Hakushaku to Yousei

“You found your hat?”
As soon as he entered the carriage, Lydia looked at him. As Edgar sat down beside her, he naturally leaned over, then stared at his beloved wife’s face.
“Yeah, I forgot it on the bench.”
By merely having his face leaning over, Lydia’s golden green eyes revealed her panic.
She was as pure as before, but ever since the marriage, even her careless and shy expressions became quite charming, Edgar thought that this was proof that the love in her heart became increasingly strong.
“......Edgar, aren’t you leaning too close?”
“We have already left the church, please don’t say something strict.”
Lydia raised an eyebrow, blus.h.i.+ng. Even if she was angry, Edgar felt that she was even more adorable.
“Seriously, don’t start joking around again.”
Halfway through the church service, Edgar put his hand on her knee, and so he was pinched. Although her face looked angry, even if he did so now, she probably wasn’t as annoyed as she seemed on the outside. Because she didn’t brush Edgar’s hand off, as long as Edgar was like this, then he was perfectly content.
The reason why Edgar would obediently go to church this way was completely due to her influence.
Although he wasn’t deeply religious, he thought it wasn’t so bad that way, and with regards to becoming a normal human, he was able to establish the awareness that a normal family possessed.
Moreover, he had also found an unexpected happiness.
“The flawless and modest gown is not bad too. It will make people want to mess around with it.”
Lydia wore a simple dress that Edgar thought was unsuitable for her and shouldn’t be worn, were it not for going to church in. The dark blue cloth that didn’t have any decorations covered Lydia’s smooth skin like armour, which made his mind delusional instead.
Her tightly-tied hair also made people want to undo it, and only Edgar knew that it was smooth, not tangled, and silky to the touch.
“Wh--what are you saying!”
“We are partners who are approved by G.o.d, it can be forgiven even when saying such things.”
“This man......”
Lydia opened her mouth in surprise, and Edgar’s lips came closer, trying to block her words, but......
“My lord.”
Kelly couldn’t watch any longer, and so she interrupted. She was Lydia’s maid, sitting in the opposite seat.
For Edgar, who was an aristocrat, having an attendant serve by his side was a matter to be expected. Furthermore, he didn’t feel that the attendants’ gazes impinged on his privacy, and it was also quite clear to the attendants that their work was to keep their mouths shut as if to blend into the background, until their master called for them. They do not observe nor hear unless necessary to do so.
Of course, attendants in reality weren’t completely ideal this way, but Edgar trusted the attendants by his side very much; moreover, they were all outstanding people.
However, the upper cla.s.s sense in Lydia was still very weak.
Edgar forgot about this frequently, so Kelly would make her existence known for Lydia.
“Everything’s been seen.”
Kelly used her gaze to point towards the outside of the window. A carriage in the mixed traffic lane was next to their carriage, and some family’s child stuck their body outside, full of interest.
Edgar half-jokingly pulled Lydia into his embrace.
“Wait...... Edgar!”
He winked through the window next to him, as if to say, “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”. The surprised children along with the carriage disappeared from their sights, as it began to move forward.
“Didn’t I just tell you to not joke around?!”
He was pushed away by Lydia, so he loosened his arms. Because he doesn’t wanted to be hated, he stopped before he overdid it.
Edgar laughed. Lydia puffed up her cheeks in anger and turned her back against him, but as he said: “It truly is a beautiful Sunday”, to change the subject, Lydia immediately regained her smile.
“Yes.”
Today was the Sabbath* day, where there weren’t any special trips, and when time could be spent leisurely.
“Lydia, do you know how happy I am?”
Though with a little hesitation, Lydia still smiled.
“......Surely I’m the same, aren’t I?”
Ahhh, it really is adorable when she tries hard to express her love.
He didn’t wish to burden his important wife, and harboured a guilty secret.
Edgar thought to himself that he wouldn’t think about the lady again.

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The season changed into late autumn, with the presence of winter already approaching. London’s fog was getting denser day by day.
The narrow buildings that stood side by side in this city spat out black smoke from the countless chimneys. Lydia sat next to the window of the warm reception room, staring blankly at the cold wind of late autumn and early winter blowing the black smoke towards the river downstream.
This was Earl Ashenbert’s mansion, located in the Mayfair district. Lydia had somewhat gotten used to this sort of lifestyle, and was used to being called the Countess. Her days gradually became smooth and steady.
As a fairy doctor, the fairies around Lydia seemed to be happy, having seen her getting married to Edgar, who possessed the t.i.tle, Earl of Ibrazel. Her relations.h.i.+p with the fairies was very harmonious as well.
Despite everything developing in the right direction, on the other hand, there was a something small that was on her mind.
Who is Lady K......?
When she entered Edgar’s study, intending on borrowing the dictionary on the desk, the letter that was wedged in between fell out.
“Report about Lady K......”
She only saw the part that was exposed from the envelope.
Lydia resisted the urge of wanting to confirming the letter and put it back to its original place.
But from then onwards, she was very concerned about it.
An affair? She didn’t think so. Generally, one wouldn’t investigate the family of the affair partner, right?
But if it was an affair, then what am I going to do?
Edgar was originally a philanderer who refused no one, and had countless scandals with women in the past. Lydia heard that even after marriage, it was commonplace for an aristocrat to have a lover.
That’s impossible. Lydia said that to herself that there must be some reason that it had to be investigated.
Yes, perhaps this is merely someone lending him a hand.
“Madam, your expression is full of confusion.”
She heard a voice and turned around; a silver-haired young man had entered the parlor.
“Francis...... welcome. Are you used to the London lifestyle?”
She and Francis, who came to London last week, met in Brittany. Although he was currently staying in a hotel, he went into the Ashenbert mansion like he was family.
However, it was Edgar who asked him to come over today. He appeared precisely at the time of afternoon tea, went before Lydia, knelt down, and greeted her politely with a kiss on her hand.
Then he looked up and said with a tone of exaggeration:
“Yes, it’s very exciting, but I find the fog inconvenient.”
His single eye was covered with a black eye patch. He was different from his image, as he was a good young man who handled accommodations and was kind-hearted to people.
“Well, take a seat.”
Not long after, Raven entered the room and began to prepare the afternoon tea, and Francis sat on the chair.
“Lydia, is there something troubling you? Is it Edgar’s women problems?”
“No way, did I reveal such an expression?”
Your husband is a popular man, this must have taken a toll on you, hasn’t it? If his personality was honest, then you could forget about it, yet he always believes that if there is a chance, then the opportunity shouldn’t be missed.”
“Eh, is that so?”
“Listen well, a man’s fickleness is an incurable disease, and even if you feel that his condition isn’t serious now, it’ll relapse one day.”
“I--incurable? Then what shall I do?”
“It’ll be fine if you go and find a lover as well, you can call me if you’re lonely…”

(Ill.u.s.tration – Lydia, Francis)

“Francis, don’t you want to live? ”
Edgar stood at the door, as he said that coldly.
“H--how troublesome, Edgar, I was joking.”
Of course, Edgar was probably joking as well, but perhaps there was a bit of intimidation brought in.
“Did you forget? My attendant doesn’t understand jokes, so if you dare lay a finger on Lydia while saying that you’re seeking her, there will be no way for you to properly enjoy the tea.”
Raven was quietly setting the table and didn’t seem to notice, but his hand grabbed the cake knife quite unnaturally.
Francis raised his hands like he was surrendering.
“Hey, you should understand as well that I can’t really try to chase after Lydia.”
Raven turned his head around slowly, understanding that this was said to him.
“Whether it’s true or not, my job is to get rid of men that try to play dirty tricks on Madam Lydia.”
He put the knife back while he answered calmly. Of course to Raven, the words that were said a moment ago absolutely weren’t a clever joke.
“Edgar, I really admire your l.u.s.t.”
Edgar walked past Francis, who looked fed up, and sat down next to Lydia.
“I can’t be compared with you, because I wouldn’t imprison my loved ones.”
“And I absolutely wouldn’t be fickle, nor would I have multiple lovers.”
The two men were immensely proud of themselves.
They’re both to blame.
“Lydia, what were you saying just then?”
“Nothing! I didn’t say anything.”
Edgar stared at Lydia, as if to get a glimpse of her expression.
“Why would you guys be talking about this in the first place?”
“Wh-- who knows?”
Lydia recalled the name of the woman in the letter. She did her utmost in trying not to panic.
“Compared to that matter, let’s hurry and drink the tea, it’s going cold.”
Edgar still seemed unable to acknowledge it, but Francis seemed to have no intention on talking about Lydia’s situation from just then.
“That’s right, Edgar, I heard that you have been able to decipher the map of Ibrazel, is that right?”
The topic seemed to be on track. Lydia couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, stirring the tea.
The fairy map, which was obtained in Brittany previously, was owned by Francis’ former lover.
Her name was Diana, a person who was said to have come from the fairy kingdom, and who seemed to shoulder some kind of responsibility for the Earl family.
Despite only knowing that she pa.s.sed away from an illness after coming to England, Edgar and the others tried to collect all kinds of information pertaining to the fairy kingdom.
Edgar’s t.i.tle, the Earl of Ibrazel, was approved by her Majesty, but with regards to the genuine Earl family and territory --- the fairy kingdom, he practically understood nothing.
So everyone was trying hard to investigate. In order to win against the enemy, “Prince”, the power of the fairy kingdom might be needed.
“Regarding the text written on Diana’s locket, it’s a mix of Gaelic and old English. Translating it required a lot of time.”
Edgar took out a piece of sc.r.a.p paper and placed it on the table.
“The s.h.i.+p is in Wickerbone. The night of the full moon after the vernal equinox, depart for the green wilderness.”
Lydia had already seen this beforehand. Although the content was quite concise, could the s.h.i.+p set out from the wilderness? This writing had the kind of content that would make people would tilt their head.
“Where is Wickerbone?”
Francis asked immediately.
In order to fulfill Diana’s wishes, Francis hoped to become a member of the fairy kingdom. Although the Earl family’s bloodline had already been severed, he acknowledged Edgar as his master, who inherited the name, and was willing to provide a.s.sistance.
The true purpose of him coming to London should be due to this.
“In one of my territories of the Wilts.h.i.+re county.”
“Then it’s simple. It means that the boat to depart for Ibrazel is there, right?”
“That’s an inland area surrounded by the wilderness, and only a small village is there. I never heard of that place having a boat there, and it doesn’t seem to have been h.o.a.rded somewhere either, but overall, it’s impossible to row a small boat across the sea, right?”
“In that case, it should be a fairy’s boat.”
Francis said that decisively without even thinking.
Indeed, the ancestors of the Ashenbert family were proficient in the magic of the fairy clan, as even the fairy map was enchanted. Furthermore, Ibrazel didn’t exist in the human world at first, as it was a territory in a different world, so one could fully imagine that the s.h.i.+p to set off for that place couldn’t be an ordinary s.h.i.+p.
“If that’s the case, the issue is how we’re going to find that s.h.i.+p.”
“We can only go to the village first and have a look.”
After Lydia said that, Edgar nodded.
“First, regardless of the s.h.i.+p, the location of the fairy kingdom is......”
Francis continued to read the sc.r.a.p paper.
What to follow is the path where the ancestors journeyed to seek the new world.
The sun rises from above the stone, falling at the end.
Beyond the end of Double Britain’s magic pathway, a divine power is collected there.
Cross over Lyonnais.
Grasping the rudder and keys, find the island of happiness in the vast ocean.
This was all of the details written on the map that Diana left behind.
“Double Britain probably refers to this British island...... that is, England and Brittany, which is also called Little Britain.”
Francis nodded, agreeing with what Edgar said.
“And then? What does the magic pathway refer to?”
“I’m not quite sure. Now, all I know is that the “island of happiness” likely refers to Ibrazel, and that Lyonnais is the ancient country within the legends.”
“Yeah...... in any case, as long as the s.h.i.+p is found, there ought to be a clue there.”
Although they were filled with questions, it could only be solved one by one.
“In any case, the only definite name is Wickerbone, but Lydia and I have received an invitation to go to Duke Masefield’s country house next week.”
“What, is that so?”
Lydia couldn’t help but cry out, because she had been thinking about the map recently, and believed that if the matters had something to do with fairy magic, it belonged to her --- a fairy doctor’s job.
“Yes, did you forget?”
“I’m sorry...... but on one hand, the trip to investigate the village will be postponed until afterwards.”
“Lydia, you don’t need to attend to everything personally, look forward to Francis’ full capabilities.”
“What! Are you telling me to go and investigate alone?”
*Please read at Daydream Translations
“I will lend Raven to you.”
Francis aimed a glance at Raven, clearly revealing a sad expression. Rather than saying Edgar’s loyal attendant was coming to help Francis, he was probably taking charge as a supervisory role.
Moreover, with regards to the work handed over by Edgar, Raven absolutely couldn’t cut corners. Lydia’s maid also frequently complained that she was unable to breathe, working together with him.
“Fairy matters, if we don’t have Lydia......”
Francis mumbled to himself, and Edgar said relentlessly:
“Don’t you want to work for the Earl family? Then you can’t only rely on Lydia. After you came to London, not only did you eat and drink as much as you liked in a hotel under my name, you also didn’t part from women nor alcohol when you left for trips, and had lots of fun. Although you said you wanted to open a practice as a doctor, you haven’t even begun making preparations.”
“Uh...... actually it should be almost......”
“You can carry it out slowly, and there’s no harm in having me introduce many upper cla.s.s clients as well, after all, it’s like you’re a part of my family.”
Edgar smiled, but when Francis answered with an unconfident smile, his expression was a little stiff; was this an illusion?
After the time spent together had increased, Lydia started to understand something slightly, that is, perhaps she was the only one that Edgar completely pampered.
By relying on this mere point, she was able to understand that she received his regards.
Although Lydia still wasn’t a mature enough Countess, she had already felt that she was a beloved wife.
Even if Edgar was originally a philanderer, she also believed that she was his irreplaceable partner.
So, he absolutely couldn’t be having an affair...... Lydia thought this to herself.
“Th--thank you, give the Wickerbone matters to me, Edgar.”
Francis was unable to reject it, as he was filled with resignation.

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Kelly was making trip preparations for Lydia. After carefully placing the clothes inside a long wooden case in order to not crumple the gowns, her work was now completed.
How many pairs of shoes are needed? What about gloves and hats?
In order to make her master maintain etiquette and conform to her status when staying in the residence of an aristocrat of a higher cla.s.s, the maid had many things that she had to take note of.
Just when she was thinking about carrying out the thorough preparations, the door of the dressing room opened.
The person looking over was Raven.
To Kelly, Edgar’s valet was a colleague who she didn’t know how to get along with. She didn’t know what Raven was thinking, and those dark green eyes bore a strength that made her s.h.i.+ver.
For Kelly, who came from the border of the islands, this was the first time interacting with a brown-skinned foreigner. Raven had a baby face, but he was still older than her, which surprised her.
But Raven didn’t glance at Kelly at all, as he lifted the sofa cus.h.i.+ons up, looked underneath the chairs, and pulled the curtains.
“Uh, if you are looking for Mr. Nico, he just went out for a walk.”
Raven looked towards Kelly, and then briefly replied: “Is that so.”
The one whom he viewed as a friend of equal status and opened his heart to seemed to only be Nico, the fairy cat.
Nico was Lydia’s partner, as well as a fairy who had the appearance of a cat. Moreover, he was a gentleman. Upon careful thought, Nico was actually stranger than foreigners, but in Kelly’s homeland, fairies were an existence rather close to humans.
Kelly thought to herself that it was probably because of this, she felt that a foreigner was more peculiar than a cat who stood on two feet and spoke the language of humans.
“Mr. Nico said that he wanted to eat freshly baked apple pie, but if the pie cools down, it won’t be considered freshly baked.”
Kelly could only nod at Raven’s blunt words. Was that the reason why he was urgently looking for Nico?
“......That’s right.”
“Come to think of it, Miss Kelly, Mr. Tomkins wanted me to help accompany you. Are you going to depart now?”
What! Kelly panicked a bit. Although she asked the head butler if she could borrow a male attendant to go and take the suitcases that were previously sent out for repairs, she didn’t expect it to actually be Raven.
It was fine as long as a young handyman was found, there was no need to look for a high-ranking valet.
“Don’t you need to find Mr. Nico before the pie gets cold?”
Kelly thought that if she followed what Raven said, she would be unwilling instead, because the pressure was so great in this case that it would render her at a complete loss.
“It has already been fifteen minutes. The freshly baked pie has become a cooled down pie just then.”
Just then? Is that so?
Although he always had an expressionless appearance, he seemed completely serious.
“Is this...... a time that you decided upon yourself?”
“Why would it be something that I decided? This was what Lord Edgar told me.”
The reason why Kelly couldn’t understand Raven’s reasoning, perhaps wasn’t because he was a foreigner, but because he was an unfathomably mysterious person.
But his loyalty towards his master and mistress was unswerving; not only was his work flawless, but he would go beyond to guard several people as well.
If one offended him, it seemed that there would be serious consequences, so Kelly couldn’t refuse, and was ultimately forced to head out with him accompanying her.
They rode the carriage to Oxford Street. Kelly tried having a conversation with him during the time, but no matter what she said, they weren’t able to chat for a while.
As soon as Kelly thought of having to spend time again in the oppressive atmosphere of the carriage for the return trip, she was fed up. While the repaired suitcases were piled onto the carriage, she got in.
Raven didn’t get in the carriage, as he was looking in the other direction.
“Umm......”
After Kelly called out, he immediately turned his head.
“My apologies, please return first.”
“Eh, what’s going on?”
“The goods have already been loaded, and the people in the mansion will likely help unload them.”
“But...... could you please give a proper explanation!”
Kelly was also sent out to work, so she would feel quite troubled as well if Raven acted as he pleased.
After she said that with a firm tone, Raven turned around sincerely.
“I saw Mr. Nico…. his situation is a little strange.”
He rushed out after merely replying in this way.
Despite Raven himself seeming to like Nico, he had never put Nico before work as a priority. Perhaps his intuition sensed something apart from Nico.
The Earl family weren’t ordinary n.o.bility. Kelly was also vaguely aware that they had a formidable enemy.
“Wait.”
Kelly also immediately broke into a run.
The reason why she was able to catch up with Raven was because he slowed down not too long after. He began tailing behind someone, perhaps it was Nico.
Even though Kelly wasn’t able to distinguish Nico’s position from among the crowd, Raven didn’t hesitate to walk into the alley, coming to a stop in the depths of a corner.
“......Wh--what on earth are you doing...... Wah! ......put me down......”
Nico’s drunken voice came from around the corner.
“You’re Aurora’s partner, right? Ahh, I really regret not finding out earlier.”
Aurora was the name of Lydia’s late mother.
Kelly cautiously got a glimpse of the situation, and saw a man grabbing Nico. The man had short black hair, a cold tone, and was someone Kelly knew.
“Mr. Patrick......”
Raven raised his index finger, making a “shush” sound.
Patrick was the fairy doctor of the McKeel clan. The McKeel family was the clan that Lydia’s mother belonged to, and they lived in the Highlands like Kelly, who was from the Connaught family. However, within the legends, the McKeel family was the closest to the fairies amongst the clans of the archipelago.
“Before, I wasn’t able to find a connection between you, who stays by Lydia’s side, to the fairy whom Aurora took with her. Good grief, this cat appearance is truly convenient, most humans would only remember you as a pet.”
The McKeel clan had to obtain Lydia; this was because the only woman left who could become the fiancée of the “Prophet” ---  the character from the legends that could remove the archipelago’s crisis, was Lydia.
The reason why Raven chose pursuing Nico took priority was perhaps because he sensed Patrick’s presence, who tried to take Lydia away in the past. Furthermore, with regards to his master, Edgar, this matter took precedence over everything else.
“St......stop......”
Nico’s entire body was powerless as he was being grabbed; he was probably bewitched by magic.
“Shall I have you talk? The first person who opened up the sacred land should have been Aurora. I thought of many possibilities, and this was the most likely. Then, if she entrusted something to someone, that person should have been you.”
“......Aurora...... is already dead, Lydia is also...... married...... leave her alone......”
“That won’t do, because the Prince is still alive. Aren’t you worried? Madam Lydia is staying in the most dangerous place.”
Nico fell silent, worried.
“That’s right, we can save her and protect you from the hands of the Unseelie Court.”
Nico seemed to relax his strength as he was limp, probably having been convinced by Patrick.
Or so one thought. Nico immediately became frantic.
He bit Patrick’s hand, then was shaken off and tossed aside.
Just when Kelly covered her mouth, as she nearly shrieked, Raven leaped.
He caught Nico, then hit Patrick while holding the limp grey cat that was extended.
Patrick didn’t have any time to dodge. He staggered and his back hit against the wall, but Raven stopped after having merely swung his fist once and glared at him with sharp eyes.
“Lord Edgar said that if you are to get close to Madam Lydia, I can kill you. Although that is not the case, I will not be lenient with you if you reappear in front of me next time.”
Patrick answered with an obstinate stare.  After wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he said,
“In that case, pa.s.s this on to your master. Even if he kills me, he can’t kill the Prophet.”
After Patrick threw these words down, he staggered out.

                                                                                                                                                 *

As long as Nico’s back was stroked, he would murmur as if he was talking in his sleep: “Aurora.”
Lydia remembered the bond between mother and Nico, and couldn’t help but sigh.
For Lydia, Nico had stayed by her side since she was born, like he was part of the family. On the other hand, her mother and Nico were real partners.
Perhaps her mother, as a fairy doctor, was fascinated with Nico’s soul, and Nico probably agreed on a contract to become her partner as a fairy.
Mother once entrusted Nico to watch Lydia grow up, and even though now, the period of him watching over her had already pa.s.sed, Nico continued to stay by her side. Lydia thought to herself that this was perhaps because Nico felt that the bond between them was different than the contract agreed on with her mother.  
But rather than saying that with regards to Nico, Lydia was a fairy doctor of equal status, she was Aurora’s daughter that should still be protected.
Thus, Nico covered up the truth towards Lydia.
“How is Nico now? The magic effect hasn’t been lifted yet?”
Edgar came to Lydia’s reception room, staring at Nico, who was on her lap.
“This isn’t magic. It seems to be because of silver vine*.”
“Is that so. He always insisted he wasn’t a cat and yet he was attracted to the silver vine?”
Edgar said, finding it amusing, while poking Nico’s paws.
“He wasn’t attracted to it. This is probably like getting drunk, and he turned out like this because he’s a fairy. Mr. Patrick understood this quite well.”
Just hearing the name Patrick, Edgar frowned in displeasure.
According to what Raven had said, Patrick seemed to think that the person who opened up the sacred land was Lydia’s mother, so he questioned Nico and suspected that he knew something.
This was unexpected for Lydia.
The sacred land will open once on the nineteenth year of the full moon, and when Lydia entered the sacred land that was located on the McKeel clan’s island, the Prophet’s coffin was already empty. If the coffin was opened without the McKeel clan knowing, then the person who opened the coffin really might have been Lydia’s mother.
Her mother was once the “Prophet’s fiancée” in the past, so she might have been able to open the coffin.
In that case, this was something that happened nineteen years ago. Did her mother see the Prophet?
That person was able to guard against “The Prince of Calamity”, that is, the dangerous person born through the means of using Unseelie Court magic. Did he pa.s.s on any information to her mother?
If this was truly the case, it wouldn’t be unusual at all even if Nico who was Mother’s partner, knew some inside information.
“Was Nico hiding something from us all along?”
Was Edgar suspicious?
“Only the people who are have a connection with the sacred land can enter, so Nico shouldn’t have been able to enter. Besides, Mother had already eloped with Father and abandoned the McKeel family, how could she have gone to the sacred land again? Perhaps Mr. Patrick misunderstood.”
If possible, she hoped that was truly the case, because Lydia wished that she no longer had any connections with the Prophet from now on.
“Is that so?”
However, Edgar tried to make sure of the truth.
“It happened nineteen years ago, when you were just born and encountered the changeling exchange. I heard Professor Carlton say that. After your mother came to bring you back, could it be that she headed over to where fairy clan dwelled at her homeland’s island?”
Lydia lowered her head and was unable to refute.
“At any rate, we have to ask Nico clearly about it. Luckily he was brought back before he said anything to Patrick. Compared to the silver vine, as long as we use chocolate desserts to entice him, he......”
“Stop.”
Lydia’s tone instinctively become tough. Edgar stared at her in astonishment.
“......Although Nico gossips, he kept silent regarding this. It has to be too hard to mention, so don’t pressure him to get information.”
“Being in a constant state of not knowing the facts, wouldn’t you feel uneasy? The Prophet might be waiting somewhere to take you away at any moment.”
He was right, the Prophet might try to kill Edgar, who had the Prince’s memories.
However, even if Nico really knew something, it must have been within Mother’s intentions, moreover, Mother was trying to not let Lydia bear the fate between her and the McKeel clan.
Lydia wanted to believe in Mother and Nico.
“If the Prophet exists, why hasn’t he made a move up until now? It has already been nineteen years. If he appeared earlier, perhaps your family wouldn’t have been killed by the Prince, and you wouldn’t have to live with the painful experience of escaping......”
Even if he appeared now, wouldn’t that be too much?
Edgar desperately fought by driving the Prince into ruins, but also sacrificed himself by inheriting the Prince’s memories.
But was the Prophet going to consider Edgar as the Prince’s successor and seek to kill him?
She didn’t want that sort of savior to appear.
“The Prophet simply doesn’t exist, even if Mother was the one who opened the coffin, the inside might have been empty, if not, the Prophet might have already lost his powers.”
Lydia tried her best to explain, and Edgar stroked her cheek.
“Then, what’s with the issue with Nico not speaking out?”
As a result, Lydia’s words were merely self-contradictory.
“Well...... in fact he doesn’t know anything at all.”
Lydia was only able to justify her remarks like a child refusing to admit her loss. Perhaps she didn’t have the courage to find out about the truth, but she deliberately ignored this point.
“You’re not hiding anything either?”
This unexpected remark made Lydia look up at him in surprise.
“Me?”
Edgar stared at her, as if he wanted to peer into Lydia’s heart, which made her feel afraid.
“For example...... you actually seeing the Prophet.”
Lydia was surprised that she was being suspected, but because those ash mauve eyes carried a bit of sorrow from within, she restrained herself from frowning.
Lydia knew that he was really worried, but he didn’t have to say such a thing.
“You’re crazy.”
“If the Prophet exists, he will definitely look for you first compared to me. So Lydia, you can’t be tempted by other men, please don’t meet other men in places that I don’t know of.”
“How could I possibly do such a thing?”
“However, as long as I think of a man that will misinterpret the friendliness that you naturally express, I’m unable to be at ease.”
You’re thinking too much.
“If that’s the case, perhaps I won’t be able to feel at ease for the rest of my life, because there are too many women that misunderstand your secret intentions behind your kindness.”
Although she couldn’t help but speak with a sarcastic tone, she couldn’t take back the water that she spilled. Edgar raised an eyebrow, as his mood was slightly affected.
“Do you doubt me?”
His words and actions are simply inconsistent, yet he dares to speak. Yesterday, Edgar was talking to a young woman at the church, and was seen by Kelly.
“You’re the one doubting me.”
He sighed with displeasure.
“......I’m going out. I’ll be with Francis.”
Edgar left after merely saying that.

​
“Hey Kelly, does Edgar look like he’s still angry?”
Kelly loosened Lydia’s corset while revealing a puzzled expression.
“Madam, are you asking whether or not Master is angry at you?”
“Edgar hasn’t returned?”
The office lights have been bright for a long time, however he didn’t come to the couple’s private room.
After changing into her pajamas, Lydia sat down before her dresser. Kelly quickly tidied the dress and said:
“I heard that Master had some files that needed to be dealt with by today, because he was being rushed by Mr. Tomkins. Recently, dealing with the territorial matters of n.o.bility personally have already lessened, yet Master has been really enthusiastic about his work.”
In order to grasp an understanding with the situation of the Earl family’s property, Edgar had began handling his own work since a long time ago. Although a privileged cla.s.s such as the aristocracy possessed vast lands, they didn’t need to make a living by working like the commoners, but there were some families that sold off their residences or valuables due to losing their wealth.
According to Tomkins, Edgar seemed to be quite skilled in this field, so he handled it quite well. However, did the so-called working mean that he didn’t want to see Lydia, or was he simply really busy?
“Madam Lydia, it’ll be alright.”
Kelly held the comb and smiled at Lydia, who was reflected in the mirror.
“Usually not even half an hour after a couple quarrels, the Master will begin to regret it.”
“Eh, is that so......?”
“Yes. Master will definitely finish dealing with the matters urgently and rush over. After all,  Master asked me whether or not Madam was angry a moment ago, and I replied that you weren’t.”
Just when Kelly finished speaking, the door opened.
“Lydia.”
Edgar revealed a happy smile, as if they simply didn’t argue before. He approached the dresser in large strides, and gazed into Lydia’s eyes from above.
“I missed you my fairy.”
“You......you’re back.”
Fl.u.s.tered, Lydia sat upright, and was gently embraced.
“Let’s have a chat with just the two of us.”
The abruptness of it made Lydia panic, as even the bedtime preparations clearly weren’t ready.
“Wait!......I just started combing my hair though.”
“I’ll help you comb.”
“N--no thank you! This is Kelly’s job.”
“The person who determines her job as the Master is me, right, Kelly?”
Kelly nodded earnestly, then placed the comb in Lydia’s hand.
“Then Master, I will leave it to you. Please don’t use too much force, and comb gently.”
Kelly opened the bedroom door nonchalantly. She curtsied to see Lydia off, who was brought out.
“Um...... have you finished with your work?”
“I said that I would do it tomorrow because I wanted to hurry up and spend time with you and yet Tomkins thrusted all these doc.u.ments at me. He said that even if I was in the bedroom, he would stuff the pen and papers into my hands, so I gave up.”
After he placed Lydia on the bed, he took the comb from her hand.
“You see Lydia, our hearts becoming one is more important than anything else.”
Although he said this bluntly, Lydia understood that he was aware of the existence of the Prophet.
“Yes......”
“That hasn’t changed, has it?”
“It hasn’t.”
I’m glad. Edgar said with a smile. Then, exactly as he said before, he began combing her hair.
“......You’re quite used to doing this.”
As Lydia began to speak what was directly on her mind, she began to panic. She knew that Edgar had been with countless women in the past, but she wasn’t jealous, nor did she blame Edgar, but she might have unconsciously revealed a tone similar to that.
“It’s my first time doing this. I saw Kelly helping you comb your hair, so I really wanted to give it a try as well.”
“You’re strange.”
This time, her tone became cold again in order to conceal her embarra.s.sment.
Edgar didn’t seem to mind.
“It’ll be quite fun subst.i.tuting for Kelly’s work. Especially for example, helping you take a bath”
“What?”
This time, Lydia turned around anxiously.
“I do those sorts of things myself! Kelly knows this as well, so she leaves the room.”
“Ohh is that so, then let’s bathe together next time.”
“No!”
Although Lydia glared at him, expressing that she couldn’t believe what he said, he still chuckled.
Without knowing when, Lydia was brought into Edgar’s embrace. He put down the comb and pressed his face against Lydia’s hair.
Although her entire body reflexively went stiff, she immediately relaxed her strength. Edgar leaned his body even further and kissed her neck, seemingly quite pleased with her reaction.
“Lydia...... have you ever believed that I was your destined partner?”
Edgar probably didn’t believe in such things like destiny, because he lost everything under someone else’s schemes, then depended on his own willpower and strength to obtain his current position. Why did he ask such a question?
Although this was him, and because he was the current Edgar who went through painful experiences, he fell in love with Lydia. If he grew up as first son of the Duke’s family, granted that the two of them met, he probably wouldn’t have noticed Lydia.
“No matter what kind of man tries to take away your heart, I don’t think I’d lose to him. It’s just that confronting the Prophet, I feel that you would be attracted by him even if he was a dull man... Although in the past, you weren’t able to truly fall in love with me, I’m worried whether or not you’ll consider that man as your destined partner the moment you see him.”
“Everyday, I...... have always thought of you as my destined partner.”
Just when she thought that her waist was gently embraced, Lydia was brought down to a lying position within a split second.
Edgar’s lips kissed Lydia’s cheeks and ears, while using his fingers to reach in and fiddle with her beautiful hair.
“......Just when my hair was combed.”
“I will comb it again later.”
After he responded half-jokingly, he impatiently undid her pajama b.u.t.tons.
“No matter how many times, I will always help you comb it.”
He was clearly like a child playing around at first, but the fingers tracing against her bare skin were very arousing and as a result, Lydia’s heartbeat suddenly sped up. Even so, a mysterious feeling of ease still gradually revolved around her as she was tenderly kissed.