Ten days ago, he who always delivered only the necessary business and left, contacted suddenly as usual and issued an order disguised as a request. It was to investigate the disappearance case that occurred in Bail.

The damned friend would only come when he needed something, use it conveniently, and disappear once he achieved his goal. It happened last time, and it would surely happen this time too.

Yet Theodore couldn’t refuse. It seems compassion is even worse than pride.

Afterwards, Theodore departed for Bail with a small elite team. And as his friend wished, he diligently conducted the investigation, only to discover something strange about the case.

Now he had come to question that strange point.

“What accident?”

Sieghart, who calmly asked back, now looked detestable.

“Peter Sabrina, the case you assigned me to investigate! No matter how I look at it, you’re the culprit, Sieghart.”

“Ah—”

“Surely you weren’t actually asking me to catch the real culprit, so what’s the reason?”

To Theodore’s outburst, the other only smiled slyly as if telling him to calm down a little.

“I needed the existence of the Imperial Knights for a moment.”

“…Fine. So what is it this time? What’s the reason our noble gentleman messed with an innocent citizen?”

“Innocent citizen? He’s a criminal. And I just did what the guard should have done. I’m just saddened that you’re condemning my kind heart.”

Then Sieghart handed him a document. It was a neatly organized list of the wrongdoings Peter Sabrina had committed so far.

From misdemeanors like stalking and theft to major crimes like drug trafficking. Upon closer reading, he had also committed all sorts of sex crimes, making this man the real serial criminal.

“Well… So, what did you do with this guy? Kidnapping or murder?”

“How about we just cover up the matter roughly?”

Sieghart responded naturally as if answering a question with another question was the proper way. That seemed to be a sufficient answer, as Theodore didn’t ask any further.

“Thanks to you, the plan was successfully concluded. Though it seems to have become a bit troublesome.”

“The beginning and end are a bit different.”

“I mean I managed to reap some harvest from what was almost ruined, thanks to you. I’m grateful.”

“It took a really long time to receive thanks. I didn’t know it would be this insincere though.”

“I’ll give you proper thanks after the plan is completely finished. I’ll make it so you won’t feel disappointed, so it’s better not to worry unnecessarily.”

Only then did Theodore put away his pouting lips. His colleague had lied countless times, but when it came to compensation, he always made it generous enough not to disappoint. The excitement naturally subsided at the sweet reward passing through his mind.

“I’ll wait very patiently then. So what’s the plan anyway?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I thought the plan would work easily, but I unexpectedly hit a snag.”

Thanks to his friend’s sharp question, Sieghart’s mind was filled with memories of the past.

‘Miss Winter lives in this village where the gentleman is staying. You can visit by finding the sign that says ’13-32′. Coincidentally, it’s not far from here.’

‘Thank you. Thanks to you, I avoided a difficult situation.’

“I really don’t understand why she fled even from the place where she was living peacefully. As far as I know, she hasn’t been threatened by the Imperial family.”

“What?”

“It was such an exquisite moment, as if she was trying to run away from me.”

The woman who reported the facts to me without batting an eye when I asked about Tisha Winter’s whereabouts. Why did she boldly tell the truth even though she must have known the man in front of her was Sieghart?

Is she not wary of someone who has been maintaining a close relationship with the Imperial family?

“I’m curious for no reason.”

Or is she trying to deceive me by pretending to be innocent?

Natasha woke up at dawn and helped open the tavern. After preparing various ingredients with Mrs. Sherry, and then thoroughly cleaning the kitchen and dining room, it was already afternoon.

After having a late lunch that was also an early dinner, she carefully asked for permission to go out.

Mrs. Sherry, who was strict and stingy when it came to work, readily granted permission for the outing. Moreover, seemingly worried about yesterday’s events, she even said Natasha could leave early.

Comfortably stepping outside, Natasha hurriedly set off for her house.

‘According to the lady, the knights will be investigating the central square today. If I quickly return home, take the money, and come back, I won’t run into them. Let’s just take the money and leave tomorrow.’

She planned to avoid the knights’ eyes, get the money from home, and escape.

Now that Tisha Winter’s home address had been exposed, Sieghart’s visit was anticipated, but even if he came, she could pretend to be absent. She could burst out and run away as soon as the man left.

The theory itself was perfect. Even the contingency plan she had prepared. Therefore, Natasha was confident that her second plan would surely succeed.

Until she discovered a figure leisurely sitting in her house.

There was an indescribable sense of unease in the house she visited. Judging by the unchanged position of the furniture, it didn’t seem like someone had broken in. Yet, strangely, traces of a stranger were found inside the house.

The source of the unease was soon revealed.

“……”

Natasha didn’t utter a word. She just inhaled a bit more deeply than usual, slightly surprised.

But as if even that sound had been perceived, there was a change in the previously imperceptible object.

Raising the head and then shifting the gaze. Crossing the legs and then rising up.

The graceful movements that flowed smoothly like a dance faded with the silence of the person.

Sieghart stopped in front of her. A shadow as large as his body engulfed her surface.

“It’s good to see you, Tisha Winter.”

“……”

“Come to think of it, are we acquaintances?”

“…What, what business do you have?”

I must…

I must come to my senses.

Natasha, barely grasping her fading reason, shook her head again. Even if it was an unexpected situation, she shouldn’t be shaken.

“I am Sieghart Asthart.”

Sieghart, who responded to the question of what business he had with an out-of-place introduction, then took her hand and lightly kissed it. It was too formal for greeting a commoner woman.

As if publicly displaying the fact that Tisha Winter was Natasha Charliee.

“May I have the honor of personally removing your mask, Princess?”

“……”

“Seeing that you’re not as surprised as I expected, I suppose it’s alright to do so comfortably.”

Even though he tried to politely hide it, his instincts couldn’t be concealed, and a mocking attitude was occasionally visible.

“I… I asked what business you have.”

Natasha, who had been keeping her mouth shut, finally opened it.

It wasn’t that she truly didn’t know the man’s intentions. She’d rather get to the point than listen to idle conversation.

At that moment, a brief wrinkle appeared on her clear face. It was fleeting, and so faint that if one wasn’t sensitive, they wouldn’t have noticed the change.

“Flare of Odisen, Haroon of Bail. Frequent moves and changes in appearance. These must indicate the pitiful situation of a princess who must hide her identity and cannot settle in one place.”

A gently extended hand caressed Natasha’s light pink hair. He, who was marveling at the unfamiliar hair wrapped around his thick fingers, soon added a faint smile.

Arrogance seeped through the strangely incongruous smile. As if it foreshadowed what was to come, Natasha unknowingly tensed up.

“I know what the princess is worried about. I also know what makes you vulnerable.”

“……”

“I came to protect the princess from those things.”

Sieghart, who lightly kissed her hair, finished speaking in a more polite voice.

“Let’s get married.”

A proposal reminiscent of the past fell.

Natasha couldn’t immediately reject his proposal. It certainly wasn’t out of consideration for him, or in the context of contemplating marriage. Rather, it was a process of agonizing over how to shake off this leech-like man from her side by any means necessary.

The man standing opposite Natasha was the most persistent and tenacious person in the world. To achieve his goals, he would recklessly rush in, sparing neither time nor money. He was a cunning person who knew how to deceive himself first in order to deceive others.

‘Surely he’ll come looking for me every day like back then. He’ll try to persuade me with trivial things.’

Therefore, a sharp rejection would only provoke Sieghart’s temperament. Because that would be like a mistake that leaves a blemish on the smooth and straight life of a man where everything goes according to plan.

“Alright, Your Excellency.”

Hence, she readily agreed instead of provoking Sieghart’s competitive spirit.

And while the man was relieved.

When he wouldn’t suspect the woman, blinded by his own arrogance.

Natasha ran far away.

She asked Sieghart for ten more days along with a positive answer. Satisfied with the not entirely negative response, he happily left afterwards.

The very next day, Natasha bid farewell to Mrs. Sherry. Though startled by the sudden departure, the lady didn’t try to dissuade her. It seemed she had somewhat expected it, having observed Natasha’s precarious state over the past few days.

After stopping by the post office to send a letter addressed to Lord Dante, she left to board a carriage she had hurriedly booked with extra money.

The coachman she met in front of the stop escorted Natasha.

“Young lady, I’d like to confirm the destination once more. Is the destination the Duchy of Kshant?”

The destination was the Duchy of Kshant.