A few days later, I was spending time alone with Magnolia.

“Where was it?”

“On a road on the outskirts. We were returning from a family dinner out when I happened to see her. It was very late at night.”

“Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”

“No. I checked several times and it was definitely Lady Arin.”

According to Magnolia, they had been invited to dinner and were returning very late after staying until the early hours.

Around midnight or dawn.

“Why was the lady there at that hour?”

“…I’m not sure.”

Veronica touched her forehead. If nothing else, it was clearly related to Lord Thomson.

The place where Magnolia said she saw the lady was where Veronica had told Lady Arin she had seen Lord Thomson.

Surely she’s not looking for Lord Thomson?

Veronica put the thought she had before back into her head. Is Lord Thomson really having an affair?

And with a woman from the red-light district. If so, it seemed closer to exploitation than true love.

Maybe she thought he had a lot of money, even if just nominally noble. But he doesn’t seem like the type to flaunt wealth.

He might not be meeting just one specific person. Cases like Bray Cole exist too.

If that were true, it wouldn’t be strange that she didn’t know about it.

Lady Arin wasn’t the type to gossip about personal matters, and it was literally a private marital issue.

‘Moreover, my past self wouldn’t have been an appropriate person to confide such concerns in.’

But there was no guarantee the destination was necessarily the red-light district. That area was the slums. So was he meeting a woman in the slums?

Or it could be for some other purpose.

“Did you happen to see where Lady Arin went?”

“I saw her from a carriage, so hmm. She seemed to be looking around.”

Magnolia explained that the lady’s appearance that day seemed as if she was searching for someone.

Veronica was certain she had been looking for Lord Thomson.

Since she hadn’t told her exactly where he had gone, it wasn’t strange for the lady to be wandering around that area.

The more she heard, the more she felt like she was getting involved in a troublesome matter.

Veronica soon put the thought aside. In any case, it was a private marital issue and she didn’t think it necessary to dig too deeply. It would be useless anyway.

She picked up her teacup and savored the tea. But suddenly the surroundings became quiet.

Magnolia was wearing a serious expression, lost in thought about something. Veronica watched her while sipping her tea.

“Veronica. Is it possible that, you know, the lady’s husband is having an affair?”

“…”

“Ah- probably not, right?”

Magnolia laughed, saying she had had a silly thought. Veronica laughed along with her, while inwardly feeling ominous.

A few days later, she asked the person she had assigned to Lady Arin about her recent activities. And Magnolia’s sighting was correct.

She had been going out late at night frequently lately, at first lingering near a certain building and now tailing a man who came out of that building.

That man was none other than Lord Thomson.

In the predawn hours when everyone was asleep, the full moon gradually revealed itself from behind the clouds.

The moonlight that had stealthily flowed onto the ground revealed a man walking in a shabby alley.

The man had his hat pulled low, and his footsteps were as cautious as a thief cat’s.

After looking around, the man let out a short sigh and slightly lifted his hat. His glasses glinted in the moonlight.

“Lord Thomson.”

“Ah-!”

The man clutched his chest and turned around.

His tense face relaxed in relief upon discovering the beautiful face within the cloak before him.

“Oh, oh, if it isn’t Miss Hardness. What brings you here at this hour?”

“That’s what I’d like to ask you, Lord Thomson.”

Veronica sighed with her hand on her waist. What could be Lord Thomson’s reason for being here at this hour?

At this late hour, the place where Lord Thomson had appeared was an alley inside the red-light district.

Passing through the acrid and dangerous red-light district, a maze-like slum appeared further inside.

Even the beggars seemed to have gone to bed, as silence lingered in the streets.

“What business brings you here, Lord Thomson?”

“Well…”

Lord Thomson trailed off, rolling his eyes this way and that. Veronica could see him pondering how to gloss over it.

“Did you know your wife has been secretly following you?”

At those words, Lord Thomson was startled. His reaction showed he had no idea.

It was even more surprising that he hadn’t noticed, given how clumsy her tailing must have been.

“Your wife has been very worried lately. She thinks something’s going on with you, Lord Thomson.”

“Ah, is Aria here too?”

“No.”

Only then did Lord Thomson show a relieved expression. Judging by his reaction, it didn’t seem like his affection for Lady Arin had cooled.

“So you’re not having an affair.”

“Pardon?”

“Coming home late every day, always washing up when you get back, smelling nice. Your wife is very worried. She thinks you might have another woman, you know.”

“Another woman! That’s impossible!”

Lord Thomson burst out.

“How could I possibly cheat on Aria!”

“Your voice is too loud, Lord Thomson. You’ll wake everyone here.”

“Ah, s-sorry.”

Lord Thomson hurriedly covered his mouth.

Even in this situation, his obedient manner didn’t seem like someone with the nerve to hide another woman. So was it exploitation after all?

“Are you really not?”

“No, absolutely not.”

“Then did you borrow money? Or is it labor exploitation?”

“What? No.”

“Are you being blackmailed? Forced to pay money?”

“…It’s not that either.”

Then why are you here? Veronica furrowed her brow.

She crossed her arms and silently pressed him with her eyes. Flustered by her pressure, Lord Thomson finally opened his mouth.

“Actually… I came because of this.”

Lord Thomson fumbled in his pants pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

When she received and unfolded the paper, she saw a drawing with strange lines. It was something she had seen before.

“It looks like a map.”

“You said that before too. It’s a map of the underground sewers.”

“Underground sewers?”

Only then did she realize why Lord Thomson had come to the slums at such a late hour.

“You mean the underground sewers in the slums.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

There was an abandoned underground sewer system inside the slums.

It was unclear who had built it or for what purpose, but the neglected sewers had become so smelly and dirty that at one point, ominous rumors spread that anyone who accidentally set foot there would contract a fatal disease.

Even the people in the slums didn’t dare go near that area.

This is a map of those sewers? Veronica narrowed her eyes and examined the drawing. Then she lowered the map and looked coldly at Lord Thomson.

“Don’t tell me you’ve been going there every day lately?”

“Yes…”

So that’s why he came home late, washed up thoroughly right away, and doused himself in perfume.

If he had been going in and out almost daily, the smell must have been quite strong. Judging by Lady Arin not noticing, it probably hadn’t been going on for long.

Veronica sighed. In fact, before coming to meet Lord Thomson, she had met with Lady Arin.

As expected, she was still unable to let go of her suspicions about Lord Thomson.

‘Why don’t you just ask Lord Thomson directly?’

‘…I did ask.’

There was an incident that first made her suspicious of Lord Thomson.

According to her, worried about him working late, she once visited his office with some light refreshments, but the man who was supposed to be working late into the night was nowhere to be found.

She waited until dawn broke, but he never returned. When she went back home and asked Lord Thomson where he had been, he smiled and said he had stepped out briefly for some business, further complicating her thoughts.

‘I couldn’t tell him I waited until morning. I was afraid he’d be really hurt if I did. And honestly, more than an affair, I’m worried he might be being blackmailed somewhere.’

That concern was somewhat plausible. Veronica herself had discovered it twice already.

Lady Arin was deeply worried that due to his exceptional abilities, he might be subjected to labor exploitation.

Contrary to the lady’s concerns, he was voluntarily putting himself in danger.

“Lord Thomson. For the sake of your loving wife, it would be wise not to engage in dangerous activities. Though you’re already being threatened enough as it is.”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“Making your wife worry like this, you’re failing as a husband.”

“…I have no excuse.”

Lord Thomson slumped down like an old man suffering from a chronic illness. Veronica inwardly clicked her tongue.

Is curiosity more important than life? Considering his work, it wasn’t entirely wrong, but she couldn’t overlook the irresponsible courage.

Moreover, entering the slums.

The people of the slums are not friendly to outsiders.

Just as not everyone living in the same country is the same, the people of the slums clearly distinguished between where they lived and the outside.

They were sensitive to outsiders entering and quite wary.

The slums, teeming with beggars, thugs, and robbers, were a lawless zone where ordinary people shouldn’t casually set foot.

It could be considered lucky that he had returned safely alone until now.

But there was no guarantee that luck would continue.

Eventually, he would be noticed, and then a situation more dangerous than being threatened on the street would unfold.

“It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s alright. I just go for a very short time, and I’ve found a safe shortcut.”

“You should send someone else instead.”

“I have to go myself.”

“Why?”

Veronica asked sharply.

If he gave a flimsy excuse, she was planning to send him back without mercy. And she was also thinking of informing Lady Arin about the seriousness of this matter.

“This map was sent to our side by someone. I think there must be a reason why it was sent.”

“It could have been sent without any particular meaning. Out of curiosity, perhaps.”

“But they might have sent it hoping for help.”

“…”

“Then I can’t ignore it.”

Determination appeared on Lord Thomson’s face.

Only then did Veronica realize that he hadn’t failed to consider the danger. He had come here accepting the risk.

Veronica couldn’t understand him at all.

Writing exposé articles for exploited people, and taking risks for unknown individuals.

The common point between the two was that he prioritized others over himself.

How could he risk his life for people who weren’t even family? She couldn’t understand where such recklessness came from behind that innocent face.

But in the end, they’re strangers, neither family nor lovers.

“Lord Thomson. I want to respect your will, whatever your thoughts may be, even if they differ from mine. But thinking you alone can make a difference for someone is arrogant. Even if they really sent this map asking for help, what could you do by going there? Is a stranger whose face you don’t know more precious to you than your beloved wife?”

“I think it has a different meaning.”

“It amounts to the same thing in the end.”

“I appreciate your concern. But I’ll handle this myself.”

A bitter expression spread across Veronica’s face. He’s unexpectedly stubborn.

She thought she had heard he was a gentle and mild-mannered husband. Veronica found herself reconsidering Lord Thomson. He’s more troublesome than she thought.

“So in the end, you want to know what this map means. And you won’t stop until you find out.”

“Yes.”

“Fine, let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

“If you’re that curious, we should find out.”

After returning the map, Veronica walked past him. The sound of Lord Thomson’s flustered footsteps followed behind.

“This is no place for Miss Hardness to go! It’s too dangerous!”

“You came alone, Lord Thomson.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Then I’ll be fine too.”

“What nonsense.”

“That’s what I want to say. Do you now realize how nonsensical you’ve been, Lord Thomson? And I know better than you how to protect myself. You’re not looking down on me because I’m a woman, are you?”

“N-no, that’s not it. Then let’s just go back! I’ll go back right now!”

“Your mind changes so easily. You say that, but you’ll come here alone in secret again next time. Let’s finish this today.”

Veronica stepped forward again. Lord Thomson hurriedly followed.

“There’s no need for Miss Hardness to do this too.”

“I’ll handle it myself, so don’t worry about me.”

She could sense his increasing panic, but she didn’t look back. It was bothersome.

Lord Thomson tried his best to dissuade her. Even he judged that it wasn’t right to involve someone else.

Veronica ignored all his words. Halfway through, she pretended not to hear him at all. He should have gone back when she asked nicely.

“But Miss Hardness…”

Lord Thomson, who had been quiet for a moment, opened his mouth again.

What now? As she turned back irritably, Lord Thomson’s eyes shifted slightly to the side.

“Who is this person next to you? They’ve been following us the whole time.”

Ah, right. Only then did Veronica stop and turn to look at the man who had been accompanying her all along.

The man who finally received attention stepped forward.