There Is No Mercy

CH 10

“Come in.”

In the meantime, there was a knock on the door, and a voice came from inside.

The deacon opened the door to the office and stepped aside.

I bowed to him and stepped inside.

The first thing that struck me when I entered the office was how dull it was.

There were no flowers, potted plants, or even pictures hanging in the room.

And in the middle of the darkness, with ash-colored hair and amber-golden eyes.

Aden Ripleton sat there.

He tore his gaze away from the papers in his hands to meet mine.

His gaze was impassive, seemingly emotionless, but there was a faint edge to it.

He was naturally wary of unexpected visitors.

Aden rose to his feet.

“Took you long enough to get here.”

I was polite to his short greeting.

“Harmonia’s grace be with you. I’m Sierra Brilloxen. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Unofficially, they were already on uneasy terms, but officially, it was their first meeting.

In this historic moment, Aden rolled his eyes and hesitated for a moment. But, he also seemed to be conscious of his surroundings as he adjusted his tone accordingly.

“First, have a seat.”

Aden said lightly, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the knights who had followed me and the butler who had escorted me.

As the door closed behind them, Aden’s mood changed slowly.

“You seem to have a talent for surprising people.”

Aden stepped back and approached the large window.

He pulled back the blackout cloth and opened the window.

Loud noises could be heard from outside.

The soldiers were untying the ropes, sticking close together.

There were a total of eight carriages! Each contains grains, medicines, clothes, as well as alcohol, special foods, and goods!”

As the curtain was pulled back of the carriages and the items inside were revealed, a murmuring sound could be heard from the surroundings.

Although it was not even half of the quantity, it looked like a lot because it was piled up on the cart.

Aden, who was looking outside, glanced at me briefly and then turned his body.

I made eye contact with him.

I smiled slightly and he looked at me with narrowed eyes.

Now, it’s time to ask what that is.

As I was thinking about how to answer, unexpected words came out of Aden’s mouth.

“What kind of tea do you like?”

“Tea?”

I stared at Aden, who was asking about my tea preferences out of the blue.

He waited without answering my question.

Oh, right.

Is it polite to drink at least some tea?

But it reminded me of the deserted castle before we entered.

Did that mean Aden would serve the tea himself if I agreed?

There wasn’t a separate break room, nor was there a maid on standby.

That would mean Aden would have to do it himself…

“No, no. I’m fine.”

She shook her head, and Aden didn’t ask twice before moving closer and sitting down.

He leaned back in his chair and looked at me.

A brief silence filled the room.

Aden seemed to be trying to read my mind, he didn’t take his eyes off me.

I stared into his eyes too.

After what seemed like an eternity, Aden’s mouth finally opened.

“Now, can you explain to me what those things are and why you came to see me so suddenly?”

“They’re gifts, don’t you like them?”

Aden let out a dry laugh at my reply.

His eyes darted across the table, then slowly rose up to meet mine.

His lips parted.

“Such an unexpected gift. I’m a little taken aback, but that’s not a bad thing. Especially if they’re useful.”

“I’m glad to hear they’re helpful.”

As I smiled, a look of puzzlement appeared in his eyes.

I continued before he could cut in.

“I know you’re probably wondering why I’m here with supplies out of the blue, but I’m not planning anything weird. I just want to apologize for what happened last time, so please accept them without hesitation.”

“Last time…”

His lips moved slightly, then formed an arc.

He glanced at me curiously and spoke briefly.

“You said you didn’t hear anything last time, but I guess that’s not exactly true.”

His voice was sharp as an awl.

“Did you hear everything?”

“No, not all of it, just some. Does it matter? All that matters is that I’m here now, with the supplies His Highness needs.”

He straightened his tilted upper body, pressed his back against the chair, and lifted his chin slightly.

A bossy, arrogant posture.

But it suited this man’s aura very well.

“My Lady Brilloxen. What do you want?”

“Nothing…”

“If you tell me you want nothing, I will not respond to any offer or proposal or suggestions you make in the future, so you’d better speak carefully.”

It was a tough negotiation.

A young archduke, ruling and governing such a rough territory, it was natural for him to be suspicious of everything.

I stared at him, blinked a few times, and then slowly opened my mouth.

“In recent years…”

I continued, meeting his narrowed eyes.

“I’ve heard that you’ve been cut off from supplies from Bozbourne, and I’ve also heard of a contract between House Bozbourne and House Ripleton.”

“And?”

“I also learned that His Highness the Archduke Ripleton is contractually engaged to Belietta.”

I stopped talking and looked at his mood.

The golden eyes staring down at me were unwavering.

It was hard to tell what he was thinking or how he was feeling, and I wasn’t sure what to do, so I continued.

“That day, when Archduke Ripleton and Belietta were arguing in the garden, I believe it had something to do with this contract.”

Aden leaned back in his chair as if to indicate that she should continue.

“The contract was broken due to Belieta’s stubborn resistance, and the items that should have been provided by both sides have been piling up for several years without being exchanged.”

“And?”

“I don’t know about House Bozbourne, but Ripleton would be hard-pressed without basic supplies. That’s why the Archduke has been trying to convince Belietta to go along, is that correct?”

“Go on.”

He rose from his seat and approached the desk.

Aden picked up a piece of paper from the desk, turned, and sat down.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, then slowly opened my mouth.

“Your Excellency, Archduke Ripleton…”

At the sound of my slow voice, Aden’s eyes shifted.

“Do you not need supplies?”

I also raised an eyebrow like Aden did.

Aden’s brows furrowed slowly.

“I’ll supply you with those materials.”

“Why?”

“Nothing special. Enemy ships?”

“There are a lot of them to be called enemy ships.”

“My father taught me that when you have much, you have much to give.”

He smiled.

Aden’s eyes were fierce.

He didn’t shy away from me, his gaze penetrating as if to gauge my intentions.

I held his piercing gaze for a long moment, and then his voice slowed.

“That was a long introduction. Get to the point.”

“Not much. As I said, I’m going to supply the Ripleton region with a generous amount of annual supplies. If you need more, just ask for it. I’ll bring you anything from good quality iron to hard steel. I can even supply equipment for your soldiers. I’ll even send you a blacksmith.”

“On what terms?”

“Simple.”

I straightened my finger and poked at my chest.

I watched his head tilt, and I lowered my voice.

“You choose me.”

“What?”

“And just look at me. Even if someone around you criticizes me and throws temptations that might tempt you, choose me. And when I need you, come running to me. That’s all.”

Aden’s hair also flowed down along his tilted head.

But there was no wavering in his eyes.

He rolled his eyes as if considering my terms for a moment, then locked his gaze on me.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Shall I put it more simply?”

He lifted his chin and straightened his posture.

Then she spoke boldly.

“I want you to break your contract with House Bozbourne and take my hand. I’m a very trustworthy woman who doesn’t let down anyone who takes my hand, and I don’t go back on my word, so…”

I didn’t want to hide my true feelings.

Even if I dreamed of using this man to get revenge, I was desperate now.

The golden-eyed, untitled ghost of an archduke.

“Do it, my man. Arden Ripleton.”

The atmosphere was stiff.

Eyes staring at me, head tilted at an angle.

His lips, set in a straight line, matched the mood.

A ghostly man.

Perhaps a monster would be a better description.

It was true that my proposal was shocking to him and could not be easily answered.

I wasn’t expecting an answer today either.

If he refused, I would continue to try to convince him as I delivered the remaining supplies.

It didn’t matter if he’d already fallen for Belietta.

I would have made an axe out of diamonds to bring down the giant that is Arden Ripleton.

Although it is metaphorical.

“You don’t like it?”

He didn’t answer my question.

His eyes never wavered as he looked me in the face.

My fists clenched.

I stared unblinking, knowing that I would lose if I averted my gaze.

Finally, Aden’s lips parted.

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you need a reason?”

“No. I’m sure you could make one up if you wanted to, but there’s no need for formality. I’m just wondering if you realize the implications of what you’re saying.”

“You don’t think I’d make such an offer without knowing?”

His eyes narrowed once more.

Aden, who had been sitting at an angle at the desk, slowly approached and held out the paper he was holding.

I glanced down at the paper as it stopped in front of me, then raised my gaze.

“What is this?”