We just signed a temporary contract and left it like this without any explanation.
'Isn't this a total scam?'
I gritted my teeth, ran my fingers through my hair, and opened the window.
The cold wind that blew in cooled down some of the heat from my anger.
"Let's get out of here and find Marco."
Maybe it's a good thing.
To question what that guy did last night, it would be much better to be Rebecca rather than Isabella.
With Windy's help, I climbed out the window and flew up into the night sky, wearing a pitch-black hood.
The first place I stopped by was a jewelry store.
I asked Windy to find a street where jewelry stores were gathered, and instead of the large jewelry store with the most flashy exterior, I chose an old, shabby store in the corner.
As I opened the door and entered, an old man with a grumpy face looked at me and nodded.
"Welcome."
Since I had been treated with courtesy so far, his simple greeting felt very unfamiliar.
I almost held out the back of my hand and quickly took out a few jewels from my pocket.
The old man's eyes became sharp as he examined the jewels closely.
"It's a top-quality sapphire. This must be a considerable price."
"Please play accordingly."
"You can't trade things like this here. Please go to a bigger place."
"I can't trade this stuff there."
The old man's eyebrows rose at my words.
He looked at me closely and snorted.
"It's stolen property. I thought it was suspicious from the moment you came in."
"That's right, stolen goods."
No matter where I moved, I needed money. However, I cannot touch on the living expenses or maintenance expenses that I received from Madam Mancini as 'Isabella'.
I was reluctant to go to Daniel's store and get help. Because he doesn't know about the existence of 'Rebecca'.
Even though I was in the same boat as that sly man, the contract couldn't guarantee everything. I knew better than anyone else that I had to leave a move that he would never notice.
"Then you can't get the full price for this."
"There are probably a few places willing to do business. Even if we don't get the full price, if we have enough leftover, we trade everything here."
From the beginning, I had guessed that the value of these jewels was enormous.
A troublesome nobleman who knows Madam Mancini's attitude toward Daniel and the 'Brium family' that Eric mentioned.
Even if I didn't know, I couldn't have known that Daniel was a fairly promising nobleman in the imperial capital or a member of such a family.
So his belongings are probably not ordinary items either. I felt eyes watching me closely, but instead of lowering my head to avoid gaze, I urged the other person.
"Tonight, I don't mind giving as much as you can provide. In order to sell it again, you will have to go through appropriate efforts. so I can accept that."
"..."
The old man sighed, picked up the jewelry, and went inside, grumbling.
"I'm telling you, strange guests always come to visit late at night like this."
He rubbed his eyes glumly and then held out a heavy bag.
"It looks like you need money urgently, so I put a good amount of silver and copper as well as gold."
"Thank you."
I said goodbye to the old man who waved his hand curtly and left the store.
Without even knowing what he was doing after sending me away.
***
"That girl from before. That seems correct. Gray hair and orange eyes. Yes, yes. She was a bit daunting, but I was convinced when I saw the jewels presented to me."
"..."
"She left this street and headed towards Mount Hill on the left. There is only one place."
***
The more I walked, following Windy's guidance, the more chilly the air around me became.
A familiar smell awakened memories.
The smell of strong alcohol and cigars was mixing in the air.
It was not uncommon to see people half-lying at the entrance of the alley with their eyes open.
In the distance, a rough-looking building with lights leaking out came into view.
Among the carriages lined up, a carriage of a familiar shape stood out.
I covered up the family crest, but that's the only way...
'Some of the servants already knew.'
It's a bit strange that Alfred didn't get rid of someone like that a long time ago, but the places Marco frequented were legal places, not illegal gambling houses.
Unless he owes a huge amount of money and borrows money to pay for it, it would be difficult to find fault with him.
"Welcome."
The man momentarily looked me up and down as if evaluating me, but then asked kindly.
"I came to visit one of the guests here."
When he saw me wearing the mansion's maid's clothes, a light of understanding appeared in his eyes.
There must have been quite a few people visiting this place to take their family members who are addicted to the game.
"Excuse me, but most people here participate anonymously. It is difficult to point out a specific customer and confront them."
It was something I had already guessed.
I made a grim expression and looked at the people tightly guarding both sides of the door. I won't be able to drag Marco out from inside the building right away. In the end, I have no choice but to go in and make contact.
'In times like this, it's more convenient to look like Rebecca.'
I nodded and carefully opened my mouth, pretending to hesitate.
"Then I will participate in the game, so will you please let me in?"
"For beginners, you can only move to another table after playing 5 games at the first table you are instructed to play."
The reason why the board needs to be filled like this is simple. This is probably to gauge the size of the participant's seed money and his or her skills.
The man recited the rules as if he were familiar with them and then assigned me a guide.
The people crowded around the narrow table and rolled their eyes.
As the table consisted only of beginners, everyone had a clear look of immaturity.
"As this is your first game, it will be played with the simplest and easiest rules. You roll two dice and you guess the number inside them. The person who guesses correctly will receive all of the money at stake, and if no one guesses the number correctly, the person who guesses the closest number will win."
Degururu.
Two cube-shaped dice rolled on the table.
Unlike those who were gulping, I took money out of my pocket and put it on without saying a word.
"Then, let's begin..."
The dealer picked up the dice and was just about to roll.
The guide who guided me here rushed over and pushed someone next to me.
"I'm sorry, but the group here also wants to participate."
The eyes were fixated on the dice while listening to the man asking for understanding.
I inadvertently turned my head to the faint scent coming from somewhere and froze when I saw the face of the man who suddenly intervened.
Golden eyes that sparkle like the sun, and jet-black hair that doesn't seem to blend in with any other color.
A man with a gentle smile was looking at me.
Our eyes met smiled brightly and held out his hand.
"Nice to see you. This is Daniel."
"..."
"I never thought we would meet in a place like this. For some reason. I'm really glad to see you."
Next to him, I saw a man standing blankly and another man giving me a sharp look.
Both of them were skillfully using their power, but as someone who had been exposed to the deadly force of those holding swords several times, I knew it instinctively.
At least the two people who are right next to Daniel are knights.
He looked down at the heavy bag I had placed on the table and laughed again.
"You are a very big person."
I knew it at that moment.
I know that he knew that my meeting here could not have been a coincidence and that I disposed of his jewelry, judging by the meaningful words he gave me as he looked down into my pocket.
You were looking for me the whole time.
I lowered my gaze as I felt the man's golden eyes pursuing me persistently.
Regardless of the subtle current between us, the dice in the dealer's hand fell onto the table with a cheerful sound.
“4. 6!”
"Shit."
Someone was shaking their legs nervously in a harsh annoyance.
By the third edition, the capabilities of the participants had been determined to some extent.
During the third round, I guessed the closest number once and the exact number the other time, and was quite successful.
'Because the numbers and rules are simple.'
If you look closely at the shape of the dice, you can see the direction in which it is most scratched and the side that is frequently touched.
Of course, things like the shape and direction of the dealer's hand that is throwing will also be of some help.
Even if I only observe the rough details, I won't suffer any major losses.
'On the other hand, there are people who have never been near a game like this in their lives.'
I glanced at Daniel and his knights, who had already lost money for the third time in a row.
The faces of the two knights, who could not even guess the nearest number, let alone win a single game, were pale.
'Compared to that, that person really has no clue.'
Comments
Post a Comment