TNM CH 93

Chapter 93

“The Pallieva mansion was built 500 years ago. It was created by one of the best architects of its time and was renovated about 20 years ago. As a building with such a long history, everything inside—from the pottery to the paintings—holds significant value…”

As the butler guided me to my room, he recited the history of the mansion.

It felt like he was delivering a lesson, sticking rigidly to the rules.

As his fresh explanation was starting to get dull, we arrived at the room.

“You can use this room. I’ll also move your luggage here.”

“Thanks, Butler Rickter.”

“Just call me Rick.”

“Alright, Rick.”

It felt a bit embarrassing to receive such kindness from a guest arriving so late.

After sending Rick away, I started unpacking when a maid came to find me.

“Your meal is ready.”

Behind the maid, Aden followed in, looking at me as if to say, “Let’s go eat.”

I put down the things I was organizing and stood up, and the maid turned to lead the way.

While we were on our way to the dining room, I noticed Aden’s not so happy expression and tilted my head.

“Are you okay? You don’t look so good. Did a ranger follow us here?”

Aden frowned and nodded slowly.

His eyes scanned the large mansion.

“I can still feel the sensation from the forest. It seems like they followed us here.”

A skilled individual sneaks into the heavily guarded Pallieva.

I started to understand why Aden was so sensitive about it.

I couldn’t tell who had sent the ranger or why they were following, but it was hard to think it was for any good reason.

Aden’s expression was stiff, clearly bothered by the ranger’s presence.

The dining room the maid led us to was quiet.

It felt spacious and elegant, likely reserved for the direct family of Pallieva.

As Aden and I settled down, the door opened, and a familiar face walked in.

“I’m glad I’m not too late.”

Kestian, dressed casually, smiled as he took a seat next to Aden.

“It’s been a while, Sierra. And the Duke Rippleton.”

“Sorry for dropping by so late.”

“You don’t have to worry about it. It’s not like it’s anyone else, so I’d be happy to open the door for you two.”

As Kestian spoke, warm dishes filled the table.

Noticing there were three servings instead of two, it seemed Kestian hadn’t eaten yet either.

I glanced at him, and Kestian casually picked up his fork with a relaxed expression.

“I didn’t skip a meal on purpose. I usually eat dinner late.”

I quickly thanked him and picked up my spoon.

As I sipped the warm soup, I glanced up and saw Aden and Kestian in one frame.

I never thought I’d see a scene like this in my life.

From Pallieva to Rippleton.

It was the result of a small stone I had thrown in my quest for revenge against Bellieta.

“But what brings you here? And you two, wandering around Pallieva at this hour?”

Kestian, leisurely tearing a piece of bread, smirked.

“Are you falling in love or something?”

“If that were the case, would you help us out?”

“I’m not the type to meddle in other people’s love lives; I’ll just quietly cheer you on.”

I smiled quietly at his lighthearted reply.

He really had a way of making people feel comfortable.

He had his own boundaries, keeping a perfect distance—neither too much nor too little.

“Well, that’s a relief. We’re actually heading to the Redboron Mine.”

“Sounds like a perfect hideaway for love. A mountain and a mine crawling with monsters. Typical of you, Sierra, to think of such an unexpected place.”

His teasing made me smirk.

While I was chatting with Kestian, Aden remained silent.

He was quietly filling his growling stomach with no visible change in his expression.

Noticing my gaze, Kestian glanced over at Aden.

“How are things going with Rippleton and Brilloxen? Any problems?”

“There are a few bumps, but nothing too serious. It’s not like they’re closely tied to Bozbourne. The problem is with Rippleton, though.”

“I’ve heard about it.”

When the conversation shifted back to him, Aden set down his fork.

As Kestian asked cautiously if he was right, Aden slowly opened his mouth.

“There aren’t any major issues right now, but in the long run, losing support would hurt.”

“I’ve heard about the council. They say the royal family is stepping in, but it’s tough for them.”

With Bozbourne having already co-opted the council and central nobles, they seemed invincible.

Even the emperor would find it hard to break through.

“What about Pallieva?”

“It’s okay… but there was a significant incident.”

A significant incident? I narrowed my eyes as Kestian rubbed his tired cheek.

Kestian slowly continued in a drowsy voice.

“Five days ago, a cargo wagon was ambushed. A pretty large procession with many knights, soldiers, and mercenaries was wiped out, and they took the cargo.”

“What was the cargo?”

“Do you remember what I showed you before, Sierra?”

If he’s talking about what he showed me… the bomb?

I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head, and Kestian nodded shortly.

“I made it for testing purposes, but it was quite substantial and not much different from the finished product. Besides, the fact that it was stolen even with so many guards means it wasn’t just ordinary bandits.”

“Do you have any info on it yet?”

“Not yet. But it’s suspicious that it was ambushed despite being done secretly, and the timing is also weird.”

Kestian looked at me with narrow eyes.

“You need to be careful. I’m not getting a good vibe from this.”

I nodded briefly at Kestian’s serious words.

If we assume that the culprits behind the Pallieva incident haven’t been uncovered, it means Bozbourne hasn’t been overtly active yet.

That’s a relief, but Bozbourne or Bellieta wouldn’t just sit back and let this slide.

There’s no guarantee that Bozbourne isn’t the one who got the bomb.

“Other than that, there aren’t any major issues. Minor problems have happened before, and just recently… Lu—”

“Huh? What’s that?”

Before Kestian could finish, the door opened and interrupted him.

I looked up to see a stranger enter.

Kestian turned around, narrowing his eyes.

“Rubyche?”

If it’s Rubyche, she’s the youngest in the Pallieva family.

And she’s also going to be the future empress.

Right now, she’s still a child, not yet of age, but in a few years, she’ll become the prince’s bride and a member of the royal family.

Though that’s still a while away.

Rubyche looked between me and Aden and frowned.

“…The Duke of Rippleton and Lady Brilloxen?”

“You know me?”

“Of course! You’re Sierra from Brilloxen. The woman who tamed the Monster Duke!”

“…?”

That’s a story I’ve never heard before.

I froze, unable to respond to such a random comment, and Kestian sighed behind me.

“Rubyche is pretty active in social circles, so she hears all sorts of stories. Sometimes, there are odd ones mixed in.”

“Odd stories? The woman who tamed the Monster Duke is quite the celebrity in the capital!”

So I’ve gained some popularity in the capital without even realizing it.

I stifled a laugh at the absurd news.

Rubyche, with curious eyes, moved closer to inspect me and Aden, then she spoke up.

“But what are you two doing here…?”

“Rubyche. Before you ask that, there’s something we need to do first.”

Kestian scolded Rubyche in an unusually stern voice.

Rubyche, who had been momentarily distracted, straightened up.

“I’m Rubyche, the youngest of Pallieva. It’s an honor to meet the Duke of Rippleton and Lady Brilloxen.”

She pretended to sound mature, but her gaze was still on Kestian.

With a look that seemed to say, “Is that good enough?” Kestian couldn’t help but smirk.

“I’m sure you were surprised by my words, but honestly, I was even more surprised. You’re at the center of events making quite a stir in the empire, and your name is always popping up for various reasons.”

“Is it good or bad?”

“Both.”

Rubyche laughed and took Kestian’s cup to fill it with water.

The clear liquid filled the transparent cup halfway.

Rubyche raised the cup to her lips.

“Were you disappointed?”

“Not at all.”

Rubyche giggled softly, tilting the cup to drink.

After taking a sip of water, Rubyche smiled and seemed ready to speak again.

But suddenly, her expression changed strangely.

“Rubyche?”

Kestian stopped mid-sentence and looked at Rubyche, who had frozen in place, with confusion.

Her lively demeanor faded, and she narrowed her eyes, now looking quiet; then she seemed to wobble before collapsing.

“Rubyche!”

Kestian jumped up urgently to support Rubyche.

As she leaned against him, her eyes closed, a small trickle of blood ran from her lips.

“Get a priest or a healer! Quickly!”

Kestian shouted at the frozen servants, while Aden checked the smell and taste of the water left in the cup.

“It’s poison.”

Aden spat out the poison from his tongue, and then examined the water jug.

Meanwhile, blood continued to flow from Rubyche’s mouth, now unconscious.

“Rubyche! Rubyche!”