There Is No Mercy

Chapter 45

Layton lifted his head with a satisfied smile.

The mansion was relatively small compared to the wealth of the humble Brilloxen Count family, following their family motto.

“Um… Lady Vladia.”

As he explored the mansion, Layton’s gaze shifted downwards.

Dayton met Layton’s eyes, hesitated for a moment, then calmly continued, returning to his usual demeanor.

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to see the lady today.”

“Why not? Didn’t you receive my message?”

“I did.”

“Is she not in the mansion?”

“That’s not it either.”

“Then what is it?”

Layton asked, a bit frustrated.

Dayton remained calm in response to Layton’s questions.

“Today, the lady is handling something very important. Furthermore, Lord and Lady will be returning tomorrow, so the mansion is quite chaotic. In such a situation, if we were to entertain guests, we could only end up neglecting them, so I was instructed to politely turn you away.”

It was true that this was what Sierra had ordered, but Dayton added these extra details to make it less unpleasant for Layton.

Seeing Dayton bowing in apology, Layton felt a bit flustered inside.

No other family had ever turned him away, regardless of whether his visit was sudden or planned.

Now, with the Vladia family backing him, Layton was welcomed anywhere in the empire.

He had no memory of being rejected like this.

“Dayton, it’ll only take a moment. I came all the way here early this morning because I have something urgent to discuss.”

“I appreciate that. However, the lady said it would be better to not entertain guests if she can’t treat them properly. I sincerely apologize for this. My capabilities fell short, and I didn’t have enough time to prepare. I’m sorry.”

Even though it was Layton’s fault for showing up unannounced without prior notice, no one could blame him.

Dayton thought that Layton would understand and leave after that.

But Layton was persistent, regardless of Dayton’s bowing.

“There’s no need for a grand reception. If the lady is inside, I’ll just see her and leave.”

“That would require me to inform the lady and get her permission…”

“I’ll get permission myself.”

Layton brushed past Dayton, determined to enter.

The guards at the door blocked Layton’s way.

He glanced at the guard blocking the entrance and then turned to Dayton.

“What am I supposed to make of this, Dayton? Are you treating me like a criminal, blocking my path with weapons? I’ve never experienced anything like this anywhere in the empire.”

“…”

“This is an act of disrespect towards me, and it also mocks my family and the hierarchy of the empire, doesn’t it?”

“Surely not. I was just…”

“I know you value principles, but I didn’t expect you to be this inflexible. You’re really blocking my path with weapons. I should go back and formally lodge a complaint against what I suffered at Brilloxen…”

“Stand aside.”

Just then, voices interrupted Layton.

The heavy door opened, and Sierra appeared with guards by her side, staring at Layton, who was being blocked by the guards.

The eyes of the dozens of people gathered at the front gate turned to Sierra.

Sierra frowned and swallowed a sigh.

Brushing her bangs aside, she moved her hand.

As the guards lowered their weapons, Sierra stepped forward.

“I came out because it was noisy at the front gate. What’s going on, Dayton?”

“I’m sorry, my lady. I’m incompetent…”

“I apologize for the disturbance, Sierra. My request to let me in just to see you for a moment was firmly blocked by your butler using excessive force, which raised my voice a bit. Please understand.”

Layton, placing his hand on his chest and bowing in a manner worthy of etiquette guides, caught Sierra’s eye.

Dayton, who had been looking awkwardly at Sierra, adjusted his expression.

“I appreciate the butler’s intent to follow your wishes, but he was a bit too inflexible. Ha ha, it seems like you’ll have quite the trouble, Sierra…”

“I was the one who ordered it.”

Layton’s smile faded, and his brow furrowed slightly.

As he tilted his head in confusion, his mouth opened.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean exactly that. I ordered it, Lord Vladia. The butler did nothing wrong. So please don’t blame him. Moreover, I heard quite an entertaining conversation while inside. A complaint?”

Sierra’s face fell as she closed her lips, then exhaled deeply.

Layton’s shoulders twitched slightly.

“Seems like the person trying to forcefully enter the mansion doesn’t have a place to talk, Lord Vladia. I clearly rejected your request through the butler, citing valid reasons. Did you not hear my words?”

“I did. But there’s no reason for me to grant that request.”

“I have no reason to fulfill that request. I’ve already clearly expressed my wishes to the butler, and he conveyed my message to you. Only the owner of this mansion has the authority to allow or deny entry, and I am the current owner. So even if the butler relayed what you said, he did nothing wrong. Are you planning to complain about that?”

“…”

Faced with Sierra’s logical arguments, Layton couldn’t find a counter and ultimately fell silent.

It was evident that Layton hadn’t expected Sierra to respond this way.

In noble society, when it came to determining right and wrong, even if Layton was at fault, it was common sense to reprimand the butler considering their relationship.

But Sierra stood up for her butler and put Layton on the spot.

In front of so many witnesses.

Layton felt a rush of shame at Sierra’s words and actions.

‘How dare she treat me like this!’

He bit his lip to suppress the anger that threatened to erupt from within.

As a noble, he felt like his authority and honor were being disrespected.

The murmurs from the crowd felt like mocking laughter in his ears.

He had an urge to summon a knight and demand justice for the disrespect he faced at Brilloxen.

His lips were tightly shut, and his fists trembled.

Sierra could easily tell that Layton was getting agitated.

As she looked at him, her gaze drifted around the crowd.

‘There are too many witnesses.’

No matter how much of a servant he was hired by Brilloxen, he couldn’t silence all these mouths.

She wanted to avoid making a scene here.

Moreover, she didn’t want to be the one to bring bad news to her parents, who were about to return.

Sierra sighed and brushed her hair back.

“It seems our situations differ, and our conversation has grown a bit heated. I kindly ask that you, the esteemed head of the Vladia family, graciously forgive these personal matters. I will guide you in; please, come in.”

Sierra’s calm voice, just before Layton was about to explode, soothed him.

As she gestured for Layton to enter the mansion, the guards stepped aside.

With his anger and shame dissipated, Layton regained his rational judgment and cleared his throat.

“Things like this happen in life, don’t they? I apologize for pushing my position too hard, my lady.”

After bowing politely to her, Layton shifted his demeanor back to that of a composed gentleman.

He exchanged a glance with Sierra, as if to thank her for the guidance, and followed her.

As the door closed behind them, Dayton let out a deep sigh.

“This won’t last long.”

No matter how capable a butler he was, facing the wrath of a high-ranking noble was burdensome.

Dayton wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and sent away the remaining servants.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. But make sure to keep a lid on the servants’ mouths. Seeing Sierra lower herself first means she probably doesn’t want this to spread. It’s not a big deal, but just to be safe, let’s make sure of it.”

“Understood.”

He sighed as he watched the young butler approach the servants.

Maybe he should just hand the work over to the younger butler and retire.

Dayton shook his head slowly and stepped back into the mansion.