Enrique let out a sigh and kept thinking almost without really paying attention.
“Could it be a story of a nobleman and a lovestruck maid?”
It was the most common scenario one could deduce. If so, she might have fallen in passionate love with a nobleman but had to separate due to opposition from her household.
However, noble families wouldn’t want their seeds to be scattered carelessly. They might be determined to take the children away from her. To protect them, she fled, and the man’s family might have put out a warrant for Eugenia’s arrest.
Enrique was creating scenarios in his head about Eugenia’s story.
Then he paused again.
“What’s the point of thinking about this?”
She’s already gone. He sent her away.
So why couldn’t he shake these thoughts from his mind?
Feeling quite weary of his unusual self, Enrique rubbed his face roughly with his large hands, as if to wash away his thoughts.
“Anyway, that’s why. That’s why I didn’t hire her.”
He was still holding his face in his hands, so his voice sounded muffled as if trapped within.
After a while, when he uncovered his face again, Enrique looked visibly tired.
“I can’t afford to waste any more time here with someone who has issues. It’s one thing to say anyone is fine, but embracing someone with problems is another matter. Have you understood enough now?”
Albert nodded silently.
But the tension in his tightly pressed lips hinted that he had something to say but was holding back.
Sure enough.
“However, if I may.”
Albert spoke cautiously, glancing at Enrique.
“If you permit, there’s something I’d like to say. Would that be acceptable?”
Of course, even if permission was denied, he seemed intent on speaking up.
Seeing that Enrique was not happy, Albert tactfully added:
“Of course, the decision is entirely up to you after hearing it, Mr. Enrique.”
Enrique chuckled dismissively, waving his hand as if to brush off Albert’s seriousness.
“What’s with all the seriousness? Just spit it out.”
With a look that said “You asked for it,” Albert cleared his throat a few times and began, “To get straight to the point, considering all other factors, I believe Eugenia is the best choice.”
“What?” Enrique’s lips parted slightly in disbelief.
Enrique shot Albert a bewildered look, but Albert confidently stood his ground.
“Did you not hear anything I’ve said so far?”
“That’s not funny, Enrique. And why would you say something like that? I clearly heard with both ears. I understood your concerns as well.”
Enrique’s handsome brow furrowed even more.
“Why would you say such nonsense?”
Albert wasted no time in responding, stepping forward slightly, seeming quite eager to speak his mind.
Enrique leaned back slightly in discomfort.
“Admittedly, the risk is high. I understand. But if we look at it from a different perspective, she might be the best candidate, wouldn’t you agree?”
“How did you come to such a conclusion?”
Enrique leaned back, crossing his arms.
As his shirt tightened across his broad chest, an inexplicable tension filled the room.
“Ever since we stepped into a country in turmoil, our situation has become quite troublesome, hasn’t it?”
Albert paused, observing Enrique’s reaction. He didn’t press further, only brushing his chin lightly.
“Moreover, our mission has already ended. Yet, how long have we been tied down here? Surely you’re not seriously considering staying in Haeland?”
With newfound courage, Albert continued.
“Enrique, frankly, what’s the problem if she’s a criminal?”
“Albert.”
He called his name to stop him.
Albert, who would usually have stopped out of respect, didn’t this time.
He persisted, almost as if he were being chased.
“It’s not a problem if she doesn’t get caught. Then there won’t be any more trouble here.”
“Hmm.”
Enrique sighed deeply, running his hand through his hair.
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have given you the opportunity to speak.”
Their words overlapped, both Enrique’s and Albert’s.
“Why were you preparing to get caught from the start, Enrique?”
At that moment, their eyes clashed in the air.
Through tousled hair, Enrique’s gaze shone a deep, piercing blue.
At that moment, Albert found himself speechless.
However, feeling that he couldn’t back down from here, even knowing he was crossing a line, Albert couldn’t help but speak up again.
“Humility shouldn’t be taken too far. After all, Mr. Enrique, you’ve never failed in any operation you’ve participated in, have you?”
“….”
“Use her to the appropriate extent, that woman.”
Albert continued to speak, swallowing saliva to moisten his dry mouth.
And then he spoke again.
“As you said, you didn’t hire her because you didn’t want to make trouble or get involved, right? But think about it. As we stay here in Hallant longer, won’t it become more troublesome?”
Words like “Don’t get caught. Don’t get caught” flowed from Albert’s lips like a broken record, trying to convince Enrique.
But even when Enrique didn’t budge, Albert pressed on.
“If she gets caught, if that moment comes, can’t you just abandon her?”
At that moment, a heavy silence descended between the two of them, heavier than ever before.
Albert gritted his teeth.
He knew it well. That his words were quite despicable.
But he believed Enrique understood his anxiety.
The reason the borders were closed was that the forced abdication of the Crown Prince’s soldiers hadn’t been secured yet.
The Crown Prince wouldn’t be captured, and border checkpoints would become even more stringent.
Enrique must already understand what he was worried about.
With the urge to say more, Albert held back his impulse and fell silent.
Enrique, perhaps sensing that they shared the same thoughts, finally spoke up when Albert paused.
“Albert.”
“Please speak.”
Enrique rose heavily, placing his clasped hands on his knees and leaning forward slightly, then hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Do you find it strange that she’s wanted?”
“….Yes? Strange? In what way, sir?”
A deep sigh escaped from Enrique’s lips.
“All wanted notices are sent from the capital.”
“But?”
—
Sorry, it seems that the last line of the conversation might be cut off. Let me know if you need further assistance!
“Sending Pawbals all the way to this remote village?”
His finger was tapping my forearm.
“The scope they’re searching for her seems too wide compared to the crime she’s committed.”
Enrique grimaced, a hint of displeasure crossing his face.
“Before issuing the warrant, they must have already completed their investigation on her. It’s common for most criminals to hide in their hometowns for safety.”
Tap, tap.
The rhythmic tapping of his fingers stopped abruptly.
A subdued voice flowed from Enrique’s lips.
“But sending Pawbals nationwide like this implies that the pursuer holds considerable power.”
His gaze sharpened as he finished speaking.
“Well, I hadn’t considered that far. It seems like a much bigger problem than I thought.”
Albert fully understood what Enrique was worried about.
But even so, he didn’t waver in his desire to hire Eugenia.
“But Enrique, even if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better for us?”
Enrique frowned slightly and shook his head.
“Such incomprehensible thinking.”
“No, listen. Just as that woman’s purpose is to leave this country, isn’t it our purpose to leave this place as soon as possible?”
It seemed Enrique couldn’t deny the logic, as he pressed his lips tightly and fell silent.
“Remember what you always used to say, Enrique. For the greater good, sometimes it’s okay to overlook the smaller things for now.”
“…Hmm.”
“So let’s just use each other, shall we?”
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Translator Note:
Next 15 chapters will be translated by RJR.
This chapter was translated by Gon. Next post will be released on May, 19.
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