“Is the reason you’re here because of Lord Gunner?”

“……”

She couldn’t answer. Hailey stared at him with wide eyes. Albert felt a shiver from her gaze. Once, twice, three times—her eyelids blinked slowly. The moment felt drawn out, almost eternal.

Albert both wanted to hear her answer and didn’t. For some reason, if Hailey nodded, he felt he would be deeply disappointed.

Though he wasn’t even sure what he’d be disappointed about.

“No.”

She slowly shook her head. Albert quietly let out a breath of relief. His stiff shoulders relaxed.

“It’s because of me. No one else.”

“……”

Albert furrowed his brows as he repeated her words in his head. Then, as if he finally understood what she meant, he took a step closer to her.

“Is it because of the rumor that the next victim might be Miss Hailey Salmon? If so, you don’t need to worry. I’ll protect you.”

“!”

Hailey widened her eyes in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected those words. It was only then that Albert realized what he had said and quickly took a step back. His expression turned flustered.

Rubbing his lips, Albert wore a sheepish expression—again, unlike him.

“As you know, Miss Hailey, as an officer… it’s my duty to protect the citizens.”

“Thank you, Inspector Albert.”

Hailey gave him a soft smile. His heart suddenly dropped. The sunlight pouring from above felt dizzyingly hot.

Albert frowned involuntarily at the unfamiliar sensation he was experiencing for the first time in his life.

“But I’ll be fine. Like I said, I can take care of myself.”

At that moment, two noblewomen under parasols passed in front of them with their maids. They glanced curiously at the shabby-looking Hailey and the neatly dressed Albert.

“Before any strange rumors start about you, Inspector, I should get going.”

Under their lingering stares, Hailey pulled her scarf up to cover her face. After giving him a brief nod, she quickly left the scene.

Albert stared blankly at her quickly disappearing back. Suddenly, he felt that it wouldn’t matter what kind of rumor spread—as long as it had to do with Hailey Salmon.

Then, realizing what he had just thought, he clenched his fist tightly.

“Ah, right.”

Only after getting into a passing carriage did Hailey remember she should have told Albert about the suspicious man, Derrick.

“I was so out of it, I forgot.”

She tossed her gaze toward the passing scenery and relaxed her previously tense shoulders. The partially open roofed carriage ran along the street, and a refreshing breeze swept past her cheek.

***

While listening to Peter’s wailing with one ear and letting it out the other, Hailey changed clothes and confidently opened the front door of the mansion. Madam Mastis was waiting for her.

“The Duke is expecting you.”

“Do I have time to change into something else first…?”

“Are you planning to keep His Grace waiting even longer, Miss Hailey?”

“……Of course not, right? I thought so. I’m going, Marty. I said I’m going.”

Tuning out Mastis’s nagging, Hailey bounded up the main staircase lined with red carpet.

“Miss Hailey! Don’t run!”

The nagging flew at her again from behind, but once more she let it in one ear and out the other. Arriving at the office door, she paused to catch her breath, then lifted her pale hand.

Knock, knock.

Though there was no reply, she opened the door and entered, as if accustomed to it.

The Duke, seated at his desk, put down his pen and slowly leaned back in his chair. The white sunlight streaming through the window and the black mask on his face created a stark contrast.

“You summoned me, Your Grace.”

Hailey walked toward the black-masked man with a bright smile. Tayton, who had his chin resting on his interlocked hands, quietly gazed at her.

“I heard you went to see Daniel. So, how is my brother-in-law doing?”

Brother-in-law.

At that word, Hailey flinched slightly and curved her lips into a faint smile.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Did Daniel ask how I was doing?”

At the unexpected question, she straightened her back. His silver eyes, as sharp as a razor, seemed to pierce right through her lie.

But she couldn’t very well say, ‘Actually, I was furious over the nasty rumors about you and went to uncover the truth behind the serial murders.’

If she did, she’d never be allowed to leave the estate again. And it’s not like she’d returned with anything to show for it either.

She quickly racked her brain.

“Um… He asked how you were, so I told him you were doing well. I also said that the date for the engagement has been set. He said he’s looking forward to it.”

“I see.”

Tayton lowered his eyes slowly with a pensive look, then lifted his head with a nonchalant expression. He looked at Hailey in silence before suddenly speaking.

“Miss Hailey Salmon.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“What do you think of me?”

“…Pardon?”

Caught completely off guard, Hailey could only stare at him in disbelief. Tayton clicked his tongue quietly and frowned as he continued, his voice tinged with a strangely awkward tone.

“I mean, what kind of person do you think I am?”

“Um…”

Hailey still couldn’t grasp the intent behind the question. But it was Tayton asking. He definitely had something in mind.

After a brief moment of thought, Hailey answered with a bright smile.

“You’re the most distinguished noble in Aislin and its wealthiest tycoon.”

“Who doesn’t know that? Even a three-year-old in Aislin would know. I’m asking about my personality.”

“…Your personality?”

Once again, she hadn’t seen it coming. Hailey involuntarily swallowed dryly, her posture stiffening.

‘Did he find out I’ve been talking behind his back?’

“Y-You’re ambitious, decisive, firm, thorough… You don’t waste time… You eat very neatly, and, um…”

“That’s enough. You may stop now, Miss Hailey Salmon.”

Tayton cut her off with a displeased frown. Hailey, who had been desperately grasping for more praise, sighed in quiet relief.

But when she saw his irritated expression, she tilted her head. It seemed like he was waiting to hear something specific.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t guess what it might be. Surely it wasn’t a compliment like kind and gentle. At least if he had even a speck of conscience, that couldn’t be it.

Tayton turned his eyes to the documents on the desk and spoke casually.

“There’s a banquet tomorrow evening. Make preparations to attend, Miss Hailey Salmon.”

“A banquet?”

“It’s hosted by Marquis Eaton. It’s not an event I can skip, so be mindful not to make any mistakes. I’d like you to maintain the dignity expected of my fiancée.”

“Yes, I understand…”

Hailey barely stifled a sigh as she recalled that all this mess had started with a banquet. Her round eyes dimmed in gloom.

“Is there a problem?”

“Pardon?”

“If you want to keep receiving your weekly salary, you’ll need to earn it, won’t you? My prospective fiancée, Miss Hailey Salmon?”

“Yes.”

‘I forgot to mention that he’s very frugal despite his wealth.’

Hailey trudged over to the couch and opened the book lying on the table. The latter half of the History of Santis awaited her. The tiny letters stretched on endlessly.

Clearing her throat lightly, Hailey began to read. Her quiet voice filled the study as the mellow afternoon sunlight lingered at the windows.

The air in the room was warm, and the couch was too soft. As her body relaxed, the accumulated tension and fatigue began to flood in. Her voice gradually slowed.

“…”

Tayton, who had been reviewing documents regarding new banks opening in five cities, noticed after a while that Hailey’s voice had gone silent. He lifted his head.

Sure enough, she had leaned against the couch and closed her eyes. Through her slightly parted lips, steady breaths escaped with a soft rhythm.

With every breath, her chest rose and fell. The sunlight filtering in behind him broke gently over her cheek.

Tayton leaned slightly to the side. A large shadow fell across her face. The subtle crease between her brows smoothed out.

“So impudent.”

Tayton muttered in mock displeasure, but his voice was so soft it was barely audible even to himself.

His gaze, unreadable in intent, rested on her cheek. His eyes had sunk deeper than usual.

Suddenly, he remembered the shadow of her figure wandering the garden late into the night, unable to sleep. ‘What is keeping her awake?’ His thoughts spiraled one after another.

Tayton thought her smile was like a mask. Hailey hid many things behind that smiling face.

And those things were beginning to bother him.

“…”

Just then, Hailey’s eyelashes trembled faintly. Her closed eyelids twitched. Tayton turned his gaze back to the documents on the desk as if nothing had happened.

Finally, she opened her eyes. Hailey blinked drowsily at the ceiling. Slowly, the study’s interior came into focus in her still-sleepy vision.

‘Ack.’

Realizing the situation too late, she swallowed a soundless groan and hurriedly straightened her back. She snuck a glance at the Duke. Fortunately, he seemed absorbed in his work and showed no interest in her.

‘Whew.’

She began reading the History of Santis again in a small voice. Gradually, her voice grew louder.

Tayton narrowed his eyes slightly as he listened to Hailey’s unruffled reading voice, as if she had never dozed off.

The documents remained untouched on the first page. Instead of reviewing the proposal, he found himself listening to the history of Santis, which he had no interest in.