𝕴 𝕭𝖊𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕸𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕺𝖋 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖁𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖆𝖎𝖓

009

“I had no idea I would see you here!” said the lady, in a voice of joy and helplessness.

She was so thrilled that she was about to shed tears.

But Kian looked noticeably dark.

Having been self-absorbed and one-sidedly enjoying their reunion, she belatedly noticed my existence and asked.

“Is the person next to Kian, your new master?”

I could guess her identity from the fact that she was referring to me as a new owner.

When I nodded, she said with a refined smile.

“I’m Veronica Lawrence, Kian’s ex-owner. Countess Lawrence, please.”

The nobles who were the masters of Kian in the novel were all horrible people. So I wasn’t happy to see her.

However, I knew enough to swallow my heart and return the introduction.

I said with due courtesy. “Olivia Ashford.”

She was Count Lawrence’s wife. I don’t know why she came all the way to the capital, but she can’t keep running into Kian like this.

While agonizing over what to do with this woman, the Countess requested,

“I know it’s rude to ask you a favor like this, but could you spare me a moment? It’s imperative for me….”

“········.”

There’s a quiet cafe near here. Can we talk there?”

There was a nuance that it was not a matter that would end with one or two words.

She also proposed talking elsewhere, away from the famous restaurant with esteemed guests and the ears of noble society.

I’m sure our talk won’t be pleasant. But if I refused, I was confident that this brazen woman would show up again and point at Kian.

I needed to nip this in the bud.

Once I heard her out, I decided to keep her away from Kian by any means necessary.

***

Countess Lawrence lead us to a discreet and quiet cafe.

I found out why, right away.

The coffee tasted surprisingly bad.

At least one could talk easily here without the distraction of other customers. The place was empty.

“I’ll get to the point since I know you are busy,” the Countess said bluntly.

“Sell Kian to me.”

“……!”

I took a sip of my stale coffee and almost spat it out.

It was an unexpected shock. What is she saying now….?

I put the teacup down calmly with a firm’ clink’.

Then, politely expressed my refusal.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I have no intention of selling Kian.”

But the Countess did not easily step down. She tried to carry on the conversation tenaciously, confessing her circumstances that I did not ask for, nor did I care for.

“It was never my will to sell Kian. My husband forced him away from me. But a year ago, my husband was killed in action, and I thought I’d like to get him back, even though it’s late. And today, I came on a trip to the capital, and I happened to meet Kian. So, please return him….” the Countess appealed with tears in her eyes. (ugh gross)