Ch.3030. Hmm, Wasn’t He Always Weird?

“Just now, I heard from my subordinates that he’s drinking in the pleasure district.”

At Theo’s words, the Poison Lady pressed the teacup down firmly with the back of her hand.

“He went to the pleasure district?”

“Yes, true to his reputation as a scoundrel, it seems he’s hosting quite a large drinking party. If you give the order, I’ll go deal with him immediately.”

First he enters the Hong Flower Pavilion with just one knight escort and makes an absurd proposal to her, the Poison Lady, and now he’s enjoying himself in the pleasure district?

Cheonsenji is a place frequented by everyone in the Eastern Continent.

That also meant there were many eyes and ears there.

‘But he’s openly enjoying a drinking party?’

The Poison Lady felt a throbbing headache.

It was because she couldn’t fathom Selden Alphonse’s intentions at all.

“I think it’s better to leave him be.”

“Surely not because of Lady Ariella? That man’s words are all bluster! How could a lying scoundrel like him know about a cure?”

The Poison Lady stared blankly at Theo’s flushed face.

“Then how did a scoundrel from the edge of the Eastern Continent know that my sister was sick and that the cause was poison?”

“T-that’s…”

Theo had no choice but to close his mouth.

Even the existence of the Poison Lady’s sister was a secret known only to a select few.

As the head of an organization that deals with intelligence, she has many enemies.

Information can lead to the downfall of an entire family.

That’s why.

The very existence of Ariella, the Poison Lady’s sister, was treated as top secret within the Hong Flower Pavilion.

That was certainly the case, but…

-Don’t you want to cure your sister’s illness?

Even if he learned about Ariella’s existence from information picked up from Riden Solice, how did he know about her recent illness?

And even the detailed situation that she was poisoned…

The number of people who knew that fact could be counted on one hand even within the Hong Flower Pavilion.

It was one of two possibilities.

Either there was a rat hiding inside, or Selden Alphonse was a being far beyond her expectations.

The Poison Lady gritted her teeth as if she had made up her mind.

“Ariella was poisoned because she lived with me. I’ll do anything to save my sister.”

“It could be a trap. He might be conspiring with Riden Solice to take over the Hong Flower Pavilion and target your life.”

“Target my life? If Selden Alphonse wanted to kill us, he would have done so earlier, and you know that too, don’t you?”

It was true.

When Theo had let his killing intent slip due to his emotions, Selden Alphonse’s ominous atmosphere had made even the great Poison Lady flinch.

Moreover.

It was killing intent infused with magical power.

Coming from a knight family, he must know how to handle a sword to some extent, and if he could also use magic, would he have needed to invite her into the mansion to target her life?

When Theo gave no answer, the Poison Lady slowly rose and spoke.

“I need to go see Ariella right now.”

*

“Please tell me the truth.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not true.”

“How many years have I been with you, young master? Are you trying to deceive me?”

“If you don’t believe me, go ask Jawill Wilson if I really went to the pleasure district.”

The day after returning to the mansion.

As soon as I entered the study, Pedericks rushed over and started pestering me.

Well, I had anticipated this and already earnestly implored Jawill Wilson that “if we get caught, there will be no more pleasure district visits with you.”

The pleasure district in Cheonsenji?

It was less impressive than I expected.

Just women pouring drinks?

Of course, there were more advanced services available, but my purpose was different from the start.

I needed the image of a scoundrel who couldn’t change his ways.

If even the Poison Lady of the Hong Flower Pavilion hides her strength for succession battles, what about others?

Rumors beget rumors and gradually give birth to monsters.

Therefore.

I put a slight brake on the ever-growing predictions and rumors.

That’s why I deliberately wore a cloak with the family logo on it.

“How do you explain the woman’s fragrance that still hasn’t faded from your body?”

Pedericks crossed his arms and raised his nose as if to say, ‘Try to answer this one.’

Did the fragrance cling to me while receiving drinks?

I wondered if this guy had a dog’s nose or something.

“How many people do you think I passed by on the streets? Of course, some of them were women.”

“Are you going to keep denying it?”

“…Pedericks.”

“Yes, young master?”

“What difference does it make if I went to the pleasure district?”

“W-well, that’s not the point, but you’re no longer a scoundrel now, are you!?”

See?

There’s absolutely no benefit to having a good image.

I rested my chin on my palm and looked at Pedericks with a bored expression.

“If I say I didn’t go, you won’t believe me anyway, so why do you keep nagging?”

“That’s because you keep insisting…”

“Fine, I went. Are you satisfied now?”

“…I don’t think I feel satisfied.”

“Instead of dragging on this endless conversation, just call Riden Solice and Rio Sergang.”

Pedericks, clearly still dissatisfied, pouted his lips and trudged out of the study.

A moment later, there was a knock.

Knock-knock!

“Ah, come in.”

Riden, who arrived first, entered the study and bowed.

“Young master, it’s been a while.”

“Good to see you after so long.”

“I’m glad you returned safely.”

Having been running around gathering information every day and then being cooped up in the mansion for a while, he seemed to have gained a bit of weight.

I smiled with amusement.

“Wow, seeing that you’ve gained weight, life at the mansion must be comfortable?”

“Ah… Butler Pedericks gave me a lot of food as your guest, so I think I’ve gained a little weight.”

“Meanwhile, someone almost died trying to lift a bounty on a wanted man.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“I’m joking, and from now on, it should be safe for you to start your activities again.”

Riden flinched at my words.

“Did you really resolve it?”

“It’s not completely done yet, but I met with the Poison Lady, so there shouldn’t be any issues with your activities.”

“…Did you persuade the Poison Lady?”

“Persuade? Hmm, to put it delicately, I suppose so.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, threats are a form of persuasion, aren’t they?”

“T-threats?”

Riden blinked his eyes with an expression that seemed to say, ‘What the hell is this guy?’

“You mean you threatened the Poison Lady?”

“Yeah, she wouldn’t lift the bounty even if I offered all of the Alphonse family’s wealth, so I had no choice.”

“Young master, if war breaks out with the Poison Lady, it won’t just be a fight between the Alphonse family and the Hong Flower Pavilion.”

“I know. The families that receive information assistance from the Poison Lady won’t sit still.”

“And you threatened her knowing that?”

He’s grateful but worried.

Given Riden’s personality, he doesn’t like being indebted to others.

Not only was he hidden in the mansion, but now I’ve put myself in a position of conflict with the Hong Flower Pavilion because of him, so his current attitude is understandable.

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms heavily.

“Could you stand by and watch if your comrade was in danger?”

“A-are you saying I’m your comrade…?”

“At least during the time we’re together, I consider you a comrade.”

“Even so, threatening the Poison Lady was too dangerous.”

“Enough of that. If I ever find myself in a situation like yours, just don’t turn your back on me and help me out.”

“…”

Tears welled up in Riden’s eyes.

I dislike women’s tears, but men’s tears are even worse, so I waved my fingers in the air.

“If you’re going to cry, just do what I asked. I’ve already set things in motion and need to handle them quickly.”

“…What are your orders?”

“Get me some Cheoneon grass as soon as possible.”

“By Cheoneon grass, do you mean the poisonous herb?”

“Yeah, we need to get it quickly. The Poison Lady will be visiting this mansion soon.”

Riden staggered in shock.

“A-are you planning to assassinate the Poison Lady with poison!?”

“I’m trying to save her, actually.”

“How can you save someone with a poisonous herb? Since this involves me too, you need to be honest!”

I placed both hands neatly on the table and brought them to my lips.

“Riden, it’s annoying to explain everything, so just do as I say.”

“No, young master, no matter what—”

“I said do as I say.”

“…Understood.”

Riden still seemed to have a lot to say as his lips twitched, but he soon shook his head at my resolute face.

Just then, Rio Sergang entered the study.

For some reason, his shoulders were slumped.

What’s wrong with this guy now?

“Young master, did you return safely?”

“Yes, I came back well.”

“Please don’t stray far from your place of exile in the future. If Baron Byron suddenly visits again like last time, it could be a serious problem.”

“I had personal matters this time. I’ll try to restrain myself.”

“Yes, you must have had a hard journey.”

“But did something happen while I was away? You look terrible.”

Rio put a little strength into his slumped shoulders.

Then, with a short sigh, he continued.

“Luna has been acting strange lately.”

Hmm… isn’t she always strange?