HIFH | Chapter 7

Episode 7

[Why do you have that expression?]

A voice, filled with rage, spat out the words.

[I merely stated the facts of what you did. What is so miserable and tragic about that?]

[Don’t forget the agent who died because of you. This is not the time for you to act so arrogantly while asking us to wait.]

I shut my eyes tightly.

The scene from that day was still vivid in my mind. The sensation of warm blood spreading over my hands, the child’s dimming gaze… all of it.

The reason why the executives despise me.

Because I was an orphan girl from the slums?

That was certainly a factor, but it wasn’t the whole reason.

The real reason they hate me…

Is because I, the heir of Cataclysm, caused Baylor’s daughter to die.

— Sister, it hurts so much.

A wave of nausea hit me. But I couldn’t break down here.

Despite committing such an unforgivable crime, the only reason I was still alive was because of the captain’s mercy.

So, I couldn’t disappoint him.

“Please trust me one more time. I will not let you down this time.”

A harsh static noise burst from the mechanical bird’s microphone. It sounded like people beyond it were growing rowdy. I squeezed my eyes shut again.

[How the hell are we supposed to trust someone like you…?!]

[Enough.]

Baylor silenced them.

[No. 13.]

I repeated my codename internally and answered.

“Yes, Captain. Please speak.”

[As you well know, you have two tasks. To hinder Lu Vantes’ plans and, more importantly, to find the relic before he does.]

“Yes. I will see it done.”

[This is your last chance.]

“…Yes.”

Now that Baylor himself had spoken the word “last,” the executives would be satisfied.

If I failed, they would be glad to be rid of a nuisance. If I succeeded, they would be pleased to acquire the relic.

“I will do my best.”

[Good.]

But Baylor wasn’t finished.

[And if Lu Vantes becomes an obstacle to this mission—]

Gulp.

I swallowed dryly.

I knew what he was about to say.

[Kill him.]

I clenched my eyes shut.

The horrors of that day resurfaced in my mind. The nausea grew worse.

Knock, knock—

A knock came at the door. I could sense Lu standing outside.

“I’m coming in.”

I hadn’t invited him in.

But knowing his personality, I didn’t bother to argue and remained seated on the sofa.

“Did you get some rest?”

“Yeah, somewhat.”

Lu took a seat across from me.

I felt a little uneasy looking at him after my conversation with Catacle.

I deliberately avoided his gaze.

“Guardian has contacted us.”

But at the mention of Guardian, I had to focus.

I quickly erased my thoughts and looked at Lu.

“We need to find Themis.”

He handed me a document. I pretended to examine it as I spoke.

“The famous alchemist?”

“Yes. And the one who created Aura.”

Aura.

A drug designed for mental enhancement.

Even half a dose significantly boosted concentration, making it highly popular throughout the Empire.

I had heard it made him incredibly wealthy, but…

What could an alchemist have to do with the relic?

“But he’s just an apothecary. Would he really have information on the relic?”

Lu clasped his hands together.

“He has close ties to the imperial family.”

“You’re saying the imperial family may have let something slip to Themis about the relic?”

“It’s a slim possibility, but we still need to check.”

I frowned.

Neither Catacle nor the imperial family knew the relic’s whereabouts. That’s why everyone was so desperate to find it.

Would an ordinary alchemist really know?

‘Still…’

It wasn’t something I could ignore.

The information had come from Guardian, of all places.

‘If even Catacle doesn’t know, it’s best if I confirm it myself.’

Having reached my conclusion, I refocused on Lu.

“Themis will be attending the Marquess of Bydon’s party. So we…”

“We get close to him and extract information. Right?”

“Yes. For now, our goal is to socialize with everyone at the party.”

I couldn’t let Themis and Lu meet.

Or if they did meet, I had to extract information first.

Determined, I watched Lu rise to his feet.

I was slightly relieved—he seemed to be leaving.

But—

“By the way, Charles.”

Instead of leaving, Lu glanced toward my wardrobe.

“Is this really all the clothing you have? One skirt and three blouses?”

Before I could stop him, he strode to my wardrobe and gasped in horror at my clothes.

“So that’s why you were clinging to that ridiculous leopard-print skirt?”

“What do you mean ‘ridiculous’? I thought it was rather cute.”

Lu rubbed his forehead like he was exasperated.

“And you planned to wear these to next week’s party?”

“Enough.”

“And what’s with this floral blouse? Are you a child?”

“I said enough.”

I wasn’t particularly interested in fashion, but having him criticize me so blatantly was getting on my nerves.

“This won’t do.”

“What won’t?”

“I can’t leave you like this.”

“I’m fine—”

“If I let you go out like this, people might start questioning my love for you.”

…That’s a bit much.

“I’ll clear my schedule for tomorrow. For you.”

“And that’s really for me?”

“It’s also for my aesthetic sanity.”

“…You’re insufferable.”

Still, as much as he annoyed me, talking with him made me feel a little better.

Of course—

—If Lu Vantes becomes an obstacle to this mission…

— Kill him.

Baylor’s words still squeezed my heart painfully.

“I’m throwing these clothes out. Just having them in this house gives me a headache.”

…Maybe I should just focus on how irritating he was instead.

Suppressing my unease, I kicked Lu in the shin.

The next morning, Lu and I left after breakfast.

“Charles, you look breathtaking today as well.”

“It’s because I’m wearing the clothes you picked.”

“Or perhaps it’s because you’d look beautiful even in rags.”

The servants watched us with warm smiles, as if we were a loving couple, and wished us a pleasant outing.

Clack!

The moment the carriage door shut, I yanked my hand away from Lu’s grasp.

“Charles, even if we’re alone now, pushing me away like this hurts.”

“Liar. As if you’d feel hurt.”

“Ah, was it that obvious?”

Lu grinned mischievously, winking at me.

The sunlight streaming through the carriage window made his golden hair shine, as if dusted with flecks of light.

No matter how many times I saw him, he was still ridiculously handsome.

I wondered why someone with a face like that had to have such an insufferable personality… but I kept the thought to myself.

“I told you to throw out that leopard-print skirt.”

I take back what I said about him being handsome.

Why does he have so much to say about my clothes?

“You just said earlier that I’d look beautiful even in rags. So what, should I just go out naked? This is all I have to wear right now.”

“Charles, you must not see me as a man.”

Instead of answering, I simply shrugged. Lu’s eyes narrowed.

“If you keep that up, I might extend our shopping trip just to torment you.”

“Anything but that. You know I really hate shopping.”

“Why do you hate shopping so much?”

Lu asked with a puzzled expression, as if he genuinely couldn’t understand.

“To be precise, it’s not that I hate it…”

I hesitated slightly, then decided this much was okay to say.

“I just… never did it before.”

“What?”

“I never owned anything of my own, so the act of choosing something and buying it for myself feels awkward.”

“……”

“What if I don’t like it? What if I buy the wrong thing? What if my choice is wrong?”

For some reason, saying this while looking at Lou felt embarrassing, so I lowered my gaze.

“So I just stopped making choices altogether.”

Silence filled the carriage.

The embarrassment only grew stronger.

I hadn’t intended to be this honest… What if he thought I was lacking? Anxiety crept in.

“Charles.”