Chapter 85
“We’ve arrived!”
Panting, Ben ran up to them, and Bedol anxiously bit his fingernails.
“What do we do…?”
“What do you mean, ‘what do we do’? You’re the one who knows everything!”
“If he finds out, it’s over, young master!”
“Ugh, I don’t care! Just go inside and pretend to be asleep!”
“What?”
“Pretend you’re asleep! I’ll say you—no, that Belia is sick. Hurry!”
“Ah, yes!”
Soo dashed off toward the room, and Bedol, now alone, quickly checked his appearance.
“Damn it, I’ve never done anything like this before…”
He grimaced, thinking of Belia.
“What are you going to do, young master?!”
“I don’t know. Just stall him for time—go first.”
“What?”
“We’re going to him!”
“Ah, right!”
As Bedol followed Ben out, a young noble lady, dressed to perfection, gleamed with anticipation.
* * *
“Brother.”
Bedol greeted Barun with a bright smile.
Behind him, Ben bowed politely, trying hard to hide his anxiety.
“Where’s Belia?”
At the direct question, and the intensity in Barun’s tone, Bedol’s feigned nonchalance began to waver.
“Huh?”
“Weren’t you supposed to be spending the vacation with her?”
“Ah—she’s sick.”
“What?”
“Belia’s sick… But when I heard you were coming, I came out to greet you.”
“How?”
“Huh?”
“How did you know I was coming?”
“What?”
Bedol glanced back. When their eyes met, Ben quickly turned his head away.
“What do you mean ‘how’? You’re the heir of the Arpedi family—of course I’d know!”
“Right…”
“But, brother, why did you bring so many people?”
It was far too large a group for a simple vacation trip.
“I thought I might need them for various things.”
Barun smirked and looked toward Tov.
“Lead the way.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Huh? Brother, where are you going?”
“To rest.”
“To where?”
Uneasy, Bedol stepped in front of Barun.
“You’ve changed a bit since I last saw you. Or are you just being careless because it’s a vacation? Blocking your elder brother’s way like this.”
“No, it’s just—I was curious where you were headed.”
“You said she’s sick.”
“Huh?”
“My younger sister is ill. Naturally, I should see her. Tov, find a priest or a doctor nearby.”
“Ah, no!”
“No?”
Barun tilted his head with a calm but sharp look.
“Belia isn’t sick?”
“Huh? No, that’s not it! She’s just got a mild cold!”
“If it’s only a cold, then she can talk, right? Step aside. As her brother, it’s my duty to check on her.”
“Brother!”
Bedol hurried after Barun, whose anger was now obvious on his face.
The air was tense.
Seeing Barun’s expression—practically broadcasting his irritation—Bedol glanced back at Ben, mouthing, Why is he so mad? Ben shook his head helplessly.
Even though it was a city, it was small—it only took a few steps to reach the main square.
Barun headed straight for the inn where Belia and Bedol were staying.
“But brother, Belia’s sick…”
“If she’s not so sick that she needs a doctor, then she can talk. I have something urgent to ask her.”
Barun’s mouth twitched.
The inn door opened, and after a few whispered words from Tov, Barun went up the stairs without hesitation.
“Brother! You can’t just barge into a lady’s room like that, even if she’s your sister!”
“It’s an emergency.”
“What?”
“A matter important to the family. Oh, and—did you already know?”
“Know what?”
“About Belia’s engagement to the Crown Prince.”
“What?!!!”
Bedol shouted in shock.
The family retainers around them gasped as well.
“So you didn’t know. Anyway, that’s what’s causing all the trouble in the family right now. I need to speak with her at once.”
“Engagement…?”
Bedol blinked, lost in thought.
Ben, quickly connecting Belia’s absence to this engagement issue, leaned toward Bedol and whispered urgently.
“Young master! You have to stop him!”
Bedol snapped out of it and hurried to Barun.
“Ah, brother. Um, that’s really… an important matter, huh? Then, maybe let me talk to Belia first.”
“You?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Huh?”
“She’s our sister—yours or mine, it’s the same. There’s no reason for you to speak for me. I’ll talk to her myself. Move aside.”
Reaching the door, Bedol took a deep breath.
He wasn’t particularly clever, but he understood enough—if what Barun said was true, Belia’s disappearance before an imperial engagement could become a serious issue.
“Brother! Wait, but…”
“What?”
Bedol hesitated, choosing his words carefully.
“Um, how about we talk for a minute first?”
Even if Soo had said to stall, these were still siblings. Surely Barun wouldn’t actually harm Belia.
He decided to warn him that she wasn’t there.
“See, it’s just that…”
“What? Is Belia not in there?”
“Huh?”
Behind them, Ben smacked his forehead and sighed.
If Barun learned she wasn’t there, things could only get worse. Ben stepped forward quickly.
“Uh, young master—”
“Who’s there?”
Suddenly, the door burst open.
From inside appeared a noble lady with radiant, honey-gold hair.
“Lady… Saroni?”
Bedol’s eyes widened at the unexpected sight.
“This is Belia’s room—what are you doing here, my lady?”
He glanced between the doorway and Lady Saroni, utterly confused.
Seeing Bedol’s expression and Barun’s frown, Lady Saroni clapped her hands lightly.
“Oh, right! You said you’d gone out for a bit, didn’t you? Ah! I see now—you must be Lord Barun Arpedi?”
Barun stepped back and gave a polite bow.
Lady Saroni smiled gracefully and stepped out of the room.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Dembe Saroni.”
“Barun Arpedi.”
Click. The door closed behind her.
She stood there, still smiling pleasantly, blocking the doorway. Barun narrowed his eyes, trying to read her intentions.
Meanwhile, Bedol, utterly clueless, stood there gaping.
“Why are you coming out of Belia’s room, my lady?”
“You had business with Miss Lia, didn’t you?”
Lady Saroni and Barun spoke at the same time.
“Lia?”
“Oh dear, look at me—Belia, I meant Belia.”
Bedol frowned. When did they get that close? he thought suspiciously.
“I have business with her. Could you step aside?”
“Oh, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Something’s happened with Lady Belia.”
“What do you mean?”
Seeing both pairs of gray eyes fixed on her, Lady Saroni looked truly apologetic.
“Well, you see… this hotel is quite old, and apparently, there was a water leak last night.”
“Pardon?”
Barun and Bedol both looked as if they’d misheard her.
“Isn’t this a noble hotel?”
The question was polite, but clearly meant: How can the most expensive hotel in town have a leak?
“Yes, it is. However, it was built around the same time as the founding of the Empire. They’ve kept the exterior to preserve its classical beauty, so occasional defects like this do happen. The Saroni family will, of course, compensate you.”
“Good grief…”
Barun sighed, at a loss for words.
“I understand. Then, could you please call Belia for me?”
“Oh, I’m afraid you’ll need to wait a bit.”
“I have something important to discuss. Even if she’s unwell, she can at least speak. Please call her.”
Barun’s patience was wearing thin, and his voice grew firm.
Lady Saroni, however, maintained her serene smile.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible for another reason.”
“And what reason would that be?”
“I’m terribly sorry, but there’s an issue with her dress. The area where the leak occurred just happened to be where her luggage was placed. Unfortunately, she has nothing to wear at the moment.”
“…What?”
“So a meeting right now is impossible. I’ve already sent someone to the capital to fetch her a new dress, so please wait a while.”
“She can’t meet me because she has nothing to wear?”
“Yes.”
Barun stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. Lady Saroni nodded firmly.
“Does that make any sense?”
“Pardon?”
Annoyance flickered in Barun’s eyes as he looked at her.
“A leak? Really…?”
“Young master,” Tov quietly interjected, shaking his head.
“The Saroni family has deep ties with the Imperial House.”
The whisper carried an unspoken warning: No matter your rank as a count, don’t cross a noblewoman with imperial backing.
Barun exhaled deeply and stepped back.
“Then when will I be able to see Belia?”
Even as frustration showed in his eyes, Lady Saroni smiled sweetly back at him, unbothered.
