I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 226
Crown Prince Viren had issued an order to assess the remaining stock of Cytiro within the Kingdom of Hevania. Following his command, the scholars sent envoys to inquire about Cytiro supplies from herbalists in the capital.
The scholars had assumed that even if trade with the Empire ceased, Cytiro wouldn’t pose an immediate problem. The reason was simple: Cytiro wasn’t a particularly rare herb, and large quantities had been recently brought into the capital.
However, the response they received was unexpected.
“There’s no stock left.”
“What? How can that be?!”
“A few days ago, a noble purchased the entire supply.”
The scholars were stunned.
Who could have done such a thing?
***
“Are you Iruel?”
The Baroness of Inferna scrutinized the man standing before her, her expression stern.
“Yes, but… who are you?”
Scratching his head, Iruel looked back at her.
He had traveled alone with his wagon from the capital for several days, finally arriving at the Inferna Barony after much difficulty. Yet instead of Rufus and Sarubia, he was met by an elderly woman.
Who?
“I’m that brat Rufus’s grandmother,” the Baroness stated curtly.
“Ah, Lord Rufus’s grandmother! No wonder you have such a… uh… distinctive aura…”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Cursing his loose tongue, Iruel quickly bowed, laughing awkwardly.
“Ah, the esteemed Baroness of Inferna, head of the noble house that produced the hero Rufus! It’s an honor to meet you, ma’am! And as the rumors said, you’re quite the beauty!”
The Baroness narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed, her expression practically shouting, What nonsense are you spouting now?
“Enough with the drivel. Why are you here?”
At her sharp question, Iruel scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“I’m here to see Lord Rufus.”
“He’s not here.”
“Pardon?”
Iruel blinked like a goldfish. Not here? Rufus had explicitly told him to come to the Inferna Barony. How could he not be here?
“Come on, don’t joke around, ma’am. Please allow me to meet Lord Rufus.”
The Baroness’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Do I look like the kind of person who jokes around with someone like you?”
“…Wow, you even sound exactly the same. That gave me chills.”
“What?”
“Haha, nothing at all, ma’am.”
Seeing the Baroness’s hardened expression, Iruel quickly changed his approach. His usual lighthearted banter clearly wasn’t going to work. Shifting to a more formal tone, he continued,
“I apologize for showing up unannounced, Baroness. Lord Rufus told me to meet him here at the Inferna Barony, but it seems I’ve caused some inconvenience.”
The Baroness’s stern expression finally eased, if only slightly.
Iruel seized the moment.
“Did Lord Rufus happen to mention to you that I would be coming?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Baroness,” the butler, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke. “Actually, Young Master Rufus left behind a letter before he departed.”
“A letter? Why didn’t you deliver it earlier?”
“Young Master Rufus instructed me to wait until Sir Iruel arrived before handing it over.”
The butler respectfully handed the letter to the Baroness, who noted the initials R.I., scrawled in Rufus’s handwriting, on the pristine envelope.
His handwriting is as careless as his personality, she thought, grumbling internally as she opened the letter.
The letter began with a casual note: Iruel, who had sent a shipment of Cytiro a few days ago, would be arriving at the barony. The letter requested that the Baroness not turn him away.
Beneath that, however, there was an additional remark.
[ By the way, Iruel is a hopeless drunk. Whatever you do, don’t offer him alcohol. ]
The Baroness glanced up from the letter to study Iruel.
“Do you enjoy drinking?”
“I love it as much as you love breathing, Baroness.”
Clicking her tongue, the Baroness glared at him.
“How old are you?”
“My heart is forever 18.”
“What?”
“Then again, I suppose I could be 30.”
“And why is a man of 30 behaving like a fool?”
“I didn’t ask for these years—they were forced upon me. Please don’t expect too much.”
The Baroness let out a long sigh, unsure whether Iruel’s answer was clever or insolent.
Rufus has brought back quite the oddity, she thought, returning her attention to the letter.
As she continued reading, her expression darkened.
“What’s the matter?”
Noticing the change in her demeanor, the butler stepped closer, but the Baroness flicked her fingers lightly. In response, a small flame ignited and consumed the letter in an instant.
“Baroness, what are you—”
“Butler, escort Sir Iruel to the guest room.”
With that curt order, the Baroness briskly turned and left, her face stiff with tension.
“Sir Iruel, we’ll see you at dinner,” she said before disappearing into the manor. The letter’s ashes scattered in the wind.
Left standing there, Iruel blinked in confusion.
What the heck was in that letter?
But no one was left to answer his question.
