Chapter 28

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: No Mercy 28

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"For now, shall we sit and talk? And Aden, don't you need to head out?"

"Where to?"

"To eat. You said earlier you had to go grab some food. Feel free to go. Thank you for escorting me here."

I hurried to shoo Aden away with those words.

Aden looked at me with dissatisfied eyes as I practically pushed him from behind with my farewell.

Those eyes...

They were the eyes of someone sizing up a rival.

Was he eyeing the talent I'd set my sights on right now?

Good heavens!

Just moments ago, this man had bowed deeply to me, owing me a huge debt, and now he was coveting the very talent I was after?

This was betrayal!

Feeling the camaraderie I'd sensed with Aden shatter, I put strength into my eyes, conveying that he should leave quickly.

Aden met my gaze steadily, glanced briefly at Jin, then clicked his tongue lowly.

It was a sound full of regret.

"Are you really going to do this?"

"Do what?"

"Are you asking because you don't know?"

You're the one making it obvious.

I stared him down with fierce eyes, making it clear I wouldn't back down.

Aden, who had been looking down at me with eyes full of displeasure, closed his eyes and stepped back.

As he turned away with a reluctant click of his tongue, as if he had no choice, I let out a sigh of relief watching his back.

Thank goodness.

I'd fended off the rival.

Farewell, Aden.

You're an incredibly important man to me, but I don't want to compete with you over this guy.

So, just go...

"Lady Sierra."

"Yes, what is it?"

At Jin's call, I turned around with a friendly smile.

Jin glanced at Aden departing, then spoke softly.

"Couldn't that gentleman join us for the meal?"

"...Pardon?"

His unexpected words made my voice falter and my head tilt limply.

While I stood frozen, Aden—who must have overheard—turned back hurriedly, stood beside me, and grinned.

"Well, not a bad idea. I was just about to eat anyway. Oh, I'll cover the meal here."

Aden approached a prepared table and sat down, and Jin followed suit.

Suddenly, I was the only one left standing.

When I turned at Aden's call, he had even stood up to pull out a chair for me himself.

Why did his urging voice feel so unwelcome today?

I glared at Aden, who was being extra chivalrous for once, and approached slowly.

"Lady Baylor! Lady Baylor!!"

Richel scurried after Piolett heading to her room, barely catching up before catching her breath raggedly.

Normally, one might pause when out of breath, but Piolett's steps didn't falter.

Richel shot a glare at Piolett, who didn't even spare her a glance, narrowing her brows.

What a pain.

Richel didn't like Piolett, the lady from an insignificant baronet family who acted so high and mighty.

She thought Piolett was arrogant just because she'd caught Bellieta's eye, despite their similar family status and influence.

Yet, she envied Piolett for always sticking close to Bellieta.

If it weren't for her, I'd be the one by Lady Bellieta's side.

To Richel, who would do anything to win Bellieta's favor, Piolett was merely an object of envy and jealousy.

Glancing sideways as she chased, Richel muttered under her breath at Piolett, who never looked back, then spoke up again.

"Lady Baylor! Wait just a moment! Where are you going?!"

Her shrill voice in the busy hallway naturally drew attention.

Piolett sighed at the stares focused on her and stopped in place.

As soon as Piolett halted, Richel rushed up with a pleased face.

"La...!"

"Could you close that mouth? You're being too loud."

"...Pardon?"

Piolett frowned, stared at the dumbstruck Richel, then grabbed her wrist and dragged her to an empty corridor.

Richel's back hit the wall, and Piolett pinned her with a palm against it to prevent escape.

With their height difference, Richel looked up at Piolett with wide, startled rabbit eyes.

"Ba, Lady Ba..."

"I told you to shut your mouth."

Piolett narrowed her eyes at Richel and gritted her teeth.

At the menacing sound, Richel clamped her lips shut and swallowed hard.

Piolett glared at the faintly trembling Richel, then sighed and lowered her arm.

"I understand why you're following me here, but you should act with a bit more restraint. Drawing unnecessary attention like you just did and getting stares from everyone is pointless."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"Simple. Keep doing what you're doing, just don't interfere with my business. Got it?"

Richel bit her lip and nodded at Piolett's sharp glare.

Piolett watched her nod repeatedly, then turned her head away.

As she turned to leave, Piolett stopped with a short 'Ah!' and looked back.

"And if possible, don't act like you know me. I can't stand noisy people."

With that, Richel blankly watched Piolett's back as she walked away.

Once Piolett was out of sight, Richel, who had been shaking, suddenly snorted in derision.

"What the hell. So annoying. Who does she think she is? What? Don't act like I know her? Ridiculous. Without Lady Bellieta's interest, she's nothing..."

Muttering and recalling the moment, Richel's face flushed red.

Grinding her teeth and cursing Piolett, Richel hurried toward the restaurant where she was to dine with the other ladies.

She wanted to play leader among the country bumpkin ladies and trash Piolett.

"Just you wait. I'll make sure this works out and claim the seat next to Lady Bellieta."

Imagining herself sneering down at Piolett underfoot, Richel held her head high and strode off haughtily.

"Your master?"

"None. I learned on my own."

"What swordsmanship manual did you study?"

"Basic swordsmanship books available at bookstores."

"Training methods? Anyone give you advice?"

"No."

"Impressive."

I sat by the table like a sack of barley, poking at my salad.

Jin and Aden were deep in conversation, while I—the one who arranged this meeting—couldn't get a word in.

And what was more bewildering was Jin's attitude.

The man who'd been so indifferent to me was incredibly proactive with Aden.

His desert-dry eyes sparkled like an oasis had appeared.

Jin looked at Aden with the gaze of a man reuniting with his long-crushed love, which seemed suspicious.

...Does he like men?

I kept downing cold water, frustrated by Jin's utter disregard—no interest, not even a glance my way.

Was he really going to steal him from me?

Aden had started off lukewarm but now seemed genuinely intrigued by Jin.

If that happened, this whole trip would be for nothing.

"With your skills, winning here doesn't seem hard. Is knighthood your dream?"

"For now, yes."

"A bit more polishing, and getting selected as a Royal Guard Knight wouldn't be too difficult."

Probably.

He was the first commoner to become Royal Guard Captain, after all.

As Aden accurately gauged Jin, my anxiety grew.

I shouldn't have brought him.

Should have forced him away even if he wanted to come.

This was a mistake...

"Becoming a Royal Guard is fine, but first, I want official knighting."

"Is that necessary? With a noble patron and a recommendation letter, you qualify for the Royal Guard exam. Getting knighted first could complicate things later. Why bother?"

"Your Grace makes a valid point, but it doesn't pay right away. I need money."

"Money?"

Jin nodded calmly at Aden, who tilted his head.

"I hear they give a fee upon knighting. That's what I need."

"It's more like a stipend for maintaining dignity or a signing bonus, but not a huge amount."

"I know. But I need it."

Aden fell silent at Jin's firm stance, glanced at me.

He lifted his chin slightly, as if telling me to speak.

I narrowed my eyes at his attitude, and Aden grinned.

Incorrigible.

With a sigh, I quietly spoke up.

"May I ask why?"

Jin's gaze, fixed on Aden, turned to me.

His blood-red eyes were strikingly vivid, almost intimidating.

Jin stared at me quietly, glanced at Aden, then fixed his eyes on me again.

"I can't say. It's a secret I can't tell not just you, Lady Sierra, but Your Grace here either. I'm sorry—please understand."

"No need to apologize. Everyone has a secret or two. So, how much money do you need? It won't be a large sum, so options are limited. Is that amount enough, or do you need more?"

"I need more."

It was a short, concise answer.

No embellishments, excuses, or beating around the bush—he plainly stated his situation.

I set down my glass and pondered briefly.

I had very little information on this man.

Even when he became Royal Guard Captain, he was full of secrets.

Even now, with people watching him, hardly any intel had surfaced.

"I was a bit annoyed by a small misunderstanding earlier, but now he seems decent. No, actually quite good. From our talk, his character seems upright, and for a commoner, his manners are fine. He seems knowledgeable, with solid basics in strategy and tactics. Snagging him would be a huge asset."

While I hesitated, Aden leaned in and whispered.

Did he know I wanted to recruit Jin as a knight?

But what misunderstanding?