His Highness’ Secret Accountant

Knock, knock, knock.

With a knock, Mason stepped inside the office while keeping a stiff expression.

At the same time, Mason's gaze quickly scanned the interior.

Confirming that Ayla was not present, Mason stood in front of Theon and hesitated to speak.

"Why? Did something happen again?"

Theon asked in an indifferent voice, with his eyes fixed on the documents he was looking at.

Theon had originally boasted about his deadly workload.

Unfortunately, after the King lost his strength, his work grew exponentially.

Thanks to that, he had no choice but to return to work and focus even during break time.

Even more so on the days when Ayla was away, like today.

Although he clearly felt Ayla's absence at the rushing work, he couldn't show it.

Since Ayla had been waiting for this day to prepare a return gift for the Counts.

Between nursing Eden and helping Theon with his work, she went up and down the stairs several times a day.

Even if she didn't say anything, it must have been too much for her alone.

There was no way he could not know that, so he thought about it even more.

He wanted to help her feel at ease for just one day.

As Mason hesitated to answer with his mouth shut, Theon swept up his hair and kept a crooked gaze.

"If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm very busy because of my competent secretary."

"…"

Despite Theon's sarcasm, Mason remained silent.

Mason kept a firm expression, as if making fun of him for thinking that he would get very angry and ask him what he was saying that was so upsetting.

Theon tilted his head and slowly raised his gaze at Mason's unusual reaction.

"What's going on?"

"Eden… regained consciousness."

"…"

At the same time as Mason finished speaking, Theon put down the fountain pen that he was holding and organized his surroundings.

"Lead the way."

Then, Theon picked up the cloak that was hanging on one side of the office and continued.

"It seems like he responded to the healing magic. I was very worried about it not being effective. That's a relief."

"There is someone you need to meet before that."

Theon frowned and sighed at Mason's cautious attitude.

Theon's gray eyes interrogated Mason silently, asking who it was.

"Marquis Charne's daughter has asked for an audience."

"Why is Marquis Charne's daughter looking for me? Should I be talking to a lady whose name I don't even know amid all this?"

Theon raised an eyebrow and looked displeased.

"Marquis Charne has disappeared."

Mason's low voice echoed in the interior.

At the same time, Theon's forehead wrinkled.

"When?"

"On the day Princess Ariel returned to the Libert Kingdom."

"What about the guard?"

"He was discovered as being disguised as a servant."

"Ugh, my head hurts. Did Ariel Clermant's side move? To retaliate?"

"That… doesn't seem to be the case."

"It seems like unidentified bodies will be floating on water sooner or later."

"…"

"Tell her to come in. Someone who lost their father… I should hear what she has to say."

Mason nodded instead of answering and headed out the door.

***

"I greet His Highness the Crown Prince. I am Claire, the daughter of Marquis Charne."

Contrary to what they had expected, Claire's voice as she gave her greetings was only calm.

Claire looked glamorous, as if she were making fun of the two people who thought she would at least have a tear in her eyes.

A sparkling red silk dress, and her skin, exposed through a gap.

The brilliant jewelry that shone everywhere on her body, and her face, beautiful as ever.

No change was found anywhere.

"Bring us some tea."

Theon tilted his head and spoke to Mason.

"It's alright. It won't be long."

Theon's gaze turned sharp at Claire's pitchless voice.

"Despite my rudeness, I came here because I had something to tell you."

"It's alright. Please, tell me."

"…"

Unlike a while ago, Claire hesitated to say her next words.

The strange thing was that he could not feel any emotion of ‘worry' on the face of the young lady he was meeting.

"I heard that Marquis Charne's whereabouts are unknown."

There was a moment of silence between the two of them.

A small sigh leaked out of Claire's mouth.

"Yes, I came to see you because of that."

Her clouded eyes seemed to have lost hope for life.

It was as if he was looking at a beautifully dressed doll, so he felt a rushing sense of responsibility and guilt towards the father and daughter.

He promised he would guarantee him his life, but now that the situation had turned out like this, the chances of Marquis Charne being alive were close to zero.

Theon, who was staring at Claire, narrowed his eyes and quietly waited for her next words.

***