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“There is something I need to confirm at my family’s estate in the capital.”

“You can’t.” Ovell shook his head resolutely, as if his decision was final. “Do you have any idea what is going on at the capital right now?”

Ovell recalled the bounty that was on Rebecca’s head. The monetary reward was tremendous, so much so that even he was briefly tempted by it.

‘What shakes a man’s heart is not money, but love.’

With that thought in mind, Ovell gave up on the bounty and hid Rebecca. But other people thought differently. Blinded by money, all kinds of people swarmed the capital, especially around the Marezon Estate.

‘And apart from them, there are probably also people who were sent by Count Sorte or Duke Mayhard.’

Anyhow, surveillance at the capital was tight. Ovell took Rebecca’s hand firmly.

“It’s a bit difficult to say this, but… Rebecca, your family…”

Ovell hesitated and then continued.

“Is ruined. Completely.”

It was true. Viscount Marezon’s whereabouts were unknown and the family’s enterprises were either going bankrupt or being taken over by other people.

‘In other words, there’s nowhere for you to go. Except by my side.’

Ovell forced a sorrowful expression.

“The capital is dangerous. It’s filled with heinous bastards who are out to get you, Rebecca. You’ll be safe here with me…”

“I just need to retrieve one thing, Ovell.”

Rebecca cut Ovell off and leaned towards him. The space between them narrowed and their faces grew close.

Ovell hesitated for a moment, swallowing down his saliva. Rebecca’s lip twitched.

“I know that I have a bounty. But if I disguise myself and fabricate my identity, won’t I at least be able to briefly stop by the estate?”

“But…”

“Ovell.”

Rebecca’s gentle voice filled Ovell’s ears.

“I’m already heavily indebted to you. You hid me here and helped me recover.”

The breath that brushed against his ear was enticing.

“So, if you help me this one last time… I will be forever indebted to you.”

“…Forever?”

“Yes, forever. I’d have to dedicate my life to repaying your grace.”

“…”

“Ovell, I’d have to obey… your every command.”

Forever. Every command.

Gulp.

Ovell took a deep gulp. In his head, he diligently weighed the costs and benefits.

His dilemma didn’t last long.

“Retrieving one thing from your home is all you need to do, right?”

“Yes. It won’t take long.”

“If it’s just to get something, you don’t have to do it yoursel…”

“Yes, I do.”

“…”

“No matter what.”

Rebecca stroked the back of Ovell’s hand. The lust in Ovell’s eyes deepened with the soft touch.

“Very well. But you have to return on the same day.”

“That’s more than enough time. When will I be able to depart?”

“Once I obtain a counterfeit identification card for you, I will get a carriage for you immediately.”

“Thank you.”

Rebecca smiled as if she was genuinely elated and hugged Ovell from behind. But her eyes sank down coldly in a way they had never before.

***

Before Yelena knew it, it had been a month since her husband had gone off to war.

Yelena’s days were unexpectedly calm.

‘I thought that the crown prince would try to pull some funny business while my husband was away.’

Thus, she had made preparations in her own way.

Yelena’s gaze went to the pile of papers on her desk. Documentation of all the petty crimes the crown prince had committed.

‘He’s awfully diligent when it comes to committing crimes.’

The crown prince didn’t commit felonies like murder or sexual assault. But battery, abuse, and harassment came to him like breathing.

‘The King is blinded by his affection. To think that he has such a brute of a son…’

It’d be a different story if the crown prince had only committed a couple of crimes. His list of misdemeanors was way too long. If Yelena reported him for everything all at once, the King would have no choice but to punish him with at least probation, no matter how much he cherished his son.

‘I was thinking of using this trump card if he bothered me, but oh well. I’ll keep it tucked away for now.’

Yelena placed the documents inside a drawer.

On the day of Kaywhin’s send-off, the crown prince had slipped and fractured his skull at the royal palace. The fracture must have been severe, since Yelena heard that he was still in the process of recovering even after a month.

“Did my curse work?” Yelena mumbled smugly.

At that moment, the mana gem embedded in her bracelet shone.

“…!”