RODH Chapter 14

14.

As soon as Grand Duke Kirias departed, I began preparing to head to the Gilliat Count’s estate.

Bain watched me stuff random things into my bag with a curious expression.

It was only natural—my collection of items resembled nothing more than a crow’s nest.

Holding up a rhomboid-shaped ceramic piece to the sunlight, Bain asked, “Wow… is this the document duplicator I’ve heard about?”

“Yep. It can handle about a hundred copies.”

“Amazing. But what about the crystal orb and everything else? What are you planning to use them for?”

Snatching the ceramic from Bain, I replied, “Don’t worry about it. Oh, Bain.”

“Yes, Lord Ruben?”

“I’ll need you to put in some extra effort today.”

“What?”

I deliberately dressed in flamboyant attire before heading to the Gilliat estate.

This included a pair of ridiculous pants that were supposedly all the rage among the younger nobles.

The disguise was meant to keep Tristan from growing suspicious.

However, these pants wouldn’t suffice for my real goal—stealing the documents I needed from the count’s estate.

That’s why I had ordered custom clothes from a designer.

‘Using a stretchable fabric might ruin the fit. Are you okay with that?’ the designer had asked.

I was more than okay with it.

I’d given clear instructions: prioritize ease of movement over appearance, and make sure the pants didn’t look like skin-tight leggings. I’d even paid extra to ensure my request was met.

The designer had delivered exactly what I wanted.

Thanks to that, I could now sit comfortably despite the outfit’s flashy exterior.

“Lord Ruben, we’re almost at the estate. Look, there’s Tristan waving from over there.”

I focused my gaze on Tristan, who was waving at us from a distance.

I used to think of him as mature and responsible. Now, he seemed nothing more than a cunning, foolish boy who took after his father.

To think I’d been falsely accused of treason and executed because of someone like him.

Anger surged through me, but I managed to suppress it, waiting until the carriage came to a full stop.

Before stepping out, I turned to Bain.

“Bain.”

“Yes, Lord Ruben.”

“Distract Tristan.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Just make sure he doesn’t notice me carrying this bag inside.”

The magical tools stuffed into my front pocket were so bulky they made me look like I had a muscular chest.

If Tristan saw me like this, he’d immediately start questioning what I was up to. My plan was to excuse myself to the restroom and sneak into the estate while he was occupied.

“Understood, Lord Ruben.”

As soon as I stepped out of the carriage, I clutched my stomach and shouted, “Bathroom! Bathroom!” before sprinting toward the estate.

Tristan, who had been about to follow me, was stopped in his tracks when Bain clung to him, wrapping an arm around his waist and pinning him in place.

“Good job, Bain. Just hold him off for a little while—I’ll take care of the rest.”

---

Since childhood, I’d visited the Gilliat Count’s estate frequently, so I knew not just the location of the study but even the number of spoons in the house.

Tristan probably knew it just as well as I did.

Which explained how, in a previous life, he’d betrayed me without batting an eye…

“You filthy bastard.”

No matter how I thought about it, we were still family—how could a little money drive him to label our household as traitors?

At first, I’d questioned if my plan to infiltrate the estate was a bit cruel. But if I did nothing, my family and I would end up being the ones destroyed.

‘A price for your foolish greed, Tristan. And you too, Count Gilliat.’

Feigning urgency, I ducked into the house, pretending to head to the bathroom.

The familiar servants didn’t think twice about me; I had practically grown up here.

Luck seemed to favor me, as the study was empty when I arrived.

Creak.

Once inside, I hurried to the desk, unsure when Count Gilliat might return.

The desk was littered with papers in chaotic disarray, but I ignored them and went straight for the drawers.

‘Ian, my father has a drawer that’s more important than any safe. I’m only showing you because you’re special!’

Who would’ve guessed that memory of a childish boast would one day tighten the noose around Tristan’s neck?

Recalling the details, I crouched by the lowest drawer.

If I pressed the recessed spot all the way at the back…

Click.

“Got it.”

Inside, just as I expected, were double accounting ledgers proving tax evasion and records of illegal trade with foreign powers.

I pulled out the magical duplicator Bain had marveled at earlier and began making copies.

While it worked, I used a crystal orb to record the entire scene. I needed three things to prove my case: evidence, context, and witnesses.

I had the evidence and the recording would serve as my witness. All that was left was to fabricate a convincing narrative.

Though, given the emperor’s distaste for tax evasion, even this alone would be enough to doom the Gilliat family.

Smirking, I carefully replaced the original documents.

Just then, the sound of voices erupted from outside.

“My, to think such an esteemed guest from the north would grace us with their presence!”

“It was merely an invitation I chose to accept.”

Nevan?

Hadn’t he left for the north already? Why was he here?

More importantly, I needed to escape—immediately.

I scanned the room but found no good hiding places.

With no other choice, I climbed through the wide-open window.

Seconds later, the door opened, and I clung to the outer wall, holding my breath.

The count strode to the desk, rearranging the papers before calling for his servant.

“Bring out the tea! And that pumpkin pie from last time!”

Phew…

It seemed no one had noticed me. Carefully, I scanned below for a soft patch of grass to break my fall.

I rummaged through my pocket, retrieving a magical device I’d almost forgotten about.

‘You seem adventurous! This gliding gadget is perfect for you. Just stretch out your arms and legs, and you’ll land safely!’

I’d bought it on a whim, and now my life depended on it.

After checking the area below to ensure no one was around, I extended my limbs and jumped.

Whoosh.

Wind rushed past me as my body lifted and then descended. I landed—straight into a bush.

“Ugh…”

But the groan didn’t come from me.

Sprawled in the grass was Lucian. His navy-blue wings flared out like a broken kite, and blood trickled from his forehead.

Why was he here?

I wanted to slip away unnoticed, but the blood on his head made me pause. Sighing, I handed him my handkerchief.

“You’re bleeding.”

“Huh?”

“Your head. Wipe it.”

Only then did he touch his forehead, realizing he was injured. Grabbing the handkerchief, he wiped the blood away, but before long, his wound had healed.

Lucian tossed the bloodstained handkerchief back to me like garbage.

“Couldn’t you at least clean it before returning it? Don’t dragons have any sense of etiquette?”

Noticing my frown, he smirked mockingly.

“What, is dragon blood repulsive to you?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re making a face.”

“It’s because you’re acting against proper decorum.”

“Explain, then.”

Sigh.

I launched into a mini-lecture on etiquette, detailing why his behavior was inappropriate and what he should have done instead.

Lucian listened with a surprisingly earnest expression before taking the handkerchief back.

“Fine. I’ll get you a new one.”

“What are you doing?”

“Isn’t giving a fresh one the proper thing to do?”

“Taking back what you already returned is also improper, Crown Prince.”

I deliberately emphasized the formal title to put some distance between us. Lucian chuckled.

“What were you doing there?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t play dumb. I saw you clinging to the wall outside the second-floor study.”

Damn it.

I racked my brain for an answer. Should I confess? If this caused trouble with the dragon clan, I’d be in deep water—especially since Marchioness Dmitri reportedly had ties with them.

As I hesitated, Lucian poked my forehead.

“I hate liars, Lord Ruben.”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Because I helped you.”

“I used my gadget to descend. You just happened to crash into the bushes.”

Lucian clicked his tongue in annoyance, pouting like a spoiled child—which was ridiculous, given his towering frame.

“Fine. But if you don’t tell me, I’ll scream.”

“What?!”

Faced with his oddly effective threat, I begrudgingly admitted that I had snuck into the count’s study.

Lucian’s behavior was so different from Seor’s—it was almost refreshing.

He seemed like someone who could switch sides depending on the situation, fluid and unpredictable.