Chapter 491: Please Tell Me the Truth
Chapter 491: Please Tell Me the Truth
Arnell's mind raced. So the person pulling the strings behind the scenes had completely eclipsed the Godana family in Batiatus's eyes—to the point where he'd defy the Godanas for this person's plan. It sounded strange, but Arnell knew it couldn't be simple friendship. More likely, this person had promised the Kendya family enough profit afterward to make Batiatus willing to sacrifice his own niece—Lady Mallory—by marrying her off to Noah Ditch.
Lady Mallory's voice cut through the night like a velvet-wrapped dagger.
"Accept!?" Mallory's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, but it felt more like a carefully measured ingredient than genuine loss of control.
"Do you have any idea what I risked just to see you tonight? And you're telling me to 'accept'... Thaddeus, hearing that word from your mouth is absolutely heartbreaking!"
She stepped forward, moonlight illuminating her furrowed brow and the deliberately gathered moisture in her eyes. "Have you forgotten the letter you wrote me two months ago? You said you'd soon ask my father for permission to marry me. You said Uncle himself told you how perfectly matched we were, that he'd already given his tacit approval to our... future. That's why I was so excited about our wedding. And now?"
Her voice suddenly rose, accusatory. "Now you're telling me that for the family's greater interests, I have to marry Noah Ditch—that coward who got knocked down by some woman, a prisoner locked up for over twenty years! In three weeks! I'm supposed to be shipped off like cargo, and even go with him to a dangerous place like Zotfort!"
"Do you even realize that Noah Ditch has Burns family blood, but I don't? Everyone will know what it means when I become his new bride! How could you... how could you all sacrifice my life!"
Thaddeus sucked in a sharp breath, as if struck in a vital spot.
"Mallory, don't do this!"
Mallory wriggled free from Thaddeus's embrace like an abandoned kitten. He tried to grab her arm, but she shook him off lightly. "You know some decisions can't be changed once they're made. I—"
"I don't know!"
Mallory cut him off, her voice suddenly shrill before immediately dropping to a wounded whisper. "I just want to know—what kind of profit made Uncle change his mind? What irrefusable terms did your master offer him that he'd betray the promise he made to my mother and push me into a dangerous place like Zotfort?"
"Why does it have to be me doing this! Who is your master working for... oh right, that young lady in the mask. Your master is her father, isn't he?" She stared into Thaddeus's eyes, pressing forward. "I heard you arguing today. Her father specifically sent you to watch her, to keep her from making some unforgivable mistake, while also getting me to gather information for you... Ha! That's your most respected master. He's the one sacrificing my happiness, and you're willing to sacrifice me for him too. Is that it, Thaddeus?"
"Who is he, that you'd follow him like this?"
Her question sounded like a heartbroken girl seeking answers, but to Arnell's ears underwater, every word was digging for the truth—who was this mysterious person, and what exactly were they trying to accomplish?
Thaddeus, cornered by Mallory's gaze, retreated half a step. Struggle and pain flickered across his face before hardening into resolve.
"I'm sorry, Mallory, I... I can't say. That's my master's secret!"
"And this whole plan is a gamble, Mallory. The less you know, the better—it's safer for you that way."
"A gamble?"
Mallory let out a short, desolate laugh. "Gambling with my marriage? For what? You actually have the nerve to say it's 'for my own good.'"
"Just admit it, Thaddeus. You never really loved me. You've just been using me all along to help your master, haven't you?"
"No!"
Thaddeus blurted out, immediately realizing his slip. But seeing Mallory's grief-stricken face, his last shred of rationality crumbled.
"If I died right in front of you, would you finally change your plan? Or would you just find another pathetic girl to complete your mission?"
"No, don't be foolish!" Thaddeus panicked. He pulled the retreating Mallory into his arms and, gritting his teeth, said, "It's to keep Zotfort suspicious of the Soth Empire."
"...What?" Mallory's eyes widened in disbelief. "How does that benefit them?"
Thaddeus lowered his voice with the agitation of someone revealing secrets. "On the surface, it doesn't seem to. But darling, you're officially a noble lady of the Soth Empire. Isn't it strange that you'd marry Noah Ditch right before he returns to Zotfort?"
Mallory nodded, her confusion perfectly calibrated to make Thaddeus feel both helpless and heartbroken.
"Exactly. That's precisely why my master needs to place a trustworthy woman by Noah Ditch's side—someone who can hold her ground even under pressure and questioning from the Burns family. In the end, they chose you."
A bitter taste filled Thaddeus's mouth. He couldn't tell if it was from heartache or something else. "You see, Zotfort's crown prince is a war hawk. The border peace treaty has been deliberately stalled by the war faction. In fact, some of my master's people have infiltrated them too, specifically to prevent Zotfort and the Soth Empire from achieving peace."
"But why!" Mallory didn't understand. "Wouldn't peace between the two countries bring greater profits to Killiad City through stable border trade? Even if Uncle doesn't get it, surely Tadvi Skyway understands? She's been cooperating with people from Zotfort!"
"That's different. Short-term profits versus more land, even titles—those bring completely different benefits."
Thaddeus clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his expression from becoming too twisted.
He'd said it. He'd actually said it!
But faced with Mallory's desperate eyes, Thaddeus simply couldn't continue deceiving her—couldn't refuse her!
"I don't quite understand. Even if Zotfort and the Soth Empire don't sign a permanent peace treaty, once trade routes open, Killiad City as a border city should still benefit more than other cities no matter what!"