Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Josée had always held a deep disdain for men—especially the love-struck fools who frequented brothels. But even she couldn’t deny the new feeling blooming inside her.
(*I like Serge. I'm sure of it. But...*)
A shadow passed over her eyes.
(*Precisely because of that... I can't drag you into my personal vendetta.*)
She hadn’t come to the underworld to fall in love. She had come to seduce the king.
Once her revenge was complete, she might not even be able to remain in this country. Even if she succeeded in assassinating the king without being discovered, there was no chance his father would ever approve of a nobleman marrying a brothel madam.
No matter which path she chose, she couldn’t afford to involve Serge. Not if she cared about his future—his happiness.
As the music drew to a close, Josée made up her mind.
If she didn’t win the king’s favor, her revenge would be nothing more than a fantasy. She had to see this through.
Pulling herself gently away from Serge’s arms, she spoke.
"I think I do want to go see that acquaintance from earlier, after all. Is that alright?"
Serge nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. When you’re done, let’s meet up at that lounge."
"Sorry."
Turning on her heel, Josée pushed her way through the crowd of high-class courtesans. Serge watched her go for a moment, then made his way to the attendants to quench his thirst.
He picked up a glass of wine and brought it to his lips—then paused.
"Poisoned, huh..."
King Alban II had poison tasters. Commoners didn't. Serge hesitated.
"Something wrong?"
A familiar voice came from behind. Serge turned and found Bernard standing there, alone.
"That officer from earlier isn’t with you?"
Serge asked as Bernard casually accepted a glass of wine from a passing server.
"She’s got her own job to do. Probably a much tougher one than mine."
"I see."
"And what about you? Where’s Josée?"
"She said she wanted to meet with someone and stepped away."
"Hmm..."
Bernard gave a brief glance around the hall, then leaned in closer.
"Got a moment? There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about."
Serge instinctively took a half-step back, suspicion flickering in his eyes. Bernard quickly raised a hand in reassurance.
"Relax, I’m not going to bite. It’s just... something about Josée’s been bothering me."
Serge frowned, thinking it over.
(*Come to think of it... they've known each other for quite a while. But what's their actual relationship?*)
If a detective said something was "bothering" him, it usually meant trouble was brewing. And if Josée was in danger, Serge wanted to know.
"Alright," he agreed.
Bernard nodded. "This might be a bit complicated. Let’s talk out on the balcony."
The two men slipped out of the glittering ballroom and onto a balcony overlooking the garden. A cool night breeze brushed the sweat from Serge’s neck, still damp from dancing.
Bernard took a long swig of his wine, then stared into the empty glass.
"Let me be blunt—what’s your relationship with Josée?"
Serge nearly dropped his drink. The question hit like a slap.
"Wh-why are you asking that all of a sudden...?"
"Is it the kind of relationship you have to keep secret?"
Flustered, Serge grit his teeth. But he shook his head.
"It’s not like that," he muttered, abruptly lowering his gaze.
Bernard studied his face for a moment, then gave a few thoughtful nods.
"So... more like senior and junior party members?"
"Well, yeah."
"Then let me be crystal clear—if you’re not ready to carry the weight of her life, walk away now."
The words hit Serge like a gut punch.
"...What?"
"This is a warning."
Bernard leaned back against the balcony railing, his expression tightening with impatience. Then, after clearing his throat, he lowered his voice and dropped a bombshell.
"That girl is a surviving member of the Sarana dynasty’s royal family. She’s under surveillance by all kinds of organizations. If things keep going the way they are... she’s going to be killed."
Serge froze.
He blinked several times, struggling to process the words.
"That’s insane. I thought the Sarana royal family was completely wiped out."
"One branch survived. A child born between the Sarana king and a commoner woman. That child... is Josée."
"...!"
"You don’t have to believe me. But if you’re not prepared for what that means, then don’t get involved with her."
Bernard’s tone was serious—deadly serious. There wasn’t even a hint of a joke in his eyes.
Serge glanced away, recalling the odd dynamic between Bernard and Josée. The way they always seemed to bicker, yet were strangely in sync.
With trembling lips, Serge asked the question weighing on his heart.
"If it’s better not to get involved with her... then why does Detective Bernard go out of his way to keep checking on her?"
Bernard lowered his gaze back to his empty glass and answered without hesitation.
"Because... I want to arrest her."
"Then why—"
"Hm? You’re really gonna make me spell it out?"
Bernard let out a sigh, then looked up, his expression firm.
"Because I want to trump up some kind of charge and detain that girl. If that’s what it takes to keep Josée alive... I’ll do it."