Since When Were You The Villain?

an.

“Ah, I apologize once again for breaking the front gate last time.”

At Ian’s interrogation, Killian bowed his head.

‘What do you mean breaking the front gate? He just came back today and hadn’t heard of that.’

“Fortunately, you have restored it to a new, strong and clean gate.”

Killian shook it lightly, checking whether the black bar in front of him was firm.

However, Ian only got more angry at Killian’s reply.

“Where is Sophia?”

“Don’t worry, she is much safer than she was in Frauss.”

“Safer?”

Ian sneered at Killian’s ridiculous sound.
However, Killian asked with a calm expression despite Ian’s cynicism.

“More than that, I came here because Count Frauss was at home.
Is he inside?”

In response to the Archduke’s question, the servant, who had only noticed from behind, ran to call the count, who was eating.

However, Ian had no intention of giving way, regardless of the Count’s permission.

“Unless you come with Sophia, I won’t open the gate.”

When Ian came out hard, Killian laughed.

“I don’t want to break the gate twice.
We are waiting for the Count to come.”

“Even if the Count allows it, I will stop him.”

“I don’t want to fight, Sir Ian.”

Killian politely raised his hands and expressed his intention to surrender.
But he didn’t mean to back off.

“Last time I was very angry with Sir Ian, I apologize for that as well.
I think that day was a bit too much.”

Ian bit his lip tightly at Killian’s clever apology.

When he thought of his defeat that day, even now, it keeps him from sleeping at night.

Ian was ready to fight Killian again.
This time, he will be vigilant.

He placed his hand on the belt around his waist as if he was about to draw a sword.

But Killian didn’t blink an eye, and looked over Ian’s shoulder.

From afar, the Count was coming at a quick pace, wiping his lips.

“Sir Archduke Rivelon!”

During the meal, the Count rushed out and opened the gate to the butler who followed.

At the Count’s signal, the butler opened the gate.

Kylian looked at Ian, and entered Count Frauss’ mansion.

“It’s been a while, sir.”

The Count smiled broadly as he greeted them, but showed a look of embarrassment.

“Hello, Count.”

Killian said in a low voice.

The Count looked at him for a moment, and then calmed his tense heart a little.

Fortunately, there was no hostile atmosphere shown from Killian.

That was a sign that the relationship between Killian and the Frauss family wasn’t all that bad.

‘I don’t know what Sophia did to the Archduke, but it seems to have worked out for the first time.’

He knew it was best not to provoke him.

“Come inside first.”

“Father…!”

Ian was disappointed with the Count who was only kind to Killian and called him in a furious voice.

However, the Count shook his head slightly toward Ian and went into the Count’s mansion with Killian.

~*~

While tea was being prepared, Killian quietly looked around the Frauss’ reception room.

Whether it was also used as a place for business, the reception room was decorated in a rather exotic and luxurious way.

The items were probably from the south that the Frauss traded directly.

The sofa made of buffalo leather was designed to be comfortable to sit for a long time without being too deep, and on the table was a pen and ink ready to sign a contract at any time.

On one side, there was a burning incense candle that calmed people’s hearts.

“What did you come here for?”

The count asked Killian, pouring him high-quality black tea he had brought from an island in the south.
Read only at pm tl.

A sweet and gentle scent spread through the white steam.

Killian opened his mouth as he saw the Count pouring tea himself.

“I came here for the military police.”

“Ahhh!”

The Count’s reaction was delayed to a task he had never thought of.

I thought it must have something to do with Sophia.

Killian took a small wad of paper from his arms and placed it on the table.

When he unwrapped the paper that had been tangled with a string, the red seed inside was revealed.

“Do you know what this is?”

Killian asked.

“I do not know… It’s my first time seeing it.
Is it a jewel?”

The Count, who was looking at the seed with a serious face, tilted his head.

At first glance, the shiny, bright red seed looked like a gemstone of a rare mineral.

It had a high saturation and red color, so it was beautiful, but the black spots in the middle of the red surface created a contrast of colors, giving it a strange feeling.

“It is the seed of a plant called ‘rosary pea’ that is only found in Alvedi.”

“Oh, that’s a seed?”

Count Frauss admired the rosary pea as if curious.

“These seeds were recently discovered on the empire, and the only family that deals with Alvedi is Frauss.”

Then the Count nodded his head as if he knew why Killian had come to see him.