The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

She closed her eyes and opened them again, but the amount in her bank account remained the same. 

Laria tried counting the zeros but gave up.

‘How much is this, anyway?’

It was an amount she couldn’t accumulate even if she worked as a mercenary for a lifetime. 

The highest amount Laria had ever seen in her life was the reward mentioned in a flyer for finding Whitie. However, the money in her account far exceeded that reward. 

‘Did Solike make a mistake with the deposit?’

No, it would be difficult to amass such a sum even by selling information.

Laria, who had taken her eyes off the bank statement, said:

“It seems like there’s an error in the amount.”

“There’s no way that’s the case.”

The branch manager’s response was firm. He added that even a single peso of error could ruin the bank.

To identify the source of the deposit, Laria picked up the documents on the counter.

[5,700,000]

[28,500,000]

Most of the records were deposits made by Solike.

As she casually flipped through the documents, one number stood out prominently.

[1,000,000,000…]

How many zeros were there exactly?

Laria, who was following the bewildering number, stopped when she saw the depositor’s name at the end.

[Zenox Krassium]

The depositor’s identity was Zenox.

Tuk-

Just like that, Laria dropped the documents, unable to even blink. 

She had thought it was money sent by mistake, but it was from Zenox. 

‘Why would he send such a huge amount to me…?’

She was flooded with various thoughts in an instant.

Could it be some kind of compensation for deceiving her? 

With trembling hands, Laria picked up the documents again. When she checked the date of the deposit, it was after the banquet. 

So, why did he send the money out of the blue before his lie was exposed?

Laria furrowed her brow, unable to even guess the reason.

When her expression turned serious, the branch manager asked discreetly:

“Is there a problem?” 

Laria, lowering her head, pointed to Zenox’ deposit record. 

“Can I send this money back?” 

When she inquired about returning the amount sent by Zenox, the branch manager showed signs of discomfort. 

“I’m sorry, but it seems difficult.”

She can’t?

When Laria gave him a look demanding an explanation, the branch manager added:

“Because Zenox Krassium’s account is invalid…”

What did that mean?

“He opened a one-time account, deposited money, and then immediately closed it.”

So there was no way to return it. 

With her mouth agape, Laria couldn’t find the words to respond. 

‘Should I go see him?’

Should she go and ask him what this was about? Would she have to take the money with her? 

She had promised herself not to see Zenox for a while… But her head was pounding. 

“For now… Can I withdraw everything except for this deposit?” 

“Of course. Would you like to withdraw the interest as well?” 

Laria checked the separate interest and massaged her temples. 

The interest was even more than she had earned from her mercenary work in six months. 

“No, I’ll leave it as it is.”

She intended to return both the principal and the interest to Zenox eventually. 

In the end, Laria exchanged only Solike’s sent money and the check before leaving the bank. The branch manager and employees all came out to see her off, attracting the attention of the people around. 

Laria quickly left the scene. 

“Then we’ll wait for you, Miss Laria Rohan.”

As the oblivious branch manager called her name, murmurs rippled through the surroundings.

“Laria Rohan? The fiance of Grand Duke Krassium?”

“If she’s from the Rohan family, then she must have been active at the palace banquet…”

“I heard the imperial family is negotiating with the Rohan  this time.”

As excessive attention poured in, Laria pushed her hat down deeper.

Only after Rodit stepped forward to clear the way for them did they finally manage to reach the carriage.

Sighing deeply as she boarded the carriage, Laria sighed.

‘I guess the rumor about my breakup with Zenox hasn’t spread yet.’

Since she had proposed to cancel the contract, she had expected Zenox’s side to make the first move.

Just like when they sent marriage letters to her whole family.

“Miss, are you going back home now?”

“I have something to buy. Let’s go to the downtown area.”

“…If you’re not feeling well, please let me know.”

Worried, Rodit looked at Laria, who reassured him with a simple ‘I’m fine.’

Arriving at the downtown area, Laria walked slowly along the street.

It was the same street where she had come with Zenox, who had transformed into a wolf cub.

As she pondered over their conversation, Laria noticed a signboard adorned with jewels.

Seeing the familiar signboard brought back memories involuntarily.

As Laria was looking closely at the jewelry store, Zenox, in the form of a wolf cub, asked.

-Should I buy it for you?

-You don’t have any money.

Zenox, who remained silent, seemed disheartened.

She remembered that moment, finding it so cute.

‘I should stop thinking about this now.’

They hadn’t been together for long, but traces of Zenox were scattered throughout her daily life.

Laria wondered when she might stop thinking about him. 

She decided to visit another store and opened the door after some hesitation.

“Welcome!” 

Well-dressed employees greeted her warmly.

Laria glanced around the display shelves. Jewels showcased inside glass cases sparkled in the sunlight.

Laria, feeling unusually affluent, said:

“I’d like to purchase various types of jewels in bulk.”

“For what purpose?”

“For collecting.”

Laria replied casually, as if she were a tycoon heiress.

She began selecting gems, focusing on ones like low-value freshwater pearls, small-sized emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, which weren’t too expensive.

As Laria calculated the cost in her mind, she chose some flawless, transparent diamonds. 

The higher the purity and value of the gems, the more effective they were for advanced magic. So, it was a good idea to have one or two on hand.

Despite filling her basket with gems, Laria’s gaze kept returning to the black diamond displayed on the shelf.

It was as flawless as Zenox’s hair color, without a single impurity. 

She wanted to own one, but when she checked the price, she reluctantly gave up. Black diamonds, mined only in some northern mines, were quite expensive.

After purchasing the gems within her budget, Laria signed the check.

The shopkeeper, who had seen her name, looked surprised. 

“Laria Rohan?”

“…Yes?” 

Since becoming Zenox’s lover, there had been occasions when people recognized her name.

It was strange but somewhat fascinating. However, the shopkeeper suddenly burst into a wide smile. 

“You don’t need to calculate. You can just take them with you.”

“What?”

Laria was momentarily taken aback.

She didn’t need to calculate…?

Another situation she couldn’t comprehend was unfolding right after leaving the bank.

“…I don’t understand.”

The shopkeeper chuckled, tilting his head.

“Didn’t you hear?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The boss said everything is free for Laria Rohan.”

Laria, who only blinked, asked.

“Who is the boss?”

“It’s Zenox Krassium.”

Zenox had bought this store?

Could it be because he had asked, ‘Would you like me to buy it for you then?’…

‘Was he serious?’

Laria was dazed and then suddenly trembled.

And immediately left the store.

Rodit, who followed, called out to Laria, but she didn’t even have time to answer.

“Come outside.”

Rodit was surprised when Laria spoke while looking at a place where no one was around.

It was an action that could easily lead to being labeled a lunatic, but Laria didn’t care.

“I know you’re following me.”

A moment later, a tall man appeared hesitantly.

It was Tigur, who had secretly followed Laria, serving as Zenox’s aide.

“Did you call me…?”

He was somewhat doubtful. 

She wondered if they were still following him, but it seemed like Zenox hadn’t given up on his orders.

Since they had parted ways, Zenox’s uncle won’t be targeting her either.

“Why are you still following me?”

“I’m just following His Excellency’s orders.”

Laria was speechless at Tigur’s honest answer.

She couldn’t fathom Zenox’s intentions.

She had been confident that she knew Zenox better than anyone else, but it had been a delusion.

Suppressing the rising emotions, Laria firmly spoke up:

“Please convey this to His Excellency: Please take back the money you deposited in my account and my name from the store.”

Tigur, his expression awkward, couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

His attitude was close to rejection, so she asked pointedly without realizing it.

“What’s wrong? Did His Excellency tell you not to listen to me?”

“That’s not the point…”

 before finally revealing the truth. 

“I’m sorry, but His Excellency the Grand Duke left for the North last night.”