The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 35.1

Nikolas plopped down on the seat beside Ilya and spoke up, “The Countess of Luten, who is the mother of the young lady, has the same ancestry as the writer Lauren Hu.”

Ilya was different from his half-brother, who had been groomed for succession from an early age. Growing up, he lived far from the Great Wall, and even when he gained renown as an excellent prosecutor in his youth, his life took him further away from the politics of the realm. He only became a recognized member of the Grand Duchy after his political marriage to Evelyn, the daughter of Marquis Madus. Even now, as he took on the role of Supreme Court Justice, he struggled to delve into the intricate history of the deceased to resolve the issues at hand. Meanwhile, René was running around alone, and he could now see the limitations of his own abilities.

Ilya swallowed the bitterness inside and asked, “So, what’s the conclusion?”

Nikolas grinned and said, “The young lady is currently undergoing treatment at Lauren’s estate. What did she say during her frequent seizures?”

Ilya let out a string of curses, frustrated with the situation.

“When the full moon rises, the road between the canyons opens,” he said.

Nikolas stood up at the end of Ilya’s statement and looked straight at him, declaring, “I’m going to the canyon too.”

“This happened in the Grand Duchy. Are you trying to interfere in our internal affairs?” Ilya asked, rising to his feet and staring back at him.

“Hey, Your Highness, where do you think the highest sales of psychedelics are?” Nikolas retorted.

“It’s either a gambling house or a brothel,” Ilya responded.

Nikolas paused for a moment before continuing, “What’s the most exciting city in the empire?”

“Mitrava, Marquess of Lauren,” they both replied in unison.

“Why are you suddenly talking about psychedelics?” Ilya asked, perplexed.

Nikolas smirked and chuckled. “You know the largest gambling house in the Empire is in Mitrava, right? That’s where the hallucinogenic drug came from, and it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

Ilya was annoyed with the constant changes in topic. Nikolas laughed at his expression and said, 

“Lady Luten is addicted to this hallucinogenic drug, and the one detected in her is the same one found in the gambling house.”

Ilya’s face became serious as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“Are you prepared to assume responsibility for your words now?” Ilya inquired sternly, his gaze fixed on Nikolas.

Confidently, Nikolas replied, “Are you disregarding the Marquis of Lauren? When it comes to poisons and drugs, we are unrivaled within the empire. The circulation of unknown substances on the market is a grave concern.”

The mention of black forest, mandra, and hallucinogens caused Ilya’s head to throb, as if it were on the verge of exploding. Nikolas’ voice, cold and cutting, pierced the air.

“The Lord is furious. His message is clear—I am to bring forth the man who dares to set fire to my front yard without delay.”

Ilya regarded Nikolas skeptically, his suspicions still lingering. “And why, pray tell?”

“You, too, serve as the emperor’s aide. How can you place your trust in the commander of the Templars?” Nikolas’ expression darkened, only to swiftly transition into a disconcertingly pleasant tone, tinged with vulgarity.

“Have you forgotten? A malevolent sorcery looms over me.” He tapped his temple a couple of times, letting out a laugh. “In the event of one party divulging confidential information to the other,”

The mischievous glint vanished from Nikolas’ face in an instant. “Bread! If my head were to explode and my life extinguished, it shall serve as an ancestral oath between two distinguished families, Your Highness.”

After a prolonged stare at Nikolas’ countenance, Ilya struggled to find his voice. “We shall depart at dawn on the day after tomorrow.”

Nikolas smiled, as though he had already foreseen it all.

****

Once again, Evelyn found herself at the enchanting fairy fountain.

“My lady, it’s best not to linger for too long today,” cautioned her companion.

“Yeah, I got it,” she replied nonchalantly.

Despite the scars on her feet and knees from that fateful day and the disheveled state of her dress, Sophie didn’t inquire about them.

An empty vase on the table caught Evelyn’s attention. That day, as soon as she arrived at the fountain, the red Cheonilhong she had been holding disappeared. Whenever she thought of the mysterious man who would occasionally present her with flowers, a fluttering sensation would stir within her chest.

“What are you thinking now?” Evelyn sighed, rubbing her face with the steaming hot spring water. Yet memories of that day stretched endlessly, like a snake devouring its own tail.

And at the end of every memory, he was there. Her husband, who treated her as an unfaithful woman, occupied a corner of her heart with a prickling ache.

“I waited for you with such earnestness. You knew nothing, and you didn’t even listen to me.”

It was unjust and sorrowful. She wished she could extract all of her feelings and lay them bare before him.

Evelyn splashed water on her face once more, watching as droplets cascaded from her hair and dampened her clothes. Ibelin shook his head in disapproval.

“It would be better if that were cold water, but compose yourself. Do you still hold expectations for him?”

“Are you planning to meet your demise by prying into an open-air bath?” a deep, resonant voice interrupted.

She shrugged her shoulders at the sound, acknowledging his presence. Ibelin forced a smile and greeted him with feigned warmth.

“So, you’re here.”