Medric, who had rushed to Count Renox’s residence in one go, arrived in front of his mansion in less than half a day.

“What brings you here…”

Baptiste bowed his head to the visitor at his mansion.

The sudden visitor surveyed the surroundings with his red eyes, as if searching for something.

“Do I need to answer that here?”

A sharp, low-pitched response came back. Baptiste’s body sprang up like a spring, and he bent his waist even more to please the visitor.

“Oh my, of course not! I apologize for not attending to you properly. This way, please! I’ll guide you to the reception room.”

While guiding him to the reception room prepared on the first floor of the mansion, Baptiste glanced at him.

His expression was unreadable, making it impossible to gauge whether he was in a good mood or not.

The undisputed number one in the Ptotr Kingdom: Duke Medric Archild.

No descriptors were necessary. Just “Archild” was enough.

The Archild family was the only one in the Ptotr Kingdom permitted to exercise executive authority. Any nobleman would have to cower before him.

What business could Duke Archild have to personally visit Count Renox’s residence?

‘Could it be… that the supplies I diverted using those thieves were Archild family property?’

Baptiste sat down in the reception room. Waiting for Medric, who sat across from him, to speak, he searched for coffee to moisten his increasingly dry lips.

Medric, who hadn’t said a word until the servant poured coffee into the teacup, finally spoke after taking a sip.

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Someone… meaning?”

“Eve Modga.”

“!”

Baptiste’s body stiffened at the unexpected name.

“Do you know Eve Modga?”

“What… what do you mean…”

“My question was wrong. Where is Eve Modga?”

“…!”

Baptiste’s lips seemed sealed, as if glued shut. He feared what might happen to him from both the royal court, which had permitted him to guide Eve, and the Duke of Archild standing before him if he said something wrong.

‘How did he know to come here? Only the royal court knows that woman is here…!’

Baptiste’s face turned deathly pale as his mind raced.

“Eve Modga is…”

“You’d better answer carefully.”

Baptiste’s attempt to deny knowing such a name was cut short once again.

Medric had no intention of giving Baptiste much time or opportunity. When Baptiste remained frozen and silent, Medric set his teacup down on the table.

“Take me to where Eve Modga is.”

***

The basement, without even a small window, was perpetually dark regardless of day or night, with not a trace of moonlight entering.

A crude magic stone hanging on the wall barely provided enough light to see.

The sound of a servant sliding a meal tray under the door broke the silence of the basement. Eve opened her tired eyes with a flutter and groggily sat up.

‘Is it morning already….’

Her entire body screamed in pain as she rose.

“It hurts… that b＊stard.”

She muttered through gritted teeth while checking her condition. Judging by the clean clothes she was wearing, a physician must have visited.

It was a miracle she was still alive, and they had even treated her wounds thoroughly. Her fingers, which should have been crushed under boot heels, were tightly wrapped in bandages.

‘I thought they might kill me in a fit of rage after that commotion.’

Even though they had beaten her nearly to death, they had treated her injuries meticulously, leaving her unable to die by her own will.

She clicked her tongue at the unchanged situation. To open her eyes again in this wretched place.

She had tried everything to escape. She had persuaded physicians to buy expensive magical tools and attempted to bribe the guards standing at the door.

But the basement was sealed against the use of magical tools, and even when she managed to get outside, she always failed to escape due to the maze-like corridors.

The physicians and guards who had helped her were discovered early and driven away with their legs cut off.

Learning from her many failures, she had devised a plan that would surely succeed this time.

‘But to fail again.’

More painful than her battered body was the sense of failure and helplessness at not being able to accomplish anything.

Eve closed her eyelids over her swimming vision. The situation was hopeless.

With a deep sigh, she looked at the cold, watery soup and hard piece of bread placed on the floor by the door. She was hungry but had no appetite. She knew she would throw up immediately if she ate.

She lay staring at the ceiling for a long time, unable to move even a finger in her condition.

Then she heard footsteps approaching the basement.

From the heavy, clumping sound, it was undoubtedly Baptiste. But something was strange.

‘Two sets of footsteps?’

Behind Baptiste, she heard another set of footsteps.

The heavy sound of boots hitting the floor was too substantial to be a servant of the mansion. It was the sound of a nobleman’s footwear, not the leather shoes worn by servants.

Eve forced her unresponsive body to move, using her arms as support to raise herself, and looked toward the basement door.

Soon after, the basement door opened with a spine-chilling screech of metal against metal, revealing the figures who entered.

As expected, Count Baptiste Renox appeared, and behind him was a man she had never seen before.

‘Who is that?’

The man, a full span taller than Baptiste, strode into the basement and instantly approached Eve.

She could see his muscular body and broad shoulders. As she raised her gaze further, she saw his face, and finally, their eyes met as he looked down at her.

The moment of receiving his full gaze felt like an eternity.

He scanned Eve’s body, as if checking her condition.

“This child is Eve Modga.”

Baptiste approached where Medric was standing and spoke.

Eve’s eyes narrowed. Judging by how Baptiste was cowering, this man must be at least a high-ranking noble above the rank of count.

Only then did she notice the intricate engravings on the scabbard at the stranger’s waist and the decorative buttons on his tailcoat.

The meticulously carved pattern looked familiar. She felt she had seen it somewhere before, but it was too long ago to remember clearly.

While Eve was lost in thought trying to recall the memory, Medric finished examining her body and turned his attention to Baptiste.

“How long has she been confined here?”

“She wasn’t confined. I was temporarily taking care of her with royal permission…”

“Answer only what I asked.”

Baptiste, who had tried to make excuses that might benefit him, gained nothing. Sweating profusely, he answered.

“…About a year, I suppose.”

“My guess was correct.”

“Pardon?”

Medric walked past Baptiste, taking a step closer to Eve.

The distance between them narrowed to about one foot.

“Ah.”

His face, previously obscured by the backlighting from the magic stone, finally became visible.

Through his red hair, she could see his sharp eyes and crimson irises shadowed beneath.

The man wore a fierce expression as if he might tear someone apart at any moment.

Looking at him suppressing his anger, she had the illusion that his red hair might burst into flames at any moment.

“…I want to kill you.”

His low voice penetrated her ears.

Eve’s pupils shook violently.

This man could truly kill her. No, he could do much worse. Primal fear enveloped her body, and cold sweat ran down her back.

A tense atmosphere that felt like it could explode at any moment surrounded them.

Eve felt like she might vomit, either from the tension or her poor physical condition.

Medric withdrew his gaze from her and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his expression had returned to being impassive.

“Eve Modga—promise to marry me, and I’ll take you out of here.”

“!”

A bombshell declaration that shocked everyone present flowed from his lips.

Eve froze, unable to even blink.

Baptiste was so surprised that he opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.

A brief silence fell. Before Eve could understand the situation, Baptiste quickly approached Medric’s side.

“N-no, Your Grace. What are you saying?!”

Baptiste’s voice trembled at the end.

“I… I went through so much to bring that wretch here…!”

“Do you remember the crops that were entering the Archild duchy territory recently?”

Medric did not wish to hear any more noise. Having no intention of listening to Baptiste’s nonsense, he deliberately brought up a different topic.

“…Pardon?”

“The crops disappeared en route. Some fool intercepted them without knowing they were tribute meant for the royal court.”

“T-that…”

“Theft, tax evasion, forgery—there’s no money-related crime you haven’t touched.”

The kinds of crimes Baptiste had committed. As Medric continued speaking, Baptiste’s face turned increasingly pale.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know about this?”

A low growl resonated throughout the basement. Baptiste lost whatever words he had been about to say and prostrated himself.

“I-I’m sorry. I had no idea such a thing happened. Please spare me just this once! It must have been some new subordinate of mine who lost his mind and got greedy. I certainly never…”

Eve’s eyes widened at Baptiste’s subservient behavior, which she had never seen before.

“Enough. I need to finish our conversation, so leave.”