MAS 34

Chapter – 34

“Customer?”

“Yeah. He’s someone of high status, so thanks to him, even a commoner like me could attend the royal banquet as a guest.”

As expected, it’s difficult for commoners to enter a royal banquet. But if a high-ranking noble vouches for you as a “guest,” it’s a different story.

Still, he must at least be a marquis.

“So Blake had connections like that…”

Thinking about it, I felt a strange twinge of disappointment that I wasn’t the only one employing Blake. Apparently, I had been relying on him more than I realized while staying here.

“When did you start knowing that customer?” I asked.

“Since before. Before I met you, that customer hired me. But now, my regular client is only you, so don’t get jealous.”

Blake answered neatly, sensing my slight disappointment.

“Jealous? Not at all.”

I chuckled faintly. Still, I had to admit, the feeling he described—jealousy, or something like it—wasn’t entirely wrong.

‘Wait… before?’

Blake first met me seven years ago. Considering he’s still young now, he wasn’t quite an adult back then—just a teenager.

“When did he start doing this work?” I wondered.

“Was that person someone who bought information from you often, like me?” I asked.

“Hm. Not exactly information. He bought my skills.”

“Skills?”

“No comment beyond that. If you want more, it’s one gold per syllable.”

Typical of someone obsessed with money—he has all sorts of ways to stop people from asking questions. I made a mental note to use that tactic myself someday and changed the subject.

“So how did you know I was here?”

“I saw you coming by. I got happy seeing you. But… who did you say was going to be killed? Your husband?”

…Could he have heard?

My heart sank, and I asked sharply, “How much did you hear?”

“Just this far. Why? Is it something others shouldn’t hear?”

“…No, it’s nothing. I just don’t like people eavesdropping on my conversations.”

“Really? Then what was it about?”

The quick-witted guy pretends to be clueless only at times like this.

“You don’t need to know.”

“Come on, tell me. I’m bored. I’ll even give you a free consultation right now. How about it?”

Watching Blake act all cute like that, I couldn’t help but laugh. For some reason, looking at him made my worries seem trivial—or maybe it just made my current situation feel less significant, which lightened my heart.

“It’s nothing really…”

“Oh, is it about what I mentioned before?”

“Ugh… let’s not talk about that.”

“Alright, alright.”

He held out both hands politely, as if to say, please proceed. His gesture calmed the irritation that had been rising in me. I turned and leaned on the terrace railing, ready to speak.

“There’s someone who has every reason to dislike me, but strangely, they’ve been treating me nicely lately.”

“Maybe they just like you now?”

“No. Absolutely impossible.”

“You sound pretty sure. Why do you think that?”

“That’s…”

“That’s?”

Seeing Blake’s eyes light up, listening intently to me, I refocused myself. I spoke firmly.

“It’s a secret. If you want to hear it, one gold per syllable.”

“This lady is cheap. Using money like that to tease someone is unkind.”

That’s exactly what I wanted to say, I thought.

“It’s solid information, at least.”

Blake’s eyes went wide.

“You had another informant besides me?”

Does he really think I only had him as an informant?

If so, he’s in for a surprise. I even had another informant: my past-life self.

I laughed confidently.

“Of course. I may be like this, but I’m the Grand Duchess, after all.”

“I’m a little hurt. You went and got another competent informant when you already had me? So, I’m not needed anymore? Boohoo…”

Seeing him wipe his eyes with the back of his hand, pretending to cry, I softened a little. I quickly tried to explain.

“N-No! That’s not it! And besides, that other informant isn’t in contact anymore.”

“So it really is just me, huh?”

Before I knew it, Blake’s sulky expression vanished, replaced by a smile that made his eyes crinkle.

Fooled again.

I muttered inwardly, feeling like I always get manipulated by him.

Blake suddenly asked, “By the way, if your husband treats you well, what then?”

“Ah, wait… when did I say he’s my husband?”

“I’m Blake, Blake! Aren’t you ignoring me too much? A nod and I get it, right?”

Is it just me, or are people like Meri and Blake too easy to read?

Thinking that, I realized the answer: I don’t have any friends.

It made me a little sad.

“Anyway… someone who absolutely wouldn’t do that is acting nicely, and it feels… weird. I start questioning whether what I firmly believed was actually true.”

The way Cidéron acted after returning from the battlefield. Thinking back, something had been off ever since. According to the original story, he could never have behaved this way, which made it all the more suspicious.

Really… would Cidéron actually try to kill me?

It’s obvious that he wouldn’t, yet I couldn’t help but wonder.

Am I regretful now that it’s too late?

Cidéron met Adrina, so divorce is only a matter of time. Then, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the privileges I had as Grand Duchess.

“I don’t know what’s made you so resolute, but honestly, I don’t really get it.”

I turned my head at Blake’s comment.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you really want to divorce the Grand Duke?”

“…Of course I do.”

“Because your husband is planning to kill you?”

I reluctantly nodded.

Blake’s expression turned serious.

“You said that information is reliable, right?”

“Yes.”

“And if, by some chance, your husband didn’t intend to kill you?”

“Huh?”

“If by any chance the Grand Duke doesn’t kill you, then what?”

“What do you mean, what would I do…? I’d… of course, divorce him.”

Of course, I would. I could never fully trust that he wouldn’t try to kill me, and he would never empathize with anyone but the heroine.

But for some reason, the words wouldn’t come easily.

Is it because he’s shown some human side these past few days?

Am I really that easy to sway?

Well… he is attractive, I’ll admit that… hmm.

Blake seemed to notice my hesitation and began softly.

“Remember? Seven years ago, the first thing you asked me was to help with your divorce.”

He smiled faintly, as if recalling a fond memory. I remembered. How could I forget? It was the day I first confided in someone my resolution.

“Even if that decision changes, I’m on your side.”

“Blake…”

“So, if you’re not divorcing, let me know in advance.”

“Why?”

“So I can decide whose side to take. If you don’t divorce, I’d try to align with the Grand Duke instead.”

…Take back my emotions, you greedy money-obsessed fool.

“I’m never telling you.”

When I said that firmly, Blake’s face fell.

“What? Did I upset you somehow?”

Upset? My points are still accruing in real-time.

“Still, if staying with your husband makes you unhappy, just divorce him already.”

Blake’s smile disappeared from his lips.

I let out an instinctive laugh.

“Thanks.”

“For what? This much?”

I didn’t feel bad at all. After all, who else would say something like this to me?

“But that won’t happen. I’ll divorce him safely and get a huge settlement afterward.”

“Impressive, our lady!”

Yes, focus. Not much time left now.

Adrina… she’s incredibly beautiful. Even from a thousand miles away, one could instantly tell she’s the heroine. According to the story, Cidéron wouldn’t end up with her, but…

Hmm. Feeling a bit sorry for her.

She’s messing up her own fate with her personality, after all.

“So, I don’t have to worry, right? Everything’s going according to plan?”

Plan… divorce plan? Or the post-divorce mining business? Either way, my answer was yes.

I was about to nod and speak when—

Shwaaak!

The sound of the curtains being drawn from behind reached me.

I turned, eyes widening.

“…Cidéron?”

How did he get here?

More importantly…

Why is he breathing so heavily…?

I finally noticed his state. His bangs were damp with sweat from his hurried movements.

“Lilia.”

His voice was filled with relief, as if he had found something lost.

He stepped forward and grabbed my wrist.

I flinched at a side of Cidéron I had never seen before. He looked like he had so much to say, yet his voice was unexpectedly gentle.

“…Let’s go home.”