Hailey let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and stepped firmly toward the entrance.

Knock, knock.

She rapped on the door with a determined expression.

“….”

No response. She peered through the windows, but all the shutters were closed, preventing her from seeing inside.

Knock, knock.

She knocked again, harder this time. Soon, she sensed someone approaching from the other side of the door. Hailey straightened her back and braced herself.

Creak.

The sound of old wood groaning echoed as the door opened, inch by inch. She swallowed nervously.

Who would she see on the other side?

A man with brown hair and a kind smile appeared in her view.

“Oh.”

Hailey exhaled a soft, soundless sigh of disappointment. Her shoulders, tense with anticipation, dropped slightly. She had been hoping to see the green-haired man again.

“Who are you?”

The brown-haired man smiled faintly and looked at her with mild curiosity. Hailey, locking eyes with him, suddenly spoke.

“Anderson?”

The man’s eyes widened slightly, his gaze sharpening despite the friendly smile still lingering on his lips.

Though he tried to mask it, Hailey caught the hint of wariness hidden beneath his seemingly affable demeanor.

It was clear he didn’t recognize her. His voice carried a note of confusion as he finally replied.

“Excuse me, but do you know me? I couldn’t possibly have forgotten a lady as beautiful as you,” Anderson said with a smooth smile.

Hailey, just as clueless about him, remained cautious. She opened her mouth to respond, but Anderson suddenly nodded as if recalling something.

“Ah, now that I think about it, you must be Miss Hailey Salmon. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”

“Do you know me?” Hailey asked, this time returning the same question. She scrutinized his face carefully, but it didn’t match anyone in her memory.

Yet he had just said her name. Anderson smiled kindly, observing her tense expression.

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met before. Forgive me, but have we crossed paths somewhere?” Hailey’s voice turned rigid, and her grip tightened on her parasol. Anderson’s gaze briefly landed on the parasol before shifting away.

He showed no sign of unease. Neither had he invited her inside, nor had Hailey attempted to step in. The two stood at the entrance, locked in a strange standoff.

Anderson broke the tension with another gentle smile.

“You’re staying at the Duke of Gunner’s estate, aren’t you?”

“That’s correct.”

Her answer came with a slight flinch, her shoulders trembling. It was unsettling, even frightening, to have a stranger know so much about her.

Sensing her unease, Anderson subtly leaned back and raised his palms in a non-threatening gesture.

“Peter is one of our regular customers.”

“Ah…”

Peter’s unexpected mention caused Hailey to sigh deeply, a sound tinged with both relief and resignation. The taut string of tension she had felt snapped all at once.

“Additionally, our establishment supplies alcohol to the Duke of Gunner’s estate. A few days ago, during a delivery, I happened to see you from afar. Peter mentioned that you’ve been employed as the Duke’s Santier conversation partner.”

“That’s correct,” Hailey admitted without hesitation. For the first time, she offered a sheepish smile, as though apologizing for doubting him.

“I see… I’m sorry for misunderstanding. And thank you for helping me that day, though I didn’t get the chance to say so earlier.”

“No need to apologize. I’m just glad to see you’re well,” Anderson replied graciously.

“Ah.”

Just as Hailey turned to leave, a thought struck her. She stopped and looked back at him. Anderson met her gaze with calm curiosity.

“By any chance, do you know a man with green hair who works around here? His hair is a deep green, he’s taller than you, and his eyes are sharp and intense.”

“A man with green hair…” Anderson crossed his arms, his face adopting a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he shook his head.

“I can think of a few tall men with sharp eyes, but none with green hair. Why are you looking for him?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for your time,” Hailey said, bowing her head slightly before stepping away.

“Take care, Miss Hailey. If I may offer some advice, I’d suggest staying away from this neighborhood,” Anderson said, his tone concerned.

“I know. I won’t be coming back, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Hailey nodded and walked away. Instead of taking the shortcut back to the estate, she chose the larger road used by carriages.

Hailey wasn’t one to repeat her mistakes. She had learned her lesson.

Anderson quietly closed the door behind her. As he did, a man emerged from the shadows within the shuttered interior.

“She’s gone,” Anderson said.

“Hm,” the man replied, exhaling a lazy sigh that hinted at exhaustion. His ash-gray eyes briefly lingered on the door before drifting away.

“I didn’t expect her to show up here in person. She’s a bold one, just as the rumors say.”

A sliver of sunlight slipped through the partially closed door, trailing across the floor until it caught the green-haired man, making his hair shimmer for a fleeting moment.

But the moment passed as the door shut firmly with a loud bang, plunging the room back into darkness.

“Bold, yes. But more like a reckless little runt,” the green-haired man murmured languidly, his gaze fixed on the closed door.

Anderson, who had been watching the door as well, turned back to the green-haired man and continued his report.

“There’s a rumor that Viscount Jake is having an affair with Lady Sara.”

“Lady Sara? The Count’s daugther?”

“Yes, his second daughter.”

The two climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor, their conversation continuing. The green-haired man let out a cold chuckle.

“Jake’s wife has a vicious temper, yet he’s managed to cheat on her. That could be useful later. Gather more details, and if you can find undeniable evidence, even better.”

“Understood, Master,” Anderson replied, bowing respectfully like a knight before a king.

The green-haired man entered his room without looking back.

***

“Pant, pant…”

Hailey struggled for breath as she climbed the hill.

She paused for a moment to catch her breath and raised her head. At the end of the long road flanked by rows of cypress trees, the teal gabled roof of the Duke’s mansion came into view.

Perched atop a gentle hill that overlooked the capital, the Duke’s estate was peaceful and offered stunning scenery. However, for those who had to climb the hill every time they visited, it was a grueling ordeal.

“Is it because the slope is so steep, or is my stamina just terrible?”

Hailey sighed deeply as she glanced at the remaining stretch of the uphill path, shaking her head. From this point onward, it felt as though the distance refused to shrink.

“No matter how tight money is, I should just take a carriage next time,” she grumbled, resuming her climb.

Just then, a familiar sound came from behind her—the rhythmic clattering of horse hooves and the rumble of carriage wheels over the dirt path.

She turned around to see a familiar carriage approaching. Its black body was adorned with a golden crest—the Duke’s carriage. Bill, seated high on the coachman’s perch, grew closer, his face becoming clearer.

Bill recognized her, giving her a subtle, almost imperceptible nod. Hailey smiled and waved faintly in response.

“?”

Contrary to her assumption that the carriage would pass her by, it stopped directly in front of her. A flicker of hope crossed her eyes, but it was quickly dashed when the curtain was pulled back to reveal a black-masked figure.

It’s funny how humans can adapt, she mused. Even that thief-like look of his felt familiar now.

Feigning innocence, she curved her lips into a bright smile, her light green eyes sparkling.

“Hello, Your Grace.”

Her cheerful demeanor caused his sharp silver eyes to narrow in displeasure.

“What business takes you out at this hour, Miss Hailey Salmon?”

The question, tinged with suspicion, was a thinly veiled accusation: how long had it been since she got herself into trouble outside the mansion, and now she was out again? Fully aware of his meaning, Hailey replied nonchalantly.

“It’s been a week since I started working at Your Grace’s mansion.”

“And?”

“And I received my first week’s pay.”

“And?”

“So, I went to the bank to send some money to my father.”

“And?”

“Well, after learning that the bank owner is none other than Your Grace, I was struck with admiration for how extraordinary and remarkable you are.”

“And?”

“And I came to realize what an honor it is to be in your service.”

If there was one truth Hailey had learned in life, it was that no one disliked a compliment.

But to compliment effectively, one had to infuse it with genuine sincerity. Anything less would come across as hollow flattery.

She looked at the Duke with earnest eyes, her light green gaze radiating innocence, as if to say that every word she’d spoken was the absolute truth.

“Weekly wages, hmm. I wonder if that pittance is enough for Baron Salmon to patch even a small part of his leaky roof.”

Ah.

From the Duke, Hailey had learned that even kind words wouldn’t guarantee a kind response in return.

That cursed personality of his showed no signs of improving—in fact, it only seemed to worsen with time.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Grace,” Hailey replied, flashing a bright smile as if she had taken his words as genuine care. Her expression conveyed an unspoken wish: If you’re that worried, you could always increase my wages.

Predictably, the Duke’s expression twisted into an irritated grimace.