Chapter 3. The Villain Calls to the Bedroom

Elena returned to organize the remaining documents at the place where she had her interview yesterday.

“He’s really an unpredictable person.”

He was someone who could act unpredictably at any moment.

“I almost got in trouble acting like I knew everything about him.”

As Elena placed a document on her right side, she thought of Grand Duke Rudfelix. Since he played a major villainous role in the novel, she thought she knew him well. But from her experience since yesterday, that wasn’t the case at all.

“It would be better to treat him as someone I’m meeting for the first time.”

So what was her impression of him?

“He may have the face of an angel, but inside he’s just a very persistent person. Someone who knows how to mock and look down on others.”

His mischievousness was like that of a 7-year-old boy. He was someone who never missed a chance to tease, equipped with the pettiness of someone who enjoyed tormenting others.

Elena’s head slowly lowered as she placed the last paper in the middle.

“But he doesn’t seem like a villain at all.”

Her mind was confused because she couldn’t think of him as someone who deserved to die. As Elena was lost in thought, motionless, there was suddenly a knock at the door.

“May I come in for a moment?”

Aide Quiet entered with a smile.

“Yes, please come in.”

Elena stood up from her chair to greet Quiet. Unlike yesterday, she had been working at the table since there was no need to spread documents on the floor.

“You’ve already finished organizing everything.”

Quiet immediately noticed the classification state of the documents.

“Since I was only doing this, it didn’t take long.”

“I think you’re quite good at your work, Aide Elena. Now that you’re done here, follow me.”

Quiet smiled as he praised Elena’s abilities. Not only was she pretty enough just being an aide, but she was also good at her work, which made him smile just looking at her.

“Since our workplace in the annex will be next to His Highness, let’s set up your desk in the office. It’s right next to mine, so feel free to ask if you have any questions.”

Quiet entered the nearby office and pointed to Elena’s spot with his eyes.

“Here it is.”

As Elena examined her spot, Quiet paused briefly before turning to her.

“We can speak more comfortably as time passes.”

Sensing that the formality in his tone might create distance, Quiet promised future familiarity. Then he spoke in a gentle manner first.

“Let’s become friends.”

“Thank you.”

Elena responded with a smile, appreciating his kindness.

‘He’s like an older brother.’

He was a considerate person who approached first when conversation felt distant but not uncomfortable.

“And take this.”

Quiet reached for what seemed to be a book from his desk and handed it over. Elena only realized it had no title after receiving what she thought was just a book.

“There’s a limit to remembering everything while following His Highness around. Carry this and write things down as they happen.”

‘It’s a notebook.’

With only blank pages, it seemed perfect for noting things to remember. It was slightly larger than a palm and light enough to carry around easily.

“Thank you.”

“It’s better to cut down on such thanks. As you can see, I didn’t prepare this just for you, Aide Elena.”

Quiet showed an identical one to what he gave Elena.

“I happened to have a few extras stocked up, so I’m giving you one. Once you use it up, make sure to prepare one yourself.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Shall we go to His Highness now?”

Elena nodded at Quiet’s smile suggesting they start real work.

* * *

There were now two aides following Grand Duke Rudfelix. While Quiet was already familiar as his original aide, having a new female aide was different.

Some people looked strangely at the young-faced woman following the Grand Duke, while others watched with curiosity.

“Following one step behind gives you a wider view than what His Highness sees.”

While Grand Duke Rudfelix dealt with people approaching him, the aides had a duty to observe the Grand Duke as well.

“While it’s important to note who speaks with His Highness, we must also watch His Highness’s mood, so keep observing.”

Given permission to stare at the Grand Duke, Elena observed his handsome back.

His broad shoulders and straight waist reflected his upright character. Nothing stood in his way.

His steps were unwavering, and even the air seemed to hold its breath at his imposing presence.

His noble atmosphere and deep eyes reminded one of a mountain looking down at the world.

‘He seems to live alone.’

It felt like one needed invisible qualifications to stand beside him.

“Don’t stare so intensely.”

Was I?

“…Yes.”

At Quiet’s grinning, Elena turned away wondering if she had been staring too hard. Rudfelix’s shoulders seemed to shake for a moment, but it happened so quickly she couldn’t be sure.

“Your gaze is like arrows. My back feels pierced.”

“I’m sorry.”

He’s not one to let things slide. Elena fidgeted with her notebook unnecessarily.

“Your Highness.”

A middle-aged man approaching from the opposite direction spread his arms in greeting as if he had been waiting.

“Baron Kitai, it’s been a while.”

Rudfelix nodded slightly as he faced the Baron. The Baron smiled, satisfied with even this seemingly indifferent but clean greeting.

“Indeed. I’ve been too busy to visit the palace, but you’ve become even more handsome in the meantime.”

When the Baron gave subtle signals hoping to be asked about what happened, Quiet nudged Elena’s arm.

“Do you see it?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll see this often, so remember that look well.”

Elena opened her notebook to write it down. Quiet, pleased at her obedient chick-like behavior, also opened his notebook to write.

He classified what Baron Kitai had done as something to investigate so they could respond more perfectly next time they met.

Thinking Elena would write similar content, Quiet diligently attended to his work.

‘Baron Kitai… dark intentions.’

Just as she thought she had seen a shadow, someone appeared as if they had been waiting. While Elena only sensed it as a shadow, Rudfelix had probably noticed long ago.

Yet Rudfelix maintained his composure without showing any sign, keeping a consistently calm face.

Meanwhile, the Baron went on at length about his business to Rudfelix.

“It took some time to prepare for expansion beyond the empire to the continent. But everything seems to be going smoothly with the business I’m preparing now.”

The Baron showed his international trade permits.

“I see.”

“Please contact me anytime if Your Highness is interested.”

Though he said ‘if interested,’ the Baron was hoping the Grand Duke would join in.

As if this wasn’t the first time, Grand Duke Rudfelix briefly asked about the trade goods and operation method before saying he would think about it.

Elena tried to recall Baron Kitai’s name. Though she grew up in a business family, she had never heard of Baron Kitai.

If this was his first venture, choosing accessories as items wasn’t bad.

‘While accessories aren’t difficult items to start with…’

Most of the continent’s wealth was held by nobles, and for them, accessories were more than beauty – they were a way to stand out.

It wasn’t simply about buying a necklace; there were complex meanings from the purchase process to displaying wealth.

‘But trade permits before establishing a foothold in the empire! The order is strange.’

Usually, one would establish stable shops in the empire before moving to international trade, but this order was reversed.

‘Does he think he can control everything?’

Elena wrote down the Baron’s lengthy business explanations in her notebook.

While not trying to dismiss Baron Kitai, accessories particularly depended on craftsmen’s tastes. Making identical shapes was fine, but it couldn’t satisfy everyone.

Of course, this was just her private thought as she quickly focused back on the Grand Duke.

“Oh my, I’ve kept a busy person too long. Let’s meet separately another time.”

Grand Duke Rudfelix nodded slowly. The Baron, not missing this, beckoned his aide.

“Get some time with the Grand Duke.”

Not content with mere pleasantries, he went as far as assigning his aide. As the aide approached Quiet, the Baron sent Rudfelix off with a satisfied smile.

Following him, Quiet bowed and passed by, and Elena also awkwardly bowed her head.

“A woman?”

If it weren’t for the Baron’s strange tone as he referred to Elena…

‘It must have passed.’

Elena forcibly turned back toward the Baron.

“Your Highness, you’ve brought in quite a pretty young thing as an aide.”

He emphasized ‘pretty young thing’ particularly strongly. The Baron looked Elena up and down and drew out an “Oho.”

“Following Grand Duke’s example, I should also bring in a very pretty and young aide.”