Chapter 8

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: There Is No Mercy 8

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Sierra. Do you have any plans for today?"

"No, none..."

Taking it easy was the goal, so she'd cleared her schedule.

The word slipped out naturally, and she hurriedly clamped her mouth shut.

If she said she had nothing, Bellieta would cling to her all day.

But half the word was already out, and Bellieta's eyes sparkled.

She glanced sideways, checking Bellieta's appearance.

As expected, she didn't disappoint.

She probably couldn't match clothes or shoes, but the hat and accessories she wore were all the exact same as Sierra's own.

Impressive.

She'd gathered them all that quickly? A hollow laugh bubbled up inside her, but then something occurred to her, and she spoke.

"By the way, what about Depoxy Island? No news?"

"Oh, that? I sent someone separately."

"Didn't I say I had to go myself? It's so rare that you can only get it by going in person."

"That's got nothing to do with me."

Sierra swallowed a scoff at Bellieta's nonchalant attitude. Well, yeah. How many in the empire would ignore the Bozbon name?

It carried more weight than even the emperor's.

"Still, just in case, go check it out yourself. You never know."

"I'll handle it."

Sierra frowned at the way Bellieta's brows furrowed slightly, as if displeased. So she wasn't that stupid, after all.

In truth, Bellieta was quite clever.

Especially when it came to making use of what she had—she was unparalleled.

Cunning and meticulous.

That was Bellieta's greatest strength.

"More importantly, Sierra. Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

As if her moodiness had never happened, Bellieta switched topics with a lovely expression, blooming like a flower.

Of course, it made Sierra's stomach turn, but kicking her out now would just spread rumors that she was crazy, so she played along.

"About the Bladia Marquis."

"..."

Why was that bastard Reiton's name coming up here again? Had it been mentioned this much back then?

As her face soured slightly, Bellieta widened her eyes in surprise.

Damn, control your expression.

"Why him?"

"Well, he's hosting a ball next month. For young nobles, so anyone with a title is welcome if they can make it... Are you going?"

What a slacker.

Nobles' lives were endlessly boring.

Sit still, and taxes rolled in; lift a finger, and whatever you wanted appeared.

If you weren't greedy, you could live comfortably with wealth to spare and enjoy moderate power.

So naturally, nobles chased pleasure over boredom, splendor over tranquility.

And the prime outlet for that was banquets.

Banquets weren't just for fun—they were gateways for men and women to meet, places for power-seekers to gather.

Especially one hosted by a great noble like the Bladia Marquis.

It'd be weirder not to attend.

"Nah. Not interested."

"Why?"

Bellieta blinked in surprise at her answer.

Why? What good would come from seeing that guy?

Besides, the purpose of his banquet was obvious.

She glanced sideways at Bellieta.

The fake head-tilter.

Reiton wanted Bellieta.

From her family on down to everything about her.

To him, Sierra was just a means to get Bellieta to notice him.

No intention of attending a banquet thrown by a guy like that.

She turned away with a disinterested look, and Bellieta spoke again, as if baffled.

"Sierra, didn't you used to be interested in the Bladia Marquis?"

"Who said that?"

"At the last banquet, your face changed the moment you saw him, so I thought..."

"I was just curious who this young marquis was supposed to be. Not interested."

It was a lie.

She had been interested in the Bladia Marquis.

Their hobbies matched, their personalities were similar, and he'd tried to understand her. That kindness had drawn her in too.

Of course, marriage happened, and her parents' deaths were major factors.

But whatever—once she realized his favor wasn't for her but for Bellieta beside her, any interest vanished.

He was trash who treated people like tools, played with them, then discarded them.

No desire to see his face again.

Bellieta, perhaps thrown by the unexpected reaction or plotting something vicious, sipped her tea in silence.

That suited Sierra fine; she shut her mouth and enjoyed the quiet.

What a pity to spend such a fine day with Bellieta.

So annoying.

She glanced sideways at her again.

Her hair, similar to Sierra's but like molten gold, cascaded softly.

Sensing the gaze, Bellieta's eyes met hers.

Her beaming smile was angelic and beautiful enough to fool a stranger.

This constant hovering was getting tiresome. Wasn't there a way to shoo her off?

Thinking it over, she raised an eyebrow.

If it was something to disgust Bellieta, only one thing came to mind.

Sierra gave her a slight smile.

"I saw you, Bellieta."

"Huh? Saw what?"

Glancing at her wide-eyed face, Sierra picked up her teacup.

"The night before last."

"The night before...?"

As Bellieta's face stiffened slightly, Sierra continued with an inner smile.

"Yeah. You were talking to someone."

"R-Really?"

"Yep."

She gave a faint smile to Bellieta's frozen expression.

She tapped the table lightly with her finger, then pressed her palm down.

"Do you have a fiancé?"

What would she say?

At the single question, Bellieta's face hardened instantly.

Her gaze fixed on Sierra, eyes wavering on her face before shamelessly composing herself.

"A fiancé? What are you talking about?"

"Wasn't it you? I heard your voice that night."

"What did I say?"

"Don't worry about it, it's just our parents' promise or whatever—you were snapping at him."

No need to hide it.

It didn't matter if Bellieta had a fiancé or not; Sierra didn't care either way.

Lying to her was nothing new.

Unlike her expectations, Bellieta didn't seem greatly shaken or flustered.

Instead, she brushed it off calmly.

"Did I? I think I was talking to someone, but I was drunk, so I don't remember what I said."

A hollow laugh escaped inwardly at her feigned ignorance.

Putting on a drunken act, huh?

"I see. Yeah, that could happen. Still, I was a bit surprised to hear it. You having a fiancé and all. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to eventually. No need to say it right away."

"Sure. Guess there's nothing for it. Honestly, I felt a little hurt hearing that. I thought we were close enough to share secrets, but you had one from me. And a fiancé, no less..."

Meeting Bellieta's forced calm expression, Sierra propped her chin.

"I never imagined you'd hide a fiancé even from me."

"..."

At her final words, Bellieta stared with a rigidly stiff face.

She scanned Sierra in panic, lips parting urgently, but Sierra spoke first.

"I have some urgent business today, so could you head out? I've got things to do."

"Sierra?"

As Sierra stood, Bellieta rose in flustered surprise.

To her bewildered gaze, Sierra flashed a bright smile and waved.

"See you later, Bellieta."

Only after confirming Bellieta boarding her carriage with a baffled look did Sierra return to her room.

The moment she sat in her chair, she summoned a maid to fetch the head butler, then rubbed her chin.

'That reaction...'

Watching Bellieta's sensitive response sparked a promising idea.

If played right, it could make for excellent revenge.

She had to return at least some of the humiliation she'd endured to balance the scales, right?

She was the daughter of the Brilloxen lord, master of the Gray Mountains.

She calculated precisely.

Now it was time to reclaim what Bellieta had stolen from her all this time.

Knock knock. A knock sounded.

At her call to enter, a well-dressed middle-aged butler stepped in, bowed, and spoke.

"You summoned me."

"Yes. I have a favor to ask, Daytum Butler."

"A favor...?"

She lowered her rubbing hand and tapped the table lightly.

The rhythmic click of nail on wood preceded her words.

"I need supplies urgently. Can you gather them?"

"What kind?"

"Basics would be good. Grain and food, luxuries, alcohol, plus clothing and medicine, and various sundries. Gather those."

"Understood. How much?"

How much indeed.

She looked down from the butler to the floor.

She roughly estimated Harmonia's population.

The capital, where most lived, had over a million...

Size-wise, like a small kingdom, she'd heard.

Sorting her thoughts, she recalled the authority and limits delegated by her father, then said quietly.

"Enough for about 500,000 people to last the year."

"Yes, understo— Pardon?"

The butler's eyes flew wide at her calm reply.

"500,000 people? Not 500?"