Gabriel asked in a disgruntled tone, “Then why do you keep using me?”
Why not rely on that monster-like man who will become your husband?
He couldn’t bring himself to voice the spiteful afterthought.
Daphne seemed to read his mind and answered, “You can’t understand what’s inside a monster. Their thinking is fundamentally different from humans.”
“So, are you saying you can understand me?”
Daphne smiled brightly.
“No, I don’t understand you. But I can trust you.”
Gabriel’s face began to light up with emotion upon hearing Daphne’s answer.
But Daphne felt somewhat embarrassed. She hadn’t intended to move him with her words. She hesitated about whether to correct his misunderstanding right away, but ultimately remained silent.
‘What he needs right now is encouragement and support.’
Daphne decided to finish the praise she had started.
“I think blindly trusting someone doesn’t mean much. But you have the skills to back it up, Gabi.”
She knew this well, having learned directly under him in her previous life.
⁕⁕⁕
“From now on, call me Gabi.”
In her previous life, Leonhardt—who had insisted she wait for him because he would definitely marry her—ended up marrying Anaïs.
Gabriel came to Daphne when she was suffering under relentless debt collection. As soon as she accepted his offer to become a spy, he fulfilled his promise.
Christine, who was ill, along with Fabian and Daphne received fake identities and escaped the Empire. They began new lives in an unfamiliar foreign country.
He even enrolled Fabian in an academy so he could continue his interrupted studies. Christine was also able to receive long-delayed medical treatment.
Unlike Christine, who remained quiet in the comfort they enjoyed after so long, Fabian persistently questioned Daphne.
“Sister, how did all this happen?”
“Her Majesty is secretly looking after us. She always cared deeply for Father.”
Daphne made up an excuse, using the Emperor as a scapegoat.
Around that time, the Emperor had become a puppet of the noble faction. Leonhardt had eliminated Gustav and become the leader of the noble faction. As soon as he received his ducal title, he took the imperial seal from the Emperor.
In such circumstances, the Emperor had no capacity to look after Werner’s family.
Fabian wasn’t naive enough to believe this explanation and continued to press Daphne.
“Sister, please be honest with me! If you’re sacrificing yourself for me in any way, I won’t be able to live comfortably either.”
Christine stepped in.
“Child, that’s enough. You’re making your sister uncomfortable. Besides, Her Majesty has always been very fond of you, so perhaps she’s being generous even in these difficult times.”
Only then did Fabian quiet down.
It wasn’t because he believed the Emperor was doing this out of unrequited love for him. He was restraining himself for the moment because Christine had mentioned Daphne’s discomfort.
“Sister, please wait just a little. I’ll somehow……”
“No, don’t. Whatever it is, please don’t do it.”
“Sister!”
“Listen carefully, Fabian. What I want is for you to graduate safely. If you give up halfway, it will all be for nothing. Climb higher with proper qualifications. I’ll support you until then, and afterward, you can take care of me.”
She barely managed to convince him, and not long after, Daphne began spy training. She made an excuse about learning business at a commercial guild and left her family.
That’s how her spy training began.
The first task was following the red socks. In a crowded street, a stranger would approach her, brush past, and say:
“Follow the child wearing red socks up ahead.”
The child would dart around among the bustling adults. She would chase after them for half a day, and if she lost sight of them, she wouldn’t be given any food.
This continued for a month, with remarkable results. Her observational skills became exceptional, and muscles developed in her once jelly-like legs.
When she returned from training, the drawer-peeking assignment would be waiting. This exercise involved opening a drawer full of items, memorizing everything inside along with their positions at a glance.
Daphne practiced constantly whenever she had even a little free time. She gradually improved until eventually she could memorize documents with just a quick glance.
Through efforts that amounted to grinding herself down, she passed various training exercises with quite good marks.
The final test was reaching a destination by crossing a winter forest. It was the final exam utilizing everything she had learned.
She had to determine direction without a map in severe weather conditions and travel long distances without leaving any traces.
After several near-death experiences, Gabriel personally welcomed Daphne when she appeared, dragging her frostbitten feet.
“Very good. They said you were a descendant of spirits—this is the first time someone has completed the training so quickly.”
On the day her frostbite had completely healed, she was finally given her first mission.
“They need a descendant of spirits who can control monsters.”
Daphne was as astonished by the person willing to buy this claim as she was by Gabriel, who had traded on her hair color.
“What exactly am I supposed to do?”
“First, you’ll need to get married.”
The marriage was surprising enough, but when told her partner would be Grand Duke Kartun Schwiers, Daphne couldn’t close her mouth.
⁕⁕⁕
Having experienced it firsthand in her previous life, she knew how thoroughly Gabriel managed and operated his organization.
Daphne spoke to him honestly.
“There’s no doubt you’re the Empire’s finest guild. Let’s consider Kartun a kind of natural disaster. Besides that, I’ve been very satisfied with all the other requests I’ve entrusted to you.”
Gabriel tried to maintain an indifferent expression, unaware that his cheeks were turning slightly red.
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me. By the way, Ludwig and the young duke of Mücke have made a deal.”
The moment she heard that name, Daphne’s brow furrowed.
“They’ve agreed to exchange you for a vineyard.”
The moment she heard those words, Daphne felt her heart drop to the floor.
She shouldn’t find this new or surprising.
That’s just the kind of people they were.
Yet she didn’t feel fine at all.
Gabriel hadn’t noticed her reaction and continued explaining.
“The vineyard originally belonged to the Duchess. But the young duke has a power of attorney. The Duke doesn’t seem to know yet……”
‘I’m still being treated as worthless.’
Becoming familiar with pain doesn’t make it hurt less. Her heart felt like it was being torn out.
Gabriel noticed her face turning pale and realized his mistake.
‘How do I comfort her?’
Comfort?
This wouldn’t normally be something he’d consider.
There’s no time to be shocked that someone is targeting you. You need to stay sharp and counterattack. Meanwhile, your enemy will easily destroy you, and so on.
But seeing her usual cold mask slip away to reveal her bare face made it difficult for him to speak.
“Don’t be too disheartened. I will protect you. Such a thing will absolutely not happen, so rest assured……”
“I know. Even if it does happen, I can overcome it. But……”
Daphne’s voice was full of emotion.
“I’m sick of this.”
As soon as she said these words, the carriage stopped. When the old man opened the door, a flustered Gabriel grabbed her.
“I spoke too bluntly. Please don’t leave like this. Give me a chance to calm your mind……”
But Daphne had already risen and leaned her upper body out the door. When Gabriel urgently tried to escort her, she coldly said:
“Don’t come out. Don’t you know you shouldn’t be seen?”
Outside was a quiet suburb, and nearby was the Armin family carriage that Daphne had prepared in advance.
When Daphne took the old man’s outstretched hand and stepped out of the carriage, her wounded expression had faded. She boarded the marquis family’s carriage without looking back.
Gabriel understood.
He knew better than anyone that her quick transfer without looking back was to avoid being spotted by others.
Yet a part of his chest stung as if flesh was being torn away.
Only then did he have to admit it.
He had inflicted an indelible wound on the woman he loved. Of course, it wasn’t his doing, and she absolutely needed to know.
But he had acted like an eager child desperate to prove his competence. Gabriel couldn’t make any excuses.
Inside the carriage heading to the marquis residence, Daphne sat blankly. Perhaps because the road in the suburbs was rough, she let her body sway with the carriage’s movements.
She recalled what Gabriel had said moments ago.
“I will protect you.”
Really?
He was human too, so he couldn’t be perfect.
And since he had died keeping his promise in her previous life, she believed he would do so in this life too, but there was no guarantee.
She also reflected on what Kartun had said.
“Write down every name without missing anyone.”
“Will you punish them?”
“Your husband is rich and strong. And he loves his wife.”
For Daphne, who had lost everything and died, and was now still struggling to survive, these were infinitely sweet words.
Translator
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bluemoon238
OMG, FL is like a bug zap light. Come and get the shock! These men can’t resist… zap. The ones who need the most zapping are her oldest brother and mother. How long is she going to put up with them? It’s fine to give her father another chance, second brother too. I feel the eldest and the mother are turning (if not already there) unrecyclable trash.