Episode 32

“Yeah.”

Strange. It’s strange. Why would he suddenly give such an order?

He’s the kind of person who needs to know everything to feel at ease. He might increase my workload, but he’s not someone to cut it down!

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Did he find out about my revenge plans?

It’s not something I would have known until shortly before I died, but Leonel was also monitoring the residents through others.

He had a separate intention of assigning me that task.

In case I turned out to be a spy or didn’t do my job properly and filed a strange report, it was to have a reason to cut me off.

“You’re going to fire me…….”

“That would cause a riot.”

“Then why are you suddenly telling me to stop the surveillance?”

“They said I’m suppressing people.”

“Who says that…”

That’s the right thing to say!

I hastily covered my mouth with both hands, feeling like my thoughts might burst out.

“Faust. He said you’re suffocated.”

Seems like Faust is the type to say everything he thinks. Well, that’s good because he’ll praise me even if I’m embarrassed to death.

But he’s cool. Thanks to him, my workload has decreased! Next time I see him, I should bring something delicious…

“Do you think the same way?”

“Yes! …No.”

Leonel stared at me with his cold, red eyes for a moment and then turned away.

“Oh, sorry! I was thinking something else…”

“Something else?”

How do I say that my true feelings slipped out? I awkwardly smiled, and Leonel raised one corner of his mouth. It was an ambiguous smile, whether he was mocking or teasing.

“Did your true feelings come out?”

Or is it a smile that reads thoughts?

Cold sweat trickled down my back, but I denied it as naturally as possible.

“Oh, no! I, um, misspoke.”

“…Ever since you came, strangely, everyone’s been crawling out.”

“I apologize.”

“It’s fine.”

He left the study without saying anything else. Once the door was closed, I let out a long breath and slumped into my seat.

What’s going on? He’s unusually easygoing today. I thought he’d be cold or draw some lines.

‘Well, good things are good!’

Now I don’t have to loiter around the tavern or square after work. I can roll around in bed. What a relief!

I sang a tune, organized my books, and went outside. As I tried to return to the western tower, I saw a group of maids and servants gathering near the outer wall.

“What are you all doing there?”

“Estate manager, hello. We were just curious and came to see.”

“Curious? About what?”

As I approached, people made way for me. When I reached the spot, I saw that the grass near the wall had died in a circular shape.

I stared at it silently, and one of the maids spoke up.

“Isn’t it strange? How only that part turned yellow.”

“Yeah, who could have intentionally done such a… thing?”

I realized I had blurted out something without thinking and that it was me. I was the one mentioned in “Who could have intentionally done such a thing.”

I had thrown plant poison in that spot yesterday morning.

‘It seems to be effective.’

I marveled, then lowered my head.

Get a grip, Nelly Pepper! Remember that incident in the field that Lizzy saw you do? If they discover that the liquid you spread in the field killed the grass, you might be kicked out penniless.

“Um, I think someone might have urinated here!”

It was a desperate excuse, but no one seemed to believe it.

“Ah, urine wouldn’t do this.”

The servants nodded in agreement with the servant’s words.

“Did you spread poison?”

Without realizing it, I held my breath. I kept my mouth shut, but the maids shook their heads.

“Maybe some insects or animals around here died.”

“Perhaps a fairy sat here?”

The youngest servant turned to me with sparkling eyes.

Why, why is he looking at me like that? Did he see something?

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and avoided eye contact. They all seemed to want to protect the innocence of the boy.

Yeah, it’s better to have it blamed on fairies than someone intentionally poisoning it. I awkwardly smiled and nodded my head.

“It doesn’t seem like a big deal, so I’ll go!”

“Yes. Go ahead, Manager.”

I quickly moved away, greeting people.

I was anxious. It would reach Leonel’s ears. What should I say if he calls me in for questioning?

…What should I say? I’ll just have to figure it out.

I pulled myself together and went back to my room.

At times like this, I wished I could pet Guadang for some comfort.

‘It’s still early, so Roman probably hasn’t woken up yet.’

I headed towards the stable and, as expected, it was quiet in the pasture.

I walked quietly in the direction of the donkeys.

There were huge piles of hay on one side. It seemed like they hadn’t been fed for a few days.

‘Isn’t he feeding them?’

Oh no, he probably piled it up like that to let them graze on fresh grass.

Whether he was a spy or not, as the ranch keeper, he should feed them well. Otherwise, he’d be suspected in no time.

“Guadang!”

Guadang perked up at the sound of my voice. And contrary to his quiet name, he made a noisy noise.

“Shh! Guadang. Be quiet! If Roman finds out, I’ll be kicked out!”

However, Guadang continued to make a racket.

Well, what can you expect from a donkey? It’s not a person, after all.

“I’ll give you a carrot. Are you being good?”

I took a carrot out of my bag and shook it. Guadang eagerly bit into it.

I was glad I had brought it. I was smiling proudly when I made eye contact with the donkey next to me.

The donkey’s mouth was making a slurping noise. It seemed like it was about to start crying, so I handed it a carrot, and it quieted down.

But the problem was that there were three more donkeys.

“Quaaaak, squeak, squeak, squeak!”

These stubborn donkeys!

I gave carrots to the noisy ones, but they kept on braying. I had no choice but to give them some hay, and they started eating with their heads down.

“Are you all hungry?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Eek!”

Why is he moving around so quietly like that?

I held my chest and exhaled, and Roman approached step by step.

I had loosened the lock on the donkey pen, just in case.

“I, I just came to see Guadang.”

Roman looked at me without saying a word.

Why is he looking at me like that? Well, he did tell me not to come last time, though.

No, he’s right. I need permission from the Duke to borrow Guadang.

I can at least come to visit, right?

I stood up straight and lifted my chin confidently.

“Is that not allowed?”

“It’s not allowed, up to a point.”

Roman replied in a stubborn voice and turned away.

Is that the same person? He seemed so sharp last time. Now, it’s the complete opposite.

“You can come often.”

He seemed to hope for that.

Did he expect me to agree to that…?

“I’ll even let you borrow Vexiadria Larelius.”

“I’ll come often!”

“Well then, as a commemoration, please have some tea inside before you go.”

That’s a bit too suspicious.

Even from a horse’s back, I could tell this invitation had a purpose.

“Are you going to ask about the Duke again, like last time?”

Roman’s face hardened. But he didn’t deny it.

“I have a keen interest in the Duke.”

Do spies normally gather information so blatantly? Or maybe I misunderstood something?

Well, a spy wouldn’t openly ask questions like that. They wouldn’t be so conspicuous.

But if that’s not it, why would he be interested in Leonel? Usually, he’d be scared of him.

‘Could it be because he’s handsome?’

I thought about his face for a moment. Even I, who harbored so much resentment, occasionally found myself drawn to him; but he must look so handsome in the eyes of Roman, who has no grudges.

The residents were somewhat afraid of Leonel’s temperament and kept their distance. But now that Roman had just become the ranch keeper, he didn’t know Leonel and was probably not afraid of him either.

“Perhaps you…”

“I admire him.”

“Love…”

“I admire him.”

Right, let’s stick with admiration. But for whatever reason, I didn’t want to be alone with Roman in the cabin. I wasn’t particularly sociable, to the point of laughing and joking with uncomfortable people.

Roman’s stern expression was a bit frightening. If Frer walked around with a dazed expression from lack of sleep, Roman seemed to have an expression as if he were drugged.

“But it’s already time for me to go to work.”

“Then, after work…”

As Roman persistently tried to persuade me, a loud voice was heard from a distance.

“Roman! Hey, Roman!”

It’s Faust! This is just what I needed; it’s perfect timing.

I walked past Roman toward the direction of the voice.

“Faust!”

“It’s the manager, right? What’s going on so early in the morning?”

“I came to see Guadang.”

“Guadang?”

“Yes! Let me introduce you.”

I led Faust toward the donkey pen. Roman had gone back inside the cabin.

I introduced Guadang to Faust and asked.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I came to establish friendship with Roman. Roman! Wake up! Let’s have breakfast together!”

His voice was so loud that it made my ears ring.

He couldn’t ignore a voice louder than the donkeys’ cries. The cabin door opened.

I looked at Roman, who came out with a displeased expression, then whispered to Faust before he could grab me.

“Don’t get too close to him. Don’t talk about the Duke!”

And then, before Roman could catch me, I quickly walked away from the pasture.