Chapter 86
“Once the dress is ready, of course.”
“And when will that be?”
“For now, to the capital—”
“You’re sending someone all the way to the capital to fetch a dress? Here we also—”
“You wouldn’t seriously expect the young lady of a marquis house to wear some coarse market clothes with no dignity, would you?”
Barun fell silent.
“Wait a little and a dress will arrive from the capital.”
It was the final ultimatum.
Even though they were siblings by blood, Lady Saroni’s insistence that she would not bow at the door for the sake of a lady’s honor made Barun sigh.
“…Very well. We’ll wait.”
“There is a sitting room in the hall on the first floor. You must be tired from your long trip; go and rest. I’ll call the steward and have refreshments and tea prepared for you.”
Barun turned away with a very displeased look.
Only after Barun and his party descended the stairs did Lady Saroni exhale.
“Phew…”
“What is it?”
Bedol, who had been watching the situation like someone with a mouthful of honey (i.e., speechless), hurried over to Lady Saroni.
“What about it?”
“Belia…”
Lady Saroni looked around and lowered her voice.
“She’s not here.”
Bedol flinched and nodded.
“You don’t honestly think she doesn’t know? She’s been staying at this hotel for the past few days and we didn’t even see the lady’s face.”
“Ah, yes.”
“More importantly, where has the lady gone?”
Bedol clamped his mouth shut.
“I thought you wouldn’t tell me. We’ve bought time, so bring Lady Belia back within that window.”
“Well… yes, understood.”
“You’re getting long-winded.”
“Ah.”
Bedol’s cheeks reddened a little in embarrassment.
“I like it when you act friendly; it’s pleasant.”
When Lady Saroni smiled lightly, Bedol averted his eyes.
“Understood… no, I understand.”
“All right. Lord Bedol, stay downstairs. I will be in my room. Be careful not to arouse suspicion.”
“Okay. Um, why is the lady helping us?”
Lady Saroni shrugged.
“Because it’s Belia’s matter.”
“You two were that close?”
“No?”
“Huh?”
“Not close—just planning to be. And, whether the lady knows it or not, I owe her a debt.”
“A debt?”
“Well, it’s complicated to explain; it’s a family matter. Anyway, find Belia quickly. It looks like the young marquis is no small matter—if this is noticed it could become a big problem. The family dealings around the imperial engagement are complicated, aren’t they?”
“Engagement? You knew?”
“Well, I see Her Majesty the Empress every week.”
“Oh, I see.”
“So just in case someone notices Lady Belia’s absence, sell me out. If you say I was with Lady Belia, it should avert suspicion for the time being.”
“Got it.”
“Hurry downstairs.”
At Lady Saroni’s urging, Bedol awkwardly descended to the lower floor.
Lady Saroni sighed and went into her room after that.
“Find her.”
As soon as they entered the hotel sitting room escorted by the steward, Barun ground his teeth.
“I’ve already given the order.”
“Why is the Saroni house even here?”
Barun rubbed his head in annoyance.
“Is there any connection between the Saroni family and Belia?”
The aide shook his head at Barun’s question.
“There shouldn’t be. The Saroni house isn’t involved in any of the trading company matters.”
“Then what… why are her clothes wet?”
Barun flopped back onto the sofa with a look of incredulity.
“Anyway, it’s certain Belia has disappeared. Find her by any means. And find the hidden Bea as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
Tove nodded and left.
After dismissing his attendants, Barun sat alone in the sitting room lost in thought.
Tap, tap, tap.
The steady tapping of his fingers on the sofa arm ceased.
“Where could that girl have hidden?”
“Brother.”
The frozen atmosphere was briefly broken by someone.
It was Bedol, who had been rushed to the sitting room at Lady Saroni’s urging.
“You’re here.”
Barun smiled meaningfully as he looked at Bedol.
“Sit. I have many questions to ask.”
“Any news today?”
“Not yet.”
“Both of them?”
“Yes.”
Allendo slumped into his chair with a troubled expression.
“Send another letter to Princess Doltan. You know what to say—don’t let the family know.”
“Yes. Shall I send the same letter as before?”
“Yes. Oh, wait. I’ll write it myself, so bring me parchment.”
“Yes.”
“And send letters into the forest. Ask what’s happened.”
“Yes.”
After the attendant left the room, Allendo sighed.
“Have they stirred up trouble again?”
Belia and Carlton’s disappearance. Allendo had been sick with worry for days, unable to report it to His/Her Majesty.
“Carlton must come back. More so than you, Belia—”
“Kyaa!”
“Ugh!”
Startled by the sudden screams, Allendo flailed and toppled backward with his chair.
“What—what is it?”
Bursting to his feet, Allendo found Belia and Carlton in a disheveled state before him.
“You two!”
Allendo rushed to them.
“Are you all right?!”
At the same time, the shouts of guards worried for Allendo’s safety could be heard from outside.
“Ah! We’re fine! It’s nothing!”
“There was a scream from inside—”
“Nothing wrong! We were just startled while warming up and screamed for a moment.”
“For a scream from His/Her Majesty—”
“It was my scream. Don’t worry and get back to your duties.”
Concerned the guards might enter, Allendo hurried to the door.
Only after opening it and showing his face did the suspicious guards return to their posts.
“Are you insane? Have you lost your mind?”
Lowering his voice, Allendo scanned them as if to say, Are you in your right mind?
“Belia, come out. Please—”
“Oh, sorry.”
Seeing Karin pinned underneath, Belia hastily rose to her feet.
“You okay?”
“Ah, yes.”
Carlton checked Belia over anxiously for any injuries.
Seeing the affectionate scene between them, Allendo’s eyes went cold.
“Well, it seems you gained something…. Ugh!”
Allendo hurriedly covered his mouth.
“What is that… what did you bring into my office?”
“Oh, this… it’s, Vero-ya.”
“What?”
“The name is Vero-ya.”
Belia scratched her cheek looking at the fallen beast.
Its appearance—brutal and atrocious—was the last thing anyone would expect to see in the glittering imperial court; it was awe-inspiring in a terrifying way.
Allendo glanced back and forth between Belia, who breezily announced the name as if it were nothing, and the monster, foam at his mouth.
“Does a name matter? What is this…”
“Sorry, I used the necklace you gave me well.”
Belia offered the broken necklace to Allendo.
“…It must have been dangerous.”
Allendo sighed, glancing at their bedraggled state and the necklace they’d brought after several hard days.
“So, did you get anything?”
To Allendo’s question, Carlton quietly nodded.
“Yes. Tell us later—”
“Ah, I have to go!”
Belia glanced at the clock hanging in one corner of the office and flinched.
“Carlton, can you take me somewhere?”
“Sure.”
“Also, take this one with me.”
Karin pointed to Vero, who had collapsed.
“For now, why don’t we each clean up and meet again? I’m sure there’s a lot to discuss.”
Karin bowed awkwardly and addressed Allendo politely.
“…There is much I want to ask, but given how you all look I should go check things. Rest a bit and we’ll convene. Here, take one each.”
Allendo picked up the necklaces that had been on his desk.
“I prepared these in advance, thinking you might come here. They allow you to move freely to anywhere within the Empire.”
“Teleport?”
“Yes. Thank you all for your efforts. Carlton, don’t overdo it—use this.”
Carlton nodded silently.
“I’ll contact everyone separately about the next meeting, so report then. For now, go. Since the necklaces have been used, the captain of the palace guard will probably come looking soon.”
“All right.”
They all nodded to one another.
“Belia, be careful.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
For a brief moment, Belia and Carlton’s eyes lingered on each other.
There was so much to say, but not now.
They had to wait until next time.
There was so much to tidy up and so many thoughts.
Reluctantly, Belia turned away.
At that moment, Hongan’s (a person with crimson eyes) gaze shook violently.
“Now please go quickly.”
At Allendo’s urging, the necklaces snapped one by one.
Everyone vanished, leaving Allendo alone. He called for his attendants.
“Tell the knights remaining in the forest to return to the palace. And I must see His/Her Majesty.”
