CH 6.13

Peridot struck a blow at the smirking Sir Aragon.

She was really annoyed. There have, of course, been several failures in dealing with that wench. But that’s by her father’s standards; she just tested the waters. 

She should have been killed by those needles when they seemed to be having a conversation in the Schweiden mansion. Not being able to kill her even after throwing a spear at the training grounds of the Knights of Rentus is definitely a failure. However, there was a reason for putting paralytic drug at the party she held instead of killing her immediately.

‘If you’ve irritated me this much, I’ll have to kill you slowly.’

Wouldn’t it be too merciful to end one’s breath with poison? So Peridot decided to wait.

When happiness is at its peak. The very moment she’s sure she couldn’t be happier than this. The moment she lets her guard down, she’ll bite the nape of her neck. She will tear her to pieces and kill her without leaving a single piece of her body behind.

That’s her plan, but then, her father brought a strange man from somewhere.

Sir Aragon. A man who has been out in the sea for a long time. Why does her father trust someone who is a mixed-race foreigner and is not well-knowledgeable about Terran?

“You will get what you want, my lady.”

Sir Aragon smiled and spoke to her as she suppressed her inner thoughts and drank tea.

She doesn’t like the way he’s trying to get into her thoughts. She felt angry that he dared to control her into revealing her thoughts without revealing his. This man was not just a simple sailor. Peridot intuitively sensed it.

“What I want is simple. Titania Oberon. I want her to have no one to lean on. To have no one to turn to. Someone she can call a friend, someone she can ask for help. I want no one to be there.”

“I understand exactly what you meant by driving her into a corner. I have a good memory, so you don’t have to say it twice.”

“Haha, then please pardon me. Enjoy the rest of your tea time.”

It’s not like he’s watching her, but he came up to her as soon as the tea party was over and put pressure on her.

‘It’s creepy.’

Peridot quietly reached out her hand. Then, out of nowhere, a stalk crept up and wound around her finger. Although she is not in a greenhouse but a flower garden, this is also part of her favourite plant, Cutie. Cutie’s roots also exist in the soil that fills under her feet.

Peridot let out a long breath as she watched this child stretch out its leaves and tickle her cheek, as if comforting her.

“Wouldn’t it be more fun if it’s not an easy fight?”

There is no answer, but one of the stalk of Cutie curled up.

* * *

The sound of glass clinking echoed through the central hall. The sensual and slow music wraps around the ankles of the attendees and makes them dance. The hem of the skirts of the young ladies who were turning around while holding a man’s hand, swelled gracefully.

Rabbit, fox, bird.

Wearing a mask made with that theme, there is no way to know who is who here.

It only matters whether it is a woman or a man.

The atmosphere was not this strange when it started at the time of sunset. But now, here in the mansion where the masquerade ball is being held, in the hall where the party was in full swing, lustful gazes flew through the air and reached everywhere.

“This is a specially made drink. I brought it to enjoy with a precious person at this banquet today. Would you like to have the honor of joining me?”

“Lady, this side is going to play blackjack. Would you like to participate?”

“Please dance with me. I’ll give the lady a necklace that matches her.”

And in the midst of such a fuss was a woman.

Silver hair that looked like the sunset under the reddish light. The woman with her dazzlingly shiny hair hanging down to her waist, wears no jewelry. The dress she’s wearing also has a very simple look but looks special at the same time.

There was not a single jewel attached to it, except for the drape that had been pulled down near the waist, but the cloth itself seemed to absorb and shed light.

Once you set your eyes on this person that is like a sparkling river, you will never be able to take it off. As if wearing the Milky Way, the dress made the woman stand out more than anyone else.

“No thanks.”

Her pretty lips, like cherries, move and spit out rejection. It is also a beat late to recognize that she is pushing herself away with an elegant tone. All of the men pretended not to be interested and spy where the mysterious woman was going. They wonder what her face would be under her black fox mask. Just by looking at her chin and lips, you could tell that she was a peerless beauty. Those who approached her and even spoke to her testified that the moment they met her eyes, their breath choked and their chest tightened.

It was said that the mysterious red eyes, like burning flames, seemed to capture and swallow one’s soul.

There are many beautiful women among aristocrats, but no one has attracted people to this extent.

“This is my first time seeing her, who is she?”

“Whoever it was, I’m claiming her. Don’t touch her, all of you.”

With hissing laughter, vulgar words continued. It was just words that they spit out but couldn’t actually do anyway.

“Ack!”

However, the next moment, the huddled young lords grabbed their necks and collapsed.

Swoop. When they removed their hands from it, something red and fishy came out. The identity of the weapon was a knife and a fork which they did not know where have came from.

“Hic!”

“W-What is this!”

Both those who have been directly attacked and those who have not been attacked were all in shock. Pale blue faces looked around, shaking like rats. However, the place is still peaceful.

People are all drinking, laughing, chatting, and having fun. If it wasn’t for the blood that was oozing out, they would have already mistook it for a dream.

“Oh, I should have just cut it.”

It was then. A strangely spiteful and rebellious tone caught the young lords’ ears. The grumbling voice, as if telling them to listen, sounded too young and rude.

“I missed it on purpose, but after seeing your faces, I’m having this urge to poke your eyeballs, should I?”