Chapter 40 – Reprimand

Seeing the distressed look on my face, Betty intervened.

“Oh dear, isn’t Young Master Randy? It seems he doesn’t see me.”

“Huh? Do you know me?”

“How could I not? You come to the opera frequently.”

“Oh…”

The elderly Randy had only one son, who died during the civil war, so this man was probably the lord’s nephew.

I vaguely remembered that the inept lord, who had sold off his fief, was living comfortably on his brother’s money. The younger Randy had built a cultured image by using most of the profits from the Randis Trading Company to sponsor the arts. But what did it mean that this son didn’t recognize the next prima donna of the Royal Opera House who frequently visited?

It meant this guy was just an uncultured wastrel. He probably had another purpose for using the box seats. As expected, the man, who grinned even after hearing Betty’s explanation, pulled my wrist towards him. I was helplessly dragged along. He addressed the flustered Betty.

“So, what’s your name, young lady?”

“Be, Betty. I’m supposed to play the lead role once this opera is finished.”

“Right, Betty. Don’t worry. I’m not alone. Let’s take Betty along too. My friends are waiting in the room.”

Betty’s face showed dismay. She probably never expected that a man would have such insane thoughts about having the next prima donna by his side. I bit my lip. Greta, with a look of discomfort, said,

“I’m sorry, but we have other plans.”

“…And who are you? Who gave you permission to speak to me?”

The man released my wrist. Before I could even feel relieved, he slapped Greta across the face.

“Huh? How dare you interfere? Interfere, indeed.”

After receiving several more blows, Greta was left speechless. I was shaking with the realization of how revolting the class system was. Even though there was a scuffle in a corridor close to the lobby, no one stepped forward to help. I even saw staff members who were coming this way turn on their heels.

“Oh, what’s this? Why are you falling away? Don’t worry, I don’t hit pretty women.”

The scum wrapped his arm around my waist. Why did I think the Canova Hotel was safe? It was like entering a lion’s den to avoid hyenas. I should have anticipated such issues.

“So, why don’t you take off your mask? Okay?”

As his face came closer, I instinctively pushed the man away with all my strength. He staggered back a few steps and, embarrassed, suddenly reddened. He then approached me as if to hit me and raised his hand. I shut my eyes tightly.

“What is this…!”

But there was no pain. I opened my eyes slightly. A white hand, which I didn’t know when it had appeared, was gripping the man’s arm. In an instant, the scum’s arm was twisted, and he screamed.

“Ah! Let go! Who are you!”

My heart began to beat faster. Why was he here?

‘It’s okay. It’s still okay.’ I took out a pill from my pocket with trembling hands and put it in my mouth. As I forced myself to chew and swallow, my heart calmed down again.

“I told you to let go!”

It was Ian. Under the chandelier lit by candlelight, Ian’s eyes glowed violet. People used to say that when Ian’s eyes changed from deep blue to purple, it meant he was possessed by a demon. As Ian lightly threw aside the arm he had twisted, the scum from the Randy family, who had fallen to the ground, scrambled up and shouted.

“Do you know who I am…!”

But realizing Ian’s identity, he immediately shut his mouth. It was a pity. He should have resisted a little more. Still, I quietly retreated behind Greta and Betty. Ian, with a weary expression, asked,

“And who are you?”

“…Your Grace, I am Adolf of the Randy family!”

So? Ian’s expression was indifferent as he said this. I grabbed Greta’s arm. I intended to escape with her, but I had to stop when I saw Phillip standing at the end of the corridor.

“Even if you are a duke, how can you be so violent toward an innocent person?”

“Innocent? I saw you hitting that woman.”

Ian’s chin pointed vaguely in our direction. He then extended his hand towards the back, and Phillip came running, handing him a pair of white gloves. The scum from the Randy family, thinking that Ian would throw the gloves at him, turned pale and shouted.

“That woman is just a commoner! Are you going to fight for the honor of a woman who is not even a noble? You, who are married…”

Ian didn’t throw the gloves. He just slowly put them in his own hands. Adolf Randy must have been terrified and had spoken nonsense. Embarrassed, he began to make excuses.

“I was merely reprimanding an arrogant commoner who dared to speak back to a noble…”

“Reprimanding?”

Ian said only one word. Yet, it felt like the air had grown colder. Perhaps the person in the conversation, Adolf Randy, was feeling the chill. I pretended to be scared and took a step back, holding onto Greta’s arm. Fortunately, it seemed that there were no other companions besides Phillip.

“Then I’ll give you a lesson myself. First, there’s no law that says a noble can hit a commoner.”

Adolf Randy smirked as if to say, What a quaint notion! His terrified eyes were starkly revealing his pretense.

“That’s not it! I didn’t hit her; I just frightened her a little. How dare you treat me like a thug…”

“Second, you are not a noble.”

Strictly speaking, in this empire, a noble is someone who pledges loyalty to the emperor, receives a title, and is listed in the nobility council, along with their spouse. Even if someone is the child of a noble, until they inherit the title, they are just gentry. However, that’s the letter of the law; in practice, everyone is expected to treat them with the courtesy due to nobles.

“Are you saying that just because I’m not yet a member of the nobility council, it’s acceptable for a commoner to insult me?”

So, Adolf Randy was genuinely angry, as if he had been treated unfairly. But Ian simply chuckled.

“Third, I am.”

“What?”

Adolf Randy responded with confusion to Ian’s cryptic remark. Phillip suddenly turned to us and mouthed,

‘Please leave quickly.’

I immediately grabbed Greta and Betty’s hands and pulled them along. Ian’s businesslike voice continued behind us.

“Under the Emperor’s mercy, as a member of one of the six ruling families, I have an obligation to discipline even nobles if necessary.”

A heavy thud was heard. I flinched but kept walking. Betty, initially hesitating, followed me in fear as the ruthless violence continued. As soon as we turned the corner, we ran out of the lobby.

Returning to the inn with Betty, we collapsed into bed as if we had fainted. When I woke up, two days had already passed. The apothecary woman who had come to my inn room asked how I had taken the medicine and then glared at me.

“I’ve never seen someone take so much medicine before.”

I had no words and could only smile awkwardly. The apothecary woman then gave me a sharp flick on the head. As I winced and covered my head, Greta complained.

“Why didn’t you explain the dosage properly from the beginning?”

“I told you to take it when needed, not to eat it whenever you’re bored.”

I flinched, fearing another blow, and said,

“I took it because I needed it…”

“Then you’ll end up dead.”

I had nothing to say.

“This medicine slows the heart. Taking too much at once can be fatal.”

“You should have mentioned how dangerous it was from the start! Are you trying to kill people with your medicine?”

I had to intervene to calm Greta down. If I didn’t, she might end up grabbing the apothecary’s collar. The apothecary woman didn’t back down, either.

“Who would have known you’d take five expensive pills a day, each worth one lead? Are you the Empress? Don’t take more than two pills a day from now on!”

I smiled awkwardly. The medicine was effective. Even when I encountered people who seemed to be wizards from Laran, no one paid me any mind. Ian didn’t suspect me either. Although I felt dizzy and nauseous if I overexerted myself or ran after taking the medicine.

“There’s no antidote for heart medicine. I’ve prepared a tonic for you, so take care of yourself, and if you end up dead, don’t blame me.”

Greta, grumbling, saw the apothecary off and came back. I accepted the herbal medicine Greta had brewed and drank it quietly.

“That apothecary may talk like a quack, but she’s actually quite remarkable. She’s saved many lives, even though she’s now working alone since her husband, who was a doctor, passed away. She knows a lot and isn’t a quack.”

I nodded. The tonic she made for me was revitalizing, suggesting that it was enhanced with magic. Greta’s complaints were softened by her defense, indicating the apothecary was well-regarded. If I were still the lady of the Keppel family, I’d be tempted to make her my personal physician.

“So, was there any news while I was asleep? How’s Betty? Everything okay?”

“Yes. She visited yesterday and is supposed to come today as well.”

As Greta said, Betty visited in the afternoon.

“You’re awake. Thank goodness. I was really worried when you didn’t wake up.”

Betty sat on my bed and hugged me. I had to soothe and comfort her, who kept asking if I was truly okay. Once Betty’s concern eased a bit, she smiled slightly and said,

“That Randy guy, you know, he’s on the brink of death.”

“Really? How do you know?”

“It’s what the rumors say.”

Rumors tend to inflate with time. He’s probably just been roughed up a bit. Ian isn’t seeking revenge against Adolf Randy.

“Serves him right. That dirty bastard.”

I was surprised by Betty’s harsh words. Seeing my shocked expression, Betty chuckled.

“Are you surprised? I can curse too. I just don’t do it because I don’t want anyone to hear.”

“And what happens if someone hears?”

“Well, if word gets out that I curse, I might not become the prima donna.”

Betty had a more relaxed expression. Maybe sharing this secret made us feel a bit closer. Feeling a bit more connected than before, Betty smiled like a young girl and said,

“By the way, that person you mentioned… he’s really handsome.”

Without needing to specify, it was clear she meant Ian. Remembering Ian’s face after a long time, my heart started beating faster reflexively. I was still anxious, perhaps because I had been so worried about being caught.