Chapter 8.1 – D*mn Coincidence

“Where’s your escort?”

“Left him behind. The fewer people who know you’re here, the better.”

“No one followed you secretly?”

“That’s what I’d like to ask you. If you think you can hide your identity with just that disguise….”

Herace approached slowly, gripping the back of Kaiden’s chair and gesturing toward his hand.

“A commoner’s nails shouldn’t be this clean, Young Nobleman. Ah, at least your skin passes. Looks like you’ve had a rough time lately.”

“Impressive observation. Are you planning to become an investigator now?”

Herace smiled at Kaiden’s question and sat down across from him. Just then, a server came out of the terrace, set down two cups of coffee, hesitated for a moment, then disappeared.

Even as the server left, constantly glancing back, Kaiden shot him a quick look and sighed.

“Hey, Investigator. If you’re so perceptive, why not do something about your own noble-looking attire? I chose this place on purpose, but you’re about to ruin it.”

“Sorry, but I don’t see why I should care about your nerves. Wasn’t the help you asked for already finished?”

Herace sipped the lukewarm coffee, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

“Or do you have more favors to ask of me?”

“…….”

Kaiden stared at Herace’s clean face in exasperation, then looked out beyond the terrace. He hadn’t touched the cheap coffee, and after a long silence, he finally spoke, almost sighing.

“I saw Brienne by chance.”

“…….”

“To be precise, I saw Brienne fall down in the shopping district.”

“By chance.”

Herace repeated the unpleasant word, his smile gone.

“……Great, coming all the way here just to run into her by coincidence.”

The moment Herace learned Kaiden was staying near Peterman Street, he worried that Kaiden and Brienne might meet.

Kaiden Bannon was officially missing since that day, and Brienne had no idea of his whereabouts. Their last moment together, after growing up side by side since childhood, had been the worst.

In such circumstances, a chance meeting in another country could bring unpredictable emotions to Brienne. Kaiden was just as likely to act impulsively again.

That’s why neither told the other they were in the same place.

Brienne and Kaiden.

Neither of them knew.

But now Kaiden was talking about coincidence. Since when had coincidence become so easy? Herace found it almost laughable, remembering how he’d struggled for years just to catch a glimpse of Brienne’s back.

It really was an unfair coincidence.

If there truly was a god, he must be desperate to bring Kaiden and Brienne together.

“So, what are you trying to say?”

After a pause, Kaiden looked at Herace and spoke.

“The name was Aaron, right? Your escort—he seemed pretty unreliable for guarding Brienne.”

His even voice carried no malice, but his true feelings were faintly visible.

Kaiden was blaming him.

Why hadn’t he arranged a proper escort for her, or accompanied her himself?

And with such an angry face.

Herace, who couldn’t ignore this, gave a cold smile.

“That’s strange. Anyone would think you’re worried about the woman you love. Isn’t it too late to care about Brienne now? What, did you run over and help her up when she fell?”

“……That’s a stretch. I told you. I just happened to see her.”

“Sure, that d*mn coincidence. The coincidence you keep insisting on.”

Herace’s eyes, staring at Kaiden, grew cold.

“Drop the pretense and tell me the truth. Didn’t you ever worry someone might find out about your ‘coincidence’? You already knew your selfish choices could put Brienne in danger.”

“……Herace.”

“You asked me, remember? To make sure Brienne wouldn’t get caught up in trouble because of this.”

Kaiden’s eyes shook slightly as he tried to speak. Herace always hated how Kaiden only reacted to Brienne’s name.

“That night, just as you expected, Duke Bannon summoned me. Realizing why you disappeared, he called Brienne your obstacle. Then he asked me if I wanted Brienne Ford too. If I did, he’d gladly give her to me.”

“……What?”

“Ridiculous, isn’t it? So typical of Bannon.”

Herace let out a brief laugh.

“So, Young Master Bannon, if you have any conscience left, don’t even think about approaching Brienne again. She’s doing just fine without you. You know what that means?”

“…….”

“Brienne Ford is no longer the noble lady who only looked at you and waited for you.”

Brienne, who had been through painful times, was doing better than ever. She’d left home to enter the Academy with the goal of learning magic, met new people.

Brienne had become active, now that she had something she wanted.

Unlike when she waited for a love that wouldn’t return.

“Think about the hurt you’ve caused Brienne. Realizing your feelings and regretting it now doesn’t give you a free pass for playing with her heart.”

All those years, he never recognized her feelings.

Yet he couldn’t hide his own innocence, constantly giving Brienne hope.

Hurting her more, making her cry in the end.

Now, seeing him dare to speak Brienne’s name was irritating. The way his eyes flickered with every word made Herace feel a deep sense of contempt.

After pouring out his emotions, Herace let out a faint sigh. With this much warning, Kaiden would surely understand what he was trying to say.

After a brief silence, Kaiden lifted his gaze and spoke.

“……Just to be clear, I never thought of it as a free pass. And I’m not here to fight you.”

Kaiden clenched his hand under the table, erasing the faint feelings left in his heart. He didn’t need to try hard. He had no intention of refuting Herace’s words.

The only reason he’d asked Herace Belif for help was simple.

Even his father couldn’t touch Herace.

Herace Belif wasn’t someone who would just suffer powerlessly like the tutor, servant, or so many others who had died by Kaiden’s side.

Trust.

He trusted Herace more than anyone.

He knew he’d eventually be caught by his father, and the chance for this to end safely was almost zero. Maybe this was his first and last desperate move. So until then, he had to lay the groundwork to thoroughly destroy Bannon.

Instead of wasting time on pointless arguments.

“If I overstepped, I apologize. But Herace, you don’t need to worry—I know better than anyone that I shouldn’t approach Brienne anymore. I have that much conscience.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Herace smiled coldly, and Kaiden, withdrawing his gaze, pushed a document hidden under the newspaper toward him.

“I brought something from Rontiano. The documents about Derrick Harrington’s business you were looking for.”

“…….”

Herace paused, frowning as he took the papers from Kaiden. Watching Herace examine them, Kaiden handed over another set.

“And this is Derrick Harrington’s secret account. I included the transaction records too.”

“……Ha.”

Comparing the official business registration dates and the timing of the secret account opening, a satisfied smile appeared on Herace’s face.

Just as he expected, the source of the funds was separate, and Kaiden had found it. He didn’t like it, but he had to admit Young Master Bannon was good at this kind of work.

“Does this mean your debt is paid?”

“Not bad for what you found in such a short time. How did you know I was investigating Derrick Harrington?”

“I hate to admit it, but in Rontiano, there’s nowhere Bannon’s eyes can’t reach. Your unusually bold actions stood out even more.”

“Not very comforting. So I was under Bannon’s surveillance too?”

“To some extent.”

Herace nodded as if it was no surprise, putting the documents down. The hostility toward Kaiden faded from his face, replaced by his usual smile.

“So, what do you want from me now?”

* * *

“Here you go, step down carefully, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

The sunlight of Roeta, now familiar after a few days, poured over Brienne’s hair as she stepped down from the carriage. Brienne looked around Peterman’s shopping street with a slightly nervous face.

The crowds were still bustling, and the trains noisy. Since the day she was pickpocketed here, Brienne hadn’t returned, so she looked a bit worried.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Brienne turned to Aaron.

“Aaron, I’m sorry, but could you follow from a distance today? I’m meeting a friend, and having an escort might make her uncomfortable.”

“Oh, I heard from Herace! If it’s tailing, that’s my specialty, so don’t worry and enjoy yourself.”

Brienne smiled faintly at Aaron, who patted his chest.

“Alright. I’ll trust you, Aaron.”

“Yes! Have fun!”

Smiling and nodding, Brienne confidently walked toward the meeting spot. She had just arrived under the clock tower and was looking around for someone when—

“……Long time no see, Miss!”

Diashi, who had been hiding next to the clock tower, sneaked up and hugged Brienne from behind. Surprised, Brienne turned and looked up at Diashi.

“Miss Diashi……! When did you get here?”

“I came early to wait! I was so excited to meet you today that I arrived quickly. Oh, but Miss…….”

Grinning, Diashi looked at Brienne with concern.

“Did you not sleep? You look pale again today. Is it that cold you caught last time?”

“Oh, no.”

Brienne, embarrassed, covered her face and smiled awkwardly.

“I got over that cold ages ago. It’s just that the sun is so strong today, so I probably look that way.”

“The sun……?”

Diashi shaded her eyes with her hand and looked up at the sky, then nodded with a smile.

“Well, compared to Rontiano’s weather, Roeta’s sun is brutal. Your skin is sensitive, so let’s get inside quickly.”

“Are we going straight to the bookstore?”

“That was the plan, but it’s a bit far. Can you wait a moment? I’ll look for somewhere nearby to go in.”

Brienne nodded uncertainly and watched Diashi check the map, then lowered her gaze.

She’d used the sun as an excuse, but the truth was, as Diashi said, she hadn’t been sleeping well lately.