Deep Boredom - Part 2

As an advisor, Onyx stared at his superior with anxious eyes. It had been five months since they last met.

According to what he roughly heard from the butler yesterday, their superior had become emaciated and had an unhealthy complexion compared to five months ago. The atmosphere among the observers became so harsh that their hearts dried up. Because of that, Onyx became fearful and couldn’t bring himself to confirm the piled-up official duties.

And today, the next day, he finally came face to face with his superior, who was unexpectedly fine.

It was true that his face appeared worn. The jawline, which already emitted a strong masculine feeling, became even sharper, and the shadows under his eyes became even darker. Despite his significantly weakened complexion, his expression remained unaffected. It seemed almost identical to when he dealt with matters in a dry and businesslike manner. The bleached indifference layered upon his expression made it impossible to read any emotions, just as he said.

In that state, Chedev handled the postponed tasks one by one. Many of his close aides, who had been worried that he might not find Rasha and would cause unexpected turmoil, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Then, unexpectedly, a guest arrived as the morning turned into afternoon.

“Duke Cecilion!”

It was Marquise Robeni, whose wedding to the lady he’d arranged three months earlier had been conveniently ignored.

Even with the door swinging wide open and the deafening roar, Chedev didn’t even flinch once. He merely cast a lifeless glance.

The Marquis of Robeni looked at him, who had finally returned to the empire, with a bewildered expression. There were countless things to be reprimanded for immediately, but for now, it was a world where the hierarchy between superiors and subordinates existed. Calming his boiling insides, he sat down on the soft sofa.

“What on earth is going on? After reserving everything, including the wedding date, all of a sudden you’re going to Tigris?”

“Marquis, please calm down. As agreed before, the Duke went on a trip related to the trade agreement.”

Aide Onyx explained, beads of sweat running down his forehead.

It was known that the Marquis of Robeni was a fairly devout follower of the temple. Considering that, he could somewhat understand why the Marquis was acting out like this when the Duke unilaterally postponed the date he had specially arranged through the minister, without consulting him.

What hinted at his anger was the scoff directed at Onyx’s explanation. Even considering the recent rise in the family’s reputation and influence due to their mining industry, it was an arrogant and disrespectful attitude.

Instead of pointing it out, Chedev raised his hand and dismissed Onyx. A moment later, the butler entered, arranging freshly brewed tea and a teapot, then discreetly withdrew.

While the Marquis of Robeni was interrogating and scrutinizing everything with an overflowing rage, Chedev remained still, gazing at the teapot.

“It’s beautiful.”

It reminded him of the memory of Rasha examining that teapot and cup with delight.

She had a particular fondness for the antique golden-patterned teacup and teapot. She said they sparkled like Chedev’s eyes when they were bathed in the sunlight. So, when he drank tea from them, even if she was not there, he felt as if he was with her.

His laughter couldn’t be contained because her words were so endearing. Sometimes, she would focus only on the teacup even when he was right in front of her, and he couldn’t help but feel jealous. He would hold her delicate chin and passionately kiss her until his lips were chapped. Eventually, such behavior often led to the bedroom.

The memories associated with just a teacup were so vivid and dazzling. In contrast to the present, where he couldn’t find inspiration from anything, memories of Rasha easily stimulated him.

Will I ever be able to feel that again?

“…Aren’t you? No, Your Excellency. Since earlier, what on earth… Are you really listening to me?”

Chedev’s gaze, which had been solely focused on the teacup, sluggishly moved and met the eyes of the Marquis of Robeni. However, as if he didn’t feel any interest, he soon averted his gaze elsewhere.

The blatant display of disinterest made the Marquis of Robeni feel like he was being consumed by flames inside. Even from the perspective of someone who had obtained his position by skillfully manipulating the money he had accumulated, the audacious attitude of disregarding and showing off the gains obtained by receiving the payment as an advance was beyond comprehension.

Even though he was the superior, from the perspective of the Marquis of Robeni, who had suffered losses unilaterally, even an apology would be insufficient. In such a situation, receiving such careless treatment was far from satisfying. His feelings were quickly twisted in an uneven manner.

“I have heard strange stories about Your Excellency’s recent journey to Tigris.”

With that, he casually brought up the topic that he had been holding back due to fear.

“You mean to tell me that your mysterious behavior of late has something to do with your rumored concubine?”

Marquis Robeni finally noticed that the gaze was directed towards him and felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

“I had thought that your Excellency had put the matter to rest as soon as you had accepted my family’s confidences, which is why I had let it slide without making a fuss about it. But what is happening now? Isn’t this insignificant concubine making a mockery of me, my daughter, no, the entire House of Robeni?”

“…..”

“I’ve heard across the pond that she’s a lowly commoner…… I didn’t want to say this, even for the sake of my pride, but is my daughter anything less than a lowly commoner? There must be clear priorities. Your Excellency.”

“…..”

“Did you enjoy spending the night with that wretched scoundrel? If you can’t forget it so easily, then wouldn’t this empire be filled with similar filth? As for those base desires, they can be quelled by finding a suitable replacement… Ah!”

Before he could finish speaking, Chedev raised the teapot and struck the head of the Marquis with it. The exquisite teapot made a sharp cracking sound as it shattered.

The Marquis, who had been sitting arrogantly, was left in a pathetic state due to the unexpected shock. Chedev didn’t stop there, he climbed on top of him and swung his fist.

“Ah! No, sto-stop! Sa-Save… Hey, hey, hey! Wh-who’s there? Ah!”

After just a few punches, blood burst from somewhere on the Marquis’ face, and his features became distorted. The noise attracted attention, and the office door flung open. Onyx was stunned by the sight before him but quickly regained his composure as knights pushed him aside and rushed in.

“Your Excellency, please calm down! Your Excellency! If Your Excellency continues to strike, he may die! Please, I beg you!”

As he had said, Marquis Robeni was already half-unconscious, groaning in pain. Especially his mouth, which had been spewing nonsensical words, was now twisted. Soon, even his moans became faint. The knights rushed in like a surge of water, and after a struggle involving five chamberlains, they managed to barely separate him from the Marquis.

Onyx, who had been holding and restraining Chedev, briefly checked his face and felt a chilling shiver run down his spine.

He still wore an indifferent expression, despite inflicting severe damage that could leave a person unconscious. There was no sign of justified anger towards his act of assaulting another. Even though droplets of blood from the marquis splattered on his cheek, it didn’t evoke any reaction from him.

Finally, Onyx gained a chilling realization as he observed the detached demeanor of Chedev, who had returned. Chedev wasn’t unscathed, but he had subdued his emotions to the point where not even a hint of them was visible on his face. He had rendered his inner weakness inert, erasing all emotions and maintaining a superficial facade. It seemed as though his nervous system and senses were so damaged that they couldn’t function properly.

It was far from okay.

He was gradually crumbling and disintegrating, weak and unstable, like the remnants of a sandcastle gradually being destroyed by incoming waves. Onyx had never witnessed such meticulous control, and seeing him lose control and resort to violence, it was easy to guess what had happened.

The commotion ceased only after Marquis Robeni was carried away.

“Master, your hands are injured…”

Ignoring the butler’s insistence on receiving treatment, Chedev turned his body and headed towards the bedroom as if being led by someone. He opened the last compartment of the drawer where Rasha kept her precious belongings. Inside, he retrieved a fragment of her negligee, which he had placed there before heading to the Tigris.

With closed eyes, he brought it close to his nose. Though less potent than before, he still deeply inhaled her scent, as if it were a soothing drug.

“Did you enjoy spending the night with that wretched scoundrel? If you can’t forget it so easily, then wouldn’t this empire be filled with similar filth? As for those base desires, they can be quelled by finding a suitable replacement…”

How dare he.

How could he utter such nonsense?

Rasha was one of a kind in this world. There couldn’t possibly be a substitute for her existence. Even if one were to exist, it would be utterly futile. The urge to tear apart the marquis’s mouth, which so easily spewed such absurdities, was overwhelming. He wanted nothing more than to cut off his tongue entirely, so he could never ridicule it again.

At the very least, it was an unmentionable topic before him, with the realization that Rasha was lost forever haunted him like a lump in his heart.