If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 73

Georgiana’s response brought a sudden silence to the dining room. Even the clatter of utensils ceased. Even Evan, known for his expressionless demeanor unless money was involved, stood with his mouth slightly agape in surprise.

Angela, having finished her early dinner, was sound asleep, allowing such a topic to arise.

Raymond, doubting his ears, asked again, “Did you say… shooting? The black object used for firing things?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Georgiana nodded calmly.

“May I ask why you want to learn that, if it’s not impolite? It’s not that you want to… shoot either me or Evan, is it?”

“Of course not.”

Although he had asked jokingly, Raymond’s eyes narrowed slightly at Georgiana’s answer.

Having not left the estate even once since being employed, Georgiana suddenly wanting to learn to shoot suggested there might be a reason stemming from within the estate itself.

Given her quiet nature, there shouldn’t have been any conflicts with the staff.

He couldn’t fathom why she would need a gun.

Could it be that some male servants were targeting her?

The thought seemed plausible to him.

The woman before him shone even in the plain clothes typically worn by women working in the tobacco fields. Her nearly bare face glowed with a smooth radiance.

Her features, as delicate as Angela’s doll, sometimes exuded a melancholic aura that naturally drew the eye.

Her beauty was entirely different from Veronica’s bright and vibrant charm.

Even Raymond, who had lost most of his emotions after Veronica’s death, found himself occasionally staring at her absentmindedly.

Whether one liked or disliked her was irrelevant; anyone with eyes would find themselves entranced.

While he couldn’t condone the servants being a nuisance, it was undeniable that the possibility was high.

Raymond, who had previously dealt with the innkeeper, had no intention of tolerating anyone harassing women. If anyone was troubling Georgiana for such a reason, he resolved not to let it slide.

If she were to leave because of that, he’d have to find someone new again, and there was no one more suitable to be Angela’s governess.

Even as her father, he could clearly see that Georgiana’s affection for Angela was genuine.

The fact that Becky, the finicky cat, liked Georgiana also helped build trust.

The cat, brought to comfort Angela after Veronica’s death, stayed close to her, as if recognizing her as its owner.

It hid so well whenever others appeared that no one knew where it was.

Yet, with Locke, who occasionally visited, it rubbed against him and acted affectionately.

Although not to the same extent, Becky seemed to have taken a liking to Georgiana as well.

She must be a good person.

Raymond’s certainty grew.

If someone like her needed a gun, she must have a valid reason.

“If there’s someone you’d rather shoot, just let me know. I’ll handle it for you.”

Raymond, unwilling to stain her white hands with blood, spoke. His chilling remark made Georgiana quickly wave her hands.

“It’s nothing like that. I just thought it would be good to have something to protect myself. If I knew how to use a gun, I’d feel more secure wherever I went.”

“Well, considering the current state of affairs, with wars and outlaws in the West, it’s not a bad idea to learn.”

Evan unexpectedly agreed with her and added, “Moreover, there’s a rumor that the leader of the group that assassinated Senator Edmund is a blonde woman. It’s not strange at all for a woman to carry a gun.”

“Pardon? A rumor like that… who said such a thing?”

Georgiana’s eyes widened at the news.

“It seems you haven’t heard yet. Understandable, given how far we are from the Northwest. News travels slower here. Regardless, it would be wise to learn shooting when you have the time.”

As Evan mentioned, the assassination of Senator Edmund had caused a stir throughout the New World.

A large-scale war seemed imminent.

Public anger toward the Empire was already rising after the significant increase in tariffs on tea.

Edmund, at the center of the turmoil, had become the spark.

Raymond thought that if this was the reason, he could teach Georgiana not just shooting but swordsmanship as well.

“I’ll speak to Bill about it. There’s no one better when it comes to shooting.”

“Bill… is that the man from the inn?”

“Yes.”

Raymond gave a short nod.

“Then let’s schedule it after the afternoon class. The gunshots might startle people, so that time seems appropriate.”

“I’ll make sure to arrange it.”

Evan, who had been silent until now, tactfully responded.

“Thank you.”

Georgiana smiled softly at the two men before tidying up her seat and leaving. Her expression seemed noticeably lighter than it had been before the meal.

“Evan, don’t you think something’s up?”

Pointing at the empty seat with his chin, Raymond tilted his head.

“Indeed. I don’t think she’s the type to shoot just anyone.”

“Find a suitable maid to keep an eye on Leona’s surroundings. We need to see if anyone is troubling her. She wouldn’t bring up something like this without a reason.”

“Understood. And I’ll have everyone leave for now.”

At Raymond’s gesture, the servants and maids attending the meal quietly exited the dining room like an ebbing tide.

After confirming several times that no one remained, Evan lowered his voice significantly.

“I have news about the Count.”

“Where is he now? Is it true that my brother is the wanted man? Did he really shoot Edmund?”

“Yes.”

“Ha…”

Raymond sighed deeply and ran a hand roughly through his hair.

When he first saw the montage on the wanted poster, he hadn’t even considered that it might be Locke. It was drawn to look far uglier and fiercer than the real person, and the same went for Henry.

Even though his brother had gone through a period of madness after their parents’ accident, Raymond never imagined he would take a life so lightly, So, the idea that he had fired the gun on the ship didn’t cross his mind.

The man he knew wouldn’t carry out such a reckless mission.

But with reports from those sent to the Northwest and even Bill’s suggestion that Locke might be the wanted man, his doubts grew.

Evan’s confirmation had now turned those doubts into reality.

“He’s in the Rudelly region. There was a large-scale battle there recently, and I made inquiries after hearing reports that people had seen him.”

“Does he have two lives? How long does he plan to stay with the independence army?”

Raymond frowned, uncharacteristically worried about Locke.

“If independence is achieved thanks to people like him, wouldn’t it bring revival to the family?”

“It doesn’t have to be him.”

“Only he could make it happen.”

Evan, who had served as an aide to the Rivern family for generations, lamented how the family had declined since the tragic death of the previous Count and Locke’s descent into military obsession while Raymond took on their maternal grandfather’s business.

Though he now worked under Raymond, Evan hoped more than anyone that the Rivern family would regain its former influence.

In his eyes, Locke was more than capable of becoming a military leader immediately.

Evan was confident that after the war, Locke would restore the Rivern family’s renown.

At that point, he would need to marry, too.

Neither Locke nor Raymond had heirs, which frustrated Evan greatly.

While Raymond’s loss of Veronica was recent, Locke seemed impossible to match, as though he’d reject even the most stunning women presented to him.

Finally, there had been a woman in his life, but she turned out to be a fellow spy. And worse, their superior officer.

Although he had joked with Leona, Evan was close to tearing his hair out.

“Have someone send updates on my brother regularly.”

“Already arranged.”

“What about Henry? Is he doing well?”

Though he spoke casually, Raymond’s concern for Henry, who had bickered with Locke since childhood, was evident.

“I heard they were separated for some time after becoming fugitives, but Henry recently rejoined the Count.”

“Good. I feel reassured knowing he’s there.”

“Indeed. He’s likely the only person the Count can fully trust. If not for his obsession…”

“Exactly.”

They both shook their heads, recalling Henry’s unwavering loyalty to Locke. They should have realized it when he showed up at the mansion with a shaved head as soon as he turned twenty.

At one point, they even suspected Henry might have feelings for Locke, but his nervous stuttering and blushing around women proved otherwise.

“And that woman, the leader. Find out more about her. What kind of person she is. If the news is accurate, they pretended to be married while aboard the ship. Their relationship can’t be ordinary.”

“I’ve already sent someone. I’ll report back when I get information.”

“Good. I’m open to anyone. I thought he’d be alone forever.”

Like Evan, Raymond hoped for Locke to settle down, whether she was a soldier or a spy.

“I’m heading to the city to meet with new business partners. Several nations, aware of our strained relations with the Empire, are keen on trading discreetly.”

“Very well. Oh, and while you’re out, get a rifle that’s easy for a woman to handle.”

“For Ms. Leona?”

“Yes. She takes good care of Angela, so it’s the least I can do.”

“You’re not harboring other intentions, are you?”

Raymond immediately shook his head. “Of course not.”