~CHAPTER 39~
“It’s nice to meet you. Ah, well…”
The lord trailed off.
He was pretending not to know who I was.
There’s no way he doesn’t know.
He strutted around so proudly as a lord that he wouldn’t have allowed someone with an unknown identity all the way into his manor.
I had given the servant in the lobby a fake name and status, so it must have been passed along to him.
Even so, the fact that he was pretending not to know meant…
He’s trying to put me in my place.
I had seen this many times while running a business in my previous life.
Pathetic.
People who use this sort of intimidation are usually the ones with nothing to show for themselves.
Once you know that, there is no need to feel intimidated.
I smiled lightly and picked up my skirt, bending my knees.
I was polite but not deferential, not in the way one greets a superior.
“I’m Jerena of Pavrein.”
“Ah, Lady Pavrein. Right. You said you came to see that girl… no, that child.”
“Yes. I heard Bella committed a great offense against you.”
I felt the lord’s greedy gaze sweep over me from head to toe.
I had noticed it even earlier when I brought Bella here… he was really quite the lecher.
That would actually make things easier.
“That’s right. She’s a child, so I’d prefer to be lenient, but managing a territory doesn’t allow too much kindness. If you want the other residents to behave, sometimes you need to discipline one as an example…”
Even as he rambled, his eyes kept darting around.
He was fixated on the jewelry I wore, staring at my earrings, my bracelet, my necklace, anything that looked valuable.
“If you show mercy to Bella and her younger brother, I will repay you however I can.”
“Oh dear, a repayment… this is…”
He stroked his chin as he sat down on the sofa.
Not even offering me a seat first.
If I had been here as a real guest, his rudeness would have been enough to offend me.
“Ah, please sit.”
Only after realizing his own discourtesy did he hastily gesture to the sofa.
But by then the damage to his image was done.
Not that I cared.
All I wanted was to get Bella out safely.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
I sat down as if nothing was wrong and faced him.
A normal person would look at the face of the person sitting in front of them, but his eyes were still glued to my jewelry.
He’s an open book.
I was doing my best not to glare at him in disgust when—
Knock knock.
A soft tapping came from the door.
“Excuse me.”
A maid entered carrying a tray.
It seemed she had prepared refreshments.
He didn’t order anyone to bring tea just now.
He must have prepared it before I arrived.
Now, what did he put in that tea?
If anything, I would be surprised if the tea was clean.
How clueless must he think I am.
Well, it’s fine. Looking naive isn’t a bad thing right now.
The maid set the tray on the table and began arranging everything.
Hm?
I frowned slightly when I looked at the tray.
It didn’t hold only snacks and tea.
There was one teacup, one teapot, some hastily bought cookies… and wine.
Plus a scented candle, which had no place at a tea table.
Tea relies on aroma. Why bring a candle here?
There was only one teacup.
She placed that single cup before me, and a wineglass before the lord.
Tea for the guest, wine for himself?
He clearly had something planned.
I barely held back a laugh.
I lowered my voice calmly.
“I’d like to talk about Bella first.”
“Ah, wouldn’t you prefer to drink some tea? You must be thirsty.”
“I want to confirm that the two children are safe.”
“If you show generosity, our house will never forget the favor. Of course, you will be compensated for the trouble you’ve suffered.”
I placed my hand lightly near my neck, making sure my ring and necklace caught his eyes.
Zahar’s jewelry was unmistakably high grade.
That greedy look in his eyes deepened.
After hesitating, he finally nodded.
“…Fine. Go bring the two children.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The maid hurried out and delivered the message to the servant outside.
Before long, Bella was brought upstairs.
“La…!”
Hollow-cheeked and frightened, she looked shocked when she saw me.
“Oh dear. Bella…”
Before she could say my name, I pulled her into a hug.
Then I whispered softly into her ear so only she could hear.
“Penny is in the next room. The carriage we came in is still waiting outside. Go with your brother and get in that carriage. It will take you to my estate.”
“P-Penny?”
I didn’t answer.
I turned to the lord.
“You’ll show mercy to the children, right? May I send them home?”
“Ah, well…”
He hesitated, visibly torn.
His restless eyes showed the conflict between whatever disgusting leverage he hoped to gain from Bella and the money he could gain from me.
I wanted to hit him right then.
But I waited.
After a moment, he made his decision.
“Very well.”
“Thank you for your generosity.”
He must have decided the money mattered more.
I sent Bella and her brother with Penny, then returned to the sofa.
“Now, shall we drink?”
“Thank you. But… you aren’t drinking tea, my lord?”
“I must confess I’m not fond of tea. But since I can’t share wine with an unmarried lady, I prepared this instead. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, and this scented candle is new, so I thought I’d have them bring it. Now, why don’t we enjoy the scent while we discuss the compensation you mentioned.”
At his gesture, the maid lit the candle and poured tea into my cup.
Whatever trick was hidden, it was either in the tea or the candle.
Well, it doesn’t matter.
He’ll end up taking the same thing anyway.
I sharpened the last speck of magic I had left.
Even a tiny force, if concentrated, becomes powerful.
Sharp enough to shatter the wine bottle he held.
Good.
I didn’t hesitate.
I sent the magic forward without leaving a trace.
Clang!
The bottle shattered the moment he tried to pour the wine.
“W-what!”
Startled, he shook the broken bottle.
“Oh my, are you alright? It must have had a crack. Thank goodness it didn’t spill on your clothes.”
I played innocent, pretending to worry.
I didn’t feel even a little concern.
I had hoped he might cut his finger, but his hands were perfectly fine.
“What on earth…”
“You there, go bring something to clean this and another teacup.”
“Huh? Ah… yes, my lord.”
Before he could tell her to fetch more wine, I quickly sent the maid out.
“I-I’ll get a different wine…”
“My lord, if the bottles are this poorly maintained, that could be dangerous.”
“No, that’s—”
“You were lucky this time. You might get hurt next time.”
Spoken in a gentle tone of concern, it was enough to make him drop the idea of insisting on more wine.
His eyes flicked toward the candle.
It had already filled the room with a soft lavender scent.
Now then.
Let’s see what you tampered with.
