# Chapter 28
Ayud stared at the master with a slightly tense expression.
Did he ask the wrong thing?
The masked man's expression was difficult to read, and the silence between them made things even more awkward.
‘Isn’t this the kind of information they are supposed to provide in the Information Guild?’
Ayoade was a diligent student at the academy, and had little experience in the outside world. After graduating, he quickly obtained a job in the Duchy of Maios, leaving him with very little understanding of how the Information Guilds worked.
'I still need information...'
From the moment he entered the building, he felt a strange sense of unease. This feeling stemmed from the overpowering presence of the master.
Even though Ayud was a man, he felt a strange pressure from the master's tall and muscular physique.
Ayoade, who had never felt physical fear before, was a little nervous. The master's deep, resonant voice was annoying, fading from memory as soon as he heard it.
'I think I've seen magical things like this mask before,' Ayud thought as he watched the master.
'This man must be very serious about hiding his identity.'
Despite the mask, the teacher radiated an aura of power. As Ayoude stood awkwardly, preparing to leave, the master suddenly spoke in a dark but strangely polite tone.
“Of course, I can give you this information.”
Despite the ominous sound, only literature stayed with Ayoade, and he became excited.
“Ah, thank you! The woman I care about...”
“You met her at the Maius Palace, right?”
“…Huh?”
"Aren't you the doctor who works for the Mayos family? Ayod Ramis, first graduate of the Medical Academy. Ah, you were working with someone who recently disappeared, right?"
Ayud's face became pale as death.
He had heard that the Information Guilds were powerful, but the fact that they knew about Bart's condition—something that only a few people in the Maius Palace knew—was terrifying.
“The woman you care about...her current circumstances will not allow you to be with her.”
“Yes, I know that. That's why I plan to approach her slowly.”
Ayoade felt like he was haunted by a ghost. He had no intention of confessing his feelings right away. After all, Judith was still playing the role of Eqian's wife in the palace, and he knew that Judith would diligently fulfill her responsibilities, no matter how temporary.
However, Ayoade was amazed at how understanding his master was.
'This place is really amazing. How does he know all this about my thoughts?'
Now, Ayud's eyes were full of respect as he looked at the master.
“But it would be better to give up.”
When the master said this, Ayoade felt very disappointed, even though he was not usually affected by the words of others.
He only came to the guild to ask for advice, not with the aim of blindly following what they said.
But the master's strange accuracy made him trust the information without any doubt.
"…give up?".
“Yes, give it up, she's not the type who would see you as a man.”
"Is this correct?".
Ayoade could not hide his doubt.
He knew he wasn't unattractive. Women pursued him often, and one of the maids even told him that he looked like the kind of man every woman would love.
The master continued speaking firmly. "She'll never look at you as anything more than a colleague. At most, you'll be friends."
“Of course, we have just met, but is it possible that we will become closer over time?”
The master shook his head decisively and said: “Absolutely not.”
“So, what kind of man do you like? Isn’t he someone who works hard and is good-looking?”
Well, I'm not entirely sure, but...
The gentleman seemed to hesitate for a moment before slamming his hand on the table.
“Most nobles prefer other nobles.”
"…pardon?".
“Isn’t she a noble woman?”
Ayud nodded, puzzled.
Judith was already a baroness, although she once joked over drinks that she would have sold her uess title if she could, as they did abroad.
She also seemed completely indifferent to things that most nobles considered to be of utmost importance, such as divorce and remarriage… .
She used to teach the general public occasionally and visit them as a teacher...
Ayoade even assumed that she didn't think of herf as a noble at all.
"Most noblewomen are not interested in men without titles. They are usually looking for someone of at least the rank of a viscount, if not a count."
“I see... but she doesn't look like the others.”
"Anyway, that's how most noble women think. You've spent enough time among nobles to know that, right?"
"This is correct…".
Ayud nodded slightly, remembering his experiences with the nobles. He was surprised by how disappointed he felt.
'I didn't realize I cared about her this much.'
He thought his feelings were just a mild attraction, but now he realized they were more than that.
Yes he is right.
It was common knowledge that nobles and commoners lived in two separate worlds. Judith may not have been acting like a typical noblewoman, but deep down, perhaps she was thinking like one.
“Anyway, it would be better if you surrender,” the master said calmly. “Now, if our consultations are over, I must respond to Judith’s request. I am rather busy.”
“What do I owe you for this information?”
"nothing."
The master smiled mysteriously and said: “My close relationship with Judith allows me to offer this as a favor to her colleague.”
The Master looked at Ayoade as he left the building, his shoulders hunched.
Even after returning to Maios Palace, Ayud felt strangely exhausted.
'Common people...'
Of course, it was normal for a noblewoman not to look at a commoner as a potential partner. Such is the nature of nobility.
The master's words seemed to pour cold water on him.
Judith wore elegant dresses and stayed in the young duke's room. Although she was nice enough not to show it, Ayoade wondered if she found her new lifestyle comfortable.
Ayaud handed the antidote to the Duke and Duchess, while they were still feeling somewhat detached from the situation.
“Take this twice a day, morning and evening.”
When Ayoade saw the couple's somber expressions, he collected himf and explained the treatment.
"The detoxification process won't be difficult, but it will take some time. Poison is naturally slow-acting."
The Duke and Duchess sighed in relief.
“Ayud, thank you.”
"We were lucky you cured Karl. You saved us."
Ayud smiled softly and shook his head. "It's nothing. I was just doing my job. The real credit goes to Jo... I mean, to the young Duchess."
The Duke and Duchess both nodded, acknowledging Judith's role in saving them.
“It would have been a disaster if Judith had not been there.”
"Even though she suspected something, she was brave enough to act. What a wonderful young woman."
The Duke and Duchess praised Judith, and had no choice but to acknowledge her courage.
Ayoade was also impressed by Judith's courage. What if she was wrong when things were uncertain?
But Judith calmly replied: “When lives are at stake, you have to act, no matter what happens.”
Ayoade thought that if he were the Duke or Duchess, he would want to reward Judith handsomely as well.
"I told you," said the Duchess confidently, turning to the Duke, "she is too precious to be called absolute. We should at least marry her into the family of a viscount."
The Duke replied with a serious expression, "Viscount? That is not enough. We will find a good count for her."
There is a Marquez boy next to you 🤣