If You Wish to Have Me - Chapter 106

Before responding to the greeting from the man who called himself Count Theodore, Kisa looked at the man standing beside her.

The guard that Seyard had assigned to her nodded lightly at Kisa’s gaze.

It was confirmation that the stranger’s identity was indeed Count Theodore.

“Pleased to meet you, Count.”

Only then did Kisa flash an appropriately social smile and greet the Count.

“As for Count Theodore… I know about you from Duke Hillan. Still, I never expected to meet you in a place like this.”

After saying that, she glanced around at their surroundings.

“Perhaps you came to buy a gift for your wife?”

The sight of the Count walking alone without any female companion on this street lined with shops mainly selling women’s clothing and accessories was rather unusual.

Kisa could bet her entire fortune that this meeting was not coincidental.

“Correct. Since I’ve come to the capital, I can’t return empty-handed.”

However, the Count shamelessly laughed off Kisa’s pointed question and once again expressed his intentions.

“But what do you know. I had already chosen my gifts and was about to head back when I happened to run into Miss Vansfelt by chance. I happen to have something to discuss with you, and I’d like to treat you to tea.”

“You have something to discuss with me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If it’s urgent business, you can just tell me here.”

“That’s a bit… There are watching eyes here, and I’d like to have our conversation somewhere quiet.”

Kisa stared at the Count for a moment, as if trying to gauge his hidden intentions.

From what she could see, he didn’t seem like he would back down easily, and it appeared he was determined to arrange a private meeting with her.

‘What should I do?’

It would be easy to brush off the Count now and go to Seyard to tell him what had happened.

He would probably handle it himself so that Kisa wouldn’t need to worry about it anymore.

If she were simply in a romantic relationship with Seyard, she likely would have done just that.

After all, dealing with his relative Count Theodore would be his family matter.

But Kisa and Seyard were engaged and now approaching marriage.

‘I can’t always rely on him.’

Even after becoming the Duchess of Hillan responsible for the family’s domestic affairs, she couldn’t keep passing off dealing with a single branch family member to him.

And it wouldn’t hurt to figure out what schemes the Count was harboring.

‘It seems I’ll have to postpone buying red accessories for now.’

With that thought, Kisa moved her lips.

“Very well, Count. Let’s hear what you have to say.”

Count Theodore, as if he had been waiting for this, said he knew a quiet place and led her away.

Following him, they arrived at a tea house not far from the shopping district, where there was a private room on the second floor that the Count had reserved.

‘What a load of nonsense about meeting by chance.’

It became even more obvious that he had intentionally arranged this meeting after learning that Kisa was here from the beginning.

But both of them knew this perfectly well anyway.

“Well then, speak.”

Without bothering to point out this fact, Kisa got straight to the point as soon as she sat down.

“What is this matter you wanted to discuss with me?”

The Count stroked his beard as if embarrassed.

“How about we enjoy some refreshments first and talk leisurely? The scones made here are particularly famous for their taste.”

“Thank you for the suggestion, but I had lunch rather late, so I’m quite full.”

He smacked his lips but didn’t insist further.

“I understand. Come to think of it, since I requested this conversation without prior arrangement, it wouldn’t be proper to take up too much of Miss Vansfelt’s time.”

After taking a sip of the steaming hot tea, the Count began his story.

“I’ll be direct with my request. Could Miss Vansfelt mediate between Duke Hillan and myself?”

“Mediate… you say?”

“Yes. As you may know from what you’ve heard about me, when the Duke inherited the family, several branch family members including myself had conflicts with him. I won’t hide anything. It was all due to our own misguided judgment.”

“…….”

“Since then, we’ve somehow cleared up the misunderstandings, but our relationship hasn’t improved. That’s why I’m shamelessly asking for your help like this.”

“Why me?”

“Well, isn’t his love for you quite profound? The rumors have spread even to my region.”

A sycophantic smile appeared across the Count’s face.

“I won’t make unreasonable requests. However, if the topic of me happens to come up during your conversations with him, please speak of me positively.”

Ah, so this is what it’s about. Kisa quietly swallowed a small sigh.

She had expected some sinister scheme, but this conventional matter that she could easily deduce herself left her somewhat deflated.

It seemed she had been overly sensitive about Count Theodore because she had heard he was the person most hostile to Seyard.

In any case, if it was just this kind of discussion, there was no reason to drag it out.

“I understand what you’re saying, but unfortunately, the Duke is someone who separates public and private matters. I don’t think there’s much help I can offer.”

Kisa stood up from her seat and bid farewell to the Count.

“It was a pleasure meeting you. Well then, until next time—”

“Wait a moment, Miss! Please take the gifts before you go.”

“Gifts?”

“Yes, I brought several gifts for you. They contain no ulterior motives whatsoever, so please accept them graciously.”

Without waiting for Kisa’s response, the Count shook the bell that had been placed on the table.

Ding ding, as soon as the bell rang, the door opened and two men entered carrying armfuls of gift boxes.

Until the first man entered the room, Kisa had been looking at the Count with bewildered eyes.

However, when the second man entered, she couldn’t continue doing so.

The familiar build and familiar gait. His face looked somewhat different as if he had lost quite a bit of weight, but how could she not recognize him?

“Daniel?”

It was Daniel Lowens.

Why was this person, who should have been forcibly recuperating at the villa by order of Marquis Lowens, here now?

Daniel, who had roughly set down the boxes he was carrying on the floor, greeted Kisa familiarly.

“It’s been a while, Kisa.”

Kisa hurriedly turned to look at the man sitting across from her.

“Count…!”

Count Theodore, his eyes wide with surprise, looked back and forth between the two people before asking Kisa.

“Oh my, are you acquainted with my attendant?”

“Attendant?”

“That’s right. This young man came to my estate not long ago, braving the harsh winter cold, saying he had nowhere to stay due to unavoidable circumstances, so I took him under my protection. He handles tasks efficiently, so lately he’s been helping me with various matters.”

Did that mean Daniel had escaped from the villa with nothing but the clothes on his back and sought refuge with the Count?

‘No, that’s not what’s important here.’

The Count was currently making an expression as if he was surprised, but did he really not know?

What were the odds that he would unknowingly bring Daniel, Kisa’s former fiancé, to a meeting with her?

Count Theodore’s real purpose wasn’t to bribe Kisa to restore his relationship with Seyard, but exactly this: a meeting between Kisa and Daniel.

She didn’t know what intentions he harbored, but Kisa could no longer remain in this place.

To thrust a former fiancé who had ended things badly at someone about to be married—there was no greater rudeness than this.

“Count, I’ll be taking my leave now. I’ll definitely remember today’s events.”

At her sharp tone that didn’t hide her displeasure, the Count waved his hands and tried to stop Kisa.

“Why are you acting like this, Miss? Since you’ve met someone you know, why don’t you have a chat?”

“That’s right, Kisa. I have something I really want to tell you.”

Ignoring Daniel who shamelessly inserted himself into the conversation, Kisa glared at the Count standing in front of her.

“Move aside. Or shall I scream?”

Outside that door, the guards she had stationed before entering the room were waiting.

If they judged there was a threat to her safety, they would immediately break down the door and rush in.

Did Kisa’s threat work? Just as the Count was hesitating and stepping back.

“Please wait, Miss!”

With a thud, someone dropped to their knees on the floor.

It was the first man among the Count’s attendants to enter this room, someone who had existed in Kisa’s consciousness like background until now.

“My name is Emil. I’m a monk belonging to St. Pavela Monastery. Today, I borrowed the help of these two because I have something urgent to tell you, Miss. Even if it’s just ten minutes, please spare me some time. I beg you.”

What? Kisa’s mind became somewhat dazed by the series of unexpected information.

Emil? A monk from St. Pavela Monastery? Why was such a person here?

In her confused mind, she recalled memories of hearing about a monk named Emil.

A few months ago, when she had visited St. Pavela Monastery, Brother Vishius had definitely mentioned him.

One of the monks who viewed Seyard unfavorably. The man who managed the monastery’s pharmacy.

When Kisa had visited, he had unfortunately been away delivering medicine to surrounding villages or treating patients who couldn’t find doctors.

“You’re Brother Emil…?”

At Kisa’s question, the man nodded vigorously.

“That’s right. I am Emil.”

“If that’s true, why are you here with these people?”

“To tell you the truth, Miss.”

“What truth?”

After swallowing nervously, he spoke in a trembling voice.

“Se-Seyard Hillan is a murderer who conspired with Cobi Brown to kill his brother.”

The monk’s eyes facing her were filled with desperation.

“You might be in danger too. You must escape from that devil-like man as soon as possible.”