My Lord Chapter 22

After finding out that the head of the Gray Company is Philer Luciano, I asked Ellen to gather information about him. 

 

Since the original novel barely mentioned Philer Luciano, I had no choice but to obtain the information myself.  

 

The result was this crystal orb.  

 

When I turned on the orb, densely packed text appeared in the air. As I skimmed through the holographic lines, my eyes landed on a photo prominently displayed in the middle.  

 

“Is this the son?”  

 

Ellen answered.  

 

“Yeah. Doesn’t he look like an idiot?” 

 

“Extremely.”  

 

He looked only a few years older than Sedian, but his eyes were so murky, his face screamed of someone addicted to indulgence.  

 

“And they did all that to our young master just to put this useless brat in the successor’s seat…”  

 

I muttered as I tightly clenched the crystal orb.  

 

“How should I crush them so thoroughly that it becomes a story everyone talks about…”  

 

I had no intention of leaving the Gray Company alone.  

 

Not only because they had tormented Sedian, but also because, in the future, they would become an obstacle in his path.  

 

I wanted Sedian to be happy even after I left. I didn’t want him to suffer because of his surroundings.  

 

So, while I stayed by his side, I planned to not only help him now but also take actions for his future.  

 

“By the way, Rey.”  

 

Ellen suddenly leaned his face into my line of sight while I was lost in thought.  

 

“Why are you so protective of the young master?”  

 

I was a little startled and widened my eyes.  

 

“Huh? Why are you surprised? Did I say something wrong?”  

 

“I’m surprised that you even know a sophisticated word like ‘protective.’”  

 

“Ah! Daisy taught me! She’s so smart!”  

 

Wouldn’t it be harder to find someone dumber than you, though? I decided not to say that out loud.  

 

“Anyway, why are you protective of the young master? Is it out of guilt?”  

 

Although there were various reasons, there was no need to tell him everything. So, I just nodded.  

 

“Something like that.”  

 

“And that’s why you’re trying to break his curse?”  

 

“I’m working on it.”  

 

Ellen’s eyes curved into crescents as he smiled. He placed his large hand on top of my head, stroking it gently.  

 

“Our Rey, you’re so kind.”  

 

I chuckled and lightly pushed his hand away to free my head.  

 

“Bringing harm and then offering a remedy—what’s kind about that? Not even a little.”  

 

“Hey, at least you’re giving the remedy. There are plenty of people out there who just harm without offering anything in return.”  

 

But the harm I caused was too great.  

 

I swallowed the words I couldn’t bring myself to say and smiled bitterly. Just then—  

 

“If it’s for that reason, I’ll help too.”  

 

It was an unexpected statement. I looked up at Ellen silently, and he smiled again before continuing.  

 

“I mean crushing the Company. I found out they’re supporting the Imperial Army quite a bit.”  

 

He patted his chest and said proudly:  

 

“In other words, they’re our enemies too!”  

 

I immediately understood what Ellen meant.  

 

‘Gilliard’ is a revolutionary force opposing the current imperial regime.  

 

Their position is that the incompetent royal family must be overthrown and a new government established. Naturally, they would hate financial backers of the Imperial Army.  

 

That works out well.  

 

Even for me, it would’ve been tough to take on the Company alone. If Gilliard was willing to help, I’d be grateful.  

 

Nodding in agreement, I shared a plan I had constructed based on existing speculations.  

 

“For now, the Company will likely try to make contact with you two.”  

 

“With me and Lily?”  

 

“Yeah. They’ll probably offer money in exchange for information. When that happens, accept it. And let me know.”  

 

“So, you’re saying we should act as double agents?”  

 

I nodded.  

 

“It’s not impossible, but…”  

 

Ellen tilted his head, looking puzzled.  

 

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just storm in and kill them all?”  

 

It was such an Ellen-like comment, and I knew he meant it seriously rather than as a joke, so I didn’t even bother laughing as I replied.  

 

“The Company isn’t a simple organization. They have multiple branches, and they might be a larger decentralized network than we think. Let’s deal with what’s in front of us first, step by step.”  

 

“So, we start with the double-agent business?”  

 

“Exactly.”  

 

Ellen finally nodded in understanding. His expression brimmed with self-confidence, as if he could handle anything. I gave him a half-hearted thumbs-up, though I couldn’t rely solely on him, of course.  

 

“Then, Rey,” Ellen said again, “after we crush the Company, resolve your guilt, and everything else is done…”  

 

He leaned in and slung an arm over my shoulders.  

 

“How about joining Gilliard?”  

 

Even before he knew I was Reina Khan, Ellen had persistently tried to recruit me into Gilliard. According to him, there was no one better suited for the job than me.  

 

Back then, I refused because I had to focus on breaking Sedian’s curse. But once everything was resolved…  

 

It could be an option.  

 

Not only Ellen, but other friends in Gilliard had helped me a lot. Joining them later as a way of repaying my debt wouldn’t be a bad idea. However, that was something to consider once everything was over.  

 

I lightly tapped his arm draped over my shoulder and replied:  

 

“We’ll see how you behave.”  

 

“What?!”  

 

“If you try to act cute, I won’t go.”  

 

“Understood!”  

 

Ellen chuckled, and I laughed along with him.  

 

Ellen was the first friend I made after arriving in this world. When I was confused and disoriented without Reina Khan’s memories, he helped me without hesitation.  

 

In my previous life, I didn’t even have friends and was subtly ostracized. So, Ellen, as my first friend, was someone special to me.  

 

“Alright, keep that in mind and let me know when they contact you.” 

 

“Got it. I’ll come running right away.”  

 

As we wrapped up our conversation, the door suddenly swung open.  

 

Standing there in pajamas was Sedian.  

 

Oh. Why?  

 

“Young Master?”  

 

I quickly pushed Ellen aside and approached Sedian.  

 

It was the first time Sedian had come looking for me, so of course, I was surprised.  

 

“What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell? Is something bothering you? No, if you pulled the bell cord, I would’ve come. Why…”

 

Sedian, who had been silently staring up at me as I rambled on, replied slowly.  

 

“I heard voices.”  

 

“Oh, I’m sorry. Was it too loud for you?”  

 

“Yes.”  

 

Sedian, who gave a curt reply, shifted his gaze beyond me. Naturally, his eyes landed on Ellen. Raising his eyebrows in suspicion, Sedian glared at Ellen.  

 

“Who are you?”  

 

Ellen quickly bowed. It was a perfectly respectful gesture befitting a servant.  

 

“Oh, hello, young master. My name is Ellen, the new gardener at the estate!”  

 

“Gardener?”  

 

“Yes! That’s correct!”  

 

Sedian blinked slowly, but despite hearing the response, he didn’t drop his guarded gaze toward Ellen. His blue eyes, still clouded with traces of sleep, were gradually filling with irritation.  

 

…Why?  

 

“Explain why you two were hugging.”  

 

“Oh, um. It wasn’t hugging—it was more like putting an arm around the shoulder.”  

 

“Same thing.”  

 

Why is he so annoyed…? Ah! Could it be that he suspects Ellen and I have known each other from before? That I hired Ellen through improper means?  

 

Of course, all of that is true, but it’s not something Sedian can ever find out. Moreover, he mustn’t grow suspicious. If he does, he might dig into Ellen’s background.  

 

Hurriedly blocking Sedian’s path, I spoke.  

 

“We’re similar in age and have been working together, so we’ve recently become a bit closer. I called him here today to discuss garden maintenance.”  

 

I then turned to Ellen and added,  

 

“You, get back.”  

 

“Oh, uh, okay.”  

 

Ellen, who had initially approached the window, came to his senses and obediently moved toward where I stood by the door. If he had jumped out the window, I might’ve killed him, so it was a relief.  

 

“Oh, right. Later, go check out the pond. I pruned the trees beautifully—you’ll be amazed when you see it.”  

 

“Uh, sure. Got it.”  

 

“You have to look at it later! Young master, I’ll be off now!”  

 

Sedian didn’t respond, but Ellen didn’t seem to care. He left with the same nonchalant grin on his face, which I found oddly impressive.  

 

But now wasn’t the time to marvel at Ellen’s attitude.  

 

Did I manage to bluff my way out?  

 

I gulped nervously and studied Sedian’s expression.  

 

Sedian, with his brows slightly furrowed, narrowed his eyes. His gaze was still fixed on the spot where Ellen had been standing.  

 

He’s not seriously suspicious, is he? Cold sweat started to form.  

 

“You became friends because you’re the same age,” he finally said after a long silence.