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Join the ServerThe noble lady, who had been rescued and left to recuperate in the baron’s mansion, remained composed with her eyes closed, resting against the headboard. Even her breathing did not quicken in the slightest when faced with the baron’s questioning.
“Baron, I am grateful for your assistance.”
“Though I cannot reveal my family name, I assure you on my honor that you will be duly compensated.”
The baron’s expression did not soften. He had asked for a long while, only to learn that the woman called herself Shally. It was a common name, and likely a false one.
After all, what credibility could a name hold when the person refused to disclose their surname?
The baron reached for another glass of wine, only to find the bottle empty. He set it down with a dull thud against the table, signaling his displeasure.
By all rights, rescuing a noble should yield not only compensation but also opportunities for future dealings—that was the real profit. Yet now, this woman concealed even her surname…
That meant even if she were a genuine noble, the baron had lost the greatest benefit. At best, he could only recoup the cost of the medicine.
Losing patience, the baron rose and headed for the door, unwilling to waste more time with this lady.
Hearing his retreating footsteps, Shally lost her earlier composure and hastily asked, “When will Viscount Lane arrive?”
“Viscount Lane has already left the city,” the baron replied irritably. The very thought that this mess had been dumped on him by Betty Lane made his mood sour.
“Did her traveling companion leave as well?” Shally pressed, inquiring about Lucia’s whereabouts.
In her memory, she had been saved by a girl in light armor, and during her unconsciousness, that same girl had cared for her. That lightly armored girl had been her pillar in her weakest moments, and over these days of companionship, Shally had unknowingly grown attached to her.
She was a rare person who could make Shally feel at ease. If possible, Shally wanted to always stay by her side.
But upon waking, she learned that they had already parted ways.
Now, Shally desperately wanted to know where that girl was, but she realized she didn’t even know her name—only that she was Viscount Betty Lane’s traveling companion.
“Traveling companion?” The baron turned, casting a puzzled look at Shally, who sat upright on the bed. Shally masked her eagerness with a smile and responded calmly.
The Lucia the baron had seen was in her loli form, introduced as Betty Lane’s distant cousin. Such a young child was usually not specifically mentioned.
The baron answered, “Yes, that little miss left with Viscount Lane as well.”
“Little miss?”
Both of them perceived confusion in the other’s attitude, prompting the baron to return to his high-backed chair and exchange information with Shally.
Following noble tradition, the baron had received Betty Lane upon her entry into the city. During their pleasantries, naturally, they inquired about each other’s relatives and traveling companions.
Thus, the baron was certain that the carriage had contained only Betty Lane and her distant cousin, at most adding this newly recovered lady, Shally.
But Shally, who had traveled in the carriage for a considerable time, though mostly in a daze, knew that besides herself, the carriage had held Viscount Lane and a young woman of similar age.
A strange atmosphere bred from their conversation and spread through the room. Both the baron and the lady saw confusion in each other’s eyes.
After a moment, the baron’s furrowed brow relaxed.
He reasoned that the lightly armored girl Lucia had played was likely just a mercenary or adventurer temporary hired by Betty Lane, probably dismissed upon entering the city—nothing significant.
Yet doubt remained etched on Shally’s brow, especially after she inquired about Lucia’s appearance. She murmured to herself,
‘The height, age, hair color all match…’
‘Such a description is almost like that of Her Highness the Angel.’
‘Could it be…’
As she speculated, a bold conjecture gradually formed in her mind.
“Have you thought of something?” the baron asked.
Shally folded her arms and shook her head, saying calmly, “It’s probably as you said, Baron. The carriage only held Viscount Lane and her distant cousin. That lightly armored girl was just a mercenary or adventurer.”
Shally concealed her speculation from the baron.
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