SM Chapter 68

68. The Unsettling Sound.

 

The unsettling sound made her nervous, but behind the suddenly flung-open curtain, there was nothing.

“There’s nothing there, madam.”

There were only three windows. Even though Julie had checked right in front of her, Bianca couldn’t shake off the unease.

“I definitely heard something.”

“If it’s bothering you, we should be cautious. I’ll be more vigilant tonight.”

Rappin, who had entered the bedroom at some point, gently shook the window to check the latch.

The securely locked window didn’t budge in his grip.

“I’ll be nearby as well, so don’t worry, madam.”

At Rappin’s words, Julie didn’t try to dismiss Bianca’s concern as just the wind anymore.

With her usual smile gone, Julie stood by the bed on the opposite side of Rappin, guarding the door.

“Please get some rest.”

“I’m already wide awake.”

“Shall I bring you a book, then?”

“That sounds good.”

Pages fluttered as Bianca turned through the book she had retrieved from the study earlier.

She had read it before, so she knew the story, and unlike last time, her emotions had dulled, making it easier to read. But reading it again revealed things she hadn’t noticed before.

It was more than just a simple romance novel. The descriptions were detailed and intriguing, with some rather profound passages.

“Baloch was a name inherited from the Knight’s master. Thus the knight swore to remain faithful to the honored name.”

“The master… the name…”

Bianca lingered on the passage she had previously overlooked.

The night had grown late, yet she couldn’t put the book down. Or rather, she had no intention of putting it down.

Her sleep had vanished entirely, and with her mind now clear, the events of the day replayed in her head with an unpleasant vividness.

‘You don’t have to be so cautious.’

‘It’s not like you came here by choice.’

‘I’ll take you away if you wish.’

These three sentences spun endlessly in her mind.

Coming to Baloch was her choice.

She had grown fond of this place. She had decided to become part of Baloch, to live happily ever after with Jillian.

Yet those words were spoken as if none of it mattered.

At that moment, Bianca realized that nothing had changed.

She had simply let her guard down in the warmth of Jillian’s embrace.

It had always been the world itself that cast her aside.

And now that Jillian—her steadfast protector—was gone, ‘world’ was trying to control her once again.

“Never again.”

Bianca realized she needed something concrete, something that the ‘world’ would acknowledge.

What could a forsaken princess, abandoned by all, present to the world as proof of her worth?

“The prophecy’s fulfillment.”

Even something small would suffice.

If she became a symbol, no one would dare to treat her lightly.

After all, wasn’t it that very symbolism that had ruined her life in the first place?

‘The princess born by devouring the empress.’

If history books and the Baloch family records held no clues, she would comb through the entire library.

If that failed, she would press Jillian for answers once the Wave was over.

She had no time for hesitation.

Her instincts told her time was running out.

The pages rustled as she flipped through them again.

Bianca focused intently, as if engraving every word into her mind.

Any small clue would do.

If anything about ‘Termina’ could be of use to ‘Baloch,’ she would find it.

 

***

 

The atmosphere changed.

Though there was no commotion, the servants quickly noticed a shift in the air within the castle.

“What’s going on?”

Shane asked Henry, but he was just as curious about the heavy mood.

When Henry shook his head, Shane stroked his chin, deep in thought.

“Could it be because the messenger pigeon hasn’t returned?”

It was actually Shane who held the information.

Henry, caught off guard, didn’t even think to shake off Shane’s arm from his shoulder.

“A messenger pigeon? What pigeon?”

“The one we sent to the Wave region.”

“And why does that matter?”

“When we sent a pigeon last time, the Duke returned immediately. But this time, for some reason, there’s been no response. So maybe that’s why things feel strange. What about you? Have you heard anything?”

“No, I don’t know anything. I’m still just a glorified clock.”¹They made a joke about this before although I couldn’t understand it at all😂.

“Seriously? You really need to step up. How can you be this clueless every time?”

“Right?”

“Huh? Why are you so calm? That makes me feel even worse.”

“I’m not calm…I just really don’t know anything. I didn’t even hear about the merchants causing trouble until later.”

“Oh, that. I heard about that too. Apparently, there’s this young guy who keeps stirring up problems?”

Shane scratched his head, looking irritated.

“You handled it?”

“Well, who else? If the butler or the head maid stepped in, it would turn into a big deal. It’s better for small fries like me to take care of things quietly.”

At the end of his sentence, Shane smirked at something.

Henry followed his gaze and saw the butler standing there, watching them.

His glassy eyes gleamed with a detached sharpness.

Henry shivered slightly, his shoulders instinctively tensing under the scrutiny, as if the butler could see right through him.

“Well then, enjoy your lunch, young master. If you hear anything, let me know. I’m your right-hand man, after all.”

“You’re not eating?”

“I already grabbed a quick bite.”

Just as quickly as he had arrived, Shane disappeared.

“Where are you going?”

“Oh, just thought of something I need to take care of.”

With a cocky stride, Shane waved his hand toward the merchants’ lodging.

“…haam.”

Watching Shane walk away, Henry yawned. His eyes burned and felt dry.

Because the madam had stayed up late last night, he hadn’t been able to sleep either.

No one had outright told him to stay awake, but Henry came from a knight’s family.

Though he never became a knight due to his parents’ opposition, he had an innate sense for danger.

As a result, he had barely gotten three hours of sleep before starting his day, making his head heavy, his thoughts sluggish.

Henry wanted to take a short nap, but he knew that if he didn’t eat properly at times like this, he would feel even more drained.

Forcing himself to move, he took a few steps forward. However just three or four steps in, the tip of a black shoe appeared in front of him.

“Are you Henry Kazel, assigned to the third floor?”

“Huh? Yes.”

Henry was startled by the butler’s silent approach. No matter how sleepy he was, he hadn’t noticed the man getting so close until he spoke.

What the…?

A mix of wariness and admiration rose in him.

The butler, who had come close in an instant, leaned slightly toward Henry and asked,

“Do you know why you were assigned to the third floor?”

“Yes.”

“Make sure you remember it well.”

Something about the butler’s cryptic tone made Henry suddenly feel wide awake.

 

***

 

“Let’s try to get along.”

Shane smiled as he looked at the dark-eyed man before him.

“The atmosphere here is far too tense.”

His voice carried clearly through the slightly open door.

Servants pretended to work nearby, subtly lingering to eavesdrop.

The snow hadn’t stopped, the castle was silent, and there was little entertainment to be found.

And since this was the Wave period, even if there had been diversions, making noise would have felt sinful.

In such times, glimpses of conflict through a door’s crack were all the more compelling.

The man kept his head bowed, while Shane maintained a triumphant posture.

“This is the Duke’s household. You were let in because of the snow, but do you understand where you are? A fortress surrounded by seven layers of walls. You saw it yourself—seven checkpoints to pass, plus one more before reaching the first floor of the main castle. This place is a stronghold. Not just anyone can enter.”

Shane’s scolding continued, his voice sharp and cutting.

“He upset the Duchess yesterday, so of course, he’s at it again today.”

“Always quick to lecture, isn’t he?”

A couple of servants, pretending to polish an ornament, exchanged quiet laughter.

“And he talks about others wanting to rise in the world?”

“Not that he’s wrong. Anyway, if the Duchess was displeased, he’ll jump at the chance to make a scene.”

Beyond the door, Shane’s rebuking voice rang out, scornful and clear.

“You weren’t let in because you amounted to something…you were let in out of pity. Did you think otherwise?”

“I didn’t say that. I only meant to offer help because you seemed exhausted.”

“Help? What help could you possibly offer? Your job is to bring in supplies once the snow stops, nothing more.”

Shane’s voice grew short and icy, scolding the taller man as if he were a mere servant.

“Isn’t he going too far?”

“Yeah… If the guy holds a grudge, it could be trouble.”

“But it’s been days of this now. Having everything spelled out like that must feel terrible.”

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

The servants hushed their chatter and busied themselves scrubbing the floors as the butler passed by.

Once he was out of sight, they stretched their necks, eager to listen in again.

For all their complaints, Shane’s words were always worth hearing. As a footman stationed at the castle gates, he knew a lot.

Sometimes, even the servants found themselves thinking, Oh, I didn’t know that.

“Actually, that’s not even correct. The kitchen’s back entrance is only accessible to the Harriet Merchant Group. So you lot might not have been allowed in at all.”

Just like that.

The servants exchanged glances—none of them had ever heard of that merchant group before.

“Wow, he really does his homework.”

“Yeah.”

Meanwhile, the conversation continued through the door.

The man who had tried to protest now said nothing, his spirit crushed by Shane’s precise and belittling words.

“Just stay quiet. Especially on the west side of the third floor, that’s where the Duchess stays. Don’t even think about setting foot there.”

Shane’s final words echoed down the hallway, cutting and absolute.

 

***

 

“If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing more I can do.”

A calm voice broke the silence in the quiet room.

“I know you’re suspicious of me. But at least this time, I ask you to listen carefully.”

There was a faint desperation in the speaker’s tone.

“You found it suspicious, yet you just stood by and watched?”

“Then tell me, besides issuing a warning, what else could I have done?”

“Well… that’s true.”

Hailey rose from her seat and handed over a small white pill.

“Here, take this.”

I, too, am waiting for proof of your innocence.