“Judging in the name of the goddess. How can you say such magnificent words? Even an atheist would be so moved they’d start praying. Don’t frown. It’s a compliment. But can someone so honest even manage to steal? In my opinion, today you’ll be leaving here empty-handed. You won’t get anything from me.”

 

“You slave to money, you brat.”

 

“If you want to plunder my wealth, go back, do the calculations properly, and come again. Figure out what the odds of success are, how much profit it would bring, what the risks are—lay it all out clearly on a single sheet. That’s how you do it when you pick someone’s pocket.”

 

“Ha! Now that’s a detailed and kindly explanation. How very grateful I am!”

 

With a clear superiority in power and a vast difference in strategic depth, this argument held no amusement or inspiration.

 

As Hert lunged to grab him by the collar, Leonhardt let it happen, looking utterly amused.

 

Was it only clear to his eyes? Everyone clamored that the confrontation with the Empire was for a great revenge and a sublime religious victory, but in truth, religion was merely a facade.

 

The real cause was the Empire’s fertile land and resources. The truth is, they covet that.

 

Shaken roughly by his gripped collar, Leonhardt closed his eyes against the light reflected in the windowpane. The transparent sunlight poured generously onto his smooth forehead.

 

Leonhardt blinked, turning his gaze away from the sun. 

 

A shadow formed under his eyes, then vanished in an instant.

 

“…”

 

His eyes, which had been fixed blankly on the door, went still. He saw the silver doorknob begin to turn.

 

In the space where there had been nothing, a longed-for figure appeared, and eyes the color of the sea met the sunlight.

 

Soon, his eyes met hers.

 

“Leo.”

 

It was reflexive. At the sound of his name—the first to flow from Kise’s lips—Leonhardt’s smile bloomed like a spring flower.

 

He was smiling so beautifully. When she called his name once more, he lightly shook off Herth and closed the distance between them in a single step.

 

“You came?”

 

“Yes, but…”

 

Leonhardt spread his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace, pouring all his affection into it. He could feel Kise flinch at the sudden rush of his overwhelming body heat, but he paid it no mind.

 

He stroked her shoulder, then pressed his lips to the hair covering her ear. Likewise, he could almost feel the pounding of her pulse against his lips.

 

‘I like this.’

 

He was instantly satisfied. Wrapping his arms around Kise’s entire body with his heated ones, he poured his terrifying desire into her.

 

‘Tell me you like me, Kise.’

 

‘Tell me to hold you right now.’

 

Kise, stiff in his arms, noticed his unusual intensity and pushed hard against his chest. Her flustered expression was quickly brought under control.

 

“I heard a guest has arrived.”

 

“It’s nothing important.”

 

He was the one in more of a hurry. But sensing Leonhardt’s heat, which felt intense enough to melt everything, Kise increased the distance between them.

 

What happened while I was gone? 

 

Her mind was in turmoil. Struggling to break free from him, Kise spotted Hert, who looked furious.

 

He was the man she had glimpsed just before entering the warehouse. 

 

So, he really did have business with Leonhardt…

 

It was irritating, but remembering his status as an administrator, Kise lightly grabbed and shook Leonhardt’s wrist.

“Did you get in a fight with him?”

 

“Huh? Don’t know.”

 

“Then did you tease him badly?”

 

“Did I? Not sure.”

 

“He looks seriously angry. If this goes wrong, he might stab us.”

 

“Just leave it. It’s fine.”

 

“No. He’s an administrator. It’s not good to get on his bad side. Apologize roughly.”

 

“Should I?”

 

“You should.”

 

“Got it.”

 

Perhaps in a good mood, Leonhardt was being unusually compliant today. 

 

To grant Kise’s request, he turned back to Hert with a smile as fresh as a lime. He glanced at Kise, who had followed him right to his side, and then moved his enticing lips without hesitation.

 

“Sir Hert.”

 

“What?”

 

“Sorry for the trouble, sir.”

 

“What?”

 

“If you’re angry, please let it go.”

 

“What!”

 

“Damn sorry.”

 

“What?!”

 

Hearing such a terribly insincere apology delivered with a truly honest and kind face, Hert thought he might develop a fit of anger he never even had before.

 

Witnessing Hert’s choked expression, Kise confidently stepped in front of him.

 

“He means it.”

 

No way! That kind of language? Hert was pouring with astonishment.

 

“Of course.”

 

Kise’s clear eyes guaranteed 100 percent trustworthiness.

 

🦋

 

So, overhearing their conversation was an unintended coincidence.

 

Kise, who had felt uneasy about the administrator’s visit all day, darted through the warehouse with unusual speed that day. 

 

She stamped each cylinder containing refined cocoa powder with a large ‘Rikent Kerosene’ mark. Then she joined forces with the laborers to move the positions of raw silk and cotton cloth to the upper shelves to make space for the incoming North Sea timber.

 

After checking the humidity and lighting, inspecting for any spoiled goods, and doing a final review of the shipping dates for the packaged tobacco leaves, Kise fled the warehouse as if someone were chasing her.

 

Her pace, already quickened by her mood, became even swifter, almost flight-like, after running into Jance. What Jance gave her was that day’s newspaper and mail.

 

“No way.”

 

Spreading open the fresh newspaper, she was speechless from the very main article.

 

“This is a complete hit piece.”

 

The front page was plastered with a Marée Société hit piece.

 

It was an extremely malicious article, stating that despite six ships having sunk in the North Atlantic last month, the company had failed to disclose this in a timely manner—that this would disrupt the smooth supply of timber. 

 

Due to the company’s sluggish response, citizens would bear the full brunt of the damage.

 

To take the simple fact of ships sinking and spin such an exaggerated interpretation…

 

It was a highly intentional slander, neatly omitting the company’s position. The intention—”We will attack you, we will target you”—was conveyed unfiltered through the text.

 

It was quite urgent. So after that, we ran almost as if breaking through. We reached the office in one breath.

 

That’s why I was able to witness, head-on, the scene of Leonhardt teasing Hert in a carefree manner. The timing was utterly unbelievable.

 

…On the outside, he seems like a capable man. But in reality, he’s a properly unhinged delinquent.

 

Good yet bad, bad yet good—a good-bad guy.

 

Attaching all sorts of descriptors, Kise glanced up at Leonhardt. The eyes that had been watching her curved into a gentle crescent shape.

 

‘Well, your smile is pretty.’

 

But how should she explain something that’s both frightening and cute? She liked Leonhardt’s expressions—sharp and strangely pungent, yet also sweet.

 

Due to her complicated feelings, she was about to step back when, perfectly timed, Hert popped his head in.

 

“But I don’t recognize this face? A newcomer?”

 

He looked at Kise with interest, scrutinizing her. In response, Kise pulled back the foot she was about to retreat with and met his gaze head-on.

 

You’re observing me? Then I’ll do the same. Without avoiding his eyes, she faced him and analyzed Hert’s appearance.

 

The young administrator before her was as tall as Leonhardt and had a slightly lean build.

 

His meticulously tailored uniform clung closely to his body. He wasn’t an outstandingly handsome man, but he had a neat, elite air about him.

 

“Are you Tristan’s replacement? That unlucky pinky-winking Pinky guy.”

 

Using informal speech upon first meeting.

 

In situations like this, it’s either a lack of manners or a sign of high status.

 

Working women are invariably commoners, so they are looking down on Kise, assuming she must be one. But she isn’t.

 

‘Perhaps she could be nobility.’

 

“No, I’m not Tristan’s replacement…”

 

While trying to gauge Hert’s intentions, Kise stepped forward to respond. But in that instant, Leonhardt stretched out his arm, firmly blocking her from moving ahead. He swiftly cut in and whispered.

 

“I’ll handle this and clear it up. You don’t need to get involved.”

 

“No, I’ll take care of it. I can do it too. Please let me handle it. Besides, attending to guests is originally the secretary’s job.”

 

“No, don’t. You don’t have to.”

 

“I can’t just not do it.”

 

“Yes, you can. I don’t want you to. I really don’t want it.”

 

Kise was momentarily speechless, sensing the emotion loaded in his ‘I don’t want you to.’ She had thought he was joking as usual, but now she could feel his whole body radiating refusal.

 

“This guy is on a completely different level from Tristan. He’s unpleasant and disgusting. Annoying as hell, and then some—sticky and irritating.”

 

The line between interest and affection is thin.

 

Leonhardt was a more thorough man than he appeared. He wanted to prevent Hert from taking any interest in Kise, even by chance.

 

Don’t go. Stay here.

 

He whispered enticingly.

 

As if soothing a sulking child, Kise placed her palm on Leonhardt’s cheek. Her tiny voice was barely discernible from the shape of her mouth alone.

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you. I’ll take down the enemy right in front of us. Rest easy.”

 

Saying that, Kise turned around gracefully. The amiably sociable face of a well-mannered woman turned toward Hert.

 

“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Kise Ohara. I work as Secretary Moent’s assistant. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

Hert’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at her cultured tone and gentle demeanor, as if he hadn’t expected it.

 

So there is a sensible and normal woman here after all, he seemed to think, his surprise carrying that exact meaning.

 

“Ohara, you say. An unfamiliar surname.”

 

“That’s because I’m not from the Republic.”

 

“You can’t mean an unmarried signorina came all this way to a foreign country alone to work. Your parents surely wouldn’t have allowed it easily.”

 

“Oh, I don’t have parents, you see. I’m an orphan. I’ve been alone since the moment I was born. I was abandoned. Just like that.”

 

“Ah, no, I, well, I…”

 

Shattering expectations with her pale eyes.

 

With a perfectly straight face, Kise rapidly fired off the secret of her origins as if it were nothing. Struck by guilt for unintentionally digging up someone else’s painful past, Hert was flustered.

 

“I, I didn’t mean to hurt you on purpose…”

 

“When have I ever been hurt?”

 

“Your painful spot…”

 

“Did I ever say I was in pain?”

 

“The secret of your birth…”

 

“That was never a secret, you know?”

 

“…”