“Underestimating a maid was a blunder, wasn’t it? How does it feel now that the betrayal has been revealed?”
Even with Levi’s cutting remarks and attitude, Ria didn’t flinch. She simply smiled softly and bowed her head slightly, as if lightly apologizing. This resulted in the dagger pressing against her neck, causing Levi to ease his grip instead.
“I have less to say now. I apologize. Young Master.”
Ria remained remarkably composed. This was just a minor event; she could handle it easily. Levi would not kill her here; if he did, he’d have to face Eliya immediately. This exaggerated display was merely a threat—an exhibition of how easily he could kill her if he wanted to.
Levi wouldn’t worry about Eliya catching on either. He wouldn’t even think she’d speak out, as he dismissed the possibility of anything being unprovable. Even if he genuinely intended to kill her, it didn’t matter. She had already prepared herself for such an eventuality long ago.
In that moment, for some reason, Judah came to mind. The boy who was unyielding even in the face of death. No, more than that, he became even more proactive in such situations… and now he wasn’t just a boy; he was Eliya’s man.
Though somewhat different, he was similar to her. Standing by Eliya’s side, he had resolved that if necessary, he would die without hesitation.
“Well, I see. Is that so?” Levi put away his dagger and stepped back.
“I came to confirm the truth and see if I could give you a chance. This might be your last opportunity. As you know, the atmosphere recently has been rather tense.”
Levi’s goal was known to Ria. He surely intended to take revenge on the Bevel family—Eliya, the genius mage. He was preparing for that. The other siblings were the same. In the past, they aimed to keep Eliya in check, but now, they had surpassed that level; Eliya’s influence had grown too strong.
Cain had chosen to amplify his own power and size, but Levi seemed to take a different approach.
“What do you want from me?”
“I’m more interested in what you can do for me. More importantly, I’m much more curious if you are willing to do something.”
“I truly regret the misunderstanding regarding the current situation.”
Ria thought about what Levi desired. ‘Eliya’s weakening.’
She couldn’t tell what conclusion he came to through today’s royal guard competition. But no matter how disadvantaged he was, she wouldn’t side with Eliya. The children heavily influenced by Narcissi hated Eliya just as much as the Duchess did.
They believed Eliya had taken away the wealth, honor, and the likes that they deserved. Inheriting the power of fire was indeed valuable. However, the person directly involved had no such intention. The desire only sparked in the present moment due to the Bevel family members.
Ria decided to leave them with one last lie. Although it was just Levi, it would be enough. Even if Levi wouldn’t fully believe her words, it didn’t matter. She had nearly fulfilled her role.
Levi, having discovered the betrayal, or perhaps another sibling, might try to kill her. Ria decided to use him. Keeping the truth she concealed from Eliya hidden was ultimately beneficial.
“You might find it hard to believe, but I have something you would like to know.”
“I understand this will be difficult to believe. Go ahead and tell me anyway.”
“You must have heard about the lady’s knight.”
“I can’t help but know.”
“Lord Judah is someone very special and precious to the lady.”
“…What?”
Levi raised an eyebrow in disbelief. He was utterly taken aback. Meanwhile, Ria’s expression remained steady.
“…Are you saying that rumor about them, just like some cheap romance novel, is actually true? That Eliya…?”
“At least, that’s how it appears to me.”
“Well, isn’t this an interesting turn of events? You inform me about this as if it’s a helpful piece of information, yet it seems the knight has no interest in such matters?”
Ria simply smiled, as if to say she had provided sufficient information.
Levi was skilled at handling people. He could easily turn anyone to his side even if he approached empty-handed. With his innate observational skills and psychological tactics, no one could outmatch him.
Yet Ria understood one thing—his nemesis was an utterly simple-minded human being. She imagined Levi’s expression as he confronted Judah’s boldness.
“Judah, huh…”
Levi quickly made a judgment. The royal guard competition. Among them, Judah had stood out dramatically. Plus, the way Eliya smiled at him was not a mere figment of his imagination.
If he could bring Judah closer, it would benefit him. Conversely, it would place Eliya at a disadvantage.
‘To believe this or not…’
Ria had cleverly deceived the Bevel family countless times before. It might be hard to believe, yet it was certainly worth confirming.
‘Just a brief meeting should be an easy task.’
Whether it turned out to be truth or falsehood, the information carried no significant loss.
“If you find this to be a lie, I assure you, things won’t be the same next time.”
Even under the threat, Ria merely smiled and bowed her head. Levi felt a bit unsettled witnessing her unwavering demeanor.
How many people could remain unfazed even when a knife was held to their throat?
‘What on earth is her identity…?’
Doubts began to creep in about the Ria he thought he knew, yet he had no time to verify them at present. As he observed Ria, who smiled while under threat, he felt uneasy but chose to withdraw for the time being.
Ria, on the other hand, saw this as a perfect opportunity. She would vanish along with the truth. If Levi and his direct heirs chose to kill her, that would serve as Eliya’s justification. It was a death that would only bring her benefits.
“I hope for nothing but good results for you.”
*
“Will Levi brother treat her well?”
Sara asked, full of anxiety. She wanted to rescue Narcissi as quickly as possible. Just thinking of how much pain she was in was unbearable.
Narcissi had participated in trials several times as a witness. Each time she appeared, she was in a terrifying state—her appearance was nothing short of ghastly. That once confident demeanor was nowhere to be found.
“Don’t worry. If it’s brother Levi, he’ll figure something out.”
“But Cain brother and Levi brother haven’t been very proactive about bringing mom back…”
“That’s… true, but… isn’t it perhaps a sign of caution?”
The two continued to exchange concerns about Levi, undoubtedly uneasy despite having left it all to him.
As they were discussing, a man approached.
“Greetings.”
A benevolent smile typical of a clergyman spread across his face. His white attire was dazzling.
Aghan and Sara recognized the man well.
“May grace be with you.”
The pope of the Molsin Church—Nadap.
“You seem to be burdened with worries. May I offer my assistance?”
The newly appointed pope, taking on the roles and tasks of Angra, smiled warmly.
*
Judah had just finished washing up and changing clothes when a knock came at the door.
“Who….”
Upon opening it, a man was standing there. With blond hair and a pleasant demeanor, he was Levi de Bevel, the second son of Bevel.
Levi smiled at Judah with a friendly demeanor. “It’s our first time meeting up close, isn’t it?”
“What do you want?” Judah’s response was somewhat curt.
He openly scanned Levi up and down, checking if he had brought anyone else with him.
His attitude went beyond impolite, bordering on insolent.
Levi shook his head and shrugged. “Aren’t you being a bit overly cautious? I don’t think I’ve done anything to warrant such suspicion. That competition we had earlier was devoid of personal emotions.”
Judah found it hard to agree. Even without personal motives, he was still an enemy of Eliya.
“So what business do you have?”
“It’s a long story.”
Levi glanced at Judah’s room and then shifted his gaze to the hallway. “Are we going to talk with a guest standing outside?”
“Hmm….”
Judah slightly frowned. Though unfortunately annoyed, he couldn’t dismiss Levi outright.
After all, he was a nobleman.
“Well, come in then.”
Levi entered the room, somewhat bewildered.
Though he didn’t show it, he was inwardly taken aback. ‘What is wrong with this guy?’
He had never encountered such a rude individual in his life. There were some people who were unaware of his true identity, but even they would rush to apologize once they became aware.
However, this stone-faced fellow was doing so even while knowing who he was.
Levi had never come across a person like this before.
He was skilled in information warfare, but when faced with someone outside his knowledge base, he felt weak.
Despite that… could this even work…?
It seemed he was grappling with doubts that the other should hold.
Once inside, Judah locked the door.
Click.
The sound sent a chill down Levi’s spine.
In this room, it was just Judah and himself.
Levi felt he couldn’t defeat that hulking brute—Judah who seemingly could take down an ogre barehanded.
He had left his guards behind intentionally to ease Judah’s wariness, but that turned out to be a blunder.
“Doesn’t seem like you’d want to drink tea brewed by a man smelling of sweat.”
“…….”
“Shall I fetch some water instead?”
“Ah, no. That’s….”
Levi stammered without realizing, grappling with how to charm such a person.
Judah flopped onto the sofa, gesturing with his chin to indicate he should sit.
Internally, he was mocking Levi. ‘He’s clearly beneath Eliya.’
Eliya wouldn’t have relinquished control even in such a situation.
Indeed, it seemed nobody could rival Eliya.
Judah decided to establish dominance in this interaction.
He began to polish a sword he had set aside using a dry cloth.
Levi’s expression hardened as he sat across from him.
“Seems I haven’t had time to maintain my sword lately. I hope you can understand.”
“…….”
Judah spoke softly while skillfully tending to his dark blade. He was expressing with every fiber of his being how displeased he was with Levi’s presence.
“My teacher always said that a sword is essential to a knight’s second life.”
Teacher.
Levi swiftly grasped the meaning behind that word and its context. He knew about Judah’s relationship with Gawain, who had once lived at Bevel’s main house.
A common thread appeared between the two.
Accessing the man through acquaintances was often an effective approach. Levi decided to play that card.
“Ah. You trained under Sir Gawain, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“A fine knight. Even when he stayed at the main house, he was quite renowned. You had an excellent mentor.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“…….”
Unlike Levi expected, Judah displayed neither favor nor interest in his words; the expression on his face was one of indifference.
In fact, he looked downright fatigued by it.
He was already tired of the nonsense surrounding bloodlines, educational ties, and connections.
Judah’s expression was slowly starting to resemble Eliya’s, though he remained unaware.
“So, why did you come to speak?”
Upon witnessing Judah’s unwavering gaze, Levi became certain something was off.
However, having come this far, he couldn’t retreat.
Even if Judah was a troublesome rogue who refused to bow to authority, it would still be difficult for him to reject Levi’s proposition.
After all, Judah was merely in a contractual relationship with Eliya.
In contrast, it wasn’t the same for Eliya.
So, removing Judah from Eliya’s grasp would likely be more effective than any other method.
Steeling his nerves, Levi began to speak smoothly.
*
Eliya had just changed into her nightgown after washing up and was now letting Ria tend to her hair.
At that moment, sounds were coming from outside her door.
Footsteps.
The sound of a door opening.
Muffled conversations echoed from beyond the closed space, followed by another closing door.
Two people walked into the room.
Someone had come to Judah’s room, and now, they were both in the same chamber.
“…….”
Eliya glanced down at the ring on her right hand’s pinky—the ivory ring.
She wanted to summon him right away.
This emotion felt unusually foreign.
The proposal from the princess she had heard during the day still lingered in her ears.
Judah’s firm rejection then flashed through her mind, and now she wondered whom Judah was with in that room.
What was she to do?
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