Chapter 32
Meanwhile, at the same time…
Eren stood alone in a dark room with no windows.
On one side of the room was a small bed barely big enough to lie on, and a tiny desk.
On the desk were dried herbs that looked like medicine, and next to them was a handful of tiny pills smaller than a fingernail.
Eren stood silently, staring into space, before eventually moving toward the desk.
With a blank expression, he picked up some herbs and put them into a small stone mortar, slowly grinding them. For a while, the room was filled only with the grinding sound—druk, druk, druk.
Some time later, the firmly closed door suddenly swung open, and an uninvited guest appeared.
“Locked yourself in here doing… what? Making medicine again?”
Berthlot quickly reached Eren’s shoulder with a rough grip, bringing himself close to the desk.
The force was strong enough to hurt, but Eren showed no reaction.
“…If you came here to pick a fight, just leave.”
He muttered coldly, almost icily, and freed his shoulder from Berthlot’s grasp.
Berthlot stepped back, smiling slightly.
“Relax. Do you think I came all this way for something pointless?”
Then, in a cold voice, he ordered:
“Bring him in.”
Immediately, two men covering their faces led a large man into the room.
The man seemed unconscious, his body limp and eyes closed.
“…Who’s this guy now?”
“What do you mean? He’s your patient to take care of from now on.”
Berthlot smiled and gestured to the men.
“Move it. Get him on the bed quickly.”
“Yes, sir!”
The men hurried to lay the man on the bed and then stepped back.
Even in the commotion, the man only groaned softly, not opening his eyes.
“By his smell alone, you’d know he’s human. He crossed the line, so I handled him a bit… but leaving him be seemed dangerous. That’s why we brought him to you, my brother.”
“…Handled?”
“Do you think I’d ask my brother to do something trivial?”
Berthlot chuckled, tapping his temple with his finger.
Eren didn’t answer but immediately went to the bed.
For a moment, he hesitated at the man’s face.
Then, with a hardened expression, he placed his hand on the man’s forehead.
It had already been almost two weeks since Berthlot had kidnapped him to the capital.
During that time, Berthlot had kept him locked in this small room, bringing “patients” every single day.
The streets of the capital were packed with people enjoying the founding anniversary festival.
With so many drunk people around, carrying someone through the streets drew no suspicion.
Berthlot had chosen this time deliberately to take advantage of that.
“…You know I can only erase one day’s memory at a time, right?”
“Of course. You’re my brother, so I’d expect you to know that.”
Berthlot leaned against the wall brazenly, his yellowish eyes flashing sharply.
Then, almost casually, he added:
“Ah, by the way… did I mention I ran into that woman a few days ago?”
“…!”
Eren, focused on the man, stopped what he was doing and turned his head.
“…That woman… you’re not talking about CC, are you?”
Seeing Eren’s sudden rage, Berthlot whistled softly.
“The Lady Evergreen should’ve seen that face just now.”
“Stop messing around. Tell me straight—did you really meet CC?”
Eren growled lowly, and Berthlot reluctantly continued.
“Who else would I call ‘that woman’ if not Cynthia Evergreen?”
“…I clearly warned you not to touch CC.”
Eren returned to the desk, grabbed Berthlot by the collar, revealing his thin, thread-like pupils between his red hair.
“Calm down. I just spoke with her for a moment.”
“How am I supposed to believe that?”
“What will you do if you don’t? You won’t step a foot outside this room without my permission.”
Berthlot smirked slightly while still held by the collar.
“She must be important to you if you follow my orders so obediently.”
Eren didn’t answer and let go of Berthlot’s collar abruptly.
Berthlot straightened his messy collar, then suddenly grabbed Eren’s neck.
“Ku…ugh…!”
“I’ll allow you to climb just this far.”
Berthlot’s smile vanished, his warning chilling.
Despite being brothers, there was no affection between them.
“That should be enough for you to understand.”
He released Eren, who collapsed slightly, breathing heavily.
“Oh, right… I almost forgot the most important thing.”
Berthlot added casually:
“The Duke of Schtarten seems interested in Lady Evergreen. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before he takes her away.”
“…What?”
Eren coughed, then lifted his head in surprise.
“The Duke of Schtarten? They know each other?”
“Don’t know about that. Not my business.”
Berthlot shrugged lightly, as if choking Eren’s neck hadn’t even happened.
“You should’ve gotten to it sooner when I mentioned it.”
“…Shut up.”
Eren rubbed his red-marked neck and slowly stood.
Berthlot watched briefly, then clicked his tongue.
“Pathetic.”
He left without another word.
Thud… click.
The heavy door closed, followed by the sound of a lock.
Eren silently stared at the door, then looked back at the desk.
“…CC.”
He muttered softly, barely audible, closing his eyes.
If I had chosen you first… would our fate have been different?
He swallowed the unspoken whisper deep in his heart.
Meanwhile, Michael followed me to the city and only returned to his carriage after seeing me meet Karl.
Fortunately, Karl was waiting at the same spot I had arrived at.
“If I were to die young, it would all be because of you, Lady.”
He sighed in relief upon confirming I was safe.
For someone usually quiet, this much concern meant a lot.
“Sorry. I’ll tell Elliot to give you double pay this month, as a replacement.”
“…If you insist, I won’t refuse.”
Karl seemed slightly cheered by the mention of double pay and nodded quietly.
“By the way, who was the person in the carriage earlier?”
“Just someone I happened to meet.”
I couldn’t say it was the Duke of Schtarten, so I answered vaguely.
Karl gave me a suspicious look but didn’t press further, probably knowing I wouldn’t answer.
“Shall we head back to the mansion now?”
“Yes. But I want to stop by one more place first.”
“…Where now?”
“We’re this close. We should check our store.”
The Everglow Guild had a branch in the capital.
It was the busiest branch, at least twice the size of the main store.
“…Just look around and then head back?”
“Yes. I promise.”
I smiled slightly and nodded. Karl sighed quietly, accepting it.
“Then, let’s go.”
The capital branch of Everglow Guild was as magnificent as the main store.
Magic-powered lamps lit up even in the night, and posters of new products were plastered everywhere.
Due to the founding anniversary, the store was crowded even in the early afternoon.
“Welcome! Thank you for visiting Everglow Guild!”
“If you need assistance, please let us know anytime!”
As I entered, employees greeted me and Karl with bright smiles.
One senior staff member recognized me and approached excitedly, voice booming enough to make others glance over.
“Lady, is that really you? What brings such an important person here…?”
“Shh. Your voice is too loud.”
I put a finger to my lips, and the staff quickly quieted down.
“What brings the Lady to the capital branch?”
