The Time-Limited Extra is Disguised as a Tutor in a Villain's House

***

 

I suppressed the rising sigh of disbelief at how absurdly I had obtained the pendant.

 

‘I feel like I’ve been played.’

 

Well, I couldn’t completely deny it either.

 

But, oh well.

 

‘I rather like it.’

 

I looked down at the silver sparkling cross pendant.

 

‘Worth a castle……. No, even more…….’

 

I’m not a materialistic person but try imagining winning the lottery overnight. Wouldn’t you feel a bit strange?

 

‘It’s a small fortune…….’

 

Clutching the pendant tightly, I bowed my head to Cardien.

 

“Thank you for the gift…”

 

Was it a gift? Didn’t I practically beg for it?

 

Anyway…….

 

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

 

With that, I turned to leave, but suddenly Cardien’s voice stopped me.

 

“Oh, and.”

 

I turned around with a puzzled expression, but Cardien wasn’t looking at me anymore.

 

He continued, flipping through some documents.

 

“You don’t have to report for class in a few days. In fact, don’t even come near this room.”

 

“……?”

 

What’s he talking about now?

 

Though I didn’t quite understand, I was already exhausted, so I just answered obediently.

 

“Alright, understood.”

 

“That’s it, you can go now.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Bang.

 

As soon as I left the room, I let out a long sigh.

 

‘I’m exhausted.’

 

I’ve only had to deal with one Cardien, but it felt like facing a hundred people.

 

‘But……’

 

“It’s pretty.”

 

I fondled the pendant and chuckled to myself.

 

As I hung the pendant around my neck, it swayed near my collarbone.

 

‘I shouldn’t draw too much attention, right?’

 

At first glance, it’s just an ordinary pendant necklace, but there might be someone who recognizes it as a magic tool.

 

‘I’ll keep it inside my clothes.’

 

Putting the pendant inside my top, I turned on my heels with a light heart.

 

“Now, what’s left is…”

 

I turned my head towards the direction of the west wing.

 

* * *

 

Currently, Lemon’s mood is not so great.

 

“Another failure?”

 

They investigated the priests in the saint’s entourage, but they weren’t what he was looking for.

 

Lemon crumpled the paper with the information irritably and threw it away haphazardly, only for Kei to sweep it away with a broom and dustpan.

 

Casting a quick glance at Lemon, Kei spoke.

 

“There are no more individuals worthy of investigation. There weren’t many who could have known the highest-grade cipher and possessed extremely confidential information in the first place.”

 

“That’s true. That’s why I even thoroughly investigated the Saint.”

 

“That day, the Saint was with the priests for twenty-four hours preparing for the baptism ceremony.”

 

“…….”

 

When Lemon tightly clenched his lips in frustration, Kei let out a deep sigh.

 

“Why did you even accept such a bet…”

 

“Kei.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Shut up.”

 

“Yes.”

 

In response to Lemon’s harsh words, Kei sealed his lips.

 

Truth be told, Lemon was more than confident about finding people.

 

‘Can such a person really exist?’

 

Lemon was confident in finding people.

 

Any person would inevitably leak information.

 

Their small habits, way of speaking, actions, and gaze all became pieces of information that could help identify them.

 

And the Rune Information Guild was the strongest guild when it came to handling information. Finding a person was easier than crushing an ant.

 

He had been quite self-assured.

 

Until recently.

 

“Unless they fell from the sky, I don’t see how this is possible.”

 

From the moment he’d accepted the wager, Lemon had been overconfident.

 

A woman in her twenties who knows the highest-grade cipher of the Rune Information Guild and the top-secret information of the temple.

 

Average height and thin build.

 

It was enough to give away her identity.

 

A naive woman, he had thought.

 

‘Was I the naive one?’

 

He hadn’t felt this defeated and humiliated since he founded the guild.

 

‘I feel like I’ve been properly fooled.’

 

Letting out a rare deep sigh, Lemon stood up from his seat.

 

‘I’m tired.’

 

Having stayed up for several nights in search of the woman, he was now overwhelmed by a profound fatigue.

 

‘Does this level make the Duke of Mercedes pale in comparison?’

 

Lemon thought with a cold smile, recalling Cardien, who seemed to count the days when he had a proper night’s sleep faster than the days he stayed up all night.

 

‘Well, that was a long time ago.’

 

There had certainly been many sleepless nights when he’d come to the library’s secret room and barely managed to sleep.

 

However, after encountering the new home tutor in the secret room, Cardien no longer visited the library.

 

At first, Lemon thought he had stopped due to his annoyance with his pranks, but he soon found out it wasn’t the case.

 

“He’s been sleeping very well.

 

Based on the information he gathered, Cardien had been sleeping quite soundly lately.

 

Moreover, his recent purchases of tranquilizers had stopped abruptly.

 

‘Could it be because of that woman?’

 

Leaving his room, Lemon strolled down the corridor with a leisurely pace while lost in thought.

 

That woman, Livia Pellington.

 

The one who was responsible for changing the atmosphere at Mercedes.

 

As it turned out, she too had returned home from the festival yesterday.

 

“Hmm, I wonder what happened.”

 

“Master, are you leaving?”

 

Kei asked from his desk as Lemon walked out of the shop.

 

“Yes, running a side business is so challenging.”

 

“Please take care.”

 

“Take care of the shop~”

 

Acknowledging Kei’s farewell, Lemon, the owner of the Rune Information Guild… no, the Rune Antique Shop, headed towards Duke Mercedes’ residence with light steps.

 

Looking forward to the story that Livia Pellington would tell him.

 

* * *

 

‘This is already the third time.’

 

I strolled along the path between the rows of trees and found myself immersed in the scenery once again.

 

It was fascinating how I had become familiar with the paths within Mercedes’ estate. It must have meant that I had been staying here for quite some time.

 

‘Though I’m starting to feel a little uneasy.’

 

I absentmindedly touched the area near my left shoulder where the flower-shaped mark was.

 

It had been over a month since the first mark appeared, and there still had been no news.

 

‘They did say the cycles could be irregular.’

 

I felt like my body had become a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

 

‘I wonder how it will be next time.’

 

Even thinking about it was frightening.

 

‘At least I hope it doesn’t happen in front of Cardien or Vincent.’

 

Especially Vincent.

 

The first mark caused me to have a nosebleed and dizziness. But I’m not sure how bad the second will be.

 

If Vincent were to witness it, it would be quite shocking.

 

‘Cardien is…….’

 

I wonder what Cardien’s reaction would be if he knew I was terminally ill.

 

Would he show any signs of concern?

 

Would he be a little surprised?

 

…….Would he try to?

 

I’ve made a deal with him, so at least he won’t kick me out.

 

Okay, where is this?

 

Lost in thought, I arrived at the library.

 

I looked up at the towering building.

 

When I first saw it, it was overwhelming, but now on the third visit, I was getting somewhat used to it.

 

“Hello.”

 

I greeted the knight guarding the door in a friendly manner.

 

“Here’s my entry pass.”

 

Even before he asked, I showed him my entry pass.

 

“Confirmed.”

 

The knight quickly verified the pass and opened the massive iron door.

 

As I stepped into the room, the door closed behind me with a thud, leaving me surrounded by dust particles floating like fireflies.

 

I stood still for a moment, taking in my surroundings.

 

It was then.

 

“Miss Livia? You’re here.”

 

Startled by the sudden voice, I turned my head and was taken aback by how close he was to me.

 

“Uh?”

 

As a result, I stumbled and lost my balance.

 

Oh no, I’m going to fall!

 

I closed my eyes tightly, but then…

 

“Oh dear, you need to be careful.”

 

With a gentle touch around my waist, I felt my body come to a halt in mid-air.

 

I slowly opened my eyes.

 

His long platinum hair cascaded down from his shoulders, and his hand lightly brushed against my cheek.

 

“You came to keep the promise, Miss Livia. I’m glad.”

 

His eyes curved like crescents, and his lemon-colored irises looked as sweet as candy.

 

“Umm, are you hurt anywhere?”

 

He straightened me up and bent his knees to carefully inspect my body for any injuries.

 

I stood still, observing his actions.

 

“It seems like there are none. Thankfully.”

 

Saying so, he smiled gently at me.

 

The light from the stained glass poured behind him, creating an even more mysterious atmosphere amidst the floating dust particles under the sunlight.

 

Even someone immune to beauty might stumble and falter if confronted with such an intense presence.

 

“…… Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you that surprised?”

 

As I remained silent, just gazing at him, he tilted his head curiously.

 

I looked at him and slowly parted my lips.

 

“Mr. Raymon.”

 

“Yes, please speak. Miss Livia, I’m listening.”

 

“Being a beauty has its advantages, doesn’t it?”

 

“……?”

 

“When someone is overwhelmed by beauty, they tend to spill out information on their own.”

 

“…….”

 

The lips of the man who had been drawing an arc slowly turned downward.

 

His eyes turned cold, like they were never as sweet as candy.

 

The one who was smiling now was me.

 

I said with a sly smile.

 

“I think the ‘butterfly of destiny’ has chosen me, Raymon, no.”

 

“…… Huh?”

 

“Master of the Rune Information Guild, Lemon.”