Chapter 20
Ayla and Damian sat quietly in the narrow alley, waiting for the man to emerge. The wait had no clear end. At least it’s Saturday, she thought, mentally reviewing her notes with today’s additions:
Distribution, Sales → Gambling den in Count Letir’s territory?
Lost in thought, she murmured, “Could Count Letir really know about this gambling den?”
Damian’s distant gaze shifted to her as he laid out the cold reality without emotion.
“It’s one of two things. Either they can’t catch them despite trying, or they’re providing protection for the gambling den. I’d say the latter is more likely. Gambling dens are quite profitable.”
This was a side of the empire unknown to well-bred ladies.
“Though it’s called the Empire of Glory… I suppose glory can’t reach everywhere.”
His tone remained matter-of-fact. Something stirred in Ayla’s memory, long buried. Before she could speak, they spotted movement – a man passing by.
She jumped up hastily, Damian following suit.
“Ayla?”
“He’s out.”
Damian looked toward the alley’s entrance, but the man had already passed. He grabbed her shoulder and guided her forward. Even outside the dark alley, the light remained dim as if at dusk. The man walked alone, his steps notably unsteady compared to before.
“Looks like he’s taken the drug,” Damian whispered in her ear.
Did he have to whisper so close? Ayla wondered. Her shoulder burned where he held it, and now her ear tingled too. So inconsiderate. Though she wanted to push him away, now wasn’t the time. The man had confirmed their suspicions – drugs were circulating in the gambling den.
She watched the shimmering butterfly flutter toward the man, gently flapping its wings after landing safely. They followed as he walked through dark alleys, avoiding main streets. He seemed to choose this route deliberately.
Eventually, he reached a three-story inn. After he entered, they stopped, and she watched Damian study the building.
Unlike the gambling den, he saw no magical waves. This was just an ordinary inn where the man apparently stayed.
“Should we go in?”
“Is it safe this time?”
“Yes. It’s a normal inn. And we can go straight to where he is. Like this.”
Their surroundings changed instantly. A faint herbal scent filled the room, where the man lay sprawled on the bed, snoring. She frowned at him as alcoholic breath mixed with his heavy breathing.
Damian surveyed the room – unremarkable, but clearly long-term occupied given the clothes hanging and scattered belongings. The general messiness suggested poor organization, yet oddly, the desk remained spotless.
He approached it, finding three locked drawers. They’d need keys, which the man likely kept on his person, given the drawers’ apparent importance.
“Damian?”
He moved to the bedside, holding his hand above the man’s face without touching. Light briefly emanated from his palm.
“What did you do?”
“Gave him sweet dreams.”
With that cheerful response, he began searching the man’s clothes. Meanwhile, she’d also noticed the locked drawers, instinctively sensing crucial evidence inside.
He found a single key in an inner pocket. Unlike noble households with different keys for each drawer, this commoner would likely use one for all.
“Ayla. Found the key.”
“Really?”
Her face brightened as she turned. Returning her smile, he sat beside her crouched form and inserted the key into the third drawer.
“Why start with the third?”
“People naturally check the first drawer, so they’d put less important things there in case someone looks. Fewer people check the third drawer, so that’s where they’d keep the most valuable items. For instance…”
Click. The lock released, revealing a brown, worn pouch. She carefully removed it, detecting a familiar scent from its partially open top.
Inside were yellow candies. Damian took one out, continuing:
“Things like this.”
The Soledina candies they’d been searching for.
* * *
Whether by luck or fortune, they didn’t encounter the Duke at the gate. Jenny sighed in relief. Unaware of her maid’s anxiety, Eileen felt excited about her rare visit to the capital. The familiar scenery had subtly changed, and the weekend crowds filled the streets.
Their carriage stopped at the plaza after passing the Academy’s shopping district. Eileen hopped out energetically while Jenny paid the driver with another sigh, watching her mistress’s back as the carriage clattered away.
Eileen gazed at the wide plaza with sparkling eyes. The central fountain featured a statue of the first Emperor. Her sister had told her it was meant to inspire martial spirit, crafted meticulously by the Imperial Art University. It showed no signs of age.
She walked to the fountain, hearing nearby coachmen’s calls and students’ lively chatter.
Her gaze shifted to the Academy’s imposing building with its massive iron gates. Having missed her sister’s sudden enrollment and entrance ceremony, she’d only seen it when the family collected Ayla for her first break. But her feelings now were different. Had her sister felt this way? Her heart raced with excitement.
“Jenny.”
“Yes?”
“Should I enter the Academy too?”
“…What?”
Jenny couldn’t believe her ears. Wasn’t Lady Ayla running off to the Academy enough? Now her mistress wanted to follow? Seeing Eileen’s entranced expression, she knew it was true. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of the terrifying Duke. Would he really let another daughter attend? Even Eileen?
True, both the Duke and Duchess were Academy graduates. The problem was they’d fallen in love there, marrying immediately after graduation – perhaps too immediately, judging by the Duchess’s expanding belly afterward. Lady Ayla still didn’t know this detail.
The Duke had declared male students untrustworthy, intending to keep his daughters close forever. But his eldest had already fled to the Academy. He’d surely try harder to protect his second daughter…
With Lady Ayla now engaged, the Duke had even more reason to keep Eileen away. If she too found someone there…
Jenny trembled at the thought.
“My lady, that’s absolutely impossible.”
“Why?”
“The Duke would never allow it.”
“Perhaps. But well, there’s still time.”
Academy admission was possible between ages 13 and 15, and her mistress was 14.
Jenny felt her stomach churning. Best to pretend she hadn’t heard anything.
“Jenny, shall we try that?”
Her mistress’s attention had already shifted elsewhere. Jenny followed her gaze. Though distant, she could guess – the shooting gallery. Eileen was already walking there before Jenny could respond. Why ask if she’d already decided? Jenny sighed deeply and followed.
* * *
Michael walked contentedly, new book in hand. He’d finally gotten the novel he’d pre-ordered and couldn’t wait to read it in bed.
“Wow, you’re quite impressive!”
Until he heard that loud voice and saw that familiar black hair.
He’d just been passing by, turning at the loud voice. Then he saw wind-blown hair and met strangely familiar violet eyes. Those eyes were unmistakable – identical to Senior Ayla’s. But the atmosphere was different, reminding him more of someone else: Duke von Dürman himself.
His mental noble registry flipped open. He remembered – Senior Ayla had two siblings. A sister and brother. This must be the sister, Eileen von Dürman.
