IARMDH Chapter 19

 

 

 

 

“Mr. Zark must have known that this ring was tied to a ghost, right?”

 

“It wouldn’t make sense for him not to know. If he did, would he have given it so confidently, openly? He wouldn’t have gone out of his way to hide it in a candle.”

 

“Tch, I thought he was a big spender because he paid so much, but turns out he’s just trouble.”

 

When Judith pouted, Erne casually chimed in.

 

“I told you from the start that the guy didn’t have a good face.”

 

Judith tilted her head in confusion. Had Erne ever said that?

 

“When did you say that, Sir?”

 

“Didn’t I? Oh, right, you were so thrilled thinking he was confessing to you that I forgot to mention it.”

 

Erne shook his head with a smug smile. Judith could almost understand why Cliff had wanted to kill Erne so badly.

 

Erne must have done something insufferable enough to make Cliff try to poison him.

 

“Ugh, you’re so annoying. I wish you’d just go and live with Mr. Cliff already.”

 

“I can hear you.”

 

I said it so you’d hear me.

 

“If you keep that up, I might end up staying here instead of chasing after Cliff.”

 

Judith’s mind flashed with all the expenses she’d incur if Erne didn’t leave.

 

“Should I apologize sincerely?”

 

“You must really want to get rid of me, Miss Harrington.”

 

Even as she apologized, Erne mocked her. It was exhausting trying to appease him. Judith sighed deeply.

 

“So, what are we going to do with that ring?”

 

“I have a great idea. I’m going to see Baron Brix.”

 

“Why the Baron Brix?”

 

“I think Mr. Zark might be involved with another woman. The maids at the Baron’s estate said he has a messy history with women.”

 

Of course, this was before his engagement to the Brix young lady, but habits don’t change overnight.

 

There might still be a woman he hasn’t parted ways with—or maybe he thought he had ended things, only to later learn she was pregnant.

 

Judith was convinced that Zark’s claim of giving the ring as a gift to the Brix young lady was a lie.

 

“I heard that Baron Brix opposed Zark.”

 

Zark wasn’t even the eldest son of his impoverished Barony. He said himself skilled with the sword, but he hadn’t even been knighted. All he had was a flashy face.

 

That was precisely why Baron Brix opposed Zark. But what parent can win against their child?

 

When his daughter wailed that she couldn’t live without Zark, the Baron had reluctantly given his approval.

 

“I heard that the Brix family is fairly wealthy. And that young lady is an only child. It makes sense for the Baron to oppose his only daughter marrying a man with nothing.”

 

“The man’s prospects are certainly lacking.”

 

“Exactly. On the other hand, for Zark, marrying Baron Brix daughter is a huge win.”

 

If the young lady were to become pregnant before the wedding, the marriage would be guaranteed. That’s why Judith was certain this ring wasn’t intended for the Baron Brix daughter.

 

“If it comes to light that Zark got another woman pregnant after barely securing permission to marry, he’d be in big trouble.”

 

The marriage with the Baron Brix daughter was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zark. He would do anything to eliminate obstacles.

 

“In a way, this is like selling information to Baron Brix.”

 

Judith planned to inform Baron Brix about the situation and collect a reward for it.

 

Judith decided to approach Baron Brix because, after learning the truth about the ring, it felt wrong to ignore it and sell it off. Besides, she couldn’t stand Zark for trying to kill a child without consulting the mother.

 

She planned to demand three times the price Zark had initially offered, though that amount would probably be pocket change for Baron Brix. After all, this could potentially involve his daughter’s future—what were a few gold coins compared to that?

 

“What if Zark, or whatever his name is, retaliates?”

 

“That’s why I’m going to the Baron. Even if Mr. Zark successfully marries the young lady, do you think he’d just leave me alone?”

 

Guilty people are always jumpy.

 

“Every time Zark sees me, he’ll feel uneasy. He might even try to erase the source of that unease entirely.”

 

For a man who was willing to get rid of a child with a cursed ring, eliminating a poor woman who made candles would hardly be a difficult decision.

 

Even if Zark didn’t come to kill her himself, he could hire assassins. Once married to the young lady, Zark would be rich enough to afford it.

 

If Erne left and assassins came after, Judith would essentially be a dead woman walking.

 

“That’s why it’s better to go to the Baron and ask him to ensure my safety.”

 

Once the Baron learned the truth, Zark would probably be left with at least one broken leg.

 

“And don’t you think Baron Brix would offer me a better price for this candle than Zark would?”

 

If there was risk no matter who she sold it to, she might as well sell it to the one who’d pay more.

 

***

 

The next day, in front of the Brix estate.

 

“Just wait and see. I’m going to come out with a hefty reward.”

 

Judith waved Erne off as they happened to be heading in the same direction toward the Brix estate.

 

“Alright, good luck.”

 

“What’s with that tone? It doesn’t sound like you mean it. Tch, I was going to buy you a horse with my reward money, but I guess not.”

 

“You weren’t going to buy one anyway. And don’t say things like that until you actually get the money.”

 

“I’ll get it, okay? Stop nagging and go on your way, Sir.”

 

Huffing, Judith snorted and straightened her posture before boldly knocking on the estate’s front gate.

 

Erne watched her march confidently into the Baron’s estate for a moment.

 

Feeling his gaze, Judith waved her hand at him, signaling him not to worry.

 

“She’s got no fear, that one.”

 

Well, it’s not like her personality was going to change—this was the same woman who boldly demanded payment from a moneylender. Clicking his tongue, Erne turned and walked away.

 

What could really go wrong? Nobles with some extra money were often approached by people selling information for a reward. There were plenty of others like her.

 

As Erne turned to leave, inside the Brix estate, Judith found herself unexpectedly greeted warmly by the head maid.

 

“We were just about to call for Miss Harrington—it’s perfect timing!”

 

“You were waiting for me?”

 

“Yes, indeed.”

 

The head maid gently pushed Judith, who stood there puzzled, further into the estate.

 

“The lady of the house specifically asked for you.”

 

“Baroness?”

 

Excitement still lingered in the head maid’s voice. What could this be about?

 

“Come now, quickly.”

 

The head maid urged Judith along. Deciding to see what this was all about, Judith followed her.

 

“Why would the Baroness want to see me…?”

 

“What do you think, Miss Harrington? She wants to place another candle order. This time, the quantity will be quite large.”

 

“It sounds like she’s planning a banquet.”

 

In front of the Baroness’s drawing room, the head maid leaned in closer and motioned for Judith to do the same.

 

“The truth is…the Baroness is expecting a child.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Don’t look so surprised when you go inside.”

 

The head maid advised Judith while knocking on the door. Before the still-bewildered Judith could even nod, the door opened.

 

Inside the lavish drawing room, a woman who looked far too young to have a daughter on the verge of marriage greeted Judith with a smile.

 

“Welcome, Miss Harrington. I’m glad you came.”

 

The Baroness rubbed her belly as she gestured for Judith to take a seat across from her. Judith bowed politely and sat down.

 

“You must’ve heard from the head maid?”

 

“Yes, ma’am. Congratulations.”

 

Judith had momentarily forgotten, but the current Baroness Brix was the Baron’s second wife, whom he had married after remarrying.

 

She recalled her initial surprise upon learning that this woman, who looked young enough to be the Baron Brix’s daughter’s sister, was actually her stepmother.

 

The memory resurfaced now, but it hadn’t mattered to Judith before. All she cared about was selling her colored candles.

 

Whether the Baron took a younger wife or not had nothing to do with her. However, a strange sense of foreboding crept in now, as if it might matter going forward.

 

“I’m planning a banquet to announce the pregnancy. The baby has settled well now.”

 

In this world, there was a superstition that if you spoke too much about a pregnancy before the baby was securely settled, the gods might take the child back.

 

Fearing something might happen to the baby, the Baroness had kept the news a secret, telling no one except the head maid and her personal maid until her doctor confirmed it was safe.

 

“I did have a bit of morning sickness, but sniffing roses worked wonders to calm it.”

 

Perhaps because she’d kept the pregnancy a secret for two months, the Baroness’s complaints sounded more like prideful boasts as she shared them with Judith.

 

The Baroness gazed lovingly at the red roses arranged in a vase on the table.

 

“It seems the baby shares my taste.”

 

“…You do like red roses, don’t you?”

 

That’s why she always ordered red candles to match the roses. Suddenly, Judith remembered the voice of the Baron Brix’s daughter saying, ‘I don’t particularly like roses.’

 

“I love red roses most of all.”

 

The Baroness murmured as she stroked the petals. What was it the Baron Brix’s daughter had said? I think it was, “Of all roses, I hate red ones the most.”

 

“So I’ve decided to name the baby Rose.”

 

“That’s a lovely name, Rose.”

 

The Baroness ordered red candles to match the red roses, her crimson lips curving upward into a smooth smile. It was a confident, triumphant grin, free of any trace of worry.