Chapter 16

‘Is she here?’  

Chase stretched his neck to check the empty seat where Sabrina usually sat and let out a small sigh.  

It was fine in the morning, but as the sun climbed higher in the sky, he started to feel uneasy.  

“Still not here?”  

It wasn’t anger or disappointment. Rather… it was concern.  

Chase murmured softly,  

“She’s not the type to do this.”  

Knock, knock.  

Just then, the door opened, and Clayton Hatchet, a red-haired knight, walked in. Bowing politely, he approached Chase’s desk.  

“I’ve looked into the matter you ordered last time.”  

Chase, who had been fidgeting absentmindedly, froze. His bright golden eyes flickered with interest.  

Standing upright with a firm posture, Clayton spoke in a stiff tone.  

“As suspected, the Heider insignia was found in this incident as well.”  

Heider.  

A secret underground organization responsible for a series of brutal incidents that had been occurring in Belfort.  

Known for their symbol of a crushed fedora, they were as elusive as their name suggested, hiding their identity completely.  

For the past three years, Heider had consistently evaded Chase’s investigations, driving him to frustration.  

Chase asked,  

“Their trail?”  

Clayton shook his head.  

“We lost them. Once again, they committed suicide as soon as they were caught.”  

“Ha.”  

Chase let out a sigh of exasperation, running a hand roughly over his face.  

“Still, it wasn’t a complete loss.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“We’ve identified a location they frequent. It’s a tavern about an hour away from the Imperial Palace. On the surface, it doesn’t seem particularly special. Shall we investigate immediately?”  

Hearing that they had uncovered a suspected meeting place for Heider, Chase’s eyes widened slightly.  

After a moment of thought, he spoke slowly.  

“Let’s observe for now. Moving hastily might ruin everything.”  

Clayton nodded.  

“Understood. I’ll keep a distance and monitor the situation.”  

After finishing his report, Clayton glanced at Chase’s face and suddenly asked,  

“Is something wrong?”  

Something wrong?  

Clayton’s brief question made Chase pause.  

“Hmm?”  

“You don’t look well.”  

“My expression?”  

Was it that obvious?  

Chase murmured softly and fell into thought.  

For someone like Clayton, who never spoke idly or made small talk, to comment on his expression—it must have been noticeable.  

If there was a reason for Chase’s unusual expression, it could only be one thing. After all, there was only one thing different about today.  

Chase looked at Clayton and asked,  

“Do you remember Sabrina Wintlet?”  

“Your aide, Your Highness?”  

“Yes. There’s been no word from her.”  

Clayton frowned at Chase’s response.  

“No word at all? Without prior notice?”  

“She’s not the type to do that, which is why I’m concerned. Could you check on her for me?”  

At Chase’s command, Clayton bowed deeply.  

“As you wish.”  

***

“Ugh…”  

When light returned to Sabrina’s pitch-black vision, the house was already filled with the midday sun.  

‘How many hours have I been out?’  

Struggling to sit up, Sabrina collapsed onto the sofa, her body feeling unbearably heavy, as if made of stone.  

“Ugh.”  

Placing a hand on her forehead, she felt the heat radiating from her feverish skin.  

She had pushed herself too hard, and now she was paying the price.  

‘I should eat or drink something…’  

But she didn’t even have the strength to lift a finger.  

Living alone felt especially lonely at times like this. With this newfound realization, Sabrina pressed her throbbing temples with her fingers.  

Just then.  

Knock, knock, knock.  

A sudden knock at the door startled her.  

It was rare to have visitors in such a secluded area, even from the village. Sabrina’s eyes widened in surprise.  

‘Who could it be?’  

Thinking it was likely someone who had come to the wrong house, Sabrina didn’t react immediately.  

But then.  

“Is anyone inside? We’re from the Imperial Palace.”  

“The Imperial Palace?”  

In that case, she had to check.  

Sabrina forced her feverish body to rise. Each step she took made her joints creak and ache.  

Bang, bang, bang.  

The knocking grew louder.  

“Lady Sabrina Wintlet, are you inside?”  

“Yes…”  

Her dry lips parted, and a hoarse voice escaped.  

“We’re from the Imperial Palace.”  

“I’m coming…”  

Summoning all her strength, Sabrina walked to the door and opened it slightly.  

“What’s…”  

“I am Clayton Hatchet. I was sent by His Highness, the Crown Prince.”  

Clayton Hatchet. A man who occasionally visited Chase to have lengthy discussions.  

The moment she looked up and met his distinctive silver eyes, he raised his sharp eyebrows and asked,  

“Are you alright?”  

That question triggered a fragment of memory from her past.  

“Are you alright?”  

“…Yes, I’m fine.”  

“Are you sure you’re alright? I heard loud voices…”  

“Really, I’m fine. It was nothing.”  

At a banquet, when Sabrina had been confronting the Viscount of Wintlet, Clayton had appeared at just the right time to ask the same question.  

For some reason, it seemed like all she ever heard from him was, ‘Are you alright?’  

“I’m feeling unwell… What brings you here?”  

When Sabrina asked, Clayton frowned as if he couldn’t believe her question. In a stiff tone, he replied,  

“You failed to report your absence. Even if you’re sick, it’s proper to notify someone.”  

“Absent…? Me?”  

Sabrina’s cracked voice rose in surprise. But Clayton seemed just as taken aback.  

“You didn’t know?”  

Confused stares were exchanged.  

Only then did Sabrina realize that the morning she returned from her exhausting trip wasn’t today.  

She had been unconscious and feverish for over a day.  

‘Oh no. What should I do?’  

Panicked, Sabrina touched her pale cheek, her mind going blank for a moment.  

“I’m sorry. I fainted yesterday and… when I woke up, it was already this late.”  

Hearing her explanation, Clayton visibly flinched.  

“You fainted?”  

Caught off guard, Clayton stammered, uncharacteristically.  

Leaning against the doorframe, Sabrina said,  

“Could you wait just a moment? I’ll get ready quickly.”

“Get ready?”  

“I’ll need to go and explain the situation to His Highness.”  

“In this… state?”  

The mention of her appearance made Sabrina flinch. She wanted to retort, but she didn’t even have the energy to do so.  

“Going there in this condition would only cause trouble.”  

Clayton coldly assessed Sabrina’s situation. He asked firmly,  

“Have you seen a physician?”  

Feeling as if she was being scolded, Sabrina hesitated to respond. Clayton, interpreting her pause as a negative answer, exhaled briefly as if he had expected it.  

“Stay here. I’ll bring a physician.”  

“That’s not necessary…”  

Just as Sabrina showed signs of refusing, Clayton spoke decisively.  

“Taking care of your health is also part of your job. I need the physician’s opinion to properly report to His Highness.”  

“Yes, understood.”  

Sabrina replied meekly.  

With his tall, solid frame, sharp features, blunt expression, and firm tone, Clayton had a way of making people feel like obedient lambs.  

Then.  

Growl.  

In the silence, Sabrina’s stomach growled even louder than before, echoing noisily.  

“…”  

“…Have you not eaten either?”  

Sabrina shut her eyes tightly.  

Was I cursed with embarrassment? Why do I always show my worst side in front of this man?  

‘We don’t get along…’  

Without even having a proper conversation, she seemed to have been branded as a troublesome colleague.  

“I’ll bring something for you to eat on my way back.”  

“I’m sorry…”  

“It’s fine. Just rest.”  

With a curt remark, Clayton turned sharply and left.  

***

“She fainted?”  

Chase’s face turned as pale as the documents in his hand. He asked urgently,  

“Is she alright now?”  

“Yes. The physician recommended about a week of rest to recover her strength.”  

Chase’s expression darkened noticeably. After a moment, a resolute determination appeared on his face.  

***

Was this what they called royal romance-style welfare?  

The day after Clayton’s visit, magic seemed to unfold in Sabrina’s small, old house.  

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, has sent this.”  

It began with a knock at the door, sounding unusually cheerful late in the morning.  

“Does it suit your taste?”  

“Yes, it’s perfect.”  

A royal chef prepared three meals a day for her.  

“Are you feeling dizzy today?”  

“Just a little.”  

“I’ll prepare medicine to help boost your strength.”  

An imperial physician was sent to examine her.  

“Please relax and don’t worry about anything.”  

“Yes…”  

Maids were dispatched to handle all the trivial household chores.  

Thanks to Chase’s generous care, Sabrina was able to enjoy a perfect week of “paid” leave.  

「Sabrina,

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot on my own.  

I can’t decide if I want you to rest without worrying about work or if I want you to return as soon as possible.  

But one thing I’m certain of is that I don’t want you to be unwell.  

I’m always grateful for your dedication.  

Rest well and return in good health, Sabrina.  

—Sincerely,  

Chase Alexander Belfort」  

What pleased Sabrina the most, however, was the note she found tucked inside a bouquet of flowers.  

The short, straightforward letter, written in neat handwriting, effectively eased the guilt she felt for her sudden absence.  

‘As expected of the protagonist…’  

During her week of leave, Sabrina’s loyalty to her job soared to unprecedented heights.  

As she cut into the finest steak prepared by the royal chef, she made a deep resolution.  

She would dedicate herself fully to this dream job.  

She would become someone indispensable to Chase.  

And she would ensure, no matter what, that Chase achieved his happy ending.