Chapter 33

Chapter 33

I thought I would die in that room. Watching the affection score drop in real time was a uniquely terrifying experience. The game world I’d found myself in filled me with dismay. I might find myself rejoicing one moment, but in the next, I would be plunged into incredible danger. My hands were quivering from shock, and I tucked them behind me to hide it. Despite my fear, I finally found my voice.

“I... didn’t know this place was off-limits. Forgive my intrusion,” I said. Though I was still filled with terror, I did my best to hold my head up high. I had to maintain the persona of a haughty, fearless noblewoman. This was terrible.

Winter seemed taken aback by the soft tone I’d adopted in contrast to my confident attitude. “Please come this way. This isn’t the proper venue to discuss business.” He gestured politely, guiding me from the room.

Despite his unfailing courteousness, I had the feeling he wanted me out of the secret area as quickly as possible. I moved as slowly as I could, wondering if a game notification would appear. Despite entering the “mysterious, secret space” as the quest had directed, there was no indication from the game that I’d succeeded.

Judging by the plummet in Winter’s affection score, it seemed the hidden quest demanded that I get out without being detected. I’d failed in that spectacularly. Did all hidden quests in hard mode provide so little information?

This game is insane, I’m not accepting any more of these stupid quests. I resolved to myself, trudging over to Winter’s side. He ushered me to the passageway as soon as I reached him.

Do you think I’m some kind of monster that will hurt the children? I suddenly felt irritated. I knew that sneaking in hadn’t been the right thing to do, but I’d had a great time with the children and taught them something useful. I didn’t deserve to be treated with such suspicion. Then, I heard the kids calling after me.

“Ms. Noble Lady! See you later!”

“Let’s play together again!”

I turned to find the children in their little animal masks, crowded together and waving at me. The one with the lion mask, who’d been the first to defend me, placed a finger to his lips and winked.

Cute little things.

I felt sorry that I couldn’t thank them properly for helping me. I waved at them, breaking into a bright smile, even though the mask probably hid it from view. Realizing the man in the rabbit mask, Winter, had stopped to stare at me, I awkwardly let my hand drop and followed after him quickly. We walked down the same tunnel I’d entered earlier in complete silence.

How did it come to this? I thought, blinking sadly at the words “[Affection Score 3%].” If the children hadn’t intervened with their little white lie, I would have likely been killed by whatever magic spell he’d been about to throw at me. I’d wanted to use Winter as insurance, but considering the state of things, I would be lucky to maintain his current affection score.

Ha… I heaved a deep inward sigh. The corridor seemed much shorter on the way out. Winter stood aside when we reached the doorway, waiting for me to exit first. Though I was trembling with fear inside, I held my composure as I passed him. He followed directly behind me, turned, and waved his staff at the open door. It slid shut.

Huh?

The wall was back to normal, and I stared in shock. The white lines that had allowed me to see the outline of the door were no longer visible. In fact, I didn’t feel confident that I’d be able to find its exact location again.

Winter didn’t seem to mind that I was watching so intently as he worked. He flicked his wand several more times as though he were double and triple locking the secret door, before finally turning to me.

“Thank you for taking care of the children.”

“...”

“But for today, it’s too late to discuss business. Please come again another time.”

I’d expected to be questioned on how I’d gotten inside, but he was simply sending me away politely. Processing his words, I glanced out the window next to the entrance and saw that the sun was already setting. I’d been so engrossed in working with the kids that I hadn’t realized time was passing so quickly. Emily would have noticed my absence by now.

“I’m done for...”

The duke is going to want to see me for sure, I thought, fighting the sudden urge to cry. Since I was already in trouble, I decided to take a more brazen approach. “I’m not here to make a request. You sent a white rabbit asking me to come, so I came to hear what you have to say.”

“Ah...” Winter murmured.

“I waited for quite some time since there was nobody here. I can leave, but the fact of the matter is, I’m much too busy and have no time to come again,” I said. The truth was I had more time than I knew what to do with, but I pretended to have such a busy schedule that I wouldn’t be able to return. I had my pride. “Then the children came out and asked me for help.”

Do you understand? It wasn’t my fault, it was yours. You came late.

I shamelessly pointed at the wall that housed the secret door. Winter appeared taken aback at the mention of the white rabbit and only grew more so as I continued speaking. It seemed that not even a mage had the ability to uncover that the intruder in their secret room was the client they’d contacted earlier that day. To my surprise, he bowed and apologized.

“Forgive me. My clients usually come a day or two after I send them a message... I didn’t expect you would come so quickly. My mistake.”

I felt a blush spreading across my cheeks and was relieved that I was still wearing the mask.

Huh? So, you’re not supposed to come right away?

How was I to know that nobles usually waited a day or two before showing up? Now he’d think I was an impatient client who’d rushed over the moment the message arrived. Not only that but the request I’d made...

It was the request of a girl searching desperately for the man she’d met at a ball!

Winter might even have realized the moment he received my request that he was the one I was looking for. That had been my intention when I’d included the hint regarding the handkerchief. I found that I couldn’t look him in the eye anymore.

“Forget the request. Since I intruded where I don’t belong, I shall overlook that you made me wait,” I said, quickly spinning away from him, not entirely sure what I was saying anymore. My plans and requests didn’t matter now. I just needed to get out. I was rushing toward the door when he spoke.

“Wait,” he called urgently. “Please wait.”

“What... is it?” I asked, turning reluctantly. His navy blue eyes were staring intensely at my face.

“I can’t let you leave like this, not when I made you wait and behaved so impolitely even after you helped the children.”

I felt my face contorting into an expression of pure confusion.

Wait, he was in a hurry to chase me out a few moments ago. Why the sudden change?

“Forget about it. I didn’t really do anything that special…” I muttered, unwilling to take his words at face value.

“My lady, please grant me a chance to redeem myself,” Winter interrupted earnestly.

I was going to refuse and insist he could worry about that next time. I had to get back to the manor before people realized I’d left without permission again. The hidden quest had messed with my plans, and I needed to regroup and develop a new strategy as well. But then the letters above his head gleamed.

[Affection Score 6%]

It was enough to change my mind instantly.

“If that’s the case, I’ll hear what you’ve found regarding my request,” I said primly, moving to sit on the guest sofa. Winter soon sat opposite me, then gestured in the air as if summoning someone.

Teacups and a pot appeared out of thin air, and I watched curiously as hot black tea poured into the cup that had landed softly in front of me all by itself. Since I was wearing a mask anyway, he wouldn’t see the expression of wonder worn by someone who had never really seen magic before.

“Please drink,” he said, lowering his hand and setting the teapot down softly on the table. I picked up the cup and took a sip. The temperature was just right. Winter soon spoke.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but... only a select few people know that this establishment is run by a mage.”

I also know you’re a marquess, I thought smugly. I nodded without comment though.

“Furthermore, no one who has entered that secret chamber has ever left on their own feet.”

I nearly spat out my tea. Hurriedly setting down my cup, I asked coldly, “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m sorry? No, that would be a crime,” Winter said, looking confused. “I meant that magically erasing someone’s memories takes a toll on their body, causing them to fall into a deep sleep. I usually have to carry them out.”

“Ahem!” I cleared my throat, embarrassed to have jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“I would usually have to erase your memory as well, my lady, but...”