If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 29

Three days ago, Henry had come with a beaming face, bringing news. His footsteps were full of lightness as he approached.

“Captain, the ball is set for three days from now, as planned. There will be a fireworks display on deck as well. I was wondering when we’d get a chance to search Senator Edmund’s cabin, and it seems that will be the perfect time to proceed.”

Already, a quarter of the month had passed. Though he hadn’t shown it in front of his lieutenant, he had been feeling a bit anxious.

The fact that Lockwood was with Georgiana clearly lowered Edmund’s guard. However, Lockwood, who had recently grown closer to him, discovered that he was a man without flaws. He never showed any signs of being drunk or disheveled.

Searching the cabin of such a man to obtain information about New World-related legislation and the military forces to be deployed for the war was a far more difficult task than expected.

Moreover, although most of the nobles adhered to their schedules, many wandered the halls or ventured outside day and night, making infiltration into the cabins quite challenging. He even wondered if it might be easier to rob him while he was traveling by land, given the ship’s tight security.

Security was even stricter than when they had first boarded, likely due to the presence of several key senators. The ship’s crew seemed particularly vigilant.

Of course, a few days ago, he had broken into the captain’s quarters to copy the ship’s blueprints, identifying the shortest route to the cabins and the locations of ventilation shafts. However, if there were too many people in the cabin, the plan to descend from the ceiling or come up through the floor would be impossible from the start.

They needed a certain opportunity when the room would be empty, and the timing of the fireworks was perfect. Most of the nobles would certainly go to watch, leaving only a guard at the door.

Such an opportunity might not come again, so they couldn’t afford any mistakes.

“Right. Everyone’s attention will be focused on the fireworks that night, making things easier. Thanks to Anthony, it’s also been easier to track Edmund’s movements lately.”

“When did you become so close with Mr. Anthony Tobias? I couldn’t get into the club, so I have no idea what went on between the two of you. It’s not fair; you just told me to look after the lady,” Henry complained, feeling left out.

Ignoring Henry’s grumbling, he thought of Georgiana, who would be left alone in the cabin.

He had been too preoccupied with visiting the club and gambling houses to gather information, and hadn’t paid her much attention. They only crossed paths in the mornings when he did his light exercise. Georgiana, with her quiet nature, seemed to enjoy staying in the cabin, so he rarely saw her otherwise.

He realized for the first time that he had a sadistic streak. Even after knowing that she had complimented the sails and not the sailors, he deliberately went shirtless like them at times.

Seeing her surprised expression every time he exercised shirtless had become his only pleasure recently. Whenever her large, light green eyes widened like a cat’s, he had the childish urge to tease her more.

Other than that, there were few opportunities to see Georgiana.

She might enjoy the masquerade ball and fireworks, even though she was usually reserved. Recently, it seemed she only laughed heartily when she was with Sarah.

Ah, she had smiled, showing her pink gums, when he told her she didn’t need to join him for lunch.

He didn’t know why, but he wanted to see Georgiana smile as often as she looked surprised. Yes, there was no particular reason.

Should I ask her?

If she eagerly agreed, that would be a problem, too…

He needed to finish the mission as early as possible, but it wasn’t every day that such an event occurred. He could at least show her that consideration.

“Make sure to plan for the quickest possible infiltration. The longer it takes, the more likely it is to fail.”

“Understood. I’ll also work on building rapport with the senator’s servants. It’ll help us distract them when needed.”

“Good. Also, prepare the masks for Georgiana and me.”

“Ah, are you planning to attend the ball afterward?”

When his lieutenant asked in surprise, he quickly came up with an excuse. “Yes, it will serve as an alibi later.”

“As expected, Captain, you miss nothing.”

Seeing Henry’s excessive admiration made him feel a bit guilty.

The next morning, he asked Georgiana if she would attend the ball.

He had hoped for a different answer this time, but she still seemed hesitant. Though she didn’t outright refuse, saying she would think about it, her reluctance was clear from her expression. After spending a few days with her, he had learned that she had a habit of tucking her hair behind her right ear when she was uncomfortable. She probably wasn’t even aware of it, but he, being observant, noticed it right away.

Sure enough, she soon reached up with her delicate fingers, which looked like they might break, and tucked her hair behind her ear.

He couldn’t help but feel disappointed. It was a somewhat special day, after all.

Seeing her modest response, he thought to himself that even the house cat he had at home would go out more often than she did. He clicked his tongue inwardly.

Was there anything she liked?

Or had she grown up in such a restrictive environment that she had forgotten how to express her desires?

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t to his liking.

He gave up on the idea of attending the ball together and spent the day practicing the infiltration plan with Henry.

On the morning of the ball, he was busy running around to create an alibi. Meanwhile, Henry mingled with Edmund’s servants, ensuring they wouldn’t lose track of his movements.

Georgiana seemed to hover around him more than usual, but he was too focused on the task at hand to pay much attention. He figured he would ask Henry about it later.

***

The lower levels of the steamship were oppressively hot.

They had considered breaking through the ceiling of their room to reach the senator’s cabin, but that would have made too much noise and left them vulnerable to being tracked. Instead, they chose the safer route of climbing through the ventilation shafts.

Dressed in black, he blended naturally into the darkness as he climbed through the narrow passageway. Henry, who was supposed to monitor the surroundings, was anxiously pacing near the entrance to the shaft.

“If there’s anyone there or if it looks dangerous, come right back out, okay?”

Henry would be waiting in the first-class cabin to keep watch.

“Just focus on your part.”

“I’ll try to stall for time in the hallway. Fortunately, the senator’s servant is fond of drinking, so I can use that as a distraction.”

“Alright, go ahead. Don’t worry about me. If I get caught, we’re both in the same boat.”

“And what about the lady? I wish the real Juliana were here instead. I feel bad for the lady, though. It’s not her fault, but seeing her makes me feel sorry.”

Henry’s face was filled with regret. If his cover were blown, Georgiana wouldn’t be safe either. He knew all too well how harshly spies were treated in the Empire, having heard stories from his comrades.

For him and Henry, it was a risk they had willingly accepted, but if Georgiana were captured, she wouldn’t last a day. It wasn’t just the torture; her looks alone would tempt the interrogators to do far worse.

He hadn’t considered such things before, but after spending time with Georgiana, his thoughts had changed. Even if it meant abandoning the mission before reaching their destination, he would take every precaution to avoid putting her in danger. He didn’t want to burden her with such a harsh fate.

Thinking of Georgiana strengthened his resolve to succeed in the mission more than ever. The climb through the narrow shaft to the sixth floor was more difficult than expected.

He didn’t need to look to know that his clothes were filthy.

By the time he reached the ceiling of Senator Edmund’s cabin, his entire body was covered in dust except for his masked face. He cursed himself and his lieutenant for coming up with such a plan.

He peered through the vent to survey the room below. The cabin was large, and there were blind spots that he couldn’t see from the vent.

Henry had better do his part well.

Just then, he heard voices near the entrance, indicating that Henry had started his distraction. The maid who had been tidying the room also left in a hurry after finishing her task.

He carefully removed the wooden vent cover, trying to make as little noise as possible. Though dust stirred briefly, he landed softly on the floor without incident.

The first thing he did was identify hiding spots in case someone entered the room.

After noting the space between the window and the wardrobe, he began searching the desk where Edmund conducted his work. Though the security was tight, the documents were merely stored in a drawer.

Lockwood thoroughly checked the surrounding area to ensure there were no telltale marks that might alert someone to the intrusion. Only then did he take out the papers.

As he read through the documents, his expression darkened.