Chapter 1

𝕍𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕞𝕖 𝟡:

𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕪 𝔽𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕤𝕪

Usually, significant meetings of the Dallas Meyer Club took place in two different venues, depending on the atmosphere of the day.

One was, as widely known, the Central Church, where violence in any form was strictly forbidden. The other was on the headquarters on Eldora Street, where no rules seemed to apply.

On occasions when they needed to engage with outsiders, they utilized the Naviya bar located on the outskirts of the street.

And today happened to be one of those days.

At first glance, the bar looked like a fancy establishment built by a bored rich man, situated on a street that had transformed from the biggest slum to the largest entertainment district in the Imperial city.

It had served as the club's front for laundering operations and was known as one of the best nightspots in the city.

Recently, however, a peculiarly named hotel had started its operations nearby. It was owned by Serpente and was speculated to be involved in their activities.

The bar's first floor was accessible to all, but the second floor was equipped with a lounge and coffee room.

The same arrangement applied to the basement floors, where only authorized personnel could enter.

The first basement floor was designed to appear as a shooting range, masking its actual purpose as a vault. The second basement floor mimicked an interrogation room from the Avalon Police Agency.

On days like today, the second basement floor was usually active. However, with the front door locked and a sign that read 'on vacation' hanging outside, everyone remained on the bar's first floor.

"It's getting too loud in here. Why is a grown man crying like that? If someone hears him, they might think we're torturing him."

"Technically, it is torture. And isn't it more in your line of work than His Excellency's?"

"You're talking nonsense. I can't even look at Noona holding a broom without feeling weak. Want a sandwich?"

Valentina leaned casually against a wall, sipping her coffee while observing the scene. Yann avoided her gaze and fiddled with a bag of sandwiches.

Though seemingly displeased by his expanding forehead, the chief aide obediently accepted the sandwich. The sound of his pitiful chewing echoed in the air.

"So, what happened? Noona? Chief Aide? I heard there was some commotion at the hotel."

"Commotion? What do you mean by commotion? Are you referring to the spectacle where the Duke personally barged into his relatives' guest room, grabbed his elderly uncle by the collar, and dragged him to the lobby?"

"Sir Aide must be going through a lot. It must have been quite a sight."

"Indeed, it was. It's going to be the talk of newspapers across the country tomorrow. The Duke of Flame and Fury strikes again! Or something of that sort. What followed after that is known only to those who were present."

"I'm more concerned about Sasha. Even if you guys weren't so surprisingly competent..."

"Anyway, aren't you responsible for the interim report?"

"..."

While Pavel munched on his sandwich in silence, Yann moved closer to his sister and glanced at the commotion happening across the room.

The door was wide open, allowing them to observe without needing to approach.

The Viscount, who had been abducted amidst the turmoil at the hotel, was now tied to a chair placed on a gaudy pink sofa.

His sobs were heartbreaking, yet the Duke, seated across from him, exuded an icy coldness.

"...This is the first time I've seen His Grace looking like this. Do you think that old man had a hand in Lady's poisoning attempt?"

"Are you testing me? You should know better... I'd sooner believe it was one of the Young Ladies who were present. And..."

"And?"

"Sasha detests being called a Lady."

"Right, she does."

Yann's eyes, feigning embarrassment as he scratched his head, gleamed with sharpness underneath.

Regarding Viscount Hippolyte at this point, he understood why Lethias was so furious and why this setting was necessary. Yet the process seemed oddly intrusive.

Did Sasha really have no inkling that things would turn out like this? Was she indeed that oblivious?

Yann turned his gaze away, focusing intently on his sister's face. Valentina, noticing the scrutiny, raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"What is it? Suddenly having doubts?"

"...No, I feel like you know something beyond my knowledge. I strongly suspect you are involved with someone who despises being called a Lady."

"Why not ask her to be your partner in crime? That would be the courteous thing to do."

"Oh, come on. It's hard for me to talk to her."

"You seemed to manage fine last time. But anyway, what..."

"No, we didn't? And then I woke up in the middle of the night alone with the blanket kicked off?"

"I'm impressed."

"Ah, Noona. We're partners, after all. If you bully me, you might jeopardize our teamwork!"

"Fair enough. Let's see how you would handle it."

At this point, Yann suspected that this could be Valentina's way of getting back at him for evading her question when she was questioning Sasha's past the other day.

So, Yann aimed to thaw his sister's icy demeanor. And so, this is how their conversation flowed.

The sound of the back door closing echoed, followed by the entrance of someone stepping on the disordered carpet, marked by cigarette ash, alcohol stains, and snack crumbs.

Yann was the first to speak, as Pavel was momentarily occupied with a mouthful of sandwiches.

"Hey, you're here. Want a sandwich?"

"Later."

Benya's reply was straightforward, causing him to bypass the vassals and pat his brother on the shoulder. Lethias, who had kept his gaze lowered without moving, finally raised his head.

"Benya."

His voice held a touch of difficulty. The uncovered eye seemed ready to burst with turmoil at any moment.

Benya stood there for a moment, hands tucked in his coat pockets, alternating his attention between the strangely timed reunion. Finally, he sighed.

"Go home, Hyung. He won't be left alone."

Benya hadn't uttered a word about the entire commotion that had turned the hotel upside down since early evening, and Lethias didn't feel the need to explain either.

In response, Pavel, who had been watching the brothers' encounter with anxiety, displayed a visibly relieved expression.

He didn't quite understand why, but today seemed to be one of those days where he would simply let things go.

On the other hand, the Piest siblings appeared somewhat disappointed. Watching those brothers bicker was quite the spectacle.

Eventually, the Duke and his loyal aide, who appeared oddly fatigued for some reason, departed the shabby tavern, leaving a brief moment of silence in their wake.

The whimpers persisted in the background.

Yann watched apprehensively as his friend took a seat in the same spot his brother had occupied just moments ago, pulled out a cigarette, bit into it, and lit it.

He projected an air of excessive calmness.

Something didn't sit right with Yann.

Jerome, now seated knee-to-knee with his second nephew after many years, appeared even more diminished than before. If he had been trembling earlier, now he seemed positively quaking.

Yet, he summoned the courage to open his mouth, most likely driven by their blood tie.

"Benya... Oh, it's been so long... since we last met."

"..."

"Y-You've grown up... so well. All of you..."

Benya remained silent, his eyes fixed on his uncle, cigarette smoldering between his fingers. Jerome, somehow interpreting that gaze, pressed on.

"I-I truly had no involvement in what happened to Sasha... I-It's just that... U-Ugh, ack!"

Jerome's stuttering voice transformed into a high-pitched shriek. Valentina clicked her tongue in disapproval, while Yann offered a wry smile.

It was a good call to have sent his brother away. Lethias wasn't as easily taken in as they were. If he had stayed, he might have tried to intervene with his brother.

When Benya eventually withdrew his hands, the unfortunate Viscount was left with hands that bore scars that would remain for a lifetime.

And then, he uttered a sound that was difficult to decipher. It sounded much like an apology. Benya, in his own way, acknowledged it.

"I also extend my apologies. The memory of that incident just suddenly roused my anger."

"Hng... Sniff, i-it's all right..."

"You're still kind. This isn't the best setting for a family meeting. How did you end up in this modest establishment?"

Benya's brazen inquiry about how they got into this mess, despite the obviousness of it all, left Jerome thoroughly bewildered. But he wisely didn't press further. He changed the topic instead.

"B-Benya... I know how you all perceive me, but... I, I was young and foolish back then..."

"We all were."

"Yes, um, I came here hoping to somehow make amends, to apologize... T-then, I-I saw that child. Despite all she's been through, it warms my heart to see how well she's grown... She seems to understand me, too..."

"Understand?"

"I-I mean, I-I did my best at the time... If I can prove that I'm now on your side..."

Suppressing the urge to suddenly leap forward and ram his fist into the mouth of the bound nobleman, Yann held back his frustration. Did he want to die this badly? Whom did he think he was addressing? 

Contrary to Yann's expectations, however, Benya didn't respond immediately. He pulled out a fresh cigarette, and bit into it, yet didn't use it to torment the man as he had before.

Nor did he retrieve a pistol from his inner pocket and put an end to this aggravating person.

Instead, an enigmatic smile spread across his features, a stark contrast to the lack of expression that had been there before.

"Prove..."

<Prev | TOC | Next>>

Updates Status & Announcements

Subscription | Support, Tip, or Donate