Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Did you find this at the entrance to the Aisle?”

“Yes.”

Cassius Brudenell’s face is expressionless, as if he is wearing a mask.

In his hand, was a piece of paper that had no characteristics. Just like the letter that arrived proudly yesterday, on the paper, there was an article made with letters cut from the newspaper.

⌜ The assassins will be lurking on the given date and location given stated before. Don’t think it will be as easy as those you have dealt with. ⌟

There was something written on the back as well. It seemed like it was hastily attached, as if the sender was hesitating whether or not to mention it.

⌜ They came from the Kingdom of Bynell. ⌟

This time, the letter was quite long, so there were visible signs of the sender’s effort to avoid being tracked everywhere.

Again, Cassius was not very interested in the authenticity of the content.

His attention was only focused on the sender and the manner in which the letter was sent.

The ‘Aisle’ was not like a typical passage.

The Duke of Brudenell had a secret intelligence organization called the “Aisle,” which was also called the ‘Aisle’ headquarters.

The entrance to the passage had to be accessible and, at the same time, secretive. So, it could only be entered and exited by manipulating several secret devices hidden in the alley at the corner of the main street.

Meaning that, to be able to leave a letter like this, in a place that would only appear as an ordinary alley unless you are a part of the Duke’s family—

‘…Is it an insider?’

Cassius pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

An insider had no reason to warn him in such a conspicuous manner. In order to be recognized for their achievements, it was right for them to approach him somehow and inform him personally.

Although he was merciless to the incompetent and traitorous, Cassius rewarded the capable and the loyal.

The man in the black hood asked, “Count Cassius, isn’t that the day you are supposed to meet Count of Lancaster?”

“That’s right.”

Cassius nodded his head.

As soon as he received the letter yesterday, he informed the members of the ’Aisle’ of its content. It was not to investigate the contents, but instead, to trace the identity of the sender.

One of the members raised a question.

“I think it’s trying to say that Count Lancaster has teamed up with the Kingdom of Bynell?”

“Just for the sake of slander?”

He scoffed coldly.

Seeing that Cassius could not even remember the name of this member, his ability seemed as insignificant as his head.

Count Lancaster was one of Cassius’ long-time informants, a trustworthy, if not close, confidant. It was a considerable risk to claim that such a man had summoned an assassin from the Kingdom of Bynell, the old enemy of the Duke.

If they are wrong, it will be the informant, not the Count of Lancaster, who will lose their life.

“You can’t risk this just for such a slander, unless you are crazy.”

Cassius was convinced that the sender was trying to help him for nothing in return. After receiving this letter today, that thought became even stronger.

The sender was trying to help, completely hiding their identity.

Their act, in no way, would benefit them.

Even more so, considering the risk of being caught, such as putting a piece of paper in a dagger and dropping it at the entrance of the aisle.

If caught, the members of the ‘Aisle’ would have cut off the sender’s head without even reading the paper properly, because confidentiality was of the utmost importance. Then, they would have brought the paper along with the sender’s head to him.

Members of the organization quickly changed their opinions on whether they had reached a similar conclusion to Cassius.

“Well, I think he sent it purely to help Count Cassius. At least, in the hope that you will not get hurt.”

Cassius groaned, letting out a sound whenever he was pondering deeply.

“Isn’t it possible that interest’s warning itself is a lie?”

He returned exactly what the member of the organization had said a while ago.

They did not need to say something just to suit his mood.

“It does not appear to be a lie.”

A member of the organization recalled what he had received this morning. Though Cassius only gave the order to find the sender, the ‘Aisle’ moved first to determine the authenticity of the letter.

“I don’t know if it has anything to do with the Count of Lancaster, but I have found traces of the assassins of the Kingdom of Bynell.”

“There is a possibility of manipulation.”

“We’re not incompetent enough to find no signs of manipulation, Count.”

The corners of his lips rose.

‘It seemed worth remembering the name of this person.’

“You, your name…”

It was just as when Cassius opened his mouth to ask for his name, another man with a black hood appeared.

“What’s going on?” He said, frowning.

As he was concentrating on an unidentified letter, he didn’t enjoy being interrupted by anything.

“I hope you didn’t disturb me with just trivial matters.”

“Absolutely not.”

The man gasped for his breath before continuing his words. “It appears that the report of the Tovetun Inn has been sent to the guards.”

“What?”

Cassius stormed up from his chair.

In just a day or two, Tovetun Inn had suddenly been reported to the guards like this…?

With yesterday’s warning, today’s warning, and even a report—

‘It can’t be a coincidence.’

As if to prove Cassius’ thoughts, the same member shouted.

“The entire inn is closed for investigation!”

***

The guard, who refused to investigate, saying it was annoying no matter how much information she told, eventually gave in to a bag of gold coins.

It was good to see that they shut down the inn quickly. It was much cheaper than buying the whole inn.

Having accomplished my goal, I returned home with flying steps.

“Evelyn, what are you thinking?”

As expected, as soon as I stepped into the gate, I was immediately dragged to my father, who diligently smeared tears on his handkerchief, and my mother, who stared at me with her arms folded.

When I first transmigrated here, I might not have been very impressed with their behavior until half a year ago, though after living as Evelyn during that time, I seemed to feel quite affectionate towards them.

In any case, if Evelyn’s biological mother, Countess Garneid, is dead. Then, who is this ‘mother’?

Yes, stepmother.

Although, she is not Ophelia’s biological mother. Because the child’s mother was only the daughter of a market merchant.

Her stepmother, the present Countess of Garneid, fits pretty well with the image of the wicked stepmother in a fairytale book. She was born a high-nose young lady of a marquis, and she harassed Ophelia for everything.

Still, she wasn’t a bad mother to Evelyn.

Rather, it is stated in the book that Evelyn even followed her stepmother, who was well suited to her.

Well… Considering that I was about to be put in a psychiatric hospital when I had an incomprehensible behavior, I think I can understand why it worked so well with the original Evelyn.

Above all, the two seemed to have developed a great deal of sympathy by harassing Ophelia together.

I didn’t think too bad of her, though.

She was forced to marry Count Garneid, who had two children, because her father, the young marquis, was slanted.

And one of them is an illegitimate child.

I’d like to applaud the fact that she has been affectionate to Evelynn and raised her hard.

My father muttered bitterly.

“I thought your madness had subsided…”

“Father, I’m not crazy.”

“So, you fooled the maid in your right mind?”

Mother’s stern question stuck in my ear.

That’s a good point, Countess.

I answered in a nonchalant voice.

“Yes. You are sane and you can fool others, can’t you?”

“You…!”

As her face turned red, my father tilted his head toward her.

“Madam, don’t be too angry. Isn’t that a drop in the bucket compared to what this child has done so far?”

“…That’s right.”

My mother reluctantly agreed.

“Shouldn’t the punishment still be imposed?”

Oh, no.

Even if it were a punishment, I would only be imprisoned in my room. Regardless, it would be quite troublesome if I actually received such a disposition.

Because there is still work to be done.

It’s also a grandiose thing!

As my father was about to open his mouth to reply—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Someone knocked loudly on the office door three times. At that moment, all three of us recalled the same person. That is because there was only one person in the house of Count Garneid who would knock like that.

Mother frowned.

“How dare she knock like that, what does she want…”

After her words, two knocks could be heard lightly.

That was the basic discipline of the aristocracy in this country. So, Ophelia’s habit of tapping three times in a hurry was often ridiculed.

I shouted out to the person behind the door whether my mother liked it or not.

“Come in, come in, Ophelia!”

At that, Ophelia came in with shy steps.

“Ah… How are you?”

“I have no intention of accepting your greetings. Ophelia, why the hell are you interrupting us?”

As soon as she saw Ophelia’s face, my mother snapped at her hard.

Her complexion turned so pale that it was pitiful to see.

‘Poor thing.’

However, the words that came out of Ophelia’s trembling mouth did not deviate beyond my expectations.

“Sister Evelyn went out because of me!”