THM 06

Chapter 6

The wind gently stirred his blond hair, tinted red by the sunset.

No matter how much criticism he was currently facing, he was still the heir to the Schultz Ducal House. His honor would soon be restored, and just as before, the embezzlement issue would quickly fade from people’s minds.

Even if he had received help from his father, it meant that no one would dare say anything just because he chose to ignore someone like me.

So why?

With a puzzled expression, I stared intently into his eyes. But no matter how long I looked into those mesmerizing eyes, as deep and beautiful as the sea, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

After a long hesitation, I finally voiced what he had proposed.

“You’re saying you want me to take on work for the Schultz Ducal House?”

“That’s correct.”

“Even if I might not be capable of doing it well?”

The young duke nodded without hesitation. Growing even more confused, I clenched my fist slightly and asked,

“Why are you helping me like this?”

Instead of answering, he took out a cigarette case. He placed one between his lips, tossed the rest onto my father’s coffin, and lit the one he held—all in one smooth, practiced motion.

Noticing my frown, he spoke.

“My apologies. I always smoke together.”

It didn’t sound like an excuse, but it softened what could have been taken as rudeness.

Still… my father didn’t smoke. He must have been under a lot of stress.

As I was lost in that thought, his low voice broke through.

“As I mentioned earlier.”

He inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled the smoke before continuing.

“I can’t just stand by and watch the daughter of someone I knew suffer. I also received a great deal of help from Sergeant Prim. Since I can’t repay him directly, I’ll repay it to his daughter.”

It was a cynical answer.

In other words: the person I owe is dead, so I’ll repay the debt to you instead—for the sake of my own dignity.

That was essentially what he meant.

It was a proposal born from a thoroughly self-centered, aristocratic mindset. He probably thought he was being considerate, but arrogance seeped through every word.

Clutching the front of my black dress tightly, I spoke while looking at his indifferent profile.

“Is there any other reason you feel you need to repay this debt? I’m not familiar with military ranks, but I don’t think my father could have helped someone like a fleet commander to that extent. Or is it out of pity for me…?”

The young duke raised an eyebrow.

“No. I owe a far greater debt than you seem to think, Miss Prim.”

His sculpted face remained calm, as if speaking the truth. And someone of his status had no reason to lie to me.

Still…

This offer is way too burdensome.

To become a servant in a noble household, one had to meet strict qualifications set by the family. Discretion was essential, and hiring was extremely difficult.

In other words, you needed a certain level of wealth just to obtain the qualifications in the first place.

There was even a saying that three generations had to live properly just to become a servant of a noble house.

Of course, the Russell Marquisate was an exception due to their severe staff shortage.

I recalled a recruitment notice I had once seen from the Schultz Ducal House.

Preference given to applicants fluent in foreign languages and those with professional certifications.

I could keep my mouth shut well enough, but I wasn’t fluent in any foreign languages. And since I was still studying for a pharmacist’s license, I didn’t have any professional certification either.

So no matter how much he owed my father, this was essentially preferential treatment.

I didn’t want to do something that went against my conscience.

Putting on a polite smile, I said,

“Then I’m grateful, but I’ll have to decline. I do have the option to refuse, right?”

His smooth forehead creased slightly.

“I thought this was an offer you couldn’t refuse. May I ask why?”

“I feel like I’ve already received more than enough help from you, Colonel.”

“That can’t be.”

A faint scoff escaped his lips.

It was the kind of laugh that suggested he found my statement absurd—as if he had done nothing to help me at all.

And it quickly became clear he meant it.

“Miss Edith Prim.”

He took another slow drag of his cigarette before speaking.

“I haven’t put in even the slightest effort for you yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“The position I offered is the same. It’s simply compensation for the labor you would provide.”

I was at a loss for words.

He spoke with impeccable manners and the utmost politeness, yet somehow it felt unbearably arrogant.

“That’s…”

If we weren’t standing in front of my father’s coffin, I might have been tempted.

But my father had taught me to live honestly. He also taught me never to accept kindness without reason—that a certain level of suspicion was necessary to survive.

I stared blankly at the burning tip of his cigarette before looking at his strikingly handsome yet cold face.

His straight posture and restrained demeanor revealed nothing of his emotions.

Once again, I became aware that I was speaking with a noble and bit down on my lower lip.

After taking a deep breath, I answered,

“But if I weren’t Sergeant Prim’s daughter, this offer wouldn’t exist, would it? I’m truly grateful, but I don’t want that kind of help. I’m trying to manage on my own… without relying on anyone.”

At his next words, I couldn’t help but look stunned.

“What if I said it was a request?”

It was as if he had expected my refusal.

“…A request?”

“I have the wealth and power to repay my debt easily. And yet I’m asking you this politely because…”

He paused.

“I believe you understand better than anyone what my reputation is like in Müssen right now.”

He ran a hand through his wind-tousled hair, a slight crease forming between his brows.

It felt somewhat irreverent to think this in front of my father’s coffin, but Johannes Schultz possessed a beauty that could captivate anyone. Only his limited expressions made him seem cold and distant.

“Just from the rumors people spread about me, you should know how far the prestige of the Schultz Ducal House has fallen.”

He dropped the shortened cigarette onto the dry grass and crushed it under his shoe, leaving a faint scorch mark.

Watching his slightly less composed behavior, I replied slowly,

“Yes… I’m aware.”

Even someone with such overwhelming looks and status—someone who naturally drew everyone’s attention—couldn’t ignore their reputation.

I had known that, but it still struck me anew.

Tilting his head slightly, he studied me.

“That’s why I need a trustworthy servant. And it would be most convenient if that person were you, Miss Prim.”

“…And how exactly do you trust me?”

“Sergeant Prim spoke highly of his daughter. He said you’re a rare young lady—upright and honest.”

Despite his words, his tone remained dry.

“Excuse me…?”

“I trust Sergeant Prim’s words. So, Miss Prim, trust your father… and trust me, who trusts him.”

After a brief pause, the young duke stepped closer, closing the distance in a single stride. From that undeniably close range, he extended his hand.

As my half-raised veil was fully lifted, my view became clearer. His deep blue eyes, unfathomable in depth, looked straight at me.

“I trust that you won’t disappoint me.”