The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Early in the morning, she woke up to the sound of rain tapping on the window.

The rain, which had been falling since dawn, showed no signs of stopping even in the afternoon.

Laria had a warm cup of milk and set the cup down.

‘My parents are on a business trip, and my elder brother has gone to work. Perfect timing.‘

Since last year, whenever her family was away, Laria would quietly go out.

Every time she tried to leave, her family would annoyingly inquire about where she was going and what she was doing.

After telling the employee that she was going to take a nap and not to disturb her, Laria picked out a bracelet from her jewelry box.

“This should be enough.”

It was a bracelet with five sapphire pieces the size of a little fingernail strung on a leather strap.

Apart from the sapphires, there were no other designs, making it look rather plain for jewelry.

Lastly, after deeply pulling her hood over her head, Laria began to chant.

With a crack, one of the sapphires on the bracelet shattered. At the same time, white flames shot up like bars from beneath her feet. The bright light that arose swiftly collapsed and transformed into mist.

The white mist enveloped Laria’s body.

When she opened her eyes again, instead of the familiar workshop, a room resembling a hunter’s lodge appeared.

Walls made of red bricks and floors covered in animal hides. A grand fireplace built by breaking one side of the wall dominated the room. In front of the fireplace stood a man with brown braided hair, his back to Laria.

“It’s been a while? I was just thinking about you.”

Without even checking Laria’s face, the man greeted her.

It made sense since the only person who would suddenly appear in his private space was Laria.

The man swiftly threw the paper he was reading into the fireplace.

The flames licked and devoured the paper.

As the man slowly turned, his concealed features became visible.

With a handsome face that looked in his early 30s and shining green eyes reminiscent of glass beads, he was particularly striking because of the black eye patch covering one eye.

His shirt wasn’t fully buttoned, revealing his chest, and he had a cape draped over his shoulders.

This man, who was unique from head to toe, was Solike, the information network leader, also known as the Golden Crow.

Laria, standing a distance from the fireplace, opened her bag and presented two vials of elixir.

Upon seeing the vials, Solike’s eyes sparkled like a crow that had found a gem.

“It’s the medicine you requested.”

“Is it the one that changes eye color and another that puts you to sleep for a day?”

At Solike’s question, Laria nodded.

Quickly taking the vials, Solike examined them against the light.

The swirling potion shimmered brilliantly.

“It’s a remarkable product.”

His glassy green eyes gleamed with wonder and greed.

In the world, there were magical practitioners, and only a few could make potions. Among them, the potions Laria made were so extraordinary that they were deemed top-class.

Solike had sold the potions made by Laria at a very high price. In return, he provided Laria with the information she wanted.

“Any new information?”

“…Sorry, there’s no new information.”

Laria’s expression crumpled like wrinkled paper.

“Give it back.”

“Please, give me a chance to explain,” Solike rubbed his palms together, laughing nervously.

The man leading the Empire’s best information network was not one to easily give up even a coin.

Laria simply tilted her head, arms crossed.

Worried that he might lose two potions, Solike quickly began to speak.

“We did gather some clues. However, it seems that Duke Krassium noticed that I dug too deep this time.”

Upon hearing about the Duke of Krassium, Laria’s shoulders tensed up.

“We backed off because we thought we might get traced. I only have one life, after all.”

Laria sighed heavily.

She had been investigating for quite a long time but hadn’t found a solid lead.

Laria had been investigating incidents related to Zenox by selling potions.

To be precise, it was related to the day Laria escaped from the Krassium mansion.

About 3 years ago, Laria was kidnapped by Zenox while in the form of a fox. She lived in the Krassium mansion for half a year, and one day, when there was a fire, she left Zenox.

The Krassium side officially announced that the fire was due to a servant’s negligence.

However, Laria knew the truth.

‘There was an intruder.’

Coincidentally, during Zenox’s absence, someone had broken in.

Laria, nearly killed by the intruder, barely managed to escape but got severely injured in the process.

After that day, her connection with Zenox was cut off, but Laria had been tracing the identity of the intruder.

She knew what the intruder was after.

The Krassium’s heirloom.

It was no ordinary item.

Even though Laria was born as a fox tribe, she couldn’t use magic. However, she had the power to manifest as a sorcerer.

‘But now I have it.’

He knew that Laria had an heirloom.

Although she was currently in the form of a beastman, she was searching for intruders due to the possibility of being targeted again.

It wasn’t because she was worried about Zenox.

“So, in conclusion, there’s no useful information?”

“That’s… right?”

“Give me the money.”

Solike seemed disappointed and paid for the potion.

Laria grinned as she made sure to take every single coin.

Unlike other sorcerers, Laria had to pay with a gem every time she used magic.

The purer and rarer the gem, the higher-level magic she could cast. Due to this, she was currently in financial difficulty.

Thinking about the gems that disappeared every time she used magic, Laria felt momentarily saddened.

Even though she was operating as a mercenary in the information business without revealing her identity, she wasn’t making any money. There was a problem.

After settling the payment, Solike began to speak.

“You met him, didn’t you? With the Grand Duke of Krassium.”

Laria’s face wrinkled at once.

“What, are the rumors already spreading?”

“No way. I found out through my sources.”

Solike, who had been bragging, chuckled.

“You said you weren’t interested in the Grand Duke?”

“I went without knowing who the arranged suitor was.”

If she had known it in advance, she would never have gone.

“So, do you think it’ll work out?”

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I’m not interested in the Grand Duke.”

Laria added firmly.

“I’m curious about the Krassium family fire incident.”

To be exact, it was about the intruder.

She had been following the intruder for the past year, but she deliberately avoided information related to Zenox. She was curious about how he lived, but she felt she’d only get distressed knowing.

She had run away, and there was no going back.

That’s why she consciously refused any information about him from the beginning.

“Hmm. So, can I sell this information?”

Solike squinted and smirked.

“You know how expensive information about Grand Duke Krassium is.”

He believed that the news of Zenox’s sighting alone could make a fortune.

Laria clicked her tongue.

“Money-crazy…”

“If it was you, wouldn’t you sell it?”

“Of course, I would.”

However, Laria was just as greedy for money as Solike.

Laria told him everything, from where she met Zenox to what they drank to the outcome. It would be rumored soon anyway, so why not make a profit beforehand?

After a satisfactory transaction, the two beastmen smiled at each other.

Their bond over money was stronger than friendship.

“There will probably be many people looking for information about you for a while.”

Even now, information about Laria was occasionally sold.

People were observing Laria, who had belatedly manifested as a sorcerer.

Yet, it was still just a handful.

She wasn’t affiliated with the Sorcery Office, and Solike prevented the spread of information about Laria.

-It’s a service for my loyal customers!

He didn’t charge for this service, so Laria trusted him and continued their business relationship.

Either way, it was a satisfactory transaction this time.

“Please hand it over next time you receive a request.”

With that, Laria left the informant.

Since she was out, she thought she might go buy some gems.

Contrary to the quiet shop, stepping outside, the surroundings were filled with the sound of rain. It wasn’t late, but the sun didn’t shine, so it was dark.

Laria walked down the alley, using the umbrella she received from Solike.

The splashing raindrops foamed up white.

‘Should I have just come back home?’

After ensuring there was no one around, she pulled down her hood.

She felt slightly relieved.

Worried about the hem getting wet, Laria hurriedly walked, but just before turning into an alley, she noticed a man leaning against a wall.

‘What’s this?’

The man, who wasn’t using an umbrella, looked very suspicious.

Not wanting to get involved in any crime, Laria tried to pass by as if she hadn’t seen him.

As she drew closer to the man, a faint smell of blood mixed with the scent of rain reached her.

As if entranced, Laria looked up to see his face and froze.

‘It’s Zenox Krassium!’

She was so surprised; it was as if her ears were about to pop out.

She reflexively stretched out both hands to press her ears.

Perhaps hearing the umbrella fall, Zenox raised his head.

Even with all the rain, the blood that hadn’t washed away flowed down his body. His eyes, which seemed to have lost everything, were dark and Laria reflected in them.

He slowly blinked and from his mouth, a deep voice whispered:

“Whitie…?”