“Since we’re here, let’s just enjoy the moonlight. I’ve wanted to talk with you for a while, Crowley.”
“…Call me Robert.”
“Why? Don’t you like your family name?”
“It’s not that…”
“Blood ties are cruel, aren’t they? Hating being called by your family name yet becoming a dog to save them.”
Robert, head bowed to avoid her gaze, snapped it up at her words.
What did I just hear?
Rebecca, seeing his startled eyes, laughed softly.
A chill ran down Robert’s spine, his fists clenching.
Her cold smile made her seem like a different person.
Suppressing his unease, he asked slowly,
“What do you know?”
“Not much. Just that your family is tied to the ancient Kadir faith. And that Zeppelin holds them in his grip.”
No one knew the leverage Zeppelin had over him. Publicly, Robert was an orphan.
Rebecca savored his fluster before speaking deliberately.
“And one last thing… I’m going to save you.”
“Save me? You, Lady Rebecca?”
He scanned her instinctively.
Her legs were heavily bandaged.
Kanna’s brow furrowed.
“Where are you looking? Take those filthy eyes off her before I pluck them out.”
“It’s fine, Kanna. I don’t exactly look reliable like this.”
Kanna clamped her mouth shut at Rebecca’s reassurance but kept glaring.
Perfect timing. Rebecca extended her hand to Kanna.
“Paper and pen?”
Kanna handed her a small pen and paper.
Rebecca scribbled something, folded it neatly, and waved it before Robert.
“This has a clue to your family’s whereabouts. I wish I knew more, but this is all I have. You’re capable, though—you’ll find them eventually.”
Robert scoffed.
“You expect me to believe that? I’ve watched you for years. I’ve searched for over twenty years and found nothing.”
What to do with this naive lady?
He sighed, offering a kind smile.
“My lady, I get enough threats from the count. Don’t mimic him poorly. I’ll help you as much as I can without such threats.”
“No. I don’t want help without conditions. I’m done with debts. Let’s make a deal. I’ll give you this information first. Be my eyes and ears.”
She handed him the note.
Trembling, he read it, eyes widening.
“You’re giving me this first? What if I betray you?”
“I trust you, Robert. You’re Kadir. I know Kadir’s followers don’t lie or betray.”
He burst into laughter, blinking at her pretty eyes.
Now this absurd situation made sense.
She must’ve overheard something, with Kanna filling in the gaps.
It was decent information, but as a countess, she’d have easier access than him.
Bedrooms breed countless secrets.
But this naive lady didn’t seem to know how to handle such information.
She must think everyone’s as good as her.
Typical Rebecca.
Clearing his throat, he said seriously,
“You shouldn’t trust people so easily. Even Kadir followers can be bad. See this scar? At fifteen, I tore off my tattoo in front of my father and left. I don’t believe in gods anymore.”
But she just smiled.
“You’re not just any Kadir follower. You’re Robert Crowley, heir to a family of high priests.”
“Doesn’t change anything.”
“No. You only wear muted colors. When others pray, you rub your scar. When someone’s beaten or killed, you stare into space. You never left Kadir, Crowley. Yet you’ve stayed Zeppelin’s hound.”
His face flushed. She was listing habits he was ashamed of.
And her perceptiveness stunned him.
To nobles, a lowly commoner like him was furniture.
Had she been watching him all this time for this moment?
She continued.
“It’s not just that. I know you’ve helped me quietly. Even if you betray me, it’s fine. This information repays your kindness.”
In her past life, she’d caused his death.
Even if she couldn’t win him over, this was enough.
“That’s enough for you?”
“Yes. I settle my accounts. But can you really stand it? Watching the Devonshire count, who did such cruel things to you, live happily?”
Her lips twisted mockingly.
A glint of madness flickered in her eyes.
“Robert, I can’t. Let’s take revenge. Ruin him until he begs for death. If we work together, it’s not impossible.”
He stared at her near-vicious smile.
Had she been hiding her true nature all along?
The saint he wanted to save was offering him salvation.
Or perhaps she was no saint but a villainess.
Trapped in a dark abyss for years, someone finally extended a hand.
He wanted to grab it, no matter who it was, to escape.
Under the bright moonlight, rivaling the lilacs’ fragrance, Robert knelt before her.
Taking her pale hand, he kissed it gently.
“Robert Crowley. I pledge my loyalty to you.”
…
Early morning, Danae woke abruptly.
Rebecca’s proposal had kept her sleepless, leaving dark circles under her eyes.
She hurriedly dressed and glanced at Theo, still fast asleep, before opening the bedroom door.
“You’re up early, my lady,” greeted Catherine, their sole maid.
Danae studied her face.
“Mother, Catherine’s one of Zeppelin’s spies,” Rebecca had warned, detailing how Zeppelin had undermined the Obelia family and listing his hounds around her.
Danae felt betrayed.
Catherine, paid a pittance yet treated like family, had deceived her.
She wanted to slap her but, thinking of Rebecca, restrained herself.
“I’m going to the market.”
“Shall I come?”
“No. When Theo and the girls wake, make breakfast. I might be late chatting with the market ladies, so prepare lunch too.”
Danae left, ensuring no one followed, and headed to the place Rebecca had specified.
In a dim alley, a carriage waited as promised.
She smiled at the baskets of vegetables and fruits—her family’s favorites.
“My daughter, always thorough.”
“Let’s go!” the coachman called, cracking his whip.
Heart swelling, Danae gazed out at the calm road to the Johannes castle.
…
“They should’ve arrived by now,” Rebecca said, lying in bed, reading documents Robert had brought.
Kanna refilled her cooled teacup.
“Probably. I assigned reliable escorts, so don’t worry.”
“Thanks. Robert’s impressive. Knowing so much about the hounds.”
“He’s been one for a long time.”
Rebecca’s first request to Robert was to investigate Zeppelin’s hounds.
Knowing their leashes could turn them to her side.
Even if they didn’t join her, their departure would help.
She studied their details and weaknesses.
But the information she wanted most was missing.
Grace Duncan, the head maid.
Serving since the previous count, she was loyal to the Devonshire estate, not Zeppelin.
She knew more secrets than him and held keys to every room.
She was the first to target.
But Grace was purely loyal to the estate.
She wouldn’t easily join Rebecca’s plan to destroy it.
Rebecca sighed.
Grace had no apparent weaknesses.
Her only daughter was dead, leaving her alone.
Her motives were unreadable.
“Why?”
Why stay loyal to such a vile family?
With her background, she could’ve joined a better house.
No reason to stay in a place of daily abuse.
Thinking brought only headaches.
Rubbing her forehead, she handed the papers to Kanna.
“I’m done. Destroy them.”
