“B-betrayal?”

The cold warning sent a chill through her chest, making her feel as though her heart had dropped.

“Yes, betrayal. You must have heard what I do to traitors.”

Emma lifted her gaze toward Caden and was startled enough to quickly avert her eyes. His crimson lips, curved upward like they were stained with blood, made him look like a vampire straight out of a book.

—They say he devours people alive, starting from the head!

—Does that even make sense? Maybe if he drank their blood first, chopped them into pieces, and then ate the flesh.

—What nonsense are you all spouting? A vampire? What century are you living in?

—It’s true, Emma! My cousin’s cousin knows someone who works for Blackwood, and they said…

—Hey, hey! If it’s “my cousin’s cousin’s acquaintance,” isn’t that basically a stranger?

—And about the vampire thing—come on. The Duke doesn’t kill innocent people. It’s only the serious criminals and traitors dragged in by the Imperial Palace. I heard he tortures them until they wish for death, heals them, and then tortures them again until they beg to die. Starts by pulling out fingernails and toenails…

The image Brenda had conjured with her magic back then had been pure horror. One of the younger students in the lower class had fainted, and Brenda had gotten summoned to the professor’s office and penalized. That said it all.

As soon as Emma left the Duke’s office, she collapsed onto the floor. Her legs had no strength left in them.

‘It’s either heaven or hell, isn’t it?’

Either she would escape Blackwood unscathed without any losses, or she’d be branded a traitor and executed.

The uncertainty of her fate a month from now left her chest feeling tight. Either way, there was no turning back now.

<Caden Blackwood and Emma Brown will have a one-month grace period. If Caden Blackwood’s feelings do not change by the end of this period, Emma Brown will be released without any penalty fees. Additionally, as an employer, he will take moral responsibility and arrange a suitable job for Emma Brown. Severance pay for resignation will be…>

After the contract was updated, Emma became the hottest topic in Blackwood Manor.

Everywhere she went, whispers followed her. Words of encouragement, sympathy, and pity constantly trailed after her like shadows.

In the kitchen, in the bathrooms, even among the staff assigned to the gardens or stables—whenever Emma passed by, someone always had something to say. It was enough to make her ears ring all day.

‘Who could’ve spread the word about something only the Duke and I know? There’s no way the Duke would go around telling people. So what is it? Did someone overhear us?’

Even good-natured remarks wore thin after a while. Every person she met would tell her to hang in there, ask how it had come to this, or advise her to give up before she got hurt. Emma was so fed up with smiling and brushing it off that she was at her wit’s end.

She wanted to lock herself in her room and never come out, but she had to prepare for the hunt. It was a one-night, two-day hunting trip, and to cater to Caden’s exacting standards, she needed to prepare meticulously.

“Sigh… Pull yourself together, Emma Brown. That’s that, and work is work. Let’s just do our best for the next month.”

It would be tough, but if she could endure for just one month, she’d get a recommendation for a good job and leave Blackwood. She wanted to leave everything in order so that Caden wouldn’t be inconvenienced after her departure.

‘Anyway, the pay is generous, and the benefits are great. He’s demanding, but he’s not a bad boss. And also…’

Caden was, after all, the first man she had spent the night with. It wasn’t a particularly romantic memory that she attached great meaning to, but it was an unforgettable experience for her.

‘It wasn’t bad. No, actually, it was… good…!’

Startled by her own thoughts, Emma shook her head vigorously.

‘Good? What’s good about it? Emma Brown, have you lost your mind?’

Emma wanted her time at Blackwood and her relationship with Caden to remain a good memory. She wanted to do everything she could before leaving. It was the least she could do out of loyalty and respect for her first boss and her one-night partner.

At least, that’s what Emma believed at the time.

—

Emma was busy packing Caden’s belongings. Although there was a maid in charge, it was her responsibility to check the packing one last time and fill in any gaps.

While she was visually inspecting the luggage to ensure nothing was missing, Cornell, who had been helping her, spoke unexpectedly.

“Miss Emma, I’m disappointed.”

“…Pardon?”

Every servant, including Head Maid Marella, had something to say about the “unrequited love situation,” but Cornell had remained silent until now.

Emma had been quietly grateful for his consideration, but hearing him say he was disappointed at such an unexpected moment made her uneasy.

Cornell was the one who had brought Emma to Blackwood. Over the past three months, he had shown her trust, encouragement, and kindness. Without his help, she wouldn’t have been able to handle her first secretary position as well as she had.

Hearing him say he was disappointed hurt deeply.

‘Of course. From his perspective, it’s only natural…’

A secretary who forgot her duty as a servant and fell in love with her superior. Even though it wasn’t true, she had still deceived Cornell. And on top of that, she was planning to leave Blackwood in a month.

She felt ashamed and lowered her head in guilt.

“I never expected this from you, Miss Emma.”

“Mr. Cornell, I…”

Cornell coldly cut her off.

“Yes, the Duke is handsome. Sigh… I know that. I get it! But looks aren’t everything, are they? How can you spend so much time near him and still claim to love him? I just don’t understand, Miss Emma.”

“T-that’s…”

She was mortified.

‘Who on earth told Mr. Cornell that I fell for him because of his looks?!’

Emma’s face turned pink with embarrassment.

“I trusted you, Miss Emma! I thought you were someone who wouldn’t be swayed by mere appearances. I believed you were more rational than anyone else. But fine! It’s not my place to meddle in your feelings.”

“Mr. Cornell…”

“There’s only one thing I’m worried about.”

Seeing Cornell’s troubled expression, Emma murmured softly.

“…What is it, Mr. Cornell?”

“Promise me, Miss Emma.”

“What kind of promise…?”

Emma glanced up at Cornell. His face was filled with determination.

“Even if you lose your feelings for him! Even if you can’t stand the sight of him anymore! Even if you end up hating him as much as an enemy! Never quit your job, okay?”

“…What?”

Emma’s eyes widened at his unexpected words.

“As long as you keep that promise, I don’t care about anything else. I’m just worried you’ll get hurt, pack your things, and run away! That’s what’s killing me. Do you know how many secretaries have come and gone at Blackwood? Twelve. Two of them were women. Think about it, Miss Emma. Do you think this is the first time something like this has happened?”

“…Oh.”

Emma finally understood what Cornell was worried about.

“One of them ran away after discovering the Duke’s true nature.”

“T-that happened?”

“And that’s not all. The other one clung to him, crying and begging until she was thrown out! She was a sobbing, snot-covered mess at the Duke’s feet… Ha. It only ended when the Duke drew his sword. It’s a scene I never want to see again in my life.”

“Oh dear…”

Cornell shook his head vigorously, as if the memory still gave him chills.

“She still sends letters to the manor every month. Begging to come back if the secretary position is vacant.”

“That’s… a bit much.”

“Now you see why I’m worried.”

“Well, I didn’t realize there had been so many incidents. But Mr. Cornell, I…”

Emma started to speak but couldn’t finish. She couldn’t exactly say, “I don’t actually love the Duke.”

“I know. I know you’re not the type to go that far, Miss Emma. You’re young, after all. It’s not strange to value looks over personality at your age.”

“No, that’s not…”

She tried to explain, but Cornell didn’t listen.

“It’s understandable! Love makes people blind. It makes flaws look like virtues, and temperamental personalities seem sensitive and delicate.”

“Mr. Cornell!”

“Whether you love the Duke or not is my business, Miss Emma. My only concern is this.”

That was unexpected.

‘He doesn’t care if I love him or not? That doesn’t sound like something a loyal steward would say…’

“Please don’t quit your job as secretary! That’s all I ask!”

“…Oh.”

Emma let out an involuntary gasp.

“There’s never been a secretary as perfect as you, Miss Emma, and there never will be! I can’t bear to lose you. The Duke won’t be satisfied with any other secretary either. You know that, don’t you? If that happens, I’ll be the one who suffers the most…”

Seeing Cornell’s slumped shoulders filled Emma with guilt. Without thinking, she placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Please don’t worry, Mr. Cornell. I’ll do my best to make sure this doesn’t cause you any trouble. I promise.”

“Do you mean that, Miss Emma?”

Cornell grabbed her hands with both of his, his face filled with emotion. Emma smiled faintly and nodded.

“Of course. You’re like a benefactor to me, Mr. Cornell. I don’t want to disappoint you. By the way, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask…”

Finally, it was time to resolve the question she had been holding onto for the past three months.