As dusk set in, the surroundings became dim, and Edgar ran past without noticing Lydia, who was hidden in the shadows of the white flowering quinces.
Even after he left, Lydia remained crouched there for some time.
When she returned from the Fairy Market which was still brightly lit by sunlight, it had already become dusk in the human world. From Kelpie’s back, Lydia watched the lights being lit up in the garden, the greenhouse and by windows of the hall.
The lights were extremely magical, as they lit up the surroundings by glowing bit by bit, similar to the lights of the fairies which were flying about each other in the Fairy Market.
As she enjoyed the view for some time from the mansion’s rooftop, Lydia then descended to the ground with Kelpie, and she soon discovered Edgar’s figure.
As he was in a room which wasn’t lit up at all, Lydia wondered what he could have been doing at such a place. Then, she approached the window together with Kelpie, and was shocked.
Because Claire was there, and both she and Edgar were gazing into each other’s eyes.
Lydia couldn’t hear what their conversation was about. Only that, Lydia was deeply shocked at seeing Edgar being the one to move in to embrace Claire.
And now, Lydia thought as she continued to crouch low and hide.
There must be a reason for that. He may simply have been comforting Claire.
To begin with, I wonder why Claire is here. Edgar’s att.i.tude towards her the other day had been cold.
She can’t still be thinking of wanting to be employed, and since Lydia was still being misunderstood by Claire, Lydia did not feel that Claire had come specially to congratulate her.
Rather than that, as a fellow woman, Lydia had somehow sensed it. That Claire’s eyes as she looked at Edgar, were those of a woman in love.
Could it be that Claire had known Edgar in the past?
Her approaching Lydia, as well as how she desperately appeared to want to be Lydia’s lady attendant, could be because she wanted to stay by Edgar’s side, and that may be why Edgar wanted to keep Claire away.
But if so, why did they look at each other like lovers in that way?
Confused, Lydia shook her head.
How can I be disturbed by such a thing even though we’re married?
There was an exasperating number of girls who had fallen for Edgar. Even so, because he had chosen Lydia, Lydia could simply stay resolute regardless of how many of them came forth.
Although she tried to stand up with pride, her self-confidence did not well up easily.
Suddenly, Lydia felt afraid of facing Edgar.
He would definitely explain what it was about. But Lydia wondered if she would be able to accept his explanation.
What if I can’t accept it? Can I spend the night with him while carrying such uncertain feelings?
He was the one, who had reached out towards Claire. He had the same smile on his face as the one he showed Lydia.
As she was reminded of that scene, even if she was facing him and he smiled at her in the same manner, she would definitely feel unhappy.
“… What should I do? There’s definitely no way I can do this.”
To sleep together in the same room while I’m still feeling this way…
Not knowing whether her face was turning red or pale, Lydia muttered as she placed her hands against her cheeks.
(What’s the matter? Bride of the Blue Knight Earl.)
She heard a voice from the depths of the bushes.
When Lydia peered in carefully, she saw five small grannies seated on the stone wall of the flower bed.
“Grannies…”
(It’s great that the wedding proceeded peacefully.)
(We were worried because the “something blue” you had didn’t have magic cast on it.)
(That contrarian fairy is still waiting patiently for her chance at the church.)
“Eh, is that so? Isn’t it better to inform her that the ceremony has already ended …?”
(She’ll probably realize it sooner or later. Just leave her be.)
“Isn’t that quite pitiful?”
(This happens all the time.)
The five grannies shrugged their shoulders.
(Well then, it’s about time for us to return.)
“Grannies, thank you.”
Lydia stretched her hand out towards the five fairies. As they exchanged handshakes, Lydia noticed that their large hands were incompatible with their child-like bodies and even though their hands were hard and full of blisters from continuously spinning flax, their hands were extremely warm.
(Are you sure you don’t need magic for your first night?)
Habetrot turned back.
“Eh, yes…”
As she forced a smile and was about to shake her head, she hesitated suddenly.
“Erm, hey, with that magic, I wonder if I will not feel like running away...?”
(That’s the sort of magic for innocent girls.)
(You will want to jump into the groom’s arms willingly.)
If so, I wonder if the unpleasant feelings I have now will disappear.
I do not want to quarrel with Edgar on our wedding day.
Furthermore, if Lydia were to refuse him tonight, even he will definitely not be able to stay calm about it.
Things were different now. Because Lydia was already his wife.
“… As I thought, could you please cast the magic on me?”
(You’ve finally come round to it.)
The grannies laughed together.
One of them held out her spindle in front of Lydia and spoke.
(Put your hand out.)
When she did as she was told, the tip of the spindle poked Lydia’s fingertips. The spindle appeared to glow in gold for an instant, but Lydia did not feel pain or anything.
(This will stay effective until tomorrow morning.)
(Well then, have a pleasant night.)
After saying that, the grannies disappeared together.
“I wonder if the magic will work with this.”
She did not feel as if anything was out of place, nor did her depressed feelings vanish.
She also did not feel like returning to the mansion where the banquet still continued.
In the end, Lydia returned to her office.
That was the place where she felt she belonged to more than any other place in the mansion.
But, she noticed the figure of a person standing by the window side in the dim room.
At the window side which was brighter than anything else inside the room, the blonde hair clearly stood out. The white jacket also caused the figure to stand out and when the quiet eyes captured Lydia in its sight, Lydia even felt an ache in her heart.
“I’ve been searching for you. I thought that you’d come here.”
“Edgar…”
“Lydia, please don’t run away and hear me out.”
Although she was filled with feelings of wanting to run away, Lydia endured it barely.
I wonder if the magic is working at all.
“Actually, Slade is being framed by somebody and is detained by the police.”
Edgar’s words were unexpected. Lydia, who thought that Edgar was sure to say that there was nothing going on between him and Claire, was so surprised that she turned her face towards Edgar.
“At this rate, the police may get involved with the guild “Scarlet Moon”. When I investigated into who had devised this plot, somehow an aristocrat by the name of Sir Bourton seems to be involved, but his family had been murdered. And the one who had worked at the Bourton family is Claire. Although it seems like she had been made use of unknowingly, she is frightened because she came to realize something important about the organization behind this.”
“Did Claire come asking for help? Since she had liked you from before, that must be it.”
“I did know her from before, but that’s all there is to it.”
“… Because she was frightened, you comforted her right?”
As he furrowed his brows with a troubled expression, Edgar combed his hair back.
“That’s not it. The reason why the organization in question made Claire approach me, was because they knew that I was close to Slade and Scarlet Moon, so they must have wanted to probe into it. That’s why I thought I would be able to turn the tables on them and find out about them from Claire instead.”
“Then… You mean that you pretended to help her but was in fact courting her only to make use of her?”
Ahhh, why is this person like this?
Lydia snapped due to disappointment and rage.
“Lydia, I wasn’t seriously courting her.”
“That’s worse! You got her into a good mood only to make use of her, so in the end you’re just hurting her.”
The magic really isn’t working. With her distrust towards him growing stronger, even the magic that she went through the trouble to get casted might vanish.
“The ones behind Claire are the lot who murdered the wife and children of Sir Bourton. It’ll be too late if anything were to happen to you.”
With large strides Edgar walked towards Lydia, and he soon came right in front of Lydia and looked into her eyes.
“Lydia, if it’s to protect you, I’ll use any means necessary.”
The moment his hands touched her cheeks, Lydia felt dizzy as her surroundings spun around her.
For an instant her vision turned dark and by the time she caught herself, she had already wrapped her arms around Edgar’s neck.
“Do you like me that much?”
Huh, wwait a minute, what am I saying!
Even though on one hand she was completely confused by the words which had blurted out from her own mouth, on the other hand Lydia pressed her body against Edgar even more.
“Lydia…? Are you not angry anymore?”
No, this was because Edgar had pulled me towards him in an embrace. What’s going on? Although she struggled against it, Edgar did not seem to feel any resistance.
“Of course, I love you.”
As her ear was gently nibbled, she let out a scream in her mind. But she wasn’t able to release her arms which were wrapped around him.
“N… No!”
Finally, she pushed him away with all her might. As Lydia breathed deeply such that her shoulders were rising, she desperately tried to figure out what had happened.
However, Edgar stretched his hands out towards her again.
“As I thought, are you still angry? But to me, you are the only one I think of at any time. Because it’s not possible for me to feel any inclination towards any other woman, please cheer up.”
The moment she was touched, Lydia was not able to act as she wanted to.
“…Fine. Then do what you can to cheer me up.”
Just as she thought that she had clung onto him again, she had lifted her face and closed her eyes. Lydia panicked inside her heart at her own actions.
What’s this? …Is this because of the magic?
No, I still haven’t come to terms with anything.
Although based on Edgar’s reasoning, it was natural to court Claire just to make use of her, but as a girl, it bothered Lydia.
Looking at Claire’s expression, she was completely infatuated with Edgar. Yet for him, even if he did not have the slightest inclination, he was still able to behave with consideration to Claire as if it was no big deal.
Lydia knew that it was Edgar’s way to use any means necessary, and she also understood that this time it seemed like it involved something dangerous.
Because Edgar had been robbed of everything in the past, from now on he would want protect what he has firmly. Both Slade and Scarlet Moon had become things that Edgar cannot forsake. She understood those feelings of his.
But Lydia hoped that, even if it was just a little, he would stay as a gentleman until the very last moment when he had no choice but to turn into a strategist without blood and tears.
Although Lydia was finally able to turn her face away with great effort right before she was about to be kissed, Edgar wrapped his arms around her waist.
Lydia had to fight desperately against the impulse to embrace him.
But as she desperately fought against that impulse, she couldn’t stop her mouth from speaking.
“…I’m feeling somewhat hot.”
“I see. Shall I undo your b.u.t.tons?”
It was his usual half-joking tone. Yet Lydia replied ‘Yes’ in a mixture of breathlessness.
Although Edgar looked slightly surprised, he soon smiled and planted a kiss on Lydia’s forehead.
“Shall we go to the bedroom?”
She panicked.
Why did things turn out this way?
No, no matter how one thought about it, Lydia was the one who was seducing him. As it got hotter and hotter, Lydia, who had lost her cool, nodded.
“Erm… wait a moment…”
Although she was finally able to voice out her own words, because it turned out to be a shallow and high-pitched voice, it may had gotten Edgar more into the mood.
“It’ll be fine. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Even if you smiled at me in such a refres.h.i.+ng manner.
“Th-that’s not it…”
When she tried to speak properly, her arms clung onto him by themselves.
“Here is fine.”
As she panicked and exerted strength to pull her arms away from him, her mouth blurted out those words before she knew it.
“Here?”
Lydia wondered if Edgar could have finally found it odd. But he simply laid Lydia down on the sofa in a manner as if he had been used to doing so.
“To think that you had also been holding yourself back that much.”
Th-That obviously can’t be the case can’t it!?
“So I wasn’t the only one who wanted to be bonded to each other quickly. If so, it would’ve been better if we had concluded the banquet earlier.”
I said that’s not it!
I don’t want things to be like this. Even though she thought that, there was nothing she could do.
She wasn’t able to exert any strength in her body, and she could only look at him pa.s.sionately with moist eyes.
But Edgar suddenly appeared calm.
“Lydia, are you drunk?”
He frowned as he looked down towards Lydia from above.
“As I thought, this isn’t like you.”
The moment his hands left her even a little, Lydia regained her freedom.
After she hurriedly sat up, she retreated to the end of the sofa to distance herself from Edgar.
“Th-This is because of magic!”
“Magic?”
“Please, don’t touch me now. It seems like the magic will activate when I am touched.”
Edgar looked at Lydia with an expression of complete bewilderment, buried his fingers in his blonde hair and sighed.
“Why, did you resort to that sort of magic?”
“That’s because … the spinstress fairies said it was magic for the bride. So that, I will not feel like running away tonight…”
“Do you mean that if it wasn’t for the magic you would’ve wanted to run away?”
As one would expect, it was a sullen tone.
“Well, it’s because of you and Claire! And so, I was shaken and ended up asking the fairies for help!”
“Am I that untrustworthy?”
“I saw you pulling her towards you in an embrace. … It can’t be helped that I don’t know what to think of it isn’t it?”
“It’d be good if you did not hide and heard me out.”
“Even if I heard you out, I won’t be able to accept it.”
“Why…”
Edgar had spoken halfway when the windows suddenly opened, and Kelpie stood in front of the both of them who were each on the separate ends of the sofa.
“So both the Earl and Lydia are here huh. Aren’t you guys going to the Fairy Market?”
Lydia kept quiet as she averted her eyes away from Edgar. Exasperated, Kelpie looked at both Lydia and Edgar in turn.
“What, so you guys are quarreling? As I thought, Lydia, do you want to quit your marriage with this guy?”
As he said that, the moment Kelpie placed his hand on Lydia’s shoulder, Lydia felt dizzy.
By the time she thought “Ah-“, she had already clung onto Kelpie in an embrace.
“Lydia?”
Edgar raised his voice.
“Kelpie, what are you doing? Let go of Lydia!”
“It’s not me. Lydia’s the one who is clinging on to me and won’t let go.”
“Don’t be absurd.”
When Edgar tried to grab Lydia, Kelpie escaped while still carrying Lydia in his arms.
“Is that so Lydia? You finally understood that I’m so much better compared to this guy?”
“Raven, pull Lydia away from that guy!”
Edgar ordered Raven, who happened to open the door.
Raven, who quickly went towards Kelpie, tried to pull Lydia’s arm in order to act as Edgar ordered.
Immediately, Lydia embraced Raven.
Perhaps because he was shocked at what happened all of a sudden, Raven staggered. Although he somehow managed to hold on to Lydia anew and support her, he froze and was unable to move because of her pa.s.sionate embrace.
“Lydia… why did you cling onto that guy?”
Kelpie raised his voice perplexedly.
“Lady Lydia, please let go of your hands.”
Raven said that and looked towards Edgar for help. But Edgar was also dumbfounded.
“Raven, don’t move. Do not let Kelpie touch Lydia.”
Raven moved backwards in order to distance Lydia away from Kelpie while still being frozen.
Irritated, Kelpie turned to face Edgar.
“What’s going on? You, what did you do to Lydia?”
“In any case, you need to disappear. Don’t get in our way.”
“What? That’s just weird. Lydia who is married to you is actually clinging on to me and that boy instead of you!”
“She clings onto me too.”
Edgar retorted defensively, but that was beside the point.
Things can’t go on like this.
Lydia desperately pulled her body away from Raven. When she was somehow able to succeed in that, she stumbled across the room and went to crouch in a corner.
“No one comes near me. Leave me alone until tomorrow morning!”
“That’s seems to be the only thing that can be done.”
Moving closer towards her, Edgar stopped while keeping a little distance from Lydia. He muttered while letting out a sigh.
“Since to the current you, it seems that so long as it’s a man, anyone will do.”
Those words which showed that Edgar was completely appalled, stabbed deeply into Lydia’s heart.
“‘Anyone will do’… That’s horrible! It’s the magic’s fault, it has nothing to do with my own volition.”
“Isn’t there something wrong with you thinking of relying on magic to begin with?”
Even though he had bent down to look at Lydia, he made it a point not to touch her.
“I wanted you to wish for it from your heart. That’s why I waited until we were married. Even though we finally got married, to think that you wanted to run away… You say that you intend to bear with it using magic because you can’t refuse me? I won’t be happy holding such a you in my arms.”
Biting her lips, Lydia held back her tears.
“You’re the one in the wrong!”
“Even if you’re that angry with me, you’ll still end up embracing me regardless of how you feel won’t you?”
He deliberately reached out for Lydia’s hand.
If I embraced him, he will probably be appalled and say “see?”
The moment she thought that, the tears which she had been holding back flowed out. At the same time, Lydia slapped his hand away.
Edgar was surprised, but was it because Lydia did not embrace him, or was it because tears were flowing down her cheeks?
“…You’re the only one, who I will definitely not embrace!”
Lydia stood up and ran out of the room.
“Lydia, wait!”
As if he regained his senses, Edgar ran after her. Even though he grabbed her arm, the magic still did not work.
Lydia herself was shocked and confused.
“Does this mean that you do not want to embrace me that much no matter what?”
Edgar also appeared to be shaken. But Lydia was too hurt to feel sorry towards him.
“You won’t be happy with it won’t you? If so isn’t this just fine!?”
“In any case, with regards to Claire, I did not betray you a single bit. For you not to hear me out and rely on magic over such a meaningless misunderstanding …”
To Edgar, courting someone for the purpose of making use of them is probably not something that falls within the scope of unfaithfulness that Lydia needed to be jealous over.
But hearing that, Lydia only felt even more depressed.
It’s not only because she wanted Edgar to stay as a gentleman.
It was probably because she remembered how she was like in the past.
During the times when she was unable to believe Edgar no matter how he courted her, she thought that if she believed him she would get hurt.
Even though now she does not think of his words as being spoken in jest, when she witnessed him being capable of courting other girls frivolously, her heart simply ached.
It could have been herself who had been hurt like Claire. Somewhere, Lydia felt that way.
“It’s not meaningless. What you did in order to cheat her, are you going to do that to me as well?”
Ahhh, I am also saying horrible things.
Even though she thought that, she was unable to come up with any excuses, and she felt Edgar loosen his grip.
Lydia, who had no choice but to run away again, saw Lota who was coming from the other direction and ran towards her.
“Lota!”
Because she no longer knew what to do, Lydia clung onto her close friend’s arm.
“What happened Lydia? Since you took so long, I came back. … Huh? Are you in a fight with Edgar already?”
As Lota looked in turn at Lydia and Edgar who ran after her, Lota placed her hands on her hips and glared at Edgar.
“Edgar, what did you do!? Don’t tell me that you suddenly a.s.saulted Lydia without any shred of consideration towards her.”
“That’s not a nice thing to say. I did invite her to the bedroom proper…”
“Edgar, don’t say it!”
Lydia shouted as she turned red.
“What? What’s going on?”
Lydia heard Edgar let out a sigh.
“Lota, in any case, can I leave Lydia with you? Just don’t let any man get near her.”
“Even you?”
“I… well it seems like Lydia hates me.”
That’s not it. But Lydia didn’t know what she should say.
Lydia lowered her gaze so that she did not have to see Edgar turning away and leaving.By the time the banquet which carried on endlessly was called a night, the guests which were thoroughly drunk returned home after being pushed onto their carriages by their servants one by one.
At such a time when the Ashenbert mansion had returned to its usual peace and quiet, Edgar was seated alone in his study, resting his chin in his hands with a disappointed expression.
“Ah—Ah, to think that the fairy magic was actually negated; you must have said something very horrible.”
When he turned his head towards the voice, Edgar saw Nico enter through the window and stood in front of him at his feet on two legs.
Nico then looked up towards Edgar with his arms crossed, in an admonis.h.i.+ng manner.
He probably heard about what had happened from Lydia.
“How’s Lydia?”
“Although she nearly embraced Paul when he came by earlier, Lota and I worked hard to prevent that from happening.”
“I see.”
As he thought, Edgar was the only one whom the magic wasn’t working on.
Come to think of it, Lydia was the one who asked for the magic to be cast on her. Even though she had misgivings towards him because of what happened with Claire, it was precisely because she had no hesitations about becoming husband and wife with Edgar that Lydia had chosen to use magic.
Edgar, who was disappointed over the fact that Lydia had resorted to magic, now regretted that he did not realize those feelings of Lydia’s then.
“When it comes to Lydia, somehow I just end up turning into simple and honest ten-year old youth.”
“Oi, you were only simple and honest up to the age of ten?”
“Since the magic was already in force, I should have just gone with the flow just now.”
Even if it was a little different from the usual Lydia, if he had let nature run its course, then perhaps the issue with Claire wouldn’t matter anymore.
“I’m surprised that nothing happened even though Lydia went after you that way.”
“But for me, I’d prefer it if Lydia was a little reluctant.”
“Are you a pervert?”
“No, I’ll welcome it fully if Lydia herself were to become enthusiastic about it. As I thought, I don’t want it if it’s not completely Lydia.”
“You’re surprisingly a romanticist.”
“Nico, I’m glad that you understand where I’m coming from.”
“If that’s the case you should’ve just said so. To say that ‘anyone will do’… you know that Lydia’s not that kind of girl don’t you?”
Edgar became depressed after being coolly scolded by Nico.
But, it was precisely because he was dealing with a cat, that he felt that it was alright to open up the pathetic feelings he had to Nico.
“I guess I was shocked to find out that I had to bear with it tonight. And I ended up venting my frustrations on Lydia.”
“You’re an exasperating fool.”
Today, Nico was wearing a tie that was different from usual. It wasn’t bad to be called names by a fas.h.i.+onable and gentlemanly fairy cat.
“Seriously, it’s as you said. On a separate topic, Nico, that’s a lovely tie you have on today.”
Nico, who was praised, puffed his chest out in a good mood. He narrowed his eyes happily as he stroked his whiskers.
“As I thought, Earl, you have good taste. Isn’t it lovely that it looks like a flying fish?”
“Yeah, it’s exactly like a flying fish.”
The term ‘flying fish’ must be some word to describe something wonderful in the fairy world.
As he looked at Nico who appeared more and more satisfied, Edgar thought to himself.
Nico had also become a member of the Earl family. That’s why he was being unusually cordial towards Edgar.
Edgar felt a little glad.
Today was a special day. Edgar had obtained something precious. It wasn’t only Lydia, but also the various things that she held.
The bonds with fairies, the sense of future happiness as well as the hope towards peaceful days and the future.
I want to treasure them.
This is no time to be in a fight.
“Well, since Lydia’s also stubborn, I know that it’s difficult for you too. But don’t let your guard down just because you’ve gotten married. Because Kelpie’s in a good mood.”
Edgar leaned his body forward as that was something he could not overlook.
“Kelpie? That horse, is he around Lydia again?”
That’s also something that sticks around Lydia. This was unpleasant to Edgar but there was nothing he could do.
“Yeah, because it seems like if he takes the form of a horse Lydia doesn’t get into a weird mood. And so Kelpie is having a field day bad mouthing you as much as he wants to.”
I don’t like this. But he is after all a horse. Since he can’t seduce Lydia using his true form, I guess in a way it’s better than a human male.
Even so Edgar couldn’t stay still and stood up from his chair.
“It’s probably about time that Lydia has calmed down enough to hear me out.”
“I wonder about that.”
Despite what Nico said, Edgar left the study.
“Kelpie, it’s fine for you to go back.”
Kelpie, who stayed in the room in the form of a horse, looked dissatisfied at Lydia who told him that.
“What? I need to keep a lookout to make sure that no man approaches you don’t I?”
In any case, Lydia had confined herself in one of the guest rooms.
Lota had just left to send Paul off. Now that she was alone with Kelpie, Lydia started to become bothered with herself over-relying on everyone.
“But I can’t be together with you so late into the night.”
“I’d been going in and out of your house at such hours hadn’t I?”
That’s right. Because Kelpie isn’t human. Because he was a fairy, even if it was a late visit, or that he had entered Lydia’s private room as he pleased, Lydia had allowed it. But from now onwards, things cannot be so.
“This is Edgar’s mansion. From now on, even if it’s my room you can’t enter as you please. Please understand.”
Lydia stretched out her hands and stroked Kelpie’s mane.
“Kelpie, thank you. I’ll take care not to let any man come near me. The guests have returned while Mr. Tomkins and Mrs. Herriot are keeping a lookout for me, so it’s fine.”
Even so, Kelpie turned his black pearl-like eyes towards Lydia worryingly.
“Has that pirate girl gone back too?”
“That’s right, it’s about time that Lota also …”
I can’t hold her back indefinitely either.
As she thought that, the door opened and Lota returned to the room.
“Lydia, Gramps sent someone to come for me, because I promised to return home proper today.”
Lydia stood up and walked towards Lota.
“That’s right, I’m sorry I kept you back for so long. I’m fine already.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Lydia tried to smile cheerfully as much as she could.
“I’m also thinking of having Kelpie go off soon.”
Lota nodded and hugged Lydia by her shoulder.
“Well, Edgar’s probably reflecting on himself now. Be sure to reconcile with him.”
“Yes, thank you, Lota.”
After sending Lota off, Lydia closed the door and told herself that she needed to pull herself together.
“Oi Lydia, are you sure you’re not pus.h.i.+ng yourself?”
Lydia turned around to face Kelpie while working hard to smile. Then, she was shocked and opened her eyes wide. Because unbeknownst to her, Kelpie had taken the form of a grown man.
“Ke-Kelpie, what are you doing!?”
If it was Kelpie in the form of a horse, Lydia could rest a.s.sured that even if he touched her it will be fine. Yet because he had suddenly taken the form of a human, Lydia stepped back.
But Kelpie ignored that and approached Lydia. He then grabbed her shoulder roughly.
“Sto…”
By the time she tried to finish saying ‘stop’, she had already embraced Kelpie.
“Lydia, I had thought that so long as you continue to smile, it can’t be helped if you got married. But that Earl made you feel lonely on such a day.”
“…Kelpie, you’re the only one, who would understand me so well like that.”
Wh-what am I saying!
Once again, her mouth was blurting out words on its own.
Even though he should know better, Kelpie held Lydia in his arms.
“Hey, why not you spend the night with me, even if it’s just for tonight. It’ll definitely feel good to sprint through the moonlit night endlessly.”
“That’s… right, that’ll be lovely.”
“Alright, it’s decided then.”
No, at this rate …
Lydia tried to exert strength throughout her body. But the fairy magic robbed her of the strength to resist.
To think that even though the magic was working so strongly, she still ended up rejecting Edgar. It was not because she hated him, but because she loved him more than anyone else.
That’s why she was afraid of being despised by him more and more. Because that was the only thing she could not bear, Lydia held on to her own will stronger than the magic towards him was.
Even if it was because of the magic, I can’t follow Kelpie. Lydia told herself that resolutely.
I definitely, can’t!
At once, Lydia raised her hand.
Kelpie, who was slapped, let go of Lydia. Lydia, seizing that chance and escaping, hurriedly ran towards the door.
“Kelpie, please don’t do things that go against my will…”
“But that Earl, he was talking about having kissed that woman from just now! That’s something that humans only do with someone special isn’t it? Doesn’t that make it a betrayal towards you!?”
A kiss? With Claire?
“Stop! I don’t want to hear such things!”
Lydia turned her back in order to run away, and slid out through the door.
“…Sorry then.”
As Lydia did not have it in her to take in those words of Kelpie"s, she ran out as she was shaken.
What did he mean by a kiss?
Does it mean that Edgar and Claire were not only acquaintances but had actually dated each other before?
If so, then he may not have only courted her just to make use of her?
Even if the part about there being a problem with Scarlet Moon was true, I wonder how much of Edgar’s earlier explanation was true.
I wonder if Claire really knew something and that it was related to the matter with Slade.
Suddenly, I feel like I can’t even believe in the most fundamental things.
Isn’t this a case of having a past lover intrude on this day?
When she thought about Edgar hiding his relation with Claire and speaking with Claire alone like lovers, Lydia became increasingly confused.
I want to go home.
Suddenly, such a feeling arose.
I can’t imagine having to stay by myself in this mansion like this.
Driven by anxiety, Lydia hurried her feet even more.
As she was about to run down the stairs, she was called to a halt by the housekeeper.
“Miss… ah, no, milady, Professor Carlton is leaving soon.”
Father.
I wonder if he will scold me if I tell him that I want to go home with him. But if I explain what happened to him…
“Father!”
As she ran into the entrance hall, her father, who had been pleasantly drunk, turned to face her with a smile.
“Lydia, I had just asked for you to come because I was thinking of leaving soon.”
“Yes, Father, I want to go back too…”
“Professor Carlton.”
Edgar’s voice erased Lydia’s words. Taken aback, Lydia fell silent.
Edgar, who had glanced at Lydia with a stern expression, probably realized what she had been about to say.
But immediately, he turned to face her father with a smile.
“No, I guess I should already be addressing you as Father? Thank you very much for staying around so late for the banquet.”
Appearing to have come to send her father off, Edgar stood beside her casually.
“Earl, even though I had been mentally prepared, it seems that I’ll become quite lonely from tonight onwards. I’ll leave Lydia in your care.”
Her father, who was not aware of what had happened, appeared happy even as he was moved to tears.
Even if it was to her own father, she should not be thinking of saying that she wants to leave with him. When Lydia realized that, she was no longer able to say anything but to look downwards.
I must smile properly, or Father might suspect something and become worried. Even though she thought that, Lydia felt like crying as she tried to lift her face.
“Of course. Please come and visit again anytime. For Lydia’s sake as well.”
As Edgar said that, he placed his arms around her shoulders, like he was being considerate towards the bride who was at a loss for words at having to part with her father.
Even when he touched her, as she thought, the magic did not activate.
After her father left, Edgar let go of his hand.
And with that he kept silent and because she could only feel his gaze on her, Lydia felt like running away.
“…What did you intend to tell the professor?”
Edgar opened his mouth and asked somewhat carefully.
“It was, nothing.”
“Lydia, your home is here. So is the place you should return to.”
“… I know.”
When she tried to turn back, he grabbed her arm.
“And your room is this way.”
“Wai-, Edgar.”
As he dragged Lydia along forcibly, they went up the stairs which led to the private room.
After he opened the doors to the dressing room which led to the master bedroom and dragged Lydia into it, he shut the door behind his back.
He was grabbing on to Lydia so strongly that it did not seem like he would let her go. Without realizing that he was furrowing his brows painfully because she looked afraid, Lydia was unable to tear her eyes off those ash mauve eyes of his.
She knew what it was that Edgar wished for. Lydia’s wish should be the same as well. But now, with her heart thrown into a state of disarray, she did not think that she’d be able to entrust herself to him fully.
“Let go… it hurts.”
As if it was extremely difficult to do so, quite some time had pa.s.sed before he finally let go.
Even so, Edgar continued to keep the door shut behind him. As Lydia was at a loss as to what she should do, she vented her irritation on him.
“Have you dated Claire before?”
Although he raised his eyes up in surprise, Lydia continued to confront him uncontrollably.
“I heard that… you two kissed. Is it true that that’s the kind of relations.h.i.+p you shared?”
“What are you saying? There’s nothing going on with her…”
“Tell me the truth! Have you two kissed? Or not? Don’t lie to me!”
Lydia felt that this was the first time she had seen him seriously troubled. Just based on that, Lydia already had an inkling as to what his answer would be.
“To me, it was something that didn’t involve any feelings.”
He did not lie. Even as she felt relieved by that, the truth that had been made clear struck Lydia heavily.
“Is that, so.”
“Lydia…”
“…Edgar, I’ll, rest in the guest room tonight.”
“Please stay here.”
He said that with a sigh.
“Lydia, it’s not the same. When I touch you, what I think and what I feel are extremely special.”
Truth be told, Lydia understood that as well. Even for her, whenever she was by Edgar’s side, talking to him and having meals with him, she felt something special which she did not feel when she was with others.
Are you going to treat me the same way as Claire? Lydia had probably said that because she felt frustrated. She knew clearly that it was not the same.
But because she still needed more time in order to forget what she had seen and heard, now she was still unable to look at him properly.
“I’ll be going out, so please stay here.”
Surprised at those words, Lydia lifted her gaze a little.
“I want you to stay at the place that’s meant for you. If it’s not that you want to hurt me, then please don’t think of returning to some other place.”
“Edgar…”
“Good night.”
Leaving those words, he disappeared outside the door.
It’s not that I want to hurt you.
Ahh … I’ve been such a fool…
Lydia muttered.
But I’ve already hurt him. What a horrible thing have I done?
Even though she had finally become a part of Edgar’s family, and that this was already the only place that was her home, she thought of leaving with her father.
Even though she regretted it, Lydia remained standing grounded in the center of the room as she was unable to run after him.
*
Slade’s gallery and high cla.s.s club, which served as Scarlet Moon’s base, had suspended its business as its owner was detained.
Alighting from his carriage at the front of the building which lights had been extinguished, Edgar went round to the backdoor with Raven.
After displaying the signal which only people belonging to the guild would know, the door opened from the inside.
Paul who showed his face, looked at Edgar in surprise.
“Earl… what is the matter?”
“Scarlet Moon is investigating into the articles Owen left behind right? I thought that everyone would be here.”
“Erm, what about Lady Lydia?”
Although Paul looked extremely uneasy, Edgar avoided the topic with a smile.
“She’s at the mansion. Can I come in?”
“Eh… Yes, pl-please.”
Edgar proceeded towards the end of the narrow pa.s.sageway while following Paul, who was showing him the way albeit with a confused expression. The room from which light was spilling out through the opening in the door was Slade’s office. In this room which was lit with only light from candles, were twenty odd members who were gathered inside.
Although everyone appeared surprised at Edgar’s appearance, in such a gathering which comprised of youths who admired Edgar, their feelings of joy at the reunion eclipsed any feelings of distrust at being abandoned, and they gathered around Edgar readily.
“Earl, as we thought, you did not abandon us.”
“We knew that that was definitely the case.”
“Even if you are no longer our direct leader, to us, the Blue Knight Earl is the support to our hearts. Yet Mr. Slade, he told us to forget about your existence…”
“No, that man is just being stubborn; the truth is that he did not want the Earl to leave us.”
Faced with the earnest feelings of the young members, Edgar couldn’t help but feel how good things would be if he had more confidence in himself.
Even if he had inherited Prince’s memories, it would be sufficient if he could hold on to the conviction that he would not betray Scarlet Moon. But there were still too many things which were unknown to him for him to be able to have that conviction.
“Sorry, but I have my reasons for stepping down as the leader of Scarlet Moon.”
“Why is that?”
“Scarlet Moon is an artist guild which had been protected and groomed by the previous Blue Knight Earl. We have sworn that we will always a.s.semble around the Blue Knight Earl.”
“Even if you no longer concern yourself with Scarlet Moon, our master is still the Blue Knight Earl.”
Even though they knew that Edgar was not a descendent of the Earl family, they still said that and so Edgar was thankful towards them. But at the current moment, Edgar was not able to come to any conclusion on that matter.
“Rather than that, what’s more important now is the matter concerning Slade.”
“That’s right. Everyone calm down. There’s no point in troubling the Earl over that.”
As Jack said that, finally everyone fell silent.
“Earl, we were just about to report to you. We have correspondences between Owen and Sir Bourton. Although it seems that Sir Bourton had ordered paintings from Owen on a couple of occasions, Owen had kept this a secret.”
Louis immediately went straight into the topic.
“No one else knew?”
“Yes. Because depending on the genre of the painting, there were occasions whereby the purchaser wants to keep his ident.i.ty a secret.”
In other words, it was a painting that can’t be shown in public for moral and ethical reasons.
“The theme which Owen was pursuing, was that of devils and h.e.l.l… Generally speaking, paintings which are rather grotesque, those which ladies would avert their eyes from.”
“I see. So Sir Bourton was interested in that.”
“It seems that way. Only that Owen had let out on his wanting to see the actual thing as a result of his own overzealousness.”
“To see a real devil?”
“One of his acquaintances had heard that that wish could be fulfilled at some place nearby.”
“And because Owen died shortly after that, the acquaintance kept silent about it as it was too unnerving.”
Edgar fell into thought. When he was about to connect the dots to what Claire had said, Paul interrupted.
“Erm, Earl, is it alright for you to leave the bride alone by herself?”
It seemed that Paul was very much bothered by that.
Edgar smiled as he walked towards Paul, and leaned his face close towards Paul’s in order to intimidate him.
“I’m prioritizing Slade over my beloved bride for Scarlet Moon’s sake. Are you unhappy with my goodwill?”
“No, of course not. … But won’t you get into a fight with Lady Lydia afterwards over this…?”
Although Paul had said so out of concern for Edgar, Paul was still too oblivious in matters concerning man and woman.
“Paul! The Earl is concerned for us even on such an important day.”
Paul appeared to fail to catch the hint even though Louis tried to help.
That was even though everyone other than Paul realized that the topic of Edgar coming to a gathering full of men on his wedding day, despite his earlier declaration that Lydia takes number one priority, was a forbidden topic.
“That’s right, Earl, please take a look at this. This just came out earlier.”
Another youth pushed Paul aside and presented a bundle of papers in front of Edgar.
“These are?”
“Based on the dates, these should be the rough sketches Owen had prepared for the latest painting ordered by Sir Bourton.”
“Owen had the habit of transcribing what he saw and felt onto sc.r.a.p papers like these instead of using sketchbooks.”
Taking that, Edgar laid those sketches out on the table.
On the sc.r.a.p papers made out of writing papers filled with miswriting, wrapping paper, flyers and pages torn from books, were drawings made in fine ink lines cl.u.s.tered together.
“I see. The ones who had used Sir Bourton’s name had only seized the completed paintings, and overlooked these as simply scribbles.”
Each of the sketches was filled with religious motifs.
The sketches could be seen to have ill.u.s.trations of old chapels with altars, damaged statues of angels, and bibles being engulfed in flames.
Most likely these are parts of images and sketches which would form a single painting.
With a faint image of anything religious, the decadence ill.u.s.trated was exactly in line with the painter’s theme.
“Is this, a magic formation?”
Edgar stopped his eyes at a new sketch.
“…Is that a black ma.s.s?”
The sketch looked like it was trying to depict a scene of a ritual to summon the devil.
Or could it be.
The underground pa.s.sage.
Edgar pulled out another sketch. In a place that looked like a dark and long tunnel, there was a door with a cross at the end.
Claire said that there was an underground pa.s.sage in Sir Bourton’s garden. If this sketch was depicting that place, then Sir Bourton and Owen could have been peeking into the underground chapel from there.
Sir Bourton knew something that could only be known if he was a member of the religious organization. But it was difficult to imagine that if he had been a follower who knew the rules, he would reveal the happenings to anyone, even if it were to an artist who he was close to. Sir Bourton had probably stumbled upon the underground pa.s.sage and found out about the religious organization by chance.
Claire had also approached the underground chapel and the like by chance and saw something. Probably the black ma.s.s.
She said “something frightening.”
Sir Bourton and Owen were probably not satisfied with only peeking through the hidden pa.s.sage, and had gone on to investigate the monastery ruins. And with that, the religious organization found out that the two knew about their secrets and sent Claire’s brother out to search and put an end to them.
The fact that they tried to recover every single one of Owen’s paintings from Slade was probably because it would be trouble if the painting leaked out.
If that’s the case, it would mean that the painting contained something which the lot who conducted the black ma.s.s needed to hide at all costs.
Edgar went through the bundle of sc.r.a.p papers further.
It should be here. There should be something important recorded down which can’t be treated simply as a fantasy drawing if it enters the public eye.
Eventually, Edgar withdrew a Christmas card that had a fold, and flipping over the printed design of The Virgin and Child, he fixed his eyes on a sole portrait.
Unlike the other sketches, this drawing had portions coloured with light watercolours. The fact that it was different from scribblings and had been drawn with care, was either because it was part of an important theme in the painting, or because Owen himself was particular about it.
That was a portrait of a man in a priest’s robe. He was trampling on a cross and holding a goblet used during baptisms. The deep red contents of the goblet was probably not wine but blood. It was the appearance of a priest performing a black ma.s.s.
Although this person was covered with a cloak which was painted black, the reason why it was still thought that he was wearing a priest’s robe, was because one could see a little of the clothes which a clergyman would be wearing peeking out beneath the cloak, from the sleeves and the trouser cuffs.
The long trouser cuffs which covered the feet were purple. It looked like a red waistcoat-like robe was laid over it.
“So that’s what it is.”
Edgar muttered.
“This is a bishop from the Church of England.”
“Ehh.”
Everyone from Scarlet Moon was at a loss for words as they were in shock.
“… A high ranking clergyman, is involved with a black ma.s.s?”
Paul made a sign of the cross at his chest.
It was not something impossible. Since the past, black ma.s.ses which praised the devil by thoroughly blaspheming Christ had been entertainment which were popular amongst aristocrats and clergymen who were overwhelmed with boredom.
It was an immoral and dangerous game which cannot be made public.
“Let’s identify this person. There’s no doubt that he is the mastermind.”
“But we can’t tell his face from this painting.”
“Leave it to me. And then, Raven.”
The valet who had been standing by silently, took a step forward towards Edgar.
“Could you bring over Claire Florey’s brother who is staying at Bloomsbury? Use any means necessary, but take care not to catch the attention of others. Take as many people as you need.”