obsession chapter 10

Just as he finished speaking, the shop door opened. Seeing the newcomer, Shariette realized how long this charade had been in play.

“Greetings, Raven. We meet again.” A vibrant man with fiery red hair and aqua eyes stood behind Noxian, offering her a greeting. His attire differed from when he’d visited a fortnight ago, seeking to purchase poison discreetly, but it was undoubtedly the same man.

‘I’ll pay any price, please.’

‘I still can’t make poison.’

‘Medicine, used improperly, can become poison, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘Food, eaten improperly, can make you sick. That doesn’t make it the same as adding poison.’

Despite Shariette’s refusal, he’d been persistent.

‘It has to be someone impervious to ordinary poisons.’

‘I’m sorry, but I won’t make anything that kills people.’

‘I’ll grant you anything you desire.’

‘Then leave.’

She’d chased him out, scattering salt after him for good measure. Apparently, that had been a preliminary interview of sorts.

‘So his claim about needing something stronger than ordinary poison wasn’t just talk.’ Shariette glanced at the mostly empty spray bottle. The anesthetic had been intended for use in the Shadow Woods, but it was proving more effective against troublesome humans than monstrous creatures. Unlike Noxian, most people succumbed after a spritz or two. ‘I’ve thought this before, but his resistance is absurd.’ Just what you’d expect from the Rubelot heir.

While Shariette marveled, Noxian gestured to the red-haired man behind him. “Allow me to introduce Sir Joseph, my adjutant.”

“My apologies for my earlier behavior.” Joseph gave her a slight bow.

Shariette would bet her day’s earnings that this man had already thoroughly investigated her background and customer satisfaction rate. Fortunately, the people of Willowhill knew little about her. Allowing them to call her Raven, White Raven, or Black Raven, had been a semi-deliberate strategy.

“Any other excuses?” Noxian asked, having demolished all her previous ones.

Shariette resolved herself. “I’d rather—”

“We’re saved, milord! We’ve found the right person!” Joseph exclaimed in relieved excitement.

Shariette paused mid-sentence and looked at him. Catching her eye, he smiled and explained, “You’ve saved a life, or rather, many lives. When the master doesn’t sleep, those of us beneath him suffer greatly. They say the Night Castle has seen the dawn.”

“.…” Shariette’s eyes wavered under the weight of her conscience, her contribution to Noxian’s insomnia considerable. Oblivious, Joseph continued cheerfully, “Of course, the most fortunate one is milord himself. Even he is human—”

“Enough. You talk too much, Joseph.”

“Duly noted.” At the gentle yet chilling reprimand, Joseph promptly fell silent.

Noxian stared intently at Shariette, her teal eyes flickering as if struck a nerve. She wore the expression of someone about to leap into a fire as she asked, “…How long do I have to do this? You don’t expect me to do this forever, do you?”

Ah. So that’s the real vulnerability. He’d prepared several strategies, but what ultimately swayed her was that inexplicable, selfless concern.

‘The annual mortality rate in that area has decreased drastically compared to the previous year. Remarkably, there were no fatalities in Willowhill during last year’s epidemic.’

When he’d finally tracked down this small-town herbalist after scouring the kingdom…

‘Word should have spread by now, especially with healers being so rare.’

‘It wasn’t any special medicine or magic that cured them. They just carried on as usual, foraging for herbs and such.’

‘Verify if those herbs were also growing in that area two years ago.’

He could infer enough from the way she’d helped people without revealing herself. ‘Meddling must be an occupational hazard.’ Noxian smiled, his suspicions confirmed.

“Until this wretched curse is lifted. It won’t take long. I’m rather desperate myself.”

Even though things had gone his way, a strange discomfort lingered. He kept seeing someone else in her. Someone who would sacrifice their own well-being rather than let another die. Someone who, despite knowing better, couldn’t help but step into the flames. Then, as now, he was exploiting that weakness, even though he was the one who had orchestrated it.

“Now, if you’ll just sign here.” Joseph, delighted with the smooth progress, presented the contract Noxian had prepared.

Damn, the handwriting comparison is… I need to write neater… Shariette painstakingly began to write her name beneath Noxian Rosen Rubelot’s signature, already on the document. It took a moment for her hand, previously mangled several times, to regain its delicate precision.

She’s not even reading the contract. Noxian felt a pang of guilt, like he was swindling a naive child.

―Noxian Rosen Rubelot

―Shariette Verdett

“…Shariette?” Noxian murmured, realizing he’d just learned her name from a contract.