RDR: No Regrets - Chapter 282: Before the Ceremony (Patreon)

“Dutch, I have to say, you really look the part dressed like that.”

Inside the mayor’s office in Rhodes, Javier watched Dutch turn this way and that in front of a large full-length mirror.

Dutch was admiring his impeccable new outfit, one fit for the mayor of Rhodes.

The fitted black suit was crisp and perfectly tailored, made from fine handcrafted fabric that felt exceptionally smooth to the touch.

Underneath was a red leather vest, its rich color lending an air of elegance and distinction. Even the hat on his head had been carefully chosen.

As for his shoes, there was even less to say. Alligator leather, entirely handmade, the kind of footwear that practically announced a man’s status.

One glance was enough to tell that the outfit hadn’t come cheap.

Dutch himself looked just as impressive. Radiant and brimming with energy, he resembled a young man preparing for his wedding night.

Dutch felt as though he had finally reached the peak of his life.

And why wouldn’t he?

He had led a motley crew across the West for years, doing whatever pleased him along the way. Now, as he grew older, a bit of clever maneuvering had landed him the position of mayor without much trouble at all.

What did that prove?

That was Dutch’s ability, plain and simple!

There were still two hours before the ceremony began, yet he could already hear the crowd cheering outside.

Everything felt wonderful, so wonderful that Dutch was practically floating.

At that moment, everything looked good to him. Even the police uniforms he had always found unpleasant to look at suddenly seemed rather handsome.

“You know, Dutch went through a lot for that outfit.”

Bill sat nearby, tugging at his collar as he chuckled. “He went through seven or eight tailors and spent a small fortune before he finally got it made.”

Bill was dressed in a police uniform. Once the ceremony began, he would stand beside the podium and guard Dutch.

Dutch didn’t expect anything to go wrong, but security precautions were still necessary.

Javier, dressed in a simple suit beside him, was nowhere near as relaxed.

He frowned. “Dutch, there are too many people coming today. We should be careful.”

“Relax. Nothing here can threaten us.”

Dutch held a small tin of pomade and worked some into his hair as he spoke.

“John and the others are handling security around the perimeter. I trust them completely.”

“What, do you think John is going to assassinate me? Shoot me like Lincoln?”

Dutch laughed at his own joke.

How could that possibly happen?

John was like a son to him. Dutch was certain the man would sooner put a bullet in himself than ever turn his gun on him.

Bill laughed as well, and even Javier, who had raised the concern in the first place, struggled not to smile.

Right. John would never do something like that.

“Ahem...”

Javier coughed twice and forced himself to look serious again.

Then he looked at Dutch and Bill.

“Still, it’s better to be careful. I have a feeling the Braithwaite family won’t give up that easily.”

“I’ll go check on John and see how their preparations are coming along.”

“Go ahead, my brother.”

Dutch walked over to Javier and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard, my friend.”

Looking at Dutch’s earnest expression, Javier felt warmth rise in his chest.

This was Dutch.

This was the Dutch he had pledged his loyalty to.

“It’s what I should do, sir.”

...

“Hey! Lenny, where did Dutch assign you?”

Sean called out to Lenny, who was sitting in a chair with one leg bouncing nervously.

“Dutch put me on patrol. Guess that makes me a mounted officer now.”

He stepped in front of Lenny, dramatically drew the pistol from his holster, and pulled an exaggerated expression.

“Watch yourself, kid. You’d better never end up on the wrong side of me!”

Then he immediately struck a shooting pose.

“Otherwise, I’ll show you just how cruel I can be!”

“You’re such a clown...”

Lenny covered his face in exasperation as he watched Sean perform like he was onstage.

The man always managed to turn everything into some ridiculous joke.

Truthfully, Lenny sometimes envied Sean for being like that.

At least Sean wasn’t nervous.

“Enough, Sean.”

A stern voice came from behind him.

Sean didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.

“Ohhh, enough, Sean...”

Sean repeated the words in an exaggerated imitation, then swayed around to face John, who was glaring at him.

“Hey, sir. Want me to give those scars on your face a little care?”

“I’ll take real good care of them, just like you take care of your little friend every day.”

He was getting more carried away with every word.

John had no interest in indulging him. He simply planted a hand on Sean’s face and shoved him aside.

“Is everyone ready?”

John’s expression remained stern.

“We’re in charge of security. Nothing can go wrong.”

John was dressed in a crisp sheriff’s uniform, and surprisingly enough, he really did look the part.

Sean could barely stand the sight of it. He wanted nothing more than to tear the uniform off John and put it on himself.

Still, he knew John had no patience for that kind of nonsense.

A little teasing, though, was another matter.

Sean immediately hopped to attention, stood ramrod straight, and gave John an atrocious salute.

“Don’t worry, Sheriff John! Mounted Officer Sean won’t let a single wolf into town!”

Looking at Sean’s infuriating face, John suddenly found his palm itching.

“All right. The ceremony starts in two hours. Get yourselves ready.”

John pulled out his pocket watch, checked the time, then turned and left the room.

“Look at him, Lenny. Just look. Our Mr. John Marston already carries himself like a proper sheriff.”

Sean immediately went back to running his mouth.

Lenny knew he didn’t actually have anything against John.

It wasn’t personal.

Sean treated everyone exactly the same.

Anyone who got within range of his mouth was bound to get mocked sooner or later.

“Knock, knock, knock!”

Just as Sean was in the middle of tormenting Lenny again, someone knocked on the door.

Lenny reacted as though he had been granted a pardon and hurried over to open it.

Standing outside was Sean’s friend, Mr. Chet Gray.

He was carrying two bottles of wine.

“Hey, buddy! What brings you here? And what have you got there?”

The moment Sean saw Chet, he decided to spare Lenny for the time being.

“This is from my family’s private collection. It’s been stored away for several years. I was planning to open it when the banquet starts.”

Chet smiled and set the bottles on a nearby cabinet.

“Looks like tonight’s banquet is going to be quite something, doesn’t it?”

“Of course!”

Sean grinned, picked up one of the bottles, then let out a surprised gasp.

“My God! Isn’t this that... what was the name again? How do you even pronounce it? Anyway, it’s one of those really expensive ones, right?”

“Uh... my father left it to me. I don’t really know either.”

Chet suddenly seemed a little flustered and quickly took the bottle back from Sean.

“Do... do you guys want to try some?”