84.

Ro gazed quietly into the eyes of the Marchioness of Blake. She was brimming with an emotion she couldn’t quite name—fear, perhaps. At first, Ro wondered if she was simply uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, but seeing her gnaw at her nails with sharp, grinding motions, it became clear she was suffering from severe anxiety. The dark shadows beneath the woman’s eyes suggested this condition had been worsening for more than just a day or two.

Ro lowered her pretense slightly and spoke in a friendly tone.

“Truthfully, I just wanted a moment to catch my breath, so I made up an excuse. And it seemed you could use some fresh air too.”

“……Ah.”

The Marchioness blinked, then let out a soft exclamation a beat too late. A faint blush of embarrassment colored her flushed cheeks.

“Was my expression really that bad?”

Ro started to shake her head, then answered honestly.

“The whiskey was rather strong. Would you like a glass of water?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Then just sit here a moment before going back in.”

At last, the Marchioness relaxed her guard and sat down on the chair Ro had indicated. From that spot, the luscious view of the Lysianthus Garden unfolded clearly. White blossoms were at their peak, and beyond them, the sheer coastal cliffs and the endless expanse of sea formed a breathtaking vista, like a meticulously painted masterpiece.

Ro didn’t miss the moment the Marchioness leaned back loosely against the chair.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

The Marchioness nodded, still dazed, as if momentarily enchanted.

“I’d only heard rumors about the incredible view from Montrosa Castle, but seeing it now, I can’t even put it into words. With scenery like this, all worries and troubles would just vanish.”

“It’s even more stunning at sunset.”

“I’d love to see that someday.”

“Then next time, we should host a tea party in the evening. I’d make sure to invite you.”

Ro’s suggestion was quite unusual by social standards. Tea parties were typically held between lunch and dinner, offering light refreshments. The Marchioness likely took Ro’s words as mere polite flattery and offered only a faint smile.

“What an honor.”

“You wouldn’t refuse, would you?”

“Of course not. An invitation from the Lady Viscountess is always a pleasure. Just look at how much effort you’ve put into today’s tea party.”

“You flatter me.”

Even as they conversed, Ro didn’t miss the trembling of the Marchioness’s hands—just like an addict might behave.

Internally, Ro clicked her tongue in quiet understanding and gave Turner high marks for his work. According to the information he’d gathered, this woman was addicted to opium—so much so that she had poured her family’s entire fortune into obtaining it.

It had been well over three hours since the tea party began. Even if not yet desperate for opium, she must have been craving a cigarette. Ro reached into her sleeve and pulled out a flat, metal case. To anyone’s eye, it was clearly a cigar case, and Ro didn’t miss the sudden spark of life that flickered in the Marchioness of Blake’s eyes the moment it appeared.

Ro casually pulled a black cigar from the metal case, pretending expertise. Though it looked like an ordinary cigar, it was actually the finest available—a notoriously strong brand. Given the Marchioness’s current financial state, it was certainly beyond her means.

Ro dangled the cigar just under the woman’s nose, who was staring with unmistakable longing.

“Care for a smoke?”

“What… is this?”

The woman was still cautious, swallowing repeatedly, clearly not having dropped her guard completely. Her feigned ignorance seemed almost naive. Ro smiled.

“I’ve been suffering from insomnia lately. A doctor recommended it.”

“In that case… perhaps just one.”

Ro placed the cigar between the Marchioness’s lips. She watched as the woman skillfully sliced the tip with a blade and placed the end in her mouth, lighting it. Her pale cheeks hollowed with each deep, urgent inhale of smoke.

Soon, faint wisps of smoke curled upward, and the Marchioness’s lowered eyelids trembled. As if regaining her senses, she cautiously asked.

“Lady Viscountess…?”

“I’m fine.”

Ro shook her head before the woman could even finish her offer. The Marchioness, now visibly calmer, smoked for a while in silence. Ro carefully pulled her chair back, making sure not to wrinkle her nose at the acrid smoke. Then, feigning concern, she asked.

“You’ve been sighing quite often today. Is something troubling you?”

“Have I… really?”

Ro gazed at the woman’s now-relaxed eyes and replied. Whether she had sighed or not didn’t matter—by asking that, the Marchioness had already lost.

“It’s just… lately, it feels like nothing but bad things keep happening.”

“Bad things?”

“Oh, nothing really…”

The Marchioness’s eyes, once languid, flickered with renewed anxiety. Like someone being pursued, she kept glancing nervously toward the terrace door. At first hesitant, she gradually began to ramble.

“Everything started suddenly. I wasn’t always like this, you know.”

Between her words, she puffed smoke like a chimney.

“Business isn’t going well, and lately there’s been trouble with my daughter too—all because of that man who suddenly appeared…”

“That man?”

The Marchioness seemed to catch herself and quickly closed her mouth.

“Nothing important. My daughter’s just been spending time with someone recently.”

“Now that I think of it, isn’t your daughter a year older than me?”

“Yes, that’s right. How time flies…”

“I’ve only ever lived in the capital, so I’ve found it hard to adjust to the East. Would you mind introducing your daughter to me as a companion?”

“My daughter?”

Ro detected a faint wariness in the Marchioness’s voice. She slid the entire cigar case across the table toward her. Instantly, the woman’s caution vanished, replaced by a surge of raw desire. In that moment, Ro knew the Marchioness wouldn’t refuse her request.

“I’d be so grateful, my lady.”

The hesitation didn’t last long. The Marchioness gave her a strange look, then tucked the cigar case into her sleeve.

“I’ll do it.”

* * *

The next day, at lunch.

The Marchioness kept her promise. Ro, in the middle of dining with Louise, rushed to the guest wing upon hearing that the daughter of the Marquess of Blake had arrived. Fortunately, the maids had kept her in the drawing room, and they had only just served tea and pastries. Ro stood before the door, tense and breathless.

Inside, faint clinking of teacups suggested someone leisurely enjoying their tea. The daughter of the Marquess of Blake was the first person Ro had encountered since taking over Lea’s body who could potentially make contact with Nick.

Before opening the door, Ro mentally reviewed the codes one last time. Most crucial was the signal phrase: “When the sun sets behind.” She repeated it five times under her breath before placing her hand on the doorknob. Her palm was already slick with sweat.

“Lady Viscountess.”

As Ro entered, the young lady set down her teacup and rose from her seat. She had long auburn hair and a delicate, pretty face. With trained observation, Ro immediately noticed her manners were nearly flawless. What on earth had entangled such a refined young lady with a pirate? Only the heavens knew. Ro gestured smoothly.

“Miss Blake. Please, sit.”

Soon, the two were seated across from each other at a round tea table. No sooner had the maids refilled their cups and quietly left, closing the door behind them, than the young lady spoke.

“You asked to see me.”

“Yes.”

“Please state your purpose.”

She seemed determined to offer only the barest minimum of courtesy. After all, though the Blakes were a marquess’s family, they were hardly comparable to the Montrosas or the Valdemores. In that moment, Ro was certain this woman knew something about “Lea’s condition.” Ro tilted her teacup just as Louise had taught her.

“I don’t think I need a formal reason to invite a young lady to visit.”

Ro’s tea etiquette was flawless—she had paid special attention to mastering it recently. The young lady seemed momentarily thrown off, then quickly adopted a slightly more respectful demeanor. The abrupt shift in attitude was so transparent it was almost comical.

“My mother mentioned you were looking for a companion.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not sure I’d be of much help.”

“You will be.”

Ro fixed her gaze on the young lady and spoke softly.

“The sun will soon set behind.”

The moment those words left her lips, the young lady’s face froze. For a split second, Ro thought she might faint. But the young lady quickly regained her composure. She gripped the edge of the table, as if she wanted to bolt from her seat.

“You’re too late.”

“What?”

“I already thought everything had gone wrong and carried out the plan.”

“What do you mean…?”

As the young lady opened her mouth, all color drained from Ro’s face.