* * *
The next morning
“The young lady said an important guest is coming today, so she asked that you stay in your room.”
While brushing his hair, the maid Elizabeth had assigned to him said that. Sylvian’s eyes widened. No way.
“Who’s coming?”
“Marquis Rooster.”
“!”
“He’s known for being gentle and kind, but it seems he’s been through some rough things lately, so the young lady wants to avoid any unnecessary trouble.”
The maid relayed Elizabeth’s words verbatim—she didn’t want a commoner child to accidentally upset the marquis and cause a scene.
But Sylvian picked up on the unspoken meaning—hide, just in case—and nodded seriously.
“Where will you be, maid?”
“Me? I’ll stay by your side, just in case.”
“I promise I won’t step out. You can tend to other things.”
Sylvian watched the maid closely.
Even if he stayed in the room, the risk of being found was high.
Karl would surely insist on checking the child Elizabeth had chosen to sponsor.
‘How do I escape?’
If Karl had planted a spy inside the estate, it wouldn’t be hard for him to find out that the sponsored child had arrived.
“Tch.”
As the maid stepped out, saying she’d return soon, Sylvian looked around.
There was no time to sit still.
He got up and hastily began packing.
“Roze, this way.”
“Eliza—beth.”
A short while later, Elizabeth quietly entered.
She carried a thick coat and a bag in her hands.
“There’s money and clothes in here. It’s an enchanted bag—it has changes of clothes and food inside. Just in case. You have to escape before Karl arrives.”
“You knew?”
He had never told her that Karl was the one who kidnapped him, yet she spoke his name as if it were obvious.
“It was suspicious. What you’re doing, and even if it’s under the pretext of sponsorship, the fact that the marquis suddenly sought me out. And I also received information that he made a sudden move the same day you fled.”
Elizabeth looked at him with pleading eyes.
Was he really not going to return to the ducal estate?
But Sylvian cast his eyes down and slowly shook his head.
“I don’t want to be a burden to Zeroth.”
“You could never be a burden to him.”
“But I… I…”
Tears welled up and dropped from Sylvian’s eyes.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened.
“How could I… how could I…”
He had said too many things that could be misinterpreted.
Realizing something, Elizabeth paled and nodded.
“Go out the back. A merchant caravan I trade with is here—they’ll be unloading and leaving soon. You remember the house we bought, right? Go there.”
“Elize… thank you. Really.”
Sylvian quickly followed another maid and made his escape.
That morning, word had arrived that Karl wanted a meeting.
No doubt, he too was moving quickly to catch him.
“Lady Graham?”
As he stepped onto the staircase used by servants, a voice called from behind. Karl.
“Marquis Rooster, it’s been a while.”
“Thank you for accepting my sudden visit.”
Karl smiled and looked around Lady Graham.
The maids stood stiffly in line, showing no reaction.
‘The servants are well-trained.’
Seeing no sign of the one he was looking for, Karl spoke.
“I don’t see the commoner child you’re said to be taking care of.”
“Oh, I sent him on an errand today. There were some tasks I needed done.”
Elizabeth answered as if amused that the marquis was interested in a commoner.
“I was simply curious. I heard he’s remarkably beautiful.”
“I didn’t expect you to have an interest in such things, Marquis.”
“These days, the rumors about the looks of your new protégé have even reached my ears.”
Elizabeth responded with an even brighter smile to Karl’s polite tone.
“He’s my treasure. What brings you to the Count’s estate?”
“Surely you wouldn’t leave me standing without offering tea?”
With a gentle smile, she responded with a laugh that seemed to say she had no choice.
“Of course, I can guess why the Marquis is here. But coming like this is rather improper.”
She was pointing out how unusual it was for an unmarried Marquis to visit in haste.
“I apologize. I acted out of urgency.”
As Elizabeth’s expression hardened, Karl gave a respectful bow.
“I behaved rudely. Please forgive me.”
“…Since it’s an urgent matter, I’ll understand. Please come in.”
Only after he bowed did Elizabeth, looking reluctant, lead the Marquis into the drawing room.
She needed to keep him in the house as long as possible—to give Sylvian time to escape.
“I’m curious what kind of help the Marquis needs from me. If it’s about the independence forces, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
“No, that’s not it. I just need the details of the donations and how the money was used at the bazaar hosted by your house.”
“Didn’t I already explain all that?”
“I’m afraid your family’s documents aren’t trusted. I’m cross-referencing them directly with the event organizers, even if it’s rude.”
“Sigh… I wonder how such a thing happened to the Marquis of Rooster.”
“I never imagined someone would slander me so maliciously.”
When the handsome man’s eyes turned red, Elizabeth looked sympathetic and said, of course she could help with that much.
“I’ll fetch the documents right away.”
“There’s no rush. As long as I have them by the end of the week.”
“And what did His Majesty say?”
“He said he believes me, naturally. But public sentiment is so unstable right now… All I can do is hope this gets resolved peacefully.”
‘He really is a good liar.’
The documents Duke Graham handed her showed just how much Karl had donated—anonymously— to an orphanage connected to the independence army.
And yet, here he was, playing the role of the victim.
“People will come to the Marquis’s defense.”
“Thank you for your faith, Lady. I’ll be sure to repay your kindness.”
With that, Karl handed her a small gift as a token of thanks and stood, as if all his business were done.
“Leaving already?”
“Yes. Just as you said, it was an impolite visit, so I should go quickly.”
His smile looked somehow dangerous.
By now, Sylvian must’ve left the estate.
Relieved, she stood to see him off.
“Next time, I hope I get to meet your beautiful boy.”
“If there’s another gathering, I’ll make sure he attends.”
Having been seen off by Lady Graham, Karl climbed into the carriage, his face brimming with satisfaction.
“So this is all he managed—running away here.”
As expected, Sylvian hadn’t gone to the Duke.
Karl had guessed he wouldn’t, not after what they’d done.
Just as he thought.
That overly kind Sylvian was probably thinking he’d cheated Zeroth.
“Sylvian, I wonder what kind of face you’ll make when we meet again.”
He was looking forward to the expression Sylvian would wear when he reached out for help again.
* * *
