Even though she clearly understood what Mia was implying, the Marquis deliberately pressed her, as if threatening that she'd be held accountable if her words proved false.
"To someone of your stature, Marquis, such an amount may seem trivial. However..."
Mia's exaggerated humility nearly made the Marquis chuckle. Yet his shameless smile soon faded.
"Etalon intends to invade Veridian soon."
Etalon? Invading? They'd fought over a single border for a century. During recent negotiations, they'd even ceded five territories including Glen to avoid further conflict.
In Veridian's distorted perception, this proved Etalon was too weak and cowardly to confront them.
"Ha! Those Etalonian cowards dare cross us? Nonsense!"
The Marquis dismissed her claim with a mocking tone.
Mia remained unfazed by his contempt. In Veridian, merchants were inherently beneath notice.
Etalon's protection of traders was an anomaly. Since merchants had only recently gained influence there, Mia's role in enabling this naturally earned her the guild's full support.
For now, bowing her head was worthwhile. Gaining leverage over a Marquis through such triviality? A profitable trade.
"Can you take responsibility for these claims?"
The Marquis sharpened his tone, testing her resolve.
"Would staking my life make you believe me?"
Her deadpan reply met his inflated arrogance.
He snorted and strode out without telling Mia to wait—assuming the lowborn merchant would naturally linger. Arrogance seeped from his pores.
'He must know about Grenier... Does he dismiss proper treatment because she's not Veridian-born? Or because she's a young woman?'
Mia clicked her tongue internally. The Marquis' hubris made him vulnerable—advantageous yet irritating.
'How much longer must I endure this...?'
A thud interrupted her thoughts. An ornate box appeared on the table. The Marquis drew a dagger and offered it.
"If you truly stake your life, how could I doubt you?"
His smiling face clashed with his icy voice.
Mia grasped the blade without hesitation, pressing it to her chest. The Marquis flinched under her unwavering crimson gaze. Ignoring him, she slowly pushed the hilt.
Schlick.
Fresh blood streamed down the polished steel.
"Enough."
"You demanded my life as collateral. Is this sufficient?"
She placed the dagger back with equal caution. Crimson bloomed across the white tablecloth.
The Marquis nodded, his satisfied expression grotesque against the blood on his hands.
"Did you think I'd kill a valuable guest? Truthfully, the Temple's recent interference forced this verification. Losing hard-won trade partners to them would be... regrettable."
His excuse for scarring another nation's noblewoman—ignorant of her status—was pitiful.
Mia swallowed a scoff. Her faint smile turned glacial.
"Grenier's name cannot be swayed by foreign temples. Your suspicion wounds us."
"Haha, naturally! But we must verify partnerships..."
A servile gleam flashed across his face now—far cry from his earlier contempt upon remembering Grenier's backing.
'Pathetic. A Marquis influential enough in Raven to hold power, yet failing to connect with Grenier sooner? Understandable.'
As Mia internally scorned him, the Marquis approached a vault incongruous with the opulent parlor—likely part of his Grenier charade.
'How long has he awaited this moment?'
Then he shouldn't have tested the guild this way. Mia lowered her gaze.
Everything she saw was new—her chair, the marble floors. Luxuries he carelessly squandered.
'No wonder he wastes trust—the costliest luxury.'
Though aware her forged Grenier documents held no legal weight, Mia coldly assessed him as if she were the guildmaster.
The vault clanged open. He retrieved a thick contract.
"Terms are clear. Sign freely."
"Why need contracts for illegal dealings?"
Unless you want to codify crimes. She swallowed the retort he feigned ignorance of.
His greed-greased hands proffered the document. Mia scrutinized each clause—luxuries and spices, no mention of narcotics.
This contract merely legitimized Grenier's access to his estate... and his desperate bid for their connection.
Her pen glided across parchment, leaving deep strokes.
"Our deal is sealed."
She smiled while handing it over. He grinned broadly.
"May our partnership flourish."
"Indeed. Your generosity today becomes our greatest asset."
Their handshake lingered as eyes relentlessly probed each other.
Mia carelessly discarded her bloodied dress upon returning. Etienne choked seeing the scarlet-stained garment flutter down.
"What in blazes—?!"
Though accustomed to bloodied uniforms, knowing this was Mia's shredded his composure. He rushed to inspect her wound. His trembling hand neared her chest before jerking back at her expression.
That he restrained himself despite panic proved his decency. Étienne Rochefort wouldn't cross boundaries—even in "emergencies."
'Though judging it nonfatal helped.'
Mia coolly admonished, "It's trivial. Why fuss?"
"Trivial?! Look at yourself! The blood soaked through!"
His shaking voice amused her. This lifetime's Étienne clearly overcompensated in concern.
'A man panicking over a woman's minor scrape? How... charming.'
