Chapter 36
“What? We’re already grateful that you came all this way. How could we possibly accept such generosity…!”
“It seems that’s the only way my wife will be able to leave this place with peace of mind.”
Juliana stared at him, unable to tell what exactly he was thinking.
Kallion glanced at Juliana before continuing to Jared.
“Consider it my thanks for looking after my wife.”
Jared tilted his head in confusion at the way Kallion kept emphasizing the words my wife.
Just then, Layla entered the room after a knock.
“These are the documents for the land you requested.”
Kallion took the documents from Layla, glanced toward Juliana, then turned to the director.
“Let’s discuss the new orphanage for a moment.”
At Kallion’s words, the director’s eyes filled with tears of emotion as she bowed deeply.
After the director and Kallion left the room, Jared also turned to leave with a brief bow.
Just then, Juliana called him.
“Jared.”
Jared stopped and looked back at her in confusion.
“Yes, Madam.”
Juliana gestured with her eyes toward the door through which Kallion, Layla, and the director had left.
It was a signal for him to close it.
Though puzzled, Jared obediently closed the door.
Assuming she had something important to tell him, he approached Juliana and stood before her with a serious expression.
“Is there something you wish to say to me…”
Juliana gazed steadily at his dignified figure, as though he were waiting for an order from his master, and spoke.
“You said you’d help me no matter what happened.”
They were the words he had spoken after Juliana survived saving the children at the orphanage.
Jared looked puzzled for a moment before nodding with a grave expression.
“Of course.”
“Could you still help me even if it meant turning your back on Baldomer?”
Jared’s shoulders stiffened at once.
It was a question whose intent he couldn’t understand. To him, Madam Baldomer herself represented Baldomer…
But recognizing from her gaze that this was a serious matter, Jared cast aside his hesitation and nodded firmly.
“It’s true that I owe Baldomer a debt of gratitude, but it could never compare to the debt I owe you for risking your life. My vow is to you alone, Madam.”
Juliana stared silently at Jared for a while after his solemn reply, then continued.
“I’m returning to the main castle with Kallion today.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“After we leave, if Kallion happens to approach you, can you let me know?”
Jared went blank for a moment, unable to immediately understand what she meant.
“If I come into contact with Lord Kallion… you’re asking me to report what happens afterward?”
“That’s right.”
Juliana met Jared’s eyes with a steady gaze.
If Kallion really had ordered Denion’s death. If the tragedy of the past was going to repeat itself exactly the same way.
Then perhaps he might once again try to kill Denion through Jared.
And if it wasn’t Kallion, the true culprit might make contact with Jared instead.
“Even if it isn’t Kallion, report to me if anyone tries to make contact with you.”
Juliana intended to use Jared to uncover whoever was behind everything.
Though still puzzled, Jared nodded at her serious expression.
“I will.”
Then, watching her cautiously, he continued.
“If I do come into contact with Lord Kallion…”
Understanding the question he was hesitating to ask, Juliana answered immediately.
“Follow his instructions. But you mustn’t let him find out that you’re connected to me. And tell me everything he orders you to do.”
She meant for him to conceal the fact that he was her man while carrying out Kallion’s wishes.
Jared still looked as though he couldn’t understand Juliana’s intentions at all, but he reluctantly nodded.
“Understood. If that is your command, Madam…”
At Jared’s answer, Juliana began writing something on a sheet of paper on the table with a quill.
Then she held out the quickly scrawled note to Jared.
“Contact me through this place, not through the Baldomer estate.”
It was none other than the address of the Vas Guild.
She couldn’t risk being discovered secretly communicating with Jared from the castle where she lived with Kallion.
Jared accepted the paper with a bewildered expression at Juliana’s meticulous instructions.
“No matter what happens, you mustn’t mention me.”
At her grave voice, Jared cast aside his hesitation and dropped to one knee as though to prove the sincerity of his vow.
“No matter what happens, I will keep my promise to you, Madam.”
Unlike the broken gaze he had worn in the past, his eyes were now clear and filled with a sense of duty.
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