Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 18 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 ♦ The blessing and the curse

In the middle of the night, Lydia heard some talking voices in her room.
When she opened her eyes slightly, she saw something which was crouched whispering in front of the torso that she placed her wedding dress over.
The words she heard were shrill and spoken quickly, with the voices sounding like old cogwheels screeching.
…Fairies?
As she got up, one of them turned around.
(Oh, the bride has woken up.)
It said in a voice that even Lydia could understand. The remaining fairies also turned around at once.
(So this is the lady)
(Who will become the Blue Knight Earl’s bride)
When the fairies moved towards the window where the moonlight shone upon, Lydia could finally see their appearances clearly.
With a scarf over their heads and wearing aprons, their hunched appearances may appear like grannies that one could find anywhere, but their heights were only that of a small child. As the five of them stood in a line beside the bed, they stared at Lydia with their large black eyes.
(It’s been a few hundred years since the Earl family had welcomed a bride.)
(Anyway, it is a joyous matter.)
“Er… who are you?”
(We came because we received your invitations.)
Surprised, Lydia remembered the five fairies whose names were in Tomkins’ register which was passed down through the Earl family.
(If you are able to guess our names correctly, we would bestow blessings upon your marriage.)
“Oh…”
Troubled, Lydia looked at the five of them closely. Even if they had told her that suddenly, Lydia did not know the names of the fairies who used to be close with the previous Earl family.
Of course, Edgar probably wouldn't know either. Edgar had simply inherited the title as the Earl of Ibrazel, but he was not related by blood to the previous Earl family at all.
“What will happen if I fail to guess it correctly?”
(Unfortunately, we will not be able to bestow our blessings on you.)
Although it was not as if there will be trouble, Lydia felt that it would be a pity not to be able to receive the blessings from fairies as part of the Earl family’s tradition.
Also, Lydia was a fairy doctor. She had the knowledge concerning fairies which she inherited from her mother. As these could be fairies which belong to a type she knows of, Lydia observed the grannies closely once more.
That was when she realized that the grannies were all holding a spindle.
The flax which was wound around the thin and long spindles had a mysterious lustre. Were they spinstress fairies?
Lydia had heard of sayings about them, that they were generally the allies of women.
Since ancient times, the spinning of flax was the work of goddesses, as well as the daily work of women. That was why it was believed that the better a woman was at spinning flax, the better a marriage she will be able to enter into.
So much so that spindles were given to celebrate the birth of baby girls.
Although there were many spinning mills now, in the past clothes could only be made by spinning flax together by hand. So industrious and patient girls were sought after as better partners for marriage.
Gradually, spinstress fairies became the guardians for women and marriage.
I see, that’s why the Blue Knight Earl family had invited them to wedding ceremonies.
As she thought over quickly, Lydia tried to recall the names of these fairies.
For those who saw these spinstress fairies, they would be able to receive magical blessings if they know the fairies’ names.
A few names had been passed down together with such legends.
“Erm, your names right? … Trwtyn-Tratyn?”
(Oooh, that’s me.)
I got it right, thought Lydia as she felt relieved. One of the five fairies approached the wedding dress with dance–like steps as she twirled her spindle.
(May blessings be received by “something old.”)
As she spoke, she touched the lace veil which belonged to Lydia’s mother gently with her spindle.
For a moment, Lydia saw the veil shine lightly.
(Well, please say the names of the remaining four.)
“I got it … Gwarwyn-a-Throt, Triten-a-Troten, and then … Whippety-Stourie!”
As she said it in succession, the fairies twirled around and danced one after another.
The new wedding dress, the borrowed earrings and the silver sixpence in the shoe, all received the magical blessings through the spindle.
But there was still one more who looked up towards Lydia stilly in front of her.
“You are… Let me see…”
I need to think of one more name for the spinstress fairies.
“That’s it, Habetrot!”
The petite granny grasped her skirt and spun around. As she moved lightly towards the dresser where the blue ribbon was placed together with the gloves and garters, she swung her spindle once.
As Lydia gazed upon the blue light which sparkled before being absorbed by the ribbon and disappearing, the fairies stood aligned in front of Lydia once more.
(Bride of the Blue Knight Earl, if you wear these five items, your wedding ceremony will proceed smoothly.)
“Grannies, thank you … But, what do you mean by “smoothly”?”
(That’s because of the sixth fairy.)
The sixth fairy?
As Lydia tilted her head, the window opened with a noise and the wind blew the curtain about.
Turning around while wondering what had happened, Lydia saw another granny standing by the window side.
(Blue Knight Earl! You always, always, exclude me from celebrations. What’s the meaning of not sending me an invitation?!)
The granny glared at Lydia with a frightening expression.
“Wha-what is the matter with you?”
Ignoring Lydia’s question, the fairy granny stretched her hand out towards the wedding dress and the veil. Although she had probably intended to make a mess out of them, she was unable to touch them.
That was probably because of the magical blessings cast by the spinstress fairies.
The granny flew into a rage, but because she knew that there was nothing she could do, she left a sharp parting remark.
(You best watch out, because I am going to ruin the wedding ceremony!)
With that, she vanished together with the wind.
(That’s the sixth fairy.)
Said the kind spinstress fairy.
(She may be our old acquaintance, but she is a contrarian; she has no intention of giving her blessings yet she wants to intrude upon joyous occasions.)
(She is probably unable to stomach the fact that she had been ignored by the Blue Knight Earl since before.)
(You don’t have to worry about her. As long as you have the blessings from the 5 of us, that fairy will not be able to do anything bad.)
“Is that so? Then the wedding ceremony will not be ruined right?”
Lydia heaved a sigh of relief.
(Do not forget to wear the five items of blessing.)
(We promise a wonderful wedding ceremony and a harmonious life filled with happiness.)
“Grannies, thank you.”

The next morning, Lydia checked her dress and veil under the bright light.
At the ends of the veil, the tips of the dress’ shoulder, she saw that there were thin and translucent threads softly sewn.
It was the same for the earrings and the blue ribbon. For the silver sixpence in her shoe, however unfathomable it could be, a thread was passed through it.
These probably could not be seen by a normal person. Even for Lydia, she could only see faintly under some degree of light.
Even so, without a doubt, the magical blessings were here.
The sixth fairy may try to ruin the wedding, but things should be fine if she had the magical blessings.
“Miss Lydia, you have a guest.”
As she heard the housekeeper’s voice, Lydia placed the blue ribbon she held neatly on top of the dresser.
“Who is it?”
“She said that she is Miss Claire Florey”
It’s Claire.
She should have had her interview at the Earl mansion the other day and Lydia was just wondering how it had turned out.
After telling the housekeeper to bring Claire to her own room, Lydia tidied the top of her table.
“Good morning, Claire. I am glad that you came.”
As she came up the stairs soon after, Lydia welcomed Claire into her room.
“Good morning, Miss Lydia. I came to give my thanks for what you did the other day.”
“You don’t have to. I didn’t do anything.”
Although Lydia wanted to ask if things turned out favourably, seeing as how Claire looked depressed, Lydia invited her to take a seat instead.
“No, thanks to you, I had the opportunity to have myself heard. But as expected, it did not turn out well.”
“…Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”
It was probably Edgar’s decision.
Based on Lydia’s commoner’s sense, she does not know what kind of a person would be suitable as a lady attendant. And since she had left the matter to Edgar to decide, it does not seem like there was anything else Lydia could do for Claire.
“But since we have come to know of each other, you can still come and visit me in the future.”
Lifting her face in surprise, Claire’s expression turned to one of helplessness.
“Do you truly… think that way?”
“Yes, of course.”
But Claire knitted her brows sadly.
And she spoke as though she had brooded deeply.
“Miss Lydia, erm… you are marrying the Earl because you love him right?”
“Eh... th-that’s right.”
Lydia unintentionally fumbled over her words because she was not used to verbalizing such things.
“If…”
“If?”
“N-No, it’s nothing.”
As she said that, she tried to stand up.
“Well then, I’ll …”
“Hey, why don’t you at least have some tea before leaving?”
Lydia got Claire to be seated again while feeling sorry for not being of help to her.
Because Claire was troubled over her livelihood, Lydia hoped that she could at least relax a little. Also, Claire looked as though she had something to say.
“Please wait a little.”
Lydia went down the stairs to get some tea.
As she peered into the kitchen to look for the housekeeper, the cook informed her that the housekeeper was tidying up her father’s study.
When she returned to the corridor once more, she bumped into Claire who came down the stairs hurriedly.
When Claire’s eyes met Lydia’s, she appeared flustered and said quickly in a panicked manner.
“As I thought, I should leave. I had only come to give my thanks and inform you of the results…”
“Eh? Is that so?”
“I am sorry. …. Apologies for my intrusion.”
There was no time to hold her back.
Claire left the main door hurriedly.
“As I thought, she probably thinks that I am an odd girl.”
The moment she tilted her heard, she heard a loud noise coming from the second floor and Lydia frowned.
“Hey Nico! What are you doing?”
Running up the stairs and opening the doors to her own room, Lydia couldn’t help but be stumped.
Her room was full of fairies. Furthermore, they were climbing up the curtains, jumping up and down on her bed as they pleased and, just as she thought they were having fun by dropping things off the shelf, the books flew about in the air.
“What are all of you doing? Stop! Otherwise, I will throw hazelnuts at you!”
They ceased their movements all at once. The fairies turned their attention towards Lydia. While there were fairies who were as small as insects, there were also fairies who were about to hit the ceiling. Having the attention of all these strange-looking fairies turned towards her at the same time, even Lydia faltered.
“See. We got scolded.”
She heard a thoughtless voice.
Nico, who had been sitting by the windowsill, jumped and landed on the floor. And in a self-important manner, he placed his paws on his hips and began his speech.
“Alright everyone, this is Lydia, a Fairy Doctor and also the Blue Knight Earl’s bride-to-be. As you can see, she is scary when you misbehave so behave yourselves and give your blessings quietly at the wedding ceremony.”
“Hang on, Nico. What do you mean by “scary”?”
Although Lydia protested, the fairies nodded their heads in unison.
“O-kay, then, go ahead and do some sightseeing around London or something. Do not end up in any trouble with humans.”
Just as Nico was finishing his talk, the fairies all disappeared at once.
Looking around her messed up room, Lydia sighed and glared at Nico.
“Why did you bring so many fairies over?”
“I was just teaching them the rules of the human world. Many of them are country bumpkins who have never come to London or the human world before.”
Even so, the timing was bad.
“As I thought, it was your fault that Claire had run away in shock because so many fairies came intruding.”
Even if she can’t see fairies, she was bound to feel that something was wrong with so many fairies forcing their way into the room. It was only natural that Claire would be unnerved by seeing things fall off the shelves and curtains or paintings swaying even though there was no one around.
“The girl earlier? She had left the room hurriedly before the fairies came over. She had a look of shock just by having me come in through the window.”
“Isn’t it because you showed her that you were walking on two feet?”
After tidying up the books which were strewn all over and returning the cushions and slippers to where they were, Lydia then went to check on the wedding dress.
“Ehh… I was pretending to be a cat.”
Lydia felt relieved as she did not find any problems with the wedding dress. The fact that it appeared that the wedding dress wasn’t hit by things thrown by the fairies was probably due to the magic from the spinstress fairies.
“Hey Nico, did the blue ribbon fall somewhere?”
When Lydia went to check the top of the dresser next, she realized that the blue ribbon was gone.
“Hmmm? It isn’t below the dresser.”
Looking underneath the furniture, Nico replied.
“That’s odd.”
Although Lydia shifted the bed covers and the cushions on the chairs to check, she could not find the blue ribbon.
“I wonder if the fairies took it away with them.”
No, the fairies would not be able to touch it because magic had been cast on it.
“Isn’t it that girl?”
“Eh, you mean Claire?”
“Speaking of which, she was standing in front of the dresser when I came into the room. She looked like she was hiding something”
“It can’t be… that cannot be.”
Although Lydia felt that Claire was not the sort of person to steal from others, Lydia was confused.
It was true that Claire appeared odd when she left hurriedly.
But what can she do by stealing the ribbon? There was a pearl earring right beside the blue ribbon so to not take the pearl earring but just the ribbon made no sense.
“Was it just the ribbon that you lost? If so you can just buy another one.”
As Nico had said, it was not an expensive item and it was just a common ribbon.
But that ribbon was also one of a kind.
“I can’t just buy another ribbon Nico. That was the ribbon that received the fairies’ blessings last night. Without that, the fairy that bears a grudge against the Blue Knight Earl family will come and ruin the ceremony!”
Contrary to Lydia who was panicking, Nico sat down in the chair leisurely and crossed his legs.
“If so, how about just asking the girl earlier to return it to you?”
“How can I treat her like a thief when I do not have evidence?”
Also, it will be the end if she simply replied that she does not know.
Lydia paced around her room while pondering about what she could do.
“But do you think that she will just return it quietly? To begin with, why would she take away that kind of ribbon? Because she has dreams about getting married?”
That may be so.
Girls will naturally be interested in wedding dresses and the accessories, and so may just want to pick them up to take a look. But because Nico entered and she was shocked by the sound, she ended up hiding it.
She is probably regretting what she did now.
“If so, if I invite her to my room once more and casually talk about the blue ribbon, she may return the blue ribbon to me quietly.”
“Well, if she had no intention to steal, it is possible.”
In any case, if Claire had taken the ribbon, then Lydia will need to have the ribbon returned to her in any way possible.
Lydia wondered how she could invite Claire to her room once more without appearing unnatural.
Because if this does not turn out well, the wedding ceremony might be ruined. Lydia thought about this desperately.

                                                                                                                                                ***

​
On that same day, Lydia visited the Earl mansion in the afternoon and was led to the parlour by Raven.
Just as she thought that that was different from usual, Lydia saw a variety of fabric spread out over the sofa.
“What’s this?”
“These are high quality woollen fabric. The Connaughts had delivered these over.”
Edgar entered the room after Lydia in a seemingly good mood.
“The Connaughts? From Hebrides?”
That’s the clan which Edgar was close to.
“That’s right. See Lydia, come and feel the texture. It feels soft but it is still warm because it is dense. It’s perfect as an outerwear for winter. Let’s have a dress made for you first. How about this one which is moss-green in colour? It’s an elegant colour isn’t it?”
Holding up one end of the fabric, Edgar placed it over Lydia’s shoulder.

“Yes… But what is this about? A congratulatory gift?”
“No, these are samples for a new product.”
“A product?”
“Yes, I invested funds into businesses which would help with the clan’s livelihood and with this, it looks like it is possible to sell wool made in the Hebrides for a good price. If it becomes a specialty of the Hebrides, the Connaughts will benefit. Since the other clans also have the technique to make wools, if the demand increases, this can also become the impetus for the clans on the islands to rebuild their livelihoods.”
“Edgar, since when have you started with this plan?”
Grinning, Edgar took Lydia’s hands and sat her on the sofa. Edgar spoke happily while still holding on to Lydia’s hands.
“Although I had thought that it was a risky bet, it looks like things will end without needing you to lead a thrifty lifestyle. Duke Glenn … the aristocrat who came by the other day, is an acquaintance of Clan Chief Connaught and with Duke Glenn’s assistance, we have already secured buyers.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear. But I am good at being thrifty.”
“That’s reassuring to hear but for me, I would not want you to exercise your expertise at thriftiness. So let’s make you a dress out of this and make this fashionable in the high society.”
Lydia did not fully understand but it appears that Edgar had succeeded in one of his businesses. And with that, the Earl family had benefited from it economically.
Aristocrats would usually receive their income from the rental of lands they owned, but at the very least, Edgar was not solely depending on that.
Although Lydia still needed to work on household accounting, which might be more complex considering the Earl family’s enormous income and expenditures, Lydia still felt glad that, by exhibiting dresses made from material from the Hebrides in the high society, she would be able to do something for her mother’s hometown Hebrides.
When Lydia revealed a small smile, Edgar, who had been gazing straight at her, touched her hair as if he had been waiting for her smile.
“Let’s have a dress with an extraordinary design which suits you made.”
“But I wonder if the ladies’ attention will be caught if it’s someone like me wearing the dress.”
“Don’t worry. Our wedding is being watched even by the high society. We have already received various invitations for the autumn gatherings. Since you will definitely be the center of attention, dresses you wear will also capture their attention.”
Hearing that, Lydia became restless.
Even the schedule after our wedding has already been decided?
Although she knew that they would socialize in the high society as husband and wife, if any trouble occurred during the wedding ceremony, it would become a scandal for the Earl family. 
I must not allow the fairy to interfere.
Lydia, who was thinking hard about that, was absent-minded even as Edgar embraced her.
“Aahh, how troublesome….”
“… Lydia?”
As Edgar peered into her face in a puzzled manner, she came back to her senses.
“Troublesome?”
“Eh, no, it’s nothing. Th-That’s right, Edgar, I have a favour to ask of you.”
“I’ll listen to anything except a request to show restraint in my kisses.”
Although Edgar appeared to be slightly offended, Lydia’s mind was full of her own problems.
“About Claire…”
“I have already rejected her.”
“I know. Because she came to my house specially to inform me. I understand that she does not have any experience as a lady attendant, but can’t we just treat it as a trial period and observe her for the time being?”
“She went to your house?”
Edgar asked in a reprimanding manner.
“…That’s right. Since I was somewhat the go-between, she said that she wanted to thank me.”
“That’s all? She didn’t say anything else to you right?”
“What anything else?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Edgar frowned and averted his eyes.
“In any case, I have no intention of employing her.”
“But I feel that if it’s Claire, I would be able to get along with her.”
“I don’t think so. She doesn’t appear to be able to understand your abilities nor fairies.”
“It’s not possible for her to do so right away. But once she gets used to it… How about if she comes to my house until the wedding ceremony?”
“Why are you so fixated over this? I’ll find a lady attendant who is more capable and suited for you, so you can just leave it to me.”
But the one holding on to the ribbon with the fairy’s blessing was probably Claire.
Yet there was no way Lydia could tell Edgar that. That would mean treating Claire as a thief even though there was no concrete evidence.
Moreover, if it turns out that it was really Claire who took the ribbon, not only will Edgar definitely not employ her, this would also cast a shadow on Claire’s future.
It was a fatal shortcoming for a servant to have laid hands on the masters’ belongings. Of course, even as a tutor, she would not be able to be employed.
In any case, Lydia did not want to make a big deal out of it. Lydia was fine so long as Claire returns the ribbon.
“It should be fine for me to get used to having a lady attendant around me before I get married right?”
“If so, I’ll decide immediately. There is a suitable candidate.”
“I… want to get to know Claire better!”
Lydia said that firmly, but Edgar did not budge either.
“I’m against it!”
Lydia could not afford to think about why Edgar was so stubborn about it. With her thoughts full of how it was for the sake of their wedding, Lydia got mad.
Although she was also at fault for not explaining to Edgar properly about what happened, Lydia could not understand why it just can’t be Claire.
Without realizing that Edgar was against Claire because of problems on his end, Lydia got mad and stood up.
“If that’s the case I’ll employ her! Since we’re not married yet, you shouldn’t have any issues if I decide to employ my own lady attendant right?”
“Lydia…”
Not lending a hear to his calls for her to stop, Lydia burst out of the room as if she were shaking Edgar off.

“Earl, what happened? You appear down.”
Paul said that. Edgar lifted his face as he placed the rough sketch he had been looking at on the table.
“I think it’s good. Please proceed with this.”
“Yes … I understand.”
Although Paul was still bothered, he replied that and looked towards Edgar. He paused in his painting, stood up from his chair, walked towards the table and reached out towards the cold black tea.
Edgar dropped by Paul’s lodgings and studio and decided to look at Paul work without interfering, but he ended up becoming the reason why Paul was unable to concentrate.
“Paul, have you ever been called ‘troublesome’ by ladies before?"
“Eh, no I … since I do not even have much opportunity to speak with ladies … But Earl, even for someone like you who is adept at entertaining ladies, you were told that?”
“You also think it is impossible right? I am really in shock. It seems like Lydia finds it troublesome to respond to my expressions of love.”
“Well, most likely she finds that it is becoming a pain.”
The one who said that, was Lota who appeared from the room inside.
“What, so you’re here as well? What were you doing in Paul’s bedroom?”
“Earl no, it’s not like that! Lota asked me to let her rest because she was a little tired.”
Sparing no thought to Paul who explained himself in a hurry, Lota let out a huge yawn. Even if she was wearing an extravagant dress, it was just Lota to not care about her appearance at all.
“Since I had been drinking with my buddies until the morning, it just became troublesome to go home, and I remembered that Paul’s lodgings were nearby.”
“Th-that’s right. I definitely did not forcibly bring a single lady into my place.”
“Paul, I think you can afford to be a little less serious. I know that if it’s Lota we are talking about, there is no way for any misunderstanding to arise.” 
Snorting, Lota came towards Edgar’s side and placed her arms around his shoulder in an over-familiar manner.
“For you, because you like Lydia too much, you tend to touch her excessively and that’s why she finds you bothersome.”
“Even so I am already restraining myself considerably.”
“I worry for your future.”
Although she said that to sympathize with Edgar, Lota couldn’t help but find it so amusing that she had to stifle her own laughter.
Indeed, the future is worrisome. Even though the wedding ceremony is on the horizon, there were many tricky things happening.
Furthermore, it seems that Lydia does not feel the need to spend time alone with her fiancé as much as Edgar does.
No, that can’t be helped. To ladies, a marriage means farewell to their family and life which they had until now. It probably brings about a complicated state of mind. Also, for Edgar, he did not feel unhappy about Lydia not actively initiating any physical contact with him. Because when Edgar wished for it, Lydia does respond like a lover would, and Edgar found this lovable.
But, isn’t it too much if she were only responding because she felt that she had to, while finding it troublesome?
Moreover, Edgar simply couldn’t understand why Lydia had said that she wanted Claire as her lady attendant.
“Edgar, don’t doubt Lydia’s feelings for you even if she finds you troublesome. She was really enjoying herself when she was finding ‘something blue.”
“I don’t need you to tell me that.”
Edgar retorted sullenly.
This was a wedding that both wished for from the bottom of their hearts. Although many things had happened, the bonds with Lydia had indeed become stronger. Edgar believed that even though there were some interferences, their feelings wouldn’t change.
Even so, he did not want to proceed with the wedding ceremony while still being in an argument.
Should I employ Claire?
As Edgar fell into deep thought, he heard footsteps running up the stairs.
‘Paul! Are you there?”
Two well-built men entered Paul’s room in a familiar manner. Realizing that Edgar was present, they stood upright in surprise.
“Earl… You’re here.”
“Hi, Jack and Louis, it’s been a while.”
The twins were so identical from their faces to their built that it took some time in order to tell them apart. They were members of the ornamental artist guild, Scarlet Moon, which Paul also belonged to.
Scarlet Moon was a guild which was established because of an affinity it shared with the Blue Knight Earl three hundred years ago. But it was that link with the Blue Knight Earl that caused them to be targeted by Prince’s organization.
Within the guild, there were many who, like Paul’s father, had been murdered by Prince’s organization. Edgar had also fought alongside them as Scarlet Moon’s leader until recently.
But with Prince now dead, Scarlet Moon was returning to being what it was originally as a guild for artists.
Edgar had already stepped down from being their leader.
Although Jack and Louis probably did not know of the specifics, they were probably told that Edgar was no longer related to them in any way.
“Yes, erm, we heard that you would be tying the knot in the near future. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Well then, Paul, I’ll be leaving.”
As he said that and tried to stand up, Jack and Louis suddenly moved towards him and stood on both sides of the chair.
It was as if they were preventing Edgar from escaping.
And then, both spoke out at the same time.
‘Earl, please help us!”
The well-built twins used to work together with Edgar as his bodyguards, but being taciturn, this was the first time they had ever asked Edgar for a favour in this manner.
“Help? You guys?”
“Mr. Slade had been taken in by the police under the suspicion of murder and fraud.”
“Ehhh!”
Paul was more surprised than anyone else.
Slade, an art dealer, was a man who was also part of the guild’s top brass.
Before Edgar became the leader, and at the present moment, Slade was the one who held the guild together in actuality. 
Being a stubborn man, Slade had initially showed an attitude of being unable to trust Edgar, who was unrelated to the Blue Knight Earl, entirely. But having recognised Edgar as the leader in order to fight against Prince’s organization, Slade had followed Edgar with a serious attitude.
As an art dealer and operator of a club, Slade had enthusiastically introduced the artists of Scarlet Moon to clientele from the high society. While he may not be a flexible person, it was difficult to believe that Slade would commit fraud or murder.
“Is that true? … But why exactly?
Paul was flustered and moved about in confusion while still holding on to his paintbrush.
“It’s true. Both Mr Slade’s club and gallery were raided, and the paintings and artworks which he had been safekeeping were seized. Even the paintings which were due to be handed over to the clients over the next few days, everything.”
“There were also others who were part of the top brass or members of the guild who had their houses entered as they also came under the suspicion of being accomplices.”
“That can’t be.”
Paul, who said that with his head buried in his hands, looked towards Edgar pleadingly. But Edgar forcibly stood up from the chair.
“I am someone who no longer has any ties with the guild. You’ve already heard about that from Slade no?”
When he looked towards the twins, they took a step back out of reflex. But they soon came to their senses and stood in Edgar’s way.
“But Earl, you are the only person we can depend on.”
“I heard that Slade was infuriated over me exiting the guild abruptly. There probably is also a substantial number of members who feel the same. Isn’t talking to me the judgement of just the two of you?”
Jack and Louis faced each other and lowered their eyes.
They probably came to Paul’s place to inform him in hopes of the news reaching Edgar’s ears.
“It’s true that there were some who said … that the Earl had abandoned Scarlet Moon. But we believe that there must be some reason behind it … After all, Paul still respects you.”
“There’s no reason. It was just my selfishness that I stepped down as a leader abruptly.”
Edgar said that clearly.
Edgar himself had ended up becoming the person who holds Prince’s memories. There lies the possibility of him becoming the successor of Prince, and Prince is the one who Scarlet Moon wants to take revenge on because of the many comrades who were murdered by Prince. Paul was the only one who is aware of this and Edgar had selfishly stepped down as the leader without being able to tell Scarlet Moon’s members about this.
Edgar thought that he should no longer get himself involved with them.
“Edgar, you’re being distant. You should at least hear them out.”
But Lota interrupted. She had surrounded Edgar in order to help Jack and Louis.
“So, you said that Mr. Slade is being suspected; what kind of incident is it?”
Perhaps it was because Lota had helped Scarlet Moon before, as it seems that Jack and Louis did not think of her as an outsider. They answered her question honestly.
“From the bits and pieces of information we have, it seems that there is a problem with Mr. Slade inheriting the articles of the artist under Scarlet Moon who died last month.”
Rather than saying that they were answering Lota’s question, Jack and Louis were explaining to Edgar as they faced him.
“The artist in question is called Owen, and because he does not have a single relative, he had left behind a will stating that if anything untoward were to happen to him, all his paintings and assets would be left to Scarlet Moon.”
“In order words, Mr. Slade is the inheritor?”
Lota asked.
“Yes. But there is someone who holds another of Owen’s will and it seems that he is saying that Mr. Slade had cheated him of the articles which should have belonged to him.”
Louis said that while facing Edgar.
“So that’s how it is. And, what about the authenticity of that will?”
“It seems that it has been decided that that person’s copy is the authentic copy and Mr. Slade had forged the other will. On top of that, it is also alleged that Owen’s sudden death was because he had been poisoned …”
As Louis was at a loss for words, Jack took over.
“In the past, there had also been instances of Mr. Slade taking over the articles of deceased members who had no relatives. Scarlet Moon is a guild for artists. Because we are both comrades and family, it’s only natural that if something untoward were to happen to us, we would want our articles to become funds for our comrades’ sake. Yet it seems that there is now a suspicion that before this, there may have been artists who were made to write their wills and were poisoned.”
“Then, what’s the relation between the painter Owen and the man who said that he holds another will?”
“We don’t really know. We don’t even know where this person is from … Only that Owen had been missing from Scarlet Moon’s gatherings since a few months before. He did not allow anyone to go near his studio. He had also kept his curtains tightly drawn. I had heard of rumours saying that he was working on a painting that cannot be seen.”
“That’s odd. This smells of a conspiracy.”
Although Lota had said something irresponsible, Edgar shared the same thoughts.
“In any case, Edgar, you know people from the Yard don’t you? You’ll be able to find out more about the incident from that end right?”
Lota was completely taking charge of the situation.
Edgar, who had ended up learning about what had happened reluctantly, heaved a deep sigh.
“For now, that’s the only thing I can help with you alright?”
Even so, Louis, Jack and Paul all changed their expression to one of relief.
“That’s great …. To be able to consult the Earl. At the rate things are going, everyone keeps saying that it may be inevitable that suspicions may fall on Scarlet Moon as an organization.”
It would be difficult to say that Scarlet Moon, being an organization which had fought against a dark organization, is innocent in the eyes of the law. With Slade being suspected of murder, if it had been decided that this was a crime that involved the entire organization, it would be a fatal blow to the guild.
“But you should not expect that I would be able to help Slade regain his freedom immediately. Although we do not know who it is, it has been decided that the will that person holds is the authentic will isn’t it? If Slade really didn’t forge the documents, it would mean that there is someone who is capable of twisting facts involved.”
And depending on who that person is, Edgar may also be unable to do anything about it.
“Do you mean that it could be an influential aristocrat?”
Lota groaned as she folded her arms.
“Well, if it’s something that I can do, I’ll also help out.”
With that, Lota placed her hands on Edgar’s shoulders in an over-friendly manner.
Edgar wondered if Lota was really a lady because he did not feel any uplift in his spirits even as Lota did that to him.
“If so Lota, can you tell me why Lydia wants Claire to be her lady attendant?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“What, so you don’t know? It’s fine then.”
Perhaps it was because they had already finished talking about their situation, the twins finally relaxed their coercive encirclement and Edgar slipped past them.
Standing at the doorway, he turned back.
“I think you already know, but no matter what, my priority is Lydia. And the wedding ceremony next week. Even if Slade is about to be hanged, I will prioritize Lydia, alright?”
As Edgar left the building where Paul’s lodgings were and exited onto the street, Raven was waiting beside the carriage.
“Ahh, I wonder if the wedding ceremony will proceed smoothly.”
Edgar muttered while not exactly directing it at Raven. Somehow, it seems to be full of problems.
“No, what good will it do for me to be fainthearted over this? No matter what happens I will no longer postpone the wedding. Definitely not! You understand that right, Raven?”
Raven, who had opened the carriage’s door, straightened his back out of nervousness as he was called out to.
“…Yes, I will not let anyone interfere with the wedding even if it’s at the cost of my life.”
That’s right, Raven is probably the only person who understands exactly how important this wedding is to Edgar.
Every single person is complicating matters in this important period.
Even Lydia, the bride-to-be, is…
“Thank you, Raven. I knew that you would say that for me.”
Raven would never renege on his words. Although he was aware that he was making an unreasonable demand on Raven, Edgar was able to calm his heart somewhat because of his faithful follower’s words.