Chapter 15

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: No Mercy 15

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"I heard it at a tavern. Some young guy who looked like a noble was drunk and blabbing that to another man."

"Do you know who it was?"

"There are so many nobles out there—how would I know? But he said he works for the Bozbon family. That part I remember."

A person working for the Bozbon family...

I rested my chin on my hand and thought for a moment before slowly opening my mouth.

"So you're saying that information has some credibility to it?"

"Sure, assuming everything that comes out of a drunkard's mouth is true. He might've been lying, or just spouting off some nonsense he cooked up on his own. Don't overthink it."

"But it could be true."

"If you nitpick like that, it'll never end. That's why you just believe what you want to believe, right?"

Jack smirked, stared at me for a long moment, then said in a low voice,

"Well, even if that's not it, they might just be on guard about their position."

"What do you mean?"

"What else? The Bozbon family might be trying to stake their claim on Riplton, nailing it down like it's theirs."

He shut his mouth and stood up from his seat.

"That enough for you? I'm out."

Jack replied curtly and was gone in a flash, before I could even try to stop him.

I followed his empty seat with my eyes, then lowered my gaze and slowly stirred the now-cold stew with my spoon.

I set down the spoon caught in the thickened stew and neatly swept back my fallen hair.

Does he know everything, after all?

Or is it just caution, like Jack said?

Well, rumors spreading wouldn't be strange at all.

Rumors don't have legs, so there's no reason for them to be delayed by the rainy season.

I leaned back in my chair and gazed out the window.

The Bozbon family had rejected Riplton.

But insisting now that Riplton was theirs meant the Bozbon Duke's influence was at play.

Even if not, once the rumors started, the Bozbon family would have no choice but to get involved.

Things are getting complicated.

"Maybe I need to play this a bit more carefully for now."

I slowly sorted through my thoughts.

Bellieta had called the Bladia Marquis's banquet next month, but in reality, it was less than a fortnight away.

Thanks to the event looming so close, various nobles were bustling about, trying to build connections with him.

I had joined their ranks as well.

Sitting in the carriage, I peered out the transparent window and narrowed my eyes.

I didn't want to get involved with him if possible, and I had no desire to see that face.

Seeing Bellieta and Reiton at the same time would just dredge up filthy memories.

I knew nothing good would come out of my mouth either.

The reason I was here, despite telling Bellieta I wouldn't attend, was simple.

Just sitting around waiting accomplished nothing.

Bellieta probably didn't think the man I was interested in was Aden.

But for all that, the Bozbon family's moves were sharply piercing vulnerabilities.

"Staking their claim on him..."

Whether they knew or not, the Bozbon family had moved first.

I didn't know how the rumors would play out, but Bellieta and the Bozbon family clearly planned to twist things to their advantage.

That's why they'd sent a letter inviting Aden to the banquet.

You need the rumor subject present to respond properly.

But...

"Did that bastard break his hand or lose his mouth? Why no reply?"

"Pardon?"

There had been no response from Aden yet.

Surely he wasn't skipping it, or the letter hadn't arrived?

The timeframe was plenty.

More than enough time for a reply.

But no answer meant...

Anxiety surged, but I pushed it down.

Of course, he could swoop in dramatically to save me, but that's not what I wanted.

Making someone worry then appearing like a hero was fairy-tale stuff, not reality.

So, if possible, it'd be great if he arrived early...

"Miss, we've arrived."

At the maid's voice, I turned and glared at the banquet hall.

It was enormous, a testament to the Bladia Marquis's wealth.

I'd once held my wedding here with him.

"Miss?"

Unwelcome memories made my head throb.

I let out a long breath, stood, and stepped out through the door the knight held open, mounting the stairs.

Around me, people were entering one by one to enjoy the night banquet.

Please let Aden be among them...

"Please, allow me to esc—"

"Sierra!"

The knight reached to escort me, but a voice called my name first.

I turned to see Bellieta, resplendent in an ornate dress, approaching with a flower-like smile.

Whispers rippled through the onlookers at her appearance.

"You came."

I shifted my gaze from her welcoming face to glance over her shoulder.

A man walking slowly behind Bellieta.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Thank you for attending my banquet, Brilloxen Lady."

Reiton Bladia.

"Thank you for the invitation, Bladia Marquis."

Facing those two right away. I swallowed the bitter sneer rising in my throat and slowly moved forward.

The hall was already packed with people.

As expected of a banquet hosted by a great noble like the Bladia Marquis.

I'd been amazed by the scale last time, and it was just as splendid now.

Though both were marquises, there was a difference between the frugal, military-born Zaksion Marquis and the Bladia Marquis, deeply entrenched in central politics.

Unlike the austere Zaksion Marquis's events, the Bladia Marquis's hall was twice the size, and even with this crowd, seats still looked empty...

Impressive scale.

Unfortunately, that vastness did me no favors.

"That's because I was so drunk last time I must've missed those stories, Bladia Marquis. I'm truly sorry about that."

"No need. It was your first time with strong liquor; it was bound to happen. I'm just glad nothing serious came of it."

I felt vulgar curses rising to my throat.

I tilted my glass to suppress the words threatening to burst out and scanned the room.

Trapped with these two right from the start, forced into pointless chatter—my stomach was already churning.

Their fake smiles and Leiton's eager tongue twisting around her made me nauseous.

I wanted to slip away, but Bellieta stuck to me like glue, leaving me caught in limbo.

Can't you just leave? I want to talk to other people.

What I needed was how much the nobles knew of the circulating rumors.

I had to gauge that to plan my moves, but damn Bellieta showed no sign of letting go.

I half-listened to their conversation while surveying the surroundings.

Maybe Aden was here? I looked around, but no sign of him.

With that height and unmistakable presence, I'd have spotted him instantly.

I bit my lip.

Did he really not come?

"Well, I'll be off then. Wait here a sec, Sierra."

Where are you going? I widened my eyes, watching Bellieta wave and walk away.

Not paying attention to their talk, I had no idea why she suddenly left.

Following her back with my eyes, I turned and spotted another man doing the same: Reiton.

Sensing my gaze, he gave me an awkward smile.

"Come to think of it, we haven't spoken properly since the greetings, Sierra. You look beautiful tonight as well."

Not that we hadn't spoken—you were just glued to Bellieta, ignoring me.

Did you coat your lips with saliva before lying?

A scoff escaped at his glib flattery.

I swallowed a sigh at his frivolous tongue, spouting such lines casually.

This man's weight was barely held by his tongue and lips—maybe a gram at most.

"Did you enjoy talking with Bellieta?"

"Of course. Chatting with Lady Bellieta is just as delightful as with you, Miss Sierra. Maybe because you two are such close friends, but it flows so well—very enjoyable."

No, you just enjoy spending time with Bellieta.

I turned from Reiton to the center of the hall.

True to form for a banquet for young nobles, it brimmed with elegantly attired gentlemen and ladies like flowers.

I caught sight of them displaying their grace, dancing to the music in the center.

As I sipped my drink while scanning them, a voice came from beside me.

"Speaking of which, I think I offered to buy you a drink at the Zaksion Marquis's banquet."

You did.

To be precise, you lured me to treat Bellieta, not me.

I glanced at him, and Reiton opened his mouth with a soft smile.

"What do you say? Got time after the banquet tonight?"

The real meaning: Does Bellieta have time tonight? I tilted my grape juice and nodded.

"I'm busy, but Bellieta probably has plenty. I'll mention it to her."

If he were interested in me, he'd say next time.

Suggest rescheduling or something.

But he was true to form.

"Is that so? Shame. Then tonight with Lady Bellieta, and next time with you too, Miss Sierra."

Not a hair off from expectations.

Does disappointment curl your lips like that? Why not just laugh outright? That fake expression is disgusting.

I clicked my tongue softly and looked around again.

The song was ending.

Just then, Bellieta returned from wherever she'd gone.