I Think My Husband Might Be a Murderer - Chapter 11

***

Johannes Schultz is kind and generous.

But he is also aristocratic and arrogant. He simply does not cross a certain line.

“I’m proposing to you, Miss Prim.”

Even when saying such a thing, his face remained expressionless.

It was utterly absurd. I was so flustered I couldn’t even remember if I had responded properly.

When I firmly refused, he concealed whatever odd expression had flickered on his face.

And just like when we met outside, he returned to being the gentle Duke Schultz. The benevolent and gracious nobleman I remembered.

“You may go for the day. I’ll look into improving the unfair treatment you’re receiving from the staff at the estate.”

And then he behaved as though he had never proposed to me at all.

“What was that all about…?”

It still doesn’t feel real.

“What is he scheming?”

Surely he wouldn’t fire me just because I turned down his proposal…

The talk of quitting had been said in the heat of the moment. I had no real intention of leaving.

Trying to shake off what had just happened, I shook my head quickly. Still, his voice kept echoing in my mind, so I slapped my cheeks hard and hurried home.

An uninvited guest was waiting in front of the house.

“…Ha.”

I should’ve taken my time getting back.

A sigh escaped me. I stared at the pile of papers stuffed in the mailbox and picked out the one that stood out most.

Debt Repayment Agreement

To Isaac Prim

“What now…”

A wave of helplessness crushed my entire body. I shut my eyes tightly.

The amount due was staggering. A full 135 million Berks.

‘Why would Father borrow such an enormous amount…?’

The repayment deadline was just a week away.

My hand holding the document trembled. For a moment, I resented my father.

The wild thought of accepting Johannes Schultz’s proposal briefly crossed my mind.

***

That Musen is a peaceful city does not mean it’s free of crime.

More accurately, it means there are no violent crimes involving serious physical harm.

Other minor crimes occurred as in any other city.

The difference was that, being a wealthy city, its residents were mostly businesspeople, and so loan businesses inevitably flourished.

As a result, there were quite a few lawsuits related to money.

‘Still, this is outrageous…’

An annual interest rate of 50 percent? That was insane.

I didn’t know why my father borrowed such a massive sum, but the original 100 million Berks loan was taken out three years ago.

He had repaid 110 million Berks.

But the remaining 40 million had not been paid, and with the accumulating interest, the debt had now reached 135 million Berks.

“This is ridiculous.”

Mrs. Pensler clicked her tongue.

I had asked for her help, having no idea what to do, and she couldn’t hide her concern either.

“I don’t know why your father took out such a large loan, but a 50 percent interest rate? That’s not a proper contract.”

“I can’t find a single copy of the agreement anywhere. And the repayment deadline is next week. Where on earth am I supposed to find that kind of money…”

My forehead throbbed. I pressed my temples and looked at Mrs. Pensler.

“Before the war, he might’ve been able to borrow elsewhere with lower rates, but now everyone’s struggling. Who knows what will happen.”

“Will we lose the house?”

“Hard to say…”

She looked doubtful.

“First, it’d be best to ask for an extension. Right now, the only money I can lend you is just 10 million Berks…”

“No, please, ma’am! I can’t trouble you. I couldn’t possibly accept that.”

Startled, I refused, and Mrs. Pensler took my hand.

“I’d feel ashamed facing your father if I didn’t help you. He helped me so much back then.”

“Still…”

I knew I should decline again, but I couldn’t. Right now, I had to hold onto whatever I could.

She said it would be fine and gently squeezed my hand.

“Let’s wait and see what the loan company says when they show up.”

I nodded. And I resolved that the first thing I’d do when I got to work tomorrow was apologize to Johannes Schultz for my rudeness.

***

“I was rude yesterday. Please forgive me.”

I bowed deeply before Johannes Schultz.

The back of my head tingled. When should I raise my head?

He was so unresponsive that it felt like he was punishing me for rejecting his proposal. Slowly, I began to straighten my back.

But I had been mistaken. He wasn’t paying me the slightest attention.

He was simply flipping through a newspaper, his eyes fixed on the page.

“I think I overstepped.”

Even as I said those words, the Duke of Schultz didn’t even look at me.

But I didn’t feel any shame just because he didn’t respond.

He was a great noble, and right now, my biggest concern was money.

As long as I wasn’t fired, I could consider myself lucky. If I stayed on, I’d be able to get a loan from the bank, since employees of noble households had good credit.

“Please, just don’t fire me.”

At last, the head that had been facing downward slowly lifted. In a flat voice, he asked, “May I take that to mean you’re accepting my proposal?”

I knew this question would come. Without flinching, I replied, “No. If you’re thinking of firing me just because I didn’t agree to your request—”

He let out a short laugh. “I have no intention of firing you.”

He didn’t seem to have changed his mind, nor did he ask why I was suddenly apologizing.

As if he’d never proposed to me at all.

‘Was it just a whim? Or maybe pity…?’

I pressed my lips together for a moment, but since it didn’t seem like he would explain, I gave a smile and said, “Thank you for your mercy. I’ll be more careful with my words and actions from now on.”

“As you wish.”

“…May I be excused?”

The moment he nodded, I fled the Duke’s office.

***

In a bustling port city, being perceptive is a must.

Having lived in Musen all my life, I wasn’t exactly clueless, though not as sharp as the merchants.

Even so, the current situation was baffling and surreal.

“Good morning, Miss Prim.”

“Today’s lunch is sausages with soufflé. Let’s eat together.”

“Is the work too much? Let me know if you need help.”

The servants’ attitude had changed dramatically.

Not only were they greeting me warmly, but there was no hint of hostility, and they were even kind.

It seemed the Duke truly meant it when he said he’d look into the unfair treatment I was receiving.

The fact that their attitudes shifted so drastically with just one word from Duke Schultz left a bitter taste, but they did seem sincere.

As if they’d genuinely let go of their resentment toward me.

Who knows, maybe I was even earning less than they were. Or maybe they’d been told to treat me well before I got kicked out.

He said he didn’t intend to fire me, but who’s to say that wouldn’t change?

135 million Berks…

We could really lose the house. The thought alone made me sigh.

I walked absentmindedly for a long while. By the time I came to my senses, I was standing in front of the office.

***

The office always smelled of dense forest.

Across from the entrance stood a sturdy oak desk, and behind it, large windows were veiled by dark green curtains.

I walked slowly over and closed the curtains.

Once the curtains were drawn and the door shut, the world grew quiet, as if I were completely alone.

This space was far more than I deserved. I knew that well. And so…

“I must’ve been out of my mind.”

I let out a small laugh, recalling my foolishness the day before.

Kindness for kindness, rudeness for rudeness.

That doesn’t apply to an employer. One must bow to the person who pays them, especially when that person pays more than you can imagine.

“Is something troubling you?”

Just as I sat down at the desk, Sir Fret came in to deliver today’s documents and asked.

When I didn’t answer, he added, “Your complexion doesn’t look well.”

“Ah… I’m just a bit tired. Didn’t sleep well.”

I raised a hand and rubbed my eyes, hoping it would signal him not to pry further.

Thankfully, Sir Fret was quick to catch on. I took the stack of documents from him.

“There’s a bit more than usual today.”

“Finally feels like I’m doing real work.”

I joked lightly, and he gave a soft smile.

With a few formal words—he wished me a good day and thanked me for my efforts—our conversation ended.

Even then, the unease wouldn’t leave me.

On impulse, I called out to him as he reached for the doorknob.

“Sir Fret, by any chance, do you report everything we talk about to the Duke?”

He turned around and replied, “No, unless it’s something important, I don’t report it.”

“Then… the Duke didn’t ask you to fire me or anything like that, did he?”

“Pardon? Did something happen?”

Sir Fret looked genuinely unaware. It seemed he didn’t even know his master had proposed to me.

What a relief.

“It’s nothing.”

I gave a sheepish smile and finally brought up the real reason I stopped him.

“Um… would it be possible for me to receive a certificate of employment from the ducal household? Only if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, of course.”