TISND Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Hahaha. Despite Helena catching on to his secret, Bahen simply laughed heartily.
Not for a moment did he lose his composure or let his emotions take over.

“Well, this is a first. I’ve spent my life uncovering other people’s secrets, but having someone dig into mine? That’s a bit disconcerting.”

“I won’t apologize. After all, we were both investigating each other.”

“Hmm, fair enough,” Bahen said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Can I ask how you figured it out?”

“At first, it was just a passing suspicion,” Helena began. “As I mentioned before, founding a guild out of nowhere and gathering information reminded me of someone else’s behavior.”

“Who’s that?”

“Let’s just say it reminded me of someone,” she replied with a small smile.

“But I became certain tonight. You might want to be more careful about what your people say when they’re drunk. Duman mentioned offhand that I resemble your wife. And there’s only one person he’d refer to as ‘sister-in-law’.”

“Duman, that fool…” Bahen sighed deeply and raised his hands in defeat.

“Fine, you win. You’re right. ‘Primrose’ is a message to my one and only first love.”

“What kind of message?”

“To wait for me.”

Bahen smiled faintly.

“There was a primrose garden in front of the house we used to live in. Whenever I went out to work, she would always wait for me in front of it.”

“So, that’s why you wanted to make a name for yourself.”

“I lost her when I was at my lowest—when I had nothing, not even money.”

“What happened?”

“I got into debt.”

Hearing that, Helena quickly pieced together what must have happened.

“You mean… the rumors about some nobles taking people as payment when debts go unpaid?”

“Exactly.”

A bitter expression crossed her face as she took a deep breath before asking again.

“Was it Eskel? Is she trapped by Eskel?”

“That’s exactly why I’ve been cozying up to the nobles, madam,” Bahen admitted, forcing a faint smile in a situation that was far from amusing.

“You’re surprisingly forthcoming about this.”

“Well, you said it yourself—you’re pressed for time.”

Even as sorrow lingered in his eyes, he remained composed.

“More than that, I’m curious about what you want. Of all the things in the world that Eskel’s daughter could have, why would she come to me for help?”

His gaze was still wary, his guard far from lowered. Though he claimed he was speaking openly out of curiosity, it was clear he intended to keep her close and observe her.
If she showed any signs of betrayal, he wouldn’t hesitate to draw his sword.

Trusting him or earning his trust immediately was impossible, and Helena didn’t expect that.

“I want information about Eskel.”

“Eskel? Why?”

“In a way, it overlaps with the information you’re looking for.”

Wait. Did I hear that right? Bahen cut her off.

“Hold on. Why are you trying to dig up information about Eskel?”

“Do I have to tell you?”

“Hmm. Seems like asking your reliable husband would be a faster route.”

Though he clearly understood the nature of Eskel’s connection to Frantor, Bahen spoke with mock innocence. Helena shook her head with a faint smile.

“On the contrary, I don’t think I’m a very reliable wife to him.”

“Does Caligo know about all this?”

“No.”

She answered with a smile, causing him to blink as if he’d misheard her.

“You say you know you’re not a trustworthy wife, yet you’re still secretly doing this? You’re bound to arouse suspicion.”

“Yes. Either way… I can never earn his trust.”

Her voice was calm, almost too calm. It carried a quiet sorrow, as if she were bidding farewell.

“That’s why I’d appreciate it if you kept this between us—our dealings. Nothing good will come of it being revealed. And…”

‘What a strange woman,’ Bahen thought.

“It will also help you work more efficiently.”

“What?”

“I mean in finding your wife.”

Over time, she had come to realize it herself.

If she truly wanted to atone for her family’s sins and bring Eskel down, she couldn’t risk getting too close to Caligo. That was nothing but overreach.
Trying to uncover Eskel’s secrets and bring about his downfall would become all the more challenging if she involved herself too deeply with Caligo.

At the very least, she had to remain, in the eyes of others, the daughter of Eskel.
After all, it wasn’t as though Caligo trusted her anyway.

“So? Have you decided to make a deal with me?”

Bahen found it hard to refuse her offer. In truth, what she was asking for hardly counted as a new task. It was something he was already doing.

He knew he should be suspicious. The daughter of Eskel proposing a deal was no ordinary situation.
Yet, for some reason, he didn’t feel inclined to doubt her. Perhaps it was his years of experience as a mercenary speaking to his instincts.

More than anything, she seemed genuinely close to the children. It didn’t appear that this would bring any significant harm to Frantor.

Bahen, ever perceptive, also realized that Helena wasn’t making much effort to gain his trust.

‘Why go to such lengths, even risking suspicion?’

“Fine. I’ll do my best to gather information about Eskel’s wrongdoings and movements and let you know.”

“That’s a relief. I’ll do my best as well,” she replied.

“When the social season begins next month, I’ll be heading to the capital. I’ll get in touch with you again once I’m there.”

“Well, this is surprising,” Bahen murmured, leaning against the wall.

“I never thought you’d be this kind of woman. Every time I see you, you manage to surprise me.”

“Is my behavior odd?”

“Hm, I thought you were a naive and oblivious young lady, one who wouldn’t concern herself with anything outside her own little world. I never imagined you’d be so sharp or know how to negotiate.”

“I see.”

Helena nodded in agreement.

“I’m a bit surprised too. I’ve never had to live so fiercely before.”

‘I never knew I had this side of me either,’ she confessed softly, almost like reciting poetry. Bahen chuckled at her unexpected honesty.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He mumbled to himself, leaning his back against the wall.

“Anyway, if Caligo gets suspicious, don’t expect me to take the blame.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t dream of grabbing you by the collar and holding you accountable.”

It seemed like she had more to say. Helena paused, choosing her words carefully, before clapping her hands together as something came to mind.

“Oh, there’s another favor I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

Bahen’s expression turned serious as he asked.

Being asked by Eskel’s daughter to investigate Eskel was strange enough, but Bahen couldn’t help but wonder how important her second request could possibly be. He waited anxiously for her answer.

“Could you spread a rumor that I frequent Maison de Camus?”

“…What?”

Once again, Bahen scratched his head, wondering if he had misheard her.

Maison de Camus was essentially the opposite of a place Bahen would ever visit. It was an upscale restaurant in Seantillen, catering exclusively to wealthy women. They served food, desserts, and decorated the space with an overwhelming array of flamboyantly colored flowers.

It was also a place where fearsome women gathered, enough to deter Bahen from ever stepping foot inside.

“Spread the word that I visit Maison de Camus every afternoon to have tea for about an hour.”

“…Do you actually go to Maison de Camus often?”

“No, but I’m planning to start going regularly.”

“Do you like desserts?”

“Not particularly.”

“Do you like flowers?”

“Not if they’re cut.”

“Do you enjoy the social scene?”

“I hate it.”

“Then why on earth are you going?”

He gave her a bewildered look, utterly unable to comprehend her intentions. Helena simply smiled at him.

“I’m planning to fish for something.”

“At Maison de Camus?”

What, was she planning to cast a fishing line and reel in a bouquet of flowers?

—

The rumor spread quickly: ‘The Duchess of Frantor has tea at Maison de Camus every afternoon.’

“That’s the place where a single cup of tea costs as much as a week’s worth of groceries, right?”

“As expected of Eskel’s daughter—she spares no expense on luxury.”

Not only was the rumor buzzing on the streets, but the ladies frequenting Maison de Camus were also abuzz with gossip.

“What time does she usually come?”

“She sits there for an hour around lunchtime.”

“Who does she meet with?”

“No one. She just sits there and then leaves.”

No one dared approach Eskel’s daughter. Instead, they whispered about the lone woman seated on the second floor.

“How pitiful, sitting alone on such a leisurely afternoon.”

“She must not have anyone to walk with.”

“They say her relationship with the Duke isn’t good.”

“She started a business in Frantor and seemed to be trying so hard, but I heard the work’s all been left to her subordinates.”

“What was the point of starting a business if she’s going to dump the work on others? It’s the underlings who suffer.”

“Isn’t she just desperate to earn the Duke’s approval? Though that probably won’t be easy.”

Helena sat idly, listening to the chatter about her. The tea was absolutely awful.

Sitting there felt like a punishment, but there was a specific reason she spent her time at this place.

‘They came.’

“You must be the Duchess of Frantor! What a pleasure to meet you!”

As she gazed out the window, someone suddenly sat across from her without permission.

The person emphasized the words ‘Duchess of Frantor’ as if testing their weight.

“I’m Melissa York. This is our first time meeting, isn’t it?”

Helena glanced at the woman extending her hand and smiled inwardly.

“Yes, it is.”

The bait had worked.

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