Chapter 12 – Part 2

“Please call me Pel now. It’s more comfortable.”

“The Battle Vorenia you last participated in and pretended to die in had some unclear points, didn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Then, does ‘The marionette is Dane’ refer to the Dane family?”

Ferrell nodded.

“Then, do you think the reason we lost that battle was because of the Dane family?”

Once again, Ferrel nodded.

“There are traces indicating that the Dane family sold information to the enemy.”

Anne struggled to calm her trembling voice as she asked one last question.

“…The traitor isn’t Joseph, right? Evan’s lieutenant!”

This time, Ferrell didn’t nod. But he didn’t deny it either.

During the day, Ferrell disguised himself as a beggar and roamed the streets, while at night, he worked in the red-light district gathering information.

The red-light district was a place where five or six people died each day, so robust men like Ferrell could easily get a job there, even if their identities were unclear.

One night, hidden in a corner of a rowdy party, Ferrell overheard a man, high on drugs, boasting to a female employee.

“I’m the god of this empire. Huh? Who else would do such dangerous espionage work if not me!”

“What are you talking about?”

“You don’t need to know. I’m doing something really great by bringing back information!”

The man seemed to have been to the Kingdom of Vails. He was babbling about what he did there, who he went with, and how it affected this country, all while grabbing the woman’s hair and pressing his face close to hers. He had no idea someone was listening.

Anne, realizing what Ferrell’s silence meant, looked astonished.

“Then, is there anything I can do to help? If proving Evan Davis’s innocence is part of your goal, I will join you.”

Ferrell smiled, recognizing that she was genuinely willing to risk herself for Evan.

He then pulled out a revolver from the drawer and asked, “Do you know how to handle a gun?”

“Of course.”

Contrary to his assumption that she had never even held a gun, Anne skillfully received the revolver from Ferrell. She checked the safety and adeptly aimed at a leaf fluttering outside the window.

Watching her, Ferrell spoke, “This means the task is dangerous enough to require a gun, Lady.”

Anne just shrugged off Ferrell’s excessive concern and smiled brightly.

“Everyone thinks I can’t handle tough situations. Sir Ferrell, I’ll show you how I’ve survived until now.”

The more Ferrell spoke with Anne, the more he thought that the Bluebird’s mistake might actually be a stroke of luck. She would have an easier time accessing the palace.

“Do you know who our enemy is?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s the Empress.”

Anne’s face turned pale at those words.

“Then, how can we fight against her…?”

Ferrell cautiously inspected the revolver Anne had placed back on the desk and answered,

“The only way to defeat the Empress is to increase the Crown Prince’s standing. To do that, we need to know if the Crown Prince is alive and secure his acquittal at the trial. These two conditions are essential.”

Convinced by his reasoning, Anne nodded.

“I’ll do it. I’ll find the Crown Prince…”

“I have bought some slaves. Take them with you as your servants. They will be useful at the upcoming banquet.”

“What banquet are you talking about?”

“A banquet will be held soon at the palace. The social scene will be lively. While enjoying the banquet, Miss, you should find the Crown Prince. I’ll handle the rest.”

“…But, slaves?”

Anne, knowing what slaves typically endured, was shocked. Seeing her reaction, Ferrell explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

“We can’t bring real servants; it’s a matter of life and death.”

“That’s a bit sad.”

“The slaves will consider themselves lucky to be doing this. They’ve been well-instructed on how to serve a noble lady.”

“Alright, I understand.”

“I’ll also enter as a porter, so don’t worry too much.”

* * *

A carriage prepared for the upcoming banquet was already ready near the shabby tavern. Such places were perfect for avoiding the eyes of the nobles.

Instead of heading to the Davis estate, the carriage was set to go to the Vanessa mansion to avoid suspicion during transit. Ferrell managed the disguised carriage loaded with gifts and slaves, ensuring everything was ready for departure.

However, the slave who would serve Anne most closely was to return to Vanessa’s mansion with her.

Howard.

Howard was a sturdy young man with dark skin and black hair. When Anne greeted Howard with a warm smile, he kneeled on one knee and pledged his loyalty.

“I dedicate myself to you, my mistress.”

‘Even if it’s just a formality, you don’t need to be so formal in private!’

Anne quickly closed her door. Realizing she had not provided enough instructions beforehand, she waved her hands.

“Oh, just be comfortable. Just pretend to serve me when others are around. When we’re alone, do whatever you want.”

Surprised by her words, Howard shook his head but then bowed deeply as if making a decision.

“Please give me tasks to carry out.”

The flustered Anne did not say anything, pondering how to handle this situation.

In the meantime, Anne noticed Howard’s slight trembling.

Though his expression remained calm, he could not hide the trembling of his fingertips.

Anne suddenly recalled the day she first arrived at the field hospital.

It was after she had greedily grabbed and eaten the moldy food, driven by overwhelming hunger.

At the time, Anne had boldly asked to be given any chore work at the hospital, but she had been deeply embarrassed and ashamed.

When the soldiers, concerned for her health, had briefly given her the rest room, she had instead shrunk back even more.

That memory still often saddened her heart.

Perhaps this man also had the same feelings as she did back then.

Rather than making him feel self-conscious through excessive consideration, Anne thought it might be better to give him a task.

She opened her mouth…

“Howard, could you go downstairs and ask them to prepare a meal? The dining room is at the end of the first-floor corridor.”

Only then did Howard straighten his awkward posture and nod.

“Yes!”

As Anne was brushing her hair, a sudden, hurried knock was heard from outside.

Having grown accustomed to the Vanessa mansion, Anne did not take her eyes off the mirror as she spoke.

“Suen, come in.”

Suen entered the room in a fluster.

“Goodness, My Lady! Did you return safely? Are you hurt anywhere? Were you not discovered? Is the Duke doing well?”

Despite Suen’s rapid-fire questions, Anne nodded calmly in response.

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Phew, that’s a relief! By the way, where did these new people come from?”

Anne paused to consider how to best respond.

To Anne, who still remembered her life in South Korea, the concept of slavery was quite foreign.

However, since Terossa legally recognized the slave trade and even levied taxes on it, it was not as strange.

Anne carefully opened her mouth.

“The Hella slave market.”

“Huh? Slaves, suddenly?”

As expected, Suen was not particularly shocked that Anne had brought slaves.

“…I have some business to attend to in the imperial palace. So I needed people who could pass as servants. Please treat them well during their stay here.”

“What? Why not me?”

Suen’s surprise was because, despite being the dedicated maid, she was not the one chosen to accompany Anne to the palace.

Suen, who had taken great pride and satisfaction in diligently serving the lady who had reclaimed the Vanessa name, could not hide her disappointment.

“My Lady, have I been lacking in my service to you in any way?”

“No, Suen, it’s not like that!”

Anne frantically waved her hands.

“I’m sorry, Suen. I couldn’t ask you to risk your life for this. This is something I have to do on my own…”

Before Anne could finish, Suen’s booming voice interrupted.

“But I’m okay with it! Please let me help!”

Looking into Suen’s sparkling eyes, Anne sighed deeply and said,

“Suen, you have a family waiting for you.”

That’s why Anne felt sorry for Howard. In the end, she was putting Howard at the forefront for the sake of her beloved maid.

Her hypocrisy disgusted her, but this seemed to be the best solution.

Anne spoke in a complicated tone, but Suen, unaware of these feelings, simply stared at her with wide, innocent eyes.

“My Lady!”

Wanting to move away from this topic, Anne finished brushing her hair and double-checked her attire.

Ignoring the fidgeting Suen beside her, Anne abruptly stood up.

“Have you eaten?”

“……”

“What?”

Anne tilted her head, feigning ignorance. Realizing Anne’s intention, Suen grumbled softly.

“Honestly, you’re a pro at changing the subject.”

At that moment, a soft, quiet knock was heard.

“Come in.”

At Anne’s response, Howard quietly opened the door.

The light streaming in through the corridor window cast a glow over Howard’s sturdy shoulders.

Even in broad daylight, his pure golden eyes shone calmly beneath his jet-black hair.

“My Lady, the meal is ready.”

“Shall we go eat then?”