ERTHMB Chapter 79

Grand Bleu

 

An ancient, stately mansion that appears after about a 20-minute carriage ride from Evergale.

 

It was something Aslan had gifted to Christine while he was alive. Grand Bleu was both compensation and reward for bearing Eugene. He left behind many things, but among them all, Christine loved this mansion the most.

 

The arched doors decorated with delicate carvings and paintings, the Nero Marquina columns, the walls and ceilings of Statuario marble that emitted a subtle luster, each window tracing mysterious curves.

 

Like him, it was elegant yet upright, noble yet arrogant. The languid dignity was Aslan himself.

 

So Eugene, who came out as if copying him, had to be the same way. He had to be like him, only knowing how to be loved. He should never give love to someone.

 

Just as Aslan did to me.

 

But then, he placed a fallen woman from the streets on the Grand Duchess’s seat, calling her a noble lady…

 

[The Grand Duke and I are destined, Madam. I need nothing but his love.]

 

Now he’s taken as his mistress a woman from some ruined kingdom, who knows where she rolled around.

 

Eugene, who seemed to have the coldest blood of anyone, actually had that side to him. He would show affection to pitiful, pathetic things.

 

As if caring for them gave him the feeling of comforting his own childhood, he would occasionally take them under his wing. He would be even more harsh toward the insolent privileged who seemed to deny him.

 

‘Still, you shouldn’t have mistaken pity for love, Eugene.’

 

Christine rubbed her throbbing head. Even that wasn’t enough to erase Natasha’s face.

 

That shameless leech who came blindly into Evergale, sniffling that she was only following love.

 

I thought she would have understood my stern rebuke, shedding tears and snot. Whether she’s stupid or oblivious, instead of running away, Natasha stepped into high society.

 

[Is it true that he took a mistress? That pure and noble Grand Duke?]

 

[Oh my, that’s all ancient history. I knew from the moment that woman from a lowly family dared to try to swallow Evergale. Things that don’t fit one’s station are bound to be spat out eventually.]

 

[But they say the new mistress he took also has unclear origins. She was supposedly a noblewoman from a fallen kingdom, but the past can be fabricated easily enough.]

 

[The Grand Duke’s taste seems to be for such women. How long will this one last…]

 

[Still, I’d like to try such romantic love at least once.]

 

Evergale’s mistress was already an excellent dessert just by her existence. With the story that everyone yearned for added on top, there was no way anyone could refuse to devour it.

 

As if she were the tragic heroine, as if her first meeting with Eugene was salvation for someone like her and a fateful event from a novel.

 

Like a sweet poisonous mushroom that gets swallowed when tasted, she naturally melted in. Natasha’s face appeared more frequently at small tea parties and banquets.

 

‘I thought I had barely gotten rid of the pest, tsk. Why do you keep attracting bugs, Eugene?’

 

Christine was deeply irritated by her who didn’t understand her hints and kept coming out into the light. She wanted to scratch and beat that face that smiled innocently saying “I don’t understand anything” until it was prostrate and begging.

 

Being so brazen was possible because she had something to rely on, and that foundation could only be Eugene’s affection.

 

It wasn’t Christine’s nature to be anxious about when the sprout of unease might bloom. Her way was to cut it off before it could even raise its head.

 

She had always done so. It didn’t matter if it was an act that strangled someone’s lifeline.

 

She didn’t feel even a trace of guilt.

 

“They say the person you summoned has arrived, Madam.”

 

“Tell them to come in.”

 

The maid who had bowed and withdrawn opened the reception room door. A man with a short beard entered, bowing obsequiously.

 

It was a pharmacist she hadn’t met since Helena left. She had hoped never to meet again.

 

When the pharmacist stood before her, she arrogantly stated her business.

 

“Prepare it.”

 

It was a demand without subject or object. However, the pharmacist rubbed his hands together as if he had expected this.

 

“Should I prepare the same as before?”

 

Instead of answering, Christine threw a pouch of gold coins in front of him. A heavy, dull sound fell. The pharmacist’s greasy lips stretched almost simultaneously.

 

“I’ll see you again in three days, Madam. I’ll also prepare a sedative to calm your nerves.”

 

****

 

Clang clang clang.

 

The rough sound of metalwork struck her eardrums.

 

Helena had settled on a log that had been cut thick like a tree stump. She placed her arms on her crossed legs and rested her chin on them.

 

Sitting as if she had always been there, she watched Flam hammering. Flam, now accustomed to Helena’s presence, focused only on his work.

 

Clang clang clang. Clang clang.

 

The metalwork sounds continued without cease. Flam’s gray shirt had become soaked black with sweat.

 

About an hour later. The blade had finally taken proper shape. Sweat from Flam’s nose tip fell onto it, creating small wisps of steam.

 

Flam straightened his bent back. He wiped his face with the towel around his neck and casually asked.

 

“Something wrong? Haven’t seen you two together lately.”

 

Her drowsy eyes sparkled as they returned to reality.

 

Helena straightened her bent and twisted body to a proper posture. As her posture returned, so did her thoughts, and the contemplations she had been avoiding were dragged out like fish caught on a hook.

 

“Mister… have you ever coveted something that wasn’t yours?”

 

“Why, something you covet appeared?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

At her gloomy answer, Flam raised his gaze from the sword he had been concentrating on.

 

“Then why are you sitting there sulking like a rat drenched in rain?”

 

“…I’m scared. Scared that I might keep wanting something that isn’t mine.”

 

Helena’s expression darkened further. However, Flam wore a faint smile.

 

“You’re desiring. That’s a good sign.”

 

“…?”

 

When Helena’s eyes widened, Flam clicked his tongue.

 

“Why are you acting like you’ve committed a sin? Whether it’s a person, an object, or a dream. If you don’t have it in your hands but want it, that’s desire. Who said that’s a sin? Whoever it is, bring them here, I’ll give them a proper beating.”

 

Having expressed his indignation over something that hadn’t even happened yet, he resumed his hammering. For several minutes, only the sound of metal being pounded filled the space.

 

Then, apparently angered by something else, he suddenly raised his head. And pointing at Helena with his red-hot hammer, he said.

 

“Your problem is you have too little greed. If you have it, it’s yours, so why are you sitting there wracking your brain? Stop being so considerate and try doing things your way.”

 

“…”

 

Instead of agreeing, Helena lowered her head. She rubbed her fingertips, scratched raw from too much nail-picking, against her clothes and thought.

 

‘Doing things my way doesn’t work well, Mister. I’ve kept loneliness too close to me. I’ve been lonely for too long. So now breaking away from those things feels like a sin.’

 

Flam didn’t urge her further. He just let out a small sigh, which soon turned into an odd humming. By the time Helena got up, it had become a tune.

 

Helena would learn the reason for his sudden change in attitude the next day.

 

Early in the morning, Flam said he had a job for her and she went to the smithy.

 

“It’s an order from Hyer. I’d be grateful if you could deliver it properly and collect the payment.”

 

For some reason, he handed her something as if he had been waiting. It was four swords wrapped in tough canvas used for making sails.

 

Helena reached out her arms before understanding. Flam suddenly let go, so she had no choice but to catch them. Of course, it would be more accurate to say they fell into her arms.

 

Helena’s arms dropped from the considerable weight. Flam even threw back his head and laughed mischievously.

 

“Heavy, right? I knew it would be, so I called someone to go with you. He’s waiting outside.”

 

Flam kindly opened the door for her. Naturally thinking it would be Sakin, Helena struggled across the threshold.

 

And the person she faced was.

 

“Perfect day for a date, Helen.”

 

Not a cute foal like Sakin, but some serpent.

 

A sigh escaped her automatically. Behind her, Flam was still chuckling softly.

 

Helena looked back at him and asked.

 

“Did you two conspire?”

 

The answer came from the serpent.

 

“Let’s say our minds were in sync.”

 

Ian easily took the canvas bundle that Helena had been clutching with all her might. Carrying it casually on his shoulder with one hand, he waved his free hand toward Flam.

 

“We’ll be back safely!”

 

He grinned, showing his white teeth. It was as clear as the morning sky.

 

****

 

High above, the wind direction changed moment by moment. Like a mischievous child, the wind played with Helena’s long hair.

 

Helena carefully leaned over the railing, sticking out just her head. People who looked like only the tops of their heads were visible moving around like round ants.

 

Twelve pink hats, seventeen gray hoods, five hats decorated with flowers…

 

She was absentmindedly counting when a low voice approached.

 

“Why are you only looking down at people when you’ve come all the way up here?”

 

“…You’re early.”

 

Helena turned away from the railing to look at Ian.

 

They had arrived at Hyer about an hour ago. He had said he would deliver the items and return, so she should go ahead, and handed her a crisp piece of paper.

 

It was a ticket to observe the Black Tailed Clock Tower, said to be difficult to obtain even with money. She had heard you needed to make reservations at least six months in advance.

 

It apparently wasn’t quite like that for him, as he waved two tickets, including his own. Since the place to collect payment wasn’t far, Helena obediently took the ticket.

 

She didn’t bother asking where he had gotten it. Even if she asked, he would just smile and dodge the question as usual.

 

Helena looked at his silver hair, which shone with higher purity being closer to the sun.

 

When he extended his hand, she naturally took it. Leading her, Ian suggested.

 

“The reason for climbing to high places is to see the panoramic view.”

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“Just a place where you need to trust me.”