The Duke's Passion

Chapter 614  The Earl's Secret II

"... please don't kill me!" Claude's eyes shook, seeing the confusion in her eyes. Did she ask him who he was upon seeing his face? So, did that mean she knew that felon's face?

"A proxy?" she scoffed, lifting the dagger in his throat while still studying him. He didn't seem he was lying unless he was an excellent actor. "Someone approached me and offered me to pretend as someone! Please believe me! I just need money. That's why I accepted!" he exclaimed in a panic, trembling in fear while giving her that desperate look. "If only I knew it will be this dangerous, I wouldn't do it!" "Who asked you to come here?" came out a stern voice.

"I don't know! They were wearing a cloak! I was told not to ask questions and come in here!"

The woman studied his pale complexion and the desperation in his eyes. She could feel his body vibrate against her and this was something not anyone could fake. "And your mission?" she asked once again, not lowering her guard despite that he seemed he was also a victim here.

"It's... it's... to meet someone and relay a message to them. They said after that, I will have to write everything and wait for a crow!" Claude explained in panic, almost on the verge of tears. Just then, the woman glanced over her shoulder upon sensing an approaching presence. She then shifted her sharp eyes to the terrified Claude.

"If I prove you're involved in here, I will cut you. Do as what you were told." She warned, watching him nod profusely. She carefully withdrew her dagger and picked up the masked, tossing it to him while hiding her dagger under her skirt. When she glanced back at him, she noticed how his hand still trembled while holding the mask. 'He really looks terrified,' she thought, walking back to the armchair across from him. Meanwhile, as soon as Claude covered his face with the mask, his lips curled up. If he could clap, he would've clapped and praised himself. He was such an excellent actor. Thanks to years of pranking his uncle, he mastered the art of deception. "Act normal," she instructed in an icy voice, glancing at the door. "What you got their ears, the woman smiled sweetly.

involved in is dangerous. If I were you, after this transaction, flee. Dead men tell no tales."

'Is she worried about me? Well, that is surprising for someone who pointed a dagger in my throat just now.' he thought, nodding while keeping his silence. It didn't take long when a knock came from outside the door. As soon as it caressed their ears, the woman smiled sweetly.

"Uh..." Claude cleared his throat. "It's better if you sit on my lap," came out a nervous voice. "It will look more believable if they see me indulging in debauchery. That's what they told me. That is why I asked you to strip."

His voice was polite, making her raise a brow. Since what he said made a point, the woman rocked her head. She didn't say anything as she stood and unhesitatingly sat on his lap.

"Don't try anything silly," she warned while wrapping her arms around his neck. "Or I'll let you know how fragile life is."

'Heh... how fierce.' he mentally laughed.

In his perspective, she was more like an angry kitten than a tigress. Perhaps it was because he had seen real tiger-like people in hell's den that people like her and threats like this sounded more like a joke. Despite that, this woman seemed to know more about the person he was after. "Come in." Claude cleared his throat as he waited for the person to enter the room. His eyes instantly flickered, seeing a man enter.

'This man...' he whispered as he instantly recognized this person. '... to think this is the recipient of those letters.'  "I will not greet you formally since I heard you don't like acting like a nobleman." The local nobleman spoke, glancing at Claude in a mask and the woman clinging onto him. "I'd rather prefer it if it's just the two of us."

"Oh..." Claude rocked his head, gazing at the woman on his lap. He smirked, snaking his arms around her waist to pull her closer. Unlike how he acted so terrified, he played with her hair while she kept her smile despite gritting her teeth. "Do you want to leave, Gorgeous?" he inquired, while she averted her eyes. "Young Master, if this is important, I will give you space. However, I will surely miss you."

'Oh? will you look at that?' Claude chuckled while shaking his head mentally. He sighed, cocking his head to the man. "Baron, you prefer if we talk without company? And when did this become about you and your preferences?" The Baron froze, sensing this chill down his spine. He had heard stories of the man he was negotiating with. They said he was just as intimidating as the crazy earl in this land. But to think rumors weren't just hearsay, he gulped. "Sit down, Baron. I hate it when people look down on me while I'm sitting down." Claude motioned his hand towards the seat across from him.

The Baron cleared his throat, treading carefully towards the chair. As soon as he sat down, Claude and the courtesan were flirting. This only made everything look believable since the woman had hazel hair and they heard this felon had an obsession with women with hazel hair. He cleared his throat, catching their attention. "As what I had written to you, the request you made is prepared. Once the payment is made, we can ship out the goods."

'Fiend.' Claude's eyes grew colder. The "goods" this person was talking about were people — real people they abducted. He just needed to know the location of where they were being held. Meanwhile, although his tone had a complete change, the woman could still feel the slight tremor in his arms. Hence, she was slowly believing that Claude was... actually, a proxy. "The payment... is not with me." He played with her hazel hair with his index indifferently. "You already know how I move, Baron. Tonight, you will receive a letter telling you the location of the money. Ship them out immediately the next day. If the goods are incomplete or damaged... you know what will happen."

"Ye — yes!"

"If that is settled, why don't you drink with me before you leave?" This time, his tone changed in a much lighter tone as he pointed his hand at the glass in front of him. "Gorgeous, will you serve my dear friend?" "Yes, young master." The woman smiled as she carefully stood up from him and served the Baron. Claude also commended this woman, as she also knew how to act. Albeit, not a great pretender like him. "Uh..." once the drink was served, the Baron hesitated. "My lady, it seems the Baron thinks the drink is poisoned." Claude cast the woman a look. "Why don't you drink it first so he won't worry too much?" "Of course, Young Master."

"No, it's fine!" the Baron panicked, knowing that this might appear rude to him. "How can I think it's poisoned?" His hand trembled as he picked up the glass to his lips. The Baron downed it in one go, sporting an awkward smile.

"Baron... I am looking forward to our next transaction." Claude's eyes glinted while nodding approvingly. They shared a few drinks, but Claude didn't drink because of the mask. When the Baron left, he remained silent while the woman who accompanied them and listened to their conversation walked towards the window. She stood in the side, just peeking outside. "What you've heard today is important. Flee now before it's too late," she muttered, eyes outside.

Claude, who was studying her actions, let out a sigh. He carefully removed the mask, revealing the solemn expression on his face. He wasn't acting, but he somehow discovered a new way to approach this matter. His enemy was evasive and careful — purposely hiding his tracks from him — so it was hard for the Earl to catch him.

Just as his lips parted, the woman closed the curtain. "They're here," she said while looking at him. "They will kill you." That was all she said before marching away while tying her hazel hair up. When she was by the other door that was connected to another room, she looked back. Claude was just sitting down, unmoving. "Where will I go?" he inquired almost dramatically, looking back at her with helplessness in his eyes. "I'm not strong and lived day by day by accepting odd jobs. Even if I can fight, I'm not strong enough to fight people like them. That Baron is a noble vampire."

She looked at him straight in the eye in silence. For a compassionate person like her who had a long history of witnessing people be used and die, she knew that this man would share the same fate. Out of the goodness of her heart, she offered to help him flee.

Little did she know, it was the beginning of having a pushover like him follow her around like a tail.