Chapter 46

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: No Mercy - Chapter 46

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"No need for tea. The Bladia Marquis is busy, so we're just here to talk."

As soon as we entered the office, I stopped the maids who were moving about nimbly.

I gestured for the maids, who were looking at me in bewilderment, to leave.

As the maids hurried out of the office in a group, Reiton, who had followed behind, spoke up casually.

"There should be time for at least one cup of tea, my lady."

"Is that so? That's a relief."

I gave him an empty smile in response to Reiton's words and gestured for him to take a seat.

What do I care if you have time?

Reiton approached with a somewhat sullen expression at my reaction and sat down in a chair.

I took the seat opposite him, leaning back leisurely and crossing my legs.

I felt his gaze slowly trailing down, then rising back up.

Crossing my legs wasn't particularly rude or problematic, so I ignored his stare and asked.

"So, Bladia Marquis. Could I hear what brings you here the moment I contacted you?"

"Before that, the room is rather warm. Do you have any cool water? I've been riding in the carriage for quite a while and I'm thirsty."

Reiton loosened his tightly knotted bow tie and let out a light laugh.

With that small gesture and smile, his atmosphere softened noticeably.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but think Reiton was born a noble.

He could freely adjust his demeanor and steer the situation with casual lines—no ordinary person could do that.

A glass of water.

A trivial request that was too embarrassing to refuse, seamlessly shifting the topic.

I wondered how many people had fallen for this tactic.

His crimes were as bad as Bellieta's.

Reiton had used me.

As a means or a tool to get Bellieta.

He'd even exploited my parents' deaths to get me.

Every toss of his hair and smile made my skin crawl with disgust and hatred.

The sensation of what that man had done to me was still vivid.

If I could, I'd grab the sword from the wall and plunge it into him.

Make him feel exactly what I had.

Rage, betrayal, despair.

Would he understand even a fraction of the heartbreak from being stabbed by the man I trusted, falling to my death?

Reiton Bladia.

Did he know how badly I wanted to rip out that noisy tongue of his?

No matter how focused I was on Bellieta, I could never forget Reiton.

Once everything was settled, he too would face his own wretched end.

"We've used up all the water since morning, so there's none left right now. I'll have some brought, so please speak first. The water will arrive by the time our talk ends."

"......"

Reiton Bladia.

Your silver-tongued tricks don't work on me anymore.

I knew your thoughts and true intentions, yet that tongue of yours twisted my mind every time I questioned you—like a venomous snake's sac.

"More importantly, could you tell me why you've come? I feel guilty for not entertaining a distinguished guest like you, Bladia Marquis, with more courtesy and care, so I think we should wrap this up quickly."

"No need to think of it that way. I'm not the type who demands such treatment."

"Still, not even being able to offer you a glass of water weighs on my mind. It seems I'll have to handle things myself after our talk. So, unless it's a long matter, please go ahead. I'll listen attentively."

I smiled and gestured, and Reiton's lips twitched.

He fell silent for a long moment, as if searching for words, then gave up with a facepalm.

Reiton let out a heavy sigh and finally spoke.

"Truth be told, it's nothing major. I suddenly remembered that I hadn't kept a promise, so I came to fulfill it."

"A promise?"

"The one from the Zaksion Marquis's banquet before. You said you had good liquor and would treat me. I'd forgotten about it. Quite careless of me."

Come to think of it, I had made such a promise.

A one-sided one, though.

In truth, Reiton's promise wasn't really with me—it was because he wanted to be with Bellieta.

"If it's about that, it's fine. I know you offered again at your banquet, but I declined because I wasn't feeling well. No need for you to worry about it, Bladia Marquis."

"You're right. But I, Reiton Bladia, believe a gentleman's duty is to keep even a single word once spoken. So, could you give me the chance to treat the Brilloxen Lady?"

"......"

He's persistent.

I stared silently at Reiton, who wouldn't let it go even after I said it was fine.

His face seemed etched with pure sincerity, free of lies or ulterior motives.

That was one of Reiton's greatest weapons.

A weapon that made you believe every word was genuine.

Those eyes, that face, that voice had such persuasive power and authenticity—you'd believe he could turn shit into cheese.

But Reiton was never a truly honest man.

He just kept his real stories hidden inside.

As I gazed at him in silence, I suddenly wondered why this man had rushed here so early.

If he wanted to arrange a meeting, a letter asking for my time would have sufficed.

But coming in person at dawn, as if chased by something...

"Lady Sierra?"

"Well."

The doubt made me notice how overly ornate his clothes were.

Normally, such attire was for very important occasions.

Like a marriage meeting or seeing someone he wanted to impress.

"I'm truly grateful that the Bladia Marquis has offered to meet me time and again. I hope you understand what immense joy it brings—something I never even dreamed of."

"Then, if you allow..."

"But as you can see, the manor is in disarray, and my parents will return soon. Moreover, my mother isn't well, so I need to care for her while Father holds the family together. I can't drink in such circumstances."

Reiton's beaming face rapidly hardened.

I shook my head with a regretful expression and stood from my seat.

Meeting his gaze as it slowly rose, I spoke heavily.

"Though I must decline your invitation again, I appreciate the sentiment, so please consider the promise fulfilled. Thank you once more for your thoughtfulness."

"Lady Sierra, I can wait as long as it takes. Even if not right now. A month, two? No, even half a year doesn't matter. If I can keep the promise I made to you, what does time signify?"

Reiton rose from his seat, strode toward me, suddenly took my hand, and slowly lifted it.

Caught off guard, I tried to pull my arm away, but his atmosphere shifted first.

His eyes grew moist, his demeanor dreamy.

As his lips parted, his voice was thick with saliva.

"As a gentleman, I want to keep my promise. Or rather... do you know why I'm so intent on keeping the promise I made with you, Lady Sierra?"

The heavy atmosphere and seductive voice suited Reiton perfectly.

He was making full use of his strengths.

Looks, background, and the flexibility to shift his aura.

Innocent ladies would surely waver nine times out of ten.

To me, it was just revolting nonsense.

Seeing my silence, Reiton thought I'd wavered and closed the distance further.

His butter-smooth eyes fixed on me without a flicker.

After staring for a long while, Reiton gave a subtle smile and slowly opened his mouth.

"It's because..."

"Sorry, but you're too close."

I pushed his hand away with my other one and stepped back.

Reiton, who had built up the mood, stood frozen in shock, not even retrieving his pushed hand.

I lightly brushed off the hand he'd held, let out a short breath, and changed my expression.

"I know what you want to say, but I don't particularly want to hear it."

"......Pardon?"

"You might find it rude, but Father taught me that these things need clear beginnings and ends. I'm perceptive enough to guess why you're saying this, Bladia Marquis, but I'm not leisurely enough to deal with it right now. I'm as busy as the papers piled on this desk. So please, don't take it badly, and as the noble marquis you are, understand with your generous heart."

Reiton narrowed his eyes in confusion, as if he couldn't comprehend what he'd just heard, then widened them in realization.

Once he grasped the situation, his mouth flew open.

"Do you... do you know what you just said?"

"Yes, I do."

"You know... and yet, how...!"

"Is there a problem with me saying this?"

The lofty and elegant Reiton Bladia.

The arrogant and conceited Reiton Bladia.

You probably thought every woman would fall beneath you.

That women could be swayed with sweet words, won with a gift.

To you, women were probably all like that—except Bellieta, the one you couldn't easily have.

So, me rejecting you was never even an option in your mind, right?

Reiton proved my thoughts right, unable to hide his frustrated expression.

"Please understand, Bladia Marquis."

"Understand? You said 'understand'? Rather, I want to ask you, Lady Sierra. Do you know what proposal you've just rejected?"

Not waiting for my answer, Reiton let out a short, hollow laugh.

Placing a hand on his waist and sweeping back his hair, he looked quite wounded in his pride.

His disheveled face was somewhat entertaining.

I tilted my head leisurely, and Reiton straightened his posture, changing his expression again.

"Lady Sierra. Think it over again. I'm serious."

"I'm serious too."

"Brilloxen Lady!"

"I can't understand it, Bladia Marquis."

Just when I thought he'd composed himself, I narrowed my eyes slightly as he raised his voice.

"Matters of romance are decided by the two involved. You made your choice, and I made mine. What understanding is needed?"

"Brill...!"

"To put it bluntly, I have no personal feelings for you, Marquis. More plainly, I don't see you as a man. Starkly put, I don't like you. Do I really have to say it myself?"

I sighed, looking at Reiton, who gaped blankly now, too drained even for anger.

Time's a waste.

The very air we shared felt rotten, stirring disgust within me.