"Is there something I should have not to utter nor ask?" Neirin noticed their heavy gazes. She was intrigued by their reaction. This made her want to ask more questions. She saw the hesitation and struggle in their faces.
Have they even thought Neirin would judge them if they utter a single gossip or rumor? Whether they thought of it or not, Neirin would eventually judge them, well, in her mind, of course.
There were no differences between the two, be it rumors or gossip. Because Neirin knew that all words spoken might already be a lie and away from the truth she was seeking. She wanted to hear their own opinion; their words coated with lies and ideas that were like truths to them.
"Ehem," Emperor Gideon cleared his throat. He then laughed. The heavy atmosphere seemed to be lifted off their shoulders. Neirin wanted to commend how they were fast in changing their expressions.
"We are just surprised, my lady." As if breaking the ice, all of them resumed looking at the pile of cards on the table, waiting for the result of the servant calculating the scores.
"As you know, we aren't quite knowledgeable at gossip and rumors, for we respect women's privacy. However, we have heard some that have caught our attention. Would you mind hearing those?"
Neirin nodded. "I am just looking forward to what kind of rumors I would hear, right, Marquis Johnson?"
The Marquis laughed, hiding his sarcastic gaze. "Well, of course, your grace. But I must first apologize that I might not be helpful since I distance myself from rumors and gossip that could ruin one's reputation."
This was a bit unexpected.
Neirin targeted the Marquis today because she wanted him to utter some of his useless information and opinions to get to know him more. Neirin even thought of overly praising him so that his pride and arrogance could drown him.
However, the Marquis looked like someone who won't just be swayed by innocent acts and careful use of words.
Neirin needs to approach this in a different manner. Perhaps, some other time.
"How clever of the Marquis." Neirin smiled back. "Are all of your thoughts the same with the Marquis?
Neirin asked, looking at their expression. The table was filled with silence once again. She subtly scoffed before she laughed.
"I guess I'll assume that no gentlemen here wanted to ruin their reputation by a mere request, right? Then, I would hold back my curiosity and ask the ladies myself."
Neirin stood up. "I am sorry, your majesty, but I will excuse myself for now."
The emperor watched Neirin stand in her seat. "You are excused, milady. However, I will see you later as I have important matters I want to tell you. It's important."
"Then, I will be there, your majesty."
Neirin turned her back and walked out of the room. She can still feel behind her back the gazes of the four men she was playing with earlier. They appear to be cautious, Neirin thought as she walked through the palace hallway.
After reading the secret of Marquis Johnson, Neirin had one specific thought: the victims that were getting killed were always part of the nobles and high society. These victims had the amount of money and power to hire people that would protect them. Moreover, targeting a noble wasn't an easy job from the very beginning.
Reasoning, Neirin thought there must be something pulling the strings behind the curtains and eliminating people. Neirin tried to look at the scenario in front of her from a different angle.
The state of the corpses told Neirin that they were starved for at least a few days before being killed. That was one of the pieces of information she had read before. She wasn't able to see the bodies. Would there be a difference once she saw the latest victim's body?
She needed to find more to it. This banquet will last for four days. Her attendance was already noted by the people inside, so she only needed to take care of her appearance on the last day.
"Duchess Halstead!" Neirin's thoughts stopped for a moment as someone behind her called her. She turned around. She then raised her right brow.
"I am surprised that the Marquis would follow me here." Right, the person in front of her was Marquis Johnson. It seemed that he also excused himself after she was gone. Not wanting to appear impolite, Neirin waited for him in the middle of the hallway.
'What's with this old man?'
Marquis Johnson was walking with his cane, and the cane touching the floor echoed through the four walls of this palace.
A few distances away, Neirin asked, "Is there something urgent that the Marquis wanted to tell me?"
"Yes," He answered immediately. He was towering over Neirin because of their height difference, but Neirin didn't look scared or terrified. She was looking quite confident, facing a tall man in front of her.
A small smile appeared on the Marquis' lips. "I am just concerned about your words and questions earlier."
"Perhaps I have offended you?" Neirin could not care less if she did. He had been getting on her nerves since earlier.
"No," The Marquis interjected.
"It is just that," sharp eyes met Neirin's green ones. "I hope the duchess would mind how her mouth speaks, and I hope she would ask questions with caution not to cause any stir in the peaceful, noble society. In that way, the duchess can help the Halstead maintain peace, especially right now after the duke's death."
'This old man is testing me and giving me useless warnings.'
Neirin tilted her head to the right a little bit. "Is it wrong to ask questions about something interesting?" She uttered back.
"No-"
"Then, it is none of the Marquis' business to threaten someone who has a higher position than him, correct?"
Marquis Johnson's eyes wavered for a bit. He took a step back, but his expression changed quickly. Earlier, he looked like he was shaken, but now, he was standing tall with a concerned smile.
How sly.
"I am just concerned for the Halstead duchy now that the duke is gone and his heir is on the academy. The powers of a woman are limited to this society. Please think of this as an offer of help."
"A help from the marquis won't be necessary as all he can give is nothing but a mansion." Neirin ridiculed his bet.
In all honesty, a mansion is nothing compared to how heavy her words and favor were. Moreover, he had already hinted that he was a person who did not take risks. People like him were nothing but a pawn for Neirin.
Neirin took a step forward. This time, it was her who was smiling with concern. "Also, think of this as friendly advice Marquis. Know your boundaries well as I do not know mine. I might cause trouble for you in the future if you do not know where you stand."
Neirin took a bow. "Then please excuse me."
Neirin did not wait for the Marquis to utter any more words and left him without looking back. She thought the Marquis would probably want to establish dominance over her since she was only a woman, but that won't work.
She was living her second life now, and compared to her previous life, in this life, she had something to protect.
Still, she wanted to compliment his effort in going after her. Was his threat that important, or was he trying to conceal something behind his threatening words?
Right, that was another way to look at this situation. Either way, if the latter was true, then all Neirin needed to do was unravel it with her connections. Additionally, she was holding his secret that could ruin everything he was having right now.
His reputation, wealth, fame, and even name were at stake once Neirin had revealed his secret, but she needed pieces of evidence to back it up.
Would Marquis Johnson be her puppet or not? That was the question. Seeing how arrogant he was, bending him would be a tedious job.
Reaching the end of the hallway, Neirin pushed the door in front of her appearing in the banquet hall again. Some eyes were curious about her, but she let it slide. Neirin was in deep thought and wanted to rest in her designated palace room quickly.
However, the crown prince, Cassius Leandre, was watching on the other side of the banquet hall. He thought he would take the opportunity to converse and dance with the lady, seeing how deep her gaze was. He put the plan aside.
If he wanted her as someone who could help in the future, provoking her into meaningless fights of words is nothing but a useless game.
"Your highness, would you like to dance with me?" A woman he doesn't even remember called him. He was bored. Hence, the crown prince smiled.
"I am honored, my lady."
The woman blushed like a beautiful flower. Cassius scoffed inwardly and kissed the hand of the lady before ushering her to the dance floor.
--
In a luxurious room, Neirin flopped on the couch, feeling her headache and exhaustion. Not only did she dance and mingle with the crowd, but most of her energy was also used on keeping her act and putting some airs around her. It was honestly tiring now that she thought about it.
Furthermore, she lacked information, and she needed those now. However, she cannot rush into things that require careful planning. She was also curious about what the emperor wanted to discuss with her.
The emperor's dream? Is it possible? He wasn't a man who dreamed of the impossible in the first place. However, an emperor dreaming something like becoming a god? Or should Neirin think of this as a fantasy without much thought? Emperor Gideon looked even more obsessed with those paintings.
Neirin scoffed at herself, thinking of how she lacked information about the future, especially what happened in the imperial family. Back then, she was caught up in her scheme that she thought those things around her weren't relevant.
Now, how would she be able to use the future to her advantage?
It was a headache! Indeed, a headache.
Arthur Liden was the latest victim. However, this does not mean that he will be the last. If what Neirin remembered was correct, these killings won't stop until they reached a specific number.
Right! Neirin should start there!
The people behind this incident wanted a specific number of people they could kidnap and kill. Furthermore, they were targeting those with noble blood. If so, perhaps there was something even more sinister behind this.
This isn't just killings.
Their corpses were decapitated. Was it because of the product of what they had done, or was it because they wanted the public to see the bodies in that state to mislead something?
The culprit wasn't caught even in the future.
There was something even more, in this case.
Neirin leaned on the couch, feeling her shoulders heavy. She wanted to sleep, but her mind was full of questions. She wasn't anxious. She was even more curious.
"Master," A voice interrupted her thoughts. Her expression changed instantly as she remained sharp without any openings. She looked around, seeing that the door of the veranda was slightly open, revealing a figure with a hood.
The figure's face cannot be seen, but for some reason, Neirin had a guess who it was.
"Yes?"
"I am Adlen, master."
"Is there something you want to visit here at this time, guild leader?"
"Yes, master."
"Speak."
The figure bowed. "According to information we received, Arthur Liden, the latest victim, was found in the guild of the flesh a few hours before the abduction."
Neirin frowned. "Have you informed the guild master of flesh about this?"
"Yes, master. However, we haven't received her opinion on this matter."
Neirin contemplated for a little while. "Where is the victim's body?"
"It is in the morgue already, master."
Neirin gave a nod. "I would visit the morgue for now. Make some preparations."
"Yes, master."
--