Terriod, hearing her declaration, gave her a very strange look doubting his ears. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereAnd of course, Ellen, accustomed to such things, did not give him a chance to interrupt.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“The more dangerous the place, the more I have to be with you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereWhat if I get discovered or caught in a trap after I get out of here? Can anyone believe that I’m not trying to sell you off?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“…”
“That’s why I have to come with you, I’m offering my body as collateral.”
“I don’t doubt you, Ellen.”
“I know, but I just want to make sure. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereAnd I appreciate your concern, Ted.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
Terriod’s mouth dropped open at the blunt refusal.
But he still looked unhappy.
Caden, who had been inspecting his attire at the sound of the need to get going, said as he tightened his grip on the scabbard hanging from the revolver,
“Alright. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereEven if we’re going to be somewhat restricted, we need to have someone with more information than we do.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereFor one thing, we don’t even know where the cargo is being loaded.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
Lord Morris of Coenheim, interrupted Caden. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereAs if she didn’t want to be mistaken, Ellen added:read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Ah, I don’t know that either.”
“Yes?”
At Ellen’s unexpected declaration, three pairs of eyes turned to her simultaneously.
Among them, only Lord Morris of Coenheim, spoke without much agitation.
“…I see, but you’re not the sort of person to say that without a backup plan.”
It was a conviction he didn’t have much basis for, but perhaps it was because he had heard so much about her from his fiancée, Spaniel Cheshire.
“That’s true, but… without further ado, isn’t it something Your Highness could do with a search using the magistrates?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Caden said, shaking his head.
“I agree that it would be the safest and quickest way, but I didn’t sneak out to see you today for nothing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereI don’t want my whereabouts to be known to Crescent and other noble factions.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
He sighed.
“And the very fact that I’ve been sneaking out and wandering around a place like this is good fodder for them. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereAt the very least, I’d have to have a lead on them, and then build on it.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“So what are you going to do?”
“That’s something we’ll have to figure out together, since we’re partners.”
“Oh… I’ve already kicked the can down the road.”
Ellen held up her palm as if she hadn’t thought of anything else, and Caden coughed once, embarrassed.
“Hmm.”
“I’ve never been to the loading dock to check on the stuff we brought in before we transported it like this. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereAnd I don’t even know if it’s one ship or several.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Are you sure there’s no way…”
Caden sighed heavily in frustration.
But Ellen, who hadn’t responded to Caden’s words and was still thinking, suddenly jerked her head up and called out to him.
“Your Highness.”
“Have you come up with anything?”
“…I understand that if you find even one evidence, Your Highness will take responsibility for any act of transgressions.”
“That’s right.”
“Then let’s go after the customs.”
“Customs clearance?”
“Surely they must have planted knotweed1 over there.”
Ellen slowly explained the rough plan in her head.
“They weren’t just bringing in things they could hide because they were small. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereThey had a route cut through, and they were constantly flying goods through there.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“You don’t tell me… you even know what the smuggled items are?”
“I don’t know exactly what’s coming in today. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereBut I do know what it usually carries.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
Ellen formed the shape of a gun with her hand and mimed firing a single shot at Caden.
Lord Morris Coenheim, who was the first to recognize the gesture, let out an exclamation of horror.
“No way, a musket…!”
“Yes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereExactly.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
Ellen said, unclasping her hands.
“Anyway, there’d have to be some sort of irregularity at customs to sneak that much in, and that sort of thing is easy to find by raiding the inside.”
“I know someone who does, my lady.”
Morris interjected, perhaps realizing the situation was more serious than he’d thought.
“He’s a classmate at the Academy… and, to be honest, we’re not exactly on a lifelong speaking terms, but I might be able to talk some sense into him.”
“Bringing in an outsider? That’s a little unnerving.”
Caden clicked his tongue in disbelief.
“That’s okay, the price you pay will determine the validity of such a promise. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereSo, my friend, is there anything else unusual?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Nothing special, he’s an academy scholar, and like most commoner scholars, he has a family to support and…”
“A scholar? Does he work here?”
Terriod, who had been listening to Morris’s story, exclaimed, suddenly horrified that he knew anything about him.
“Yeah, he does. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereI’ve heard of him.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Come on, Morris, it’s not like we’re the only ones here, and he’s a little…”
“No, that’s enough.”
Ellen pulled a small booklet from the clutch where she kept her belongings.
Unfolding it, she quickly signed it, then tore off a page and handed it to Lord Coenheim.
“Here, take this. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereDoes Ted have anything to say?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Oh, that… fellow is a bit, well, boisterous.”
“That’s okay, it’s not like I’ll be dealing with him.”
Ellen said nonchalantly and clapped her hands together lightly.
“All right, then. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereNow that things have come to this, Your Highness will be my servant from now on.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“… What, a servant, did I hear that right?”
Caden asked, dumbfounded by the suddenness of the sound, and Ellen responded with a bright smile.
“Yep. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereA wealthy female employer and her servant, who came to spy on a competing company’s inventory. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereThat’s the concept for today.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereread only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
* * *
“Manager, you have a visitor.”
A still young looking man exclaimed as he ran into the office.
“Oh, I saw that, too. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereLooks like a high-ranking noble.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Hey, I’m from the academy, but I’m different.”
“I know. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereThe children the viscounts shove in are only nobles in name only…”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
The man, who looked fairly young for being called a manager stood up and said.
“Don’t be such a dick about it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereIt doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s the same to be pushed around, is it? So, what’s the matter with our distinguished guest?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“We’ve taken him to the conference room, for now.”
“Do you have the tea leaves I put in the drawer earlier? Make him some tea using it.”
“Yes, manager.”
In the academy, commoners are treated as rare creatures, and in society, those who come from the academy are treated as rare creatures.
Sick of his position, Dandelion made his way to the conference room, gritting his teeth and wishing he could find out who this pompous nobleman was that had come all the way here.
And then.
“Huh?”
Checking the guest waiting at the front of the room, Dandelion let out a blowing sound as if this was another surprise.
“Long time no see, Denny.”
It was Lord Morris Coenheim, his classmate from the academy.
“I didn’t think you’d make such an impromptu visit.”
“I apologize for the rush. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereDo you have a moment, by the way?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Why are you asking about something like that? How much do you think you can steal from me?”
“Um… Enough to keep you safe?”
“What?”
Dandelion’s eyes widened, and then he ran his hands roughly through his auburn hair.
“Okay, so you are probably a knight of His Highness the prince… I guess those days are gone now.”
“Please.”
“Shit, this is what aristocrats are for.”
He said, tossing him a thin blanket that had been organized on one side of the room.
“Use this if you need it, but just follow me.”
He took off out the door with quick strides, then spun around and ducked inside, locking the door behind him.
“So, what is it?”
In response to the nervous question, Maurice quickly spit out the matter.
“I need to investigate the warehouse at the loading dock. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereWe got a tip that there’s some smuggling going on. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereDo you know anything about it?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereread only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Hey, I’m in the flight department, but… Ah, that’s not my job.”
“I thought it might be.”
“Well, you’re going to have to keep that information to yourself.”
Dandelion made a face like he was in trouble, and Morris apologized again, looking genuinely sorry.
“I’m sorry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereBut you are the best thing for me right now.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Yeah, you must have.”
Even at the academy, Morris had never done anything to get anyone else in trouble.
So perhaps he really had no other choice.
Dandelion let out a long, deep sigh.
“That’s it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereSo what are you going to do for me if I do you a favor? Give me a good reason why I, a mere commoner, unlike you, should take this risk.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Um…”
After a moment’s hesitation, Morris spoke up, a little embarrassed.
“Do you like money…?”
“Huh? You’re suddenly sounding so obvious.”
Dandelion asked in disbelief, and Morris blurted out in embarrassment.
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s really the right answer.”
“What is it? Don’t pause, just tell me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereIf it’s money, how much?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Well, not exactly how much, but…”
Morris fumbled in his arms and pulled out a thin piece of paper.
“This is it.”
Dandelion, who was examining the paper handed to him by him, turned it over and over and, upon realizing that there was nothing written in the amount column, immediately spoke with a pale face, horrified.
“What the hell. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereEllen Kryant. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereThe Kryant family’s… blank cheque?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereread only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Yes.”
“What, is this really that risky? I’m going to have to think about this, but wait a minute…”
“All we really need now is the information about the loading dock, but we don’t know how this will come back to haunt us.”
“Ah, so this is the price of a life?”
“… A nice house in the capital, an affluent academy life for your sister, and a comfortable retirement for your parents. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereThat’s about as good as it gets.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Who. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereThe owner of this check?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“Yes.”
Dandelion was silent for a moment, looking down at the note in his hand. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereHe fiddled with it, seeming to have come to terms with the situation.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“I could work a hundred years at this job and never accomplish this. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereIt’s not enough.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
“…They also added that they would support your sister in Kryant’s name if you were willing to participate more properly.”
“Are you saying you want to become even the bare minimum of a shield… It’s rather strange that the hospitality is so generous.”
These were not the kind of people he had encountered at the Academy.
When Dandelion showed signs of doubt, Morris averted his gaze, a look of helplessness on his face.
“…I suggested that we should recruit you as a talented individual, and there’s nothing wrong with bringing you on board.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
Sighing again at his affirmation, Dandelion reached for the check in Morris’s hand.
“Give it to me.”
“You–”
“Forget it, wait here. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not thereI’ll knock four times, but you stay here, lock the door, and wait.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there
Clutching the stolen check tightly to his chest, he cautiously left the room after once again threatening Morris to be as silent as a dead mouse if he didn’t want to fall behind.
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