gustav.
Still, for Count Rentorich, it was a fortunate development. He was glad that now he held a card he could use at his will.
Thick smoke coiled from the cigar, filling the room, as though dark clouds were gathering.
* * *
By the time I finished my work, the afternoon had already come to an end.
I quickly sent my subordinates home at the end of the workday, making sure they didn’t have to stick around for overtime with me. (Of course, as usual, Sir Sein left earlier than everyone, which wasn’t a surprise.)
About thirty minutes later, the door creaked open again.
“Who… Oh, Lionel?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Did you come for another round of getting your joints massaged by your Captain?”
Lionel raised his hands playfully in defense, holding a package in his other hand.
“When you work overtime, you usually skip meals. So your thoughtful older brother brought you some food.”
“You always have something to refute.”
I muttered, taking the package from him. It was a sandwich.
“There’s enough here. Want to share?”
“Of course! What kind of person do you take me for? Eating alone while you’re here?”
“Fine, dig in.”
Lionel was the type of person who always liked to be accompanied when he’s dining, but I knew he came here to make sure I wasn’t eating alone.
Despite all his annoying antics, he did have a considerate side.
He pulled up a chair and sat beside me. Since he had already brought the meal, I brewed some tea to go with it.
“So, what’s on your mind?”
I asked, sensing there was more to his visit.
He took a big bite of his sandwich, swallowed it after chewing it a few times, then finally opened his mouth.
“What are you hinting at? You think I’m the type of person who only shows up with bribes when I have something to say, huh?”
“Pretty much.”
“There’s no trust in this relationship, Clara…”
He grumbled, but I could tell there was more. He sighed and looked at me seriously.
“You’re not really involved with Duke Kassen, are you?”
“.…”
“I was joking about it before, but now it feels like it might actually be true… You know how many rumors are flying around about you right now? Everyone in the social circles knows who you are.”
“Ugh…”
I set the sandwich down and rubbed my face.
Yeah… I should’ve expected this. I knew it was coming, but I had been pushing it out of my mind.
Attending a social gathering as Ludger’s partner and then staying at his house for treatment—regardless of the reasons, was enough to start rumors. The fact that we were seen together in such a context would naturally spark gossip about our relationship.
‘Ludger must have anticipated this too.’
I thought with a sigh.
Lionel, seeing my troubled expression, asked cautiously.
“… It’s fine. You can be honest with me. I’ll keep your secret.”
“We aren’t in that kind of relationship. I’m involved with the Duke for… other reasons.”
“Other reasons?”
“They’re confidential, but…. let’s just say I owe the Duke a favor. He’s just keeping an eye on me to make sure I don’t take advantage of him.”
“Hmm.”
Lionel nodded thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand.
“That might explain it, but the Duke’s reaction seemed pretty intense.”
“His reaction?”
“Yeah, his reaction after you collapsed. I heard it from a friend who was at the gathering…”
I widened my eyes as Lionel shared the rest of the story.
