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Chapter 9

“You worry too much, Mrs. Jannet. I respect your hard work of faithfully carrying out the daily work of the castle that even I am not aware of.”

‘Uh…?’

Surprisingly, Kalcion spoke calmly.

“I’m just devoted to my role, Your Excellency.”

Mrs. Jannet bowed her head and condescended without further confrontation. His growing tension was released momentarily.

“It’s late. Send the dinner here in my room so that I can rest early.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Mrs. Janet and her maids bowed before withdrawing through the door of the bathroom. The door closed with a thud, and the room became silent again.

However, Dion was still standing beside the sofa. Feeling his gaze on her, as soon as Selena glanced at him, he retorted his eyes silently. It wasn’t wrong that those eyes of his were beautiful.

“I think that would be fine now.”

Kalcion said, looking at Selena. She suddenly realized that his face was very close to hers.

“It could have been more of a hassle.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“There’s no guarantee that they’ll step down after they’re done digging deeper.”

Instead of explaining to Dion, Kalcion introduced Dion to Selena.

“This is Dion, the head of the Knights. He’s my closest ally. He is helping me with the ‘operation’.”

“Ah.”

She immediately figured out why he was talking about ‘hassle’.

It struck her mind when she heard the word ‘operation’.

As Selena’s acting skills were outstanding, she must have looked sincere to others. It’s true that the strategy of pretending to be Kalcion’s lover or whatever was known to the world was itself an opportunity that was hard for the commoners to grasp. If it weren’t for the operation, Dion would have suspected that she was really looking for a seat next to Kalcion.

Selena didn’t care whether Dion doubted it or not. She was safe since she had signed a contract with Kalcion himself. However, she realized that she didn’t have to act in front of Dion. She immediately removed her arm, that was wrapped around Kalcion’s neck.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

His eyes, which seemed to drip honey¹, dried up. That little aegyo², which had been rising a little while ago, disappeared elsewhere. Instead of a sweet expression, the usual indifferent and nonchalant look settled on his face.

[T/N : awwieee!!

“Eyes dripping honey” is a Korean saying for when someone’s eyes are so sweetly full of love/affection.

This is done by the group, mystical merries. Check novelupdates for faster updates because you might be reading at the wrong site.

“Aegyo” in Korean refers to a cute display of affection often expressed including but not limited to through a cute/baby voice, facial expressions, and gestures.]

“The name is Selena. I look forward to working with you.”

Selena briefly greeted Dion in a chirping voice.

“…..”

She could see that Dion was surprised. But she didn’t try to hide her ridicule.

“It’s a relief that it isn’t anything other than acting.”

The more she was staring at Dion, the more his face stiffened.

‘Should I act here, too?’

She didn’t mean to disrespect her allies, but she had to frown when Dion didn’t utter a single word, as if he was engulfed in an unknown fear.

“May I know the reason why you’re acting like that when you just have to say hello calmly?”

“I was just surprised to hear that a mere commoner got the opportunity to work with the Duke.”

Dion was the only one who believed that Selena really had her heart for Kalcion. Henceforth, he suspected her acting to be so real.

However, Selena was just a being from another dimension who wanted to return to her world. They could easily clarify her situation, but it was better to not let the other people know. They were human beings after all. Nobody could tell when and how one could turn against his own allies.

An unknown being in a world could be wrapped upon in a saintly way or burned to death as a witch. First of all, they’d have to persuade Dion in hiding his identity.

“There could be many people who didn’t get it. But there’s one right in front of you.”

“I still can’t believe it.”

“It isn’t necessary for you to believe.”

“What I meant was being a commoner, are you not swayed by all the riches, power, and honor? Simply put, that dress you’re wearing now doesn’t even belong to you.”

Without him even glancing at her, she stared at Dion.

“I do not want to argue about that matter now.”

“Don’t you know what will happen to you if you’re caught lying?”

“No, but the Duke wouldn’t argue if the dress becomes one of my possessions by then.”

“How come?”

Dion asked insincerely.

Selena could feel Kalcion standing behind her, twisting his arm. He was seemingly wondering what he would say next.

There was no way that another tension would begin. But, Selena couldn’t stop herself from being cautious.

“He’s the type I hate the most.”

“…..”

Dion’s shoulders flinched. As far as he could imagine, the sentence just popped out of her mouth.

“External factors such as money and face are important, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t find anyone who has a gentle personality. Especially one who speaks nicely. Anyway, your Duke is the exact opposite, right?”

As Selena continued her explanation, Dion became flustered. Whether he was nervous or not, Selena was more focused on venting her injustice.

“And if you’re worried about me being after his riches, he has already given his word of paying me back. The Duke has said that he’d double the money I’ll ask for….”

Selena said with great emphasis, as if giving a weightage on her every word.

“No.matter.what.happens.”

Swaying her index finger resolutely, she said.

“I would never fall for the Duke.”

It was a confession that she thought no one would overturn no matter what the world did.

After she was finished giving her judgment, a heavy silence fell across the Duke’s room. Among them, Selena was the only one who smiled refreshingly so as to drop the heaviness that her heart was experiencing.

“Well, then. If his closest ally was suspicious of me, then was I able to pass the act?”

There was no one who could disagree.

“Well, I look forward to meeting you again. I hope I wouldn’t be so surprised next time.”

“….Do you have anything to say before the operation?”

“If you plan it, will you be confident enough to act accordingly?”

“…..”

For the first time in his life, Dion Sibelin couldn’t answer because he wasn’t confident. Kalcion, who was silently observing them, threw a look of sympathy towards him. He had also experienced such ‘first events’ after meeting her.

Fortunately, they were interrupted before the two men could feel more miserable. The servant, who had entered the room with the permission of Kalcion, bowed politely.

“Dinner is ready, Your Excellency.”

“…..Ah, finally.”

Now that she was feeling hungry, she realized that she had almost forgotten about it.

It naturally took a great deal of time to wash away all the dirt from her body that she got from the mountains and decorate it with shiny garments.

She thought she had a long time to rest so she wore a dress and even unintentionally argued with Dion about the dress. Now, the time had finally come.

Even though it was beautiful, she was internally frustrated to wear such a long dress that wasn’t comforting at all during the time of eating and resting.

‘Part of me wants to just tear this down.’

Selena thought blankly, looking at the dish in front of her.

“We’ll talk later, Your Excellency.”

Dion walked away. The servants, who finished preparing the meal, stood up to stand beside them. But, Kalcion motioned them to leave.

As expected, he had something to say. Selena couldn’t stop herself from cutting the appetizing meat into her mouth.

“Go on.”

“First of all, there could be a spy anywhere. So be careful with what you say about yourself, from the next time.”

“Hmm, yes. That wouldn’t be a problem.”

Her eyes scanned all around the room, imagining hidden cameras that would catch her mistakes and broadcast it to the public.

Anyway, there were no cameras or recorders that would be working in this world.

Selena was sure of it.

“I have always been aware of spying because I used to live a high-profile life.”

“You must have been an excellent actor then. Okay, second, don’t act when you’re alone.”

Her unexpected behavior must have been very embarrassing for him. However, she couldn’t agree.

“That would be impossible.”

Somehow, he felt a bit of a pain when she disagreed, but he had to focus on the more important tasks at his hand.

In order to do so, he had to force them in.

‘There were only two precautions that she should take, but still, she hesitates?’

“I wouldn’t stop until the Duke can naturally show his love for me. He should be good at acting too!”

“Should I just quit….?”

Kalcion asked, gnashing his teeth.

But, it was already late for him to do so.

“As soon as I showed up, the spies became aware. And wasn’t that the first time you confronted Mrs. Jannet, to whom you said you don’t usually bump into?”

“…..”

“The fact that the people around you started acting differently as soon as I got here, means that my presence had a significant impact.”

When Kalcion was alone, the natural things, which were as firm as the ground, began to waver. That, too, in the estate of Renbird.

Then what about the society where his influence was relatively diminished unlike here? Selena’s presence would begin to reveal things that would never have been seen through his own eyes.

Selena asked back.

“Are you going to stop?”

Kalcion had his pride.

Not being able to act was also a matter of self-esteem. However, the pride of being caught in finding and punishing the criminal who dared to challenge the Duke of Renbird was greater. He kept silent and continued to eat his meal.

“Well, before we get into the outside world, tell me about a person you’re suspicious about and whom you want me to look out for. It’d be better if I knew.”

If she was to appear as ‘Kalcion’s lover’, she’d be able to approach them, but it was always better to have a bit of information prior to it.

“…Well.”

Kalcion was lost in his thoughts.

“Um.”

“….?”

He could feel a sense of déjà vu. It was similar to when Selena had asked him about his most precious thing in the world. In a word, it meant he had nothing to say.

“It’s not that difficult. Is there someone you’ve been unusually close with?”

“…..”

“Someone with a deep impression?”

“…..”

Selena soon realized.

‘Who am I kidding? He’s not just a noble but a Duke of an estate. He wouldn’t have the time to talk with people. I should give him a better hint.’

“Someone who’s been annoying all the time?”

“…Ah.”

Now, he thought of something.

“If that’s the case.”

“Yes, who is it?”

Selena pulled her chair to sit closer to him, her ears pricked up.

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Editor’s Note:

Updates will be faster as soon as I’m done with my exams. Until then, please be patient with me. Patreon will soon be available as well. By soon, maybe within one month at least. Thank you!

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