Chapter 27

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: No Mercy 27

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Just two months ago, that was right around the time I'd sent aid to the struggling Riplton.

I recalled Aden, who couldn't even afford servants to attend the Archduke and had to pour tea himself.

And now, that same Aden had become the tournament's biggest sponsor?

I somehow felt like I'd been scammed.

"Is that really true?"

"Have you ever known me to lie?"

"No."

"See..."

"At least not until now."

"...At least?"

I stared quietly at Aden's face, let out a sigh, and started walking again.

What could I do?

Despite feeling scammed, it didn't actually bother me.

It was my money, after all—I had no right to complain about how he spent it.

Besides, I'd thrown it in for my own selfish reasons.

I had no grounds to say anything.

Still, his sudden appearance was surprising... and...

"Anyway, fancy running into you here."

"You too."

Just pleasant, that's all.

Aden gave a faint smile at my response and fell into step beside me.

As we strolled through the garden overgrown with rustling grass, I suddenly remembered the night of the banquet in this very garden.

I should've brought a change of clothes if I'd known I'd run into him here.

"How have things been lately? I heard you sent the final shipment of supplies to Riplton not long ago."

"We've confirmed and stored all the goods. Thanks to you, we'll make it through the shortages and this tough winter just fine."

Aden, who had been keeping pace beside me, slowly came to a stop.

When I turned back, he hesitated for a moment before speaking in a formal tone.

"Everyone in Harmonia, myself included, owes you a debt, Sierra. I offer my sincere thanks."

His words were stiff, but they carried real weight.

Caught off guard by his gesture, I hesitated on how to respond, but my mouth opened on its own.

"You're catching me off guard with this out of nowhere. I never expected it... It was just a mutual contract—we both needed something. No need to thank me like that."

"Even if it was a transaction born of contract, saving hundreds of thousands with a single decision of mine isn't a bad deal."

There was no flicker of doubt in the eyes looking at me.

Straightforward, expressing his thoughts and opinions clearly—pure sincerity without a speck of falsehood.

Aden was facing me not as a mere contractor, but as a person—as Sierra.

I felt embarrassed, having seen him only as a contractor... or worse, Bellieta's fiancé.

It wasn't even with pure intentions on my part.

I hadn't approached him with the kind of upright mindset that deserved such gratitude.

Unable to meet the eyes of Aden, who thanked me so purely, I looked away, bit my lip, and composed my expression.

"Do you really think that?"

I lifted my chin, crossed my arms in a haughty pose, and Aden tilted his head slightly.

Meeting his questioning gaze, I smiled quietly.

"The way you put it makes me sound utterly incompetent."

"As if. Why would I ever..."

"You just said it yourself. That saving hundreds of thousands with your decision wasn't a loss. All that means is I made a bad investment."

Aden furrowed his brow as he mulled over my words.

He seemed about to protest my interpretation, which twisted his intent, but I beat him to it.

"I'm a noble, but I was born and raised in a family that does business, trained in it from the start. Valuing things is one of my specialties. And from my perspective, the contract I made with you is perfectly fair—not tilted toward either side."

I moved the foot I'd rooted to the spot, closing the ten paces between us.

As I walked slowly toward him, Aden's gaze drifted downward.

With our distance closing, the vividness of his expression hit me full force.

His unwavering eyes trembled ever so slightly.

But that alone was enough to glimpse his agitation.

A hot gust of wind blew past Aden and reached me, mingling cool fragrance into the muggy, unpleasant air, refreshing my mood like a winter breeze.

Calming the oddly excited flutter in my chest—like a child seeing snow for the first time in early winter—I gave a soft smile.

"Don't underestimate me. And don't underestimate yourself, either. Aden, the value I placed on you was spot-on, and I paid the fair price for it. So save the excessive thanks. I'll accept your gratitude, but you know there's no such thing as goodwill in deals and contracts."

I pointed a finger between Aden and myself, then crossed my arms again with a shrug.

"Well, it's not bad if you feel indebted. Hold onto that thought and make sure to repay it when I need you later. We'll be seeing each other for a long time, right?"

With a smooth smile and lifted chin, I met Aden's gaze as he looked down at me. He relaxed his expression and closed his eyes.

His firm, elongated arm rose to brush back his fallen bangs, erasing his composed look.

The disheveled, vulnerable sight—along with his exposed forehead and refreshing smile—made him seem like a different person.

"You're right. We'll be seeing each other for a long time."

Aden gently lifted my hand and pressed his lips firmly to the back of it.

"Sierra, you said it yourself—call me your man."

His golden eyes, like amber embedded with topaz, gazed up at me from below, brimming with bright light.

I slowly rolled my gaze aside from his upturned lips.

Turning my head, my hair fell to veil my face.

For a brief moment of silence, I savored it, then turned back to meet Aden's eyes and curved my lips in kind.

"Of course. So don't betray me."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

I lifted my gaze to follow Aden as he straightened, then turned away.

With Aden standing still behind me, I took the lead, and the rustling of grass resumed.

To the sound that masked my heartbeat, I gripped one elbow with the opposite arm and bit my lip.

Why is he suddenly acting like this?

The irritating heat that had been dogging me surged back. I wished it'd make me sweat it out quick.

"It's hot."

For some reason, I felt my cheeks flushing, so my hands fanned busily.

The semifinals loomed, and an early dinner began.

The spectators from the tournament dispersed to eat during the announced break.

A bit early, but as I rose to get my own dinner, a voice called from beside me.

"Brilloxen Lady."

I turned to see Richel standing with arms crossed in a haughty stance next to Piolett Baylor, who was getting up.

Figuring it'd be a hassle to get involved, I gathered my things and looked away.

"What is it?"

Piolett glanced at Richel and left indifferently.

Left alone, Richel still held her lofty pose, chin thrust high, back ramrod straight.

"Care to join me for dinner? I reserved a nice place to eat with the other ladies watching the tournament. It's great, so..."

"No thanks. I'll eat separately."

Interrupting Richel, I bid farewell to the castellan, with whom I'd been chatting with Aden.

Aden glanced at me and stood.

After greeting the castellan, Aden approached, rested a gentle hand on my shoulder, and wore a quite affectionate expression.

"Sierra has plans with me, so maybe next time."

"Y-Yes...?! Ah, uh, sure."

Her front teeth bared like a squirrel's—quite comical.

Gone was the haughty air; like a startled swallow, Richel bobbed her head frantically and hurried after Piolett.

I stared blankly after Richel vanishing with her long dress train, then looked up to see Aden smirking.

Shrugging at his did I do good? face, Aden took the first step.

"Shall we?"

"Where to?"

"To eat. You planning to starve?"

"That's not what I meant by asking."

"Not what you meant?" I carefully lowered Aden's tilted head with a grin.

"I have prior plans."

Aden's brow twitched faintly.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sierra from the Brilloxen family."

I opened the door and extended my hand to the man.

Black hair, deep blood-red eyes.

Jin stared at my outstretched hand, then glanced behind me.

Awkward smile at his gaze, I peeked back too.

Aden, whom I hadn't told to follow, had trailed me dutifully and was now glaring at Jin with a bored expression.

...What are they doing?

I cleared my throat, and Aden slowly lowered his eyes to me before bowing slightly.

"...You're turning down my invitation to eat with that guy?"

I nodded to Aden, who whispered in my ear.

Aden shot me a look like dare he, that punk, over me? before turning back to approach Jin.

Where are you going?

Aden peered down at Jin, who was slightly shorter.

Anyone else would avert their eyes or back off from Aden's demeanor and gaze, but Jin met it head-on without flinching.

They say you can spot a promising tree from its seed leaves?

He's definitely different from the others.

Not buckling under Aden means he's got something to him.

"Pleased to meet you. Aden."

"Jin."

...What? He just stared when I offered a handshake, but responds right away to Aden.

Absurd, I watched blankly as Aden continued.

"Impressive skills. Made it to the semifinals without much trouble, from what I saw. Even took down some knights—quite the feat."

"Too kind. Just got lucky."

"Overly modest."

Having apparently forgotten I existed, the two carried on without me, drawing a hollow laugh.

Suddenly, recalling Aden's words about sponsoring the tournament to recruit knights, I thought of him eyeing Jin carefully.

No way...?

Why did giving meat to a dog after all that work come to mind?

I hurried between them, inserting myself.