To say it was a treacherous journey would be an understatement. The roads outside the capital city were a chaotic mess, and with every bone-jarring bump, my stomach threatened to rebel. Even in my previous life, I suffered from terrible motion sickness, but now, riding in a carriage, it felt like an endless nightmare. We had to make frequent stops as I couldn't help but throw up every now and then.

Despite my discomfort, I refused to ask the carriage driver to slow down. I couldn't afford to dally on this critical mission. By the time we reached Albertine territory, however, I was utterly drained and barely hanging on. Continuing like this would jeopardize my chances of success. Recognizing my need for rest, we decided to take a three-day break before resuming the journey.

As always, Sir Hartwood proved himself invaluable, selecting a charming inn for our respite. The inn provided a welcome haven for rejuvenation, and Sir Hartwood ensured our comfort with precision, attending to every detail. His aloof demeanor belied his unwavering dedication to his duty. He guarded my room day and night, providing me peace of mind regarding Gemma's intentions, especially given the substantial amount of money and valuable jewelry I carried.

After freshening up, I called for Sir Hartwood. "I must apologize for my motion sickness. I hope I haven't been a nuisance during our journey," I said.

"No, my lady," the knight replied promptly.

"That's reassuring. Over the past few days, I've come to find you quite reliable. I would like to keep you with me a while longer."

"..."

"There's something I'm curious about. How did an imperial knight like yourself end up running errands for the Earl?" I inquired further.

"My superior, Marchioness Harrington, the captain of the imperial knights, is a close friend of Countess Ashbourne. When the Countess asked her for a guard to protect you during the journey, Marchioness Harrington recommended me. The Earl also generously compensated me for this task," he explained.

It appeared that the Harringtons had a strong bond with the Ashbournes. The marriage proposal between the families was likely to strengthen their relationship further.

"How much did the Earl pay you?" I asked.

"50 gold coins," he replied.

Fifty gold coins were indeed a substantial sum, nearly twice the annual salary of the maids working at the Earl's mansion.

"Is money important to you?" 

"Very much so," he admitted.

"Then... if I were to pay you more than the Earl, would you consider switching sides and working for me?" I inquired, testing the waters.

Sir Hartwood fell silent for a moment. Finally, he answered, "Yes, it is possible."

I recalled the Countess' words about my need for the 75 gold coins soon. She had taken great care to select a suitable guard for me, knowing how events might unfold. Her selection was impeccable. The knight was strong and reliable, yet he could be easily leveraged with money.

The Countess was well-connected, often attending tea parties hosted by noblewomen. She was also close with the notorious Marchioness Harrington, the esteemed imperial knight who had a reputation for being at odds with most nobles, except for her two best friends, Countess Ashbourne and Duchess Albertine. Whenever I saw the Countess, she was either engrossed in a book or busy writing letters to various people. Her influence over the Earl was evident, and he unquestioningly trusted her decisions. It was now clear who held the reins of the Ashbourne family and territory. No wonder the Countess spent a significant amount of time in the Earl's study whenever he was in the capital.

I have to be very careful of her in the future, I decided.

"So, you're a man who does anything for money, huh?" I asked Sir Lucas, in a half-joking, half-serious manner.

"Yes, unless I feel that the situation would turn out to be disadvantageous to me," Sir Lucas replied without hesitation.

"So if someone offers you a higher amount, you will switch sides with them?"

"Probably, yes."

It was good that he was being honest. That saved me a great deal of trouble.

"In that case, I'll pay you 60 gold coins upfront. You'll also be paid 30 gold for each month you work for me. By any chance, have you signed a contract with my father?"

"No."

I was briefly astonished that the Earl did not even think of making him sign an employee contract. Perhaps it was because I was from the modern world, and one of the directors of a company to boot, I couldn't think of having an employee work for me without a contract.

"Will you sign a contract with me? Just so I can be sure you won't stab me in the back out of the blue."

After thinking for a while, he replied, "Fine."

I took a sheet of paper and wrote down the contract. I explained the terms and conditions as I handed it to him.

"You will continue to be my knight until I say so. I will pay you based on the missions you complete and at the end of each month. On the other hand, I ask you to stay loyal to me until our deal is done. In case I find that you've betrayed me, you will return everything I've given to you until that day, both in cash and kind."

The knight quickly read the conditions and nodded.

"Here, put your signature in there," I said, as I handed him the feather pen.

The knight did as he was told and handed me the contract back. I rolled the contract and sealed it safely with wax.

With Sir Lucas by my side, things would be a whole lot easier. I couldn't help but feel that I had completed a crucial side quest in a game. His presence provided me with a sense of security and reliability. However, beneath the surface, a hint of unease lingered. While having a skilled knight like him was undeniably advantageous, I couldn't ignore the fact that he seemed willing to pledge loyalty to anyone who offered him more money. He was the type of person who could be easily swayed, and strangely enough, that was precisely what I needed for this mission.

The Countess's foresight intrigued me. How much had she anticipated about this journey and my actions? It seemed she understood my need for someone like Sir Lucas, someone who could be discreetly influenced when necessary. For now, I decided not too dwell too much on the Countess' actions and lose my sleep.

I took out the pouch the Countess had given me from the drawer. I separated 15 gold coins and handed the rest of the money to him.

"Here's your advance."

The knight took it with both hands and replied, "Thank you."

"Alright, you can leave now. I want to rest for a while. Make sure nobody enters the room, not even Gemma."

"Understood."

"It goes without saying but, the deal between us is to be kept a secret, understood?"

"Yes, Miss," the knight replied, his hand closing in on the door knob.

****

Lucas Hartwood couldn't help but replay the Countess's cryptic words in his mind as he stood guard outside the door.

"She would ask you to make a deal with her," the Countess had said, her voice echoing in his thoughts. "If she asks how much the Earl paid you, tell her it was 50 gold coins in advance. Then, she'll offer you more and ask you to stay by her side and do her bidding. You can accept her proposition without hesitation. Make it seem like you'll do anything for money."

The knight was a little intrigued, and thought that she wanted to build trust with her daughter in a subtle yet strategic manner.

"Should I report her actions to you?" he had asked.

"No need," the Countess had replied. "You needn't report to the Earl either. My only desire is to see my daughter protected and guided by someone capable. If I were to simply give you to her, she wouldn't trust either of us."

"I'm curious to see what she's trying to achieve in Rutherford," the Countess had mused, her thoughts slipping into the air as if talking to herself. "Something tells me I won't be disappointed."