Chapter 10.2

Richard reminded himself that this rude woman was the only way to get Olivia. Calming his stirred heart was easy. Soon, he smiled gently as if nothing had happened and replied.

“My, Miss Wilston, surely you don’t trust the words of a drug addict. They’ll say anything to escape their situation. That’s what makes them dangerous. It’s why Olivia must be removed from Hixston as soon as possible.”

“Because you never know when they might offer drugs?”

“Because you never know when they’ll slip something into Olivia’s drink.”

“But Olivia signed a high-value contract with you, Your Grace. Isn’t it a bit much to break it on suspicion alone…?”

“The Ports family will take care of it.”

“You’re not even asking about the price?”

This time, Richard laughed pleasantly. Ha ha ha. His light laughter floated through the chilly air and quickly faded. He smiled gently and replied.

“Miss Wilston, if you’re worried about the Ports family’s finances, I’d like to say thank you but don’t worry.”

Wow. Jane remembered Ian’s advice to squeeze money from the wealthy Ports family and whistled. So they really were rich. Lately, she felt like she was only dealing with the rich. Thinking so, Jane nodded.

“Alright. So what’s the price?”

“The price…”

Such a direct question, Richard didn’t answer right away. He was honestly surprised by her attitude. His gaze lingered on Jane. She was nothing like at the ball. The woman who’d looked flustered and stretched her lips in panic was gone, replaced by someone who gripped the marble and looked up at him. In this situation, as usual, Richard smiled and chose the safest option.

“That’s something I’ll have to discuss with Olivia.”

But this didn’t work on Jane.

“You seem not to know, but Olivia only takes jobs through me. So if you want to commission her, I’ll know the price.”

She wasn’t wrong. She was Olivia, after all. However it was phrased, as long as the meaning was clear. So Jane continued, thinking it wasn’t a lie.

“Of course, Your Lordship, you also handled the contract through me. So, do you want to discuss it now? Or after a few more newspapers come out?”

Her not-quite-threat made Richard laugh. Threats? Except for Ian Hixston three years ago, no one had ever threatened him. He found this situation amusing.

“Alright. The Ports family wants to commission Olivia for a similar job.”

“A novel?”

“Should I call it a novel… We’re looking for someone to revise the ‘Holy Scripture’ so people can accept it more easily.”

Holy Scripture? That was truly beyond Jane’s expectations.

Holy Scripture!

“That doesn’t seem like something Olivia could do.”

“In the broad sense, it’s similar, isn’t it? I think it’s entirely possible.”

Jane had laughed at Ian’s advice to just get money out of them. She’d agreed, but honestly… In this case, Ian’s request to write a novel seemed better. To think she’d meet someone worse than a villain. Jane sighed quietly, but didn’t yield easily.

After all, it was a game where everyone used each other. Since she’d ended up on the board, willingly or not, she had no intention of being used forever. Jane pretended to ponder seriously and replied.

“Of course, whether Olivia accepts the Ports family’s offer is up to her. But as her editor, I think it’s best not to pass on this message.”

“May I ask why?”

“Why, you ask.”

Ah, to be this oblivious. Jane sighed, lamenting Richard’s lack of awareness.

“Should I say it’s lacking in sincerity?”

Richard raised his eyebrows at her subtle voice. He easily understood what Jane was getting at. If you want her to deliver the message, pay the price. Huh. He was so dumbfounded he couldn’t even reply.

To be so blatant about demanding money. His opinion of Jane hit rock bottom, and Richard twisted his lips.

“I’m not forcing you, of course.”

Jane smiled at him. She also changed her opinion of Richard. He looked just like a Priest. But to be so weak to provocation… She didn’t take her eyes off Richard, who was nervously fiddling with his coat’s ornament.

‘Ian is a step ahead.’

She’d suspected, but it was true. Ian would have laughed, asked how much she’d been offered, and doubled it.

“This should be enough for passing on the message. It’s top-grade sapphire and pure gold.”

His tone was now openly dismissive, making it clear he didn’t want to deal with her anymore. Jane ignored his mood and brazenly reached out to take the jewel.

“That’s enough to deliver a message.”

“Ha.”

“Then I’ll give you an answer soon.”

“I hope it’s a positive one.”

Richard added cynically. Next time, he’d come to her himself.

***

Ian wasn’t pleased with the situation. The more variables, the harder it was to control not only the situation but people as well. In that sense, Jane was full of variables. If he followed the young Queen’s orders, he’d find reasons to keep her at the mansion. It wasn’t hard. Hixston Manor was big enough not to feel stuffy, and there were plenty of excuses.

And yet.

「Jane Wingston Rephelia」

Just like when he’d glimpsed the secret she wanted to hide, Ian acted against what he thought was right. Deciding to visit Horaiden Academy was the same.

「Ports Pedro Richard」

But he didn’t have to move so predictably. Ian’s lips twisted in a bitter smile. His muttered voice was quiet. As soon as he recited the activation word, the red ring on his finger vibrated lightly, and a small flame devoured the paper. Tap tap. His fingers brushed away the almost vanished ashes, coldly. Ian suddenly realized it was still winter. The year had already changed, but the weather was bitterly cold. Even though he wasn’t sensitive to cold, he felt it.

Unconsciously, he pulled his collar tighter. His steps quickened, only stopping when he met the person he’d expected.

“My, I didn’t expect to see you here, Your Grace.”

“Likewise. I didn’t know you liked such secluded places. Doesn’t the Ports family usually enjoy being surrounded by people?”

“A walk isn’t bad now and then. So, what brings you to an academy you graduated from long ago?”

Ian twisted his lips at the sight of Richard’s gentle smile. Aside from the recent incidents, he fundamentally didn’t get along with those who bore the Ports name. That fake smile and gentle expression—he always felt the urge to rip off their masks.

Just like now.

Step by step, Ian approached Richard, not hurrying. There was no need to rush.

“I heard a rumor.”

Stopping in front of the man who’d nearly become a servant of the gods, his long white cloak trailing at his feet, Ian tilted his head.

“There’s a bastard barking at my author under the guise of the goddess.”

Looking at those perfectly clean shoes made him want to stomp on them, to trample the feet of someone who claimed to be perfect.

Ian snorted. He thought Jane might say, “You’re the real bastard,” if she heard this. She wouldn’t be wrong. The two supposedly noble families were really just stuck in a dogfight. Ian’s dark red gaze climbed up the white fabric, and he stared at Richard’s stiff face and gentle brown eyes as if chewing them up, his voice low.

“Richard. I hate bastards sniffing around me.”

“I don’t know what you mean. You seem emotional, Your Grace, so I’ll take my leave…”

Ian reached out and grabbed Richard’s shoulder as he tried to pass by.

“So let’s stop here.”

Ian whispered quietly in his ear, then released his grip as if nothing had happened. Instantly back to the polite Duke Hixston, he smiled gently and added,

“I wish you a peaceful journey.”

“…I wish you peace as well.”

Richard didn’t bother hiding his unpleasant expression as he disappeared in the opposite direction. Ian watched him until he turned the corner, then finally moved.

At the end of the central building, at the edge of the academy—the founder had insisted scholars needed a place to breathe, so an open-roofed garden remained. Amid the leftover marble from construction, Jane was sitting.

As if someone had grabbed his ankle, Ian stopped unconsciously.

Swoosh—. Just then, the wind whipped fiercely through the pillars, flapping his closed collar, but he didn’t even feel cold. His dark red eyes stared without blinking—just at Jane.

A blank face, devoid of any expression or emotion. Ian suddenly thought she might just disappear while staring at the sky.

「Jane Wingston Rephelia」

Why wouldn’t she? She hid her name, erased her surname, changed her middle name, and built relationships on such a thin foundation.

The year had changed. Winter was already ending. In a few months, spring would come and flowers would bloom. Yet it was still cold, and Ian sighed at Jane’s discarded coat.

“Jane.”

At his soft call, her long golden hair below her waist fluttered lightly as she turned her head. The smile that spread across her face, as if she hadn’t been staring blankly at the sky, was clear.

Her green eyes, narrowing in the sunlight, sparkled. Following the scattering rays as they vanished, her reply was somehow subdued.