Chapter 11 – Part 4

“…Give me the room. As promised, I’m back.”

The innkeeper let out a sigh of relief at the appearance of a shabbily dressed man.

His mother had insisted on waiting a little longer, so they hadn’t given the room to someone else.

If he hadn’t returned, they would have lost a hefty 60 milan.

“If you hadn’t kept your promise, I would’ve searched the entire area to drag you back.”

The man only nodded at the innkeeper’s joke.

Taking the key, he entered the room and collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

Thinking about the note he had received recently, he couldn’t help but visit.

‘On the night of the full moon at Robin’s Costume Shop….’

He had checked the area around Robin’s Costume Shop but found nothing unusual.

With Duke Davis detained, communication could only be done via messenger birds.

However, he knew that the bird he had trained had gone to someone else.

‘It’s not a big problem, but…’

He needed to meet informants near the border on the night of the full moon, so he couldn’t see who had trained his bird. It was disappointing.

It was the first time the trained bird had gone astray since its early days.

The blue bird was exceptional and smart, so the mistake was quite painful.

‘The person who sent the note must be skilled enough to train that bird.’

Thinking about the person, Ferrell gave up. He had sent a note asking the person to reveal their identity, so an answer would come soon.

Hoping the bird’s new owner was an ally, Ferrell fell into a deep sleep.

***

A lot has changed over the past few days.

Kyle had found the best route to enter the duke’s estate.

Mila, the head maid of Duke Davis’ household, seemed uncertain about whether to trust their plan to rescue Duke Evan Davis.

But, thinking she had no other choice, she allowed Kyle to be hired as a laborer at the duke’s estate.

Meanwhile, the blue bird hadn’t returned to Anne in the past few days.

Anne decided to leave the task of meeting the bird’s previous owner to her father, as the bird wouldn’t be able to find her once she was at the duke’s estate.

Today was the day of decisive action.

Anne wore a light green dress for ease of movement, and her bag was filled with money she had saved.

She also packed some nuts in case the bird showed up along the way.

Seeing her preparation, Suen combed Anne’s hair with a determined expression.

“My Lady, I wonder if you’ll be able to eat properly there.”

“Since it’s house arrest, the servants should still be working inside. Don’t worry too much.”

“That’s a relief.”

Anne looked in the mirror. She would wear a robe over her dress, but she frowned at her own unremarkable appearance.

Seeing Anne’s pouty face in the mirror, Suen spoke.

“My Lady, should I help you get ready?”

“No! Suen, I’m fine.”

Anne quickly looked away from the mirror, her ears turning red.

“Hmmm….”

Suen dabbed some red lip balm on her ring finger and applied it lightly to Anne’s lips.

“This much should be fine, right?”

“Oh, my lips were chapped anyway. Thank you.”

“Oh, My Lady!”

Suen laughed, knowing that Anne was worried about her appearance for meeting the duke. Her efforts to hide it were adorable!

‘She’s really cute!’

Ignoring Suen’s laughter, Anne checked her attire once more and grabbed the door handle.

“I won’t be able to say goodbye to the baron and baroness.”

“…Ah, they haven’t returned yet. I’ll explain it to them.”

“Alright. I’m off.”

***

Anne changed carriages several times and arrived at Herbien Street, where the duke’s estate was located.

The news of Duke Davis’s house arrest on charges of treason had spread widely.

Because of this, the street, usually filled with ladies walking with parasols, was now empty.

Standing in a narrow alley, Anne pulled her robe tighter and waited for Kyle, trying to calm her racing heart.

After a while, the sound of a carriage approaching could be heard.

“…Anne!”

“Kyle!”

As planned, Kyle was slowing down the carriage, approaching carefully.

Despite its small and plain appearance, the carriage bore the distinct emblem of the Davis family. Anne waited for the right moment, and as the carriage passed in front of her, she slipped naturally into the open door.

Once inside, Anne opened the small window connecting to the driver’s seat.

“Let’s go. The infiltration route is already set.”

“Got it,” Kyle responded.

Anne nodded firmly. “Where is Lady Carly now?”

“Oh, about that. She’s meeting with the newspaper editors first. She plans to sway those who publish negative articles about the Crown Prince and Duke Davis.”

“If you feel you’re in danger, she asked me to get you out safely. In the meantime, I’ll be working here as a laborer. Also, I’ve already bribed some knights and servants in the mansion with the money you gave me.”

Anne felt reassured, knowing Kyle would be nearby. “It’s a bit rough, but we’ll take a deserted path. You’ll have to hide in a box for a while.”

“Understood!”

Once they reached a deserted, smooth mountain path, Kyle stopped the carriage. Anne took out the money from her bag and handed it to Kyle before quickly getting into a wooden box.

Kyle looked at the money in his hand and then at Anne. “Do we really have to do this?”

“Don’t worry so much,” Anne reassured him.

“But….”

Anne, lying uncomfortably in the box, smiled. “Kyle, don’t worry.”

“Alright.”

Kyle closed the lid of the wooden box and drove the carriage forward again.

After a short distance, the relentless bumping of the carriage ceased.

Imperial knights, exuding a stern atmosphere, blocked the main gate of the Davis estate.

“Stop.”

“…Yes.”

Kyle, feigning a clumsy demeanor, observed the knights.

“What are you carrying?”

“Provisions.”

A knight began opening and rummaging through the boxes. Seeing the logo of a famous merchant guild, he grumbled.

“Lavish provisions for a traitor, how absurd.”

Kyle’s heart pounded at the thought that Anne might be discovered, but he maintained a polite demeanor.

“These provisions are also for the servants and the imperial knights stationed here. We can’t serve low-quality food, can we?”

Another knight chuckled. The senior-looking knight scrutinized Kyle before approaching the carriage.

“What’s that smell?”

“…Fish. Freshly caught this morning.”

“Fish? How peculiar.”

Kyle nodded at the knight’s northern features, guessing he wasn’t accustomed to eating much fish.

“We’ve also brought high-quality beef, mushrooms, and various fruits. The Duke instructed us to cater to the distinguished guests from the royal family.”

The knight’s mood improved. “It’s not a criminal’s duty, but alright, go in.”

The massive iron gates opened silently. However, Kyle hesitated before entering.

“Um….”

“What is it now?”

“I know the royal knights dine in shifts once a day. However, these premium provisions will spoil quickly.”

“Hmm.”

“How should we serve them….”

Kyle opened a box containing the most expensive meat, showcasing the well-marbled beef.

“Such high-quality beef. Huh.”

The knight’s expression brightened. He pondered briefly before nodding at Kyle.

“Prepare the feast in two shifts.”

“Yes, sir.”

Suppressing a chuckle, Kyle drove the carriage into the estate.

The grand garden, with its well-maintained trees and wildflowers peeking through, presented a serene scene, marred only by the presence of knights.

Kyle stopped the carriage near a side door used by the servants. Assuming a thorough inspection had already been done at the main gate, no knights stopped him here.

The knights, distracted by the news of the feast, didn’t pay much attention to Kyle’s actions. He cleverly positioned the carriage so that Anne’s exit would go unnoticed. He opened the box.

“Anne! Come out now.”

“Hah.”

Anne quickly tidied her disheveled hair and jumped out of the carriage, running towards the side door, pretending to be a servant fetching supplies.

The smell of fish clung to her, but she hoped it would help her blend in.

‘I’ll meet Evan soon.’

Despite the excitement, Anne was annoyed by the fishy smell on her. She looked around, assisting Kyle while discreetly observing the estate.

It was truly beautiful. It was not overly luxurious, but it matched Evan’s understated tastes. The spacious mansion gave Anne hope that her presence would go unnoticed.

“Kyle, which way do I go?”

“There’s a knight we bribed with a long scar on his hand. If there’s trouble, find him.”

“Got it!”

“Follow this woman. I’ll join you when I can.”

Kyle rushed off with other servants, leaving Anne alone with a middle-aged woman with sparse white hair.

“Hello. I’m Anne Vanessa.”

Mila cautiously observed Anne.

She reluctantly agreed to help, convinced by Kyle’s assurance that there was a plan.

But she doubted this seemingly insignificant girl could save the Duke.

Could she even protect herself? Mila couldn’t shake off the suspicion that this might be a frivolous girl with a crush on the Duke, seizing an opportunity.

“I’m Mila. I was the Duke’s nanny when he was young.”

Anne blinked. Thinking about what Evan Davis was like as a child made her smile.

As Anne suppressed her curiosity, Mila, unimpressed, asked sharply,

“Why are you smiling?”

“I’m sorry. I just…”

“You like him, don’t you?”