Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 16 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 ♦ The Dream that the Master sees

On walls made of stones stacked up upon each other, were thatched roofs made of straw and heath; such small and cosy looking houses could be seen located sporadically along the coast.
That was one of the islands in the Hebrides. Edgar, together with Raven, had come thus far on the Connaughts’ boat.
Although this place was far away from the island where Lydia was on, naturally, they had a purpose in coming here.
It was what Connaught’s chief had told them.
In this Hebrides archipelago, which was said to have large and small islands amounting to nearly five hundred, lived many different clans. However, on an island floating in the middle of the straits, there resides what now rarely exists - a Shaman.
The Shaman was said to have knowledge of the ancient history of the archipelago, treatment of diseases and in addition, a very rich knowledge of charms against magic.
Although he did not know if the Shaman was still alive, Edgar was pinning his hopes on this.
Handing Lydia over to the McKeels was a most painful decision and he had considered the idea of bringing her back with him, as she wished, several times.
But if he did that, Lydia would surely die. Even though he knew that, Edgar had also felt inclined to give in to the temptation.
What’s wrong with pursuing happiness out of passion without care for the future? If Lydia could not live for long, then it’s fine if my life is short. If my role is to bury the memories in which the evil “Prince of Calamity” is embodied in entirely, then I might as well do just that …
He considered it countless times, and he also rejected it countless times.
He could not lead Lydia, who he wanted to protect more than anything else, to her death with his own hands.
This feeling was the only thing that held him back.
Lydia might resent Edgar, who had gone so far as to deceive her as he had no choice but to leave her behind on the island. He did not know if she would forgive him when they meet again.
Despite his uneasiness, for now, Edgar could only pray that Lydia would focus on her recovery.
On the other hand, Edgar was unwilling to stay still and wait obediently for several years as things are.
Even though he had no choice but to entrust Lydia to the McKeels, they wanted Lydia as well. Since it wasn’t impossible that they would claim that her injury would require a few years to heal when in reality it would only take a few months, he thought that he should be gathering accurate information on his end as well.
Furthermore, he also wanted to investigate into whether there were any other treatment methods.
To such an Edgar, the Connaught clan chief’s suggestion was his last ray of hope.
It was a tiny, deserted isle, but there was still a proper wharf. The Connaught boatman, who had led their boat to the bridge, said that it was built by the English.
After landing onto the island, new white-walled buildings and orderly paved roads stood out against the old stone houses which they had seen along the coast from the sea, as the two had entirely distinct airs about them.
It appeared that the acquisition of land by outsiders was also progressing rapidly on this island.
“Lord Edgar, could it be that shop?”
Raven pointed to a signboard that indicated that the shop was a bar. They had heard that the owner of that bar understood English and would probably know about the Shaman as well.
As they approached the building, they heard shouting voices from the direction of the alley. Then, a boy came rushing out from there, tripped over a pebble and fell right before them. Edgar stopped in his tracks.
“You cheeky damn brat!”
The boy looked to be around ten years old and the voice that shouted at him was in English.
One by one, men appeared from the narrow alley and surrounded the boy who tried to stand up. The last man who appeared, dressed in a gentleman-like manner, was probably the leader of the men.
That gentleman, who was probably a nouveau riche, opened his mouth and said:
"I had forked out the money and bought the land. I also have the documents. What’s wrong with doing whatever I want on my own land as I please?”
He had papers which were rolled up in his hand. And with his other hand which held a cane, he struck the boy.
“And yet you ask me to leave? If you have complaints then you can purchase the land. I will tell you first, it’s a large sum! If I have the money then I’ll have no reason to remain in this inconvenient countryside! ”
Grabbing the man’s cane, the boy continued to resist firmly.
“……I have no money....but do not go near that island!”
The boy who stood up spoke in English as well.
He then thrust his head towards the gentleman.
Caught by surprise, the gentleman fell to the ground along with the boy. All the surrounding men who seemed to be hired caught the boy and pulled him away from their master.
"Let go of me! That island....does not belong to anyone! But you’re saying that you bought it, that’s so weird! Everyone says that you made up those documents...."
"Shut up!”
The man raised his hand again but was stopped mid-air.
Because Edgar had grabbed his hand.
"Don’t you think you should stop? You’re a disgrace to the English.”
"W, what! Who are you?”
The man shook his hand off from Edgar’s grip but as he turned around to size up Edgar, he frowned perplexedly.
“If you have something worthy for me to name myself to you, I could do so?”
After Edgar said that, the gentleman clearly lost his fighting spirit; he then stopped the surrounding man who were trying to approach Edgar.
"Stop, do you want to go against a noble!?”
If this sentence had been uttered a little later, Raven would have taken action.
However, at that time, Raven did not display any murderous intent in the least bit. Raven picked up the papers that the man dropped when he fell to the ground and handed them to Edgar.
"I see, so this is the title deed? But it’s odd. The signature of the government official here belongs to a noble who I am familiar with, but the spelling is different.”
The man turned pale and bit his lips.
“Perhaps, this may be evidence of forgery…"
The man quickly snatched the papers away from Edgar and tore it to pieces.
"Let’s go.”
He urged his men to leave. Yet at the same time, he turned around slightly and left a sharp parting remark.
"Sir, since you are an English noble you should understand. No good will come from standing up for Highlanders.”
Edgar turned away from the men who had left, and bent down to the boy whose body was covered with wounds.
"Are you alright?”
The boy looked up at Edgar with a glare, probably because he was guarded against Edgar, who was also an English like the men before.
“What did you come here for? ... You too, are you here to buy land?”
"No, I heard that this island is the home of a famous Shaman, so I came to consult the Shaman. The Connaught clan chief said that the owner of the bar could help lead the way for me.”
The boy glanced at the entrance of the bar which was not yet opened, then stood up by himself.
He used his own sleeve to wipe the mud and blood off his face. He seemed to not have sustained any serious injury.
The boy had sharp and distinct features which had some kind of an exotic grace; his eyes and hair were also black.
As he understood that Edgar had come with the introduction of the Connaught clan chief, the boy’s attitude somewhat softened.
"Well, if that’s the case I can help lead the way. This is my home.”
He suddenly held out his hand, seeming to ask for a tip.
"Really? Do you know of the Shaman?”
“Yeah. Besides, my Dad is away from home right now but don’t you want to meet the Shaman quickly?”
Edgar nodded and handed the boy a penny copper coin. The boy put it into his pocket as if it was very important.
He started to walk immediately,
“You can get there by walking for thirty minutes.”
“I see. By the way, do you always pick up fights that recklessly?”
Edgar felt interested to find out why a child would go against several large males that seriously.
The boy’s expression suddenly stiffened, however, he thought about it a little and answered.
“..... It’s not always. I dislike the English but it’s thanks to them that my family’s business is doing well.”
“You don’t seem to be in need of pocket money.”
The boy’s pocket made small noises with each step he took as the coins clashed against each other.  
“But that’s the only thing I cannot allow!”
He pointed towards the sea as he walked.
It was a flat island where almost no trees grew. One could probably see the sea no matter where they were on the island.
Just by moving one’s head, one could see the dark indigo sea that extended endlessly across the horizon under the cloudy skies. However, one could imagine that the island which the boy pointed at was the small isolated island offshore.
That island wasn’t that far away from where they were. Although the island had gentle sloping hills, it was a rather small island.
“Is there something on that island?”
“It’s an uninhabited island. Even the people on this island do not go there carelessly. Yet those men said things like having bought the island, and were making plans to dig up the crags. They’re going after the jewels.”
Having said that unwittingly, the boy stole a glance at Edgar’s reaction as he regretted talking about the jewels. Although Edgar deliberately paid no attention to that point, the boy hurriedly added on.
“But even the pebbles on the island belong to the ‘Master of the Islands’. Thieves are bound to meet with misfortune.”
“The ‘Master of the Islands’? Is that something like spirits or fairies?”
“No, the Master is the Master.”
The boy said firmly in a reproving manner.
“If we do not treasure that Master, would trouble like stormy seas occur?”
“That’s right. Though the English would only treat such things as nonsense.”
“I wonder about that. My island is the same. Merrows live on the island, and if I do not work well with them the seas and island will be covered by storms.”
As if he was surprised, the boy lifted his face and looked up towards Edgar.
“Sir’s island?”
“My title is The Lord of Ibrazel. I have many fairy acquaintances. I feel that the world is not merely what humans know, so I think that I do have something in common with the people of the Highlands.”
As he thought of Lydia who loved fairies, Edgar fell into the same pace as the boy who believes in the ‘Master of the Islands’. If Lydia was here, she would probably try to protect that small island desperately as if it was her own problem.
“I would think that the men earlier would probably never come again, but I’ll still inform the administrative body to take note of the possibility of forged documentations circulating around.”
How unlike me to say such officious things. Even though Edgar thought that, when he saw the boy let his guard down and look at him with shining eyes, Edgar genuinely felt glad.
Being apart from Lydia made Edgar endeavour to be even more aware of himself as the Blue Knight Earl.
Even though he had inherited Prince’s memories, Lydia still promised to marry him. So he had to stay as himself.
“Thank you, Sir. …No, Lord. Ah. We can see the Shaman’s house.”
Coming to a stop, the boy pointed to the top of a hill.
One could see a small black private house that stood by itself.
When Edgar informed the boy that it was fine to lead him until here, the boy nodded.
Strong winds suddenly blew from the sea against them and Edgar had to hold down his hat. By the time he lifted his gaze, he could no longer see the boy’s figure.

*

​
Stepping out from the mansion, Lydia walked slowly along the coast. Staying indoors all this while would only make her feel depressed so Fergus had invited her out for a walk out of concern towards her.
The winds were unusually gentle and the sun’s rays shone through the gaps in the clouds. For Lydia who had somewhat regained her strength, it was a weather that was suitable to be outdoors.
“The sea looks blue today.”
This morning, Lydia’s father had left for London. Although the feeling of loneliness sank deeply into her heart, Lydia worked hard to speak out cheerfully.
“I wonder if Mother had also strolled along here before.”
“She probably did. She’s the daughter of the chief from the branch family so I’ve heard of her coming to the head family countless times. And since she’s a fairy doctor, she probably felt an interest in lands like these.”
Lydia went closer towards the beach. The waves that washed ashore came towards and went away from her playfully.
The gentle sea breeze caught her reddish brown hair which was coiled close to her ears by her bonnet.
As a tuft of her hair danced lightly around in the wind, it was as though Edgar was playing around with her hair.
Basked in the glittering rays of the summer sun, amazingly, her dull rust-coloured hair appeared to be transparent and caramel-coloured like Edgar had described it.
“Be careful.”
When she nearly lost her balance over the sand, Fergus stretched out his hands and supported Lydia.
It was always Edgar by my side. But it’s different now. For a short while, Lydia thought about that in wonder. She then came back to her senses.
How can I be holding on to the hands of a man other than Edgar?
Lydia tried to free her hands but Fergus continued holding on to her hand as if he did not mind.
Since we are relatives, perhaps there is no need to be so conscious of it. Lydia changed the way she thought about it.
“It’s about time we go back?”
“I can’t be too far away from the cape right?”
“Yeah, if you’re not at a place where you can see that cape, there may be a negative effect on your body again.”
Fergus started to walk along the coast towards the cape while still holding on to Lydia’s hand.
Then, Lydia saw someone running towards them from the other direction.
“Miss Lydia - !”
That person was waving her hands widely. Her braids which fell against her back were leaping about.
“Kelly? It’s Kelly!”
“Eh- the girl from the Connaughts?”
As they looked on, Kelly approached them. Kelly caught her breath in front of Lydia and bowed formally.
“Miss Lydia, I’ll be serving you by your side once more.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Kelly had taken care of Lydia previously and Lydia was thankful to have a girl around her own age by her side. Lydia was happy and sincerely welcomed Kelly, but Fergus interrupted.
“Wait a moment. This place belongs to the McKeels’. I have no intention of employing a girl from the Connaughts. To begin with, both you and the Connaught family are under the patronage of the Earl of Ashenbert. … I see, you came at the instigation of the Earl, didn’t you?”
“You’re wrong. This is the arrangement of the Connaught clan chief.”
“It’s the same! The Connaught clan chief does what the Earl tells him to.”
“In any case Mr Fergus, I’ll have you employ me.”
Kelly was awfully firm.
“Like I said, I can’t employ you!”
“You overlooked me at the McKeels’ mansion; even if you had told the truth to your Father or anyone else then, they would have found out about the Earl’s plan.”
Kelly, who said that, was blatantly threatening Fergus.
When Kelly secretly made contact with Lydia while carrying Edgar’s letter, she was found out by Fergus. Yet he had allowed Kelly to leave without any objection, as Lydia had wished.
Even now, Fergus was probably the only one who knew of the link between Edgar and the Connaughts. In other words, if Fergus did not employ Kelly, Kelly would tell on Fergus to his father.
Fergus, who was thoroughly disturbed, sighed in resignation.
“… Alright I get it! But you have to act as though you belong to the McKeels ok?”
“Yes. Please help to cover things up well.”
Lydia patted her chest down in relief and turned to face Kelly with a smile.
“That’s great. You’ll be my companion again right?”
“Yes, Miss. And my role is also to prevent any pests from coming near you.”
As she said that, Kelly glanced at Fergus. Once she verified that he was still holding on to Lydia’s hand, she glared at him again.
“Are you talking about me? I’m so much more of a gentleman than any of those English gentlemen.”
Fergus, who had released Lydia’s hand, panicked and defended himself.
“A gentleman, is one who takes care not to be alone with an unmarried lady.”
Fergus tut-tutted and spoke defiantly.
“Shut up. I’m a Highlander.”
“A Highlander man will not have a lewd look on his face in front of ladies.”
“I don’t!”
Lydia was able to feel thankful towards Fergus’ nonchalance and so Lydia tried to smile in order to brighten up her own spirits.
But even so, even when they had a lively conversation such as this, the loneliness in her heart did not vanish.
By the time she realized it, Edgar had become an irreplaceable existence to her.
Even when she found out that he was shouldering something unthinkable, even when she thought of him deceiving her and abandoning her, in spite of all that, Lydia still wished to be reunited with him.

*

“I’m not very familiar with the McKeels. I’ve certainly heard that since the olden days, that family has had many people with extraordinary abilities, and they had called themselves as the Prophet or Fairy Doctors, but outsiders do not have the chance to know what goes on inside the Clan.”
Facing Edgar, the old lady who was known as the Shaman said that.
The house that stood by itself away from the village, was a building made out of stones stacked up against each other and had a thatched roof, as was commonly seen in the area. And the old lady who had been working in the field in front of the house, looked like an old farmer that can be seen anywhere.
But once they entered the house, the house was full of the smell of herbs and as they looked upon her wrinkled hands as she lit the candles, she appeared awfully witch-like.
“Are you a Fairy Doctor?”
“Though I have some knowledge of fairies, I can neither see nor hear them so I do not have those sorts of abilities.”
The old lady invited Edgar to take a seat while she herself sat beside the pot that was placed over the fireplace.
“And so, what is it you would like to ask, young lord?”
“About the Fir Chlis.”
“The fairies of aurora. It has been believed since the olden times that they are the light which protects the islands from the long and dark nights which are the domain of the Unseelie Courts.”
“I heard that they are fairies which possess powerful magic.”
The old lady nodded gravely.
“They are the ones which wield the magical blades that can tear darkness into pieces…”
“Do you know the method to remove the poison caused by those blades?”
“I’ve never heard of Fir Chlis attacking humans.”
When the old lady looked at him to ascertain the truth, Edger averted his eyes.
The one who the Fir Chlis targeted wasn’t Lydia but Edgar. Edgar wondered if he is becoming something that wasn’t human.
While he had doubts about whether he would truly be able to keep Prince’s influence under control like how it was now, Edgar couldn’t help but wish for Lydia.
“In any case, if it’s about the Fir Chlis’ magic, then the McKeels would be the ones who know best.”
Appearing to not intend to probe any further, the old lady said so indifferently towards Edgar who fell silent.
“I can’t depend on the McKeels.”
The old lady thought over a little and spoke again.
“What I know is only based on legend so I do not know if it is the truth or not. I heard that the one who gave the Fir Chlis their magic and made them the guards against darkness, is an existence known as the ‘Master of the Islands’. … And if one were to drink the droplet that gushed forth from the Master’s spring, illnesses caused by any kind of magic would vanish at once.”
As he felt hope in those words, Edgar raised his face. As he thought, there is medicine that is effective towards the Fir Chlis’  blade. It was also a treatment method that did not take time.
“The Master of the Islands’ … I heard about this earlier from a local here; is that an existence on the small island offshore?”
“Although it’s been said that that island belongs to the Master, no one knows if the Master is there. I heard that in the past, wine would be offered to the Master on that island every year. It’s been quite some time since people stopped practicing this ritual.”
“Why did people stop the offerings?”
If she were to tell Edgar that it was because the Master no longer exists, then all hopes would be crushed. Edgar clung on to hope and continued his questions.
“When I was still a child, I heard that because the Master’s dream was completed, there was now no worry about it waking up.”
“… That is to say, the offerings were made in order for the Master to sleep.”
“In any case, that is something that should stay asleep and there will be trouble for humans if it were to wake up.”
It was an enigmatic and ambiguous topic. The boy he met earlier had also said that the Master was not the same as the fae.
But if he were able to find the spring of the “Master of the Islands’, he may be able to bring Lydia back with him immediately.
“If the Master’s dream is destroyed, then the realm of dreams will begin to transgress into the human realm…”
While Edgar was sorting out his thoughts, the old lady muttered as if she were talking to herself.
Although those may had been important words, to Edgar, rather than to grasp the meaning of those words, what was more important was how he would go about obtaining the water that gushed forth from the springs.
“Where is the spring?”
“Naturally it’s in the Master’s dream.”
“How would I be able to go there?”
However, the old lady shook her head.
“I do not know anything beyond what I had told you.”
Edgar could only be dejected.
Even so, there was something he gained. Pulling himself together, Edgar thanked the old lady.
As he got up and was about to leave, she suddenly called him back as if something had just occurred to her mind.
“My Lord, who was it that you heard from?”
Wondering what it was about, Edgar stopped in his tracks.
“Be it the islands or the members of the clans, everything has completely changed from what it was in the past. I had thought that there is no longer anyone left on this island who knew about the link between that small island and the Master.”
“I see. Although it was a boy of around ten years of age, it seemed like he treasured the Master’s island. That’s right, he said that he was a child from the bar in the village.”
Once he said that, the old lady tilted her head sideways and smiled mysteriously.
“That family doesn’t have a boy. My lord, you may have some sort of affinity with these islands. … Though I do not know if it’s something good or bad.”
Feeling as though he had met with something unreal, Edgar left the old lady’s house.
Raven who had been waiting outside, silently followed Edgar who walked on without saying a word.
After walking some distance from the old lady’s house and arriving at the bottom of the hill where he parted with the boy earlier, Edgar finally turned to face Raven.
“Raven, we need to find that boy earlier. He may not be human so there’s no doubt that he knows something important.”
Raven who looked towards Edgar while in thought, suddenly shifted his gaze and walked to Edgar’s side while displaying his wariness.
In the direction where Raven looked towards, stood a jet black horse with its mane flying about in the wind.

*

“Hey Kelly, it seems like I’ll be able to become very skilled at embroidery while I’m here.”
To Lydia who was at a mansion on a cape in the middle of nowhere, on an island that had nothing apart from the sky and the sea, the only thing she had in abundance of was time.
“Although I do not particularly like this, it’s perfect for killing time.”
Looking at Lydia who said that somewhat out of desperation, Kelly giggled as she entered the room carrying freshly washed sheets.
“Ah. But oh dear. At this rate, it seems like I’ll forget all about the etiquette that I practiced hard on as well as the customs of nobles.”
Lydia panicked as she suddenly realized that.
Since I will be returning to London immediately to get married once I recover from my injuries, it’ll be a problem if I were to forget all that.
If I have to redo my bridal training, I wonder if the wedding will be postponed.
When she thought until that, she felt foolish. She did not even know when she would be able to get married so it was pointless to be bothered about having the wedding postponed.
She was even starting to doubt if she’ll truly be able to get married.
When Lydia ended up pausing in her work, Kelly called out to her in concern.
“Miss, the fairy guests had left presents for you today as well.”
Kelly then picked something up from the window side and went towards Lydia.
“Wow, what a beautiful pansy.”
“Shall I put it into a vase?”
“That’s right, I wonder if I can make this into a pressed flower. The room is becoming full of vases.”
The top of the mantelpiece was already full of flowers brought by the fairies such that it was starting to resemble a field.
“Kelly, wait a moment. If I recall correctly, there are tools for making pressed flowers in the chest which Fergus had brought over for me.”
The moment the idea came to her, Lydia stood up.
If she concentrated on something, she would be able to not think of Edgar. That’s why nowadays, Lydia ended up immediately putting into action any ideas that came to mind so much that she was rarely settled down.
When she entered the room that became a storeroom, she immediately saw the chest.
Fergus had filled the chest with various tools and brought it over so that Lydia would not be bored.
Naturally it contained embroidery tools, but apart from that there were also books, board games, chess sets, paint, canvas, and even a violin.
Fergus, who said that he did not know what Lydia was interested in, had collected everything which a young girl of society might be interested in.
Even so, there were even items meant for children, such as soft toys, marbles and hoops.
What a funny person.
As Lydia remembered how Fergus had brought all these items into the mansion in an embarrassed yet slightly triumphant manner, she relaxed her stiff expression and smiled.
If it were Edgar, it was his forte to indirectly find out what the girl he set his sights on was interested in, and surprise the girl by suddenly presenting to her what she likes.
Lydia had never once disliked any of the presents from him.
On the other hand, even though Fergus was clumsy, she found him likeable.
Come to think of it, to Lydia, it felt like it a wonder that she fell in love with a clever and popular man like Edgar.
She had always thought that someone simple would be easier to understand and get along with for her.
As she unwittingly ended up comparing Fergus with Edgar, she felt somewhat embarrassed, but it couldn’t be helped as apart from Edgar, she did not know of any other man who had gotten close to her.
She soon found the toolbox to make pressed flowers. When she was about to retrieve the toolbox, she heard talking voices and turned around towards the door.
On the other side of the door which was left slightly ajar, someone was standing there in conversation. The voice which was somewhat hushed seemed to be Fergus’.
“On the island in the straits…?”
I wonder if he came to visit again today. I wonder who he is talking to.
Before she had time to think about it, she heard the other person’s voice. It was Patrick.
“Yes, it seems that the Earl of Ashenbert is there.”
Just by hearing Edgar’s name caused Lydia’s body to burn up in an instant. Unable to move, Lydia pricked up her ears and listened attentively.
By straits, they were probably referring to the area of the seas between the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
Edgar’s there?
Wasn’t he bustling about the high society in London?
“What’s he doing in that kind of place?”
“He is probably collecting information on the “’Master of the Islands’.”
“By ‘Master’ you mean … that legend? The one about how this Hebrides Archipelago was originally the dream the Master sees.”
“That’s right.”
“Isn’t that just a legend?”
“We can’t say that is entirely the case.”
“But, these islands are not a dream. It’s a reality of the human realm.”
“That’s because the Master had ceded the islands in the dream to humans. Humans wanted the beautiful islands, while the Master wanted a sleep that was undisturbed by anyone. Since the interests of both parties were aligned, a contract was formed. The Master had cut the dream off from the human world and shut itself inside the dream, while humans had offered wine yearly until that dream was completed and worked hard for the Master to continue sleeping. That is the kind of legend it is.”
“Hehh, then, what happens when the Master awakens?”
“The world will become one that is difficult to say that it belongs to humans.”
“I don’t really understand, but does the Master really exist?”
“I don’t know.”
“… then, what is the Earl trying to do?”
“I don’t know. Matters concerning the Master are too ancient, and information already isn’t passed down to us properly so I do not know what the Earl can do … Only that, his objective is most probably the spring that is said to be able to cure the wounds caused by Fir Chlis.”
Shocked, Lydia became conscious of a dull pain in the wound on her back.
Is Patrick saying that, there is another way to treat her injury which was caused by the Fir Chlis’ blade, apart from staying here?
“Because it’s said that the droplet from the Master’s spring can cure any illness in an instant.”
“What is this about?”
Lydia raised her voice unexpectedly.
She opened the door and walked towards the both of them.
Fergus turned to face her in shock but Patrick was calm.
“Good day to you. I’m sorry for disturbing.”
“Mr. Patrick, you said that the only way to treat my injury was to spend time here until the poisonous air is extracted didn’t you? To think that you kept quiet even though you knew there was medicine that would cure me in an instant, that’s terrible.”
He shrugged his shoulders lightly.
“Since you’ve heard what we said you should understand. There is no way to find such a medicine.”
“I wonder about that. I mean, aren’t you thinking that Edgar is looking for that? To me you lied by telling me that he was in London, yet you were investigating into what Edgar was doing… You’re wary of the possibility of the ‘Master of the Islands’ being real and of Edgar getting close to it.”
Sighing, Patrick who became serious, turned to face Lydia.
“Yes, it’s as you said. Lord Ashenbert is the “Prince of Calamity”. He can be in control of the magic of the Unseelie Courts. In the event that the legend contains some truth in it, if the Master wakes up, the magic that was trapped inside the dream will fill the islands. It will then become easy for the Prince of Calamity to use the Unseelie Courts as his battle strength.”
The problem was not that Edgar was searching for medicine for Lydia’s sake; Patrick was cautious towards “Prince”.
Finally realizing that, Lydia was taken aback; Patrick continued to pressurize her.
“Miss Lydia, if you are also a Fairy Doctor, please think about whether you could stop the Earl. To begin with, the human realm is a place where magic does not work like it does in the fairy realm. Even so, because of the birth of the Prince of Calamity, the Unseelie Courts are gaining in strength.  In such a current situation, do you understand what will happen if the magical domain pours out into the human realm?”
“But, Edgar has no intention of becoming Prince. He intends to keep Prince’s memories and objectives sealed …”
“No, he is steadily getting closer to Prince. And all that, is for your sake.”
For my sake?
“Patrick, stop.”
Fergus tried to stop Patrick, but Patrick looked into Lydia’s eyes coldly.
“The Earl, he tried to kill the Prophet because he did not want you to be taken away from him. Even before that, he had chosen to obtain the magic of the Unseelie Courts, an act which is a taboo for humans, in order to protect you from the Trow.”
That’s right, on each of those times, Edgar had to turn Prince’s memories into his, even though he should not touch them.
“Lord Ashenbert is a dangerous person. Instead of thinking about whether it is right or wrong, he chooses to prioritize protecting you.”
…But, what is right?
“Are you saying that Edgar is wrong? You all don’t know anything!”
Edgar was a victim of Prince. He had been fighting against their organization yet when he finally achieved his revenge, he was made into the new “Prince”.
“To you people and the Prophet, you all think that everything will be fine so long as Edgar doesn’t exist, but is that what is right? Just as you wish to protect the Clan, Edgar’s only fighting for the people who are important to him!”
Patrick was unperturbed by Lydia’s desperate rebuttal.
He sneered as if it was something amusing.
“If you do not want the Earl to become Prince, there is a definite way to ensure that. It is to dissolve your engagement with him.”
“Wh-What are you …”
“If your feelings have changed, then Lord Ashenbert will have no need to obtain the medicine. It will be meaningless for him to use the powers of the Unseelie Courts. He will then quickly return to London and if he is able to lead his life without being concerned with the islands’ magic or Prince’s fate, don’t you think he will be able to remain as he is like a normal human?”
It’s because of Lydia, that Edgar will end up crossing the line.
It’s as Patrick said.
Lydia, who wished to stay by Edgar’s side even at the risk of her life, was in a way actually driving Edgar into a corner.

There’s no doubt that Edgar was thinking of a way to treat her injury that did not require time, for her sake.
In order to achieve that, Edgar might have to unlock Prince’s memories again.
Unable to stay on, Lydia ran away.
“Ah-, Oi, Lydia!”
Although she heard Fergus’ voice calling her back, Lydia continued to rush out from the mansion.
She even thought that she should have refused treatment.
Even though she had pleaded with Edgar that if he were to leave her behind she would not accept any treatment, he still left her. She realized that when she woke up in this mansion and she should have been able to find an opportunity and run away.
The reason why she did not do so was because she still loved Edgar. She made the resolution to return to his side no matter how many years it took, if Edgar still hoped for a future together with her.
Although she felt uncertain about what might happen in the meantime until then, she tried to be optimistic.
But, if her own existence may cause Edgar to change, then wouldn’t it be better if she were gone?
As she ran, Lydia headed towards the edge of the cape.
Stopping right in front of the edge of the cliff, she fell to her knees as she looked downwards.
She felt scared. Of course, it was because Lydia did not wish to die. She had said that she did not mind dying because what frightened her the most was being apart from Edgar.
Because it feels like, if we were apart, Edgar will cease to stay as himself.
Or, even if I stay by his side, that will still happen someday.
What should I do?
“Lydia!”
Suddenly, her arms were pulled. By the time she realized it, Lydia had fallen into Fergus’ arms.
Surprised, she tried to thrust him away with both hands, but he continued to hold her and refused to let her go.
“Don’t do anything foolish.”
“I-I wasn’t doing anything. I was just looking at the sea.”
“Eh, the sea? Really…?”
As Fergus released his hold, Lydia pushed him aside and quickly distanced herself from him.
Fergus looked at Lydia worryingly and was about to speak out, but Lydia spoke first in order to interrupt him.
“You don’t have to pretend to worry about me.”
“Pretend?”
“Even you think that it’s better if I break up with Edgar isn’t it? I guess that’s true; you’re after all the next clan chief of the McKeels. When you made a deal with Edgar, was it because you wanted to separate us and persuade me? I guess I mustn’t think that you’re different from Patrick and that you worry about me from a neutral stance.”
“No, I…”
When Fergus tried to come closer, Lydia stepped back away from him. Disturbed by Lydia’s attitude towards him, he raised his voice out of desperation.
“Yeah, it’s true that I can’t stand that Earl. But I’m not doing this for the McKeels. I just want to be of help to you.”
“Stop! You aren’t supposed to say things like that anymore, aren’t you? To begin with, you only saw me as your “betrothed” and it’s not as though you fell in love with me.”
“But now, I’ve come to know about you. Even so, can’t I fall in love with you?”
Fergus looked at her directly, and Lydia averted her eyes.
“You can’t. I have a fiancé.”
Even as she said that, he did not waver. Because he knew that that her fiancé cannot meet or even come close to Lydia.
“Patrick isn’t wrong in saying that. If you stay with the Earl, you will become unfortunate.”
“Don’t decide for us.”
Lydia said that while casting her eyes downward. She felt irritated at herself for being unable to refute resolutely.
“While it’s true that that guy may be willing to do anything for you, but is that really for your benefit? If he were to stain his hands with the magic of the Unseelie Courts again, it will only pain you further.”
Unbeknownst to her, Fergus had shortened the distance between them and Lydia’s arm was grabbed by him.
“He should know that there is no way he could protect his fiancée by becoming something evil himself.”
The winds blew. The kilt which was worn over Fergus’ shoulder blew about and obscured Lydia’s vision.
At the same time, she was held in an embrace. Being held by strong arms, Lydia was unable to move.
Fergus embraced Lydia with all his being and would not let her go.
“Sto…”
“Fall in love with me… If it were me, I would never do anything that would cause you pain. The Earl is wrong.”
Edgar…
As she shouted his name in her heart in a bid to call for help, at the same time, Lydia became sad.
Why? Why can’t I stay by your side?
I may never be able to see you again.
Everything was trying to separate Lydia from him. Be it destiny, the Prophet, or even Fergus.
When she was about to lose all her strength, Fergus suddenly let go of Lydia.
“Ouch…”
Fergus said that as he held down his head and turned around.
“What are you doing to Miss Lydia!?”
Kelly held on to a broom and tried to attack Fergus once more.
“Oi, hang on, stop…”
“No, I can’t forgive you! As the son of the clan chief, to think that you forced yourself on a guest you were supposed to protect… You are a disgrace to the Highlanders!”
Fergus desperately avoided Kelly, who was waving the broom about.
Unable to spare any strength to find the current scene humorous, Lydia, who stood stock still, felt as though she was about to be crushed by the pain in her chest.
The moment she felt suffocated, her vision became dark.
“Miss!”
Kelly’s voice sounded far off. Her consciousness felt distant.
I want to meet Edgar once more.
That was the only thought on Lydia’s mind.
Just once more. If this wish is granted, I would want to think that I’ll be able to make a decision that’s in his best interests calmly.

*
​

Edgar, who had occupied a room in a small lodging on the island in the straits, was facing Kelpie.
Kelpie, who had taken the form of a fearless looking youth with black curly hair, stood with his arms crossed and looked down at Edgar.
“Where’s Lydia?”
“That is none of your business.”
“It is. Because I’ve known Lydia a long time before you did!”
What of it? I don’t really understand a horse’s logic. Edgar leaned against the elbow rest and rested his chin in his hands.
“What business do you have with Lydia?”
“What business? Didn’t something happen to her? To begin with, why are you not by her side? … Weren’t you supposed to protect Lydia with your life from now on?”
I don’t need to be told that by a Kelpie. But Edgar, being unable to save Lydia on his own, had no choice but to entrust Lydia to Fergus from the McKeels.
Suppressing his irate and frustrated feelings, Edgar looked upon Kelpie coldly.
“You asked if ‘something happened’; what makes you think so?”
“There’s no one at her home so I made that Coblynau investigate into the whereabouts of Lydia’s moonstone. Though I have had to run around the islands in this area.”
Kelpie groped about the back of his own hair and picked up something to show Edgar, but Edgar couldn’t see anything.
“Tsk, it passed out.”
With that Kelpie looked like he placed something on the table and jabbed it lightly. It made a slight groan but still appeared to be exhausted.
Edgar couldn’t see the form of Coblynau; he could only hear its voice. Even so, when Edgar thought about how a small fairy was flung about while grabbing on to Kelpie’s mane, Edgar felt sorry for it.
“How pitiful. You’re truly rough.”
As if he thought it was irrelevant, Kelpie peered into Edgar’s eyes.
“Earl, you’re holding on to that moonstone ring aren’t you. Yet Lydia isn’t here. Does that mean that your engagement is dissolved?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Even without a symbol like a ring, the two of us are already bonded together in our hearts. There’s no space for you to come in between.”
“In your hearts? Really? You kept quiet about having inherited Prince’s memories from Lydia didn’t you?”
“… She already knows. Even so, she said that she’ll marry me.”
I wonder if Lydia still feels that way even now. At that time, it could be precisely because she felt that she did not have long to live and that may be why she thought that way.
“Rather than that, Kelpie, why did you come? Even though I had spared you some of my precious time because you looked like you had something new to say, did you just come because you wanted to see Lydia?”
Frowning, Kelpie looked as though he was trying to recall his business here. He walked around the room slowly and then leaned against the window.
“Earl, you made an enemy of the Fir Chlis of the Hebrides didn’t you? And because of that Lydia received a blow from their blade. The islands here are a special place even in the Highlands. You’ll suffer if you underestimate the power of fairies.”
“You’re awfully well-informed of the happenings on our side. Oh yes, you used to help Ulysses before didn’t you?”
Ulysses, the aide to the previous Prince, was now probably leading the Organization, which no longer have Prince.
In any case, Ulysses wants to turn Edgar into Prince completely.
“It’s not that I helped that guy. I always act with Lydia’s interests in mind.”
“Meaning if they’ll give you information, you don’t mind coming into contact with them?”
“As things are now, it’s easier to understand their organization. Even though you are Prince and so their boss, you view Ulysses with hostility. Yet despite that, you are getting closer to Prince, just as they want.”
“Did you come to lecture me?”
“That’s right. Don’t think of getting the medicine to cure Lydia of the Fir Chlis’ magic while thinking that it’s for her sake. That again is exactly what Ulysses wants.”
Things had taken an unexpected turn. Edgar thought while observing Kelpie carefully.
Most likely, this horse knows what Edgar wants to know.
“… Because I’ll need the magic of the Unseelie Courts in order to approach the ‘Master of the Islands’?”
If it’s what Ulysses hopes for then that must be it. Edgar asked in order to try and trick Kelpie into confirming that.
“Yeah, that guy Ulysses is scheming because if it’s you, you’ll be able to mobilize those Blue Men of the Minch, couldn’t you? If it’s the ship of those Blue Men, you’ll be able to get close to the origin of the Master’s dream.”
“And so, I’ll get closer to becoming Prince, huh.”
“If you understand that, then don’t yield to Ulysses’ temptation.”
“I see, so that’s what it is.”
Edgar smiled.
“You see?”
“The Blue Men right? If I make use of them, I’ll be able to obtain the medicine for Lydia.  You told me something useful, Kelpie.”
Dumbstruck, Kelpie opened his eyes wide.
“… You didn’t know?”
“Yeah, I was troubled at the complete lack of information.”
“Weren’t you instigated by Ulysses’ underlings?”
“I haven’t seen Ulysses nor his Black Hounds. They probably don’t know my whereabouts.”
Crap, spat out Kelpie.
“That woman… she made use of me? What exactly is she thinking? Seriously!”
“Woman?”
“Oi, take it that you didn’t hear about the Blue Men.”
“There’s no way I can do that. So, what are the Blue Men?”
“As if I can tell you! I’ll make you forget everything!”
When Kelpie stretched his hand out to try and grab Edgar by his collar, Raven wedged himself in between and thrusted a knife towards Kelpie.
Although there was no way a human weapon could harm Kelpie, it appeared that Kelpie was wary towards the foreign sprite that resided within Raven. It seemed that he decided to withdraw for the time being.
“… This is why humans cannot be trusted. Urgh, I don’t want to care anymore! I wonder why Lydia would trust someone like you.”
Edgar stood up from his seat slowly.
“Raven, let’s investigate into the Blue Men.”
“Yes.”
Raven took the hat and cane and handed it to Edgar.
“Oi Earl, this time you really need to quit. Even if it’s Lydia we’re talking about, she’ll definitely give up on you.”
“There’s no guarantee that her feelings won’t change even if I don’t do anything, won’t it?”
“For me, I intended to respect Lydia’s feelings. But if there’s a possibility that you’ll end up being swallowed up by Prince, then I can’t hand Lydia over to you.”
Kelpie said that to provoke Edgar.
Raven opened the door while remaining silent.
“Kelpie, there’s no way I can get away from Prince. If so, I can only fight him. I have no choice but to face the Prince inside me, the Prophet who is Prince’s enemy, as well as the magic and mystery of these islands that are the reasons behind all these.”
Saying just that, Edgar exited the room.