Chapter 13

I looked at the fallen man with mixed feelings and then slowly untied the straps that bound his limbs.
 
‘Just for now, until tomorrow.’
 
I hardened my resolve.
 
I couldn’t take him on full-time, but I could keep him for a day or two until the divorce was finalized.
 
‘Just one day.’
 
I would keep him for that long, give him some advice on hiding and a bit of cash, then part ways.
 
It seemed like the most realistic option.
 
I instructed the coachman.
 
“Take me to Fontaine Street.  There’s an inn called the Soleil; do you know it?”
 
The Soleil was an inn that guarded its clients’ secrets as closely as Redron’s carriages, which is why it attracted all the criminals and schemers of the capital.
 
But there was no need to worry about unnecessary trouble.
 
The owner of the Soleil was a giant of a man, a former butcher who could single-handedly end any situation.
 
He had a reputation for being kind to well-mannered customers, and his place was the only truce zone for criminals.
 
I heard the coachman reply.
 
“Yes, My Lady. We’ll be there in 15 minutes.”
 
“Okay.”
 
* * *
While closing my eyes and reconsidering my decision, I heard the sound of a man coming out of the bathroom, rubbing his wet hair with a towel. As if just realizing it, he murmured,
 
“You’ve changed my clothes.”
 
The cold water on his face seemed to sober him up.
 
His slightly embarrassed expression was both amusing and endearing, so I chuckled.
 
“The clothes you were wearing were probably tossed under the bed by the owner, and I’m sure they’re too damaged to be mended. Are they important to you?”
 
The man’s face darkened. He shook his head gently. He didn’t seem to remember much.
 
“Let’s just discard them.”
 
I said it hesitantly.
 
“Your sword alone should be enough to identify you if you need it; it’s got such a distinctive seal on it. And a piece of advice: refrain from flaunting that sword recklessly. I’m not sure who might be after you.”
 
Carrying a sword in the capital is a no-no. No one wears a sword in the capital unless they’re a member of the security forces or a bodyguard.
 
If a person trying to hide himself creates a sense of discomfort in that way, it is, of course, dangerous.
 
“The people who are after you will narrow down their search based on whoever saw you and what you’re carrying; do you understand me?”
 
He rolled his eyes like a sulking puppy caught in the rain, then nodded. Whether he truly understood remained uncertain.
 
“You can stay here for a while. I’ll help with accommodation and meals. Now, I’m going to get some sleep.”
 
I had to go to bed early because I had to go to the security station early the next morning. I took a bath, dried my hair, and was about to go to sleep when I heard a loud voice from the next room.
 
“Hey…….”
 
As I turned around, he opened his mouth. I just turned my head slightly and looked at him.
 
“Thank you for helping me.”
 
His voice was polite and casual as he said it. 
 
It was so refreshing to see such a decent and gentle young man after seeing Oscar, who was always so annoying.
 
Without realizing it, I smiled pleasantly.
 
“Take care of yourself.”
 
As I walked out of the room, I could feel his eyes clinging desperately to the back of my head.
 
Until I stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind me.
 
* * *
The next morning. I woke up early to go to the security station.
 
To see off the mysterious man for the last time, I headed to the room next to mine, where he was staying.
 
Knock, knock.
 
I knocked, wondering if he would hear it this time since he couldn’t yesterday. Was he sleeping? Then I would have no choice but to leave the instructions and money with the innkeeper.
 
Fortunately, I sensed movement from the inside. The footsteps rushing to the door sounded somewhat impatient.
 
When the door opened, I was confronted by a man who had already gotten up early and had his hair and clothes neatly done.
 
I smiled at him.
 
“Did you sleep well?”
 
“Yes, thanks to ….”
 
He paused mid-greeting and then looked at me.
 
Unlike yesterday, I was now dressed to go out, having tidied myself up properly.
 
Since there were no maids here to help, I couldn’t be as meticulous as usual, but it was decent enough to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
 
The man asked me, looking puzzled, “Are you leaving?”
 
I nodded slightly, and he immediately went into the room and grabbed his few belongings. I was slightly taken aback.
 
“Wait, wait. You don’t need to come with me. We’re not going together.”
 
His docile eyes stared down at me in shock. He obviously thought I was going to take him with me.
 
‘Ugh, unnecessary guilt again.’
 
“Take care of yourself. No matter what difficulties you face, I hope you escape well, and I hope you get back to where you belong.”
 
I rambled, pretending not to notice the meaning behind his gaze. Then I took out two bundles of 1 million acrons from my purse.
 
“At this rate, you’ll be fine for a while, as long as you’re frugal, I’ll also pay for the accommodation as I go down.”
 
Despite my efforts to avoid his puppy-like gaze, my attempts were in vain, as he bluntly asked, 
 
“Why aren’t you taking me with you?”
 
“Um, it’s just that…”
 
“Why?”
 
“I’m not in a position to hide a person.”
 
“……I see, I’ve been a nuisance.”
 
There was a hint of regret in his voice as he didn’t ask any more questions.
 
I sneak a glance at him, and he looks like he wants to deny reality.
 
How he could be so desperate for someone he’d only known for a day, I don’t know, but…….
 
His sincere gaze makes me feel a little weak. But I shouldn’t make promises I don’t know if I can keep.
 
I smiled lightly, as if brushing off any lingering doubts.
 
“Then, I wish you luck. Don’t forget the advice I gave yesterday. Get some rest. Your body may not have fully recovered yet.”
 
With those last words, I turned away from him, pulled my brown shawl over my head, and started walking down the hall.
 
I heard footsteps following behind me. After a while, they stopped.
 
I squeezed my eyes shut.
 
I could see what was happening.
 
The puppy I picked up had accepted my words that I couldn’t take further responsibility.
 
So instead of chasing after me, he kept watching my departing figure hopelessly.
 
As I descend the stairs, I sneak a peek at the end of the hallway. As I expected, he was standing in the distance.
 
“Ha, really.”
 
I pretended not to see him and went down to the lobby. The innkeeper pointed outside when he saw me with the shawl flipped.
 
“I’ve called a carriage.”
 
It must have been the same coachman as yesterday. We had to go to the security checkpoint together. I handed him money for the accommodation and a tip.
 
“Take care of the man in Room 304, please.”
 
“I will.”
 
I looked up as I got into the carriage.
 
And our eyes met—the man who had been watching me from outside the window.
 
When he saw me, he clutched at the window. Even from down here, I could see his throat burning and his collar moving.
 
My separation from him was causing him anxiety.
 
Ah, should I beckon him to come now?
 
No, pull yourself together, Marlena!
 
You have fulfilled your responsibility!
 
I turned away from his gaze, stepped outside, and climbed into the carriage.
 
“To the Aeolian Security Station.”
 
The puppy-faced man stared at me blankly as I climbed into the carriage.
 
Another twinge of remorse flashed through my conscience, but as I shut the door in his face, I soothed myself by telling myself that this was just a passing breeze for both him and me.
 
* * *
I went to the Aeolian Security Station and testified to the story I had arranged with the coachman, trying to clear my mind of the lime-green eyes that kept haunting me.
 
The ruffians seemed to claim they had attacked not a noblewoman but some man.
 
That would still make them scum who tried to rob someone else.
 
Of course, attacking a duchess would be punished more severely than attacking an unidentified, raggedy man.
 
Their words were somewhat true.
 
But there was no need to feel sorry for criminals.
 
There are far more people who will benefit from their time behind bars, and the capital’s security will improve.
 
The interview went fairly smoothly, thanks to the coachman’s cooperation.
 
After all, because of the notorious reputation I had accumulated during my crazy days in the capital, the security guards didn’t ask me too many questions.
 
The interrogation took less than 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, I frowned and looked bored.
 
The security officer already knew that the ruffians were criminals anyway.
 
It didn’t matter, because the interview and report were just formalities.
 
I waved goodbye to the coachman and walked out of the station. I returned the shawl, which belonged to the security station, through the officer.
 
As I stepped outside the station, the weather was beautiful. The summer sun was scorching, but it was cool in the shade.
 
I left the carriage with the intention of walking a bit and then having a late breakfast at a restaurant.
 
After eating, I needed to check the properties of Count Balthus in the capital.
 
As I was about to step lively forward…
 
“Ack!
 
I screamed inwardly as I ran into someone in front of the station.
 
Despite the bright sunlight, he looked like a puppy left out in the rain, trapped in a box.
 
I realized if I didn’t get my act together, I might end up picking him up again.
 
I was engulfed in a sense of crisis.