Supreme Magus novel Chapter 1688

Marquis Beilin wore a black blazer over a white shirt, black pants, and brown shoes. _{freёwebnoѵel.com}

When Jirni entered the room, the Marquis couldn't believe that such a beautiful and frail-looking woman could be the fabled Constable Ernas.

Jirni wore a light pink day dress that covered her from head to toe, making her look like a young maiden and emphasizing her cheeks reddened from the crying.

His first instinct as a gentleman was to console her and offer to defend her honor against that brute of her husband, but there was too much at stake for Beilin to act like a mindless fool.

'Remember who she is and what she has done.' He thought while inviting Jirni to sit down.

"Lady Ernas, how nice of you to accept my invitation." Beilin gave her a deep bow to which she replied with a curtsy. "I must apologize for not coming to you earlier, but this is really a bad moment for Ruham. Between the famine and the investigation, I barely have the time to sleep."

"Please, stand tall, Marquis." Jirni shook her head, sniffling. "You have no reason to apologize. It's my fault for coming here uninvited and unannounced. I was so desperate to talk with Orion that I acted without thinking."

Then, before Beilin could even offer her a cup of tea, Jirni drowned him with her sob story and tears. She told him how painful it had been being kicked out of her house just for doing her duty, and how much she had suffered from being forbidden to see her children for months.

Like most men, the Marquis could face a trial as well as an armed opponent without batting an eye whereas he had no idea how to deal with a crying woman. At first, he suspected it was all a ruse to gain his sympathy.

Yet after ten minutes of sobs and hiccups the situation became awkward. The maid that brought the tea and the pastries didn't even bother hiding her disgust, assuming it was all his fault.

Every time that a member of the house staff heard those desperate wails, they would peek inside and get sent away by their master without an explanation, only making things worse.

'If she keeps up like this, my reputation will be ruined no matter what this damn investigation is about.' Beilin desperately tried to console Jirni, but to no avail.

He felt clumsy and helpless, almost forgetting about the reason why he had invited her.

Almost.

"I'm really sorry for your misfortunes, Lady Ernas. Why didn't you come to me first upon your arrival? I would be glad to mediate with your husband in your stead." He said.

'I don't care about your marriage, but I can't pass up on the opportunity to get close to Lord Ernas and understand what Manohar is investigating.' He actually thought.

"Because I didn't want to trouble you." Jirni delicately blew her nose in a handkerchief. "With my reputation as an Archon, people would have thought that you were under scrutiny from the Crown.

"I kept away from you until you invited me here to protect your good name. I also chose to stay in a hotel instead of asking the local nobles for hospitality because the same would happen to them. I'm cursed to be alone."

'Damn! That's exactly what I would have said if she asked me to stay here.' The Marquis thought. 'Now, however, if I send her away after the scene she made in front of my servants and the consideration she has shown to me, people will think that I have something to hide.'

"Thank you for your kindness and for offering me a friendly ear." Jirni stood up, giving him a deep bow. "Now, I'd better leave. I already bothered you for too long and I can't wait to meet my daughters."

"Daughters?" Beilin echoed in confusion.

'Too late to worry about that now, damn you.' He thought.