Chapter 5

Julian’s old attendant opened the carriage door for him. I was worried that Julian might appear with a displeased face again, but instead, he seemed in a better mood than when he entered.

“The marriage talks went well, Your Grace.”

Julian raised his eyebrows slightly and asked,

“Halfway. By the way, how did you know?”

At Julian’s bewildered question, the attendant gave a faint smile. A smile, which had always been like a fortress, was lingering on Julian’s face. It was very slight, but the attendant, who had been by his side for many years, could tell.

“Congratulations. By the way, what kind of person is Lady Winsley?”

Julian couldn’t answer right away.

What kind of person is Laila? A courageous person? A reckless person? An imprudent person? A family-loving person? Or someone who doesn’t think about family? He couldn’t clearly define her in any particular way.

“She’s an unusual woman.”

That was the only way he could answer. Learning much from a single meeting was difficult, but his first impression wasn’t bad.

“She didn’t seem afraid, even when she saw my arm.”

Even the attendant, who rarely showed his emotions, was surprised by that statement.

“A brave woman, indeed.”

“Brave? She grabbed someone else’s arm without hesitation and without shame.”

Julian stepped into the carriage, grumbling. No, he pretended to grumble. Judging by his relaxed face, it didn’t seem like he disliked it that much.

“Yes, I see.”

The attendant smiled broadly. It was pleasing to see his master’s bright expression after such a long time.

“Why are you smiling like that? I don’t like it.”

“How did I smile to make you say that?”

“Just now…”

Julian touched his mouth, then sighed. Waving his hand, it seemed he didn’t want to argue further. The attendant quietly boarded the carriage. The carriage started moving when he knocked twice on the wall towards the driver’s seat. The coachman, too, seemed to be in a good mood as the carriage moved smoothly.

* * *

“An invitation!”

I lifted the invitation I received from Anna with excitement.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes!”

It wasn’t just any party, but an invitation to a party hosted by the Marchioness of Eriant. In my previous life, I loved social gatherings and often attended them for fun.

But that was a story from my previous life. Now, I had to attend parties to gather information.

Moreover, I needed to let people know that I might become the Grand Duchess of Zan.

“Anna, there’s no time to get a new dress tailored. Do I have any dresses I haven’t worn yet?”

“Of course, you have many. Why are you asking the obvious?”

Well, to be honest, I was just excited about attending a party after a long time.

In the past, during my marriage to Kazak, I had to focus solely on my role as the lady of the house. Even attending social gatherings was for networking and Kazak’s business. It was no fun.

But now, the situation is different. I was just happy thinking about enjoying various social gatherings before marriage.

Seeing me like that, Anna cautiously asked,

“But, My Lady, won’t the Countess forbid you from attending the party?”

Anna was right.

I didn’t receive this party invitation in my previous life. It seemed the news of my engagement to Julian had already spread. Although my family was still against it, the rumors had already changed my future. The result was this invitation.

People curious about the truth of my potential marriage to Julian must have pestered the Marchioness of Eriant. She invited me to the party in response.

Knowing that my family wouldn’t let me attend. If I went, people would consider my marriage to Julian a fact.

Julian seemed willing to wait quite a while for my family’s thoughts to settle.

But I couldn’t wait that long, so I planned to go directly to Zan’s territory to persuade him again. Given that, it was only natural that my father banned going out.

If things continue as they were, I would die of an unknown disease before marrying Julian.

I had to change my family’s minds somehow. Even if it meant taking extreme measures. And this party seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I acted like an excited girl, boasting about the invitation even during meals. Since everyone could guess why the invitation arrived, they all looked troubled.

“I’d rather you didn’t go to that party.”

My mother spoke gently, hoping not to hurt my feelings.

I put on a gloomy expression and set down my utensils.

“I know I disappointed you with this matter.”

My family’s faces turned pale when they saw me, smiling just moments ago, drooping on my shoulders, and ignoring the food. They forgot I was a knight who had been knighted.

“I’ll reconsider marrying Grand Duke Julian. I’ll tell people at the party that the rumors aren’t true. So, please… can I go?”

I looked up at my parents with pleading eyes. When my brothers, Louis and Adam, tried to intervene, I gave them a pitiful look.

“I heard the chocolate fountain at the Marchioness of Eriant’s party is so big and fragrant…”

When I mumbled, my family sighed with laughter. Got it. They’re halfway convinced!

Though acting in front of my family was a bit painful, it had to be done.

As soon as I received perMy Ladyion, I stood up and kissed my father’s rough cheek. I hugged my mother and played the role of a spoiled daughter. My naive family eventually released their guard and listened to my excited chatter.

Especially tonight, I had planned to sneak out of my room, so I needed to make my family let their guard down.

* * *

As the night deepened, it seemed that Anna, outside my door, began to doze off.

In the meantime, I tied the knotted curtain securely to the bed. I had pulled it several times with all my strength, but it didn’t budge. Though it worried me a bit, I had no choice since I couldn’t go out through the door.

I carefully opened the window and threw the curtain out. After one last check to ensure it was secure, I looked down. Thankfully, my room was on the second floor, so it wasn’t too dangerous. Holding onto the knots, I cautiously lowered myself down.

“Huff, huff. This is harder than I thought.”

As I finally landed, the short grass tickled my ankles. I caught my breath and looked into the distance, seeing the high moon, which made me sigh.

If getting down was this hard, I worried about how I would climb back up. However, I had to go out even if I got caught sneaking back in.

Wearing a black robe, I slipped out of the mansion under the cover of darkness.

I remember that the hole in the wall hadn’t been repaired yet. I had sometimes used that hole to sneak out and pretend to be a mischievous young lady.

In other words, this was the first time I was genuinely escaping the mansion. Although my body was young again, my heart pounded as if I had become a child.

“Get a grip. There’s so much to do.”

I was worried that my resolve was already weakening, even though it hadn’t been long since I returned.

I had only a year left. I couldn’t waste any time.

The carriage I had secretly hired was waiting for me outside the wall.

“Are you Lady Winsley?”

“Yes, please take me to Raff Street, number 8.”

It was quite a shabby place, not somewhere a noble lady would go.

Of course, I had never been there before my marriage in my past life. But after marriage, it was different.

To be exact, it was right after my family was executed.

The hired coachman looked puzzled but drove safely through the night to the alley of number 8 on Raff Street.

I told him to wait and gave him an extra silver coin.

“If you wait quietly, I’ll give you two more silver coins. Understand?”

It would be troublesome if he took a detour or told someone my location. The coachman, seeming to understand, grinned widely and bowed.

Raff Street was where many poor people lived. The tavern located there was no exception.

Pulling my robe hood down further, I entered the tavern. Despite my efforts to conceal myself, the drunkards recognized me as a woman and glanced at me occasionally.

Ignoring the unpleasant stares, I approached the bartender, who was pouring beer.

“A cup of coffee, please.”

The bartender set the beer mug down and replied indifferently.

“This is a tavern. We don’t serve coffee.”

“I’m very sleepy. Just one robust coffee, please.”

The bartender gave me a skeptical look, not because it was strange to ask for coffee in a tavern but more of a wary glance. Soon, he walked inside and called out loudly,

“Karen! Coffee here!”

A woman with heavy makeup and an apron emerged. She smelled of food, probably from cooking.

“Follow me.”

Karen gestured. I followed her through a hallway to a slightly secluded area.

Of course, I wasn’t here to get coffee.

This place was the hideout of the “Night Owl Information Guild.” “Coffee” meant information, and “a robust coffee to wake me up” was the code to meet the Night Owl Information Guild. In my previous life, I wouldn’t have known this.

But after losing my family, I searched for all kinds of information brokers, which is how I found this place.

I had also learned through the Night Owl Information Guild that the second prince was involved in the rebellion. If I had had more time in my previous life, I could have bought even more information.

Karen led me to a door with a blank sign. It was strikingly devoid of indication that it was the entrance to an information broker.

“Is this the place?”

I asked, and Karen nodded briefly. Although it was my second visit, the tension was palpable. Perhaps it was because I felt the need to succeed this time.

“A young customer, I see.”

Upon entering, a man with a smiling face was sitting. Although his face was masked, his bright brown hair and refreshing aura were unmistakable.

He looked at me with a cheerful smile, then extended his hand, pointing to a chair.

“Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

“I already said I wanted coffee.”

The man burst into laughter at my words.

“As a valued customer, I should serve you well, don’t you think?”

This time, I scoffed. This information broker wasn’t a place anyone could find, so most of their customers were nobles. Hence, the owner was light-hearted yet retained a certain courtesy.

I had seen this man’s face without the mask in my past life. His handsome face was unforgettable.

“Nice to meet you. Are you the owner of this place?”

“That’s correct. And who might you be?”

“I am Laila Winsley, the eldest daughter of the Winsley family. Nice to meet you.”

The owner of the information guild widened his eyes at my words, then laughed heartily. His laughter was as clear and flawless as a bright, sunny day.

“Usually, people don’t like to reveal their identities, but Lady Winsley is quite bold.”

I, too, laughed at his words.

I took off my hood entirely. It was a stark contrast to my masked counterpart.

“I’m here to buy this information guild.”

The man looked surprised again at my words. Despite wearing a mask, his expression was vividly apparent, giving me a glimpse into his character.

I thought of another person who wore a mask. They seemed to be the complete opposite of him.

The owner leaned forward and rested his chin on his arm. I could clearly feel his eyes observing me from behind the mask. Though he mimicked a carefree attitude, his gaze was sharp and analytical. He was scrutinizing every word I said for its truthfulness.

“I cherish this guild quite a bit, so I have no intention of selling it.”

“But you will.”

The owner of the information guild showed an excited expression at my words. If I shared the information I had, he would definitely sell it. However, as I was in a critical situation, I couldn’t help the trembling of my fingertips. Clenching my fists, I looked at him as calmly as I could.

“I have two questions.”

“Ask away.”

“First, why does Lady Winsley want to buy my beloved guild?”

“Obviously, to monopolize the information the Night Owl Information Guild has gathered. I don’t want information leaking everywhere.”

“You’re a very greedy lady.”

The owner didn’t seem displeased. He tilted his head, and his well-groomed hair flowed down smoothly.

“Second, with what do you plan to buy this place? I have no interest in money.”

I already knew this. In a previous life, he had no interest in money. It was information I had learned after many attempts, so there was no need to try again. I decided to give the correct answer straight away.

I smiled and answered.

“I’ll trade it for information on the whereabouts of your sister, Ari Eriant.”