The Unlikely Imprint of the Villainess and the Male Lead - Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Translator: Yonnee
—
“Ahem, excuse me?”
Creak. The sound of old hinges turning echoed as the dark interior came into view.
“Is anyone here…?”
Mary hunched her shoulders as she stepped inside. What’s going on? According to the lady, all she had to do was hand over the handkerchief.
‘But how am I supposed to give it to someone if no one’s here?!’
Could Mister Connor have taken the wrong turn? That’s impossible…
Why is there no one around? It’s not even night yet, so why is it so dark in here?!
Just as she was wondering if she should step back out and consult with Mister Connor, a voice startled her.
“State your affiliation.”
“Wah!”
What? There was definitely no one here before!
Mary froze in shock at the sudden appearance of a man whose presence she hadn’t sensed.
‘W-Wait, is that… a dagger?!’
She couldn’t bear to turn her head out of fear, but she was certain she felt the cold touch of a blade against her neck.
“Are you just a simple intruder? I asked why you’re here. Answer.”
“Hiccup! I-I’m here on an errand for Lady Lillian, I’m her… her maid!”
What’s with the terrible customer service here?
Mary felt like she’d be cut down on the spot if she made any suspicious moves. Her heart raced, desperate not to provoke the man.
“H-Here!”
She hurriedly pulled out the handkerchief Luciana had given her.
“……”
The man, whose identity was still unknown, silently took the handkerchief and carefully inspected it. A white cloth embroidered with a pink lisianthus.
‘As His Grace mentioned.’
The man, clad in a black hood, was Lik, a knight under Richt’s orders. He had no idea what the item contained, only that it was important. His rough handling of Mary was due to the sensitive nature of the transaction, as any leak would be disastrous.
“You’re the agreed-upon contact. Please forgive my earlier rudeness.”
“?!”
What? That’s all the apology I get?
Ignoring Mary’s bewildered expression, the man turned and retrieved a box he had hidden securely in the safe, then handed it to her.
“Ugh!”
It’s heavier than I expected…!
What in the world did Milady order?
Mary looked at the brown wooden box, holding it with both hands. Though it looked ordinary enough, the lock on it suggested it wasn’t just any common item.
“Your business here is concluded. You may leave now.”
“W-Wait…!”
Without giving her a chance to protest, the man placed the handkerchief back on top of the box and began pushing Mary out.
Though it seemed like he was merely guiding her to the exit, it was clear he was more or less forcing her out.
‘What is this…?’
Did I just get kicked out like an uninvited guest?
Mary had run countless errands during her time serving Luciana, but never before had she been treated so absurdly.
‘Oh, Lady Luciana…’
Did I do something to upset her? No, that can’t be it.
Even as she grumbled inwardly, Mary clutched the box tightly to her chest and trudged back to the carriage.
* * *
Click.
“Your Grace, you called for me?”
“Ah, Logan.”
Standing by the window looking out, Richt turned around at the sound of Logan’s arrival.
Logan, with his soft brown hair and amber eyes, had a friendly and sociable appearance, quite unlike the cold and aloof Richt.
“What did you find out?”
Richt went straight to the point after taking his seat again. The badge left behind by Luciana that fateful day—an item that didn’t belong to anyone and gave off an unsettling feeling—was something Richt had been quietly investigating.
“I visited the information guild, as you instructed, and tried to track its origin, but we found nothing of note.”
“Nothing at all?”
“I’m afraid so, Your Grace.”
“Tch. That means it’s well hidden in the underworld.”
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