A gradual noise of footsteps came forth and the Archduke appeared in front of Celeste.

“The Baron is dead,” He told her the news.

Did she hear it correctly? It cannot be wrong since it did come out personally from the Archduke’s lips. He came to join her after clearing the mansion with the freshly attained knights from Calsa after the surprise raid. The wounded soldiers and mercenaries were gathered and tied together outside the Edelfort’s manor. Meanwhile, the rescued children were safely transported back to a nearby town to reunite with their families.

The events were truly changing now.

Baron Iver’s death came rather early than what happened in the past. She caught her eyes, staring at the misty hilltop. ‘Hah! He still met his end. Does that mean, I could not avoid my death too?”

“Isn’t that good?” Her lips opened as she muttered those words that should have been kept in her thoughts. Trying not to overthink the time to come.

The Archduke shook his head and stared at her with a look—as if he was trying to figure out her secrets. With her outlying sight, she knew that if she was a mere human, she would have fainted from this unnerving moment.

With a plain tone, he spoke. “It was another person…” She tilted her head even if he was not yet done speaking, “...who killed him.”

Celeste could already guess who that person might be.

“I see.” She responded with a low voice. If her guess was correct, it was that black wizard residing in the Baron’s house.

The stench of his foul energy lingered around the place. She could’ve told the Archduke about it but that would risk her life if he knew that she could distinguish different mana. “Did you catch the other person, your highness?”

“No,” came his short reply as he continued to drown her in his astute golden eyes.

Hardly letting her calm her nerves, Celeste could only avert her eyes from his precarious gaze. This man seemed to be oblivious to how handsome he was, just standing there oozing with male pheromones in the open—not even a white witch was immune to such charm. How dare this Northern Lord!

The awkwardness was killing her by the minute. And all she could think of was she needed to get out there quickly. Moreover, it was nearing the break of dawn already. She must continue her journey soon and not entertain the Archduke further by having some small talks.

“My lady, I’m very curious about you.”

That stunned Celeste from the instantaneous statement of the Archduke, catching her attention once again. “How so? I didn’t do anything interesting that would make, your highness, be curious about me,” she replied.

“Your groundless bravery and your unusual profession,” came his quick answer that raised one of her eyebrows.

After a brief pause, Ezekiel continued, “You claimed you can’t fight but came here alone anyway with the magic tools that you have, even putting your life in danger. You’re a very mysterious woman, Celeste. Who are you?”

“I told you, my Lord. I’m just doing my job,” she responded firmly without blinking an eye, withstanding his stares that appeared to be finding fault in her account.

“I wonder who hired you to go on a suicide mission like this?”

Amidst her inner upheaval, Celeste managed to give him a small smile. “The pay is good, your highness. I, just like all the commoners out there, am doing it all for the money.”

‘Geez, stop asking too many questions already!’ She was hoping the Archduke would finally leave her be. This wasn’t supposed to happen anyway. Having conversations like this with Ezekiel wasn’t included in her plans of changing her doom fate because this very person was her death flag!

She must stay far, far away from him.

His wrinkling forehead somehow smoothed after hearing her statement. He looked like he fell deep in thoughts as he held his chin with his big hand and looked away for a moment.

Did he believe her? Celeste bit her lower lip in anticipation. ‘I think he needs more convincing.’

She was about to tell the Archduke more excuses when Aron Berkley cut in between them.

“Your highness, I finally found you!” He said panting and all sweaty. “I found more illegal documents in the Baron’s drawers... Oh... pardon me,” the secretary apologized when he noticed Celeste’s small stature in front of the Archduke. “My lady, I didn’t see you there. Were you talking to the Archduke?”

Her mouth twitched in irritation but immediately tried to hide it. ‘Be friendly, self.’ She reminded herself. “Yes I am, Mr. Berkley.”

“Ohh... ahm…” Mr. Berkley looked stricken by the mistake he had done. Even hitting his head with his knuckle from shame.

“Mr. Berkley, it’s okay. It’s not something important.” She beamed.

“Oh, haha—” The secretary chuckled and scratched his head. “I’m sorry, my lady. The fault is mine. I’ll pay more attention next time.”

“Celeste...” The Archduke called her out again.

“Y-Yes, your highness?”

That was the second time now that he uttered her name and to be honest, she was taken aback hearing that low voice he possessed. It was creating butterflies in her stomach. The white witch shook her head to brush off the thought and growing restlessness. How embarrassing to think that way toward this person who would kill her in the future!

‘Well, I’m a healthy, young maiden and in front of me is a human of divine blood. With that perfect face and body, it’s normal to feel flattered by him, right?’ She immediately justified her own emotions to feel less guilty. 'It's normal!' She assured herself once more.

“I want to hire your services,” he stated briefly with a serious look on his face.

She was dumbfounded. “I beg your pardon?”  What was happening?

Even Mr. Berkley looked at him in surprise.

“I admire your competence. I would like you to join my team. Needless to say, I’m offering you a good deal for the job,” the Archduke continued with his statement.

Celeste was at loss for words at the sudden proposition from this unpredictable high noble. She was caught in her deception and the fool chewed it whole. “My Lord, I... I am not that great. You’re expecting too much from me!”

“I have a good eye for people.” A clarifying message that she should stop questioning his judgment. “You said, you would do anything for money. I’m offering you triple what your previous patron had given you.”

Berkley raised his eyebrows, eyes widening from disbelief. It was rare for the Archduke to commend someone, and this lady dared to refuse the Lord of the North.

“Archduke...” She exhaled and massaged her temple with her slender, fair fingers, absolutely mortified about how to deal with her current situation. “I appreciate the tempting offer. But I don’t think I could be of help when there are even better private investigators you can get throughout the empire.”

“I want you,” his baritone voice echoed in insistence.

Now, why did it sound so sensual in her ears when the Archduke said those words? ‘Oh, dear...!’ She flushed at the indecent thought.

God help her, she was losing her reasons already. ‘A big NO!’ would be the logical answer. She kept reminding herself of her plans but this persistent man was glaring at her quietly, a forewarning, maybe? Refused him one more time and off with her head? Just thinking about it, gave her goosebumps.

“My lady, the Archduke is offering you more than my weekly wage. Do you know how fortunate you are?” It was Berkley joining their conversation.

‘Don’t start with that psychological warfare, Mr. Secretary!’ She had enough already. They had no idea what she went through because of these brutes in her past life. Who in their sound mind would be okay working under the person who stabbed them to death?

“I’m truly sorry, but my answer is still the same,” she reaffirmed.

Berkley was shocked beyond belief and turned to Ezekiel who was at his side to see his master’s reaction. The Archduke never faced rejections like this before. This might upset him greatly. However, the Archduke still wore his usual neutral demeanor. Although, he could see the sparks flying between these two.

“Miss Evergreen will accept the Archduke’s offer.”

Everybody turned their heads to Adonis who just arrived at the scene. “Your highness, please take good care of her.”

“What? Who are you to decide that for me?” Celeste glared at Adonis who stood beside her. A lopsided smile just formed on his lips, unthreatened by her hostility.

“I’m her employer. I’m the one who recruited her, my Lord.” Adonis went on, ignoring her grumbles.

“I’m self-employed!” Celeste opposed the claims vehemently.

Yet the two men were already in their world of negotiations against her will. Seeing the Archduke stretch out his hand to close the verbal agreement with Adonis, she felt furious! She could imagine herself being tossed like a ball on the other side of the court and she won’t let that happen!