Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Before setting foot in the dungeon, Isidore’s update was still fresh in my mind, so I was somewhat surprised that Cassis seemed shaken by what I had just said. Then upon realizing that I had also mentioned how Nix had attempted to poison me, the chilly air wafting forward from Cassis into the room at large began to make sense. Our captive cringed as if he could sense something dreadful creeping toward him through the air.

“Of course... there are still many other ways to inflict pain on you.”

I figured letting his imagination run wild would be far more effective than any threat I could offer. Nix tried to appear unfazed, but I could tell he was getting tense, so naturally, I decided to add to his suffering. After all, people who feel backed into a corner are always easier to control.

“Well, for now, I’m just satisfied that you’re awake. I’ll come back some other time.”

Upon saying that, I swiftly turned my back on him to leave. Almost immediately, the sound of chains clanging rang out from behind me.

“Wait! You can’t leave me here like this! Waaaait!”

I ignored him as if I was already too far gone, despite still having a foot inside his cell, then proceeded back above ground.

* * *

“You never told me you were poisoned.”

It was the first thing Cassis said as soon as we left the dungeons, so I could tell he had been clinging to that detail ever since I mentioned it. I had expected as much since even I could sense something ominous flare up within him. I cast Isidore and Olin a meaningful look to let them know the two of us would need some space.

Once they were out of earshot, I answered him. “I’m immune to poison. It can’t hurt me. So in a way... nothing actually happened.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that there was an attempt on your life.”

He was always so quick to make sharp observations, but it was probably because he had become so tense ever since I had let the poison thing slip. His irritation was understandable though. I would have been angry too if something like that had happened to him.

I reached toward him for saying anything else. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to worry you, but it seems I made things worse.” I gently caressed his face and took note of how cool to the touch it felt. “If anything like that ever happens again, I’ll be sure to tell you every detail without fail. So please stop making that face.”

The frown slowly began to fade from his features until even his eyes seemed to warm a bit. I have to admit that I found it slightly amusing that a few conciliatory words could soften what had only moments prior been the look of a predator set to pounce.

As he clasped my hand in his, I felt the familiar warmth of him transfer his energy into me. Then as our fingers interlocked, I felt a tingling sensation in a corner of my heart.

“I’m not angry.”

“I know.”

“I just worry about you.”

“I know that too.”

The weight of his adoration suddenly felt overwhelming, so I pulled our hands away from his face to dangle between us.

“Let’s get going.”

After seeing Nix, our next destination was Roussel Pedelian’s office. Cassis made no protest. Isidore and Olin also fell back into step with us after seeing we had finished speaking. I quietly enjoyed the warmth seeping into me as he and I walked hand-in-hand.

* * *

“Mother, did you know?”

“Know what, dear?”

“That having a big sister is a wonderful thing.”

Jeanne’s eyebrows arched at her daughter’s abrupt declaration. Up until that moment, they had been enjoying a peaceful pot of tea together. Sylvia stared out of the window oblivious to her mother’s questioning stare. In the Blue Madame’s mind, her daughter seemed to be lost in some sort of dreamland.

“Haaaa...” Sylvia sighed so softly that her mother could have mistaken it for a whisper. Then before Jeanne could ask what the cause of her despondency was, she launched yet another unexpected question. “Mother, why did you only give me an older brother?”

“What nonsense are you talking about now?”

As hard as it was to believe, there was a genuine sense of betrayal in the accusing look her daughter was giving her. The lady Pedelian was beside herself and also growing somewhat annoyed. After pouting at her mother for a moment, the younger lady continued, “Well, no matter. I finally have a big sister now.”

When the realization as to what her daughter had been so upset about, Jeanne clucked her tongue. Everyone in the castle knew that from the moment the Blue Heir had brought Roxana Agrece beyond their fortress walls, Sylvia had been especially excited to welcome her.

The Blue princess’s infatuation with the new guest was such common knowledge that it was even known amongst Blue clan members living throughout all of Pedelian. It was evident by this sudden tantrum that she had entered the “smitten fan” phase of her adoration.

“But whether she actually becomes your big sister remains to be seen.”

The mother set her teacup down while teasing her daughter. As she expected, the young lady paled to the point of almost matching her silver hair.

“Wh-Why wouldn’t she? Don’t tell me Roxana is refusing to marry Cassis. But they’re absolutely perfect for each other!”

“That may be, but it all depends on your brother. A woman’s heart is most affected by a man’s actions.”

“Yes, that’s true...” She nodded solemnly in agreement with her mother’s wisdom, then the idea of another woman next to her brother caused her to frown. Even if it was just her imagination, now her brother was betraying her.

Of course she knew there was a fairly high chance that Roxana would still agree to be an honorary sister to her regardless of any relationship with her brother, but that would also mean that they wouldn’t be living under the same roof anymore.

“Please tell Cassis to do his very best, Mother! I don’t want anyone else but Roxana to become my sister.” She clenched her fist in determination as she spoke. The Blue Madame stared at her daughter uncertain if she should laugh or frown at the girl’s childish conviction.

As a mother, she never once felt any opposition to her son’s relationship with the Agrece lady, but the potential repercussions of their young love coming to an abrupt end could jeopardize his future marriage prospects. Seeing how loyal Sylvia had become to the scarlet-eyed beauty was sure to complicate things that much more.

She could only hope that they would sort everything out amongst themselves. But, in truth, the two young lovers did seem quite serious about one another. The Blue Madame’s greater concern was actually about her perpetually green daughter and wondering when she would find a partner of her own.

Of course, Sylvia was also oblivious to her mother’s worries since all of her energy was being spent on fantasies about her brother and future Agrece sister-in-law.

* * *

Upon leaving her mother’s chambers, the young Pedelian paused in the corridor for a moment. She was weighing the options between going straight back to her own room and going to see her brother and Roxana in the annex. After a few moments, she decided the former was the wiser choice since she knew when not to be a pest.

In her mind, the annex was essentially the young couple’s honeymoon retreat. This was the very reason she had taken extra caution not to barge into their private residence without prior notice. Of course, she hadn’t been the only one in the fortress who had taken such measures.

“Just shut up. Actually, stay unconscious until I say otherwise.”

As Roxana’s cold words from the previous day floated through her mind, she replayed the moment that beautiful face became something akin to a thorn made of ice. It was the first time in her young life to hear such a merciless voice. Then the scene in which the gorgeous Agrece fell the puppet with a swift flick of her wrist flashed behind her eyes.

To say Sylvia was impressed by the power in her beloved Roxana’s actions would only be an insult to the fervor she felt in that moment toward her honorary sister. The very idea that she had mistaken Roxana for another helpless clan princess like herself, instead of a no-nonsense queen, almost made her giggle.

The Blue princess spent the better part of her return trip to her chambers replaying the scenes over and over again. In the midst of doing so, she found herself fixating on the puppet. Both the couple and her parents had referred to the boy as a Vertium puppet. He had evidently been created from the body of Roxana’s older brother as well.

As that recollection returned to her, she realized that she had failed to properly look at the captive due to all the confusion of the previous day. This missing piece in her memory made her that much more curious to fill it in. The puppet had been covered all over in what she assumed was his own blood, and even if she had been compelled to get a look at him when he first stirred, his tireless thrashing about made it impossible

If he’s her older brother, then he must look quite a lot like her. The deeper Sylvia spiraled into such thoughts, the more her curiosity seemed to double, then triple.

“Hmm...”

It should be fine if I just pop down to take a quick peek. I’ll have to go without Mother, Father, and even Cassis since they’d most likely be against the idea. She hesitated for a brief moment. I’ll just see him from a safe distance to avoid any potential risks.

Thus, with her mind made up, the Blue princess dashed down to the castle dungeons.