I returned to the sofa and lay down. They could have at least brought me a light blanket, but the servants showed no interest in the fact that I was lying there.

“A wise choice.”

In my head, I rehearsed how I would act if the contents of the manuscript were discovered before publication. I hoped with all my heart that it would never come to that—but it was necessary to prepare for the what if.

I remained like that for a long while. Until Louis returned from the workshop where the printing was being handled.

***

Four days later, only the reserved copies for distinguished guests and patrons were released first.

The reason I, cut off from the outside world, learned of this was simple—I heard it directly from Louis.

Under normal circumstances, Louis wouldn’t have cared about advance reservations at all, yet for some reason, he had the reserved copies printed before the official release. Had he gained a new patron this time?

If not… had one of those books he’d merely re-covered to deceive me come out early?

With nothing I could be certain of, speculation was all I could do.

“Here, Mia.”

As always, he handed me a book bearing the author’s name—Mia Regie Simon. Even knowing it was meant to deceive me, the moment I took it in my hands, my heart lifted for no reason at all.

Before long, this book would become the weapon that would shove Louis straight into the gutter.

Thanks to that, the corners of my mouth curved upward for the first time in ages.

“You’re that happy?”

“Yes, of course. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this book to come out?”

Naturally. It was something that could finish you off in one fell swoop.

“Thank you. As always.”

Aside from the outer cover, the contents would surely be the same as ever. Still, I examined it carefully, just in case something had been left out. Thankfully, the material I’d slipped into the back was intact.

Interestingly, that section didn’t appear to have been printed with wooden type, but handwritten instead. It was far too uneven to have been set in type. The piece I’d inserted midway through the manuscript was also there, untouched.

Now all that remained was to wait for the day it would be revealed to the public.

Ah. My heart was already fluttering.

Once I gained my freedom, who should I kill first?
Louis?
The head steward?
Or the mistresses who had rejoiced at thinking they’d secured the position of lawful wife?

As I indulged in those pleasant fantasies, if only for a moment, Louis traced the fingers holding the book with his own.

“I paid special attention to the cover for this one.”

He shrugged, as if expecting praise. Seeing that expression, I couldn’t help but wonder how many days it would last. The thought that Louis’s face would soon twist in distortion made a laugh rise unbidden.

Of course. There was nothing in this world more delightful or satisfying than that.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Only natural.”

Smiling, Louis pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.

“Oh—Louis.”

The instant his lips left my skin, I quickly pulled my hand from his grasp. Then, hiding it behind my back, I scrubbed it harshly with a handkerchief.

“So, aside from the reserved copies, it hasn’t been released yet?”

“Ah, not yet.”

“I see.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I was just curious. I hope many readers get to see this book soon.”

Go ahead. Ruin yourself completely.

Inside, I hurled every curse I could think of his way. Yet on my face, I maintained a calm composure—as though I already possessed everything in the world.

I had counted the days, waiting for this book to be released. Again and again, I wished that this book would become my salvation. I was so happy that I almost forgot everything that had happened to me over the past fortnight.

“Master.”

While I was absorbed in examining the book, the house steward moved his lips with a stiff expression. He leaned in and whispered something into Louis’s ear. He spoke so quietly that I couldn’t make out a single word.

The only thing I could tell was that Louis’s expression gradually hardened.

“I told you I only keep young women around me!”

Of course. When had he ever cared about anything other than women? Recruiting young girls as servants was nothing more than a way to satisfy Louis’s l*st. After all, he’d laid his hands on nearly every servant in this estate.

“How do you manage to botch things this badly?”

Watching him snap at the house steward, I let out a small scoff. Then I quickly wiped the smile from my face and pretended to read, straining my ears to catch their conversation.

“Well… they said they’d all found new positions and left.”

“Just two days ago, you said the place was full of decent-looking girls.”

“I apologize. It was my oversight.”

“What good is an apology? They’re already gone.”

Louis clicked his tongue in irritation.

“Then should we dismiss the remaining servant as well?”

“There’s still someone left?”

Louis, who had been frowning all this time, asked, “A woman?”

“No.”

After answering, the house steward continued slowly.

“The remaining servant was sent by Duke Balthazar. He cannot speak, but he is said to be able to read and write.”

“A duke—so someone important?”

“Yes.”

If he’d risen to the nobility by exploiting me, he should at least have learned the basics. Not even knowing noble ranks—how pathetic.

“Bal… Baltha—what was it? Who is he, and what does he do?”

“His full name is Kindroshetto Riyev Dominique Balthazar Caspar.”

“Ah, d*mn it!”

Louis raised his fist, threatening the house steward.

“Who asked for his name? I asked what kind of man he is!”

“Duke Balthazar is of the Caspar Imperial bloodline and the ruler of the Duchy of Balthazar. In some circles, he is also called a butcher.”

Despite being threatened, the house steward didn’t so much as blink. Judging by his demeanor, it didn’t seem as though he followed Louis wholeheartedly. He spoke calmly, yet there was something faintly disdainful in his attitude.

“Why would someone like that send me a servant?”

Exactly.

Why would he send you a servant, of all things?

“Just like the port wine that arrived last time, you may consider it a kind of gift.”

“You said that servant’s a mute, didn’t you? What kind of idiot gives someone a gift that can’t even speak?”

“Rendering them unable to speak before sending them is considered a great show of goodwill in the Duchy of Balthazar. He seems quite sturdy, so you should be able to put him to hard labor.”

“What hard labor would I even have for him?”

Louis was still sulking, his expression making it abundantly clear how displeased he was.

“The message that came with him said he’s someone who will do his utmost to help you achieve whatever you set out to do. Apparently, he was a rather accomplished swordsman in the Duchy of Balthazar.”

“Tch. Can’t I just ask him to swap the guy out for a woman?”

“You may make the request. However, there is a risk it could be taken as an insult.”

“That Balt—Balthazar b*stard should’ve sent a woman in the first place. Tsk, tsk.”

The house steward didn’t echo Louis’s irritation. Instead, he kept a composed expression and slowly parted his lips.

“In my humble opinion, you might consider using this opportunity as a stepping stone to develop amicable relations with the Duchy of Balthazar. If you are on close terms with them, even most nobles within the Caspar Empire wouldn’t dare treat you lightly.”

“Why?”

“From the outset, the Duchy of Balthazar was founded through repeated wars. There’s even a saying that most of its people are warriors—that’s how strong its national power is. If you establish friendly relations with them, it will surely be of benefit to you, Master.”

“Hah. Nobles really do live exhausting lives. Going on about alliances over things like this.”

Come to think of it, most of the servants in this estate were women. As for men, there were only the house steward who stayed by Louis’s side, and the two knights who watched over me whenever Louis was away.

Ah—of course, regardless of whether they were men or women, everyone in this estate shared one thing in common.

They all monitored me. And they all looked down on me.

Hah. That stings for no reason.

“Bring him in for now. Teach him the basics, and—”

Louis, who had been speaking loudly up to that point, leaned in and whispered something into the house steward’s ear. He even shot me a brief glance, which made me wonder if it had something to do with me.

Of course, there was no way for me to know what they were saying.