Chapter 29
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 29: Villainess or Tragic Heroine
The Renoa Irion knows is a thorough person with no weaknesses.
A doll-like person with no emotions, not revealing her thoughts.
Although trampling others suits her, he can’t even imagine her being trampled.
However, the scene before his eyes right now was shattering his common sense.
—Slap!
“I told you!”
—Slap!
“To stay quiet!”
—Slap!
“Didn't I tell you over and over again!”
That Renoa was being beaten without resisting once. By none other than the Duchess.
That scene of violence felt unreal. Enough to wonder if he was seeing hallucinations.
Like the back side of a shadow.
Feeling like witnessing something one shouldn't see.
“What is... this situation?”
As Irion muttered blankly, Nina sighed slightly.
“Seems the news that Irion was taken in as an apprentice knight reached the main family. She was furious asking how a mere slave can be a knight, saying it lowers the family’s class. She is especially sensitive about such things.”
“Even so, hitting her daughter like that?”
“Irion wouldn't know since you haven't been here long.”
Nina spoke calmly as if used to it.
“It seems the Lady’s relationship with her family is extremely bad. There is also a rumor that she is an illegitimate daughter.”
“Is there even a need for rumors? Just seeing her staying alone in this forest villa makes it obvious.”
“They say this place was also built by the Duke for his deceased concubine. Meaning he cherished her that much.”
“You never know. If he cherished her so much, would he neglect the Lady like this? He would keep her by his side and protect her.”
Maids who like to chat pour out all sorts of stories.
Every single one shocking content. Behind stories Irion didn't even know.
—Slap!
Sharp rupture sound rang once more.
“Shouldn't we stop her?”
“How can we, mere servants, stop her. Even the knights can’t move an inch. If we intervene for no reason, it’ll be hard to preserve our lives.”
“Irion seems not to know well because he is still young, but you absolutely never intervene in nobles’ affairs. Absolutely. Keep that in mind.”
“It’s okay. She will leave soon after doing that.”
Maids saying it’s not their business to interfere, but.
‘Is it right to just watch this?’
Irion couldn't accept it at all.
Future villainess?
Psychopath?
What does that matter right now. What is in front of his eyes is just a girl with a very bad personality suffering domestic violence.
Even if the opponent is a noble and it’s someone else’s family affair, this crossed the line far too much.
‘Stopping it is right.’
That is the common sense Irion possesses.
But his common sense and this world’s common sense were far out of sync.
As the maids say, intervening in nobles’ affairs itself is a felony. Even more so for Irion who is merely a slave.
‘Is there any way.......’
Searching the surroundings quickly, what entered Irion’s eyes was a tray a maid was holding.
There was a teacup with steam rising on it.
“Noona, give me that for a moment.”
“Uh? Irion?”
Leaving behind the maid’s horrified sound, Irion walked into the eye of the storm without hesitation.
***
To Renoa, abuse was daily life. It is so now, and it was so when she was young.
Sharp criticism instead of warm words.
Beating instead of a gentle touch.
Her memories were dotted with gray.
So she was used to it.
The burning heat of her cheek too.
The loud voice tearing eardrums too.
And even the thorough sense of isolation.
Through the disheveled hair, the surrounding scenery came into view.
Knights who usually swore loyalty in front of her, and servants who flattered diligently.
Now, as if promised, they were turning away from Renoa’s gaze.
A natural result.
Because what they swore loyalty to was ‘Edelheid’, not ‘Renoa’.
Because to them, Edelheid is the Duchess in front of their eyes, not the illegitimate child mixed with lowly blood.
They wouldn't want to fall out of the Duchess’s favor for an illegitimate child.
The one who knows best is Renoa herself. That’s why she doesn't resist.
Because it ends quickly if she stays still like a corpse. She just has to wait until Florencia gets tired on her own.
That was the survival method Renoa mastered in this family.
“I told you not to sponsor a slave, but you brought him into the mansion altogether? Not enough with that, appointing him as a knight? You were really determined to disgrace the family, huh?”
Florencia spitting saliva without dignity and vomiting loud voices.
It was clear that one of the mansion’s knights harbored dissatisfaction with Renoa’s decision and tattled.
Who would it be.
Sylvan? Lance? Bargon?
Maybe all three.
‘Today is a bit long.’
Dull thoughts flash through Renoa’s mind. Then suddenly, a boy’s face came to mind.
‘What would he be doing.’
Irion, who desired liberation more than wealth and honor, chose outing as a reward this time too.
Wouldn't he be walking around the city with Bibi by now. Since she told him to return before sunset, he will come soon.
It will be over by then.
Showing such a miserable sight to a slave, dignity as an owner wouldn't live. That was a shame worse than dying.
A life having to mind even a slave’s gaze.
Renoa swallowed a wry laugh.
—Stomp, stomp.
It was then.
Unfamiliar footsteps were heard piercing through verbal abuse and hitting sounds.
Renoa’s gaze, which had been directed at the floor all along, was drawn to where the sound came from.
‘...Irion?’
There, Irion, who should be outside, was approaching with a determined expression.
‘Why here.... What is he trying to......?’
Before Renoa could fathom the intention, Irion arrived near the two.
“Excuse me.......”
“Who goes there!”
As Irion approached, the escort knights guarding Florencia’s side drew their swords all at once.
As blue blades aimed at his neck, Irion hurriedly bowed his head.
“E-Excuse me! I am the newly entered slave, called Irion!”
“...Slave? Are you that guy who became an apprentice knight with slave status?”
“Yes, yes. That is correct.”
Florencia’s sharp gaze pierced into the back of Irion’s head.
She scanned Irion up and down with narrowed eyes. It was a contemptuous gaze as if looking at a bug.
“To dare intervene in nobles’ conversation as a mere slave. Seems you don't know your life is precious.”
“I, I apologize! I committed a capital crime!”
Irion shrinking his shoulders excessively as if exaggerating. While acting like he was scared, he continued speaking cautiously.
“I was just... worried that the Madam might hurt her fine throat while raising her voice...... with a heart wanting to offer a cup of warm tea.......”
“...What?”
Florencia’s brow twitched. A look of fluster at the unexpected answer.
“Someone like you worries about me, the Duchess?”
“Because, isn't it all thanks to the grace of the Edelheid family that I can breathe and live like this.”
“Of course it is.”
“I think that is no different from the mercy bestowed by the Madam, who is the mistress of the family.”
“Continue speaking.”
“If such Madam’s beautiful voice gets flawed because of a lowly thing like me, I felt like committing an unerasable sin, so risking rudeness I just.......”
“Hmm.”
Florencia’s eyes soften. At Irion’s long speech, her fire-like momentum broke a fold.
She lifted the teacup, took a sip, and put it down again.
“Only mouth is alive for a slave. However, since your heart is commendable, I will overlook it just this once.”
“I don't know what to do with myself.”
“Raise your head.”
Irion raised his head slowly. Florencia’s pupils facing his face dilated for a short moment.
Black hair with a navy tint.
Golden eyes as if stars of the night sky were embedded.
‘Since they said slave, I naturally thought he would be shabby, but this is quite.......’
Pretty appearance turning even a slave necklace into a mere accessory.
Too noble for a slave, and dangerous sex appeal flowed for a boy.
“So you are the rumored slave knight.......”
Florencia, whose curiosity was piqued, reached out her hand.
She fiddled with Irion’s bangs, came down the cheek, and scanned the jawline.
“What did you say your name was?”
“It is Irion.”
“Right, Irion. Is it true that you beat the third son of Rubelius?”
“I, I was just lucky.”
“No need to be humble. Even if the Rubelius son has a nasty personality, he inherited his father’s bloodline so his skill is certain. It means you are outstanding, not lucky.”
Florencia’s thumb caressed Irion’s cheek where baby fat hasn't left yet, then pressed down on his lips and let go.
“Origin?”
“There is nothing to call origin... I am a lowly slave from birth.”
“Appearance or amiability, exactly a child from a precious house. God doesn't give everything indeed. How mischievous.”
Florencia smiled bitterly.
“I quite liked you. I will specially allow you to live in this mansion. Devote yourself and become a help to the family.”
“T-Thank you! I will definitely meet the Madam’s expectations!”
Florencia tapped Irion’s cheek pat pat and took her hand off.
And turning her head, she glares at Renoa with contemptuous eyes.
“Thing worse than a slave.”
“.......”
“Let’s go back.”
Florencia leaves the mansion taking her attendants. The sound of the carriage rattling is heard and soon disappears.
Mansion submerged in silence after a blood wind passed. No one could move, busy looking at each other.
Focus returns to Renoa’s pupils that hovered in the air aimlessly.
Expressionless as usual, and sharper green pupils than usual.
Scanning the servants filling the surroundings.
“What is everyone doing gathering around. Did you come to watch? Are you not going to work?”
“S-Sorry!”
As if waiting only for those words, servants scattered like arrows. Only Irion stood there without moving.
Irion and Renoa’s crossing gazes. Irion rolled only his eyes to check her condition.
Silky hair disheveled, palm prints stamped on the brightly red swollen cheeks. Lips burst and blood drops fell.
The miserable bare face where the mask of the noble queen was peeled off. An appearance rather closer to a tragic heroine.
“Um.......”
Irion opened his mouth cautiously reading the mood, but Renoa turned her steps without answering and walked to the study.
“I will go. Thank you.”
Bibi encouraged Irion and hurriedly chased after Renoa.
Irion could only stare blankly at Renoa’s back with a complex and subtle gaze.
Renoa’s receding back looked smaller and more perilous than ever before Irion had seen.
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