TPHT 09

Chapter 09

I let his nonsense go in one ear and out the other, then launched into a speech.

“Raising a child isn’t something you can take so lightly. To you, it might just be a little kid, but to that child, you’re their whole world! Besides, if you need an heir, you could just bring in any relative. Why does it have to be a child you don’t even know?”

“You don’t get it? It’s because there’s no decent kid among my relatives.”

Cain’s voice sounded genuinely incredulous.

I sighed.

“So you think I know some decent kid?”

“You’ve got a good eye.”

Cain said it proudly.

“You’re the one who found my talent, after all.”

“…”

For a moment, I was speechless.

Because his words brought back old memories.

My academy life started out hopeful, but in the end, it remained a nightmare. That was precisely why I’d pushed myself to skip grades repeatedly and graduate two years ahead of my peers.

But the anecdote Cain mentioned was from around the time I first enrolled.

It remained a precious memory for me, in its own way.

‘Still, that’s all in the past.’

I had no reason to help Cain now.

And…

“How did you know I was staying in Arendelle?”

“I went to your office, but you weren’t there. When I asked the bureau chief, he told me right away.”

“…”

It was a mistake to have written down my lodging address for emergency purposes.

“Anyway, no. I don’t have the ability, and I don’t know any kids.”

“Tessa…”

There he goes again.

Well, I suppose he acts that way because plenty of women fall for that pitiful eyebrow-furrowing act he does, hunching that lanky frame of his.

Back in the academy, he was just a tall beanpole. I don’t know when his shoulders got so broad.

But if he thought it would work on me, he was mistaken.

I know that bastard’s true nature all too well.

I coldly turned my back.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. Don’t come looking for me again.”

If he had any conscience, I figured he’d at least give me a carriage ride back to the hotel…

Unfortunately, Cain Incaris and conscience are one of the least compatible pairings in the world.

“How are you planning to get there? Walk?”

“…”

I stopped dead in my tracks and remained silent.

I could see right through him, so I didn’t even feel like responding.

“Uh, oh. Tessa, are you angry?”

Now you notice.

“It was a joke. Sorry. Are you really upset?”

Despite his increasingly earnest voice, I didn’t budge.

Cain quickly walked up to face me. His amber eyes, filled with desperation, chased my gaze every which way.

“I’m sorry for joking around. It’s just that I was so happy to see you after so long.”

His subordinates all looked pale with shock.

That figures.

Cain Incaris is not a man who apologizes easily.

…Unfortunately for him, I’ve heard it quite often.

Which just goes to show how much he owes me.

I folded my arms.

“Glad you understand.”

“Well, Tessa… I’ll give you a ride.”

Hmm, at least he has that much sense.

If he’d tried to keep me around any longer, I was ready to expose his embarrassing secrets to the world.

But there was no way I was going back with him.

“Not you. I’d prefer that person to take me.”

I pointed at the soldier who had brought me here.

“That guy?”

Cain’s face scrunched up.

“I’m way more reliable! And come on, we haven’t seen each other in ages. Aren’t you even happy to see me? I’ve got so much to talk to you about.”

“…Cain.”

I slowly opened my mouth.

“What do you think your parents would say if they saw us like this?”

Cain rolled his eyes.

“They’d probably be happy? Both of them liked you more than me, after all.”

I stared at him in disbelief. The former Commander-in-Chief Incaris and his wife never liked me.

Of course, they treated me well enough.

Given that I was in the position of having saved their son.

But there’s one fact Cain seems completely unaware of.

How they sharpened their knives, afraid that an impertinent commoner might bewitch their precious son and end up marrying him.

That foul-tempered little brat—I’ll be the one rejecting him!

…I think that was the last time I saw them.

I assumed that message had been relayed to Cain, but seeing how clueless he is, they must have been too ashamed of their own disgraceful behavior.

“Anyway, I’d much prefer that person.”

“Tessa!”

Unfortunately, the soldier didn’t seem at all inclined to oblige my request.

“Deputy Bureau Chief, I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave. I don’t want to cause any trouble…”

“Oh, really? Then how about you, sir?”

“I-I’m sorry! I suddenly have a terrible migraine…”

“And you?”

“I’m sorry!”

As if they had rehearsed it.

Cain’s subordinates all just spouted apologies.

Beyond their pale, terrified faces, Cain flashed a lovely, bright smile.

“All settled now, Tessa?”

…You damned bastard.

“Be careful, Tessa.”

The moment we were alone in the carriage, that’s what he came out with.

I stared at him, sitting across from me.

“About what?”

“The Grand Duke of Karditsa.”

“…”

So that was it. His plea for help adopting an heir was nothing but a flimsy excuse.

Cain certainly knew that the Child Protection Bureau handled matters that had practically nothing to do with children.

Cain grimaced.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but that man is not someone to take lightly.”

“I know.”

I answered curtly.

“Does the person you know spend time with his sister?”

“It just ended up that way.”

“Tessa…”

Cain sighed.

“That man is dangerous. I wish you’d stay away from the Grand Ducal family.”

My body stiffened involuntarily.

Surely, Cain hadn’t gotten wind of the rebellion plan. If he had, he’d have been much more direct.

But there had to be a reason he was warning me.

“…I just happened to become acquainted with the young lady. You don’t have to worry.”

“Lady Melisa is only ten years old. Do you really think that makes sense?”

“Whether it makes sense or not, it’s the truth.”

Cain let out a humorless laugh, “Ha.”

“You really don’t know anything, do you? There’s a rumor spreading that the Grand Duke has taken an interest in you.”

“…?”

I blinked.

What he was implying now, surely…

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s all over the rumor mill that the Grand Duke wants to take you as his mistress.”

Cain kindly explained.

“Of course, I don’t think it’s true. You’re very particular about looks, after all. And the Grand Duke is… a bit lacking.”

What the hell is this bastard saying?

Achilles Karditsa was so handsome just looking at him was dazzling.

Enough to captivate even me, who rarely gets fazed by appearance.

Still, learning it was all due to a misunderstanding put my mind at ease.

I scoffed.

“That kind of ridiculous rumor was going around?”

“It makes sense. The Grand Duke of Karditsa hasn’t shown any interest in women since his fiancée died a few years ago. Then you showed up.”

I frowned.

‘People wouldn’t know the details… and the Grand Duke suddenly started acting as my backer, so it makes sense that rumors like that would spread.’

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be careful.”

Cain had come all the way to the Child Protection Bureau, even followed me to my vacation spot because he was worried about me.

I almost felt bad for doubting and being wary of him, despite the fact that he owed me from our academy days.

A short while later, the carriage arrived at the hotel.

Cain didn’t even say a proper goodbye; as soon as I got off, he had the carriage drive away.

…Not that I’m particularly disappointed.

Not at all.

Luckily, the book was still on the table where I’d left it.

To calm my troubled mind, I picked it up again, and it grew more and more intriguing.

Just as I reached the final page, a voice dripping with annoyance pierced my ears.

A conversation I couldn’t help but hear even if I didn’t want to.

“No rooms? What do you mean by that?”

“I apologize, madam. There are currently no vacant rooms. If you try another hotel…”

“Nonsense. We sent a servant two months ago. Didn’t he make the reservation properly?”

“No servant from the Marquis de Diver has ever come.”

The hotel manager looked troubled and flipped through some documents.

“I record every reservation, but as you can see, there isn’t a single one from the Marquis de Diver…”

“Hmph.”

The Marchioness de Diver glared at the servant standing politely beside her holding her bags.

Smack!

A sharp slapping sound rang out.

The short servant who tumbled to the floor only bowed his head deeply, saying nothing.

‘Wait a minute.’

My eyes widened involuntarily.

At first glance, I thought he was just a small-statured servant, but looking closer…

‘He’s a child.