Chapter 101
In the end, Fiorette couldn’t make a decision.
She would have to give up too much to betray Bellieta.
Not money, fame, or power, but family.
The head of the Bairon family was still tied to Bozbourne.
Her father was what held Fiorette’s heart.
I could understand why she hesitated to take a step forward, worrying about her family.
So instead of forcing her, I chose to give her time.
However, if there’s something to be given, there must also be something to be gained.
Fiorette promised to provide information related to Bellieta.
Even if it wasn’t used officially, I could still grasp Bozbourne’s thoughts and future direction.
“Well,”
Aden, who had been listening to the explanation about Fiorette, hesitated before standing up.
He walked over to Sierra, who was leaning against the wall of the bed, and sat down beside her, narrowing his brow.
“That was really close. It feels like things are getting riskier. Are you planning to keep moving like this?”
Aden was worried about Sierra getting more entangled with Bellieta, which was becoming increasingly dangerous.
The risk was now directly threatening her life, unlike before when it was mostly about insults or suppression of her actions.
Before, she had just faced humiliation or restrictions; now, it was as if they were outright gunning for her life.
And not just hers—everyone who had been in that place too.
“If things had gone a little differently, you could’ve died down there.”
“You know that wouldn’t happen.”
“Knowing that doesn’t mean it’s okay.”
Aden already knew Sierra’s plans.
But knowing something and facing it in reality were completely different.
The brief moment of separation and the distance from danger created a fear that could stop a heart.
‘Belieta is definitely going to make a move. She might collapse the mine. So if the mine collapses, instead of saving me, please capture those involved.’
Sierra had warned Aden multiple times before heading to the mine.
But the fear he faced at that moment was enough to shatter his calmness.
“I thought I was going to lose you. The memories of that fear came flooding back, but I didn’t want to remember them anymore.”
Aden moved closer to Sierra and placed his palm over the scratch on her cheek.
The wound stung, and he felt a throb in his chest.
“I promised to protect you, and the thought of not being able to keep that promise made everything else feel unimportant. So if anything like today happens again, leave it to me. I don’t want to see you in any more dangerous situations.”
Sierra often displayed a perfect demeanor.
It was as if she tackled problems according to a formula, handling everything in front of her according to the rules.
He knew she was perfect and exceptional.
But sometimes, that very demeanor made her seem like a machine devoid of emotion.
Her ability to steer situations into predictable outcomes, as if proving she was above Bellieta, was impressive.
But the more she was like that, the bigger the risk of her making a mistake and facing greater danger.
Knowing that Aden didn’t want Sierra to be in danger.
“Please let me keep the promise I made to protect you.”
Aden’s hand slowly slid from Sierra’s shoulder down to her hand.
He lifted his rough hand and pressed his lips softly against her knuckles.
***
It felt like I had a nightmare.
I saw someone standing at the end of a lit hallway, slowly fading into darkness.
Every time that happened, someone hidden in the shadows approached.
I woke up from the dream, still shivering.
I got out of bed and grabbed a glass of water, quickly tilting it back.
As the thirst in my dry mouth subsided, I let out a small sigh.
Being left alone in that underground mine must’ve been a bit shocking.
I ran my fingers through my long hair that flowed over my shoulders and let out another breath.
Just then, I heard a knock on the door, followed by a voice.
“Are you awake?”
Shearer peeked through the slightly opened door and knocked gently.
Nodding in response, he came in and examined my condition.
“You don’t look too bad. If you’re feeling unwell, please let me know, and I’ll call the doctor.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m okay.”
“Thank goodness.”
Shearer’s serious face broke into a slow smile as he gradually bent over.
I let out a short groan at his sudden action, and he continued speaking.
“I’m sorry for putting you through something unpleasant. I should have been more cautious but failed to do so.”
“It’s not your fault, Your Grace. You don’t have to say that.”
“Even so, everything that happened here is my responsibility. The fact that you got hurt is also my fault, so I should apologize.”
Shearer pulled out a potion from his coat.
It was a potion made by a high-ranking priest, which was quite valuable.
“It might not fully heal the shock you received here, but I still want to offer my sincere apologies. Would you accept it?”
“This is too much…”
I almost objected, thinking it was unreasonable, but then I hesitated.
The way he quietly looked at me was as serious and heavy as his age.
Understanding. Tolerance. Empathy.
I stopped my words and slowly reached out to take the potion.
Even if I thought it wasn’t mine, I accepted it.
“I’ll gladly accept it.”
This was probably accepting this man’s feelings.
As I rubbed the bottle and smiled softly, Shearer returned my smile.
He bowed his head and told me to rest comfortably before turning to leave.
As I quietly watched his back slowly leave the room, I opened my mouth slowly.
“Lord Redborn.”
“Yes?”
“Rippleton has gained a lot of strength thanks to Lord Redbourn. I’m sure the Grand Duke knows that too.”
Shearer gazed at me silently, then smiled slowly.
After opening the door, he bowed his head quietly.
“Then, please rest.”
The door closed slowly.
* * *
After taking a day to rest, I was finally ready to leave the Redbourn territory.
Fortunately, I hadn’t been seriously injured, so going back wasn’t a problem, but Aden insisted that I had to ride in the carriage since he was worried about my health.
I said I was fine several times, but I couldn’t break his stubbornness.
Most of all, I didn’t want to add to his worries when he was already concerned about me.
“Are you thinking of heading straight back to Brilloxen?”
Once preparations to return were complete, our destination diverged.
It wouldn’t be right to just pass by Rubyche, who had fallen ill because of us.
Aden didn’t suggest going straight back, likely having similar thoughts.
“I think we need to go back to Palieva first. I’ve got the samples Kestian requested, and I’m also worried about Rubyche.”
Aden nodded briefly and then disappeared to organize the rest.
While I was left alone going through the paperwork as he tidied up, I heard a knock.
“Did you call for me?”
Lifting my head, I saw Shearer entering cautiously with a worried expression.
I had just asked Rippleton to find Shearer, but I didn’t expect him to come all the way here.
I put down the paperwork I was sorting and welcomed Shearer.
“Thanks for coming all the way here. Do you have a moment?”
“Yes, I’m fine. But what’s the matter?”
“Oh, it’s nothing much, just wanted to say thank you and talk about something.”
“What kind of thing?”
I handed over the brief and organized oath document to Shearer, who was slow to respond.
I hadn’t been able to organize it perfectly, but I had made sure to prepare the document with care.
Shearer checked the contents, narrowing his eyes.
“Why are you suddenly giving this to me…”
“Count Redbourn said he would take responsibility, but I have to admit that I share some blame in this situation too. So I should take responsibility for that part.”
Regardless of the outcome, it was essentially dragging Redbourn into this conflict.
As a result, the mine, which was Redbourn’s only source of income, had collapsed, and the people who worked there had lost their jobs.
“I’m going to propose a business that can link Redbourn with our business in Brilloxen. Also, I’ll cover all the costs for funding and restoring the mine until it reopens.”
“That… you don’t need to do this. Redbourn has already made preparations regarding this matter, and it’s not something the lady who was here as a guest should be responsible for.”
“But I still want to take responsibility.”
I handed back the oath document that had come back to me.
“This is my intention.”
“…”
Seeing Shearer biting his lip, I quietly smiled and picked up my bag.
After some time examining the document, Shearer sighed and nodded.
“I understand. I will gladly accept it. But if it becomes a burden or things go wrong, please feel free to tell me and cancel it.”
“I’ll do that.”
I thanked Shearer, who was still being considerate until the end.
Suddenly, as I was saying my goodbyes, I noticed something strange about Shearer’s face.
When I first saw him, I thought he was a typical old-fashioned aristocrat, full of pretense and authority.
But now, it felt different.
With one layer of misunderstanding peeled away, he appeared as a different person.
At that moment, I thought that maybe I had been too narrow-minded in the way I viewed people.
Recalling my past self, I smiled one last time before moving forward.
Now, it was time to leave this place.
* * *
“Okay, I got it.”
After hearing the short report, Bellieta leaned back in her chair.
She gazed intently at Holland, who was sitting opposite her.
She remained silent until the servant who had finished the report left, and as soon as the
door closed, she spoke.
“Count’s wise daughter ultimately made a poor choice.”
“J-I’m sorry…!”
Before the words were even fully out, Holland dropped to his knees on the floor.
He turned pale and begged for forgiveness, but—
“I don’t like the word ‘sorry.'”
Before that phrase could escape, Bellieta’s voice split through the air.
Holland, who was stunned and swallowed his words, looked shocked.
Bellieta was smiling with joy, in stark contrast to her icy tone.
Her movements, delicate as she tilted her teacup, felt sinister, like the calm before a storm.
“Count Bairon.”
“Y-Yes!”
Bellieta’s call snapped Holland out of his stupor.
With a heavy answer, Bellieta put down her teacup and crossed her legs.
As if in sync with her slow movements, Bellieta’s mouth opened just as leisurely.
“You thought I would be angry, but I’m not. I’m just disappointed.”
Isn’t that the same thing?
Holland had presumed that Bellieta would be angry and disappointed due to Fiorette’s betrayal.
But she wasn’t angry; she was disappointed.
What exactly did that mean?
Bellieta smiled at Holland, who wore a puzzled expression.
“The Bairon family has served Bozbourne for many years. Because of that, Bozbourne has also repaid the Bairon family in many ways.”
“That’s very appreciated…”
“But such things could easily come to an end in my hands, Count Bairon.”
The moment those words left her lips, Holland’s breath caught in his throat.
Bellieta wiped her smile away and spat out her chilling words.
“Bring me Fiorette. Kneel her before me. If you do that, I’ll forget everything that happened. But if Fiorette doesn’t return to me, that day will be the end of Bairon.”
Forever.
Cold sweat trickled down Holland’s back.
Knowing Bellieta’s personality better than anyone else, he instinctively realized that those words were not merely a threat or a warning.
“I hope this winter won’t be the last season for Bairon.”
With that, Bellieta gestured for him to leave and stood up.
As Holland awkwardly got up, Bellieta turned her body toward the window.
After he left, her laughter slowly echoed in the now quiet room.
For a while, Bellieta shook her shoulders in amusement before shaking her head.
“…Sierra.”
In the end, she took Fiorette too.
