Chapter 7
Andrew and Tom had treated me as a pawn in their game.
Since they decided to use me as a piece on their board, they'd better be ready for this pawn to strike back.
The Misty Hall was where fortunes vanished, desires ran wild, and every pleasure was for sale.
It was the most luxurious and mysterious spot in all of Meirabonds.
Rumor had it the owner had ties to the highest circles.
Whether a person was a noble or just a common man, as long as they had the cash, they could get whatever they wanted there, including fine wine, gorgeous women, and even the juiciest secrets.
I changed out of my military uniform.
Instead, I put on a white silk robe, pulling my hair back with an emerald hairpin.
With a folding fan in hand, I looked every bit the charming young playboy.
But in the mirror, my features were refined. No matter how hard I tried, that dangerous edge in my eyes just wouldn't fade.
I spent a long time practicing in front of the mirror.
Eventually, I managed to soften my gaze, giving myself a cocky, carefree vibe like some spoiled rich kid.
Ernest followed behind me, acting as my attendant.
He was barely holding back laughter, his face all twisted up from trying not to crack up.
"General, this look..." he started, unable to hide his amusement.
"Shut up," I cut him off.
I shot him a cold glare.
He immediately clammed up.
Outside the Misty Hall, traffic and crowds jammed the street, the noise almost deafening.
The air was heavy with the mix of perfume and booze.
I frowned, feeling uncomfortable.
This place felt even more oppressive than the corpse heaps in Firen.
A mature beauty, decked out in flashy clothes, sashayed over with her hips swaying.
This was Belinda Field, the owner of the Misty Hall.
Her eyes were downright predatory, raking over me from head to toe.
She said with a sly grin, "Well, aren't you a fresh face, mister.
"Is this your first time at the Misty Hall?"
I didn't say a word, just handed over the emerald pendant Andrew had given me.
When Belinda saw the pendant, her smile instantly froze.
Her demeanor turned respectful, even a bit fearful.
"A distinguished guest," she said, her tone shifting instantly.
She personally led the way, her attitude completely changed.
"This way, Sir," she said, her voice full of flattery.
She led me into a quiet VIP suite and sent everyone else away.
"How may I assist you, mister?" she asked, her tone respectful, almost nervous.
Her posture was almost humble.
Andrew's emerald pendant is no joke around here.
"I want to see Lizzie," I cut right to the chase.
No small talk, just straight to business.
Belinda's expression flickered.
She replied, "Unfortunately, sir, Lizzie isn't feeling well today. She's not seeing anyone."
"Really?" I cocked an eyebrow, my voice laced with suspicion.
I tapped the table lightly, each knock deliberate and loaded.
"Is she really under the weather, or is there something else on her mind?" I pressed, my words cutting straight through.
My eyes narrowed, sharp as blades.
Belinda shrank back under my gaze, her eyes flickering nervously, unable to meet mine.
"Oh, surely you're just teasing, honored guest..." Belinda tried to play it off, her smile a little forced.
"I'm dead serious," I interrupted, my voice going cold as ice.
I demanded, "Take me to her.
"Otherwise, I can't promise the Misty Hall will still be open tomorrow."
My words carried an unmistakable menace.
Belinda's face drained of all color.
She knew that anyone who could produce that emerald pendant had the clout to make good on their threats.
She wrestled with the decision for what felt like ages.
In the end, she gritted her teeth and relented.
She said, "This way, esteemed guest.
"There's something I should mention, though I'm not sure if it's my place..."
"Go ahead," I replied, not giving her much choice.
She explained quietly, "Ever since Lord Ferdinand's accident, Lizzie's locked herself in her room and won't see anyone.
"Her temperament's gotten a bit... odd.
"If she ends up offending you, please be understanding."
I nodded.
I followed her through a few winding corridors until we reached a standalone loft in the back courtyard.
Back here, it was so quiet it felt like a whole different world compared to the noisy chaos out front.
The yard was full of crabapple trees, but since it wasn't blooming season yet, the place looked a little bleak.
Belinda stopped and nodded toward the door. "Lizzie is inside."
She didn't dare take another step closer.
She said, her voice dropping low, "You'll have to go in on your own, sir.
"And whatever you do, don't mention Lord Ferdinand."
With that warning, she hurried off, clearly eager to get away.
It was like she was escaping a great threat.
I pushed open the door to the suite.
A heavy medicinal scent washed over me as soon as I stepped inside.
The room was dim, with thick curtains drawn tight over the windows.
A woman in a simple white dress sat on a cushioned bench by the window.
She was facing away from me, her frame thin, her long black hair spilling down her back like a waterfall.
She didn't even turn when she heard the door open.
She just spoke, her voice soft and distant. "I told you, I'm not seeing anyone. Get out."
Her voice was hoarse, heavy with a kind of hopelessness that felt almost like death.
I stood my ground.
"Lizzie, I'm not here to listen to your woes. I'm here to save your life," I said, my voice cold and unyielding.
She finally reacted, giving a slight start before slowly turning to face me.
Her face was deathly pale, but still breathtakingly beautiful.
But her eyes were empty, like a stagnant pool.
She looked at me, her eyes filled with both surprise and doubt.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Who I am doesn't matter." I stepped closer, looking down at her from above. "What matters is that I know how Lord Ferdinand died.
"And I also know Tom's people will be coming for you soon.
"As for why they're coming, I think you know even better than I do."
Lizzie's eyes went wide with fear.
She started shaking, bone-deep terror making her whole body tremble.
"What do you want?" Lizzie asked, her voice barely steady.
"It's simple," I said, keeping my tone cool.
I dragged a chair over and sat down right in front of her.
I said, "Hand over whatever Lord Ferdinand left you.
"Then I'll get you out of Meirabonds.
"I'll make sure you survive."
She locked eyes with me, trying to figure out if I was telling the truth.
After a long pause, she let out a bitter smile, one that was more heartbreaking than tears.
She spat, her tone full of sarcasm, "He didn't leave me a damn thing. Just a pile of debt and a child I never asked for."
She gently touched her flat stomach, her eyes full of endless sadness.
I was stunned.
I couldn't believe that she was pregnant.
Andrew's information never mentioned this. It looked like things just got a lot more complicated.
Just then, I heard a faint commotion outside the loft, soft footsteps, then a couple of muffled grunts. Something was happening out there.
Ernest was supposed to be guarding the door. I knew that something had gone wrong.
My heart seized up.