Chapter 82
Elise’s face turned red at Maya’s sharp words.
“…Do you realize how deeply you’ve insulted us? At least you could have avoided the situation.”
Elise, still clinging to the last thread of her sanity, forced a smile as she tried to manage her expression.
“Then you would have just used that as an excuse to arrange another meeting.”
Of course, this didn’t work on Maya at all.
“I am no longer connected to House Pendragon. Please stop involving yourselves with me.”
“You wretched little brat!”
Maguire raised his hand, but Maya quickly overpowered him and knocked him down.
Doshen, who had been watching Maya with satisfaction, whispered to Otto.
“This is as far as House Bayarden’s tolerance goes.”
“Uh…”
“You’re well aware that House Bayarden is a family even His Majesty cannot easily cross.”
Her words were spoken quietly enough for only Otto to hear.
Her cold, piercing gaze made Otto flinch, in stark contrast to how she looked at Maya.
Elise turned her head towards Reserfield, who was observing the situation.
‘You brought us here!’
But Reserfield showed no intention of intervening. With his chin resting on his hand, he continued to stare intently at Maya.
“She told you to leave, so why aren’t you leaving?”
Reserfield actually took Maya’s side. Realizing this, Maya tilted her head in confusion.
‘Did that bastard eat something bad?’
Reserfield was the one who had brought them here. Yet now, he was showing interest in Maya, who had rejected his words and coldly dismissed her family.
“It’s unfortunate that the gathering I arranged turned out this way.”
Reserfield smiled at Maya as he spoke.
Maya knew that look. His greedy eyes were scanning her.
‘I’ve caught Reserfield’s attention.’
Cutting ties with her family had only piqued Reserfield’s interest.
“Let’s prepare another gathering.”
Reserfield declared as if making an announcement to all the nobles present.
“Since Grand Duke Bayarden cannot attend, it will just be me and the Grand Duchess alone.”
“…”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
With that, Reserfield disappeared.
‘Something feels off.’
Maya was well aware of Reserfield’s capricious nature.
There must be some scheme behind his sudden change in attitude.
‘But I’m no longer your pawn.’
No matter what Reserfield does, there’s no reason to be dragged along by him anymore.
***
“Y-Your Majesty. You were the one who called us here. Why are you treating us like this?”
Reserfield had gone to the prison where Otto, Elise, and Maguire were locked up one by one.
Laughing as he watched them scream behind the iron bars, Reserfield took a seat.
“I’m notoriously fickle. You may not have known that.”
Thinking of the audacious Maya, a twisted smile spread across Reserfield’s lips.
“What can I say? I’ve found something I want, and I’ll need to give a proper mix of carrot and stick.”
Reserfield felt a thrill as he recalled Maya coldly dismissing her family.
‘You’re different from those fools bound by the chains of family.’
Even from her appearance, she was just his type.
Her noble demeanor was entirely unlike the people of House Pendragon, who stood before him now.
‘I must have her.’
Reserfield was confident. He had never failed to obtain anything he wanted.
‘If I can reshape Maya Pendragon’s image and bring her under me, there will be many benefits.’
With Maya’s decisive actions, people would now see her as separate from House Pendragon.
He could use that to lure her in, making it seem like he was restoring the honor of House Pendragon.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. But if it’s House Pendragon, it would be far more honorable to be praised for swordsmanship.”
She seemed to take great pride in having inherited Pendragon’s swordsmanship.
‘If I play my cards right, I might even extract information about House Bayarden.’
There were many masks he could wear.
Though he was a tyrant by nature, he could also play the role of a benevolent emperor if needed.
Reserfield’s gaze shifted back to the trembling worms in their cells.
“Keep them alive.”
You never know. They might be useful later.
Reserfield’s eyes momentarily shifted to the small window in the prison wall.
‘I thought I saw something.’
Must be my imagination. Reserfield frowned slightly as he left.
‘Where’s that information on House Pendragon?’
Now that his interest in House Pendragon had been piqued, he planned to dig up some information.
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