Chapter 4 (Part 2)

A moment later, the inner chamber was filled with silence, broken only by the hazy smoke of the Emperor’s pipe.  

“So, what is my beloved Duke up to?”  

“Reporting to you, Your Majesty, Duke Richard has been investigating the drug incident, held a meeting with the Knight Commander, and seems to have tailored a suit for the ball.”  

“How unusually obedient of him.”  

When the Emperor had ordered the political marriage, the Duke had clearly resisted. Yet now, he was strangely quiet.  

“That doesn’t make sense.”  

The Emperor believed he knew Duke Richard better than anyone. Despite his calm and gentlemanly appearance, there was an untamed beast lurking within.  

“Could it be the blood of his family?”  

From the beginning of the Empire, the Richard family had been renowned. They had produced outstanding scholars and knights who had led the development of the Caspian Empire without hesitation.  

“Why don’t they understand how bothersome that is?”  

As the Emperor ran his fine silver hair through his fingers and smiled faintly, the attendant standing beside him flinched.  

“By the way, did Baron Demori provide what he promised?”  

“Of course. The Baron is undoubtedly a loyal dog of you, Your Majesty.”  

“Good. I like men like the Baron. Dogs who wag their tails fervently while swearing loyalty.”  

Unlike the Duke, who might bow his head but could hide other intentions behind his serious expression.  

“Sometime soon, I’d like to meet our Duchess Richard.”  

“As you command.”  

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked at the attendant, who bowed his head no matter what he said.  

***

The building housing the information guild in the Bazaar was unusually bustling with people.  

The news that new bodyguards were being recruited today had drawn quite a crowd of candidates. They were full of expectations for the guild’s high reputation.  

“I hear this place offers the best conditions in the industry. And have you heard about that person?”  

When someone mentioned Roshan, everyone held their breath and listened intently.  

“They say he took down a wild boar with his bare hands.”  

“Ha, is that all? I heard he can knock people out with just a glance!”  

Exchanging exaggerated rumors, they tried to ease their tension about the upcoming interviews. However, not everyone had a favorable view of this place.  

“Anyone would think that guy is some famous knight in the Empire. Isn’t he just a lowborn from Pasa?”  

The man had come here for the high pay, not because he cared about Roshan’s feats.  

It was then that the interview room’s door opened, and the next candidate was called. 

After interviewing several candidates, Therese was completely exhausted. The interview process involved simple questions and a demonstration of weapon skills, but it was hard to find anyone who met her standards.  

“This won’t do.”  

“But there are still some candidates left.”  

The servant standing beside her looked troubled as she muttered to herself.  

“How many are left?”  

“About three, Guildmaster.”  

“All right. Call in the next person.”  

A moment later, a man entered wearing rags, reeking of alcohol and grease with every move he made.  

As soon as she saw him, Therese frowned. While it wasn’t necessary to dress in expensive clothes or accessories for the interview, basic tidiness was expected.  

In short, the man was completely unprepared for the interview.  

Shaking her head, Therese spoke softly.  

“I’m sorry, but you may leave now.”  

“What? I haven’t even said my name yet.”  

The man became indignant when he was told to leave as soon as he entered.  

“Didn’t you hear me? You may go now.”  

Rubbing her forehead in exhaustion, Therese instructed the servant.  

“Give him a small compensation for his trouble.”  

Regardless of the interview results, Therese had been giving all the candidates travel and meal expenses.  

“Here, take this.”  

When the servant handed him a pouch of coins, the man threw it to the ground. The pouch burst open, scattering coins everywhere.  

*Clang!*  

“Hey! Do you think I came all the way here for this measly amount of money?”  

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing, acting like this to the Guildmaster?”  

When the servant tried to intervene, the man, his eyes bloodshot, suddenly started kicking. The unexpected attack sent the servant crashing to the floor.  

“Shut up and stay over there!”  

Therese calmly observed the agitated man before speaking.  

“If you’re already disobeying my orders, how could I possibly hire you?”  

“You little wench, just you wait!”  

Enraged, the man stormed toward Therese like a raging bull. However, she remained composed, carefully observing his movements.  

‘For all the noise he makes, his attacks are full of openings.’  

Standing slightly, Therese waited for the right moment. When the man got close, she threw a dagger hidden under the desk.  

*Thud!*  

The sharp dagger pierced through the man’s arm and sleeve, pinning it firmly to the desk.  

“Next time, it won’t end with just a sleeve.”  

Holding another dagger in her opposite hand, Therese spoke, and the man suddenly began groveling.  

“Ah, I was foolish and caused such trouble.”  

He cautiously glanced around and pulled at the sleeve of his clothing pierced by the dagger.  

Rip.  

The fabric tore, but fortunately, the man confirmed there were no injuries to his wrist, and his face brightened.  

“I will gratefully accept this.”  

Muttering to himself, the man picked up the few coins that had fallen to the ground and ran off like the wind.  

“How are you? Are you alright?”  

Once the situation had settled, Therese was finally able to check on her fallen subordinate. When Therese extended her hand to him, the subordinate looked extremely embarrassed.  

“Even if you’re only doing paperwork, it’s good to learn at least some basic self-defense.”  

“I will keep that in mind.”  

“You might feel pain for a few days, so make sure to show your injury to the physician.”  

“My apologies.”  

At that moment, Therese felt someone’s gaze through the crack of the slightly opened door and quickly turned her head.  

“…Roshan?”  

At first, she thought she was hallucinating.  

The physician had said Roshan’s injuries were so severe this time that it would take at least six months for him to recover.  

“Master, I greet you.”  

Roshan, who was standing while holding onto the door, was drenched in cold sweat. Therese stepped forward and reached out her hand toward his forehead. Roshan’s forehead was burning hot.  

“Who told you to move around on your own already!”  

“I’m sorry, Master.”  

Therese struggled not to cry as she looked at Roshan, who couldn’t even hold his head steady due to dizziness.  

‘I have nowhere else to go.’ 

Roshan, who had appeared before 18-year-old Therese in rags, had spent every day with her until she got married. To Therese, Roshan was not merely a subordinate but a friend and a brother-like figure.  

“Come here and sit down immediately.”  

Although she was glad to see Roshan after such a long time, his sickly appearance made her angry and upset.  

“Didn’t you hear that if your wounds worsen, you could die?”  

Therese’s shoulders trembled violently as she supported him.  

“I’m sorry, Master.”  

Roshan, leaning slightly on her small, soft shoulder, slowly closed his crimson eyes. His physical condition was undoubtedly poor. Even just getting out of bed and putting on clothes made him feel like he would faint.  

But Roshan couldn’t endure any longer without seeing Therese’s face.  

He was terrified that something might happen to her without his knowledge.  

‘I must confirm with my own eyes that Master is safe.’  

Moreover, Victor had informed him that today was the day the guild was selecting escorts, which made him even more restless. No matter how strict the security was, he couldn’t feel at ease knowing there wasn’t a skilled warrior by Therese’s side to protect her.  

‘This is madness!’  

Even Victor’s strong dissuasion couldn’t stop him.  

‘I must go and protect her.’  

With that single thought, Roshan had rushed to the bazaar. He bit his lower lip so hard to avoid fainting that he tasted blood.  

And Roshan secretly watched Therese conducting interviews with a serious demeanor.  

‘Next time, it won’t end with just a sleeve.’  

His master had grown stronger while he wasn’t looking.  

Ever since she saved him from being beaten back then, Therese had been his sun and his world. No matter how much he admired her, it was never enough.  

“Do you know how upset I get when you do this?”  

Finally seated on the sofa, Roshan was able to shake off his thoughts. Bowing his head deeply, he muttered softly.  

“If I die, would you be upset, Master?”  

Therese looked dumbfounded at such an obvious question.  

“Do you think you wouldn’t cry if I died?”  

Therese trailed off after blurting out those words in frustration. Talking about death so casually was not appropriate.  

‘I really did die once.’  

Back then, she had been so consumed by her own emotions that she hadn’t considered the feelings of those left behind.  

How devastated her father, Sophia, and Roshan must have been after her death.  

Soft-hearted Sophia must have spent many days weeping. Therese, who endured that difficult time for her father with his weak heart, had ultimately failed as a daughter.  

And she had abandoned Roshan, who had crossed into the Caspian Empire, relying solely on her.  

She had been so focused on being alive again that she hadn’t had time to think about what happened after her death.