The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 86.1
“Leslun came outside?”
Count Camilo, who had been lounging in his chair, turned to the knight.
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
“I confirmed that the carriage carrying him entered Duke Delta’s residence.”
The Count shot to his feet. His stomach jiggled beneath his disheveled clothes, but he did not notice the knight turning his gaze away in discomfort. Slowly, a smile crept onto the Count’s lips.
At last, an opportunity had presented itself.
Count Camilo hurried toward the door, then abruptly stopped.
“If we fail again this time, it will be a disaster.”
If he wanted to catch that slippery Leslun, he would need to set a far more certain trap.
“I must seek an audience with Her Majesty the Empress. No, I must go myself.”
He gestured, and a servant came running to fasten his buttons for him.
“I will speak to her directly and ask for her help.”
***
At the center of the duke’s rear garden stood a small pavilion, its arched roof supported by white marble columns. The Duke’s household crest was beautifully engraved here and there.
When the breeze slipped through the columns, the lace curtains swayed gently. Inside was a round table draped with an embroidered cloth, all of it perfectly suited to Lady Miroi’s refined presence.
Leslun, however, had no time to admire the view.
The conversation he had shared with Lady Miroi had stirred up memories of what he had done in the past.
Though he had apologized countless times, the guilt refused to leave him.
Once again, Leslun bowed deeply to Lady Miroi.
“I am sorry.”
She looked at him for a moment, then let out a short breath.
“You have already apologized. It is fine.”
“No number of apologies could ever be enough.”
When Leslun lifted his head, his eyes clearly showed regret.
“I now truly realize how great a wrong I committed.”
On Count Camilo’s orders, he had kidnapped Lady Miroi. Though he had tried to be as respectful as possible in bringing her and had even helped her escape, it had still been his doing.
That was why Leslun could not stop apologizing.
A quiet air settled between them. After a moment of silence, Lady Miroi smiled softly instead of sighing.
“If that is how you feel, then I will give you a chance to repay your debt.”
Leslun’s head shot up.
“What exactly is happening at the academy right now?”
At those words, Leslun’s mind began to race.
The merchants, the weapons, the smuggled goods that had slipped past surveillance…
But for now, all of it was still suspicion and conjecture. Leslun kept his mouth shut.
Could this be what she was referring to? He had never spoken of it to anyone except Kailos, so he felt hesitant to say it aloud.
“I will help you.”
Her voice was calm, as if she already knew everything. It held not speculation but certainty.
That composure made Leslun even more unsettled. He tried to hide his thoughts and act calm, but the awkwardness would not leave him.
“You do not need to hide it.”
At Lady Miroi’s firm words, Leslun gave a slight shake of his head.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet.”
“Which means you need help all the more.”
“What I mean is… if nothing comes of it, all the time spent may have been in vain.”
Lady Miroi looked straight at Leslun, her eyes unwavering.
“That is a risk I am willing to bear.”
Seeing her resolve, Leslun bowed his head.
“This is not something I can decide on my own.”
The decision belonged to Kailos.
“Then I must seek an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Her voice was calm but resolute. Leslun closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. He could no longer dissuade her.
He was about to rise, thinking there was no helping it, when she spoke.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yes… I am.”
Though his stay at the duke’s residence had been brief, he wanted to deliver Lady Miroi’s intention to Kailos as quickly as possible.
But Miroi stopped him.
“There is no need to hurry. The tea is still warm.”
She seemed perfectly at ease. The tea had only just been poured, and its fragrance was still wafting gently through the air.
“How is life as an aide?”
The question came out of nowhere, and Leslun had to think before answering.
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