Deep Boredom - Part 1

The chief aide of Duke Cecilion, Onyx Brian, gulped down his saliva before knocking.

He reminded himself not to be nervous. Nevertheless, standing before the Duke was inevitable, even though he felt like a rabbit in front of a predatory beast. Onyx didn’t used to have such worries before. His anxieties had only arisen recently.

Onyx took a deep breath and knocked on the door with firm determination.

“Your Grace.”

Inside the study, there was the same disorder as yesterday. The aftermath of a restless night was evident, with black ash and scattered papers covering the floor. In the midst of that scene, Onyx was surprised by a glimmering light in the smoke.

He rushed to the window, opened the curtains, and breathed in the fresh air. Finally, he felt relieved. As he turned his head, he noticed the Duke rubbing his temples with the hand holding a pen. Now, his beautiful face, illuminated by the dawning light, appeared quite pale. Onyx easily spotted the dark circles under his sharp eyes.

“Did you stay up all night again?”

It had been nearly a month since the disappearance of the Duke’s lover.

During the first week, it seemed like he could endure the sleepless nights, but as the second week began, he became increasingly unsteady. It was a serious matter that he willingly confined himself here, completely immersed in his duties.

“We have some time before the morning meeting. Would you like to get some rest during that time?”

“It’s fine.”

“But…”

“There’s no point in trying to sleep. I keep waking up.”

Chedev leaned against the back of the chair and splashed cold water on his face. Unable to bear it any longer, he reached into the drawer and pulled out a cigarette. He felt that if he didn’t smoke one, his mind would become even hazier.

For the past few days, he had been unable to sleep properly. As Onyx had mentioned, it was different from insomnia. His body was exhausted and his mind was fatigued, so sleep naturally came. However, once he fell asleep, he would wake up at some point, sweep his surroundings with his gaze, and sigh deeply.

The mindset towards the cold sheets had changed. Ever since the soiled handkerchief returned to him, the anxiety of never being able to feel her warmth again had gradually eroded his peace of mind.

Because of that, he couldn’t fall asleep. He couldn’t sleep. It was the moment he woke up that he keenly felt her absence.

Onyx quickly approached and lit the cigarette for Chedev. He deeply inhaled the strong scent, hoping it would penetrate his lungs. However, even with that, his shattered composure could not regain its balance. Since the vivid imagination of Rasha not being able to return by his side, this state had persisted.

Already a month had passed.

A month…

On the day she disappeared, Chedev didn’t expect it to take this long. The familiarity that had seeped out of their languid relationship had even stolen away the sense of crisis. But Rasha’s traces were nowhere to be found.

Every place that commoners could rely on, including the shabby slums, the monastery, and the outskirts where passengers usually stayed, had been thoroughly searched. It had been a long time since letters were sent to each lord, considering the possibility that she had gone to their territories. However, there was still no news about Rasha.

Where could she have gone, or was she still here? Although it didn’t matter anymore, I wanted to know if she was safe. I wondered if that pretty face that used to smile at me was now crying because of something terrible… Just thinking about the handkerchief that he held made his heart dry up like a drought.

Chedev sighed, pressing his forehead.

Observing his appearance, Onyx struggled internally but also bit his tongue. No, it’s because when she was there beside you that you didn’t treat her well. What kind of behavior is this after leaving? Even though he couldn’t mention the core issue, the sudden sound of a knock swallowed up the unspeakable intentions.

“Your Excellency.”

Hastily, the door opened, and Verhine rushed in. Chedev, who had been lazy until now, stood up abruptly upon seeing her.

“Did you find Rasha?”

“No, it’s not that. Instead, I found the person we contacted on the day Rasha disappeared.”

Chedev immediately left the office without hesitation. Verhine led him to the basement of the spacious mansion. It was a place mainly used for interrogating or imprisoning criminals associated with the family, including the squalid slums and the outskirts where passengers usually stayed. As he entered the dimly lit room used as a torture chamber, Chedev furrowed his brows upon seeing a man kneeling and trembling.

“What is this?”

“On the day Miss Rasha left the mansion, it appears she was pickpocketed. This man is the pickpocket.”

The man, who was barely wearing underwear on his naked body, was covered in wounds. He trembled and only let out muffled groans because of the gag in his mouth. Verhine stood in front of him, nonchalantly, with a stern and furrowed brow.

“While searching, we received a report that a gem with the emblem of Duke Cecilion was obtained from an antique shop near Mandrian Harbor. Upon confirmation, it was found that this man visited there and handed it over on the same day Miss Rasha disappeared. He is a pickpocket from the slums. It seems he stole the bag Miss Rasha had with her, and it’s likely that the handkerchief was also inside.”

“Then…”

“If it was merely a pickpocketing, there is a high possibility that Miss Rasha is safe.”

Seeing his spirits slightly lifted by that slim possibility, it seemed that he had truly fallen into the abyss of despair. Chedev stared at the trembling man, brushing off the capture.

“The case of Rasha’s whereabouts.”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

Chedev approached the man and pulled the gag out of his mouth.

“P-Please, spare me! I d-don’t know anything, g-gulp!”

As soon as his mouth was free, the man desperately began begging for his life, but before he could properly plead for mercy, he was pushed into a corner. It was due to the merciless strokes that landed on his cheeks. Chedev grabbed the man’s short hair, forcing him to stand up. Despite receiving just one blow, his lips burst open, and blood streamed down his face.

“If you want to walk out of here unharmed with both legs.”

“G-Guh, G-Guh, I-I d-don’t…”

“From now on, you better use your tongue wisely.”

The thought of Rasha being in serious trouble because of this despicable man was enough to make Chedev lose control and lash out. However, it wasn’t an option. After all, this wretch was the most likely person to know the whereabouts of Rasha, who had vanished without a trace.

“Where did the woman who was pickpocketed by you go?”

“I-I d-don’t know. I don’t know. As soon as I stole her bag, I ran away, but th-then, c-cough, I-I don’t know, gulp!”

A large palm struck his cheek once again. It was definitely a slap, but the sound was more like a loud thud than a sharp slap. As the man’s surroundings spun in a blur, he recalled a fleeting memory, as if it were a lifeline granted by the gods.

“Oh, she b-b-bought a ticket!”

“A ticket?”

“A t-t-t-train ticket…”

Train ticket. Come to think of it, it was mentioned that the jewel was sold at an antique shop near the harbor. Did Rasha head to the harbor to leave this country altogether? Chedev chewed on the inside of his cheek until it bled, then quickly shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

“Where was the ticket to?”

The man turned his head so violently that it seemed his eyes would pop out. His blood pressure rose sharply, and his head throbbed with pain. If he received even one more blow, it felt like something terrible would happen. With desperation in his eyes, he rolled his eyes vigorously. Before long, the man managed to faintly recall the name of the empire written small on the train ticket.

“It was Tigris!”

Tigris.

It was a country located southeast across the sea from Vellium. Rasha had a ticket to go there. If she had immediately boarded the ship and left this place after being pickpocketed, it would explain why she couldn’t be found despite thorough searching.

Chedev dismissed the staff as if he had obtained enough information. Without hesitation, he turned around and left the torture chamber. Sensing the presence of his aide following behind, he spoke up.

“How far is the rough schedule for work set?”

Onyx quickly replied.

“The detailed schedule is set for about a month.”

“From today, make arrangements to finish everything within three days, without any difficulties.”

“What? T-Three days?”

“I’m leaving for Tigris directly after three days.”

Onyx’s mouth gaped open. Onyx hurriedly chased after the unyielding Duke and explained anxiously.

“It’s just the detailed schedule that’s set for a month, but at least the next three months are filled with commitments. Adjusting immediately would be challenging, Your Excellency!”

Even with the pleading of the desperate aide, Chedev didn’t flinch. Once he obtained a clue that Rasha might be there, he couldn’t afford to delay even for a moment. In fact, giving Onyx a three-day grace period was an exceptional display of generosity. It showed his significant consideration for not forgetting his duties as a duke.

Having worked under him for several days, Onyx knew him well, but even so, he couldn’t help but fret. Tigris was no nearby neighborhood. In addition to the round-trip travel time, there would be a period of wandering to find Rasha there. It was evident that it would take at least two to three months.

“What about the wedding ceremony?”

As Chedev was confidently moving forward, he abruptly stopped in his tracks. Onyx hurriedly blocked his way, wondering if an excuse would work.

“Don’t you know? The wedding ceremony is in two months. Marquise Robeni personally arranged it in the temple, considering it an auspicious date…”

“Postpone it.”

“I must inform Marquis Robeni about this! It will surely cause a commotion,”

Onyx could only gulp and hold his breath in the sudden, ominous gaze directed at him without uttering a word.

“Are you trying to make me say it twice?”

With the momentum that felt like he would tear Onyx to shreds if he said one more word, Onyx instinctively sealed his lips. As if there was no room for reversal, Chedev resumed his steps. His firmly knitted brow seemed to show the difficulty of holding back the desire to rush to Tigris at this very moment.