Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 23 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 ♦ Marital woes

When Lydia entered her office in the earl mansion, she found Nico seated in her arm chair reading a newspaper.
He, who was Lydia’s childhood friend and a partner to her as a fairy doctor, may be a fairy and one with the appearance of a cat to boot, but he loved reading gossip papers. With his paws, no, hands, he flipped the pages skillfully.
“Hey Nico. Since this is still the earl mansion, can you stop leaving the gossip papers at places where others can see? Because even that last time, the ladies who visited raised their eyebrows at it.”
Even though such tabloid gossip papers were not the sort of things people from the upper class society would read, Nico would just forget about it and leave the papers about no matter how many times Lydia told him not to.
Lydia intended to glare at Nico who replied “Ah-” half-heartedly, but she unintentionally forgot herself upon seeing the headlines.
“That, let me see!”
When Lydia snatched the papers, Nico crossed his hind legs skillfully while still seated on the chair, and twitched his whiskers with displeasure.
“What’s up with that? A countess should never read the likes of gossip papers.”
Although it was a proper view, it wasn’t the time for that. Spreading the papers out on the table, Lydia scanned through the article which caught her eye.
“What’s wrong? Was there an article exposing the earl’s infidelity?”
“That’s not it. Look here, it seems like the monster appeared again. It says that it appeared near the river bank across from the Tower of London.”
“Ahh, something about only a wrist being left behind? It’s reported that although they identified the owner based on a ring, it’s unknown if the body is fine.”
Though they said it’s unknown, probably nobody thought that the owner would still be alive.
It was also written that screams and roars were heard in the middle of the night. But, that wasn’t where Lydia’s eyes stopped at.
“The victim is, Sir Parrish…?”
“Lydia, do you know him?"
There’s no mistake that he was the husband of Lady Parrish, the lady who came to consult Lydia.
Lydia recalled the occasion when she met her at Regent Park the other day. She said that she came across a good witch doctor. She showed Lydia the tool for the charm.
However, the madam’s wish should be to conceive a child. There was no relation between the charm and Sir Parrish’s death. Even though she thought so, Lydia was still bothered by something.
Ever since the time when she saw the scale in the small bottle.
“Lady Lydia, do you feel unwell?”
Lydia lifted her face up from the tabloid papers at Raven’s voice. Raven, who came to serve tea, stared hard at Lydia.
“You look pale.”
“Ah… no, it’s nothing.”
“Well, it is an unnerving incident when it turns out like this. Hey Raven, please leave the tea over here.”
Even as he nodded at Nico who waved at him with his round hands, Raven continued to look at Lydia as he still appeared to be concerned.
“By incident, are you referring to that incident concerning attacks by a ferocious animal?”
“Yes, it seems that someone I know was attacked. On this newspaper… That’s right, where’s Edgar? Is he in the gentleman’s room?”
“Sir Steven came by earlier and they went out together. Because the sire said that there is a rare ferocious animal, Lord Edgar went to verify it.”
“A ferocious animal? Does it seem like it’s related to this incident?”
“I wonder. Because I heard that it’s a beast in a show tent, I would think that it may not necessarily be the one behind this incident.”
“Hehh, where’s this show tent?”
“Near Tower Hill.”
“Isn’t that close to where this incident took place!?”
Even though the Thames River separated the two, there were also beasts which could swim.
Once she realized that, Lydia suddenly became worried. She stood up involuntarily and walked towards the window, even though she wouldn’t be able to verify Edgar’s safety by just looking out.
“Raven, you didn’t go together with Edgar?”
If Raven, who was skilled, was by Edgar’s side, she would be able to feel somewhat assured, but the fact that he was here increased Lydia’s uneasiness.
“Yes, because we wouldn’t know where the dangerous beast would appear, Lord Edgar instructed that I protect Lady Lydia.”
“Even though I’m at the mansion… He’s such a worrywart. I wonder if he’ll be fine, all by himself.”
“It’s still bright out. Both of you are worrywarts.”
It was true that all the incidents up until now happened in the darkness of the night. That being said, it didn’t necessarily mean that the ferocious animal would definitely not appear in the daytime.
“Lord Edgar is able to protect himself at the very least even if he is alone.”
Lydia, who was on tenterhooks, snapped back to her senses by Raven’s decidedness in his words.
“That’s, right. I forgot.”
Edgar was different from those pampered aristocratic young masters who had never even gotten into a real fight. Her recent daily life was so peaceful that she forgot about that.
Even though I can’t afford to let my guard down. Thinking so, Lydia let out a sigh.
“Milady, I have returned.”
Kelly appeared at that moment. When her eyes fell on Lydia who had just let out a sigh and Raven who was his usual expressionless self and standing stock still, for some reason, Kelly placed herself between them in front of Lydia in order to protect Lydia from Raven.
“Lady Lydia, no matter what Mr Raven says, there is no need to mind, because he doesn’t understand how women feel.”
There were various points where Kelly was misunderstood about Raven. Raven, whose emotions were undeveloped and only spoke in a straightforward fashion, gave the initial impression of being cold; also, because a murderous spirit resided within him, there were also times when others would inadvertently catch a glimpse of its sharp murderous intent. 
Although this was something that wouldn’t bother her if she knew Raven well, it appeared that Kelly was still very much guarded towards Raven.
“I-it’s fine, Kelly. Raven didn’t do anything.”
When Lydia hurriedly tried to defend Raven, Kelly stopped glaring at him and turned around to face her.
“Is that so? If so, that’s fine.”
“It seems that the beast in question appeared again. When I saw the news, I was a little shocked because the person who was attacked was someone I knew.”
“That… you mean Sir Parrish right? I had also heard about this from the maid at the place I went to run my errands. The thing is, milady… based on the rumours amongst the servants, it’s said that Lady Parrish had placed a curse on her husband.”
A curse? Lydia thought so in shock. It should have been a charm for happiness, and not a curse which would bring misfortune to others that the madam depended on.
“That can’t be… I heard that she was a splendid missus, and someone with a good reputation you know?”
“I understand how she’d feel like cursing her husband if despite her devotion, she was still about to be abandoned.”
Kelly nodded seriously.
“In this world, though it is not easy for women to initiate a divorce, if men are displeased with their wives, they can divorce her immediately. From the missus’ perspective, if she were to be chased out of the house by having her husband find faults with her, it’s natural for her to think that she’d rather be a widow. That way, others would sympathize with her.”
“Does Miss Kelly want to try cursing a man to his death?”
At Raven’s airheaded words, Kelly first turned blue, then completely red.
“I-I said no such thing!”
“Here now, Kelly.”
As she turned to face Lydia who pacified her, Kelly suddenly hung her head low.
“I’m sorry, even though it was just a rumour, I said something judgmental.”
Most likely, Kelly too was shaken by the fact that someone she knew was wrapped up in the midst of such upheaval. She also realized that Lydia was overly concerned with Lady Parrish’s problems.
That’s why, she also became sympathetic towards Lady Parrish.
And Lydia became ever more confused by Kelly’s words.
I wonder if Lady Parrish no longer had any love towards her husband. But she longed for a child. If she hated her husband so much that she would curse him, it was questionable whether she’d yearn for a child that desperately.
Or perhaps, there were feelings involved which Lydia, being still new to married life, did not know about.
The tool for the charm, was the scale-like item in the small bottle. And the madam’s extremely refreshed smile. Various things came to mind.
A scale…, that’s right, what kind of scale was that?
When the sense of discomfort which she had been feeling suddenly became clear, Lydia felt her back tighten out of nervousness.
To begin with, recently Lydia had held an unnerving image towards the word ‘scale’. It was because there had been a certain occasion.
It was something which did not have an element which linked it to the type of charm that would bless one with children.
It was the claw wounds.
The drawing Billy brought of the claw wounds presumably from the ferocious beast, had a note that there was a hard object embedded in the wound that seemed to be from the epithelium of a claw. It was also noted that it had a lustre like that of a scale.
As she felt the colour drain from her face, she felt dizzy.
What if the scale Lady Parrish had, was a piece from the claw of the monster in the rumours?
Billy had said that the person who was injured by the monster, was targeted by the monster again.
I wonder if a person who was injured by the monster using that piece of its claw, would be targeted by the monster in the same manner.
Could Lady Parrish’s husband be attacked by the monster using the same method?
“Hey… Kelly, who did Lady Parrish request to place the curse?”
“Well, as for that…”
She listened for Kelly’s reply, but by the time she realized, Raven had caught her by her arm and supported her.
She felt giddy and nearly collapsed.
“As I thought, you look unwell. It’s better if you rest in your bedroom.”
Lydia was about to reply “I’m fine” but found that she couldn’t exert any strength.
“Then, I’ll bring milady there.”
Raven shook his head at Kelly, who was about to lend her hand.
“It is also my duty to protect Lady Lydia. I understand that Miss Kelly hates men so much that you’d want to curse them, but please leave this to me.”
“Eh, that’s not…”
“It’d be disastrous if both of you were to fall.”
Raven, who said so plainly without giving Kelly a chance to clarify, carried Lydia up with such swiftness that was unexpected from his small built.
“I, can walk.”
Even though she felt a giddiness that didn’t seem to go away, Lydia said so, however,
“Lydia, you should do as Raven says.”
For Nico to actually interject, Lydia may had been considerably pale.

Although she recovered after lying down for some time, when she noticed, Nico was seated on the chair by her bed, with his head hung low.
“Nico, what’s the matter? You’re a worrywart as well.”
“Hey Lydia, isn’t it better if you don’t get involved with that unidentified monster?”
Lydia got up and pressed her face close to Nico.
“Hey, if you are saying things like that, does it mean that you think it may be a demonic creature?”
“Ever since rumours of that started to go around, the gloss of my fur hasn’t been quite good. Instead of saying that the air is bad for fairies, I kind of get a bad feeling.”
If the demonic creature was one which would spread evil magic by the simple virtue of loitering in London’s vicinity, it’d be one which was considerably powerful.
Once again, Lydia remembered how she felt when she saw the scale in the small bottle. Just that alone made her head spin. She hurriedly erased the afterimage from her mind.
“Lydia, even you are feeling it right? Since recently, there were many times when you seem to feel unwell.”
“But I’m not a fairy. There’s no way I’d be affected by magic that much.”
Nico rounded his back, and looked down as he appeared to be in deep thought.
“Haven’t you become more sensitive to magic compared to the past?”
“Me? Why would I?”
As she said that, Lydia thought about it as well. Although she wasn’t very conscious of it herself, if things were as Nico said, doesn’t that mean that Nico had an inkling as to the reason why Lydia became so?
If Nico knew something about Lydia herself which she didn’t know, there’s no doubt it’s something related to the Prophet. 
“Because I’m the Prophet’s betrothed? Nico, am I the one who’s shouldering that role, instead of Mother?”
“That’s something I do not know.”
“Then, why would you think that there’s some change in me?”
Nico continued to look down.
“Lydia, I’m sorry.”
Nico, jumping off the chair suddenly, said that and dashed out.
Lydia let out a long sigh. I wonder why Nico would say he’s sorry.
Lydia wondered if the one who became the true “Prophet’s betrothed” was herself after all.
Did I become the bride who was meant to be bound to the Prophet by destiny, due to the influence of the magic connected to the Prophet which was received at the Sacred Land?
Darnell, the self-proclaimed “Prophet”, said that if that were the case, I wouldn’t be able to carry Edgar’s child. I wonder what Edgar would think if he found out?
I don’t think that his attitude would change suddenly. But this would definitely cause him to suffer. Not being able to have an heir is a big problem to aristocrats.
“Lydia, I heard you collapsed?”
The door opened all of a sudden and Edgar dashed in. Lydia rubbed her teary eyes hurriedly.
“Welcome… back.”
“Your eyes are red; do you have a fever?”
Edgar sat down on the edge of the bed and pressed his face close to hers. Perhaps he was so impatient that he did not want to waste time taking his gloves off, for he pressed his forehead against Lydia’s.
“No, I don’t.”
Perhaps he was convinced, as he pulled his forehead back immediately, but he still looked at Lydia worryingly.
“In any case, you need to lie down. You haven’t been looked at by a doctor yet right?”
“Oh dear, that’s overreacting. I just feel a little unwell.”
Lydia said so as energetically as she could. If it was as Nico said that the cause was the influence of magic, then it wasn’t an illness. It was just a matter of how she felt, so as to speak.
“Really?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me anymore.”
“That’s great”, said Edgar as he smiled and embraced Lydia like he always did. Lydia rested her cheeks against his broad shoulders and was about to relax in the comfort of being held strongly, but suddenly, she felt afraid.
By the time she realized it, she had pushed him back in a bid to escape from his embrace.
What will I do if this love disappears?
Edgar looked at Lydia, seemingly perplexed, as Lydia adopted an attitude which was different from usual because she was shaken. Unable to find an excuse, Lydia spoke of a different topic.
“The beast from the show tent, how was it?”
“Ahh, it was a disappointment. Although they put up a good performance by making the cage dark, it was just a wolf wearing a bear’s coat.”
As I thought, it is not a beast but a demonic creature which is behind the incidents.
“You know, Edgar, about Lady Parrish.”
Lydia decided to tell Edgar about the scale-like thing which Lady Parrish had received from someone, as well as what Kelly said about the rumour concerning Lady Parrish placing a curse.
“People who had been injured by the monster’s claws will definitely become its prey… that’s your conjecture? If that’s the case, it’d be a demonic creature rather than a beast.”
After listening to Lydia from start to finish, Edgar said so and fell into deep thought.
“Furthermore, that’d mean that the witch doctor or whoever Lady Parrish met, controls the demonic creature.” 
“That’s not been made certain yet. I just feel that the scale that’s left in the claw wound may be the same as what Lady Parrish showed us.”
“You’re right. In any case, I’ll try asking to find out who Lady Parrish received that scale from.”
As she nodded, Lydia once again felt Edgar’s arm pulling her towards him.
Somehow, her body just ended up freezing. In order to soothe Lydia who was behaving like this, Edgar gently combed her hair.
“Hey, Lydia. There’s one thing I’d like you to tell me.”
“What is it?”
Lydia asked so while still being unable to lift her face.
“What must I do, for you to depend on me more?”
“Eh?”
“Because even at times when you feel unwell, you don’t quite depend on me.”
“That’s… well, like I said, it’s because I don’t feel unwell anywhere anymore.”
Lydia felt exasperated at herself as she knew that she was not answering his question.
Even if she was unable to fawn on him very well, Edgar was the only person she thought it was fine for her to behave that way. For Lydia, just that alone showed how emotionally, she intended to fawn on him. 
Yet no matter how much she was loved by him, Lydia may be unable to give him the happiness he wished for. What on earth should I do?
“Are you really, the same as always?”
Edgar embraced Lydia tighter in a half-joking manner.
Because she was lying down earlier, the buttons at her back had been loosened. Edgar’s hands touched Lydia’s bare skin from her back. His fingers, which traced her back and stroked her neck, seemed to be asking if it was fine to want her.
Lydia was completely bewildered to respond as she usually did. As she thought about how meaningless it may be to do that, even purely love only made her fearful.
“Erm, Edgar, I want to sleep by myself tonight.”
When she finally spoke up in a faint voice, Edgar removed his hands from Lydia.
“As I thought, you’re still feeling unwell, aren’t you?”
His eyes which gazed at her worriedly were calm. He had probably not truly wanted her but had only done so to verify if she was fine.
“I-I’m not that unwell…”
“You don’t need to be worried about this. It’s fine for you to take your time and rest.”
Although she was relieved that Edgar did not question her repeatedly, because it was different from how Edgar was usually, Lydia felt uneasy again.
I think that he is being considerate towards me. But, when he backs down easily like that, it feels unsatisfying.
Because Edgar’s a person who always showers me with so much love that it overflows.
Even though I am unable to be honest with myself and get close to Edgar because I am afraid of being loved too much, to think that I’m also afraid of being treated coldly, how wilful am I.
Although Lydia still kept her head down, Edgar placed his lips by her ears and whispered.
“Is it alright for me to stay by your side until you fall asleep?”
Lydia had probably wanted Edgar to do so. She may had shown relief in her face. Maybe that’s the reason, for Edgar smiled gently.
“Well then, I’ll get changed.”
As she nodded, by the time she realized, Lydia had grabbed Edgar’s hand as he stood up.
“Edgar…”
His blonde hair which shone brighter than the lamp, his captivating ash mauve eyes and his well-featured face gave off an aristocratic impression, because there was elegance exuded from his refined actions and words. Edgar’s presence, which was able to attract anyone with just one look, was to Lydia, something which made her feel too shy to fall in love with him. She still felt a little that way even now, but she wasn’t able to stop her feelings.
“Erm… I love you.”
Even she herself knew that she was turning red. Even so, she couldn’t help but say it.
I feel fearful both during times when we touch each other and when we are separated; I love you that much.
“I’m so happy.”
He pulled Lydia’s hand towards him, squeezed it in return, and planted a kiss on it.
Having verified his feelings, Lydia felt somewhat at ease. Even though her problems weren’t resolved in the least bit, Lydia decided not to think about it anymore.

*

Edgar, who alighted from his horse carriage at Kingsway, approached a building ahead of a path which lay deep in. When he went up the stone steps before the front door, he threw a glance at the plate that hung on the door.
‘Doctor Francis de Finistère’s Clinic’
When he knocked on the door, the housekeeper attended to him, and she looked up at Edgar with a look of astonishment.
“Where’s Francis?”
“He is in but…”
Giving an incomplete answer, she showed Edgar in.
Even though the place had a signboard stating that it was a clinic, there wasn’t anyone in the clinic. Edgar peeked into the study beside as the housekeeper exchanged looks with him to direct him there, and he found a silver haired man.
“Hey, Edgar, what’s up? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
As Francis said so, he emptied a glass of whiskey.
“If that were the case, do you think I’d be here?”
“Ehh, that’s mean.”
“I can’t trust a doctor who starts gulping down alcohol in the day.”
“Well that’s because I do not have any house calls scheduled today. And I probably won’t have any emergency cases either. Yup, I feel that that’ll be the case. Edgar, how about a glass for you too?”
As usual, Francis was a flippant man.
He had a black eye patch over one eye. Contrary to the stalwart impression arising from that, his silver-coloured hair which reached his shoulders were gently wave-like and his figure as he rested his body slovenly on the sofa appeared weak.
This Frenchman who did not look like a doctor was, for some reason, Edgar’s retainer.
“I’ll have one.”
Replying somewhat out of frustration, Edgar sat down.
“Oh? Is there something that you’d want to borrow the strength of alcohol for?”
“There’s no way there’s such a thing is there?”
“Ha-haa, you were treated coldly by Lydia right.”
As he accepted the glass offered by Francis, Edgar was troubled.
It wasn’t that he was treated coldly. It was just that, somehow, Lydia seemed different lately.
“Lydia seems a little down. She doesn’t seem to have much appetite and she gets nervous over skinship, like how she was before we were married.”
Even though he thought that it may be better for a doctor to take a look at her, she herself insisted that there was no such need.
She seemed energetic this morning, so it may not be something he needed to be so worried about. Yet even so, she was still tense over just a kiss.
Francis nodded with an expression which said “I see.”
“You know Edgar, even if you thought you had covered up your tracks well, women can just sense infidelity. Lydia probably doesn’t want you touching her with the same hand that touched another woman.”
“Stop. I am not cheating on Lydia.”
I also do not recall doing anything that might be misunderstood as such.
“Then, she has found another man she loves and so no longer wishes to be embraced by you.”
I really shouldn’t have asked this guy. Edgar ruffled his blonde hair with one hand.
“Lydia’s not such a woman. She loves me properly.”
“Yet she refuses to be intimate with you.”
“I said no such thing.”
Though that’s exactly it.
“As long as she isn’t ill, it’s fine, though I thought that if it’s you, I’d be able to get a view that would be better than a complete amateur’s.”
“What. So you wanted to hear my views as a doctor? I thought you wanted advice from me as a friend.”
“Heh, so you actually think that you’re in a position to give advice concerning women.”
This was a man who hurt the woman he loved the most. On top of that, she ran away from him.
When Edgar said so with displeasure, Francis let out a laughter of “ah ha ha” as he scratched his head.
“If so, could it be possible that she’s expecting?”
Surprised, Edgar froze, remaining as still as he was as he tilted his glass.
“Ahh! Your frock coat is going to get stained! Isn’t that a Smith Tailored high-class item!? Didn’t you promise me that you’d give that to me when you don’t want it?”
Francis tried to wipe off the whiskey which was split onto the coat hurriedly, while Edgar grabbed him by his shoulder.
“Francis, is that true? Are you saying that may be the case?”
“Well… Because there are times during pregnancy when there are changes to their appetite and instability in their moods.”
“But, if so, Lydia should tell me first right?”
“She may still be unaware of it herself. For the English, they keep their girls too sheltered, seeing as how girls from good families seem to be lacking in that area of knowledge.”
That’s true, Lydia seems like she may not realize it herself.
“Is that, so?”
“You seem happy.”
“Of course. If that’s the case, there isn’t anything that I’d be more elated over right?”
“Well, shall we have a toast?”
“No, I’ll excuse myself. I should be having a toast with Lydia.”
Edgar got up.
“That frock coat, be sure to send it for stain removal alright.”
“If you quit drinking alcohol in the day, wouldn’t you be able to afford something like this?”
Saying that, Edgar turned around and flew out from Francis’ place just like that.

Duchess Masefield’s salon on Tuesdays were gatherings with only women. Lydia, who was doted upon by the Duchess like a granddaughter, often visited there.
Perhaps it was due to the Duchess’ personality, for the salon always had a homely atmosphere. As the noblewomen gathered also had gentle personalities, the salon was a place where Lydia felt comfortable at.
They circled a table of tea and sweets, and deepened their friendships as they had fun talking about trivial matters such as fashion, drama and family.
It was also here where Lydia got acquainted with Lady Parrish. Lydia visited today with the slight anticipation that there may be someone who knew the witch doctor who had passed the scale for the charm to Lady Parrish.
Although Lydia wanted to ask the Lady herself, after she sent a message requesting for a visit, she received a reply from the mansion’s butler that Lady Parrish had left London as she was distraught. And so Lydia lost a clue right off the bat.
“About Lady Parrish? Well, I do know that she had consulted a magician or a witch doctor.”
“It seems that she had gone around approaching every single one of those people in that line of work who were known throughout the society.”
“But I heard that recently, she even relied on dubious people whose reputation weren’t verified.”
“And that incident happened at such a timing right? To think that both the Parrishes went missing, it’s somewhat frightening.”
“Eh, didn’t Lady Parrish leave London because she was distraught?”
Surprised, Lydia raised her voice.
“That’s the official reason. But someone saw her with her husband that day. Something about her catching her husband gallivanting and they were quarrelling. But for her case, because she disappeared without a trace…”
That meant that when Sir Parrish was attacked by the monster, Lady Parrish may had been together with him as well. But if she had left by herself to search for her husband without saying a word to her family, then the reason behind her disappearance would remain in the dark.
“As I thought, I wonder if she had gotten involved with some dark witch doctor…”
In the end, because if they said any further it’d end up tarnishing Lady Parrish’s name, everyone held their tongue.
It seemed that no one knew about the witch doctor in question.
“Lydia, are you also looking for a witch doctor?”
Duchess Masefield said so as she approached the group in conversation.
“Eh, no, that’s…”
“It’s still fine for you not to be worried about such things. Rather than that, everyone, we have a wonderful guest. Please come in, Mr Darnell.”
Darnell?
Lydia hurriedly turned back at hearing that name, and saw a young man holding on to a violin standing behind the group, looking on with tranquil eyes. 
“I heard that he returned from Paris and so I quickly invited him to come.”
Even though this is a salon only for women. Lydia thought so, but since Darnell was asked to come to play the violin and not as a guest, once she thought about it, there really wasn’t anything out of place.
His bright red hair didn’t look groomed as usual. He also did not have on an ingratiating smile. This person who was still strangely eye-catching nonetheless, was someone from Lydia’s mother’s clan, the McKeels, and had proclaimed himself to be the “Prophet”.
That very man greeted everyone with a bow, then looked straight towards Lydia.
“It’s been a while, Lady Ashenbert.”
When the Prince of Calamity was born, it’s been said that the Prophet, as the only person able to put an end to Prince, lay asleep in the Sacred Land in the Highlands.
If Darnell himself was that “Prophet”, Lydia may have the role of assisting him as his “Betrothed”; and if that were the case, the enemy that had to be put an end to would be Edgar.
That’s why Lydia did not want to believe that he may be the “Prophet” or that she may be that “Betrothed” no matter what.
“…So you went to Paris?”
“Yes, I had the honour of participating in the Christmas and New Year parties over there.”
So that’s why it seemed that I hadn’t heard anything about Darnell in London.
Yet, he returned to London once more. When she saw Darnell in person with her own eyes, Lydia couldn’t help but be shaken up.
“By the way, Lady, do you have any worries that you’d want to depend on charms for?”
Taken aback, Lydia shook her head vigorously.
“Th-there’s nothing!”
But Darnell may have realized. Because he was the one who told her about what she felt the most uneasy about.
That the Prophet’s “Betrothed” was unable to carry the child of another man.
“Oh dear, Mr Darnell, the topics that arise from a ladies’ salon are generally topics which are painful to the ears of gentlemen.”
The Duchess skillfully softened Lydia’s stiff and unnatural tone.
“My apologies. As I share the same hometown with Lady Ashenbert’s mother, it seemed that I unconsciously felt a sense of affinity with her.”
Although Darnell was by no means a sociable person, his words and attitude were mild and he had an air about him which did not make others guarded towards him. That may be the impression given off by the violin he played, but that may be the reason why it seemed that there were occasions when Lydia ended up being careless towards him.
“No… please don’t mind me.” 
“Mr Darnell Finn, your hometown is in the Highlands right? The colour of your violin’s tone is extremely mysterious. Speaking of which, Lady Lydia’s knowledgeable about fairies, so I wonder if it’s the character of your hometown.”
Another noblewomen spoke to him, and Darnell turned to face her.
“That may be the case, since it has been passed down since ages long that remote places are close to the fairy realm.”
Taking advantage of the change in topic, Lydia quietly left the conversation.
Exiting into the sunroom, she heaved a sigh of relief as she was surrounded by the lusciously thick decorative plants. But that was only for a brief moment.
“Are you investigating into the demonic creature?”
Asked Darnell. It seemed that he had chased after Lydia after he swiftly avoided the conversation with the ladies. 
“Lady Parrish’s husband was attacked by the demonic creature. You too are bothered by that right?”
This was a topic important to Lydia, so she didn’t find him a bother.
“You said ‘demonic creature’… so it’s really a demonic creature?”
Lydia gave up thinking about running away, and turned to face Darnell.
“That’s most probably the case. Mr Patrick said the same too.”
Patrick was someone whose name brought displeasure to Lydia. He was the fairy doctor of the McKeels, which was her mother’s clan, but he tried to bring Lydia into the Sacred Land even if he had resort to deception.
“I note that it’s not your view.”
“I do not have the ability of a fairy doctor like you and him.”
“Even though you’re the Prophet?”
Darnell lowered his eyes quietly.
“It’s true that when I made the prophecy a hundred years ago, I too was probably a fairy doctor. But in order to leave my power to the later generations, I fell into a slumber with my soul and magic separated. I am nothing more than someone whom the Prophet’s soul had reincarnated into. On the other hand, the power was entrusted to the Prophet’s ‘Betrothed’ when the entrance to the Sacred Land was opened; it’s your duty to give me the power.”
As she wondered about whether Darnell was the reincarnation, Lydia was forced to think. If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean that there was no way to verify if he was truly the Prophet? Or was it that since Patrick acknowledged him, it meant that there was some basis for it?
“I am not holding on to that kind of power. Even if I was also by my mother’s side when she entered the Sacred Land, I was just a baby; logically speaking, wouldn’t you think that it was my mother who obtained the power?”
“We will know someday. If you are not the true ‘Betrothed’, then there will be no one who can defeat Prince.”
She wanted to say that there’s Edgar, the Blue Knight Earl. It’s true that currently, they do not have the power that the family of the Blue Knight Earl used to possess. But if they were able to get closer to how the original Earl was, then they’d definitely be able to fight against Prince.
The Princess of Armorica whom they met in Brittany also said that. That’s why they had to find Ibrazel and somehow get the same power as the Blue Knight Earl of the past.
“Lady Lydia, even though the new Prince still hasn’t awakened, that Organization will not just sit back and wait. If the Unseelie Courts have gained so much strength as to attack humans every now and then, we should suspect that Prince’s Organization is behind this.”
“That can’t be…”
Lydia, who had not considered that far, suddenly felt a sense of panic.
If that were so, then the incident of the monster causing London to fall into a state of unease, was one which was directly related to them. That was because the Organization’s goal was to drag Edgar in as “Prince”.
“As long as Prince continues to exist, the Unseelie Courts’ magic will continue to strengthen and bring about misfortune to England. Do you understand?”
“Edgar isn’t Prince.”
The McKeels also viewed Edgar, who had shouldered Prince’s memories, with animosity. Although Edgar had only tried to protect Lydia by shouldering everything himself, they spoke of Edgar as if he was the root of all evil.
“If you say so, then it means that you don’t want the Earl to become Prince right? If so, we’re the only ones who can stop that.”
“Isn’t it the objective of you people to kill Edgar!?”
Lydia unintentionally raised her voice as she got emotional. Even so, Darnell replied calmly.
“Once he falls under the control of Prince’s memories, he will probably cease to be who he is now. When that happens, can you say that your beloved Earl is still alive? Even for him, wouldn’t he think that he’d rather choose death if he was going to lose himself?”
No, you’re wrong.
With the feelings Edgar and she had built up thus far, and not logic, Lydia shook her head vigorously.
“No matter what happens, I will not let Edgar die. We’ve decided that he’ll live on and we’ll find a way to seal Prince.”
They had gotten married with that as their hope. If they were going to put an end to this with death, Edgar would probably have done so a long time ago. But he chose to live on together with Lydia.
“Even if you are able to seal Prince within him for eternity, as long as you stay by his side, you cannot hope to attain happiness as a woman.”
Her heart wrenched in pain. Even so, Lydia glared at Darnell firmly.
“My happiness is to be by Edgar’s side no matter what happens. Edgar feels the same way too!”
Darnell narrowed his eyes as if he was doubtful, but Lydia was desperate not to be defeated.
“Even for the demonic creature controlled by Prince’s Organization, the family of the Blue Knight Earl will definitely take care of it!”
Lydia declared so and ran out of the sunroom.

We’ll resolve this by ourselves.
It was the lord of Ibrazel, the family of the Blue Knight Earl of the past, who had sealed the magic of the Unseelie Courts and protected the peace of the human realm thus far.
If so, as long as we bear that name, this is our role.
This is all the more reason for the both of us to aim for Ibrazel. On the first full moon after the vernal equinox has passed, we’ll obtain the fairy ship. Soon, we’ll definitely show them that we found Ibrazel.
It’ll be fine.
As she told herself that, Lydia returned home on a horse carriage.
Right now, that is what I need to concentrate on more than anything else. Isn’t that much more important than whether I’d be able to conceive? Since nothing will even begin if our earl family doesn’t become a genuine family of the Blue Knight Earl.
As the white building of the earl mansion came to view, the horse carriage soon aligned by the entranceway.
Taking a deep breath, Lydia alighted the horse carriage with her lady attendant, and walked towards the study where Edgar was.
Because there were various things she needed to tell Edgar, such as those pertaining to Lady Parrish and Darnell, Lydia stood in front of the study. At the moment when she was about to open the door, it suddenly opened from the inside.
“Lydia, welcome back.”
She was embraced all of a sudden. Her mind, which had been full of various thoughts, became blank in that instant.
“I… I’m back…”
Dazed, Lydia muttered so, while Edgar ushered her into the room and sat her onto the sofa.
“Your hairstyle today, is especially adorable.”
“Didn’t you say that this morning too?”
“I thought so anew. This check afternoon dress is lovely but shall we have another piece that has the colour of spring tailored?”
“We don’t have to be so extravagant as to make another dress.”
“It’s not extravagant; it’s something necessary.”
It’s true that the society is one where if the missus was plain, the family’s financial situation will become suspect.
“As the sunshine becomes brighter, your eyes too resemble the colour of fresh new greenery that comes with spring and becomes a brilliant golden green. Your dress will also be able to reflect brighter colours.”
As he held Lydia’s cheeks with both hands, he gazed into her eyes. He looked especially happy.
“Shall we try requesting for the new dressmaker who came from Paris this year? It seems that he has a good reputation.”
When she heard the word ‘Paris’, Darnell’s face came to mind and Lydia was startled.
“But, even the place from where we had been ordering from would be … They have been conscientious in their dealings with us.”
“That place makes evening dresses with necklines which are too wide.”
“Eh-, but weren’t you always saying that they could be bolder?”
“I used to think that I wanted you to appear more charming than anyone else, but as I thought, I’ve come to feel that I want to keep this beautiful skin for myself.”
When Edgar said so he looked at her amorously, so even though she was wearing her afternoon dress it made her feel as though she was exposing her bare skin.
“You always do as you please.”
Lydia lowered her face in order to hide her blushing face. Even so, he still stared at her meaningfully. 
“Wh-what is it?”
“Sometimes, I find it a wonder. Even though I understand that you are already my wife, if you were to ask me what the difference from a lover is … But, I feel like I somewhat understand it a little, what it means to become a family.”
“What, does that mean?”
“For instance, it’s something like even if we can no longer spend time alone together, we’d still be delighted.”
Taken aback, Lydia froze.
Of course she knew that Edgar hoped for a child. It was precisely because he thought that someday, in the future not too far from now that would come true, he said such words overflowing with hope; and if Lydia didn’t know anything, she’d probably reply him innocently.
But things can’t go on like this. I need to tell him the truth.
“Erm… You know, Edgar,”
It was exactly because this was a chance that presented itself out of the blue, Lydia felt like saying everything at one go. She felt that if it’s now, she’d be able to say it.
“I…”
But, I wonder what I should say. Is it really alright for me to say it? Lydia became confused suddenly once again.
“Yes? Is it that difficult to say?”
“Yes… I wonder how I should say it. But, I don’t want to hide things from you, and I’ve always thought that I need to tell you.”
“You’re such a shy person. But of course I’d want to hear happy news quickly.”
“Happy news?”
“I met Francis today. When I consulted him on the fact that you weren’t feeling well, he said it could be because you’re expecting.”
“Eh.”
As he watched Lydia, who became flustered and turned bright red, Edgar appeared to become more convinced as his misunderstanding continued.
“That’s the case right?”
He embraced Lydia tightly, and pressed his cheeks against her tenderly.
Lydia, being too shaken, was unable to speak up or escape from his arms, but Edgar suddenly let go of Lydia, as if he had just remembered something.
And then, he took something out from his coat pocket.
“I was so happy that I bought this on my way back. I wanted to give you a present.”
On his open hand, was a small enamel-coated rabbit; its tail was an adorable key and when Edgar winded that, a familiar melody was played.
“It’s Greensleeves. You said you like this melody right? Doesn’t this melody also have one with lyrics praising the Virgin and Child? So I thought that this would be apt as a present.”
“I, I see.”
“Here,” said Edgar, as he handed the music box with his usual carefree smile. Even after they got married, there were numerous small presents from him and when Lydia saw how much he enjoyed doing so, she felt happy as well.
As she was urged on by that smile, she ended up stretching her hand forward.
Lydia, who was about to accept the music box from Edgar, caught herself and withdrew her hand.
“This… I can’t accept this!”
She raised her voice in a panic, and stood up in order to escape.
“Eh, why not?”
“That’s not it Edgar, it’s not that.”
“It’s not?”
I need to tell him properly. The more Lydia thought so, the more she was at a loss for words.
I wonder if it’s impossible for me to do what would make him this happy.
Can I tell him such a thing calmly? That we may not be able to obtain the happiness that comes from no longer having just the two of us in the family?
Lydia felt tears falling from her wide-opened eyes. Edgar held his breath with a look of shock.
“Ahh… I see. I… jumped to conclusions…”
He lowered his eyes, probably out of disappointment. But he immediately lifted his face and took both of Lydia’s trembling hands.
“Please don’t cry, it’s not your fault.”
He told her that gently. But, that’s not it. It was Lydia’s fault for hiding the truth from him.
“Seriously, it was a mistake to believe that Francis. No, but it’s certain that you are not feeling well, so it’s better if we have a doctor take a proper look once.”
“I don’t want to. There’s no such need. I know my own body’s condition at the very least!”
Lydia unintentionally spoke with a harsh tone.
“Is that so? Yeah, if so, it’s as you said.”
Even as he said so to pacify Lydia, he placed the music box in Lydia’s hand.
“But you know Lydia, please accept this. It may be a present that came too early, but it’s better than being too late right?”
Edgar believed that someday, the day when they can truly rejoice over this will come.
Lydia had no choice but to push the present back to Edgar painfully.
“…I’m sorry but I can’t accept this!”

The music box, which was placed on the table, continued to play the melody of Greensleeves with a crystal clear tone.
Lydia ran out of the room as if she was running away, while Edgar, who was left in the study by himself, was hearing but not listening to the melody as he thought about what happened.
I feel bad for jumping to conclusions. But was that something to cry over?
Because I don’t understand how Lydia feels, I can’t even chase after her.
“Darn, what kind of doctor is he. Francis’ advice is as good as a complete amateur’s.”
Together with Francis, the music box, which became a target for Edgar to vent his frustration pointlessly, was brushed off the table; it fell and rolled on the carpet.
“Lord Edgar, I’m not sure if this would be of interest to you…”
Raven picked the music box up. The spring must have unwound, for the music stopped.
“I heard that at Duchess Masefield’s salon which Lady Lydia went to, Darnelll Finn was there as well.”
“What did you say? Then, did Lydia meet up with that guy again?”
This was something which was a headache to Edgar.
It’s said that Darnell was the “Prophet”. If that were truly the case, he couldn’t help but feel that someday Lydia would be taken away from him.
I don’t understand Lydia. At this moment when he thought so, he was all the more disturbed by Darnell’s presence. Because he couldn’t even imagine what kind of influence Darnell’s words and actions would have on Lydia.
And so, he suddenly thought, that perhaps Lydia did not wish for a child.
Or worse, that she may even be afraid of having a child.
Just as how in the past, Edgar’s mother had been warned against giving birth to a son, Lydia may be frightened of carrying a child who was related to Prince by blood. At the very least, there was a possibility of being warned so by that man.
“What did Darnell come to London for?”
Edgar took a deep breath in order to calm himself down. He somehow managed to calm the impulse to question Lydia about whether she regretted becoming husband and wife with him.
“I sense that it’s not solely for work.”
“Yeah, since he said that he’s the Prophet, he probably has various objectives.”
The most conspicuous of those objectives, would be to bury Edgar, the one who held Prince’s memories.
That’s why Edgar couldn’t help but think.
If someday in the future, I were to be taken over by Prince’s memories, what would happen to me?
What about my feelings towards Lydia? I wonder if I can have faith that it won’t disappear.
Precisely because Edgar himself didn’t know for sure, he needed to consider the worst case scenario. In such a scenario, it can’t be helped that Lydia couldn’t wish for a child.
“As I thought, I guess I can’t bring Lydia happiness.”
Raven looked towards him, as if he wanted to say something, but he kept quiet, perhaps because he felt that as long as it wasn’t anything certain, he couldn’t bring himself to say words of consolation.