Chapter 181: Sue Byron Chiqmefriar’s Story
No matter what, she was going to be expelled from the capital as soon as she recovered.
Enzhe was being treated as a serious criminal, but it seemed like it would take a long time to decide her sentence. It was because Enzhe’s very existence was the result of cruel human experimentation.
In any case, Enzhe would most likely have to live alone in a place teeming with monsters. Though if her magic power was properly preserved, she might become the greatest hunter of her generation.
After the incident was settled, an interesting rumor started circulating in the capital. It was rumored that Young Master Fritz, who had been trapped in the underground chamber for four days, had visited Enzhe Lopetrefer in prison.
Various rumors about their relationship spread, but nothing was confirmed.
As a result of Yuna losing her position as Knight Captain, Noel had to step down from his position as a direct subordinate of the Knight Captain in less than half a year. With the Knight Captain position vacant, the 1st Knight Division was in great disarray.
From calls to permanently expel Yuna, to voices saying “Let’s trust our commander,” the Vice Commander was wearing himself out day by day trying to manage it all.
Noel, who had received a day off after a long time, met Sue. He felt like it had been ages since he last had a leisurely conversation with her.
“Where are you planning to go first when you leave the capital?”
“Patroclus. I need to see my aunt.”
Sue had a deal with Elizabeth, trading six months of her life. In exchange, Elizabeth had included meeting her in Patroclus as part of the price for “meeting and talking to Jean in Apricot Tea Forest.” She definitely had a lot to talk about with her aunt.
“What are you going to do about Acrea?”
Sue grimaced at Noel’s question, the name he had been curious about.
“I don’t know.”
“Hahaha! You’re actually worried about that?”
Noel laughed heartily, as if he found it genuinely amusing. Sue couldn’t retort and just buried her face in her hands.
She honestly didn’t know.
The person Sue had devoted the most time and energy to in the past three years was Enzhe. Everyone else had always been secondary, even Noel. Even when she was destroying Enzhe, her top priority had been Enzhe.
And now, with the number one person in her life gone, Sue was lost.
“He likes me? He said he likes me? Why?”
Sue mumbled, her head in her hands. Noel chuckled wryly.
“It’s possible to like someone.”
“But I have to leave the capital…”
“He might follow you if you ask him to.”
“Haaaaaaa…”
She sighed deeply.
“Think about it carefully… I have to go now.”
Noel, checking the time, stood up from the sofa. He had been training new recruits in the Knights, and more and more of them were asking for his guidance, even on his days off.
Sue was about to see him off when she suddenly remembered something and called Ten over, giving her an errand.
Ten returned with a small glass box.
“Here’s something you lost.”
Inside the glass box was the conch-shaped music box, the one Noel had been looking for.
“Where did you find this?”
“Somehow… Don’t lose it again. Think of it as me and keep it safe.”
Her words sounded like a farewell. Noel was about to joke, but his expression turned serene. He felt a pang of sadness.
“I’ll write to you sometimes.”
“Where should I send it? Patroclus?”
“Well… I don’t know. I won’t be staying in Patroclus.”
Sue’s face fell.
“Then I’ll give you this.”
Noel placed his pocket watch in her hand. He held her hand with both of his and said,
“Sue, I like you. There are many people in the world who like you. Don’t forget that.”
“…Yes, thank you, Raines Noel.”
Sue expressed her gratitude to her first friend.
***
As soon as she recovered, Sue visited the Acrea mansion. Reeves, not Woo, had summoned her, saying he had something to discuss.
“It’s been a while, Lady Sue. Judging from your condition, you’ll be expelled soon, huh?”
Reeves welcomed her with his unique way of speaking. Sue curtsied and thanked him.
“Thank you for keeping your promise, Grand Duke.”
It had been a while since she had greeted someone like this. A greeting she would probably never use again.
“Haha, I’m the Emperor’s right hand. Have you ever seen a right hand lie?”
She had made a deal with Reeves, promising to reveal the location of the underground chamber and how to access it in exchange for a sentence of “exile from the capital.”
Thanks to her, Reeves had eliminated a major threat, and Sue had gained her freedom. It was a win-win situation.
Their conversation after that was mostly business. It was only natural, as they weren’t close enough to discuss personal matters.
As she was about to leave the drawing-room, Reeves suddenly called out to her, a mischievous smile on his face,
“Lady Byron, Woo likes you.”
Here we go again.
Sue sighed. And seeing Reeves’s smirk in person made her feel even worse. He continued,
“What do you think of Woo?”
“I don’t have to think about it, I’m leaving the capital in a few days.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“It’s a relevant answer.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
He leaned back on the sofa and said in a languid voice,
“I’m planning to marry Woo off to Lady Azette.”
“Grand Duke, don’t use Lady Azette to mock me.”
Sue’s voice was low and sharp.
“Hahaha, you caught me. Because Woo’s birthday party is being held in the ballroom right now. And Lady Azette is there. And I heard she likes Woo.”
She knew.
She couldn’t not know, as she had received three invitations to the party. But if she had attended, it would have turned into a funeral, so she couldn’t just go to celebrate his birthday.
Reeves smirked, seeing her conflicted expression.
“Lady Sue, I was lying about marrying Woo off to Lady Azette, but I’m going to keep him under my control forever. That much is true.”
“….”
“Just like you were born for a reason, Woo was also born for a reason, wasn’t he?”
“Then have a good day, Grand Duke Reeves.”
Blessings of the Empire.
Sue left the drawing-room without hearing the rest of his words.
It had been a mistake to meet Reeves after she had finally come to terms with her situation. He had a talent for saying things she hated.
It was the first time she had openly expressed her emotions to someone of a higher status.
Sue, leaving the main building, tried to calm her anger as she walked towards the carriage.
And then, she heard the voices of young ladies coming from the ballroom.
“Hehe, to be invited to Master Woo’s birthday party… It’s an honor.”
“I know, right! He’s so dashing, as expected of Grand Duke Reeves’s brother.”
“Hehe, and he’s close to Master Shina too. They look so good together~”
Sue’s footsteps slowed to a stop.
‘Just like you were born for a reason, Woo was also born for a reason, wasn’t he?’
Born for a reason?
Screw that.
Sue turned around and ran. Nine tried to stop her, but it was no use.
She thought about a lot of things as she ran.
What should she say? What if he didn’t like it? How was her hair styled? Ah, she had just tied it back. What about makeup? She barely had any on. Clothes? She was wearing a comfortable cotton dress.
But all those thoughts vanished the moment she entered the ballroom.
“…Byron?”
He was at the back of the ballroom. Still surrounded by young ladies and lords, being congratulated on his birthday and blessed for the future.
What was she doing here?
“What brings you here?”
Acrea, approaching her as soon as he saw her, asked in his reassuring voice.
‘Why is he asking that when he sent me three invitations?’
She was gasping for breath, and then, she pointed at him. Woo Acrea Ire was standing there.
Her shoulders were shaking. Her face was flushed. She couldn’t tell if it was because she was out of breath or for some other reason.
Sue, after catching her breath, looked up, her face calm for a moment.
“You.”
Her red eyes, sparkling in the light, were fixed on him.