Chapter 87
In a secluded alley, a short flash of light appeared, and suddenly a person materialized.
“Ah, right.”
Swaying from the headache caused by teleportation, Belia leaned against the wall.
Then she looked down at herself.
The polymorph had worn off, but her outfit still looked like she had gone through something rough.
If she went to meet Bedol and Su like this, she would definitely collapse.
“Money…”
She rummaged through her pockets, only to find dust.
“Sigh, let’s just go.”
Deciding to gloss things over when she saw Bedol and Su, Belia quickened her steps.
At the very least, she was supposed to be back by morning, but the sun was already high in the sky.
Still, since she had returned on the promised date, perhaps that was some consolation.
While worrying about the nagging that awaited her, Belia suddenly hid herself between the alleys.
“…Why is he here?”
It wasn’t a familiar face, but having lived four times as the Marquis’s daughter, Belia knew almost all the knights of the family.
Recognizing a familiar knight, Belia quietly observed the passersby.
Quite a few people dressed far too finely for the outskirts of the capital could be seen.
“Family knights…? Did Barun come?”
Belia was briefly startled.
The way they scanned the surroundings looked like they were searching for someone, which gave her an uneasy feeling.
Belia hesitated, unable to step out so easily.
Looking again, her clothes were not only dirty but also bore visible bloodstains.
If the family knights really were searching for her, and she stepped out in this state, unsavory rumors were bound to spread.
“Did the Bea transport go wrong…?”
Belia rolled her eyes nervously, carefully studying the knights’ faces.
There weren’t many of them, and most seemed to be under Barun’s command.
“It doesn’t look like the family knows… maybe they came just for Barun? Are they after me? Or Bea? …I should probably meet Bedol first.”
Thinking her second brother would know what was going on, Belia glanced around.
She needed to move, but the risk of being caught quickly made her hesitate.
“Lady Arpedi?”
Belia flinched at the voice of a woman behind her and turned around.
“Ah.”
She should have pretended not to hear, but it was too late.
Seeing Belia’s startled expression, the small, petite woman bowed.
“I’ve been searching for you.”
“And you are…?”
Flustered at the unfamiliar face, Belia asked, and the woman introduced herself politely.
“Lady Saroni has sent me.”
“Lady Saroni?”
Belia blinked, bewildered at the sudden appearance. The woman urged her.
“Shall we go? Lady Saroni asked me to discreetly escort you to her.”
“Lady Saroni…?”
“Yes. The Saroni family members have been searching for you tirelessly. Please, let’s go before it’s too late. Ah, and perhaps you’d like to put this on first?”
The woman handed Belia an expensive-looking cloak, far too warm for the current weather.
“Oh, thank you.”
“Please, speak casually. Someone like me isn’t worthy of your honorifics. Now, this way.”
The woman guided Belia deeper into the alley.
“If we head toward the central square, you’ll be noticed. Better to take the long way around.”
“Ah, right. But—Lady Saroni, is she with my brother?”
“If you mean the Young Master of House Arpedi, yes.”
“Oh… since when has she been here?”
“You seem curious, so may I briefly explain the situation?”
“That would help a lot.”
“The hotel where Lady Saroni and the Young Master are staying belongs to the Saroni family.”
“I see.”
“So when Lady Saroni stopped by to see the festival, she found out that you and the Young Master would also be staying there. Wait.”
The woman held her hand up, signaling Belia to stop.
“Alright, let’s go.”
After a group of people passed, she continued forward.
“In any case, Lady Saroni realized you were missing. And today, the Marquis’s second son came to the hotel.”
“Why…?”
“We don’t know his purpose, but he requested a private meeting with you.”
“A private meeting?”
“Yes. Lady Saroni anticipated that such a situation would be troublesome for you and the Young Master, so she blocked it.”
“How?”
“She claimed your room was leaking rainwater and you had nothing proper to wear.”
“Huh?”
“So please, remember to say the same if asked. Lady Saroni is buying you time, saying she’s searching for a new dress, but it has already been over three hours.”
“Then I’d better hurry.”
“We’ll enter through a different entrance. We must avoid encountering the knights upstairs.”
“Right, I’ll be careful.”
Nodding as the hotel came into sight, Belia followed.
Bang—the door swung open.
Lady Saroni turned, her face lighting up in relief.
“Milady!”
“Young Miss!”
Su quickly hurried to the doorway.
“Where on earth have you been?!”
“Su, sorry, sorry. I’ll explain later. Ah, Lady Saroni…”
“It’s fine. We’ll talk afterward—please go quickly. The second son has been sending people every five minutes.”
“Ah, understood.”
“Miss, the dress!”
“Alright, I’ll be going. See you later.”
Lady Saroni smiled faintly and left the room.
Su quickly helped Belia change.
“Miss, this outfit… what is this? And dirt, dust—my goodness! Is this blood?!”
“Hide it well. I’ll be back soon!”
Belia gave her appearance a quick once-over and left the room.
“Miss?”
Just then, Tove arrived at the door, staring at Belia in surprise.
The warm tea soothed her insides, calming her somewhat.
Belia exhaled quietly and looked at the man across from her.
“Brother, what brings you here?”
Barun didn’t answer immediately, instead carefully studying her.
“…I heard you weren’t well.”
“Yes, I think I caught a bit of a cold… probably from walking around during the festival these past few days.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm. But what brings you here?”
“Belia, is it true you’re engaged to the Crown Prince?”
Bedol, who had been fidgeting like a restless puppy, couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted out the question.
He was worried about her pale face, yet also desperate to confirm the shocking news Barun had told him.
Could her recent trip be related to this engagement?
Or was it some change of heart?
Bedol had tortured himself with endless speculation, his face thinning with worry.
Unlike Bedol, who desperately hoped for a denial, Belia widened her eyes.
She hadn’t expected this question here.
“What? Engagement?”
Belia stammered, staring at Barun.
He didn’t look surprised, which made her pause.
“Who…”
“I heard. They say it’ll be announced at the Princess’s birthday celebration, isn’t that so?”
“Is it true, you? Engaged to be Crown Princess? You?!”
As Belia was about to nod, she hesitated.
At that moment, Carlton came to mind.
‘Even if it’s just a fake engagement, I haven’t told Carlton yet… is it really alright to proceed like this?’
“Belia, is it true or not?”
Pressed by Bedol, Belia frowned deeply and nodded.
“What? It’s true?!”
Bedol gaped, and even Barun, though he had already known, looked unsettled. Hearing it confirmed from her lips was still shocking.
“So that’s what you came to ask?”
“That, and more.”
“And more?”
“Belia, the Bea transport was stolen.”
“…I heard.”
Belia’s expression turned regretful, but Barun scrutinized her carefully.
“What fool would dare touch imperial tribute? The world’s really going mad.”
Belia shook her head, sipping her tea.
“Don’t you suspect anyone?”
“No. That was something I spent months preparing…”
Her genuinely regretful face made Barun’s expression harden.
“I see, so you don’t know.”
“Mm.”
“Don’t worry. The culprit will be caught soon.”
“…Really?”
“The Imperial family and our House are both mobilizing all resources. It won’t take long.”
“…Strange, though.”
“What is?”
“The delivery date, the route—all of it was managed by our merchant guild. So how did someone know exactly when and where to strike? Almost as if they knew beforehand.”
“…True. Quite curious indeed.”
Barun nodded, then rose from his seat.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I’ve seen you, and that’s enough.”
“Brother, leaving so soon?”
Both Belia and Bedol rose as well.
“Ah, Bedol. Go see Tove.”
“Huh?”
“Father left you a message. Tove will deliver it.”
“Oh, got it.”
With that, Bedol left the office ahead of them.
