“Look who it is!”

Leoban recognized the man in the black cloak, breaking into a grin as he slung an arm around his shoulders, greeting him as though he were an old friend.

“You’ve shown up at just the right moment!”

“Do you need me?”

In response to Leoban’s overly warm welcome, the man in the black cloak let out a soft chuckle. He led Leoban towards a deserted alley without offering any resistance.

Unaware of his intentions, Leoban continued cheerfully.

“I really appreciated your help last time. So I was wondering—could you help me again this time?”

The man in the black cloak suddenly pushed Leoban into the alleyway. Then, cutting off his escape route, he stepped in front of the path leading back to the street. Resting a hand on his hip, he asked calmly.

“What kind of help do you require?”

“Obviously money! I was hoping you could lend me just 1,000 gold this time.”

Leoban demanded the money without hesitation. He was so bold that one might have thought he was owed the money.

“Is that too much? Then 700 gold will do.”

When the man remained silent, Leoban continued, as though making a generous concession.

“I will allow you to speak.”

At this, the man in the black cloak began to laugh loudly.

“Hahaha. Goodness.”

“What? Why are you laughing?”

Leoban scowled deeply at the sound. He was just about to reprimand the man for mocking the Crown Princess’s elder brother when he hesitated.

The man in the black cloak took out the previous loan agreement and held it up.

“Before borrowing more money, shouldn’t you pay the interest first?”

“Interest? That was never part of the deal!”

“It’s all written right here. Didn’t you read it?”

The man in the black cloak pointed to the small print on the agreement. Startled, Leoban snatched the paper from him.

When he saw the staggering interest rate of twenty percent of the principal, his mouth fell open.

“Th-this is…”

“We never received any word from you about paying the interest, so I came to collect in person. Including the accrued interest so far, the total comes to 1,084 gold.”

“What? That’s more than the principal!”

“Because it’s compounded.”

Upon hearing the man’s calm explanation, the color drained from Leoban’s face. The man in the black cloak smiled pleasantly and added.

“I distinctly remember telling you to review it carefully. You were the one who insisted on signing immediately, Count. You do remember, don’t you?”

As Leoban stood there trembling, holding the agreement, the man continued to speak at a leisurely pace. Suddenly, Leoban’s eyes hardened. He grabbed the paper and tried to tear it in half.

But, for some reason, it refused to rip — the paper was as tough as leather.

“W-what the hell? Why won’t this tear?!”

“It’s premium contract paper from the Grand Duchy of Gruber. It won’t burn, and it won’t be damaged by water. It also prevents people like you from tearing up contracts.”

“You bastard!”

Leoban’s face flushed crimson as he flung the contract to the ground and stomped on it viciously.

“I don’t know anything about this! Besides, I don’t have any money. What interest? I’m not paying interest that’s higher than the principal!”

“That won’t change anything. Your signature is right here.”

The man replied indifferently as Leoban thrashed about. Leoban stared at him, mouth agape. Glaring at the man as if he wanted to burn him alive, Leoban spat out.

“I’m the Crown Princess’s elder brother. Do you really think His Majesty the Emperor would let you get away with extorting me?”

“Have you ever even been granted an audience with him?”

“Th-that’s—!”

Leoban faltered, momentarily speechless. But soon, he straightened and spoke with forced confidence.

“I haven’t yet, but if I wanted to see His Majesty, I could do so anytime!”

“The last I heard, the Count of Lindenrose’s family was banned from entering the Imperial Palace.”

The man muttered quietly, as if amused by Leoban’s bluff. Leoban’s eyes flew wide.

“How do you know that?”

“Did you think I’d lend you money without checking even that?”

The man lifted one corner of his mouth into a crooked smile. Step by step, he herded Leoban towards the end of the alleyway.

“Hand over the money.”

“…Aaaagh!”

Leoban lunged forward, charging at his opponent in an attempt to force his way past and escape the alley. But he was subdued with effortless ease. As his black cloak fluttered, an overwhelming force seized him.

By the time the dust stirred up by his struggle had finally settled, Leoban was pinned beneath the man. His face was crushed against the ground as he writhed helplessly.

He was nowhere near strong enough to break free. Ultimately, Leoban disgraced himself by begging the man for help.

“Sp-spare me!”

“Who said anything about killing you?”

The man let out a hollow laugh. However, even as he spoke, he did not ease the pressure that was pinning Leoban down. Leoban flew into a rage and shouted.

“Let go of me!”

As Leoban twisted his body, he felt something cold press against his neck.

A blade.

Only then did he grasp the gravity of the situation. His entire body began to tremble.

“I-I don’t have any money right now! I really don’t!”

“No money?”

The man muttered darkly in response. He raised the sword upright and pressed it close against Leoban’s throat.

“I wonder how much the head of the Crown Princess’s elder brother would fetch.”

“Please—please!”

Leoban screamed in terror. Tears streamed down his face as he wailed.

“P-please—khk! I-I’ll do anything! I’ll do everything you say!”

“……”

“Anything—anything at all, just tell me!”

“Well, if that’s the case.”

The man had listened to Leoban’s pleas in silence, but now he spoke readily as he withdrew his sword, as though he had been waiting for those very words. He pulled Leoban to his feet and said.

“Count, will you do as I instruct? It’s a very simple task. If you carry it out properly, I’ll consider the interest settled. I’ll even lend you an additional 1,000 gold, interest-free.”

“Is that really true?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll do it! I will! What do you need me to do?”

Seeing Leoban’s eager response, the man in the black cloak curved his lips into a grin. Stepping closer, he leaned in and whispered softly into Leoban’s ear.

As Leoban listened, his pupils dilated sharply.

***

It was a foggy dawn.

A small, two-wheeled carriage was parked outside the palace of the Crown Prince. This was the carriage that Seraphina was going to take.

Holding Lucas in her arms, she approached it. Rosalynde followed close behind. As the three of them reached it, Brandt opened the door.

“Please get in, Your Highness.”

“You shouldn’t call me ‘Your Highness’ anymore, Brandt.”

Seraphina spoke gently and smiled. At her words, Brandt raised his eyebrows. His gaze shifted to the Crown Prince standing behind her.

“Just for today, call her Crown Princess.”

Damian spoke quietly. Pain rippled unmistakably through his eyes as he looked at her. Yet he made no attempt to reveal what he felt. With a composed expression, he draped a shawl over Seraphina’s shoulders.

“Just for today… stay my wife.”

“……”

Seraphina nodded silently.

When she didn’t answer, Damian leaned towards Lucas. The baby, who was being cradled by his mother, looked blissfully happy and smiled brightly.

“I’ll miss you, Lucas.”

“Kyah.”

Damian pressed a light kiss to Lucas’s forehead—barely touching. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Damian…”

“Tell me this isn’t a permanent farewell. Tell me you’ll send word from time to time.”

“I’ll write.”

Seraphina replied, hiding the ache swelling in her chest. Just as he did, she forced a calm smile and pretended that everything was all right.