Chapter 5 (Part 2)
The words she had once told her father weren’t wrong. Information was money, and money was necessary to achieve what she wanted.
“This will make more money than gambling ever could.”
Therese chuckled as she recalled her terrible win rate, while Roshan, who was following behind her, looked puzzled.
When it came to money, Roshan had plenty of his own.
Not only did he earn from the guild, but he also had other assets.
‘I just wish she would take it easy…’
As always, the countless words he couldn’t say remained swallowed inside him.
He preferred it when Therese relied on him, when she smiled brightly at him.
‘But master’s body…’
Therese’s current physical condition was fragile enough that it wouldn’t be surprising if she collapsed at any moment. Although the suppressant was helping her hold on, poison was gradually eating away at her body.
‘I need to find the antidote as soon as possible.’
If he didn’t, everything he had done would be meaningless.
‘I will never lose you again, Master.’
Roshan Jawad vividly remembered the day Therese left this world. He also remembered the moment his world completely crumbled.
‘I won’t let that happen again.’
Not taking painkillers made it feel like his back was being peeled off every time he moved. But despite the pain, he couldn’t take the medicine.
‘It dulls my senses.’
Dulled senses meant he wouldn’t be able to protect Therese. The horrifying thought made Roshan stand still and tremble.
“See? You’re so pale, yet you’re being stubborn.”
Therese, who had stopped and was now looking at him, sent him a concerned gaze. She must have assumed he was acting this way because he was in pain.
Though he was indeed in pain, Roshan’s mind was filled with only one person right now, leaving no room to even notice it.
“Get in.”
“I’m fine.”
When Therese called for a carriage, she placed her hands on her hips and gave him a stern look.
“Do you even know what your face looks like right now?”
“…”
Roshan didn’t want to part ways with Therese. The reason he dragged his injured body to the guild was to protect her, but also because he couldn’t suppress his foolish longing for her.
“Go to the office, lie down on the sofa, and don’t do anything. I’ve already told Victor to take good care of you.”
“But I need to escort you, Master.”
“Roshan. Don’t you trust your comrades?”
There were other guild members discreetly following Therese in the bazaar besides Roshan.
“Don’t worry about me. Nothing will happen.”
Though Roshan didn’t believe nothing would happen, as Therese said, he couldn’t reject her consideration any longer.
As he slowly climbed into the carriage, Therese shut the door and waved her hand.
“Go and rest well, Roshan!”
“Master, please be careful on your way back.”
Trying his best to appear fine, Roshan forced a smile at her bright face.
As soon as the carriage started moving, Roshan collapsed onto the seat.
“…Hah, hah.”
The pain he had been holding back erupted all at once. The burning sensation in his back made it feel as though his entire body was being consumed by flames. Struggling to catch his breath, Roshan fought to stay conscious.
Though his condition was poor, it didn’t mean there was nothing he could do for Therese.
Thinking of Therese’s radiant smile, Roshan straightened his body. This wasn’t the time to lie around groaning in pain.
‘I need to push through.’
Time was still ticking.
“Turn the carriage around and head to the herb street.”
“…Understood.”
He had no choice but to disobey Therese’s order to return directly to the guild.
‘Forgive me, Master.’
Roshan’s red eyes, as he ran his hands over his face, were now cold and resolute.
***
The situation within the city walls had been chaotic for days.
Though no articles had appeared in the newspapers, strange rumors were spreading like wildfire.
“So, that Avio guy disappeared overnight?”
“Not because he got thrown out of the gambling den and drowned himself in alcohol, right?”
“It’s not that. Someone said they saw that man wandering outside the walls. But the strange thing is, when they called his name, he didn’t respond.”
It seemed there was more than one missing person, as names were exchanged in hushed but urgent tones.
Therese, who happened to be passing through the bazaar, also grew serious.
‘No matter how much we investigate, we can’t even find a clue.’
The reputation of the empire’s top intelligence guild was at stake.
At that moment, someone loudly pounded their chest and shouted,
“What’s there to worry about? Nothing wicked can cross the walls!”
“Exactly. At least our taxes are paying off!”
“And don’t we have the Night Wolf on our side?”
For the nobles, the Emperor’s direct knights and the knights led by Duke Richard were a source of reassurance. But for the people in the marketplace, the Night Wolf served that role.
Listening to the merchants’ lively chatter, Therese’s gaze deepened.
‘…The Night Wolf.’
No one had ever seen their face, nor even heard their voice. As someone who ran an intelligence guild, Therese had tried countless times to uncover the identity of the Night Wolf.
‘They’re definitely not a noble.’
Her assumption was based on the fact that the Night Wolf would boldly rob noble houses that had amassed wealth through illicit means and even kill nobles who committed heinous crimes while cleverly evading the law.
‘They might even be hiding near me.’
Could it be one of the merchants, acting out of a sense of justice?
Therese scanned her surroundings sharply.
But all these stories were without evidence.
All she knew was the vague description of the Night Wolf from those who had seen them from afar.
‘Long, jet-black hair, and movements so light they seemed to fly as they leapt across rooftops.’
Lost in thought, she soon reached the place where the Richard ducal carriage was parked.
‘I don’t want to go back.’
Therese, staring at the ground as she walked, sighed deeply.
Dealing with Maria was exhausting, and she couldn’t stand Katrina either. On top of that, preparing for the ball, which she had no desire to attend, was a headache.
But the most unbearable thing of all—
was the man who kept clinging to her like a leech.
“…Hah.”
“Madame, you’ll make a hole in the ground if you keep sighing like that.”
Speak of the devil.
Whether he had fallen from the sky or risen from the earth, there stood Jeremy Richard in front of her.
The Duke, draped in a dusty cloak as if he had traveled a long way, looked exhausted.
“Do you remember what I told you last time?”
“W-What do you mean…?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, Therese stammered.
It was their first meeting since the night they had almost kissed in the study.
“I believe I mentioned that wandering around without an escort is dangerous…”
The Duke’s eyes gleamed as he ran a hand through his golden hair.
‘Never dismiss your escorts again.’
‘What if I dismiss them again?’
‘In that case, I may have to act as your escort myself.’
Therese remembered every single word of their past conversation. But now, she had to pretend she didn’t.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Not being skilled at lying, she hurriedly tried to climb into the carriage, afraid he might see through her. But the Duke extended an arm to block her from opening the door.
“There was—there was an escort earlier.”
Though it was a flimsy excuse, she was scared he might actually insist on becoming her escort.
“I’ll open the door for you.”
The Duke, unnecessarily taking on the role of the coachman, spoke kindly. Once Therese climbed into the carriage, he glanced inside and smiled again.
“And you don’t even have a maid with you.”
Caught by the Duke’s sharp gaze, Therese felt a strange tension.
Even spending a short moment with him was uncomfortable, so the best course of action was to part ways quickly.
“Well then, Your Grace, please attend to your business.”
Just as Therese instructed the coachman to close the door, the Duke climbed in after her.
“I’ve just finished my work and am on my way home.”
“…Ah.”
Therese couldn’t stop the Duke, who claimed he was heading home.
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Nous_Defions
I’ve a feeling that this stupid Roshan will cause more harm to come to Therese than protect her, with his stubborn attitude… Idiotic, and stupid… I can understand his loyalty, and his unrequited feelings, but what use would he be in his state, when he can hardly even take care of himself… Sheesh… He infuriates me to no end, more than Jeremy…