Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 23 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 ♦ The one-eyed monster's grief

“Lydia, does it not matter that you aren’t returning?”
Lydia silently ate the beef kidneys, while Lota looked at her and spoke, slightly concerned.
“Hey, this cooking is truly great, I haven’t had mashed potatoes in a long time.”
The one who revealed a shocked expression was Lota, Lydia’s friend. Although her choice of words and manners were a little masculine, she was actually a person who was both trustworthy and considerate of others.
Lydia felt quite unwell when faced with Edgar, so she couldn’t help but rush out of the Earl residence and run into the bar that Lota frequently lingered around. Now, she had calmed down after much difficulty.
“Is that so? If you come here, everyone knows that you have to eat your fill at the inn across the street first then come again.”
Indeed, the inn’s customers only had a bit of alcohol, but Lydia wasn’t actually tasting the food leisurely; if she didn’t focus her attention on something, she wouldn’t be able to keep calm.
With regards to Lydia, who still wasn’t completely used to the upper class lifestyle, the bar where the middle class people gathered set her at ease like she was at home --- at least for now, she wished she could forget about her current position.
“Hey, Lota, I don’t intend on returning tonight.”
“Then do you want to stay at Paul’s rented house together?”
Lota inquired frankly without asking for a reason.
Paul, who was drinking beer at the same table, cried out in shock.
“Y--you can’t! How could I let Madam Lydia stay in that narrow and filthy place.”
“Lydia doesn’t mind that at all, right?”
Although Lydia didn’t mind that the place was small, she also knew that she couldn’t stay in the room of a bachelor. In fact, what Lota tried to convey was probably that lodging outside for the night wasn’t too appropriate either.
“Uh, may I ask if you quarreled with the Earl?”
Paul asked with rather conspicuous unease.
“N--no.”
Lydia believed that it wasn’t a quarrel. The person in the wrong was her, but she left the mansion. In the end, what was she doing?
She thought to herself, but because she wasn’t able to face Edgar, she stayed here. Now, she still wasn’t able to talk about her frame of mind calmly and smoothly.
“Hey, you’re not getting married, Mr. Paul?”
Lydia asked this question bluntly, and Paul choked as a result, coughing incessantly.
“In other words, Paul is at the age where he should almost be getting married.”
Lota, also rather interested, stared at Paul.
“Uh, that, I still......”
“But you will get married one day, right?”
“...If... you...”
Because his voice was too quiet, it wasn’t clear as to what he said.
“In that case, I can’t run over to your place at night no matter what, it’s a little lonely in this way.”
“I--I won’t get married!”
Paul yelled out with an unexpectedly loud voice.
“Is that so? That’s great.”
Lota revealed a smile, and Paul smiled happily as well, but Lydia thought to herself that this ought to be like digging his own grave.
“Hey, Mr. Paul, if you get married, would you want to have a child?”
“Eh! I said it just now, I......”
“I’m saying as an example,”
“Well, um, I would wish to have a child. But I am a commoner, so it’s different from nobles, perhaps it should be said that it’s comparatively easier...... ah, no, this ultimately depends on God’s interests.”
He seemingly spoke urgently to console Lydia. However, Lydia’s way of thinking until now was quite close to Paul’s. She was merely the daughter of a university professor and had no inheritance to lands at all, and it seemed like her father didn’t care that there wasn’t a son to inherit the Carlton home either.
But for the time being, regardless of what the son inherited, Lydia wished to bring a new family member for Edgar.
“Lydia, do social circles exert that sort of heavy pressure on newlywed families as well? You don’t have to care about what other people say.”
“It’s not like that...... um, I was only pondering a little.”
“It’s useless even if you ponder too, if Edgar is the sort of man who would say these petty things, then I have misjudged him.”
“Yes, the Earl isn’t that kind of person.”
“R--right.”
She clearly understood how much Edgar loved her, and because of this, he misunderstood.
She didn’t know whether or not she could overcome the crisis under the situation of harboring secrets within her. The Prince’s organization had already begun to act, so Lydia had been reflecting on her recent attitude even more.  She felt that she shouldn’t be afraid and properly confirm Edgar’s feelings.
After all, it wasn’t known if what Darnell said was truly false; Edgar would definitely tell her to cherish her desires. As long as the two of them reflected together, perhaps they could figure out a way to settle the dispute.
Let’s go home. Lydia stood up after making a firm resolution.
“Lota, Mr. Paul, I’m sorry for making you worried, I’m going to return home.”
“Paul, let’s send Lydia back, it’s quite late now after all.”
Lota revealed a smile, and Paul nodded as well.

The three of them left the bar and walked in the dusky alley for a while. This was a slightly dirty and disordered area south of the River Thames. There were very few streetlights and figures, and it was still quite a distance from the main road.
Even street carriages weren’t seen here; Lydia thought to herself that fortunately, Lota and Paul were with her.
Furthermore, when Lydia left the mansion, not even Kelly was informed. As the Countess, going out alone would be a problem, but as soon as she saw Lota, her frame of mind as a commoner girl prior to marriage couldn’t help but reappear. However, the reason was Lydia was able to have this much freedom was because Edgar allowed her to do so.
Even after marriage, he never forced the customs of aristocracy onto Lydia, and completely treasured her ego.
Lydia understood that she was quite fortunate.
Additionally, regardless of what will be encountered henceforth, it wouldn’t be Lydia’s problem alone.
“There are unusually few travelers tonight, you would usually see street carriages at this corner.”
Lota walked as she spoke.
“Would it have been influenced by the rumours of the monster? Previously, only bloodstains, clothes, hats, and such items were found, so it’s possible that it was a prank, but a while ago, a wrist was unexpectedly found.”
“I see, then it’s too dangerous to linger around this desolate street.”
“Right, let’s leave this place immediately.”
Just when Lydia tried to speed up, she realized that something was moving in a dark place, so she was shocked to the point that she stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Lota, there’s someone at the corner.”
“Someone?”
It was too dark to see clearly, but the person was different from a traveler, as they stood in place, motionless.
“Oi, what are you doing there?”
Lota called out, but they didn’t respond. Although the person didn’t seem to intend on moving, Lydia faintly heard the sound of sobbing, and so she moved forward softly.
“Lydia, wait until I confirm it and then......”
“It doesn’t matter, Lota, wouldn’t it be a child?”
“Eh! A child in this sort of place?”
In short, it seemed like there weren't any danger, and the three of them moved towards the dark place.
They depended on the faint light emitted by the streetlight to go and look, and saw a boy crouching there, wearing a shirt similar to pajamas.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
The young boy hugged his knees and pressed his head against it, still trembling incessantly. He seemed to be around ten years old, but the tone of voice he used to speak sounded even more childish.
(It’s scary, I don’t want to stay here.)
“Are you lost? Where is your home?”
The boy pointed in one direction, but it was impossible to know whose home he was the child of under this light.
(I hate this city, there’s a lot of water flowing.)
“You hate water?”
(I don’t like crossing the river, because I will be flushed away by the water.)
Was his house on the other side of the river? As soon as he heard the river, he thought that he had to step into the water to cross the river, did he just come here from the countryside?
“It’s all right, because there is a bridge.”
Bridge? The boy raised his face and tilted his head. The seagrass-like reddish brown hair dangled down to the tip of his nose, and his expression couldn’t be seen clearly.
“What should we do? How about bringing him to the main road first? Perhaps he will remember the way back to his house.”
“Yes.”
Lydia approved of Lota’s suggestion, then extended her hand towards the boy. He shook his head at Lydia.
(But if I don’t finish my work, then I can’t go back.)
“Work?”
(I have to eat a woman.)
Lota and Paul looked at each other, puzzled.
(A woman with golden green eyes and rust-coloured hair.)
This remark was shocking.
The boy lifted his gaze and his long bangs swayed; his eyes looked out from the gaps between his hairs.
It was quite clear that he wasn’t human, because there was a massive eye in the middle of his forehead.
(Hey, what’s a monster? Am I a monster?)
The boy stared at Lydia using the strange eye, and the skin on his body began to dissolve thickly. He extended his hand, which had muscles and veins exposed, and tried to grab Lydia’s outstretched hand.
“Lydia, don’t let him touch your hand!”
Someone called out; at the same time, a pitch-black horse jumped in front of Lydia.
It was Kelpie.
Kelpie shook his mane like he was in the water, then bared his fangs to threaten the boy.
As soon as the boy saw Kelpie, he suddenly let out a snarl, and his appearance changed. 
“Wh--what on earth is this guy......”
Lota and Paul blankly stared at this boy --- no, monster, whose height changed to the point where they had to look up. 
Lydia really couldn’t believe it, and was so scared that she swallowed her shriek back.
“......Nuckelavee? That’s unlikely, how......”
It was a kind of dreadful fairy, an existence that was only heard of in legends.
Its body didn’t have skin, it possessed a single blood-red eye, and a mouth that was split open widely. It had nimble and sturdy legs like that of a horse, and a straight upper body with long arms and sharp claws. This was a monster that was said to reside in the seas of the Highlands, and even ate humans.
The fearful attitude previously as a boy had already disappeared as he turned towards Kelpie and exuded a murderous aura, seemingly to challenge him.
“Lydia, hurry up and escape with those guys!”
No one could beat a Nuckelavee. However, Kelpie was a fairy that dwelled in freshwater; the reason why a sea spirit that hated freshwater didn’t attack was probably because it was wary.
Additionally, Lydia also knew that humans who encountered Nuckelavees should only do one thing.
“Lota, Mr. Paul, run!”
The three of them ran together.
But for the Nuckelavee, this was equivalent to a feast running away before its eyes, so it quickly jumped over Kelpie’s head, closely pursuing Lydia and the others.
“Ermine, stop that guy!”
Kelpie shouted.
Ermine? Is she here?
“There’s no way, the colour of his eye already changed, even if we shout at him, he won’t react.”
A voice came from somewhere on top of a building, but they didn’t have any extra energy to turn and look.
A sound similar to ripping air echoed as a claw swept past them.
Lydia was different from Lota, who wasn’t wearing a petticoat and crinoline; she was pulling a heavy skirt, so she couldn’t run smoothly.
Lota extended her hand towards Lydia, but if this continued, the three of them would be in danger.
“Lota, run left up ahead!”
Lydia didn’t grab her hand, and ran towards the path on the right by herself.
“Lydia?”
“Don’t stop!”
Lydia prayed in her heart that Lota and the others would do according to what she said.
As expected, the Nuckelavee surely chased after Lydia, who was the slowest, and ran towards the right.
Although she grabbed her skirt and ran desperately, the uneven slabs of stone made her trip.
Just when Lydia tried to get up, the Nuckelavee’s enormous body was already overhead with its foot lifted high, as if it was preparing to step and break her skull.
Lydia couldn’t help but shut her eyes, then she heard the monster roar. 
She opened her eyes in surprise and saw Ermine jump behind the Nuckelavee.
Because the monster was stabbed in the side of the abdomen with a knife, it twisted its body.  Kelpie took advantage of the rift and pulled Lydia up.
Ermine was thrown into the air and fell to the ground, but because she maintained a defensive stance, she immediately stood back up. However, it seemed that the monster didn’t suffer any injuries.
The knife that pierced the monster immediately became rusty, then split and broke completely into pieces.
“Lydia, hurry up and cross over the River Thames!”
Kelpie and the Nuckelavee were in a struggle.
If she couldn’t escape, Kelpie and the others wouldn’t be able to either. Lydia ran forward once more.
“Madam Lydia, the truly fearful one isn’t the Nuckelavee...... please be careful of a man with a scar on his forehead!”
What does that mean? How could there be someone more dreadful than a Nuckelavee?
Besides that, Lydia was still suspicious about something else as well.
Not only was it incompatible with humans, the sea fairy Nuckelavee was a kind of monster that was incompatible with any other existence. She had never heard of a Nuckelavee that would transform and appear as a human, what’s more, Nuckelavees aren’t able to understand the human language, let alone convince humans.
However, a Nuckelavee, which should originally be in the Highland seas, came to dry land. Furthermore, he appeared in London, which meant that someone had brought him here.
If the Prince’s organization took advantage of the monster that had been causing disturbances recently, then what sorts of ways were they using to control the monster in the end? Lydia pondered while doing her best to run, and it wasn’t long before she reached the main road, where she could see River Thames up ahead of the street. There wasn’t any presence of the monster chasing from behind, and she could already see figures here and there, so Lydia stopped.
She ran to the point that she was gasping for breath, and couldn’t move for the time being.
But now, she still wasn’t able to confirm that it was safe, and would feel more at ease after crossing the river.
If there was a bridge, even though it was a Nuckelavee, it might be able to cross the river as well, but if he saw that there was water flowing underneath, then he probably wouldn’t go towards the direction of the bridge.
Just when Lydia was planning on taking a step forward to advance towards the bridge......
“Pardon me, may I ask if you are Madam Ashenbert? ”
Someone called out to her, thus she turned around. There was a gentleman standing there, wearing a hat and leaning against the wall of a building.
“Who are you?”
Lydia stopped, and the man took several steps towards her, walking from the dark place towards an area illuminated by the streetlights. Although his appearance could be seen roughly, that man was likely someone that Lydia wasn’t acquainted with.
“My name is Teran.”
She suddenly recalled Ermine’s words. Ermine told her to be careful of a man with a scar on his forehead.
The man before her had the rim of his hat deeply lowered, thus his forehead couldn’t be seen, but Lydia still felt a burst of uneasiness in her chest, so she slowly moved back.
“......Have we met somewhere before?”
“No, we’re meeting for the first time. I’m quite aware about you, and I can also say that I am a shadow servant of your husband.”
Lydia was alarmed and showed vigilance.
“You are...... Ulysses’ comrade, correct?”
“That man has already lost his influence.”
Influence?
Ulysses should have been the most trusted confidant of the former Prince. Afterwards, the reason why Ulysses still commanded the organization and lead under the position as a manager was because he possessed proficient fairy magic abilities.
He was a survivor of the Blue Knight Earl’s illegitimate child, and inherited the abilities of the original Earl’s family.
If Ulysses lost control of his authority, then who on earth was controlling the Nuckelavee? Was there another person who possessed the same abilities as Ulysses?
If there truly was someone who could control the Nuckelavee as they pleased, then they likely weren’t Ulysses’ subordinate. That man, was he currently in front of Lydia?
“I hope the Prince can return to our organization as soon as possible. Furthermore, we must reclaim the British throne.”
This man named Teran looked at Lydia, his eyes filled with strong hatred.
“You are an obstacle in reaching this goal.”
He took a step towards Lydia.
“Once you disappear, I don’t know how heartbroken the Earl will be. Profound despair will destroy the spirit, until that moment, our Prince will be able to undo the chains and awaken to his responsibilities.”
Lydia tried to draw back, but her legs weren’t able to move smoothly.
Teran reached out and grabbed Lydia’s arm roughly.
“Let...... let go of me.”
She tried to escape, but the strength he used almost made his fingernails sink into her skin, and so she shrieked.
“Help, murderer!”
But for some reason, the pedestrians by the road didn’t even look over, and simply walked past as if he and Lydia didn’t exist. Was this person using magic?
Lydia’s figure didn’t disappear at all, rather it was unusually clear so as to not attract attention, so it obscured their presence, making them seem something like a street tree or a building.
If she didn’t break away from him, then she wouldn’t be able to escape the magic’s influence. Lydia was panicked. 
At that moment, the sound of footsteps stopped behind Lydia.
“Madam, may I ask what happened to you?”
The person spoke to Lydia, and although Teran aimed a glance at that person, he suddenly released Lydia and quickly left in silence.
Lydia breathed a sigh of relief, nearly stumbling and falling. The person that reached out and supported her was someone she was very familiar with, but usually had complicated feelings towards.
“......Mr. Patrick.”
“You’re injured, I will send you home.”
He glanced at Lydia’s arm that was oozing blood, and spoke with a calm expression.

“Oh my, Earl Ashenbert, long time no see.”
Social gatherings of famous singers or actors would always be brightly lit all through the night until the early morning; red velvet carpets would be spread underneath the luxurious crystal lights, and vases would be filled with flowers. This gorgeous place was different from the clubs that only men gathered in, which was filled with a very unrefined atmosphere.
Indeed, it had already been a long time since Edgar had visited this kind of place.
A female singer that he once had relations with walked over briskly; her voice was always as sweet as a bird’s.
“I’ve seen your performance many times.”
Edgar sat down on the sofa, smiling gently.
“I am so happy. You were with the Madam every time, isn’t that so? I’ve glanced in the theatre once, she truly is a cute Madam.”
“Isn’t she? She is the cutest person in the world.”
After he spoke with a calm expression, the female singer’s smile seemed to have froze for a moment.
“Then, you coming alone to this kind of place, wouldn’t there be a problem?”
“I’ve been loathed by my wife.”
As soon as he said it, he felt very depressed.
Although the two didn’t quarrel, he made Lydia shed tears. Edgar didn’t know the cause, so he was even more dismayed compared to the usual marital tiffs.
The female singer sat down on the sofa where Edgar was sitting with her body closely pressed against him.
“Oh my, how pitiful, do you want me to comfort you?”
“You’re truly kind.”
“Your wife isn’t the only woman on earth, you’ve probably thought about this point more or less, right?”
The roses’ fragrance lightly drifted in the air with an enticing sort of manner.
“Yes, there are many wonderful women in the world, however, there are very few that love me.”
Women would be attracted by his outer appearance and noble status, but these kinds of women were meaningless, no matter how many they were. The only one who understood the genuine Edgar and loved him was Lydia.
“This is impossible, right? Earl, did you know that when you got married, there were many women weeping for this reason?”
“What about you?”
“Of course I was among them.”
“I see, would you want to have my child?”
“A child is not necessary for a moment of romance.”
He knew that the topic of children was quite insensitive with regards to people who were merely seeking temporary affection; however, her reply jabbed Edgar where it hurt. 
Moment...
This word overlapped with the feeling of unease he had been pondering over a moment ago.
Did Lydia believe that the feelings between them were only momentary love?
If Lydia felt that they would inevitably separate one day, Edgar wouldn’t be able to become the Blue Knight Earl. In that case, perhaps she was persuaded by Darnell in this way. 
If the Prince’s memories might change Edgar, then Lydia couldn’t possibly want a child. Was this surely the reason for her shedding tears? If it was truly that, then whenever Edgar sought her at night, was she reluctant and hurt as a result?
Even if the romance existed, those nights merely accumulated unease without a purpose.
“......I see, what you said was right.”
The female singer cast a passionate gaze towards him. Edgar was immersed in her gaze and muttered.
“Fortunately I didn’t inform my wife about this party.”
“Please keep it a secret from now on.”
“Yes, if she became enchanted by a male performer, then I would be too embarrassed.”
He shifted his gaze slightly towards a red-faced dame that was speaking with a young male performer.
The female singer left, perhaps due to being unable to develop a romantic atmosphere with Edgar, who had been speaking of his wife the whole time.
He didn’t care at all, and continued reflecting on about Lydia.
Even if his worries for the future wouldn’t break off, as long as there was a way to bring her happiness every day and make her feel at ease, he would do it regardless of what it was.
In order to become the genuine Blue Knight Earl and head for the fairy kingdom, this was also among one of the ways; but this wouldn’t necessarily go smoothly, perhaps he would have to deal with something more realistic.
This was something that he had been reflecting on from the beginning up until now; Edgar came here tonight for this reason.
If things failed, then some documents would be needed in response. One of the wills had already been prepared in advance, but with regards to another type of document, Edgar wasn’t willing to prepare it no matter what. The worst situation was that he wouldn’t be able to end his life. However, if it was for Lydia, then perhaps it was a necessary document.
Edgar found a man that he knew entering the party, thus he stood up. After he walked over, the man noticed him and raised a hand.
“Oh my, if it isn’t Edgar, you’re here.”
“Yes, because I needed to find you for something. The office and your family haven’t seen you, so I thought that if it was here, I would probably be able to meet you.”
“Needed to find me for something? Did you need to discuss matters pertaining to women?”
“It’s pertaining to the law, this is your specialty.”
“As expected, it has something to do with women, right?”
“Yeah, maybe it does. Do you have time now?”
“I do, let’s head over to that small room.”
When Edgar nodded, someone else called his name.
“Earl Ashenbert!”
The other person rushed over, gasping for breath. Because his clothes didn’t match the atmosphere of this party, he was probably stopped at the entrance. A staff member caught up from behind; in all likelihood, he surely charged in regardless of being stopped.
“If it isn’t Paul, what’s wrong?”
At the same time Paul stopped, he was grabbed on both sides by staff members, but after Edgar waved his hand, they released Paul and left.
After Paul regained his freedom, there wasn’t time for him to regain his breath, as he urgently squeezed out his voice.
“Ma...... Madam Lydia...... by the monster......”

Patrick silently bowed his head and looked at Lydia, as if he was waiting for her reply.
Patrick McKeel, he was the fairy doctor of the McKeel clan --- a clan that once had deep affiliations with fairies. He wouldn’t be affected by Teran’s magic, thus he was probably able to see Lydia.
“Why are you here?”
Although Lydia accepted his rescue, she had a feeling that she was being watched, so she had a bad feeling. Rather than expressing gratitude, she couldn’t help but speak out about the doubts she had in mind first.
“I was pursuing the monster’s presence up until now, and the scent was quite heavy in this vicinity.”
“You sensed it?”
“Were you not able to sense it?”
Although Patrick’s tone was flat, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
Despite Nico saying that she had become susceptible to magic, she herself wasn’t aware of that, so it didn’t make any sense. You’re clearly a fairy doctor, and yet you didn’t sense it? Lydia felt him ridiculing her in this way, but she tried to strike back as well.
“But even if the monster was discovered, I feel like an outstanding fairy doctor such as you wouldn’t be able to handle it either.”
“Because it’s a Nuckelavee, you believe as such?”
“You knew!”
“Indeed, facing that kind of opponent, even talismans wouldn’t have much of an effect, but I must pursue the monster’s actions, because if you were to be attacked, then it would be a real headache.”
Patrick spoke quickly, as if it was troublesome.
“That man just now should be someone related to the Prince’s organization. Although I had already guessed it before, it seems that his purpose is to appease the Nuckelavee and take your life.”
He meant that he anticipated the actions of the monster and the Prince’s organization, and yet Lydia knew nothing.
She didn’t even know that she was being closely watched --- serving as the Earl family’s fairy doctor in this way was basically useless.
Lydia could only cast out this impatience onto Patrick.
The McKeel clan’s existence made Lydia feel more pain compared to anything else, so it made Edgar suffer as well.
“I’m grateful for your advice, but please don’t look after us any more. A person like me hasn’t matured as a fairy doctor yet, and I would merely disturb you as the Prophet’s fiancée, right?”
“The abilities that are requested from the fiancée are unrelated from those of a fairy doctor’s.”
For Lydia, this remark was quite hurtful.
The more Lydia spoke with Patrick, the more she felt unhappy. Even so, she felt that escaping at this point would make him unwilling to give up.
“Then, what on earth is it related to?”
“The ‘fiancée’s’ true responsibility is only known by the Prophet and the person who opened the coffin. This was something that was decided a hundred years ago.”
“You don’t know either? Since that’s the case, then I have to ask you to leave us alone even more.”
“My actions are already quite restrained, because Darnell requested as such. If you want to know about the fiancée’s true responsibility, you can go and ask Darnell.”
“......You’re saying that Mr. Darnell knows?”
“Of course, because he is the Prophet himself. However, he seems to believe that he still shouldn’t tell everything to you.”
No matter what, as long as Lydia assisted Darnell in accomplishing matters as the ‘fiancée’, there was a possibility that Edgar would lose his life. It didn’t matter even if the fiancée’s responsibility wasn’t known.
“The day when I visit him out of my own accord won’t arrive. Please tell him as such.”
“Regardless of whether or not you know your own responsibilities, there is only one thing you should do. For the McKeel clan, the most important thing is to carry out the established practices, you don’t have to think about the significance amongst this.”
“No one has ever helped me issue any sort of decision, what’s more, I am not someone from the McKeel clan, I am the daughter of the Carlton family. Regardless of what is happening, I have always made my own decisions, and it will be this way in the future as well.”
Although Lydia tried to refute Patrick’s statement, he continued speaking, hardly caring at all.
“You are going to marry the Prophet, this is your fate. As long as this is carried out, the prophecy ought to come true.”
Lydia cautiously repressed her impatience.
“So, you mean that I have to leave Edgar?”
“As long as the Earl’s life can be snatched away, the McKeel clan’s fighters are willing to bear the sin for the clan. Currently, the Earl still hasn’t awakened as the Prince, so I believe that if we set out now, we can bury him even if we don’t rely on the Prophet’s powers.”
“Don’t say any more!”
Lydia couldn’t help but cry out.
“Don’t lay a hand on Edgar! He has been in a lot of pain since the beginning, and he found his hope now after great difficulty......!”
“Under the situation of bearing the Prince’s memories, is there hope?”
Even if that were the case, Lydia wanted to become his hope --- because Edgar had said so while embracing her tightly.
That was why the only thing she wasn’t willing to do was extinguish the flame of Edgar’s hopes with her own hands.
“......It’s possible if I split up with him.”
Lydia began to talk as if she was throwing up something that had been severely blocking her chest. 
“However, please wait a little longer. I will definitely set Edgar free, there must be a way to put an end to the Prince within him. So, please don’t take action before then.”
As long as she reached the fairy kingdom and even learned more about the Blue Knight Earl’s family afterwards, she would absolutely be able to find a way to save Edgar.
“Then, if you are unable to annihilate the Prince, will you split up with him?”
Perhaps Lydia’s viewpoint just happened to fit in with Patrick’s scheme, but Lydia could still only say it as such.
“Yes, I will split up with him.”
When the time comes, the significance of her staying by Edgar’s side would probably disappear as well. 
Lydia could only pray that he could spend time peacefully while shouldering the Prince’s memories, furthermore, compared with Lydia staying by his side, perhaps it was better to let him have a woman that could give birth to his child accompanying him.
Compared to the “Prophet’s fiancée”, a woman that wouldn’t make him aware of the Prince would be more suitable.
If Lydia joined the McKeel clan, she might be able to stop them from getting rid of Edgar. If that was the case, she would be willing to do so.
“I will split up with Edgar, it’s fine this way, right?”
She said as she endured the desire to cry. At that moment......
“Lydia, what is going on?”
She heard Edgar’s voice.
“You want to split up with me?”
He walked over, looking back and forth at Lydia and Patrick.
“N...... no, Edgar.”
“I heard Paul say that you were being chased by the monster, so I risked my life trying to find you, but as a result, you were here with this man, talking about that sort of thing.”
“She was nearly captured by the man controlling the monster, I only saved her.”
“Then I am truly sorry. However, even if you saved her, you can’t force her to reciprocate either.”
“I don’t wish to receive her reciprocation at all.”
“Then, you ought to have said that if she doesn’t do according to what you say, then you’re going to kill me, correct?”
“You truly are clever.”
As matters stood, Patrick wasn’t planning to lie either.
“But this is a very fair deal. Madam Lydia took the initiative to say that she was going to part ways with you.”
“That can’t be, that’s impossible.”
Edgar’s anger was silently accumulating.
“Edgar, I will explain it properly later.”
“There is no need for an explanation, you were merely deceived by that man, right?”
If she didn’t give him a definite reply, he would surely be hurt quite heavily; seeing his painful expression, Lydia shut her mouth, finding it difficult to bear. 
He pulled Lydia into his arms and embraced her tightly, not letting her leave, then said: “Let’s go. ”
“Earl, regardless of how you think, her fate is linked with the Prophet’s.”
“She is my wife, if you say any more I will throw down the glove*.”
What should be done? Although Lydia was very anxious, Edgar had already taken a step, so she had no other choice but to follow. Upon turning at the street corner, until Patrick’s gaze wasn’t felt, Edgar’s hurried footsteps didn’t slow down. 
Although Lydia thought to herself that she had to say something, she couldn’t open her mouth; Edgar was silent as well.
Right when Lydia couldn’t continue enduring it and wanted to stop, Edgar suddenly stopped going forward.
However, this wasn’t in order to talk with her.
This was because he sensed danger. The reason why this was known was because Lydia saw the bushes on the side seemingly moving. Before they could comprehend it, goosebumps formed. 
Soon after, an enormous shadow blocked their line of sight ahead.
It was an object that seemed to resemble bushes, with an enormous body like that of a Nuckelavee.
There wasn’t enough time to yell, as the long claws had already swiped down. Edgar held Lydia and quickly got out of the way, as the claw thrust into the stone slabs on the ground.
“Run, Lydia!”
The two of them took the opportunity to run ahead, but the monster immediately stood up and pursued Lydia in sight. At the same time it found her, she and Edgar ran into a gap between the buildings, but the monster jumped from the wall to the roof, chasing them from above.
“The monster’s target is me, let go of me, Edgar!”
“Don’t be ridiculous…”
The claws waved again, and there wasn’t even a way for Edgar to finish speaking as the two of them fell in the alley.
At that moment, something fell out from Edgar’s coat.
It was a music box.
The melody of “Greensleeves” came out from the porcelain rabbit.
The Nuckelavee suddenly stopped moving.
Edgar seized the opportunity to pull Lydia up.
The monster was motionless, as if it was listening to the music in a trance, and it also didn’t seem to realize that the music was coming from a tiny rabbit by their feet.
Although Lydia hastily left that place with Edgar, she couldn’t help but turn around and take a glimpse.
Perhaps it was an illusion, after she looked over towards the depths of the dark alley with “Greensleeves” echoing, she felt that what she saw wasn’t a monster, but an overwhelmed young boy, standing in place. 

​

*

Afterwards, it was a very messy night.
Edgar called for a street carriage, and brought Lydia along back to the mansion, but he seemed to avoid facing Lydia directly, because he immediately went out again.
Lydia really wanted to tell him the truth and undo the misunderstanding, but in the end, she wasn’t able to speak out about her significant worries as well as the contents of the conversation she had with Patrick during the short time riding in the carriage.
“I’ve said that I wasn’t going to listen to your explanation.”
She was planning to open her mouth, but Edgar said this to her.
When they entered the carriage, they had just gotten away from the crisis of being chased by the Nuckelavee, so Lydia’s hands were still trembling, and the skin that was dug into by Teran’s fingernails ached dully. She carefully used her shawl to cover the sleeve that was oozing blood while trying her best to stop her body from trembling.
On the other hand, Edgar seemed quite fretful. The cause of him having this kind of reaction wasn’t from encountering the dreadful monster, rather it was what Lydia said to Patrick. Since she knew the reason, she felt that it couldn’t continue on like this, and so she tried to squeeze her voice out.
“......I beg you, please listen to me.”
Her body might have already received the magical influence as the Prophet’s fiancée. If Lydia wasn’t able to accomplish the Countess’ duties, then the only thing remaining that she could do as a fairy doctor was protect Edgar --- for this reason, she was willing to do anything.
She wanted to stay by Edgar’s side, but if she became the object of his distress, then even if she had to choose to split up, she was also willing to......
“You want me to listen to your sincere words? If the Prince’s memories can’t be eliminated, then will you leave me? I don’t want to hear that sort of thing.”
However, a misunderstanding arose between the two of them because Lydia was harboring secrets, which lead to Edgar being hurt. Lydia bit her lips.
“Didn’t you know about the Prince early on, and vowed that even if this was the case, you would become a married couple with me?”
Edgar’s tone was quite calm, but if he was truly calm, then he would have probably been willing to listen to Lydia’s explanation carefully. 
“Edgar, I......”
“It’s inevitable that you will have a change in heart. If you were pregnant, the child would most likely become the “Prince’s” child...... so, you wouldn’t want to have my child, right?”
That’s not it --- this mumble wasn’t able to become voiced out.
Up until a moment ago, Edgar was unwilling to look toward her. But at that moment, he suddenly turned around, and their gazes met; Lydia immediately felt his confusion, thus she didn’t know what to say even more.
“Since when did you begin enduring it? Does being touched by me only make you feel pain?”
Although Lydia shook her head, in Edgar’s eyes, he probably believed that she was in denial. Edgar leaned out, placing his hand on her knee.
This should have been a very common thing, but the mood which was different from usual frightened her heart.
As she turned her attention towards the hand that was on her knee, her lips were kissed. Yet this kiss was also different from usual, as it was a very crude kiss. 
Inside the swaying carriage, Lydia was being pressed against the back of the solid seat, and wasn’t able to move. The intense kiss continued, as if he wasn’t giving her an opportunity to speak.
“I don’t want to, I won’t divorce.”
This kiss would seemingly make one forget everything, and in between kisses, he calmly and firmly spoke again.
“Even if I am resented by you, I cannot abandon you either.”
Lydia couldn’t do anything.
Edgar embraced her, whose body loosened in strength, as his lips wandered from her throat down to her neck, then forcefully sucked on her neck. Although a mark was left in a very obvious place, he hardly cared at the moment.
If this was proof that she belonged to him, then without a doubt, she didn’t want it.  Because she wasn’t able to say it out loud, Lydia merely chose to accept it in silence.
Finally, when the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, Lydia was released.
“I’m sorry......”
Edgar looked at Lydia, whose cheeks were flushed red, and his expression was still quite calm.
“If I return to the same home as you, I might force you.”
He said, planning on letting Lydia leave the carriage alone.
Lydia suddenly grabbed his hand.
“......This isn’t forced, because we are a husband and wife.”
Edgar looked at Lydia in astonishment, but immediately frowned with grief.
“There probably won’t be a way for me to be gentle.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I can’t, because I love you.”
Then, he handed Lydia over to Kelly, who came to greet them, and took the carriage once more to leave.
​

Under the situation of not being able to undo the misunderstanding, Lydia welcomed the early morning alone.
Yesterday, her hand was injured by that man named Teran, and that wound still ached periodically. It wasn’t known whether or not that person used a knife-like item; her sleeve was ripped and there was a scar on her skin.
Although Lydia had a bad headache since the early morning, she still pondered.
What sort of method was he using to control the Nuckelavee? What’s more, Lydia didn’t expect that the Nuckelavee could transform into a form of a young boy.
“Granted that it turned into a human, it still kept its single eye, huh.”
After Nico listened to Lydia speak, he muttered while delivering a sausage into his mouth.
Edgar didn’t appear during breakfast time either; Lydia and Nico sat by the table together. Nico heard that the Nuckelavee appeared, so he didn’t go out for a walk this morning. If he knew that the one being watched was Lydia, he would have surely left this room. Lydia thought of this point, so she decided that she shouldn’t say it at the current time. 
Besides, the Earl residence was located to the north of the River Thames, and she felt it wasn’t too likely that the Nuckelavee, who was on the south side, would cross over the bridge and come here.
“This isn’t the only thing that is strange. Although the characteristic of a Nuckelavee is to be scared of rivers, have you heard of a Nuckelavee reacting to a music box?”
“Music box? You mean that it had a reaction to the music?”
“Perhaps it had a reaction to ‘Greensleeves’? Nico, you know as well, right? It might be because of that tune.”
“I see, that tune might be a clue.”
Nico used a napkin to wipe his mouth, but didn’t realize that there was an egg yolk on his nose.
“Could it be because it’s a fairy’s tune? But with regards to a Nuckelavee, no matter which kind of fairy it is, it’s merely food.”
Lydia softly pointed at the tip of Nico’s nose, and after he noticed, he used his tongue to lick his nose.
He clearly considered himself as a gentleman, yet he frequently acts like a cat. However, the thing he hated the most was being considered as a cat.
“But it must be because the tune has some kind of significance, only then would the Nuckelavee react, right?”
At this moment, the window was forcefully opened.
“Hey, Lydia! You’re okay, right?”
The one that jumped in was Kelpie as he suddenly turned into a curly black-haired young man from a pitch-black horse. 
He stood up straight and walked over, examining Lydia carefully.
“It looks like you weren’t bitten anywhere. Nuckelavees will eat things in one bite regardless of what it is, it truly is a gluttonous fairy.”
“Even you kelpies wouldn’t eat humans or animals whole.”
“We just won’t eat the livers, because we are very refined.”
Although his bottom was on the chair and he stuck out his chest, from what Lydia saw, both sides looked the same. Kelpies and Nuckelavees were originally ferocious Unseelie Courts, so this kind of opinion was to be expected.
However, this kelpie was a trustworthy friend with regards to Lydia.
“Thank you for yesterday, you were a great help.”
“Luckily I caught up.”
Kelpie smiled in satisfaction and put his feet up on the breakfast table without the slightest bit of hesitation, so Nico frowned and held his plate up.
“That Nuckelavee suddenly disappeared afterwards, I searched all over London until dawn and still didn’t find him.”
Is that so --- Lydia sighed; would he be hiding in one of the hideouts of the Prince’s organization?
“By the way, Lydia, you have to be careful, if that guy knows the scent of your blood, he will immediately sniff out your location, because he will consider you as food.”
“What! Is that so?”
“Yeah, so that’s why I told you not to touch him. If that guy’s claws are stained with your blood, then you’re done for.”
Claws stained with blood --- this made Lydia remember something, that is, the scale that Lady Parrish was holding was very similar to the skin of the Nuckelavee’s claws.
“I ask you, what if one was scraped by a claw covered in scale-like thorns?”
“It’s the same, the monster’s magic will remember the scent of the blood, so they would be watched.”
Kelpie spoke quite frankly. Although previously, when Lydia inquired the Lady about how that prop ought to be used, the Lady didn’t reply, but if she used that kind of thing to scratch her husband, wouldn’t this become the reason that her husband was targeted by the Nuckelavee?
Then, the witch doctor that gave the scale to the Lady was that man from yesterday.
He said his name was Teran. He was a person who firmly stated that he was going to kill Lydia.
Her body trembled, and the wound on her hand ached once again.
“Hey, Kelpie, apart from freshwater rivers, does the Nuckelavee have any other weaknesses?”
“There probably isn’t.”
“What about Greensleeves?”
“That’s the magician from a very long time ago, right? Currently, there isn’t a magician that possesses what can be called as powers.”
“I wasn’t referring to that, I’m talking about the English folk song.”
Lydia hummed out a small segment for him to listen to --- as long as it was a British person, they would know this tune regardless of who it was.
“I don’t think a Nuckelavee would be scared of that sort of thing.”
“Rather than scared, I feel it’s more similar to being very concerned.”
(We are quite familiar with that tune, because it came from a mining tune.)
A voice came from another area once again. Just now, they found a hole in the ground that originally didn’t exist, and a fairy wearing a triangular cap climbed out.
It was Coblynau, who was staying in Wells. He was also a member of the Earl family, and always suddenly appeared by rising from the ground in this way.
“Oh my, is that so? Did it come from the mines of your homeland?”
(No, the fairies sang this tune often, I recall it was...... the mining fairies of Cornwall.)
“Cornwall? Then, it’s the fairies that are referred to as the Knockers.”
(Yes, it’s the Knockers.)
“Hmm, the mining fairies of Wells and Cornwall have interactions with each other.”
After Nico spoke, Coblynau stroked his messy beard while happily narrowing his eyes.
(A long time ago, there were tunnels underneath the large mountain ranges of the mainland, and all the mining fairies moved through those channels towards various mining settlements. Us coblynaus were separated from the Knockers’ habitat for no more than several millennia, that’s all.)
Although he said it was no more than several millennia, to Lydia, it was actually an era from a long time ago, and with regards to each other, they ought to be considered as close relatives.
“But even if they are staying at Cornwall, the range of that place is quite large. In the end, which mining fairy was the first to sing that tune?”
“Lydia, are you interested in the origin of the music?”
“Yes. I think, Nico, since it’s the music of fairies, then the notes that were originally performed on an instrument must possess magic. Although it’s impossible to reproduce magic using a human’s instrument to perform, there might be some small powers left. Perhaps the Nuckelavee sensed that.”
Nico crossed his arms to his chest and pondered.
“If one can perform the music under the situation of retaining the magic, then it would be performed by a fairy from where the music came from, or by a person who possesses a great understanding of the magic. Does the Nuckelavee have a predestined relationship with that place? But are sea fairies involved with mines?”
“Probably in places where the sea and mountains are quite close. Hey, Coblynau, are there any mines in that area?”
(Hm...... I’m afraid to say, I haven’t been there.)
Is that so. Lydia sighed. Despite not knowing whether or not the Knockers’ tune is the Nuckelavee’s weakness, it might be worth investigating Cornwall thoroughly.
(However, it’s probably the hematite mine.)
“Really? How do you know?”
(Because the tune is mixed with a hematite timbre.)
“Wow, you truly deserve to be called a mine fairy.”
“I can also only rely on the scent to know where the water flowed from.”
Although Kelpie issued a complaint, there wasn’t enough time to pay attention to him --- Lydia began to ponder. 
“Hematite...... I don’t know what kind of mineral that is. As long as I ask Father, I should be able to know where the mine is.”
“Oi, Lydia, why on earth are you investigating this? Don’t say that you want to overthrow the Nuckelavee, it’s impossible no matter what you think.”
Nico’s beard trembled, because he might have had a bad premonition.
“Even if it’s impossible, if she doesn’t go and do it, Lydia won’t be able to live with a peace of mind, because that guy wants to eat her.”
Kelpie interrupted and said.
“Lydia is being watched?!”
Nico jumped up from the chair and ran underneath the tablecloth, flustered.
“Wh--what about water......? Anyone, please come and bring water over! ”
Raven just happened to come in holding tea, so he lifted the tablecloth and handed over the drinking glasses filled with water. As a result, Nico drank the water clean in one gulp, then ridiculed himself: “Not like this!” Afterwards, he rushed out of the room.
“Raven, you don’t need to mind.”
“Yes. Mr. Nico merely wanted to calm us down this way.”
Was that so? Lydia tilted her head, but Raven walked out of the room without the least bit of suspicion. Lydia looked at his back and remembered about his elder sister.
“By the way, Kelpie, why were you together with Ermine?”
“Oh...... it just happened.”
Although this was probably a lie, he might not have spoken about everything.
She must have escaped from Ulysses’ side and sought refuge under Teran. But according to yesterday’s situation, she seemed to have known about the Nuckelavee’s existence for a long time.
“I’m not quite sure who she is obeying at the moment, but she probably won’t hurt you.”
“Yeah, I believe in Ermine too.”
But at present, it seemed like Ermine would only appear in front of Kelpie. Kelpie was a fairy that didn’t have a direct link with the Earl family, so with regards to the current Ermine, she was probably in a situation where she was barely standing on the Earl family’s side.
“Hey, Kelpie, were you not with her in the past as well......”
She asked halfway then shut her mouth.
Even if Kelpie came across Ermine by chance, it probably wasn’t their first time meeting yesterday.
If he was able to become Ermine’s helping hand, then it was fine. If she hoped as such, then she shouldn’t investigate Ermine’s matters in detail.
“No, never mind. However, Kelpie, if she is ever encounters a crisis, you have to help her as much as possible in the future...... okay?”
Although he was surprised, he still nodded and said: “Yeah.”
“Then, I will come to patrol when evening comes. I don’t think that the Nuckelavee will appear during the day, but if you’re going to go out, be a little more careful.”
After Kelpie finished speaking, he jumped out of the window.
“Thank you, Kelpie.”
Lydia expressed her thanks towards his back.

-----------------------
[1] Chinese T/N: If one places a glove on the ground and the other party picks it up, it means that a duel has been established. (Rachel's T/N - according to google it’s actually “throw down the gauntlet”, but they’re not wearing gauntlets...)