Chapter 13: The Former Knight Commander Was Abandoned by His Wife (6)
The Former Knight Commander Was Abandoned by His Wife (6)
When Issak and the others turned around, the young officer from earlier was peering in through the still-wide-open door. He must have gone to call for backup.
“Come to think of it, I was sold out by Madam, wasn’t I?”
As Issak shot her a sharp glance, the madam stuck out her tongue with a tiny, mocking flick.
“So, what now, Desnos? I’m a wanted man, aren’t I?”
When Issak pointed to himself, Desnos frowned, clearly at a loss.
“There’s a nationwide order out to place you under protective custody, issued in Mina’s name. There’s even a bounty.”
“Protective custody, huh? Well, I’m not the king anymore.
Whatever you decide to do with me, no one’s going to stop you.
Who knows, maybe your master will even reward you by smoothing things over with Hisui.”
Desnos flinched at Issak’s mocking grin.
But then, jaw set, he squared his stance and stepped forward, trying to clamp the issued handcuffs onto Issak’s wrist.
Arms still folded, Issak looked him in the eye and asked calmly,
“Gonna blow Lovecraft’s money on another woman?”
“No! I want Hisui to come back. And if that means being called a dog, then so be it.”
Desnos seized Issak’s arm. His grip was unyielding, like stone.
Issak’s lips curled into a sly smile.
“Then how about this, work for me.”
Desnos stared, stunned, still holding Issak’s arm.
Spotting the hesitation in his eyes, Issak pressed on.
“It’s about money, isn’t it?
You said you don’t mind being called a dog, right?
Then let me be the one to hire you.
One month. The job’s light, basic manual work.
The pay is one hundred times Lovecraft’s bounty.”
A hundred times the bounty!
That wasn’t just enough to cover his loan interest, it was enough to buy back his post as Knight Commander.
If he could reclaim that title, everything else would follow. Money wouldn’t be an issue.
And maybe, just maybe, Hisui would come back.
Desnos’s resolve began to sway.
But at the same time, the pride that defined Desnos rose up inside him, pushing words from his throat.
“You’d buy a knight with gold? Have you no shame?”
His grip on Issak’s arm grew hot with anger.
Issak answered in a voice as cool as ice.
“Don’t overthink it. It’s just a side job.
Keep your loyalty with Lovecraft, if that’s what matters.
I won’t ask you to do anything that would tarnish your honor. And once it’s done, turn me in. Collect the bounty. Simple.”
Thrown off by the emotional gap between them, Desnos spread his arms in protest.
“That’s not what I mean!
I’m talking about us. You and me!
If I let you pay me, I stop being a knight of this country!”
His face twisted in a storm of fury and sorrow.
Issak exhaled in a long, heavy sigh.
“You’ve always said loyalty is for the people and the nation, right?
You’ve been a knight of this country, Desnos. Always have, and always will.
But I’m not a king anymore.
I can’t answer that kind of loyalty anymore.
What, are you saying you can’t be around me now that I’m not royalty?”
“D-Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t care about that!”
“Then this isn’t about loyalty. It’s about money. Will you work for me or not?”
“I… I mean… but still…”
“Here. Take it.”
Issak pulled something from his pocket and, fist closed, pressed it firmly to Desnos’s chest.
Desnos took it, glanced down, and his eyes went wide.
It was a diamond ring, blazing with a brilliance that almost hurt to look at.
Even Desnos, a nobleman, a dandy, a reckless spender, had only glimpsed something like it from afar. For ordinary people, it was a treasure beyond dreams.
Lovecraft’s bounty was pocket change by comparison. This one ring could fund generations of luxury for an entire bloodline.
Faced with such unimaginable wealth, Desnos’s thoughts froze. His bear-like frame trembled faintly.
“It’s your advance. Should hold you over for now.
Careful cashing it in, though. That ring’s got a history.”
At the word “history,” Desnos brought the ring closer to his face.
Inside the band were initials, and a date, five years ago.
The color drained from Desnos’s face.
“Y-You! This is your wedding…!?”
“Yeah. It is.”
As Desnos stood there, shocked into broken speech, Issak replied without blinking.