The sound of gears interlocking in the clock tower was heard with a click.

Charlotte lightly brushed her throbbing cheek and straightened her posture to look directly at ‘His Lordship’.

‘His Lordship’ spoke again.

“What happened?”

“There was a conflict with the parents while trying to extract a demon parasitizing a child’s body. Thank you for your concern, my lord.”

“I see.”

Static mixed with the manipulated voice passing through the voice modulator.

When ‘His Lordship’ stopped speaking, Charlotte immediately explained about the demon.

“…So, I was barely able to extract it using palm branches and dried thyme. It was dangerous as it had nearly reached adulthood, but…”

Charlotte handed the bottle to the person standing next to ‘His Lordship’.

It seemed like faint howls could still be heard from inside the bottle, and a clear vibration was felt as it was passed from hand to hand.

‘His Lordship’, who received the bottle, held it up to the dim light to examine it.

As he slowly turned it around as if appraising a jewel, a thoughtful silence enveloped the tower.

“Indeed, this has grown larger than anything you’ve brought me so far. It must have been dangerous.”

“Yes. If it weren’t for the parents’ interference, I could have extracted it more easily, but…”

Charlotte blinked and smiled with a furrowed brow as if biting something bitter.

“They said they would report me.”

‘His Lordship’ laughed briefly at her words. Although it sounded more like a strange sob mixed with crackling static.

‘His Lordship’ said.

“Don’t worry. Even if they really decide to report you to the peacekeeping force, I won’t let that happen.”

Silence fell again. Charlotte felt that the sound of gears interlocking was particularly loud today. And the sound of water flowing too.

“You’re tired.”

“A little, yes.”

“If you accept King Lyuen’s offer, I think your work will become much easier.”

Charlotte’s shoulders flinched in surprise.

She stared intently at the black veil, forcefully suppressing the words that were about to burst from her lips.

Although a very faint silhouette was visible depending on the angle of light, she still couldn’t guess the gender or age. She wondered who he was. And how he knew what had happened in the royal palace.

“Have you been watching me, my lord?”

After finishing her words, Charlotte held her breath for a moment. However, ‘His Lordship’ answered nonchalantly as if her anxiety was none of his concern.

“Let’s call it consideration as an employer.”

Before Charlotte could respond, ‘His Lordship’ let out another chilling laugh.

“Status is power. Just as I have power as your ’employer’. If you have the ability and the status to match it, you’ll be able to do much more.”

“Your Lordship means…”

“If King Lyuen offers to lend a hand in tearing open your cocoon that even you weren’t aware of, it would be wise not to take it lightly. Lyuen doesn’t often give such preferential treatment. That woman hasn’t forgotten the revolutionary government era. And she thinks the same thing could happen again at any time. She has the power of royalty and could wield it at will, but she restrains herself… Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Charlotte replied.

“You mean the title the King is bestowing upon me is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.”

“Yes, that’s right. Wouldn’t that make our deal easier to resolve as well? This is also an order as your employer. Of course, whether to follow it or not is up to you.”

No, it’s not. Charlotte thought. She was already holding only the cards she should discard.

She had no choice but to either lay down her cards and die, or accept the card slipped under the table by this suspicious client.

She was in a situation where she couldn’t die, so there was only one option left.

‘His Lordship’ said.

“Of course, I’m watching you wherever you go, whatever you do. But let that suffice. I don’t welcome mistakes. Do you understand?”

Of course she did.

Although she had never made a mistake yet, no one knew what this strange and overbearing client would do to her if she messed up.

Charlotte nodded in understanding and then stood up.

As she was about to leave the clock tower as usual, she suddenly turned around.

“I’d like to ask one thing, my lord.”

“What is it?”

The static from the voice modulator became even worse.

For a moment, Charlotte wondered if it would ever break down.

Then perhaps she could hear ‘His Lordship’s’ real voice…

“According to the deal you made with my father, you were to sponsor the party until we caught the ‘Shadow Demon’, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“I also have to catch the ‘Shadow Demon’, and meeting you like this to deliver other demons is just a secondary task. Did I understand correctly?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

‘His Lordship’s’ shoulders shook slightly. It seemed like he laughed silently, but it wasn’t certain.

Charlotte said.

“What do you use those demons for, my lord?”

As the words trailed off, the clock tower became deathly quiet for a moment.

Even the sound of gears interlocking couldn’t be heard then. Nor the sound of water flowing.

Finally, ‘His Lordship’ spoke.

“I understand your curiosity, but it’s not yet time for you to know that.”

“Did my father know?”

This time the veil shook slightly. Did he laugh again? Maybe he sighed.

“Of course your father knew.”

Charlotte, who had been standing with her arms hanging at her sides looking at him, soon nodded once more.

“I understand. Then as you ordered. I’ll try to bring more pleasing news next time.”

“That’s good.”

As she approached the exit, the door opened by itself.

Although she should be used to the sound of the lock unlocking by now, when the metal creaked and rubbed, she felt the urge to cover her ears.

Even though she knew it was just a simple mechanical device and would end soon… for some reason, it made her heart shudder.

‘Leaving the cocoon.’

‘His Lordship’s’ words kept ringing in her ears.

It seemed to mean leaving this clock tower, or as he said, the troublesome situations that could be given to Charlotte because she wasn’t a real noble, or could be given in the future.

* * *

When Charlotte arrived home, Taemi was already gone.

The cushions were neatly placed in their original positions, and not a speck of dirt remained on the floor.

It was time to open the shop, but Charlotte lingered for a while, sitting on the bed.

She alternately recalled the words of King Lyuen and those of ‘His Lordship’ from the clock tower just now, asking herself for a long time if there really was no other way.

But there was only one answer.

King Lyuen was already full of determination to eliminate the vampire that had infiltrated—or awakened in—Roynocke through Charlotte.

Even if she refused the title right now, the King would still get what she wanted anyway.

‘In that sense, they seem somewhat alike. King Lyuen and ‘His Lordship’. How did he know about what happened at the palace…? Does he use some kind of spirit? That could be it.’

Charlotte had long noticed that someone was watching her, but she didn’t care much about who or what it was.

She simply assumed it was one of ‘His Lordship’s’ tricks since she didn’t sense any hostility.

Now she felt a strong desire to find out exactly what kind of being his informant was, something she had never been particularly curious about before.

Just then, the sound of a bell jingling came from downstairs.

It was clear that someone was continuously shaking the locked door.

Charlotte quickly got up, hastily tied her hair, and went downstairs.

“Just a moment, please!”

The sound of footsteps on the stairs became more hurried and frequent.

Work is best when you have a lot on your mind.

Just as she was thinking it would be nice if a very complicated order came in, Charlotte bit back a sigh when she saw Duke Matiel of Elinak standing beyond the glass door.

‘Why do I feel like I knew this would happen?’

Charlotte muttered to herself, inaudible to anyone else, as she unlocked and opened the door.

Duke Matiel of Elinak stepped in, trampling the sound of the silver bell, and handed something to her.

“What’s this?”

Duke Matiel of Elinak answered.

“It’s the documents regarding the title to be bestowed upon you. Just read it and sign in the signature field. I’ve taken care of everything else.”

“My, how generous of you.”

Charlotte lightly sarcasmed as she found a pen and ink on the cluttered counter.

As she dipped the pen nib in ink and made the first signature, Duke Matiel of Elinak said.

“Did you have a change of heart overnight? You’re accepting it quite easily.”

“People’s minds change from moment to moment.”

“From now on, you’ll be Baroness Charlotte Berrett.”

Charlotte, who was signing while turning the pages, chuckled.

“If you were going to give me a title anyway, you could have given me a higher one.”

Duke Matiel of Elinak’s eyebrow slightly raised.

“Would you have preferred a higher position? The higher the position, the more duties and responsibilities you have to bear. Can you handle that?”

“Wasn’t it just an honorary position? Yet you speak of duties and responsibilities.”

Duke Matiel of Elinak retorted.

“That’s what they say. It might be a bit different from other nobles, but of course, there are duties and responsibilities given to you as well.”

“Alright, I was just joking. What difference does it make whether it’s a baron or a viscount? It’s not like I decided this of my own will anyway. Here, take it.”

Duke Matiel of Elinak, who received the documents from Charlotte, skillfully flipped through the pages to check if any signatures were missing.

Charlotte had filled in exactly the same signature on each and every space.

She didn’t forget to stamp her thumbprint at the end.

Duke Matiel of Elinak, who neatly folded the documents and put them in his breast pocket, said.

“The express train to Eliki departs from Montovit Station at 1 PM the day after tomorrow. Do you know the way?”

“Yes, I know. If you’re done with your business, please leave now. I’m planning to make some unique medicine today, so I need to concentrate.”

Duke Matiel of Elinak, who had been looking at her for a moment, grasped the edge of his hat and turned around.

“Don’t forget. The day after tomorrow at 1 PM. Montovit Station.”

After saying that, he left the shop swiftly as if he had no further business.

Charlotte was watching Duke Matiel of Elinak’s retreating figure.

Then, halfway down the stairs, Duke Matiel of Elinak turned his head and tapped one side of his face.

“Put some medicine on your cheek. If someone sees it, they might think an unmarried lady met some rascal, and I feel quite strange about being your partner in that sense.”