CH 191

Meal Service (2)

How many hours did he wait? He couldn’t even tell if the sun had risen because the curtains were so tight on the windows. Even the flickering candles in the silence sounded like noise. Shylock checked his pocket watch.

It had been three hours since he arrived in Cadis. Now, it was more like a luncheon than breakfast. As Shylock put the pocket watch in, the door swung open behind his back.

The sunlight that had stayed in the hallway broke through the darkness.

Shylock got up from his chair and turned back. He was quick and polite.

As soon as he confirmed the culprit who kept him waiting, his breath stopped suddenly. After his head tilted and froze for a while, Valks standing behind him opened his eyes.

“Greetings to the lord. Sir Isles.”

A low, eerie voice crept into his frozen ears as he gripped the handle of the staff, “Be respectful, Valks. Since… He is my father-in-law.”

It was a deep, low-pitched sound like the throb of a boat in the vast ocean.

Shylock felt like a victor in the face of a true predator. The man backlit by the morning sun had an impeccable figure. Even though the shadows were cast, his features were clear. His eyes, nose, and lips were sculpted with sharp lines.

Especially the eyes. As if a beast that hid in the wild illuminated eyes.

Shylock woke up belatedly and bent his back. “The Lord of the Great Territory of Arcadia. I greet you, Duke Vladimir de Winter.”

Vlad gave a message to Valks with a gesture. The door closed and he slowly sat down at the edge of the table.

Before long, the maids put down the aperitifs and appetizers in front of the two of them respectively, and disappeared. The appetizer was a mushroom dish, thinly sliced

and sprinkled with herbs.

Vlad, who was seated at the head of the table, leaned leisurely on his chair.

“They are new. They have never served a meal before.”

“…You may not be comfortable with an unannounced visit, but I can only be thankful for such hospitality even on a sudden visit, Lord.”

“Call me your son-in-law comfortably.”

“…” Shylock’s mind was busy. He couldn’t quite figure it out.

Trying to start a conversation with the position of a father-in-law and a son-in-law.

It was not a favorable start for the duke to talk about his son’s death. If so, it was clear that he was going to bring up the Isles story.

After all, the purpose of the duke was clear at the Isles. After reading the number, Shylock carefully calmed his emotions.

“Son-in-law… First of all, I would like to apologize on behalf of my second son and his younger brother for the rudeness committed. It is a pity that you have shown generous mercy to the heirs of a poor merchant.”

“…”

“You have my daughter. I am also always grateful for your willingness to show mercy and propose to a child who is lacking and needy.”

Tristan’s crimes were exchanged for information on the distribution of the mines. Because he wanted her, he gave them his daughter.

Instead of speaking, Shylock took a bite of the appetizer at the pouring of silent commands. It was the same with Vlad. The two put the dishes down almost at the same time.

“A father-in-law’s love for his children exceeds my expectations.” Vlad leaned back against the back of the chair like a yawning beast. “When you say you’re going to tell me how to save your child, it’s to the point of throwing everything away and running away from her.”

Shylock flinched slightly. It was a bluntness that exceeded his expectations.

The maids cleared the plates and brought out a shiny white fish steak. The smell of oil filled the room.

Vlad raised his dining knife. It was not a posture for cutting food. He gripped it with the blade facing down, like stabbing a man. “It is desirable. Me too… I really value family.  More than anything I have.” With his eyes fixed on Shylock, he thrust the tip of his knife into the flesh of the fish. “How well do you know the criminal law of my territory?”

It wasn’t an easy conversation for Shylock, who ran a huge brothel. However, he was skilled enough to carry on the conversation with a casual face, as others would say.

Shylock also raised his fork and knife, the sharp tines of the fork piercing the fish gently. “I know that those who hang on the wall are pimps and rapists. Isn’t that a decree that pertains to Arcadia territory residents?”

“There is one more.” Vlad slowly thrust his knife into the fish. The tip of the knife that went down slowly touched the plate. “Parents who abuse their children are also hanging around the wall. I… I hate those types of people.”

There was a popping sound from his plate, and then suddenly, a single crack split the ceramic into two.

Vlad pushed the knife in deeper.

“Shylock Isles. What do you think?”

“…”

“About your sins.”

Vlad took his hand off the knife. A knife that cut through the fish and the plate and pierced the table reflected the flickering candle.

It was no longer cold. It was a sign of victory affixed to the enemy’s body.