“It takes at least five days by carriage to get to the Count’s estate from here if we’re quick. That means ten days round trip at minimum. Father will return in eight days.”
“That won’t work.”
“Then it seems like we’ll have to use the gate….”

In this world, magic wasn’t widely used, but the one place where it was utilized was the gate.
A gate allowed people to travel between most territories within minutes.
It was a convenient mode of transportation that involved using terminals to transfer between gates. However, the problem with gates was their limited usage capacity.
On top of that, the exorbitant fees and the difficulty of obtaining tickets made them inaccessible to just anyone.
As a result, gates were primarily used by nobles rather than commoners.

“Normally, we could use my family name to board without a reservation, but if we do that, Father will be notified immediately.”
Sebastian flinched and shook his head vigorously.

“That can’t happen. Is there no way to use the gate without involving the family name?”
“There is. We can use the gate secretly. Fortunately, I know someone who works at the gate terminal.”
“Then can we use the gate discreetly?”
“Yes. But… it costs more than using the gate normally.”
“That’s to be expected.”

Even when I mentioned the increased cost, Sebastian didn’t seem fazed.
His attitude clearly showed that it wasn’t his concern.

“I asked, and they said it costs 500 litas to use the gate privately. And even then, you’d have to wait a week.”
“A week?”

Sebastian moved his fingers to calculate the dates, then shook his head.
“Is there no way to expedite it? Could you ask your acquaintance for help?”
“There is. We can rearrange the gate schedule to get priority access.”
“That’s great. It’s always about who you know, after all.”
“But the cost is ten times higher.”
“Ten times? So, 5,000 litas? That’s expensive.”
“It’s definitely a hefty amount.”

According to the head butler, that amount was equivalent to two years’ worth of living expenses for a commoner family. It was undeniably a high price.

“Yes, it’s expensive. But taking the gate is for our benefit, so….”
“Sebastian, is the cost a bit much for you?”
“Why would it be my concern?”

Sebastian tilted his head, appearing not to understand.

“Because, of course, you’ll be the one paying for it. I don’t have any money right now. I gave all the cash I had to you.”
“What are you talking about? Couldn’t you request it from your family?”
“Father isn’t here, so that’s not possible. And I can’t use the family name to request credit for something like this.”
“Hah….”

Sebastian let out a deep sigh, looking utterly at a loss. He clearly hadn’t anticipated that he’d be the one footing the bill.

“Don’t worry, though. When I bring back the seal, I’ll also bring money, so I’ll pay you back right away.”

Hearing my promise to repay him, Sebastian sighed again and then slowly nodded.

“Fine. I’ll lend you the 5,000 litas.”
“Oh, Sebastian, it’s 10,000 litas.”
“What?”
“It’s a round trip, isn’t it?”

I smiled brightly and held up two fingers. Seeing me, Sebastian squeezed his eyes shut.
After keeping his eyes closed for a long moment, Sebastian finally nodded with difficulty.

“Fine. I’ll lend you 10,000 litas, Espin.”

How shameless. It was all money he had already taken from Espin anyway.

Sebastian’s insistence on emphasizing that he was “lending” me the money was so pathetic that I almost laughed. But I hid my true feelings and replied in a voice filled with gratitude.

“Thank you. Facing hardships together like this already makes us feel like a married couple.”
“Of course. We’re going to lead Arcadia together, after all.”
“Sebastian, thank you so much… for coming into my life. Once you’ve prepared the money, I’ll head to the estate right away. I’m sorry that’s all I can do to help.”
“Don’t say that. You’re a great support to me. I’ll bring the money by tomorrow morning.”
“By tomorrow morning? That quickly?”
“Yes. You need to leave right away. Can you depart tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll go right away. Trust me.”

I smiled warmly, wearing a benevolent expression.

***

“Ugh.”

Sebastian, riding a horse that seemed to move slower than usual, kicked at the air in frustration as he passed through the wide garden.
The horse neighed, startled, and stumbled.

Sebastian, momentarily losing his balance, flailed comically before regaining his posture with great effort. He hurriedly scanned his surroundings, worried someone might have seen him.

“Sebastian!”

At that moment, a woman in a maid’s uniform waved at him from a corner of the garden.

“Jane!”

Spotting Jane, Sebastian carefully dismounted and approached the secluded spot in the garden where she stood.

“How did it go? Did everything work out?”
“Jane, things have gotten a bit complicated. The Count took the seal to the Count’s estate, so it’s not here.”
“Really? I heard rumors that she was thoroughly searching the mansion. She still couldn’t find it?”

Sebastian, who had started to harbor slight doubts about Espin due to the unexpected turn of events, let go of his suspicions after hearing Jane’s words.

“Hmm, it seems she wasn’t lying. The seal really is at the Count’s estate.”
“Then, does that mean you can’t get the seal?”
“No. There’s a way. First, give me all the cash you have.”
“Will that be enough?”
“More than enough.”

“But… Sebastian, you haven’t fallen in love with the young lady, have you?”

Jane’s anxious question made Sebastian squint his eyes playfully as he gently patted her head.

“Jane, how could I fall in love with a noble lady when I have you? As I’ve always said, I despise noble ladies.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I believe only someone strong, like you, who has overcome hardships, can be my match.”
“Sebastian….”

Jane leaned her head against Sebastian’s shoulder.

“Jane….”

‘How naïve.’

Deceiving innocent women was effortless for Sebastian.
The moment he introduced himself as a hidden prince from another kingdom, half the work was already done.
By pinpointing their struggles and offering a few comforting words, they would start trusting him completely.

Watching Jane, who knew nothing and rested her head on his shoulder, Sebastian felt a sense of satisfaction.

‘Yes, this is how it should be.’

His conversation with Espin hadn’t gone as he’d hoped.
But his exchange with Jane was going perfectly. Now, everything felt like it was back on track.

“Oh, by the way, could you keep an eye on Espin’s movements?”
“Her movements?”
“Yes. I need to make sure she’s really going to retrieve the seal.”
“That’s easy. I can ask Charles, the coachman, to help.”
“As expected. I knew I could count on you, Jane.”
“Of course, I’ll take care of it. It’s related to you, after all.”
“As always, Jane. You’re the only one for me.”
“Me too. Sebastian, you’re too good for me….”
“Don’t say that. Soon, you’ll be the queen of Arcadia.”

Jane smiled dreamily, seemingly lost in a fantasy.

“Jane, just in case Espin notices, don’t let your guard down.”

“Don’t worry. I keep telling her how trustworthy you are, so she won’t suspect anything.”

Jane and Sebastian smiled at each other, each harboring different thoughts.

***

“What are they doing out there, so obviously in the open?”

Looking down from my room on the second floor, I could clearly see the tops of Sebastian and Jane’s heads as they whispered in the garden.
After embracing each other for a long time, the two reluctantly parted, and Sebastian left the mansion, leading his old horse.

Clicking my tongue as I watched them, I turned my gaze to the clock on the wall.

“Anyway, it’s about time.”

Not long after Sebastian left the mansion, a carriage approached the front gates, and the mansion doors opened.

“Lady Flaria Ameron and Young Master Haren of the Ameron Ducal Family have arrived.”
“Finally!”

The guests I had been waiting for had arrived.

The villainess who tormented the protagonist of this novel and Espin’s only friend, Flaria.
And the person I most wanted to meet right now, Haren.

The half-sibling of the female protagonist from the novel has entered this mansion where I currently reside.