Hakushaku to Yousei

Lydia presently knew nothing; she only heard that Edgar’s old enemy whom he fought for a long time --- Prince, had already died. 
But she felt that Edgar hadn’t felt settled since the war ended.
The organization fighting together with Edgar until now, “Scarlet Moon”, was also the same.
The fairy painter Paul, Edgar’s friend, who was also a member of the organization, spoke to Lydia, who was visiting the Earl’s mansion.
“The Earl is still requesting that Scarlet Moon scout out Prince’s surviving subordinates.” 
When Lydia was waiting for Edgar in the residence’s living room, she met Paul, who had just come. Both people hadn’t seen each other in quite a while. 
She asked Paul, who was just about to leave, to stay. He was still the same, and frankly acted as Lydia’s companion, as someone to talk to. 
“In other words, although the Prince’s organization lost their important leader, they retained their strength as before?”
“Yes. They seemed to have not lost any unifying force due to the Prince’s death. ” 
“Ulysses is also still alive, right.” 
Ulysses is Prince"s trusted aide, and is a person who directly conflicted with Edgar every time. 
“Yes, although his location isn’t clearly determined, he seems to have gone into hiding with the organization….. After all, he controls the fairies. Raven seemed to see two hooded crows often, I heard that the fairies that had set a contract with Prince were of that shape...
Those were the reincarnations of the war G.o.ddesses. Although the G.o.ddesses were originally a trinity, the Prince only obtained two. Currently there was no need to be afraid, but perhaps they were monitoring the activities of Edgar’s faction.
“So, Edgar’s still taking precautions?”
If it’s concerning fairy matters, then he could have discussed this with me. Lydia thought this and knitted her brows. Paul saw this and quickly said cheerfully: 
“But you don’t need to be so worried. Probably… well you see, I think it’s because right now the Earl has to prepare for the wedding, an important event, so he will be cautious in all aspects as he doesn’t want to disturb you.” 
Paul probably believed that he mustn"t say any words that would make Lydia upset while this important period of marriage preparations was in progress.
“Ah~~ yes, Miss Lydia, I sketched several new paintings to congratulate the both of you on your marriage, and now I’ll be in the process of confirming the room’s dimensions. It seems that the paintings will also be decorated in your room, so I will definitely complete a fine work of art.” 
Lydia clearly knew Paul was being sensitive towards her, so she replied with a smile.  
“Oh my, I really look forward to it.” 
Recently, regardless of who she came across, her surroundings were all br.i.m.m.i.n.g with a congratulatory atmosphere. Regarding this, it was only natural that Lydia felt very grateful, but compared to her mind filled with thoughts of getting married, she was concerned about many other matters even more.
Although she had planned not to interfere with matters relating to Prince until Edgar confessed, completely knowing nothing made her feel uneasy. 
Moreover, she was also worried about the two people who appeared at her home yesterday, and whether or not it would cast a shadow on her and Edgar’s marriage.
Despite making a firm resolution to not have any sort of relations with them, something was happening in the fairy world. This also made her extremely worried, and she felt that she seemed unable to not get involved.
Was it necessary to ask Edgar to discuss more on these sorts of things with her?
Even if she intended to understand Edgar, there were still many matters she did not know about between them. 
“Mr. Paul, do you have someone that you like?”
This abrupt question made Paul open his eyes wide. 
“Ah, no, um, I’m very unfamiliar those sorts of things.”
“Then, I ask that you imagine your ideal woman.”
Because Lydia earnestly asked, he was helplessly forced to close his eyes. Painfully wrinkling his brows, he was probably trying hard to imagine. 
“Can I ask you to imagine a scene of that woman giving you a present?”
“...Yes.”
“After opening it, what’s inside?”
“Umm... a hedgehog or something…”
“What?”
“Ah, um, uh... I only carelessly thought this up… Ahh I don’t know why I said that, I’m sorry.”
Paul went into an awful panic, as it looked as if he surprised himself.
“B-but you know, Miss Lydia, is this not an unexpected delight? I would think that sending me a gift that would make me laugh, seeing my startled appearance and a laughing woman also isn’t bad.”
“Yes…. I guess that it really isn’t bad.”
If our hearts were connected and we understood each other"s feelings, will I be able to come up with a wonderful gift? Perhaps, I don’t have to think too strictly.
Lydia’s felt somewhat relaxed, and exchanged a smile with Paul.
“You seem quite happy.” 
Lydia, wearing a frank smile, turned towards Edgar, who suddenly appeared in the living room. After he saw Lydia, he narrowed his eyes as if he saw something radiant.
“I was just asking Mr. Paul what his ideal woman was like. ” 
“Ohh? He’ll dodge this kind of question every time, did you get anything out?”
“I heard more interesting things.”
Lydia took Edgar’s extended hand her and got up, and Paul stood up immediately afterwards.
“Earl, excuse me, I must leave first.”
“Yes, I’m counting on you to paint beautiful works of art.”
After seeing Paul off, Edgar left the living room together with Lydia. 
“Because you will be here in the future, I had the room slightly remodeled, today I wanted to let you have a look.”
Lydia nodded, but she couldn’t help but feel that it was odd, because Edgar walked towards a corridor that was different from his usual direction. 
“Um, my study is over here.”
He halted and stood still, gazing at Lydia with a perplexed expression.
“....I’m not talking about your study, it’s the place where you’ll live in the future. Up until now, I was alone, so the biggest bedchambers suite in the mansion was not used, but I’m going to decorate that place into our private room afterwards.”
“Eh, i-is that so.”
Come to think of it, it would be obvious that she was going to live in this mansion after marriage. Yet she practically hadn’t thought about and considered this. Lydia couldn’t help but feel astonished and slight self-loathing.
Edgar continued walking as if he already pulled himself together. 
After ascending the private staircase at the end of the corridor, Lydia arrived at an area where she had never set foot in before. 
Edgar lead her into a dressing room which had just been finished decorating. 
This tone was a light blue, a very well decorated elegant room.  The wallpaper had a clear design and the identical-colored sofa gave the same kind of invigorating impression.
Although the room’s colors were bright, perhaps it was due to the effectiveness of the detail in the wooden accent texture of the decorations and furnis.h.i.+ngs that could make people feel calm.
Looking up, the ceiling’s relief paintings were just as magnificent, Lydia couldn’t help but gasp.
“Do you like it?” 
“Yes....” 
Lydia looked utterly entranced, so much to the point that she was unable to speak a line of her thoughts. Edgar held her shoulders, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
“Whether it’s the curtains, tablecloths and so on, as long as you ask, don’t hesitate to speak to me. After all, this is your room.”
“My room? In every case, thinking of luxury makes me feel that it isn’t real.” 
Edgar shrugged his shoulders slightly. 
“I want you to soon feel that you are actually getting married.”
“I have.”
“However, Lydia, you haven’t asked me anything. For example, speaking of the room’s decorations, don’t tell me that after you become this house’s Countess, that you plan to sleep in the study? Also, the church formalities, what to do on our honeymoon and so on, you don’t care?”
Indeed, Lydia had not thought of any matter that Edgar spoke of. However, hasn’t Edgar also not briefly mentioned of this? She currently just found out that the room was being remodelled.  
Moreover, she was also actively trying hard in moving towards the path of marriage.  
The dowry and dress had already been chosen. As she used the status as Edgar’s fiancée to partic.i.p.ate in aristocratic social gatherings, she also would find time to be taught etiquette by the d.u.c.h.ess.
What truly needs to be said was that Edgar prepared everything earlier, and Lydia merely conducted herself according to his wishes. 
“I did ask for something didn’t I? Yesterday, I asked if there was anything you wanted.” 
“...In other words, you’re still in the stage of worrying about the engagement gift?” 
Edgar, as if he was shocked sat down heavily on a nearby chair. 
“Therefore, I noticed that we need to discuss this more.”
“I see. Perhaps it really is necessary. Then, let’s talk. I think it’s about time we establish a marriage date.”
“Although that is also very important, I’m more concerned about the matter with Prince. ” 
Edgar frowned a little. Lydia sat by the window side and gazed outside. 
“I heard that the G.o.ddess’ reincarnation of a hooded crow may have been watching you closely, even I didn’t know about this matter.”
“If your mind is full of fairy matters, surely you will ignore the marriage matters to worry over them instead, right?” 
“Was this why you didn’t say anything to me?”
Lydia couldn’t help but feel surprised, she turned to Edgar and said:
“If something happened to you, wouldn’t marriage be the last thing on our minds?”
“They absolutely can’t do anything, but merely loiter around, nothing more.”
“Surely you don’t know that!” 
“In any case, you don’t need to think about so unnecessary things.”
“Unnecessary things? I am clearly a fairy doctor, yet you want me to just think about the marriage?”
“Lydia, if possible, I want you to do according to what I say at this current time.” 
Edgar’s words seemed to dissuade her from acting willfully and this somehow made Lydia feel uneasy. 
So far, Edgar greatly respected Lydia as a fairy doctor. Moreover, he clearly didn’t understand fairy matters, so if there was anything fairy related, he would discuss it with Lydia. 
But why did he speak with that tone of voice?
“Edgar, you’re still hiding something from me, aren’t you?” 
Ever since after the Prince died, Lydia felt that he somewhat seemed preoccupied. She told herself to wait until the day that Edgar takes the initiate to talk to her about it. However, the reason why he even hid the appearance of the hooded crow from her, was it related to the matter of him not speaking out?
“I’m not hiding anything from you.”
Edgar said these words without looking at her and sat motionlessly. 
As she expected, she felt that he was deceiving her.
“The Prince’s matter has already ended, even if Ulysses controls the remaining fairies, he can’t do anything major. As for me, I want to only think of how we will spend our happy future together.” 
Is it really over?
“I won’t let you come across danger again, so… rest a.s.sured, I also hope that you’ll think of how to enrich your life by using the status of a Countess.”
Actually, Lydia didn’t want to simply become a Countess, rather in the future she intended to use the status of the Earl family’s fairy doctor to aid Edgar.
Or was Lydia the only one thinking this, when in fact, Edgar is not expecting her to be more than an ordinary housewife?
He said not to think of unnecessary matters, was Edgar wanting to say that as long as a household where he could feel at ease was established, then it’s fine?
However, they had struggled together to this day only until then, they"ll believe that they are separating from each other.
“You liar.” 
She blurted out.
“Didn’t you promise me to not lie again? And yet, why are you deceiving me again? You don’t trust me?”
Looking as if it were bothersome, Edgar unwillingly got up, faced Lydia and frowned painfully.
“Trust, huh? In that case, to what extent do you trust me? Regardless of what you hear, your feelings won’t change?” 
“It’s not like my feelings will change will it?”
“No matter what I do, it won’t change?” 
What?
Edgar slowly headed for the doorway, and locked the door afterwards.
This wasn’t his usual joke. His pained expression made Lydia realize this.
“I want you right now.” 
“Wh--what are you saying!”
“Even if I said it like this anyhow, will you not grant my wish for me?”
The situation was too abrupt, Lydia could only stand motionlessly still, confused and disturbed.
Although Edgar would do something to make one embarra.s.sed, he treated Lydia earnestly, thus in the corner of her mind, she was convinced that Edgar wouldn’t force this kind of thing that would be disgraceful for a girl. Despite that, can she believe that he was being serious about it this time?
“You don’t have the means to change yourself just for me? I know that a man requesting this kind of thing before marriage is despicable, yet even if I do this, are you still willing to love me?”
Although Edgar spoke unreasonably, yet it was unknown why he painfully remained standing there, not approaching Lydia nor planning to forcibly touch her.
Even though Lydia’s heart was in chaos, she still faintly sensed something.
That is, if she ran away, Edgar would surely be deeply hurt.
In this way, Edgar would gaze at her with a desperate look and she thought that she simply didn’t want to hurt him.
When all is said and done, how should I answer? The more she wavered as words did not come out, the more Lydia was unable to respond. She proceeded to move her tense trembling hands towards the ribbon in front of her neck. 
Lydia untied her ribbon. But while doing this, she noticed how indecent this matter was, and felt afraid.
Even if the man in front of her was her fiancé, the both of them still weren’t married, so this definitely should not happen.
She was definitely unable to refuse, therefore she must bear shame in the future days due to her immoral conduct. But if only she thought of the world’s innocent maidens feeling indifferent to this kind of matter due to their ignorance, her mind was filled with unease.
From within the mind a pure innocent maiden appeared casual, her uneasiness grew considerably. 
Because Lydia was too embarra.s.sed, she lowered her head and closed her eyes, yet continued to move her hands.
Her hands trembled until they wouldn’t obey, so not even one b.u.t.ton was undone and tears came falling down at once. 
By the time Lydia noticed, Edgar had already grabbed her hand. 
“I’m sorry...”
He held her hands and pulled it to his chest as if to calm Lydia’s trembling hands and extended the other hand to wipe her moistened cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Lydia, I wasn’t myself.”
Lydia, with a mood of despair, raised her tearful face. 
“Why must you apologize? I simply don’t understand this. What should I do in the end? What must I do so that you’re willing to tell me the truth?”
Even though Lydia pressed on, Edgar looked perplexed, merely looking at her without a word.
“Will you tell me one day?” 
Even this request, Edgar was also unwilling to nod in response, perhaps he decided to not tell any more lies towards Lydia.
If that was the case, then could it be that he planned to always hide this secret in the future? Does he think he can continue on in life harboring this kind of secret?
Lydia pushed Edgar away.
She ran towards the doorway, and when she hastily opened the door lock, Edgar didn’t ask her to stay, even after she rushed out of the room.

*

(Earl, you seem to have angered Miss Lydia again.) 
He was unable to see the person’s figure but heard their voice, it ought to be Coblynau. Edgar knew that even if he turned, he wouldn’t see its appearance, so he just sat on the sofa, glancing at the window side.
(Bow the Moonstone is sighing in grief, it said that if the both of you don’t get married smoothly, then it will be troublesome.
Even Edgar is more troubled. 
That Moonstone engagement ring possessed fairy powers; it is said that it was pa.s.sed down from Earl Ashenbert’s first ancestor and is a symbol of Lydia becoming the wife of the present master of the Earl’s family. Coblynau, who could communicate with the Moonstone was also extremely concerned about how things are progressing on Lydia’s and Edgar’s marriage. 
“Later, I will go and appease her.”
Although trying to please her this time seems a little difficult, the person who made a mistake was clearly Edgar.
He hoped that in reality, the sense of their inseparable feelings were already connected. He believed that if it was like this, perhaps he would be able to say it out loud.
Yet his actions made Lydia cry.
Furthermore, it was also for the worst reason. 
Although Lydia desperately wanted to understand Edgar,  his actual expectations already surpa.s.sed Lydia’s tolerable limit. 
Edgar clearly knew, as long as one was infatuated, even if they were pure, a chaste girl will be unexpectedly bold. On the other hand, he also knew that Lydia hadn’t been infatuated at all.

A man who regards affection as a business trade even before marriage, his words cannot be trusted. Lydia was a girl who had this instilled in her in terms of common knowledge, so as long as she isn’t infatuated, then she would decide to run away calmly. 
Edgar thought that even if it was really like this, then nothing can be done, Lydia’s response had betrayed his expectations. The situation that increasingly startled him, was Lydia having an expression of nearly fainting as she had her hands on the b.u.t.tons?
(I ask that the both of you reconcile as soon as possible, now is not the time to be quarrelling.)
“Coblynau, what do you mean?” 
“This was what Bow said, it said that the sword seems to have unusual changes taking place.” 
Edgar couldn’t help but turn toward the window, but sure enough, he couldn’t see the fairy’s appearance.
“Unusual changes?” 
(Although I’m not too sure, there is a presence that seems to summon evil forces or something.)
Edgar recalled his dream where he saw a red sword which greatly resembled the Merrow’s sword.
It was a sword that gave him an ominous impression, without knowing why.
Was the Merrow’s sword aware of the red sword’s existence that was summoning these evil forces?
“Has this kind of omen appeared before?”
(Yes, ah, that’s right, I heard that the past Earls would to control these changes, through their own power, so I didn’t let you know.) 
Edgar didn"t possess that kind of power at all.
“Then if possible Coblynau, what will happen if there’s no way to suppress the changes?”
(Bad things may happen.) 
“What kind of things?” 
(That kind of situation has probably never happened before, even Bow also doesn’t know what will occur. It’s just that, Earl, it seems that the unusual changes can bring crisis to the Blue Knight Earl’s family, so I ask that you be cautious.)
At that time, the master of the red sword wanted to kill and behead Edgar, who possessed the Sapphire sword. It was certainly an ominous dream.
Moreover, Arrow didn’t mention it?
He said that the influence that Edgar could bring to the sword will influence his destiny. 
If it was truly like that, perhaps the appearance of the ominous changes in the sword was caused by Edgar himself.
As Edgar ought to be the Blue Knight Earl, hidden within his body were the memories of his old enemy, the sword must have sensed this. 
Edgar himself was causing the Earl family to get caught up in a crisis. Going on like this, will he, along with the Blue Knight Earl’s mission and his pride, become tarnished together with his sword?
Edgar planned to get married with Lydia and to not speak of the circ.u.mstances of this serious matter.
As long as Lydia is willing to stay by my side, I won’t lose to the Prince or that sort of person. He said these words as if chanting a wishful spell.
Ahh, But the relations.h.i.+p between me and Lydia is in a horrible state.
Edgar didn’t want to think, so he firmly closed his eyes.

* 

“What happened Lydia? you’re not very cheerful.”
After Lota spoke, she gulped down a beer clean in one go.
This pub that she frequently went to wasn’t a suitable area at all for an upper cla.s.s young lady to stay for long. But Lota considered this place like her own home and relaxed, urging Lydia to drink a little.
“Were you nearly attacked by Edgar?”
“Eh!” 
Lydia blushed, promptly looking away. Did I hit the mark? Lota clicked her tongue.
“Really, that guy is fully aware of your personality, why couldn’t he wait until marriage?”
“....No, he somewhat waited.”
It’s just that for Edgar, perhaps the situation was making him feel that it wasn’t going anywhere and felt restless, so he urgently wanted to get married. 
After all the trouble, Lydia had begun to be consciously aware that she is engaged, but she was still unable to clearly see the end goal known as marriage. As a result, Edgar seemed to be waiting for her all along is what she thought, but sometimes he would suddenly behave in an impetuous manner.
Does this also have something to do with his secret hidden within his heart?
“That said, he seems very worried that you’ll be s.n.a.t.c.hed away by someone, so after quarreling he sent someone to keep a close eye you.” 
Originally, the narrow inn only had Lota, but now, without knowing why, there was an addition of  Raven and Nico.
From the time Lydia ran out of the Earl’s residence afterwards, Raven had been following her all along. This was certainly Edgar’s command. 
“I did not come to monitor, I am an escort.” 
Raven, who was at the adjacent table, seemed to protest in correcting Lota’s words.
“Another gla.s.s!” 
After Nico cheerfully finished his beer he called out; honestly, it was unknown as to why he was here.
Because the pub owner saw Nico as simply a cat in his eyes, Lota ordered a beer in his place.
“Old man, give this little guy another gla.s.s.” 
The owner didn’t think that a cat would drink, thus he placed the beer in front of Raven. 
But Raven, from the beginning, did not drink a single sip.
“Well Lydia, if it’s like that, you don’t need to worry. Because that guy, Edgar, seems to really like your “hard to get” att.i.tude.” 
Normally, one would really think that.
Yet his recent actions didn’t seem like one of his usual jokes. 
Edgar had even asked her whether her feelings wouldn’t change regardless of what she heard.
Lydia thought it was a little frightening. Would she be able to a.s.sert that she absolutely won’t change?
She undoubtedly liked Edgar, yet she couldn’t say it. But even if Edgar wanted to have her, she would burst into tears because she felt that the shame and guilt was more intense than her feelings for him.
She didn’t know whether or not she herself could handle this.
Before blaming Edgar for unwilling to tell her the truth, perhaps Lydia ought to behave more maturely.
“How about you guys get married soon? That way, regardless of what cannot be done, perhaps other problems can be settled completely, and you guys won’t quarrel again, will you?”
Raven also nodded slightly. 
Lydia thought to herself, that it was probably as Lota said.  However… although she felt that spending time with Edgar, drinking tea, and the peaceful times of taking a walk was quite pleasant, but even if Edgar’s half-jokingly unyielding manner was imminent, she still felt fl.u.s.tered and would want to run away. 
Even when the both of them kissed for a relatively long time, the first to move their head away was always Lydia. 
Despite that she really wanted to understand him more, she was unable to step forward.
As Lydia sighed, she heard the doorbell ring, proclaiming that a visitor has entered. 
Raven immediately got up. Lydia lifted her head and saw a red-headed young man by the doorway, gasping for breath while looking around the inn.
It was that Highlander called Fergus from yesterday.
Once he found Lydia, he hurriedly ran over, and Raven blocked his way.
“Hey, don’t stand in the way…. No, now is not the time to be quarreling. Ah, Lydia, you need to get out of here quickly!”
Get out of here? Just when Lydia felt confused by Fergus’ unexpected statement, Raven grabbed him. Although Raven’s hand looked quite thin and weak at first glance, Fergus’s arm was easily caught by him as he struggled unceasingly. 
“...Listen to me... That guy has come...” 
“That guy?”
At that split second, the building shook violently.  
“Watch out!” 
When the oil lamps nearly toppled over, Lota screamed.
Raven immediately grabbed Lydia and Lota’s arms and pulled them over, Nico instantly hid under a table, and Fergus also crouched down.
When the swaying finally stopped, there was an approximately ten foot tall giant standing before everyone.
The unimaginable size of his stature made them think that he wasn’t human. He wore a black cloak, his entire head was also covered with a hat, so you could only see his chin, but he also held a long wooden magician’s staff, which would be a.s.sociated with ancient times. 
Lydia got up from underneath, with the a.s.sistance of Lota, and her location wasn’t at the narrow pub. It was a vast plain, interspersed with the pub’s tables and chairs. 
It seemed that the pub owner wasn’t involved in the disturbance, but it wasn’t known whether they were fortunate or not, because Raven, Nico and Fergus were all brought here.
“Dammit, we were caught.”
Fergus spoke in a low voice.
“Mr. McKeel, what is that...” 
It’s a Trow that resides on my island. ” 
Among the fairies, the giant Trows were considered to be one of the oldest races. Within some tribes, some would get close to people, but there were others that were known to eat people’s villages.
Which kind is it? Lydia felt nervous.
“Son of McKeel, why did you intend to run away?” 
The giant spoke.
Apparently it seemed to know Fergus. If that was the case, then at least they didn’t need to worry about suddenly being eaten, but it was still early to feel relieved. 
“You seem to have found the Prophet’s fiancée.”
What? Is it referring to me?
“Where did you hear that from?” 
Despite Fergus glaring at the giant, there was little effect.
“It’s the same from where you heard. Your father once said that within your clan, there is a woman with proficient fairy ability and knowledge, but if that person will become the Prophet’s fiancée, then she ought to be very suitable as our bride.”
Apparently he wanted Lydia as his bride.
While Lydia firmly held Lota’s hand, she thought whether or not she was able to completely escape from the giant’s hands. 
“Our clan’s women, by no means will be given to you.”
Lydia recalled one legend, that the giant clan didn’t have women, so they would take away people’s women as their bride. But because they possessed powerful magic, the human women could only give birth to one child, afterwards they would die. 
Having said that, the legends also mentioned a witch who still continued to survive after becoming a giant’s wife. They were probably looking for this kind of human.
Lydia absolutely did not want to live together with giants. 
But this giant in front gazed at Lydia and Lota, who were behind Fergus. 
“Which one is the Prophet’s fiancée?” 
Everyone was silent, and the giant then gazed at Lydia’s Moonstone ring. 
As soon as the giant waved his wooden staff, the ring dropped from Lydia’s finger, floating in the air. This ring was clearly granted magic that only Edgar could remove, yet it seemed that Coblynau’s magic was ineffective on the giant. 
“This ring is powerful. I see, I heard before that humans will give a ring as a symbol of agreeing to marry. You are the Prophet’s fiancée, right?”
Lota urgently grabbed Lydia’s shoulder, s.n.a.t.c.hed the ring floating in the air and said loudly:
“As, as if! This is my ring! I only lent it to her to wear, that’s all.” 
“Lota!” 
“Lydia, don’t say too much, hurry and run!”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“It’s no problem, I’ve also been a dragon’s bride. You know, I soothed him of his demands.”
“That won’t do. Giant, listen to me, the Prophet’s fiancée isn’t her, it’s me!” 
In order to take the ring back, Lydia argued with Lota. 
“Hey, who is it in the end?” 
Within the fight to seize the ring, it shot out.
By chance, the ring fell on top of Nico’s head, thus the giant turned to look at Nico, who held the ring.
“Is it you?” 
He was undoubtedly Lydia’s partner, but this pitiless fairy desperately shook his head. After that, as if to clearly state that he had nothing to do with it, he threw the ring away.
Raven caught the ring.
This time the giant was fixated on Raven. 
“It’s me. ” 
His unchanging face declared these words.
You’re a man!
Lydia refuted too late, as the giant s.n.a.t.c.hed the ring from Raven’s hands and waved his staff. 
“Ugh, how annoying! I’ll take everyone away.” 
The earth emitted a loud sound once again, and the ground beneath their feet was about to collapse. 
“Hey, grab me, quick!” 
Fergus grabbed a branch and stretched his hand out towards Lydia. However, because the ground shook too violently, she couldn’t get across.
“Miss Lydia.” 
When Raven pushed Lydia across, he said to her: 
“Please return to Lord Edgar’s side. Stay by his side... please save Lord Edgar.” 
Save him? 
Fergus managed to grab Lydia’s hand. 
The surroundings darkened instantly.
“Ahhhhhh!” 
It was Nico’s voice. His voice gradually became distant, not knowing what their condition was.
“Nico... Raven, Lota!” 
Although Lydia shouted, there was no response. 
As the surroundings regained light again, Lydia found that she and Fergus, who grabbed the branch, remained on the plains.
“What happened to the others?” 
“I don’t know. ” 
“We must go and save them.” 
“That’s impossible. No one is capable fighting the Trows, because the giants of the sun clan won’t die. Furthermore, it is said in the legend that the midnight sun occurs because they hold up the sun, not letting it fall.”
“Is that giant a descendant of the sun G.o.ds?”
“It probably is, so there was never a person who defeated them… Only one teaching was pa.s.sed down, and that is when the condition, “the sun is swallowed by the sea three times” is established. Only then is it possible to kill the Trow. 
“What do those words mean?” 
“I don’t know, but regardless of what you think, if there really is a person that is able to kill the giant appears, it’s certainly an ominous sign. My grandfather often said that it was an omen of an era of darkness coming.”
“Then how will we save everyone?”
“We’ll have think about that again later. In short, we can only think of how to return to the human world first.” 
This piece of open country, not knowing where it extended to, had no farmland, roads, or any man-made things, because this was a fairy circle.
Furthermore, she was also alone with this person. 
Although Lydia was somewhat cautious, Fergus began to walk forward, not minding at all.
“Let’s go up to the hill and take a look, maybe we’ll be able to see something.”
It seems that there was no other way, thus Lydia followed after him.
“Hey, if this continues, won’t Lota will be considered as the bride?” 
“Those guys can’t tell the difference between human men and women. ” 
“What? Then Raven may accidentally become a bride.” 
“Only in name. Although their race doesn’t have women, fairies aren’t limited to being born from pregnant women.”
What he said was right. Originally, fairies were a mysterious existence that naturally came into being. Although there were some races among fairies that would get married and have children, they wanted the habits of human things, so they created this kind of custom.
In fact, legends concerning fairies that wanted to obtain a wife, husband or perhaps a child were too numerous to mention. It seemed that imitating humankind, for fairies, was fairly important, it’s just that no one knew the reason why.
“But if Lota and Raven are brought to the giant’s country, their lifespan will be shortened.”  
Fergus only nodded his head, seemingly expressing that it was simply impossible to think now.
“Up until recently, kind of thing has never happened before, as we and the sun giant clan had always coexisted peacefully. Every fifty years, we will form a bridal procession, sending the bride on horseback into their forest. After all, the bride was a doll, so they were very satisfied. Because to their knowledge, they have a bride that won’t die immediately and give birth to a child, so to this day, there haven’t been any problems.”
“Why were the dolls suddenly unable to satisfy them?”
“It seems that it’s because children are longer being born. The islands are unable to grow crops, livestock won’t reproduce, it’s said that humankind is the same. Disease and stillbirths have increased, furthermore, many residents are suffering from the famine. Several of the McKeel clan regions were already ruined. Currently, the island is in this kind of state.”
Was it because the giant race wanted a more useful bride?
Although the giant and clan head had direct negotiations but were rejected afterwards, they knew that Fergus had found Lydia, who was originally to become the Prophet’s fiancée, so they came over to seek her.
“Only the unseelie court have increased incessantly, planning to gnaw away at the life force until there’s nothing left. This must be settled quickly.”
“......But Mr. McKeel, there’s no way I can help you.” 
Fergus turned around a little and scratched his head, perplexed.
“It’s better to call me Fergus, we are relatives. But now is not the time to discuss this, we must cooperate and leave here.”
When meeting for the first time, his att.i.tude was too straightforward, so Lydia thought he was a person without manners, but apparently he seemed to be an ordinary youth.
Because he was a relative, Lydia strange felt a sense of relief.
Since he is the clan head’s son, prior to her mother eloping and leaving home, perhaps she knew him when he was young. Once Lydia thought of this, she felt more rea.s.sured. 
“I’ve been watching you all day, but I was discovered by the giant when I wanted to go into the pub, and so it turned out like this.”
Was he trying to apologize?
“That black-haired man wasn’t with you.” 
“Are you talking about Patrick? That guy told me not to act rashly, so I secretly left the inn. However it would be good if he were here, as he would’ve been able to handle this a little more directly.”  
They managed to climb up the hill, but no matter which direction they looked, it was all plains.
What to do? Fergus crossed his arms. 
“Ah! You are also a fairy doctor, correct? Do you know how to get out?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t go through fairy circles alone.” 
She needed to rely on Nico for that sort of thing, but unfortunately he was already taken away. 
“Is that so... Forget about it, we can only move forward.” 
Perhaps they will be able to enter the boundary when moving forward.
Thus, she and Fergus began to walk once more.
“I have to ask you, why did you want to be engaged to that Earl?”
Fergus suddenly asked. 
“Eh, well...” 
This wasn’t a matter that could be explained simply. Because for Lydia, she also experienced various changes in her feelings.
Of course, the reason was she liked him at last, but perhaps this reason was insufficient to make her determined to step into the status of marriage, which was a large gap.
That being the case, what was the reason?
Where did such strong feelings come from? It’s as if the time when she untied the ribbon in Edgar’s mansion, making others feel at a loss. 
“I investigated your matters, and also saw it in newspapers. Women who were dumped by the Earl wrote confession letters there.”
“That’s gossip.”  
“If that is true, then I, as a man, truly feel that he’s quite despicable.”
“That was fabricated.” 
At least Edgar wasn’t a.s.sociated with the kinds of women that would take information and sell it to tabloids. This was spoken out carelessly by Raven, so it ought to be right.
With regards to Lydia, she instead cared more about the woman gazing at her during social parties, and then suddenly leaving the scene crying afterwards. 
“However, after deciding to marry, he is still fickle like before, isn’t that so?”
“What?”
“Were you not wiping away tears while running out of that mansion?” 
If Fergus was truly following Lydia all along, then it’s only natural that her appearance was seen.
Generally speaking, would quarreling with a fiancé be due to matters like suspicions in extramarital affairs?
Lydia sheepishly lowered her head.
“Perhaps aristocrats having many lovers before marriage is a frequent thing. But despite that, shouldn’t you reconsider this?
“...It’s not like that, you’re clearly unable to understand Edgar, yet you say these kinds of words.” 
“He is a guy who cannot tolerate allowing other men to approach his woman. From first meeting him, I understood.”
He angrily pursed his lips, probably recalling the matter where he was shoved down from the top of the stairs.
“He is a playboy who desires to monopolize, and yet he’s so violent, he really has a problem.”
Indeed, sometimes Lydia thought Edgar’s desire to monopolize was quite strong, but she knew that this was because Edgar had needed protect his own possessions.
Regardless of whether it was status, property, or important companions, he hoped that after the painstaking effort of building his fort, that it wouldn’t be destroyed once more, because he was a person who had already lost everything.  
Was it because he was afraid of losing something, that he would become very impatient?
So long as the more he was concerned with the battle still not ending between Prince, then the more he would be afraid of losing something. If this was true....
“It’s not like that, Edgar hasn’t done anything wrong, and I’m not quarrelling with him!” 
Lydia couldn’t help but speak firmly, and Fergus looked surprised. 
“Don’t tell me you like that Earl?” 
What is he saying? 
“Because… we are engaged.” 
“It was because your parents decided that right? Or because that Earl told your father that he really liked you and wanted to marry you? Regardless of how it was, as long as your father puts out a decision, you can only nod in response.”
“The engagement was my own decision.” 
“Alas, this is not surprising. An ordinary girl will like her fiancé chosen by her parents. In other words, if you were educated growing up using the status of my fiancée from the beginning, then you would fall in love with me, don’t you think that you’ll come to like me?”
He stopped and turned towards Lydia, gazing directly at her face.
“I, I wouldn’t come to like you.”
Lydia stepped back. 
I have to return quickly.
Now is not the time to get into something like a fight with Edgar, I have to stay by his side. 
If his heart is concealing some unspeakable matters, I further ought to a.s.sist him. 
Although she didn’t know whether or not she could be of help, perhaps it was just as Raven said, as long as she was able to somewhat save Edgar, then she should disregard the reason and stay by his side.
Lydia turned around and ran.
She didn’t know the way back, yet she still ran without turning back. At the same time, she knew that Fergus was chasing after her.
“Lydia, wait a minute!” 
He immediately overtook Lydia, grabbing her hand. 
“Let me go.” 
“Don’t you see it? You’ll fall in!”
Lydia recovered, and found that there was water by her foot. She had run into the river without noticing the circ.u.mstances.
But just as she went ash.o.r.e, the fierce river suddenly rushed over.
“Whoa!” 
Fergus shouted, being swallowed by the flood. 
Despite Lydia holding her breath and closing her eyes, the water never hit her body.
The sound of water settled down, and the feeling of the water and river by the side of her feet had unknowingly faded away.
She hesitatingly opened her eyes. 
Lydia stood on a meadow, there was completely no trace of the river, and Fergus was not seen.
Instead, standing before her eyes was a pitch-black horse.
It was the magical Kelpie who is seductively beautiful, with a sense of terror.
“Yo, you seem well.” 
Although Kelpie was a fairy who ate humans, he was fairly close to Lydia. She felt relieved as she relaxed her shoulders. 
“Kelpie…! Where have you been all this time? I haven’t seen you all along, I thought you had returned to Scotland.” 
Lydia ran towards him, extending her hand in order to confirm this.
Although she hasn’t seen him in only two months, she had a very nostalgic feeling when she stroked Kelpie’s bright mane.
“It’s not like you should worry about me.” 
“Yeah, I don’t think you will come across danger.”
Actually, I cared a little bit.
“I thought there are some things that needed to be handled.” 
His pearl-black eyes gazing at Lydia made her heart have incredibly mixed feelings. Not knowing whether or not it was because he no longer seemed like before, where he would charge forward for certain things. That’s why, Lydia felt very compa.s.sionate.
“But why are you here?” 
“I heard the giants captured you, so I tried to find you.” 
Lydia felt astonished at this unexpected statement.
“You heard... who did you hear it from?” 
“I can’t say. In short, I need to take you back to the human world.” 
He urged her to sit on his back. 
It seemed that in the area that Lydia was unaware of, many things have happened, that even Kelpie was unwilling to tell her anything just like Edgar.
But now, what she first needed to think over was how to get out of here. Otherwise, there would be no way to rescue Lota and the others.
“Hey, can’t you simply save everyone? Nico, Lota, and Raven were all taken away by the giant.” 
Lydia tried to discuss this with Kelpie, but he couldn’t help but shake his head and decline.
“I wanted to bring you to safety, I have no interest in other affairs.”
“Then what about Fergus? He was washed away by your water.”
“That water was only an illusion, it won’t drown people.”
Lydia thought to herself that since this was the case, he shouldn’t have been flushed off too far by the water, and that she should try finding and bringing him back to the human world afterwards.
However, Kelpie approached her and in trying to prevent Lydia from speaking he began to warn her,
“Lydia, you can be a good person, but you need to consider yourself more. The path you chose isn’t some broad and open road.”
My chosen path.
Was he referring to my engagement with Edgar? 
Kelpie spoke with a solemn tone. Did he know the secret that Edgar was concealing within his heart?
“Um, Kelpie....” 
“Wait a minute, you don’t have a shadow.”
Lydia promptly looked under her feet, and there really was no shadow. 
“What, why?”
While Lydia mumbled, she realized.
It was because the Moonstone ring was s.n.a.t.c.hed away. 
Now that the incredible power that bound her to the ring was gone, she was captured, leaving her in the same situation as the others who were taken away by the giants. 
Right now, Lydia’s body that was here wasn’t complete, so there was no shadow. 
She was basically unable to return like this. Even if she knew the way back, she was unable to leave the fairy circle. 
Lydia sat on the gra.s.s and sighed.
Kelpie, not knowing when he transformed into his human appearance, worriedly sat next to her.  
This whole time, he wanted to bring Lydia back to his own homeland, but now, even if he stayed by Lydia’s side, he won’t demand for such a thing. 
Perhaps he had already silently accepted the fact that Lydia chose Edgar.
“Kelpie, I still haven’t thanked you yet. Did you not save me at the London bridge?”
He turned his head, looking towards Lydia with a baffled expression. 
“You’re not angry?” 
“Why would I be angry?”
“At that time, I intended to separate you from the Earl.”
“I know that you wanted to protect me. But Edgar also didn’t give up and ultimately came to find me, so I’m confident that I can trust him.”
Kelpie laughed aloud. 
“You saying it like this, I’m digging my own grave.”
At that time, Lydia had forgotten that she had agreed on engagement with Edgar, therefore in order to make Lydia recall, he put forth great efforts. He clearly did not understand magic at all, yet he complied with his promise and went to see Lydia. 
Granted that she was imprisoned by fairy magic, Lydia was a fairy doctor. She would certainly figure out a way to return to Edgar’s side.
Lydia was deep in thought, soon after that raised her head and asked. 
“Kelpie, can you use changeling magic?” 
“What? Of course, after all, I am a fairy…. hey, you wouldn’t want…”
Lydia nodded. 
“This is the only way. Right now I belong to a part of the fairy circles, so I can’t return to the human world, correct? However, if you use the changeling method and send me to the human world, then I could get out of here unconditionally!”
“But you need to exchange places with someone.”
That was the problem. Lydia pondered once more. 
“Ah! Then how about I exchange places with a doll? My home has a doll made of pottery, so long as my appearance becomes similar with the doll, then if you use exchange magic with it on me, then it’ll be alright.”
In the world of magic, an item with a similar figure was the same thing, so there was no difference between a human and a doll. Using this method was equivalent to exchanging a human; besides, a doll didn’t have a soul, therefore it was unlikely to inconvenience other people.
“Speaking of that, fairy changelings are only similar in terms of appearance to the person who was exchanged, but their inner nature is still the same. In this case, I’m still me, only my appearance, hair color, and so on are different. There will be no problems when living as a human.”
“That isn’t wrong, but weren’t you really concerned that you were possibly a changeling before?”
Kelpie hit the nail on the head. Lydia pretended not to care, but actually it was a matter that she was very concerned about.
“As expected, is there a problem? If I were a changeling, then it won’t be too good if the changeling magic was repeated on my body?”
“Generally speaking, it’s far from good.”
Kelpie replied bluntly. 
“But when I came back from the dragon’s nest previously, nothing had happened.... I’m probably not a changeling.”
However, magic can lead to unexpected situations. Last time, perhaps it was simply because the changeling magic exerted on Lydia’s body was quite strong, so there weren’t any changes. This time, it’s hard to say that there won’t be problems.
But now was not the time to hesitate. 
“I am not a changeling. Father said so, thus I believe that I am not.”
Although Lydia made a firm resolution, Kelpie still wasn’t too willing to lend a hand.
“But haven’t you realized the important thing? If your appearance changes, the Earl won’t find out that it’s you.” 
“....Right!”
Finally managing to make a firm decision after a while and being aware of this fundamental problem now as a result, Lydia was at her wits’ end in figuring out a way.
“If I state my ident.i.ty, the changeling magic will be lifted, causing me to return to the fairy circle... how should I do this?”
Perplexed, Lydia pondered endlessly, and after a while had pa.s.sed, she seemed to successfully s.h.i.+ft her train of thought to an optimistic manner. As a result, she raised her head and spoke.
“No problem, even if I myself don’t speak, as long as I find a way to make him discover that it’s me, then it’s fine. Everything will progress smoothly, right, Kelpie? If Edgar is not affected by my appearance, and firmly believes that the person before him is me, then we will have a strong bond between us, a force that won’t even lose to the giant’s magic which imprisoned me via the ring, isn’t that so? In this way, not only will I not be pulled back to the giant’s side, but also I can return to the human world with my original body, it truly is killing two birds with one stone!”
However, Kelpie advised her with a solemn expression. 
“If things don’t go smoothly, you will get hurt.” 
Perhaps that is the case. However, Lydia was more afraid at the thought of not being able to have Edgar recognise her, compared to the changeling magic possibly having an effect on herself. Despite this, she was still determined.
More importantly, she had to return to Edgar’s side.
This was a matter that only she was able to accomplish.
“It doesn’t matter, cast the spell. I want to return to Edgar’s side. I will certainly think of a way to make him discover my true self, and then think of a way with him to save everyone.” 
Kelpie got up and sighed at the same time, then pulled Lydia’s hand.
In the split second that Lydia realized she was being held, she was already sitting on the pitch-black horse’s back, galloping over the plains.
“Kelpie, I’m really glad that you came to rescue me, but perhaps it’s better that you don’t get involved with me again.” 
Kelpie didn’t want Lydia to get caught up in Edgar’s battles. But Lydia was already became intertwined with Edgar’s destiny, thus she thought that she shouldn’t involve Kelpie. 
But Kelpie just laughed it off.
“No matter when, fairies are quite bored. You are simply an object that happens to help me pa.s.s the time.”
Indeed, the reason why Kelpie was interested in Lydia was because he wanted to pa.s.s the time. 
Although he said he wanted to marry her, it was different from human love. Previously saying that he wanted to marry her was also because of the same reason, it really wasn’t like the love between humans. 
But he had different feelings compared to an ordinary Kelpie; that is, the interest towards humankind. He wanted to understand Lydia even more, but she also exceeded the range of a pastime. 
“Anyways, leisure is leisure, so I’ve decided to stay aside and protect your destiny.”
Even if he knew that there was no way for him to have Lydia, he still couldn’t seem to quell his curiosity towards her. 
“If you want to become an outstanding fairy doctor, listen and remember this point well.” 
A steep cliff appeared ahead. Kelpie sped forward not minding at all, and suddenly leapt towards the sky.
“You are the first fairy doctor to earn an aquatic water horse.”