Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Hizen’s rate of successfully solving cases was 100 percent. Since his training days, he had been an excellent knight and investigator, without a single mistake. It was always simple for him to catch the criminal and wrap up a case, as long as he put his mind to it.

The 1st Division of Imperial Knights did not look very challenging to him.

He had gave up early on hearing the truth behind Leasis’ expulsion. She could not make eye contact with him when she was in trouble.

Hizen knew that better than anyone else, so he could be sure. It was clear that her expulsion was not just a misunderstanding, but something else.

If so, it was necessary to first identify the scene of the incident. Hizen rode a horse hurriedly from the mansion to the Imperial Palace, so dirt got stuck here and there on his clothes.

He was lost in thought, dusting off his pants. As Leasis had been identified as a prime suspect, he had to first find a knight who could deny the accusation or prove her alibi.

Hizen personally headed to the 1st Division’s facilities. On the way, the knights of the 1st Division rubbed their eyes or pinched themselves as they saw him passing.

Oh my God. The Commander of the Imperial Elite Knights, who has never set foot here in years, is visiting the 1st Division without notice. Is he here to build friendship between the two divisions?

Of course, it was an excessive expectation. Hizen glanced over the knights with cool eyes and only stepped forward. If possible, he would like to take care of those people who had bullied Leasis, but today was not the right time. The knights trembled before the reaper’s eyes.

Before he knew it, Hizen stood in front of the Commander’s office. The auburn-colored door with colorful patterns reflected Schwalnon’s tastes.

Such a waste of budget. Hizen mumbled low and knocked.

When he opened the door, he saw a handsome man with straight hair. Karma Du Alum, the Vice Commander of the 1st Division of Imperial Knights. As expected, Schwalnon was not able to take his nose out, and his subordinates were still in place.

Karma was one of the knights who had bothered Hizen many years ago. He was working happily, organizing documents at his desk.

As Karma’s eyes twinkled, Hizen sighed. He was not used to that kind of gaze. Except for Leasis, of course.

“Oh, if it’s not Commander Dratius-nim!”

His high voice was very welcoming. Hizen looked at him while approaching and asked.

“What about Schwalnon?”

“The Commander-nim is absent.”

“When is he coming back?”

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid it will be a little difficult to see him today.”

Karma bowed his head and apologized sincerely. It was not his fault, so Hizen said casually.

“Huh, it’s not something you should be sorry about.”

“Would you like to have a cup of tea?”

Hizen nodded softly and sat on the sofa. When Karma saw him sitting on his own, he called someone outside the door with a happy face.

After a while, a weak-looking young man with brown hair like Max left the office.

“The maids and the servants are all gone.”

Karma’s smile hardened at Hizen’s words. Come to think of it, he had heard a rumor that Hizen cared about the trainee who used to be his maid. At that time, he had thought it was a false rumor. But if it happened to be true, Hizen would not let him go.

While Karma was getting nervous, Hizen continued to speak slowly.

“There are no maids.”

Hizen, keeping a straight face, crossed his thin legs leisurely. He also knew that the 1st Division had given all the works and chores of the maids and servants to Leasis, in an attempt to make her quit.

But Leasis could not return today, so someone else had to do it instead. Something boiled inside Hizen, who noticed that fact.

But he could not make it obvious. He was not a fool, so he did not immediately take advantage of the situation. The timing was more important than anything else to overpower his opponent.

“Yes, the maids and servants will return tomorrow.”

Karma told a lie deftly. It bothered him that Leasis had disappeared yesterday, but it was not his fault. Did she not bring it upon herself?

Meanwhile, the brown-haired man came back with two cups on a silver platter. Karma put his mouth on the teacup first as if he had waited. It seemed like his throat was burning for some reason.

He drank the tea several times and bowed his head. Hizen remaining silent amplified his anxiety.

Karma said jokingly, fiddling with his hot teacup.

“It’s not a big deal. Some knights from another unit have recently introduced a new system. Like them, some of our knights need money, so they help the Division as a side job. Right, Furgin?”

“Yes, Vice Commander-nim, you’re right.”

The brown-haired young man, called Furgin, nodded nonchalantly. His name felt familiar, so Hizen looked at him one more time.

A knight with brown hair and a neat look. From what he remembered, Leasis had said his name. Did she say he had help her clean up?

Also, he heard that Jason had a colleague with such a name from his training camp. Hizen observed carefully Furgin.

However, contrary to his expectations, Furgin was acting strangely. He looked white and could not make eye contact with him. Hizen asked low as he felt reluctant for some reason.

“A new system… How many people are doing this?”

“There are about five people, including Leasis.”

When the name of Leasis came out, Hizen raised his eyebrows slightly. Karma smiled awkwardly and added some words.

“Because it’s a side job, they’re paid more than the other knights.”

“An imperial knight must really need money to take a side job.”

The hand holding the silver tray strengthened at Hizen’s remark. As a blue tendon appeared on the back of the white hand, Hizen’s eyes darkened.

Furgin bowed his head and left the Commander’s office. Karma smiled happily, looking at his back.

Furgin was one of Karma’s few prides. He grew up having a hard time as a child, but he was an example of an knight who had walked the right path. His personality and skills were outstanding, and he was a good son helping with his father’s expenses.

Karma praised Furgin as if he wanted to wrap up the invisible knight.

Hearing the story, Hizen had a strange smile. Now he had a feeling.

*

As promised, Hizen came back to the mansion before dinner. Instead of going to Leasis right away, he quietly headed to his room.

He wore a neat shawl, a colorful cardigan and a silver watch on his wrist that he did not usually enjoy. He checked his appearance several times in front of the mirror.

The butler was surprised by his sudden new appearance and told him about the things he might have been curious about. After breakfast, Leasis had helped clean the hallway and trim the garden with the servants of the mansion. And she had practiced swordsmanship in the garden when she had time.

His expression was slightly distorted when he heard the story.

“I left her at the mansion to rest, and she worked again?”

“I’m sorry. She said it was hard to stay still…”

“Sigh.”

Can’t she take a break? Hizen sighed, re-adjusted his clothes one more time and headed to Leasis’ room.

His heart was pounding. The mansion was cozy as usual, but it looked brighter than a fancy party hall. Hizen went inside with stiff legs. As the hallway felt longer than usual, he worried.

When he opened the plain door, he saw Leasis breathing calmly, sitting on the bed. Hizen tightened his lips that went up. His facial muscles shouted that they wanted to keep smiling.

“Count-nim!”

The red eyes that found Hizen bent finely. She stopped her meditation training and hurriedly lifted herself up.

One, two, three, four…

“You came earlier than I thought!”

As usual, Leasis was in front of him within five seconds. She looked around and admired Hizen’s new appearance.

Did he go to a party somewhere? The silver watch looked good on his white skin, and the colorful cardigan on top of the white shirt blended with his eyes and gave a mysterious feeling.

Leasis turning around him felt a bit chaotic. He grabbed her wrist, pressing down on his fluttering heart.

“Let’s go eat.”

Before Leasis could answer, he hurriedly turned around. He could not help but smile, but did not want to be caught by her.

She tilted her head as she looked at his back. His long, dimly exposed neck was red.

She caught up with Hizen’s steps in an instant. She peeped at his sculpted profile and asked.

“Count-nim, are you sick?”

“No.”

“Huh. Your face is red.”

Hizen did not answer and just walked quietly. She smiled slightly as she walked at the same pace. Walking together like this made her feel like she was still working as his maid.

It was really different. Hizen’s silence, which used to scare her, did not feel heavy. Rather, the fact that they were together like this tickled her heart.

She asked Hizen a lot of questions she had wanted to ask, such as ‘Where have you been?’ or ‘May I go back to the Imperial Palace tomorrow?’

Hizen opened the dining room, roughly answering. The table piled up with all kinds of delicacies made his heart proud. They were all Leasis’ favorite dishes.

“Sit down.”

“Yes!”

Leasis answered vigorously and sat down. Even though she was worried about her problems with the Imperial Knights, she could not convey her feelings to Hizen. Because it was purely her choice.

She ate with a brighter face than ever. Hizen, watching her, said nothing.

Having finished the meal, Hizen wiped his lips slightly with a napkin. It was so cool that Leasis kept peeking at him, and then lowered her gaze. For some reason, her face kept getting hot.

“Leasis.”

At Hizen’s call, Leasis raised her head instantly. Hizen continued, tapping his long fingers on the table.

“I trust you.”

“…Yes?”

“And, I want you to trust me, too.”

Hizen said with a confident face. It was his reliable appearance that Leasis liked. She wanted to talk about her difficulties right now and lean on him.

“The things you’re worried about won’t happen. So tell me honestly.”

Leasis lowered her gaze under the table. As expected, he knew about Furgin’s situation.

Hizen spoke to try to soothe her, as she remained silent.

“I’m not trying to blame you. Covering it unconditionally is not a good option for Furgin.”

How did the Count-nim know? Leasis’ eyes were shaken with anxiety. Hizen sighed as he looked at her.

While investigating at the Imperial Palace, Hizen had learned that Furgin’s father was terminally ill and that he had paid a large amount of money for treatment to a high-ranking priest.

However, there was no explanation as to how a single knight could pay the astronomical amount of money. No matter how much he had worked, it was impossible.

Hizen smirked unknowingly. Leasis, who seemed to be good at everything, had also an unexpected weakness. She even got kicked out trying to cover for someone else’s theft.

But Hizen rather liked it. He had been frustrated and angry at first, but then had laughed. She was always shining, silently holding onto her beliefs.

It was childish but also showed her selflessness, and it was good to see her more in this way and to be able to help her. It was a feeling that he could not understand even if he thought about it himself.

‘There comes a day when I can be of help to you. If there were many days like that…’

He just held back his laughter because it was an indescribable emotion. Hizen picked up one of the biggest cookies from the plate brought by a servant and put it in her hand.

“Don’t look at me and eat. Eat this and wait until tomorrow.”

As Leasis slightly raised her head, she could see Hizen smiling leisurely. The sight relieved her nervousness a little bit.

His blue eyes looking at her were as sweet as honey. After she had eaten the cookie, Hizen picked up another one.

He handed her the cookies one by one until he emptied the plate.