“Ugh….”

The rat groaned in pain as he regained consciousness. His jaw ached so much that it wasn’t just sore—it felt like even his molars were loose.

“You’re awake.”

“Wha—?”

Who?

The sudden, cold voice sent a shiver down the rat’s spine. It was so icy it made her hair stand on end, snapping her fully to attention.

“If you’re awake, open your eyes.”

There was an undeniable force in the voice. Reluctantly, the rat cracked his eyes open, only to see nothing. He blinked several times, but it was all the same—complete darkness.

A prison? Or maybe an interrogation room? The rat strained to figure out where he was. He had a vague idea of the situation and a stronger suspicion about who the voice belonged to.

“Grand Duke Eustace…?”

A cracked voice escaped his dry lips, but there was no reply. The rat blinked again, trying to adjust to the darkness. By now, he should have been able to make out at least a vague silhouette, but strangely, there was nothing.

“It’s best if you don’t try anything foolish.”

The ice-cold voice rang out again as the rat wiggled his toes, trying to feel out his surroundings. He instinctively turned his head toward the direction of the sound, but he still couldn’t see a thing.

“Y-Your Grace, Grand Duke Eustace?”

“What if I am?”

This time, there was a reply. The rat strained his eyes, desperate to see something—anything. The darkness seemed to amplify every small sound.

The soft rustle of papers being flipped. A sharp tap, as if something had been set down on a hard surface. The rat swallowed dryly before speaking again.

“Where is Raven…?”

“Don’t utter her name so carelessly.”

The voice cut through the air like a finely honed blade, sharp and threatening. There was the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, followed by the distinct sensation of someone standing.

“W-what’s happening?”

As footsteps drew nearer, fear began to creep into the rat’s heart. He instinctively tried to back away, but his body wouldn’t respond. He was bound by something—something that made even moving his fingers impossible.

“…?! Argh!”

Just as he struggled to move his immobile body, there was a sharp snap, and his surroundings were suddenly flooded with light. The brightness stung his eyes, forcing him to squint.

“Ah…”

Through squinted eyes, he caught sight of Grand Duke Eustace staring down at him with a frosty expression.

He’s ridiculously good-looking.

Despite himself, the rat couldn’t help but marvel at his appearance. He had known he was handsome, but seeing him up close, he understood why so many people praised him. As an information broker, he had met countless people, but none came close to Grand Duke Eustace’s beauty.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Gah! Damn it.

It was only then that he realized he had been openly gawking at him. Embarrassed, the rat quickly averted his gaze, allowing him to take in his surroundings for the first time.

To his surprise, he wasn’t in a dungeon or torture chamber, as he had feared. The room appeared… ordinary. Scanning his surroundings, he then turned his attention to his body. His wrists and ankles weren’t tied, yet he couldn’t move a muscle. It had to be some kind of magical restraint.

“Why did you bring me here?”

The rat couldn’t make sense of his situation. Raven, who had promised to spare his life, was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was Grand Duke Eustace, whose aura was undeniably hostile.

“Because Lady Lila wants you alive.”

“Lady Lila? Ah, you mean Raven….”

The rat blinked as he processed the name. It didn’t take his long to realize who he was referring to. Raven was currently living under the identity of Baroness Lila Knox.

“Did Raven hand me over to you?”

At the rat’s question, Grand Duke Eustace’s eye twitched slightly. He didn’t like the way he so casually referred to Lila as “Raven.” However, the thought of making him call Lila “Lady Lila” wasn’t particularly appealing either.

“What’s your relationship with—?”

“Call her Lady Raven.”

“Pardon?”

“Lady Lila is not someone you can address so flippantly.”

What’s his deal?

The rat couldn’t hide his bewilderment. Until now, he had assumed Grand Duke Eustace had recruited Raven to his side. But his behavior was… odd.

For a duke of the empire to address someone of Raven’s lower status as “Lady Lila”? It felt as if the duke served Raven, not the other way around.

Lady Raven of the Duke.

There was something there—something the rat didn’t know. The moment the thought crossed his mind, he recalled the nickname people had given Lila Knox. He had dismissed it before, but Grand Duke Eustace’s actions now made him certain there was more to it. Clearing his throat, the rat quickly shifted his tone.

“Ahem. Then, where is Lady Raven now?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Seriously? What a pain.

The rat grumbled inwardly but kept his outward demeanor polite. No matter how humiliating, survival always came first.

“Raven promised to spare my life.”

“Your life and death are under my authority. Lady Lila told me to do as I see fit.”

Grand Duke Eustace made a slight gesture toward the air. Instantly, the chair behind the desk flew to his side and positioned itself neatly. The rat’s eyes widened as if witnessing teleportation.

“Lady Lila said you might prove to be useful.”

With unhurried movements, Grand Duke Eustace seated himself in the chair. Although he wanted nothing more than to eliminate the rat immediately, he restrained himself. The thought of Lila having gone out of her way to capture this person for his sake was the only reason for his patience.

“So, speak.”

“Pardon?”

Eustace leaned back against the chair, suppressing the urge to snap the rat’s neck. His expression remained arrogant as he fixed his gaze on him.

“Tell me why I should spare the life of the Emperor’s shadow.”

“I….”

‘What should I do? What can I say?’

The rat racked his brain desperately, but nothing came to mind.

“No answer?”

Eustace’s bored expression showed no sign of softening. His icy blue eyes, devoid of emotion, sent chills down his spine. Cold sweat trickled down his back under his unnervingly indifferent gaze.

“Lady Lila seems to think you’ll be of some use to me….”

His dry voice carried a hint of disdain.

“But unfortunately, I disagree. I already have far more competent informants than you.”

The rat immediately sensed the danger. A single misstep here, the wrong answer, and he would be dead. Eustace had spared his life for one reason only: Raven had said he might be useful.

“So, you’d better come up with a good reason. I’m in a foul mood right now.”

His piercing blue eyes glimmered like frost, and his crimson lips curled into a cruel smile. The contrast of his beauty and ruthlessness was spine-chilling.

“Y-Your Grace.”

The rat trembled like prey caught in a trap. His voice quivered, and cold sweat drenched his back. Forcing his trembling lips to move, he stammered:

“Please spare me!”

“Hmm?”

“I-I’ll do anything if you let me live!”

Eustace frowned at the rat’s sudden pleas. He had expected more resolve or loyalty from someone called the Emperor’s shadow, but he turned out to be nothing more than a coward desperate to survive.

“If you prove your usefulness, I’ll spare you.”

“I-I mean, uh, I’ll assist Raven!”

“How?”

“I’ll spread false information… I’ll, uh, make sure the Emperor doesn’t find out that Lady Lila Knox is actually the Raven… I’ll create diversions….”

The rat stammered, trembling so hard his teeth chattered. He was so frantic he barely knew what he was saying. His mind was a chaotic mess.

“That’s something anyone else can do.”

Eustace’s tone was dismissive. They were already running misinformation campaigns. In any case, he had no intention of hiding Lila forever. When the time came, she would reveal her true identity to the world with confidence.

“Seems like you’re useless after all.”

The words were a death sentence. The rat’s pupils trembled violently.

“W-Wait! Please, Your Grace, wait!”

Panic-stricken, he shouted desperately. After enduring so much hardship, he couldn’t accept dying like this.

“I-I’ll tell you everything I know!”

“Oh?”

“The Emperor’s secret dealings, the Crown Prince’s corruption, the research being conducted in the palace….”