Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 15 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 ♦ Do you believe in the red string of destiny?

Ah! It’s a fairy.
The boy mumbled while watching it before his eyes.
In the corner of the room, her height was nearly that of a table lamp, her hair was tied into a bun, and she wore a withered grass-colored dress.  The boy thought to himself that whether it was the other person’s solemn expression or how she was neatly and plainly dressed, she very much resembled his female tutor.
However, the tutor would not be this tiny, and the one before his eyes had insect-like wings.
But he wasn’t very surprised, because he knew that he was dreaming. That’s right, it wasn’t the first time he saw fairies in his dreams.
In the dream, the fairy said:
(Young master, I’m sorry that your father passed away, but now is not the time to be grieving. )
I’m not particularly sad.
(As long as you become outstanding in future, good fortune will surely come to your side. Therefore, please get engaged promptly under everyone’s suggestion.)
Women are troublesome.
(You can’t say such things, because marriage is a noble’s obligation.)
Even if that was the case, finding a marriage partner wasn’t so easy. The girls that my relatives brought, didn’t they all flee? Why do women shed tears so easily?
The fairy seemed to sigh, but it soon puffed out its chest and reorganized its frame of mind.
(Young master, it was inevitable that you wouldn’t get along with them, because they were unsuited to you. But you don't have to worry, as long as you meet the destined woman then you will definitely be able to speak of marriage.)
Destined person?
(That is, the person linked with the invisible red string.)
How ridiculous, he thought.
That sort of thing, even children nowadays wouldn’t believe.
(Your destined woman really exists. Young master, please believe me, find your future spouse as soon as possible, otherwise, your fortune will slip away.)
Then, the fairy disappeared.
When the boy woke up, a red string was wrapped around the pinkie on his left hand. The red string was coiled around and under the bed and even continued outside from the window.

                                                                                                                 * * *

Inside the Carlton household’s parlor, Lydia hadn’t enjoyed having tea with a friend like this in awhile.
The Carlton family’s daughter --- Lydia, had just announced her engagement recently, so it had always somehow been the topic of conversation with her friend.
“Oh that’s right, Lota, the wedding dress’ design has arrived, can you help me take a look?”
Lydia’s friend, Lota, enthusiastically picked up the design sketches. Although she had her coffee colored hair tied only in a bundle, and the expensive dress she wore didn’t match no matter how you looked at it, she didn’t mind at all.
“It really isn’t bad, I feel that it’s elegant and very suited to you.”
Being the granddaughter of the exiled Grand Duke yet growing up in the industrial area, Lota, whose background was a little complicated, was unable to blend into aristocratic society, yet she got along with Lydia quite well, who previously only dealt with fairies, and didn’t know the dangers of the human world.
“Thank you. But you can’t tell Edgar that the design has already been planned.”
Naturally, Edgar was Lydia’s fiancé. Although he was the Earl, he had actively pursued Lydia, who was not of nobility, making her agree to marry him.
Since then, Lydia had been preparing to marry into the Earl household, and thus lead a hectic life every day.
For her who was busy, having tea with a friend was considered a bit of time to rest.
“Why? Didn’t that guy make a ruckus saying that he wanted you to decide on the dress’ design sooner?”
“According to that Earl's personality, if he knows when the custom-made dress is completed, he will immediately decide the date.”
Joining the topic of the conversation was another friend of Lydia sitting at the table side; that is, a furry gray cat.
Unknown as to how he did it, he simply picked up the tablespoon with his fluffy paw and stirred the milk tea. With a bowtie fastened around his neck, he gracefully took a whiff of the aroma of the tea.
Of course, he really wasn’t a cat, but a real fairy. Lydia negotiated and settled disputes between fairies and humans as a fairy doctor and he was her work partner as well as her childhood friend.
“Ah, I see. After all, it can’t be helped that that guy Edgar, wants to take Lydia to bed as soon as possible.”
Lota was clearly a girl, but she often spoke embarrassing words like Edgar. Lydia couldn't deny that and could only lower her blushing face.
“Oh my, you don’t have to worry, if you get married too quickly, I’ll be urged by my grandfather too.”
“Is that so? Lota, are you also being urged to get married?”
“Don’t look at me like that, I’m also around the same age as you.”
Lota smiled faintly and then drank a cup of tea in one go.
“Then, will you get married?”
“Well, if I meet my destined partner, I will get married.”
Having said that, Lota laughed.
“Hahaha, that kind of situation doesn’t suit me one bit.”
“However, Lota, regardless of who it is, there’s an invisible red string connecting you to your destined partner, isn’t that right?”
“That’s a superstition. Besides, since it’s invisible, how do you know that it’s red?”
“Well, it’s as you say.”
Regardless of the red string for the time being, if Lota had someone she was fond of and walked on the red carpet naturally, then it ought to be wonderful. Lydia nodded while captivated as she imagined this.
Lota had a masculine personality, but she also had a lot of charm. Despite her hair being tied into a ponytail with rope, and not wearing a corset or crinoline underneath her expensive dress like a working-class girl, it made people think that she didn’t have the appearance of an aristocrat, but if one understood her, they would know that these things were her charming points.
Lota was a little different than usual today. At where her hair was tied by a short rope, something like a red string was fastened around it.
Although it was quite rare, this was also her own style.
“Lota, your hair tie is different than usual today.”
“What? It’s the same like always.”
After Lota said this in surprise, she crossed her legs to the other side.
“But, don’t you normally not have that red string?”
“A string? That sort of thing is on my head? Does it look weird?”
Lota reached up to her head, but because it was said to be a string when it was actually a fine thread, there was no way to grab onto it successfully. Lydia stood up and wanted to help her undo the red string wrapped around her hair, when she suddenly uttered “ah” in result.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s gone.”
“No way, don’t joke with me.”
“It’s true, I grabbed it and it disappeared like magic.”

Picture
This time, another voice came from somewhere.
(Hey, please don’t touch it as you wish! I just finished casting a spell after all that trouble.)
At the same time, there was a tiny body floating in the air emitting light; only a pair of light flapping wings were seen.
“Ohh, is this a fairy?”
Since she stayed by Lydia’s side, Lota also frequently encountered fairies, so she was not surprised by what she saw lately.
“That string was made by your magic?”
The fairy slowly descended onto the table as it fluttered its wings.
After the light weakened, the fairy’s appearance gradually became clearer.
The fairy’s hair was tied into a bun and was dressed plainly. Apart from being very petite with long thin wings, her overall appearance felt like that of a strict tutor.
The fairy’s hands were behind its back as it looked up and stared at Lydia.
(How were you able to discover my magic?)
“Because I’m a fairy doctor. ”
Lydia had often caught sight of fairies casting simple magic. 
(Alas, then it can’t be helped. Anyhow, it was really difficult for this young lady to be affected by the magic, I used a lot of effort to cast this spell, please do not undo the magic out without permission.)
“Wait a minute, what’s going on, why did you cast a spell on me?”
Lota leaned in, staring at the small fairy. Unwavering, the fairy cleared its throat and said:
(Ohh, your personality seems a little harsh.)
“What kind of fairy are you?”
The fairy put its hand on its hips and began to answer Lydia’s question. 
(Me? I am a righteous fairy godmother, I’ve been busy marking a seal in order for my adorable godson to find his destined woman sooner.)
“Destined woman?”
(Do you know about the red string? The invisible string that binds one with their future partner, it’s that legend.)
“Eh, that legend is true?”
Lota and Lydia looked at each other in dismay.
Nico used his hands to support his cheeks and observed the fairy on the table, whom he hadn’t seen before.
(It’s normally invisible to the human eye, I’m using magic for my godson so that he can see the red string.)
“Then, Lota is your godson’s destined partner?”
(Listen well, fairy doctor, please don’t touch the string out of your own accord, because as soon as you touch it, it will disappear. If the red string simply resumes its invisible state then it’s still okay, but if by any chance it truly comes undone, then he won’t be able to meet his destined partner, so please be careful.)
The fairy explained quickly as it if was in a hurry.
(Ah! I must cast the magic again to make the red string visible.)
After having said that, the fairy busily waved the twig-like object in its hands.
At that moment, the red string appeared once again in Lota’s hair.
“Whoa!”
Nico cried out. His front foot, no, his left paw also had a red string wrapped around his finger. 
Lydia was astonished and immediately confirmed that a red string was also wrapped around her pinkie.
The magic that made the red string appear seemed to not only be casted on Lota, rather it affected everyone that was present.
“Hey, why am I the only one with a string on my head?”
(I don’t know either, perhaps it’s just because of your personality.)
“You mean I’m different......”
Regardless of Lota grumbling, the fairy whispered: it’s complete. Then, it flapped its wings in satisfaction and flew out the window with an astonishing shooting-star-like speed.
“So, who is that fairy’s godson?”
Nico whispered which made Lydia and Lota look at each other in dismay once more.
Although Lydia hurried over to the window to call the fairy back, it vanished.

                                                                                                                         *

The fairy godmother was a guardian fairy that often appeared in old tales; these kinds of fairies liked to name babies and then protect the child’s life.
Sometimes magic was used to help the child. 
Although Lydia didn’t know what the fairy godmother’s standard was in selecting children, she knew that if the fairy godmother helped name the child, it was said that they would have good luck.
But how could this be good? Lydia thought while gazing at her pinkie. 
Does this string truly join a person together with their destined partner?
A long time ago, there was a monster called the minotaur in King Minos’ country. There was a young man who wanted to defeat the monster and offered to become a living sacrifice; at that time, the princess gave him a red string in order for him to leave the minotaur’s maze-like palace smoothly.
After the young man had finally defeated the monster and followed the red string back, he and the princess got married.
Since then, the red string had been passed down as a thread that linked destined lovers.
Lydia’s finger was wrapped around by the red string of that legend. The red string hung down on the floor, the tablecloth was covering the front end of the string so she couldn’t see it clearly.
If the red string was really connected to someone, then the string should be extended to the door’s slit or the other end of the window, but because the red string was very thin, it couldn’t be seen clearly if one did not come close to it.
Even so, if she followed the red string, would she encounter Edgar in the end?
Lydia had already decided to marry him, so there should be no reason to doubt that destiny. 
Right now, Lydia was at Edgar’s mansion in her fairy doctor study, opening up files to take her mind off things. 
Lydia was very familiar with fairies and had the ability in communicating with them, so she was hired by Edgar, who had the distinguished title ‘Earl of Ibrazel’ and yet knew absolutely nothing about fairies, to work as his consultant. 
But ever since the engagement, due to Edgar’s recommendation, she had also decided to put work aside and prioritize preparations for the marriage. 
Recently, inquiries on fairy matters had lessened, so she had not been disturbed, but because she had spare time today, she planned to organise the desk work. 
But not long after she began working, a knock on the door was heard. 
It was Edgar who opened the door. As soon as he saw Lydia, he smiled happily.
“Hi Lydia, I heard that you came, so I hurried here.”
No matter how you looked at him, it wasn’t just his shiny blonde hair that gave a showy and gorgeous impression. Even with just the way he walked made him dashing, along with the brand new colored lining of his frock coat that would casually come into one’s vision. 
The action of placing his hat on the table was also like a painting.
No matter from what angle he was seen from, he was an elegant aristocrat. This kind of person was unexpectedly getting married with Lydia, and it hadn’t felt real to her.
“Didn’t you have an important gathering to attend?”
“Yeah, but I left before I was discourteous.” 
“I came today just to handle some of the work that had accumulated for a while, but there’s nothing in fact.”
“You didn’t have plans today? If you said it earlier, we could have spent time together.”
“Didn’t we eat together yesterday?”
“I feel that it isn’t enough. Isn’t that how it is?”
He walked over and gazed at Lydia across the table.
His ash-mauve eyes were too close to Lydia, so she couldn’t help but look down. Just showing this kind of gaze would definitely entice any girl’s heart.
Edgar pulled Lydia’s hand, which held a pen, and dropped the usual kiss that he would offer to a lady.
As Lydia looked down, she couldn't help noticing Edgar's other hand on her desk. Wrapped around his pinky was one, ......two, three, four, five, six......
What?
Lydia blinked, staring at his hand.
Unexpectedly, there were countless red strings tangled into a bundle, hanging from his hand.
She couldn't help wondering what she should do.
Does this mean I'm not the only person fated for Edgar?
Flustered, Lydia stood up suddenly.
"Is something wrong, Lydia?"
"I-it's nothing......"
"Are you unwell?"
Worried, Edgar drew near and reached out to touch Lydia's cheek, but Lydia drew back away from him.
Edgar stubbornly drew closer and Lydia was forced to use both hands to keep him at bay. 
"Edgar, ......am I not enough for you, after all?" she asked miserably.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"......N-no doubt I'm not. I can't even decide on the wedding dress......"
"What are you talking about? That's okay."
"Th-then, is it because I refused to let you kiss me when you saw me home the other day? And you realised that there are lots of cuter girls out there?"
"Umm, Lydia, certainly I'd like it if you'd settle on your wedding dress soon, but......"
"I didn't think you were that unhappy with me......"
Lydia noticed a figure appear in the doorway.
"Lota!" she cried and ran over to her friend for help.
"Lydia, what's wrong?" Lota held Lydia. Lota noticed Edgar standing in the room, and glared at him. "Edgar! What did you do?"
"I haven't done anything yet."
"Yet? So you're planning on doing something. You really are the worst!"
"That's not it, Lota. His hand; look at his hand!"
"Hand? Yeah, they're the hands of a pervert."
"You really are very rude. How about being honest and saying they're sensual?" Edgar asked annoyed. He drew close to Lota and took her hand to annoy her.
"What are you do--"
Lota started to knock Edgar's hand away when she suddenly froze and stared at his hands.
"What is this?"
Apparently you couldn't see another person's red thread without touching their hand first.
"Edgar, you really are the worst!"
Lota, noticing the numerous threads on Edgar's hand, shoved him away. She wrapped an arm protectively around Lydia. Unfortunately for Edgar, he still didn't understand what was going on.
"Lydia, you're not making an sense. And neither are you, Lota. Just what's going on?"
"So, you do see the same thing I do, don't you Lota? I don't know...... what should I do?!" 
"You might not have a choice but to break off your engagement."
"Wait! What are you saying I did? Lydia, won't you please explain things in a way I can understand?!"
"Try asking yourself that!" Lota shot back.
"Umm... is something the matter?" The gentle voice that interrupted them was that of Edgar's friend Paul. "I heard the earl was here in Lydia's office......"
"Hey, Paul, you've come at just the right time." Edgar felt like he'd just been thrown a life saver and dragged his unlucky friend into the room. Paul became dismayed when he saw Lota and Lydia standing there with their arms crossed glaring at Edgar.
"Having two girls against just me isn't fair. Now, it's two against two."
"Umm, if you're busy, I'll be leav--......"
"Now, Lydia, and you too, Lota. I'd suggest you start talking if you don't want anything to happen to Paul."
"Whaaaat!"
Paul shrieked as Edgar wrapped his arm around Paul's neck.
Lydia and Lota glanced at one another. They couldn't help feeling sorry for Paul having gotten caught up in things.
"Umm, Edgar, actually......"
The four people sitting at the afternoon tearoom table were completely silent as the attendant, Raven, brewed tea.
“The red string of fate, I don’t want to believe that sort of thing.”
Edgar muttered.
“Lydia, you are the only one in my heart, and I will never be unfaithful.”
“Well, it certainly is easy to say so.”
Nico drank the tea; it was unknown as to when he came and sat, but he was probably drawn to the tea’s fragrance.
“Could it be a mistake that there are several red strings? That’s right, what about Paul? He might have a lot as well.”
“Shall we take a look?”
After Lota finished saying this, she grabbed Paul’s hand without his permission.
“There’s only one.”
After the result was announced, Paul heaved a sigh of relief, but Edgar frowned even more.
“Excuse me, I......”
Raven, who was behind them waiting for orders softly spoke out.
This brown-skinned boy with an exotic appearance was Edgar’s loyal attendant, who was often quite reserved and hardly ever took the initiative to express his opinions. Because of this, even though his voice was extremely quiet, Lydia still noticed it and turned to him.
She looked at him, but because the expressionless Raven didn’t say anything else, Lydia took a moment to understand what he wanted to say.
“Ah, y-yes, Raven you also want to know about the matter relating to the red string, right?”
Raven practically wasn’t showing any emotion. His filled mind only knew how to serve Edgar, so would he be concerned about the red string of fate? If that was truly the case, then it was very pleasing that he matured in this way. Lydia thought while she took his hand.
However, there was no trace of any red strings around his finger or anywhere else.
“Eh? How strange.”
Lydia tilted her head doubtfully and Lota immediately grabbed Raven’s hand afterwards.
“You don’t have a red string.”
Lota clearly informed him. From Raven’s expression, it was difficult to determine whether or not he took a hit.
“Raven, even though there’s no red string now, it’ll definitely appear one day.”
Lydia said awkwardly as consolation, while also not knowing whether Raven had received it. Raven merely turned to Nico.
“What about Mr. Nico?”
Even though Raven was hardly interested in anyone else besides Edgar, it appeared that he was only aware of Nico as his companion.
“Me? Of course I have a red string.”
Seeing that Nico was hardly apprehensive as he flaunted one of his paws, it appeared that even Raven was unable to hide his dismay.
“......Is that so...... only I don’t have one.”
“Raven, destiny is dependent on one’s own development. If the person changes to some extent, then the future will also change afterwards. So I believe that the red string has not noticed how much I love Lydia.”
It appeared that it wasn’t only to Raven, Edgar had also wanted to say this to Lydia.
“Despite what others say, I can’t see that red string, furthermore, you can only have one spouse in this country. To go as far as to have not just one destined partner, this is impossible no matter how you think about it, right?”
“There are also those kind of men who let several mistresses other than his wife live in their residence.”
Nico took out a tabloid newspaper.
“Oh, you’re talking about Lord Grosser. It’s the tabloids’ hot topic.”
“Is it Lord Grosser who passed away the other day? Rumors arose that the son he wanted to inherit the family property wasn’t his biological son. But it was also said that if this was true, then his son cannot inherit the title.”
Paul said. Since he often went to high-class gatherings as a painter, like Edgar, he would also hear rumors.
“One of the mistresses now claim that Lord Grosser’s wife’s child is in fact her own. Furthermore, the Lord’s wife has also passed away, so their goal is probably the fortune.”
“Ohh, living in the same mansion, it’s very easy for one to lie about who gave birth to the child.”
“……I wonder why having only a wife wasn’t enough......” 
Lydia sighed and mumbled, while everyone cast Edgar a reproaching look.
“Ah, Lydia, I am by no means that kind of man. I don’t want to speak ill of those who have passed away, but Lord Grosser was wrong. That’s right, one is considered a praiseworthy man if he makes a woman happy, right?” 
However, regardless of hearing this, Lydia could not not wipe off the feelings of distrust.
Not knowing whether it was due to her cold gaze, Edgar hesitantly reached out to Lydia’s hand and withdrew. 
At that moment, the butler, Tomkins appeared.
“My lord, there is a guest. He claims to be Lord Mordant’s agent.” 
Edgar raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Lord Mordant? I’ve never met him before, what is his business?”
“What should I do?”  
“If he doesn’t mind that I have other guests, then bring him here. Just when we gossiped a little, you’re all curious, aren’t you?”
“Gossiped?”
Edgar exposed a satisfied smiled at the puzzled Lydia.
“Lord Mordant is Lord Grosser’s father. Would you like to ask for the truth regarding those rumors? I will show you clearly that I am not like Lord Grosser.” 

Under Tomkins’s guidance, a middle-aged man with glasses and a boy about twelve or thirteen years old was lead into the tea salon. 
The middle-aged man claimed to be a lawyer, the boy that he brought with him was Lord Mordant’s grandson, that is, Lord’s Grosser’s son. 
With that said, the subject of gossip regarding the young boy that might be the mistress’ son was him.
The young boy had a very dissatisfied look on his face. He glared around at everyone in the room, wide-eyed. When his eyes met Lydia’s, he carefully observed her as if judging commodities.
Then he suddenly pointed at Lydia and said:
“It’s that woman.”
“Young master Alfred.” 
The lawyer couldn’t stop him before he went to Lydia and firmly grasped her hand.”
“Hmph, I’ll never know unless I try. I originally didn’t believe that I would find my fianceé by following this red string.”
“What?”
“Look, we’re tied together by the red string of fate.” 
Lydia’s eyes widened. Indeed, the same red string tied around the boy’s pinky was also wrapped around Lydia’s finger. 
No way. It... wasn’t Edgar. 
“Hey, you can see the red string?”
Lota asked instead of Lydia, who was absentminded. However, the boy ignored Lota’s question and grasped Lydia’s shoulders with both hands.
“The eyes are green. Although I don’t really like it, it can’t be helped.” 
Lydia immediately withdrew and Edgar stood between them.
“She’s my fiancée, and if you propose to her, it would mean you’ve come prepared.” 
The boy angrily looked at up Edgar.
“What, if you want payment I’ll hand it over. How much do I need to give you?”
Edgar flicked the boy’s forehead hard and the boy staggered, perhaps it was too painful.
“Will you hand over your heart?”
“What do you mean, she’s not much of an extraordinary woman, I just think that if it was fated, then I might as well make her my bride.”
The boy rubbed his forehead as he mumbled, his anger seemingly gone. 
Although Lydia could only smile stiffly, this time, Edgar dealt a blow to the boy’s head.  
“What on earth are you doing!”
Meanwhile, the lawyer that quietly watched on the sidelines did not stop it. It was probably because his job was merely to run errands on behalf of Lord Mordant, and was not responsible in looking after the young boy.
“Children who don’t understand love and romance have no right to propose to women.”
But the boy snorted.
“Love, you say? How foolish. The purpose of marriage is to merely make families continue to exist. As long as it is a woman, she can be a wife regardless of who it is, but if she is the destined one, then of course it would be better, this way she won’t perform troublesome things, such as having affairs or running away from home.”
“Oh, so your mother had done these kinds of things? But this can’t be helped, after all, your father allowed several mistresses to live at home.”
The boy grimaced as if he was hurt. Lydia also began to feel sorry for him. 
“Wait a minute, Edgar, what you’re saying is too much for a child.”
“He’s not a child. Since his father passed away, he is the head of the family.”
It was rare that Edgar wouldn’t argue preposterously, but rather he refuted Lydia with a genuinely reasonable view. He did not spare any strength in attacking the young boy.
“Alfred-kun, if you truly want to have her, you shouldn’t be so limited to what you want in a woman, and use your passion and effort to fight for her. Since it’s so troublesome, you follow destiny? Normally, no one will approve of such a pitiable matter, you better go home, lie on your grandmother’s lap and cry.”
The young boy’s face was red, but he did not cry and merely let out a dull sigh.
“Forget about it, she’s just a woman anyway, it doesn’t matter if it’s not her. Let’s go.”
The boy looked at his lawyer, urging him to leave but the lawyer didn’t intend on going.
“Earl Ashenbert, while it is indeed ill mannered of me, there is something I’d like to discuss with you with this opportunity.”
“Alfred-kun was made to follow the red string of fate up until here and you are conveniently taking the opportunity to discuss matters with me?” 
The lawyer shrugged. It appears that he was forced to accompany the boy, who was trying to find the so-called red string.
“We originally intended to pay a visit if anyone could properly introduce us. However, it turned out that asking someone to do that was not required.”
When the lawyer spoke, the boy turned away and left silently.
“Ah, wait......”
Although Lydia tried to stop him, he left the room without looking back.
“How disrespectful, he’s usually like this, please don’t mind him.”
The lawyer said. He appeared to be only interested in discussing matters now.
Edgar casually pulled Lydia’s hand. 
He was slightly away from the table, sitting beside Lydia on the sofa. He and Lydia continued holding hands, perhaps it was because he felt that compared to the red string that did not connect them together, actually touching Lydia was more important. 
They were undoubtedly engaged, but Edgar wasn’t her destined person. Lydia felt uneasy about this, but after seeing the numerous red strings on Edgar’s hand, she was unable to frankly withdraw the hand that held his.
“Please sit down, what is it that you wish to negotiate?”
“Yes... it appears that young master Alfred has no chance of love with his destined partner, so we must quickly arrange a different marriage. But so far, there hasn’t been any favourable responses from any family household.”
“He’s only twelve or thirteen years old, right? Why must he be engaged so urgently?”
“This is his grandfather, Lord Mordant’s idea. You should also be aware of the strange rumors that were recently spread, that he wants to ascertain the position of lord as soon as possible. Lord Mordant said that if young master Alfred was able to get engaged, then he will be acknowledged as the successor.”
If he isn’t the official wife’s child, then he can’t inherit the title. Having said that, if the rumors were disregarded, Alfred should still be the successor according to the documents, but even then, it’s difficult for others to recognize the legitimate rights possessed by a boy who is still young and unsupported. Whether or not he can inherit the family property was perhaps dependent on the family head, Lord Mordant’s decision.
“Lord Grosser’s lustful life and bad rumors had always made Lord Mordant angry, so he thinks that if young master Alfred was subject to his bad influence, he will be unsuited to become the heir. The lord especially attaches importance on his female relationships being faithful rather than dishonest.”
“So that’s how it is. Since he believes that it’s very troublesome no matter what kind of woman she is, and as long as he can decide on his marriage partner, he would not have any other requests, right?”
“Yes. It’s just that he’s slowly unable to decide on his marriage partner.....that’s also due to the influence of those bad rumors but…”
If it’s possible that he is not the heir, then he will certainly be avoided, as other families base their decisions on family bloodline and conditions alone.
“Currently, only one family still hasn’t replied, and if possible, I hope that you, Earl Ashenbert, can lend a hand.”
“Is the family well-acquainted with me?”
“That’s right, it’s the Grand Duke of Cremona’s princess. I’ve heard that she is an eccentric who stays at home and doesn’t make social appearances, but there’s nothing to be said regarding her family background. I’ve also heard that the Grand Duke was quite troubled over the Princess’ future, as she is of marriageable age...”
“What? Don’t make me laugh, I won’t marry that little demon!”
Lota vigorously stood up, almost turning the table over.
Edgar introduced her once more to the surprised lawyer.
“She is the Princess of Cremona, Princess Charlotte. ”
“What!”
The person who called out was Paul.
“So Paul didn’t know?”
“Oh, I don’t think I told him. ”
From Lota’s face, it appeared that she didn’t care.
“Is this...... t--true......”
“Yup, I’m not the least bit noble, right? Due to some reasons, I grew up in the East End of London.”
The East End of London... Lord Mordant’s lawyer whispered. Lota turned to him and said:
“I don’t think you guys are willing to set an engagement with that of woman, but overall, I have no interest in a political marriage!” 
At that moment, Edgar suddenly stood up.
“I understand, then it’s up to me to convince the Grand Duke.”
“Wait, Edgar.”
Lydia had a look of surprise and Lota gaped.
“Regardless of where she grew up, Princess Charlotte is a very caring woman. Even if it’s a love-troubled man like Alfred, she is certainly capable of supporting while properly manipulating, no, properly assisting others.”
“Hey, mind your own business!”
“Please consider it carefully, Lota. Nobody will try to find you and discuss such a good marriage ever again.”
“Y--you, it’s because Lydia’s red string is connected together with that little demon’s, so you just wanted to lump me in together with him, right!”
“You actually figured it out. ”
“There’s no reason why I couldn’t!” 
“If the engagement is not settled, then he may become obsessed with Lydia.  If he settles his marriage proposal quickly, then judging from the current situation, he might forget about the existence of the red string.” 
“You only care about yourself!
“As a matter of fact it isn’t like that, but I really don’t care about you.”
Edgar and Lota were like this every time. Despite making others think that they do not get along well, Lydia knew that their friendship seemed to have grown since the past, so she did not sigh. 
“Earl! I--I had no idea you were such a person!”
This time, Paul stood up.
Everyone was taken aback by this unexpected situation and they could not help but look at Paul.
“Even if you’re engaged now... for you to go as far as to treat a woman that you’ve associated with in the past like this...”
“Associated? With who?”
Edgar tilted his head.
“It was with Lota! Since she’s become a hindrance, you think it’s all right to push her towards other men? Just because she’s still thinking about you now, she is trying to be good friends with you and Miss Lydia.”
Edgar and Lota looked at each other in surprise.
“To go as far as to say that you have nothing to do with the commendable Lota is going too far!”
“Umm, Paul... you’re mistaken…”
Although Lota tried to deny it, Paul continued on in one breath:
“Earl, I originally believed that you had become earnest after your engagement with Miss Lydia... and yet you... because you were so casual with women, there is more than one red string now!”
Paul’s emotions were stirred up, apparently he really misunderstood.
Lydia and Lota fell silent, bewildered to the point of not knowing what to say.
After a moment of silence, Edgar let out a chuckle.
“This is too funny.”
He said, as he burst out laughing. 
As the situation was too strange, this time, Paul looked flabbergasted.
“Hey Paul, although I said that I’ve had an ill-fated relationship with Edgar before, you wouldn’t believe that it was a relationship between a man and woman, right?”
“Eh, but Lota, the Earl once said that he wouldn’t be just friends with women...”
“Lota is a woman? Her chest is flatter than Raven’s.”
Raven, who was standing in the corner of the room awaiting orders, was suddenly being compared. He put his hands on his chest, not knowing what to think.
“What? That was several years ago! It’s already grown a lot now!”
“Umm... Earl Ashenbert...”
Lord Mordant’s lawyer gingerly interrupted. In this increasingly fierce dispute, that pompous girl unexpectedly turned out to be the Princess of Cremona. It seemed that he was not able to accept this fact.
“Oh, I apologize but sir, Alfred wouldn’t care about chest size, I think she can at least have children.”
“Edgar! You rascal!”
“Uh, was I wrong? Lota and the Earl.. didn’t have that kind of relationship?”
Paul scratched his head.
Lydia, amongst the chaotic room, glanced at something.
Edgar had numerous red strings around his pinky. Although she realized that Paul’s anger was a complete misunderstanding, Edgar was a person who would provoke misunderstandings to begin with, and this was where the problem lied. 
Even if there were numerous red strings around Paul’s finger, then others would think that there must be some mistake. 
Lydia gradually grew angry as she approached Edgar and asked:
“Edgar, why would you know this?”
“Eh, know what?”
“That Lota’s... you weren’t peeping at her, right...”
“Oh my, Lydia, don’t get me wrong. That was because Lota often used to swim naked in the harbor, and even if she did, no one noticed. Because of this, people didn’t think she was a woman.”
After having heard this, the lawyer was wide-eyed and his body went stiff.  The naked swimming Princess must have destroyed his imagination.
But once Lydia got angry, she wouldn’t even notice that guests were still in the room.
“……T--to even joke about a person’s body, is really horrible!”
She immediately turned and ran out of the room.
“It serves you right! In any case, your fickle heart can never be cured, being hated by Lydia is your fate!”
“Damn, what’s with this red string of fate, our feelings can’t be destroyed by that sort of thing!”
Having heard Edgar’s furious voice, she closed the afternoon tea room doors.

                                                                                                                 *

If that really was the red string of fate, then Lydia was destined to marry that boy named Alfred. Edgar would then live surrounded by women other than Lydia.
Even if she went contrary to her destiny and married Edgar, would there inevitably be a day where the same outcome arises?
If Lydia alone couldn’t satisfy Edgar... and if he brought other women to the mansion...
How could I endure that sort of thing?
“Lydia, are you depressed?”
Not long after Lydia seemingly fled and returned home, Lota came to find her.
“....A little.”
“Oh my, although a man having so many red strings will make others think that it’s very ridiculous and that he’ll probably be a philanderer for a lifetime, I don’t think he’ll do things that will make you hate him.”
Lydia nodded, and she had absolutely no doubt about Edgar’s feelings for her.
“How frivolous, talking about chest size, it was only because he didn’t treat me like a woman, so he won’t have any complaints of you.”
“Th--that sort of thing... I don’t care about it at all.”
Lydia blushed in response.
She was actually a little concerned.
A more important matter was the red string of fate. Currently in this engagement, it was only natural that she would feel uneasy about the unpredictable future, but once a person knows that their partner was the destined one, wouldn’t it make them more nervous?
“Hey Lota, what kind of person is the so-called ‘destined one’ anyways?”
Was it a person that you liked more than anyone else? Or was it someone who was able to let you live securely and happily?”
“Well, even if you were connected by the red string, you can’t fall in love with that kid either. But Lydia, don’t you find it a little strange? This string is supposed to be invisible, right? We can only see it because of the fairy magic. That being said, can Alfred see the red string like us because of the magic?”
Lydia also felt a little concerned.
“Yes, since he followed the red string skeptically, it meant that someone wanted him to do it.”
The fairy godmother had certainly casted magic on Lota for her godson, so the fairy must have used the same magic on the boy.
But if Alfred was the godson, then he didn’t realize that the red string wasn’t connected to Lota, but rather to Lydia.
While Lydia thought this, she heard a small voice.
(Fairy doctor! Hey, you said that you’re a fairy doctor, right?)
A familiar petite figure lightly fluttered as it entered the room through the window.
“Fairy godmother? What happened this time?”
(Ahh, that’s great, fortunately someone can hear me.)
The fairy staggered and onto the table, gasped for breath and said desperately:
(It’s terrible, my godson... my young master doesn’t know who he’s been kidnapped by... Fairy doctor, can I ask you to follow the red string and find his whereabouts? Please save the young master!)
If he was kidnapped, then it wasn’t a small matter. Lota and Lydia exchanged a look.
“Then is it possible as long as I follow my red string?”
“Lota, wait a moment. Fairy godmother, your godson wouldn’t be Alfred of the Mordant family, right?”
(Yes, that’s right. Ahh, his father just passed away, his heart must be quite uneasy, and now this happens......)
The fairy began to weep.
“I’ve seen him, but his red string wasn’t connected to Lota, but with me.”
(Oh my!)
The fairy soon stopped crying and began to look around restlessly.
“I really... how could I have made such a mistake... the young master should have been searching for the Princess of Cremona.)
“In other words, in order to make him discuss marriage with Lota, you tied a red string on them without permission, but it was accidentally tied to me in result? In that case, the red string has nothing to do with destiny?”
Lydia gave a condemning glance at the fairy.
The fairy nervously shook her head, denying it.
(What you see really is the red string of fate. But one can also fail to follow the red line to find their destined partner even if they can see it. People are completely incapable of realizing their own fate... so, I wanted to at least connect the young master with a string to a woman he’d discuss marriage with.)
The red string was real. In that case, then even from now on, Edgar will probably get into a close to multiple women. 
It would be fine if they were to assume that everything the fairy godmother said was a lie, but the visible string that the fairy spoke of was real. Lydia was completely sullen.
However, now was not the time to be dejected.
“In short, we have to find that boy.”
(I beg of you, fairy doctor.)
“So, it’s possible as long as we follow my red string.”
Once Lydia stood up, Lota did so as well.

Lota said that if she were to get close to the whereabouts of Alfred, who might have been kidnapped, it might be dangerous in a situation with only women, so she brought Raven along.
Since this time, Lydia’s string had to be followed, she originally feared that things would get complicated if Edgar got involved, but it just so happened that he wasn’t home.
The three of them and the fairy godmother arrived at an old building located at the south of London, beside the Thames river.
“Is Alfred inside?”
(I’ll go and see.)
The fairy slowly flew towards the red string that lead to the window.
Lydia and the others waited in the shadows.
“Hey, where did that guy Edgar go?”
Lota said to pass the time.
“Lord Edgar told me not to tell Miss Lydia.”
Raven replied, with his usual straightforward attitude.
He ought to have one or two women by his side, Lydia sighed. Because Lota felt that she had asked something unnecessary, she clicked her tongue.
“Oh I know, wouldn’t that guy want to do something to restore his reputation? That’s right, because he felt a sense of crisis with the red string, I don’t think he’d be cheating at this time.”
Was that so? But even then, Lydia did not know how to look upon the matter of the red string.  Now it was difficult to pretend that she was unaware.
“Oh speaking of which, I haven’t seen Nico around. At the tea salon back then, he disappeared before we knew it and he wasn’t in Lydia’s house either. ” 
Lota tried to change the subject.
“Mr. Nico is following his red string to find his partner. ”
“Eh, he wouldn’t be thinking of finding his destined partner, right?”
Although Nico was a fairy, he seemed to care a lot about destiny. However, the fairy godmother said that one’s partner can’t be found by following the red string.
Overall, she felt a little sorry for Nico.
“Ah, hey, look...”

Picture
At that moment, Lota suddenly cried out. She pointed at a small window on the roof of the old house.
There was a pale figure bending down, a boy clutching something that looked like sheets, trying to leave the house through the window. Apparently, judging from his back, it was definitely Alfred.
“That’s dangerous!”
“If someone were to call out to him, he might get frightened and fall off. Let’s look at the situation first.”
They could only hold their breath and watch. 
Just when the boy descended to the window of the second floor, the door below suddenly opened.
“Hey, he’s trying to get away!”
A man yelled, who came out from the door and looked up at the boy. Alfred came close to falling, but he desperately grabbed onto the sheets.
But the window of the second floor opened and the men leaned out to capture Alfred.
Lydia immediately rushed over, yet Raven stopped her and said:
“It would be very dangerous to go.”
“But Alfred he...... what should I do... isn’t there a way to save him?”
“Then, I will go. Miss Lydia, please take him and escape.”
Just as he said that, Raven ran out.
He kicked the man below the window and then threw the knife up to cut the sheets.
He was going to fall.
Lydia was in a cold sweat, but Alfred happened to fall onto the man whom Raven knocked down. Though the man was spread flat like a cushion, the boy immediately stood up.
Raven blocked the men who hurried outside the house.
Lydia and Lota ran to Alfred.
“Quickly, over here!”
The two took the boy with them to escape and ran to the main road to hail a carriage.
Although they were fortunate to find a street carriage parked by the curb, as they tried to get in, the man who caught up grabbed Lota’s hand.
“Lydia, you go on ahead!”
Lota wrestled with the man, and while Lydia hesitated, another man appeared and pushed her into the carriage.
“Ah, w--what are you doing...?”
“What a pity, don’t make a fuss.”
The man seemed to be from the group that captured Alfred. He flashed a pistol while threatening the carriage driver that held Lydia and Alfred to drive off. 

Lydia didn’t know where she was. Although it was London, the street she passed by was the East End district, an area Lydia did not know of. 
And so, she was locked up together with Alfred in a basement-like place. 
There was only one candle in the locked room, and if the candle went out, they would be surrounded by complete darkness.
Lydia wanted to take advantage of the present time to look around and think of a solution; she walked around the room to see whether or not there was a passage on the walls or floors.
“It’s too late to escape.”
Alfred, who had been silent, whispered.
“We’ll be handed over to the traffickers and sent to foreign ships.”
“How do you know?”
“I heard someone say that when I was at the house before”
Alfred laughed as if it had nothing to do with him.
“You’ll probably be brought on board too, that’s what our destiny is.”
He looked at the red string coiled around his pinkie, then at the string on the ground, and towards Lydia’s finger that tied them together.
“Ugh, if you weren’t here, then you might’ve been safe. Because aren’t we destined to be connected? As long as you’re in London, then even if you were sent far away, then you might come back.... no, that’s not it, things becoming like this ought to have been predestined.”
“I’m not your destined partner.”
The fairy made a mistake and tied the red strings onto the hands of humans who could see them. But even if that wasn’t the case, Lydia may have also wanted to resist fate.
“You say this because you have a fiancé? Then why did we turn out like this? Did you happen to be near the house? In that case, I can only think that it was fate playing a prank on us.” 
“It was because the fairy godmother asked me. She asked me to save you.”
For a split second, the boy exposed a childish surprised expression.
“Fairy...? You’ve had a dream of the fairy too?”
“It wasn’t a dream. I usually see fairies, as I’m a fairy doctor. In order to make you willing to be engaged, the fairy godmother wanted to tie the visible red string to the Princess of Cremona who was in discussion for marriage, but she made a mistake and tied it to my hand.”
The boy tilted his head slightly, as he was probably used to hiding his surprise and curiosity, but he lowered his head in disinterest once again.
“It’s not you. In that case, my destined partner is probably in a foreign country. But we will be sold, not have a normal life in future and someone will merely treat us like toys. Could this be considered as destiny too?”
For a young boy, Lydia thought that what Alfred said made it seem as if he had given up on everything. 
Even though he hated women, he quickly tried find his destined partner, as it was meaningless to marry just anyone. Although it was under his grandfather’s orders and he had no choice but to do so, he wasn’t trying to receive his grandfather’s approval.
So, even if things turned out like this, he was still calm, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Lydia sighed and looked at her own finger.
Whose red string am I actually connected together with?
If we’ll be sold off like this, then does that mean Edgar isn’t my destined partner?
She suddenly caught sight of Alfred undoing his own red string.
“Don’t do that, if the string were to be untied, then you really won’t be able to find your destined partner.”
“Are you talking about the people overseas waiting to buy me? If so, I don’t want to meet them.”
Lydia reached out and tried to stop him, but Alfred seized her hand after having said that.
“You should also untie the red string, as long as fate doesn’t lead you by the nose, you might not be sold overseas, isn’t that so?”
Alfred decided to untie the red string, and so Lydia began to panic.
“Stop it.” 
“Why? I saw it, Earl Ashenbert’s hand had many strings. Do you want to be one of them? Regardless of whether it’s the Earl or a despicable old foreigner, they don’t deserve a grateful partner.”
Maybe he was right. Lydia was blank and lost strength, while Alfred continued untying the red string on her hand.
However, when the red string began to loosen, she suddenly returned to her senses.
Picture

​……No, how could I not be connected together with Edgar?
She waved Alfred’s hand away.
“I am definitely connected with Edgar! Because I’ve already decided to stay by his side! ……The two of us decided that, we promised!”
Regardless of how the red string of fate was connected, her bond with Edgar was real.
Alfred frowned in confusion but Lydia stood up.
“We haven’t been sold yet, we’re still in London!”
I don’t want to give up. Just when she thought that, the sound of the door unlocking was heard.
“Hey, get out.” 
The man who had brought the two of them here appeared.
Alfred and Lydia couldn’t resist and didn’t know what was going to happen, as they were brought out of the basement with their hands tied and eyes blindfolded.
The two of them were taken to another room. After they heard the sound of the door opening, Lydia was pushed a few steps forward and felt the breeze brushing against her face.
To say the least, it wasn’t a basement; it was probably a room with open windows.
Lydia was still looking for a chance to escape. 
“These are the two people to be sold.”
She felt someone stand up from its chair, were they brought before the trafficker? 
If the window was open, they might be able to escape. They had only ascended one flight of stairs after coming out from the basement, so this was probably the first floor.
While Lydia thought desperately, the person in front of her spoke.
“I heard there was only a boy.”
Surprised, Lydia looked up.
She felt that it was Edgar’s voice. 
“Yes, because of certain matters, there is an extra person. But with this young girl, we can find a buyer right away.”
“How troublesome, girls like her will immediately die if thrown into the bottom of a ship. On the other hand, the risk in selling nearby is too high.” 
The tone of his speech was a lot like those in shady businesses, but it was indeed Edgar’s.
His hand that pretended to be identifying goods touched Lydia. She felt Edgar’s fingertips brushing her lips, as if asking her not to make a sound and so she nodded lightly.
“Forget it, just take them away.”
As long as they could get out like this, it would be alright.
Not long after Lydia was at ease, the door was suddenly forced open.
“Who are you people! You intend to steal my goods?!”
Have the real traffickers appeared?
Someone restrained Lydia roughly, and she knew that Edgar’s hand had left her.
“Seize him!”
Lydia was resisting the force that was trying to pull her away.
The man who seized her cried out and his grip loosened.
“Edgar! Where are you?”
Someone moved behind Lydia. Her hands were immediately untied, and her covered eyes could see light again.
It was Raven.
Raven gently pushed her forward, and was hugged by Edgar who was there. 
“Lydia, this way.”
Lydia quickly grabbed onto Alfred’s coat. Edgar quickly entered the room from another door, holding onto Lydia as they ran down the staircase leading underground.

Surrounded by darkness, the three of them explored their way forward in the dark for some time.
The underground tunnels were criss-crossed, Edgar said that it was the ruins of an ancient church.
Although sounds from their pursuers came, they gradually became distant. Just as she thought that, a light was approaching.
“Lydia, Edgar, where are you guys?”
“It’s Lota.”
She ran over carrying an oil lamp.
“Are you okay? Thank god.”
“How’s the situation above?”
Edgar asked.
“The police will come soon, it’s safer to stay here until then.”
“Why are Edgar and Lota here.....?”
Approaching the light in Lota’s hand, Lydia was finally able to confirm with her eyes that it was Edgar.
She looked at Edgar, who still had an incredible appearance.
“I went to meet Lord Mordant and heard many things. Originally, I wanted to make it clear and ask Alfred to not have immoral feelings towards my Lydia, but he informed me of some very complicated matters.”
Although Alfred frowned, looking at the traces of rope marks remaining on his hands after being untied, he was silent with a look of displeasure. 
“Complicated matters?”
“Hasn’t Lord Grosser, Lord Mordant’s eldest son passed away? That way, the successor of Lord Mordant would be his second son, then the son of the second son, and because Lord Grosser died earlier than his father, Alfred cannot inherit the title.”
Lydia nodded. She knew that, but she didn’t know that Lord Mordant had a second son. In that case, the problem of whether or not Alfred was able to inherit the title didn’t exist from the beginning.
“Lord Mordant’s second son’s whereabouts had been unknown for a long time, he was thought to be dead, but recently there have been news brought from the other side of the world. ”
“He’s still alive?”
“Lord Mordant was somewhat doubtful, as the person was too far. It’s quite difficult to directly confirm the identity of that person himself. Furthermore, Lord Mordant is prone to illness with his old age. So he believed that the person who was deceivingly claiming to be his second son would remain in a foreign country to stall for time before he passed away.”
“But even if something happened to Lord Mordant, as long as other family members see the person, wouldn’t they know whether or not he’s the real son?”
“Then what happens if his second son son dies not long after Lord Mordant does? Even if a person appears whom the entire clan doesn’t recognize, as long as he asserts that he is the second son, he can inherit the title.”
Although Alfred turned his head in disinterest, it seems that he had heard everything Edgar said.
“For the time being, Lord Mordant has been deferring the legal proceedings to resurrect his second son who is deemed dead. Even so, while he’s putting it on hold, he noticed that there was a disturbance around Alfred, furthermore, rumors spread saying that he isn’t his wife’s first son.”
“Alfred being targeted... as long as he disappears, then Lord Mordant has no other choice but to acknowledge the second son.”
“That’s right, in order to make those guys’ attention shift from his grandson, Lord Mordant acted like he didn’t want to acknowledge him. But in the end, it actually escalated into a kidnapping.”
“Then, he insisted that Alfred be engaged for others to see?”
Edgar saw Lota nod.
“Presumably to eliminate the loose impression Lord Grosser gave others. Lord Mordant seemed to be stalling for time while investigating, he had already discovered the man’s evil intentions, and was in the process of strengthening the surroundings to capture them in one fell swoop.”
At the moment it happened, Lydia and the others were dragged in. After Lydia was taken away, Lota and Raven rushed to Edgar, who was just with Lord Mordant.
“Fortunately, we already knew of their hideout, but after knowing that they were taken away, I asked him to change the plan.”
Edgar gazed at Lydia, reaching towards her cheek in relief.
“The plan of pretending to be a human trafficker?”
“Because I wanted to ensure your safety before the police burst in. But I didn’t think the real traffickers would appear so early.”
“Even if I was sold, it doesn’t matter.”
The boy suddenly whispered.
“Didn’t you want to escape through the window?”
As soon as Lydia pointed that out, he angrily fell silent.
“Everyone is worried about you. Your grandfather and fairy godmother are worried.”
“Whoever inherits that kind of title, it’s all the same.  Even if it was me or my uncle’s son with suspicious origins, it’s all the same.”
He said with his expression of disinterest. 
“Because I am not the son of the first wife, and grandfather probably doesn’t know... my real mother was one of my father’s mistresses. She died soon after she gave birth. The nanny found a diary underneath the floor, but my father ordered the nanny to take me to Mother to replace her stillborn son. The diary was immediately burned and Mother knew nothing about it, my father had been lying to her and the people around him. Although the truth and rumors are different to each other, they’re also very similar.”
Even having confessed something extremely ridiculous, he spoke coldly as if saying they’re somebody else’s problem.
​ 

Picture

​“But don’t you believe in the fairy from your dreams? Because you believed that you would be acknowledged by your grandfather, you followed the red string, right?”
The fairy godmother was probably encouraging him in his dream, and perhaps he felt that only the fairy was by his side.
“It was just on a whim. Because if I inherited the title, I would have brought shame to the family.”
Although he replied like that, Lydia didn’t believe him, if he really didn’t care about it at all, then he wouldn’t have believed the fairy.
“It’s going to be alright.”
Edgar suddenly smiled gently. 
“Was he not brought up and raised as Lord Grosser’s first son?”
Alfred looked up in surprise.
“When I was around your age, my parents also passed away. That lonely feeling was like suddenly standing at the bow of a ship, being tossed about by the stormy sea. Your decision will affect the direction of the household that your ancestors have built. Although you talk about whether or not you ought to inherit the title, if you have this kind of doubt, it means that at least you have the pride and are aware of the household’s name.”
Despite Alfred listening to Edgar with a look of disinterest, teardrops fell from his eyes that moment.
He rubbed his eyes as if he was surprised.
“It’ll really be alright.”
Edgar rubbed Alfred’s head as he continued to shed tears in silence.
Perhaps he was unable to shed tears until now.
Edgar gazed gently at Alfred, whose tears wouldn’t stop, but Lydia noticed one thing. 
From the beginning since his parents were murdered, Edgar must’ve not cried; perhaps he had been able to smile, but he might not have shed tears for his family’s death and his own tragedy.
Lydia could only lightly lean against him.
Even if Edgar was destined to more than one woman, as long as his heart could be free someday, it would be fine if she was the one who could stay by his side like this. Lydia was in a trance as she thought this.
“Lord Edgar. ”
Raven’s voice came from the depths of the tunnel.
“Everyone is subdued, it is safe.”

Once they were outside, even the slightly overcast sky felt extraordinarily bright.
Lord Mordant’s lawyer came to get Alfred. He seemed really worried, and as soon as he saw Alfred’s face, he immediately rushed over.
“Young master Alfred, are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
“Lord Mordant is waiting for you, but if you are tired, it might be better to head over tomorrow.”
“No, I’ll leave now.”
Lota put her hand on the boy’s shoulders.
“Hey, do you want me to come with you? I can’t marry you, but if you just want acknowledgment from your grandfather, even if it means making a false engagement, it doesn’t really matter to me.”
Alfred turned and gave a frank smile to Lota.
“...Thank you, Princess Charlotte. But I’d like to make it clear with my grandfather.”
After he said that, he looked at Lydia.
“Fairy doctor, thank you. If you see my fairy godmother, could you tell her I said thanks?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Oh that’s right, Earl Ashenbert, she says that regardless of how many red strings you have, she decided to stay by your side.”
“Ah, w--wait a minute! Alfred!”
It was too late for Lydia to panic as she was embraced by Edgar.
“Really? Lydia, I’m so happy.”
“Th--that was because...... we were locked up underground, and heard that we were going to be sold overseas...... I  just didn’t want that, I thought.”
If you think about it, it was actually quite dangerous.
Although it was thanks to Lord Mordant who prepared the siege, they really might have been sold off.
“Regardless of how far of a place you have been brought to, I will be prepared to chase after you. I will follow this red string to find you.”
Numerous red strings.
“You can’t see them... even if you could, which string would you follow?” 
“Yeah, but you see, I think it’s mysterious how I haven’t lost sight of you. After all, didn’t we meet? Even when we were far apart, we were still able to meet each other.”  
Was this by chance? Or by destiny?
However, no matter what happens, Lydia also felt that it was mysterious at how she would certainly return to his embrace.
The arms that embraced Lydia’s back turned her around and pulled her into a tight embrace. Lydia looked around, completely unable to move.
Lota and Alfred had already left quickly, and only Raven was left standing there, looking away.
They were left with no one around the ruins of the church, so Lydia relaxed and accepted Edgar’s kiss.

                                                                                                         * * *

“Hey Paul, are you still dejected?”
While Lota was visiting, Paul was in a corner of the boarding house which doubled as a studio, sitting in front of a canvas, puzzled.
His hands were completely motionless and he did not seem to be pondering ideas. 
Lota’s voice frightened him so much that he almost fell out of his chair.
“Lo--Lota... ah, no, Lady…”
“It’s fine calling me Lota, same as before.”
“Eh, t--that’s right...... my apologies.”
Paul sighed, it was because of his strange misunderstanding that he said many things to Edgar, so he felt very down.
“Edgar doesn’t care at all. Didn’t he laugh? Suddenly making it out to be an affair, it wasn’t even seen as a bad joke to him.”
“But... I’ve also been quite rude to you.”
“Me? Well, I was a little shocked.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, Paul,you defended me, didn’t you? Furthermore, I now know that some people regard me as a woman.”
Lota snorted with laughter, and Paul had an expression of disbelief.
“But you don’t look like a man.”
“Yeah, at least I’m wearing a skirt. But how do I put it? Most people who see me, their first impression branded in mind be as a woman. No matter how close I was with the opposite sex, there wouldn’t be any scandals.”
Is that so? Paul still couldn’t understand.
“Then... what about your marriage?”
Lota was stunned for a moment and didn’t understand what Paul was asking.
“That? Well, I was rejected by Alfred.”
Lota burst out laughing. She always felt that her mood seemed to be getting better. Because when asked about her marriage, it sounded like a question to be asked to a lady. 
“Lota, there are others out there who will be more suitable for you.”
Paul rushed to comfort her. Why did it seem like he was talking to a girl?
“You’ve said that before.”
“Eh, is that so? ”
“Thanks, only you, Paul, would say this. Oh that’s right, this is for you.”
Lota handed a small box to Paul.  He opened the box in surprise.
As a result, something jumped out.
“Whoa!”
Paul was frightened and fell backwards as a hedgehog climbed onto his head. After Paul shook it off, it curled up on the floor.
Finding it amusing, Lota burst out laughing. 
“Were you scared? That’s cute.”
Lota gently picked up the hedgehog and approached him. The hedgehog crept into his hand and stared at Paul, who smiled. 
“Someone should be raising it, it has a tied ribbon. Until I find it’s owner, I’ll leave it at your place and I’ll come to help take care of it too.”
Lota spoke as she put the hedgehog back into the box and reached out to Paul.
She inadvertently looked at Paul’s hand, but the red string was already gone. The red string that was wrapped around Lota’s hair had also disappeared; the fairy godmother’s magic had probably been undone.
“Well...... that’s fine but. You really are an unpredictable.”
Paul got up and laughed a little in disbelief.  He was no longer dejected. 
People can’t follow the red string of fate to find another person, but that string is connected to someone, somewhere. This was mysterious yet exciting.
Even if she couldn’t see the red string, this feeling remained in Lota’s heart.

Nico sensed a nice aroma suddenly coming from somewhere, and suddenly opened his eyes.
It was the smell of deep-fried fish, Nico felt hungry as soon as he thought this. But now, he wanted to get up and follow the red string of fate to find his destined partner.
He originally wanted to rest a little, but he seemed to have been sleeping for awhile. Nico got up from the grass, and thought that he needed to quickly continue searching. 
“Red string, red string…”
He spread out his paws to confirm, but he couldn’t see any red strings. He quickly looked at his feet, but he couldn’t find it there either.
Was the magic undone? Nico sighed and slumped on the ground.
Where is this place? Nico walked a long distance following the red string, but when he looked around, he was actually surrounded by a familiar scenery.
In front of him were flower beds, statues made into fountains, and tall trees that were equally spaced apart; there were stone buildings all around that were taller than these trees.
“This place is the courtyard of the Earl’s mansion.”
Although he followed the red string endlessly, Nico seemed to be going in circles near the Earl’s mansion.
“Arghh, what is up with this?”
Nico collapsed onto the grass in annoyance, but then he smelt the aroma of gourmet food. 
He suddenly discovered the red string coiled around his tail, then hastily got up and began to follow it.
Appearing before the balcony, the red string extended past the table. Nico jumped onto the balcony.
At that moment, the object that caught Nico’s eyes was a deep-fried fish tied with a red string.
“Good morning, Mr. Nico.”
Raven was standing to the side.
Nico looked at Raven, then at the fried fish, and suddenly realized something.
“……Ugh, my destined partner turned out to be deep-fried fish.”
Because it really was too funny, Nico clutched his stomach as he laughed. Raven was probably thinking hard about what would make Nico happy, and so he tied the red string to it. 
This was in order to replace the red string of fate, which couldn’t be found no matter where he looked.
“This smell is truly fragrant.”
His partner, who was difficult to find, was fried fish; perhaps this too was a beautiful destiny.
“Would you like to try the potatoes?”
Raven seemed somewhat satisfied.

After the fairy godmother waved her small wand, the red string wrapped around Lydia’s finger disappeared immediately.  Edgar’s strings were also gone.
(And like this, it’s back to the way it was.)
The fairy godmother was pleased, and danced back and forth between them.
She was so happy, because things were going well with Alfred. 
“Oh that’s right, fairy godmother, even if it’s invisible, does the red string of fate truly exist?” 
Edgar asked.
(Of course.)
"Everyone was saying that I have several threads, but do you also see it that way?"
“Edgar, that doesn’t matter anymore.”
The red string was originally invisible, and even if everyone felt that they could see the red string via the fairy godmother’s magic, that didn't mean that was really how things looked. 
Lydia thought to herself that it was okay not knowing the truth.
Because there wasn’t anything more genuine than the promise made between her and Edgar.
“However, Lydia, I can’t let this go. It's like I've been branded as being a philanderer even before marriage."
He was a philanderer when we met, but he isn’t like this now. Lydia thought.
However, Edgar extended his hand towards the fairy godmother, and she stared at his hands in amazement.
'I see, the Earl has a lot of love.'
“Like I said, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Lydia had decided to believe in Edgar, so she didn't want to hear anything that might endanger that.
(Since you have an endless supply of love, one red string wasn’t enough. Nevertheless, if all those red strings become one, it will be extremely laborious for the Earl’s destined woman because of his excessive love.)
What? Lydia frowned, and the fairy hurriedly bowed.
'Well, I'll be leaving,' she said vanishing quickly out the window.
Lydia nervously looked at Edgar.
Edgar grinned as he walked towards her. He placed his hand on the back of the chair, and gazed at Lydia from behind.
“It’s great that the truth was made clear.”
Not only that, he whispered with his lips almost brushing her ear.
“Ye....yeah. ”
"It’s difficult, but you alone are going to have to live with being the focus of countless people's worth of my love from here on."