It’s Not Night - Chapter 186.1

With a cigar in her mouth, Stephanie appeared and leaned over the railing, looking down at the two people below, just like Dustin.

Dustin frowned at the sudden appearance of the woman and replied.

“What is it?”

“I thought Lord Airak looked a bit bored, so I figured I could keep you company.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Stephanie laughed casually at his guarded and sharp tone. Yet her gaze remained focused on Andra and Hisen, who seemed to be enjoying themselves, laughing continuously since earlier.

In a way, they seemed to make a good pair.

That made her understand a little better why the large man beside her couldn’t take his eyes away from them.

“Are you worried?”

Suddenly, Stephanie blurted out.

“It looks like you’re anxious and restless. Are you afraid that Lady Avelin might take a liking to Baron Haydon?”

“What nonsense is that?”

“You still speak rudely.”

Cutting off Dustin’s response, Stephanie let out a chuckle and exhaled the smoke. The hazy mist began to encroach upon Dustin’s space.

She casually dropped the ash from her cigar and continued.

“Don’t you think you don’t fit with Lady Avelin? Be honest; it just doesn’t make sense. Avelin and Airak? Even a passing dog would laugh.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Honestly, does it really change anything if I say something?”

Stephanie giggled.

By now, she had long since discarded any pretense of politeness or formality, just as Dustin had with her during their brief encounter at the coming-of-age ceremony. In that short time, it seemed she had figured out everything about him.

Dustin paused for a moment, staring at Stephanie Jewelie.

She crushed the ash from her fallen cigar with her foot, then turned to face him. With one hand stuffed in her pants pocket, she looked up at Dustin with a somewhat arrogant attitude.

The face of the man who had crumbled many times in front of Lady Avelin now had an unreadable mask.

“You must know you can’t just stay like this forever. I did ask Lady Avelin before, but to be honest, I have no idea what she was thinking. You don’t seriously believe that the two of you could end up together, do you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Why is it none of my business? As long as you two stay in the South, I bear some responsibility. And you know that Jewelie maintains a cooperative relationship with Avelin, right?”

At those words, Dustin fell silent again. Stephanie crushed her cigar against the edge of the railing, leaving a black mark on the pristine white marble. Dustin quietly stared down at it.

“Fifteen days.”

“…What?”

“By now, Avelin has probably realized that Lady Avelin is with you. And they’ll be rushing down to the South to confirm the truth with their own eyes.”

Dustin clenched his fists again.

It was somewhat expected, though perhaps a bit sooner than he anticipated.

After all, this was Avelin.

Avelin was not someone to be taken lightly. Andra might think that her father and brothers had willingly sent her to the South, but in reality, they had secretly sent someone to keep tabs on her to avoid any arguments. It was far more convenient for them to gather information that way.

Since coming to the South, it had only delayed the flow of information thanks to Stephanie Jewelie’s assistance, but ultimately, no one could stop the news from reaching Avelin. The information network established during the reign of the previous Emperor was far more intricate than anyone could imagine, and it was what allowed them to maintain their position in the central power.

“I wanted to tell you this. After all, a promise is a promise.”

“Is that all?”

“Surely not.”

In an instant, Stephanie’s eyes narrowed sharply. Her voice turned colder than before.

“If chaos breaks out in the South, it’ll be exhausting. I thought you might be able to understand that. So, let me add a warning.”

“…What is it?”

“Now would be a good time to consider what’s best for you and Lady Avelin. Once Avelin arrives, I won’t be able to help you anymore. If you bring trouble upon that family, our position as Jewelie will become quite precarious.”

Well, if you truly love Lady Avelin, I believe you’ll know what to do. With that whisper-like final remark, Stephanie left. All that remained in her wake was a scattering of gray ash from her cigar.