“Lord Edgar, the preparations are complete.”
Raven whispered, as he entered the room and carefully closed the door.
Lydia drifted off to sleep next door.
Although she was out of earshot, Raven still made sure, probably because Edgar did not want Lydia to hear.
For Lydia’s matters to be considered, hasn’t Raven grown considerably?
Little by little, he was obtaining human-like emotions and adapting to his peaceful life.
This was why Edgar felt guilty when ordering him to assist in the preparation of such cruel matters.
However, Edgar had not yet been liberated from his battle of life and death, and Raven was his soldier. He understood that Raven intended follow him no matter where he went.
Edgar believed in his bond with Raven, for that his orders were absolute as his master. Edgar spoke.
“Has Annie shown fear?”
She is not very scared. Rather, she appeared firm and resolute, and continued to pretend that she cannot speak.”
“In that case, let me threaten her a little.”
Surely, this was a method that Lydia hated. But to Edgar, only such method was possible.
In order to protect his comrades and defeat his enemies, the most reliable method should be selected. So far, he had always done this and will always do this in future.
Even if they were only just a group of thieves, he planned to eliminate them completely.
“In addition to that, Lord Edgar, this--”
Raven held up to show Edgar red hair. It seemed to belong to Annie.
“Did you strip it off from the scalp of her head?”
“....It’s a wig.”
As one would expect, it seemed that he still cannot comprehend jokes.
“So that would mean Annie is...”
“Black haired.”
Finally, all matters came to light. Annie was the one who intruded into Madame Oughtred’s room. Lucinda hid the jewelry box in order to put the blame on Lydia again.
“Raven, you did well noticing it. This determines the plan.”
Raven paused awaiting Edgar’s orders on what was planned.
But Edgar suddenly murmured something else.
“Raven, has Lydia grown to love me more than I expected?”
Raven seemed tired of responding as he silently looked at Edgar. Although he was partly talking to himself, it seemed that in order to find excuses, Edgar continued.
“Lydia is doing her best for me right now by staying here. She did not give up and despite going through so much hardship, she is still trying to become the fiancée I’ve been hoping for.”
Of course as a fairy doctor, she was perhaps very worried about Madame Oughtred who had been kidnapped by fairies, but she definitely continued to be a maid for Edgar.
Thinking of himself as someone who gradually became precious to Lydia, he shouldn’t be conceited.
Lydia said that she was unable to be accustomed to being his fiancée and had always thought that Edgar wanted her be more pure. It seems that Edgar was too impatient. Understanding these passionate emotions still needed more time but such frustration made one feel attracted to it.
“The theories of love are really unreliable. Who said that the one who loves more, loses? Lydia would certainly love me as much as I love her.”
As long as it was to protect Lydia, anything will be done. Despite his arrogant desires descending onto himself, who received the curse, only this feeling could dispel that desire.
Whether it was for the sake of lovers, family, comrades or for whomever to fight for, he wanted to believe that he will not stray from that path.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
Edgar stood up.
As they approached Lucinda's room, they could hear her shouting as it resounded throughout the corridor.
“What on earth is the matter? Where’s Annie? Father, can you please ask the butler to hurry up and find her?”
“She will be back soon.”
“But she just went to change the water in the vase and hasn’t come back. Although she has a habit of slacking off sometimes, it will soon be noon. I can’t take it anymore.”
Just then, Lucinda cried to Edgar because she was terribly worried that the maid hadn’t come back, but in reality, even when the maid wasn’t here, she did not seem to be the type of person who would cry.
“Although she didn’t speak of it, I was very good to her! But she certainly made a fool out of me!”
Edgar stood before the door. Without knocking, the door opened.
Lucinda ran out and was stopped when she bumped onto Edgar.
“Earl Ashenbert... what can I do for you?”
Just then, she quickly turned away. She probably just remembered how she was expelled out of the room. However on the other hand, thinking that Edgar might chase after her, she glanced imperceptibly towards him, with expectation.
“You were quite disrespectful before, Lady Lucinda.”
Having heard this, she suppressed a smile and then frowned.
“Yes, it’s the first time I received such an insult. The Earl actually stood up for a maid.”
This lady liked to act no matter where she went. Edgar also suppressed a smile and said mysteriously…
“In order to express my apologies, I’ve helped you find your maid. But it was quite troublesome.”
“…… Annie? What was that girl doing?”
“She took your jewelry box containing your jewels. But she didn’t have the jewelry box with her, so perhaps she hid it somewhere else. On where it might be hidden, it’s currently being investigated.”
“Lucinda, Annie wanted to run away with your jewels?”
Lord Constable, who was surprised, drew closer to her.
“Yes...umm.”
As Annie was almost being treated like a thief, Lucinda seemed to be unexpectedly impatient.
“If that’s the case, then we need to ask Annie about it.”
“Earl Ashenbert, my daughter has given you trouble. Where is Annie?”
Up until now, Lord Constable had never shown a modest attitude like that before. Perhaps it was because he believed that Edgar had tracked down Annie for Lucinda.
“This way. I will not let her escape so I’ve sent someone to guard her. Will you come with me?”
Then Edgar brought the two of them to the most secluded room of the mansion.
Almost no one would come here. Therefore, even if there was a little disturbance, it would be as if nothing happened.
Edgar casually opened the door for them to enter and waiting beside the fireplace was Raven, who had started the fire.
“Annie...”
It’s no wonder Lucinda’s complexion went pale. Annie was tied to a chair and was looking down with a pale complexion.
Raven’s “light” threats seemed to be effective.
To only give direct pain, wasn’t torture interrogation. Rather than the reality of pain, people imagining the endless horror feared experiencing it instead.
That’s why things such as torture equipment deliberately looked extravagant without much of a threat.
If someone were to explain to you so you could imagine vividly when you are disobedient, he could still harm you even without lifting a finger.
“So, Annie your master is here to see you. Would you like to beg her to save you?”
Although she looked at Edgar with fearful eyes, she did not look at Lucinda at all.
“You took the ivory jewelry box that contained Lucinda’s jewels. If you say where you hid them, then she will certainly save you. Speak soon, it’s for your own sake.”
As Edgar continued to urge her, Lucinda who was puzzled, interrupted.
“Earl Ashenbert, Annie can’t speak. She was born without a voice.”
“Is that true? Now Lucinda, did you make sure?”
“I’m sure...but actually, the person who introduced her had said that.”
“You didn’t make sure? That is very careless. You never considered the possibility that she may appear that way and just pretend to be mute? If that’s the case, then she would certainly speak of many interesting matters.”
“It can’t be...”
She clearly looked distressed because Lucinda had probably done a lot of things which she did not want to be spoken of.
“You cannot easily trust others. Not carefully confirming whether or not she can talk is no good.”
Edgar walked towards the fireplace. He inserted in and took out a thin red hot iron rod from the burning firewood.
Annie may have begun to imagine the hot metal burning onto her, so she trembled. Edgar was one step closer to threatening her.
“Do you know of the torture interrogation methods used? This was placed on the face to burn down the flesh. Because the screams were so harsh to the ears, witnesses would use earplugs. But if she cannot make a sound, we do not need to worry.”
Annie struggled to move as her hands and feet were tied. Raven held her down from behind.
Lucinda and Lord Constable were silent at this anomalous situation.
Her head was caught, and she was unable to move as she looked into Edgar’s eyes. With horrified eyes wide open, what did she see? Edgar did not know.
Was it a demon?
He understood because he had encountered this kind of situation several times.
At this moment, the outcome was clear.
“No... please stop! Save me!”
The burning iron rod hadn’t even touched her face and she cried out.
“I--I didn’t do it! I don’t know where her jewels are! In any case, it’s all fake!”
Once she began to talk, she believed that she would be given mercy, so she continued to speak.
“Anyway, it was all surely hidden by her! Ah, and it was also a lie when she said the brooch was stolen the other day!”
Lucinda deliberately spread bad rumours about Lydia. Annie, following Lucinda’s command, had placed the brooch in Lydia’s room. The various kinds of Lucinda’s hidden plots, Annie spoke of it gleefully.
In addition, the initials on the letters that were the same as Edgar’s and the events of Lucinda meeting the man in the evening written in her diary, were all fabricated to deliberately allow her father to discover it. Annie had exposed them all.
“Stop... shut up, Annie! Don’t speak of such groundless lies!”
“It’s true! After all, you were looking for someone who couldn’t speak because you didn’t want to let others around you to discover what you were doing, right? "Didn't you often say that every time a maid was about to reveal your schemes, turning her into the villain and chasing her out was becoming troublesome?"
Lord Constable tightly grabbed onto Lucinda’s shoulders who turned pale.
“Lucinda, is that right? The fact that you and Earl Ashenbert have been in contact is...”
“Umm...Father...”
“Come with me!”
Feeling embarrassed after having understood the situation, Lord Constable wanted to Lucinda away as if to escape.
“Lord Constable, what will you do with Annie?”
“That woman is fired. Do whatever you want.”
He had returned to his normal behaviour.
“She has not yet spoken on whereabouts of Miss Lucinda’s jewels.”
“Anyway these are cheap goods.”
After confirming that it was fake, Edgar was surprised.
But such things are not important. Edgar continued to interrogate Annie...
“In that case Annie, the jewels of Miss Lucinda do not concern me. I want to inquire about the ivory jewelry box. The Regard necklace was hidden in there by Madame Oughtred. Was it because she realized that it will be stolen?”
Annie and Lucinda suddenly looked surprised and Edgar pretended that he didn’t notice it.
As Lord Constable was mad, it seemed like he didn’t hear those words just then. Lucinda was immediately dragged by her father and left the room.
But with this, they had both set foot into the trap that Edgar had set up. Lucinda will certainly go and take out the jewelry box that she hid.
Annie and her comrades will aim for that time.
Of course, it was fabricated that the Regard necklace was intentionally hidden, but it seemed that they believed it.
Using this approach, Edgar planned to round up all the thieves and catch them in one swoop.
*
By the time it was evening, Lydia who began to get up, had somewhat regained some energy.
Oatmeal was immediately brought by a maid exclusive to attending to guest rooms. This maid did not maliciously spread gossip as it was an older woman. Mrs. Boyle had probably selected maids that had not been in contact with Lydia.
Lydia stirred the oatmeal just in case to check for any foreign substances. After confirming that there were none, she finally place it in her mouth, relieved.
As her fatigue alleviated, she was able to think clearly and so she began to concern over the matters in relation to Madame Oughtred.
Tonight was a full moon. Something needed to be done by dawn, but Edgar said to wait until all the thieves were eliminated.
Anyway, Lydia still had not yet figured out the most important matter which was the Danish fairies’ secret.
She was just feeling absentminded until she saw light.
If Madame Oughtred’s Regard necklace, which was the symbol of their gratitude, was permitted into the Danish fairies’ rose garden, then the necklace were jewels of the Danish fairies.
Lydia thought it was the Danish fairies’ gift to Madame Oughtred as a way to express their trust.
Moreover, the extremely-hated mankind had entered the Danish fairies’ rose garden. The fairy that Lydia encountered felt angry as it thought that she wanted to steal something.
In that case, this could be interpreted to mean that their treasure was hidden in the rose garden.
But where exactly would their treasure be hidden in the rose garden? By digging up the grounds, would the jewels come out one by one?
There was only one opportunity to trade with the fairies. A mistake cannot be made.
Lydia’s thoughts eventually reached a dead end.
As expected, Madame Oughtred can’t be rescued as it may be impossible to trade with the Danish fairies.
Feeling a loss of confidence, Lydia’s feelings of giving up slowly grew within her.
Nevertheless, she wanted to do as much as she could as a fairy doctor.
There should still be something she could do even if she couldn’t save Madame Oughtred.
As Lydia thought that, she recalled the matter with the blue roses.
Madame Oughtred said that the blue roses will bloom when the moon rises tonight.
Come to think of it, a guest will be arriving at the mansion today. It must be Madame Oughtred’s friend, whom she made a promise with to see the blue roses. She read the letter that informed her that the blue roses will bloom and came over on this day.
The Madame told Lydia that if she were to ever meet her, she wanted her to tell her friend that the blue roses have bloomed.
But perhaps it was still possible for that her friend to see the blue roses now.
Lydia got up from the bed, changed out of her clothes and put on her dress. Suddenly meeting the lady for the first time as a maid, it she would not be willing to listen to her talk about fairies.
Even if she appeared honestly, she didn’t know whether or not she would understand the topic of fairies but anyhow, Lydia intended to talk to her and see.
“No matter who it is, the Duchess of Brightbery will not see anyone.”
The guest room where the lady should be was up the private stairwell, but a woman who was walking down the stairs stopped Lydia who had begun walking up the stairs.
And just like that, Lydia, who wanted to meet her was plainly refused.
“If Madame Oughtred does not come back tomorrow as it is, the duchess will leave. With all due respect, please forgive me for turning you down in greeting the lady.”
Rather than being a maid of the Duchess, she must be acquainted with her as a relative or a friend. Although she was dressed in commoner’s clothing, Lydia received an aristocratic impression of the woman from everything in her tone of voice and behaviour.
“Umm, there is a matter in regards to Madame Oughtred that I want to talk about. I was asked to convey a message.”
She patiently stared at Lydia.
My hair needs fixing up. Ah, I’m not wearing any gloves either.
At a glance, people could see that Lydia was not a noble’s daughter. A daughter of a commoner who is said to have a message from Madame Oughtred, whose whereabouts were unknown, would be viewed doubtfully.
“I am Lydia Carlton. I came here to be taught social etiquette by Madame Oughtred, under her guidance.”
“Let me listen to the message given by the Madame. ”
Meeting her seemed impossible.
Nevertheless, it was better that Madame Oughtred’s words were passed on, than not.
“Umm, Madame Oughtred succeeded in cultivating the roses as promised. But because there are circumstances that are preventing her from coming back to the mansion, she wanted me to convey to the Duchess of Brightbery that the blue roses have bloomed. ”
“Have you seen the blue roses?”
“Yes. ...I mean no, they were flower buds. The roses will only bloom tonight. ”
Lydia hesitated a little as to whether or not she should give up but then she disregarded it and desperately said,
“Madame Oughtred is in the fairies’ rose garden. The blue roses are also there. Umm, I don’t know whether or not you believe me. But if possible, could you please pass this message on to her?”
Lydia was prepared in case of a frown, if what she said seemed insane but the woman appeared to be unfazed.
“So you’ve been to the fairies’ rose garden?”
She asked calmly.
“Yes, I am a fairy doctor, but I’m still not experienced, so I cannot bring Madame Oughtred back from there as the fairies will bury the rose garden at dawn but despite that I can’t do anything about it... they also said that the Madame and the rose garden will be buried together, therefore, it’s very disappointing that I cannot show the her the roses without guiding the Duchess there, I’m really sorry, the Madame wanted me to help her convey this...”
As she was willing to listen, Lydia said that all in one breath.
“If it’s just tonight, it should still be possible to enter the rose garden. I can lead the way, but that is the fairy realm. I don’t know what will happen and it may be dangerous. So um, I cannot persuade Duchess to go there, but if there’s something I can do to help, I want to do it no matter what it is.”
She waited for Lydia to finish speaking, then calmly replied.
“I understand. Then I ask/please guide me there from now on.”
“What?”
“I am the Duchess of Brightbery.”
*
Edgar, in fact hadn’t had the opportunity to get information from Annie regarding her and her comrades’ plan to steal the jewels and other matters.
That was because Lord Constable returned too soon to take Annie away.
He clearly said that he could do whatever he wanted, but after reconsidering, he probably felt that it was unbearable for Annie to continue speaking ill of his daughter.
In addition, he didn’t forget to frankly advise Edgar that exposing Annie’s lie at that time was the root of all the trouble.
“Earl Ashenbert, interrogating a fragile young girl through torture is wrong even if she’s just a maid. Lucinda was completely frightened at having seen such a scene. Burning down flesh using a scorched iron rod, even if they were only verbal threats, that is evil behaviour.”
“Oh? I was still willing to do it if she didn’t speak.”
He wanted to make sure whether he was serious or joking as he looked into his eyes but as soon as their eyes met, Edgar quickly averted his gaze.
This man’s abnormal, he muttered as he rudely grabbed onto Annie’s wrist.
“What are you going to do about Lucinda?”
“For the time being, I want her to do stay in her room to self-reflect...Earl, I’m sorry to trouble you, but don’t ever approach my daughter again from now on.”
Was he saying that Edgar was an abnormal man unsuited for his daughter? Anyhow, Lydia didn’t have to face Lucinda’s jealousy which was just what Edgar wanted. Edgar nodded with a smile.
Lord Constable took Annie and went, as if to run away.
In any case, how Annie and her comrades intended to move was irrelevant to Edgar. As long as they acted according to his plan. In result, Lucinda would be used as bait to set a trap.
In order to allow Annie to contact her comrades, Edgar originally planned to allow her to escape nonchalantly, however Lord Constable took her away which saved him the trouble.
In order to strictly forbid Annie from speaking of Lucinda’s scandal, Lord Constable fired and expelled her out of the mansion, but perhaps that was rather favourable for Annie.
And Annie, who is free, will tell false information to her comrades that Lucinda hid Madame Oughtred’s Regard necklace.
In order to arrest the group of thieves, Edgar hastily needed to carry on with his preparations.
He immediately went to visit Duchess Brightbery’s room.
Edgar already knew the woman under such a name, who came to visit here. Although he understood that she did not want to encounter other nobles as she was using a false name, but what will happen from now on will be a state of emergency. He had to see her.
Unexpectedly, Edgar was invited into the reception room after introducing himself.
While waiting for short while, Edgar felt it was strange and unusual that the maids were unsettled and noisy, unlike the ladies in the room.
Emerging from the room was not the Duchess but one of the women who serve her.
“It’s been a while, Earl Ashenbert.”
Edgar had met this elderly woman who was around her 50s, several times.
He politely greeted her back, but she began to speak hastily.
“Earl, because I trust you and that would like to ask for your help, but can you promise not to divulge this?”
“Of course you have my word, but what seems to be the problem?”
“Just a moment ago, she has disappeared. ”
“Her Majesty the Queen is missing?”
Although Edgar did not say it loudly, she nervously answered in a low voice.
“She is now the Duchess of Brightbery….at the moment, she is in disguise on this visit.”
“I understand. Then again, she left the room without informing anyone?”
“That seems to be the case. Moreover Earl, to tell you the truth, we should be expecting the guard officer to arrive shortly but we did not see him before which we thought was strange. Despite hearing in this mansion that Madame Oughtred’s whereabouts were unknown, the Duchess of Brightbery said that because there was a promise, she needed to visit. Ah, because it was very dangerous, I told her not to leave her room but I do not know when she disappeared. ”
“If the guard officer you’re referring to is Billy, then I know where he is.”
Hearing Edgar’s words, the lady-in-waiting immediately opened her eyes wide in surprise and stared at him.
“You know him? Do you know where Lieutenant William Ramsey is?”
That was seemed to be Billy’s real name.
He is serving the Queen as a military soldier. Therefore, Edgar never thought that he just an ordinary waiter. They were travelling to guard her Majesty in disguise who was to arrive later and went to visit the Oughtred mansion first to prepare.
“Yes. But I’m very sorry. I mistook the lieutenant and three of his subordinates to be thieves who came to steal Madame Oughtred’s Regard necklace so I caught them and held them captive. They did not reveal their true identity, so I thought they were suspicious men. But after seeing the arrival of the Duchess of Brightbery I thought perhaps they were guarding officers...”
“You held them in captivity? Earl, you did that yourself?”
“No, to be accurate it was my valet.”
“Oh my, how vigorous this giant fellow must be.”
The lady-in-waiting went into a complicated state of mind as the military soldier had been disposed of merely by a noble’s follower. Edgar let the topic flow ambiguously as he summarised and explained the details.
In order for Billy and the others to eliminate those eyeing the jewels, they took action and crudely looked for the group of thieves who invaded Madame Oughtred’s room. But because they mistook Edgar and Lydia as the group of thieves, Raven threw them into the horse manure pit.
“I didn’t know about these affairs, I only heard that Madame Oughtred has been missing a while ago. Despite that, they realized that Duchess Brightbery had no intention to cancel today’s visit no matter what and so it’s also been very difficult for them.”
Upon hearing the whole story, the lady-in-waiting seemed to sympathise with Billy and the others but did not blame Edgar in particular.
“Yes. Therefore, I originally intended to request the Duchess Brightberry to receive Billy, no, Lieutenant’s cooperation. Though he may not be willing to help, but the group of thieves will begin their move tonight. In order to subdue them, personnel are needed.”
“I understand. In that case, speak to the Colonel to accompany you. Since things have turned out this way, they’ve been getting increasingly worried about the Duchess’s safety.”
“Of course, I’ll be with them and search immediately. Before that, could you prepare a bath for Lieutenant Ramsey?”
“...Ah that’s right. It would be troubling if the Duchess were to avoid them. ”
The surrounding maids smiled discreetly. They knew that the security guard officer was safe and were a little relieved.
Before the Queen claimed the throne, Madame Oughtred was her close friend. But following the change in political power of parliament, Madame Oughtred had to distance herself from the Queen as the Earl Oughtred had connections with the former government and Madame Oughtred was his wife.
Even so, those around them had no doubt that their friendship was profound.
Afterwards, because her husband passed away at that time, Madame Oughtred withdrew from society. In women’s society where there was no political motivation, there would be an opportunity in attracting the attention of the royal family, in which only a few people will know.
So Edgar relied on his connection with Madame Oughtred and arranged for her to be introduced to Lydia to establish her place in noble society.
Edgar did not know what promise was made between the two women and how many years they’ve maintained their distance before deciding to meet today.
He just knew that Her Majesty would be travelling incognito to visit Madame Oughtred’s mansion.
If he took advantage of this opportunity to introduce Lydia to Her Majesty, Edgar originally intended ensure that the people saw Lydia’s good side.
But that sort of thing didn’t matter anymore.
He didn’t want Lydia to have any more bad memories. Besides, Edgar needed to keep Lydia away from danger.
Speaking of that, Lydia was not in her room.
She ought to be resting, but he did not know where she went.
Although her body shouldn’t be in serious harm, but if she fainted again, what was he going to do? As he was worried, he was about to quickly go find her, but then stopped after seeing Nico.
Nico was leisurely sleeping on the sofa near the window.
Good grief, he really is a fairy cat that only eats and sleeps. What can be done if he doesn’t accompany Lydia?
Edgar poked Nico’s nose with his finger. Because he was half asleep, it was as if he discovered something delicious and licked his finger. Feeling disgusted, Edgar angrily pinched Nico’s nose with all his strength.
Nico’s expression gradually turned into one of agony and suddenly opened his eyes, hurriedly struggling to hit Edgar’s hand away.
“Wha--what are you doing?! Earl, that hurts!....Did you want to kill me?”
Fairies can suffocate?
“Where did Lydia go? Isn’t it dangerous to go out alone?”
“Ah? She’s not alone. She said that she went with a lady to the Danish fairies’ rose garden. I also intend to go after her, but let me sleep a little longer for now. ”
Nico buried his face back onto the cushion but Edgar violently grabbed and hoisted him up.
“Lady? It can’t be the black haired woman right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“The Danish fairies’ rose garden, is that the place where Madame Oughtred is?”
“Yes, yes, put me down already. That lady is a friend of Virginia is she not? That’s why Lydia said that she wanted to arrange for them meet no matter what.”
It seems that Her Majesty and Lydia are together.
Should he ask Nico to guide him to the rose garden? But he did not know when the thieves will begin to make their move.
The group of thieves may not be a danger to the Queen in the fairies’ rose garden. But from what he could recall, Lydia said that there was a time limit, that when dawn approached, the fairies will bury the rose garden.
“Lord Edgar.”
It was Raven.
“Umm, may I ask that you put Mr. Nico down please?”
Raven watched the caught Nico struggling with displeasure. Edgar thought Raven’s consideration for others was unusual thus he did so according to his words.
“What’s the matter Raven? Are you a cat-lover?”
“No, it is because Mr.Nico is a friend.”
“Ah I see... So that’s how it is.”
Since when did they become friends?
Nico, who obtained a strong companion, tidied up his fur and complacently sat by Raven’s feet, sticking out his chest proudly.
“Leaving that aside, as for the report?”
Raven should have been monitoring Lucinda, who was being cautiously watched by her father.
“Yes, Lady Lucinda left her room. ”
She began her move. So Edgar had no choice but to focus on the matter at hand.
He needed to take advantage of the time that Lydia was in the rose garden and eliminate the group of thieves in one swoop.
“What about Lieutenant Ramsey? He should be ready by now.”
“Yes, thanks to you, it appears like I’ve finally come back to life.”
Billy stood by the doorway in changed clothes with a sullen expression.
“Earl Ashenbert, according to your instructions my subordinates have gone to monitor the greenhouse, where you believe Lucinda hid the jewelry box.”
“I see. Ahh don’t come too close, you still stink a little.”
Billy frowned, as he was very offended and somehow restrained himself.
“This was because of your valet.”
“Oh? You admit that you have been gotten rid of by such a man?”
“....I was just careless.”
“Next time you cannot be careless. It is for the safety of Her Majesty. ”
As expected, he grimaced.
“On that matter, the search has to be conducted secretly. So I cannot permit all my subordinates to capture the thieves and close them in from all sides.”
“No, it seems that a search isn’t necessary. For some unknown reason, Your majesty went out alone but there should be no danger for now as seems that Lydia is together with her. ”
“Her Majesty is with Lydia?”
Billy had addressed Lydia’s name without honorifics* which upset Edgar.
This bastard had also half-jokingly told Lydia to “be his woman.”
While Billy still maintained his distance from him. Edgar stood directly in front of him and glared angrily at him.
“Don’t intimately address my fiancée! And also for this misunderstanding, I will not apologize. When I consider all the things you did to Lydia, I have the right to beat you up.”
He was about to open his mouth to refute but he ultimately remained silent.
“I have lured the group of thieves into the greenhouse to attack them. Give your subordinates any remaining instructions.”
When Edgar finished speaking, Billy reluctantly saluted, turned around and left.
“So did you forgive him?”
Raven murmured unexpectedly as he watched Billy leave. Whenever it came to Lydia, Edgar was always narrow-minded, so he thought that he would at least give him a punch.
“Well, in order for them to hide their identity from us, they acted like a group of vulgar thieves in front of Lydia. Since they weren’t seriously pursuing her, I’ve turned a blind eye.”
*
After entering the Oughtred mansion’s rose garden, over the hedges where the roses have not yet flowered, the white moon that had begun to rise from the purple sky could be seen.
Entering the area enclosed by the foliage all around, soon afterwards one will arrive at a cave and stone steps covered by the grass, and from there, it was as if all the foliage had covered their sight. While Lydia headed forward on this path, she explained to Duchess Brightbery that the fairies’ rose garden was still further in.
She didn’t express a particularly tense manner at all, nevertheless, she also didn’t show a dubious manner, merely nodding ordinarily at Lydia’s guidance.
“A voice will come out of nowhere up ahead, so do not answer them. Otherwise, bad things will happen.”
“Did Virginia answer them?”
Although it was the case, this matter was not a bad thing for her, because the Danish fairies had acknowledged her abilities.
“Madame Oughtred is a mysterious woman isn’t she? She can make a rose beautifully bloom in her hands like magic. It’s no wonder the fairies’ had a favorable impression and were kind to her. But if she got too close in her relationship with the fairies then she…”
“Will be in danger.”
“Yes. For example, as a metaphor, fairies are like water and fire. Sometimes they can make a person feel comfortable but sometimes, they can lead to disaster. However, they do not harbor malicious or good-willed intentions in their heart.”
The water that can carry the boat, can also overturn it, is this what you mean? Is that what it means? Miss Carlton, aren’t you close with the fairies? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“…There may be dangers. Because I still have a long way to go as an amateur fairy doctor, I cannot always skillfully deal with fairies.”
"But you seem to have a fiance, so it will be good if you don’t act rashly. The Duchess chuckled while looking at the moonstone ring on Lydia’s ring finger.
This lady can see it. Lydia was a little surprised.
Because they had yet to publish their engagement, Lydia had a fairy cast a magic spell on it, so that it was difficult to be seen by others. Only Edgar could take it off and because he was unwilling to, Lydia needed to do this.
It seems that Duchess Brightbery cannot be easily confused by fairy magic.
Lydia was astonished but greatly relieved, because if such a person were taken into the fairy realm, there would be few chances that they could get caught up in dangerous trouble.
“My only merit is this ability, if only I can be helpful to him in this battle.
“Perhaps a gentleman doesn’t desire that sort of thing for a lady.”
“As expected, she must have a beautiful showy appearance and can socialise in society with great tact. Are such things important? ....My father is a university professor and I am not of the upper class. That’s probably why I cannot become the woman that he is hoping for. ”
“If you can’t do it, it’s okay to let him deal with it for you. You are getting married, are you not? The things you cannot do, he could probably do it without any problems.”
But having an audience with the Queen, this was something she cannot ask him to do.
Lydia was troubled, but the Duchess’s tone was quite firm, so Lydia thought that she may find slowly find confidence.
As they were chatting, the end of the tunnel that was surrounded by grass and leaves was in sight.
Taking a step towards the purple evening light, the vast fairy rose garden appeared in sight.
Although they slowly made sounds in order to test for intruders, Duchess Brightbery avoided answering according to what Lydia said, and walked into the mysterious rose garden.
There was no wind, and the roses looked colorful as they faintly glowed under twilight, surrounded by silence.
The white moon began to rise in the sky, pouring a faint light onto the ground.
Where is Virginia?
Lydia rushed to the log cabin, but did not see her figure there.
The Duchess looked at Madame Oughtred’s notebook on the table and ruminated.
Because the densely notebook carefully recorded the improvement in the cultivation of a variety of roses, was she feeling nostalgic from her handwriting?
“Didn’t she go out?”
Lydia was suddenly taken aback at Duchess Brightbery’s voice.
“...Yes, she must be on the hill.”
The moon had risen. She must have left to watch the blue roses, as they were about to bloom.
Lydia hurried up the hills. They crossed the stone steps together and saw a figure standing in front of the blue roses. It was Madame Oughtred.
“Virginia.”
When Lydia was rushed up towards her, she turned around in surprise.
“Lydia? Didn’t I tell you not to come here anymore? Why...”
She then stopped, presumably because she noticed the woman who was approaching closer from behind Lydia.
“...Alexandrina...?”
“Virginia, you seem to be well. I came to see you according to our promise.”
“But it can’t be...? How did you find this place....?”
The Duchess triumphantly strode beside Madame Oughtred and joyfully took her hand.
“Didn’t we promise that our friendship will never change? The fact that we couldn’t meet anymore due to surrounding circumstances isn’t that big of a matter. You said you will make the blue roses bloom for me and I also said that no matter what happened at that time, I would come to see you.”
“Yes, I have never forgotten that. The blue roses you always hoped to see, will soon be in full bloom. ”
The two of them moved to watch the rose buds before them.
Lydia saw them as if they have gone back to the time of being young girls. She became a little envious as she watched the two ladies holding hands, absentmindedly watching the roses.
To Lydia, the upper-class society was a special place.
She thought to herself, in this so-called noble society, the pros and cons of family status, background and so on must first be settled before building diplomatic relations tactfully. However, from watching the two women in front of her, regardless of whether the surrounding circumstances did not permit it, they, themselves had developed a bond with their precious person.
In that case, Lydia should not be afraid. As long as she went to where Edgar was, those people can’t always be against Lydia.
“Lydia, thank you for guiding Alexandrina here.”
Lydia who withdrew a little, looked at the two of both and Virginia extended her hand, kindly beckoning Lydia to come over.
“If you weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my promise.”
“No, I didn’t do anything. Madame Oughtred, I have not found a way to protect the rose garden. So, I was only able to bring the Duchess here...”
Although Lydia felt very sorry, it was accidentally said. But Madame Oughtred wasn’t disappointed at all.
“Have you discovered that I’m not a gardener?”
“Yes, because I noticed that the garland was the magical Regard necklace... there was a portrait of the late head of the fairies who wore the same necklace at the mansion.”
She looked at her jewelry that was strung together with fresh flowers and nodded in understanding.
“I apologise for hiding my identity, because when my identity was exchanged with a fairy, I cannot speak out my name. In addition, I couldn’t teach you social etiquette because I couldn’t leave and thought that I’ve certainly disappointed you.”
“What? You knew that I wasn't a maid?”
The name “Lydia” I didn’t think of who it was until later. Furthermore, it is just as I heard. Lovely and kind-hearted, a woman worthy of being the Lady of Ibrazel more than anyone else.
“Oh my, Miss Carlton is the fiancée of Earl Ashenbert?”
“Well... yes. ”
Lydia somewhat felt embarrassed and blushed.
“Now Alexandrina, looking at the innocent young lady, are you also thinking of the time when we first got married?”
“Yes, Virginia. ”
The two them laughed happily again.
Madame Oughtred reminisced about her late husband as she stroked the Regard necklace given by him.
Lydia wondered while watching.
The Madame’s Regard necklace should be the workmanship of fine jewels into artificial flowers. However, after her fingers touched the flower petals, she saw that they had a fresh elasticity as if they were roses themselves.
[1] Japanese T/N: According to Japanese customs, Billy didn’t politely address her as “Lydia-san” which was what Edgar was mad about. Japanese people usually address their loved one or anyone else they have a close relationship with, by their first name without "san."
“Lord Edgar, the preparations are complete.”
Raven whispered, as he entered the room and carefully closed the door.
Lydia drifted off to sleep next door.
Although she was out of earshot, Raven still made sure, probably because Edgar did not want Lydia to hear.
For Lydia’s matters to be considered, hasn’t Raven grown considerably?
Little by little, he was obtaining human-like emotions and adapting to his peaceful life.
This was why Edgar felt guilty when ordering him to assist in the preparation of such cruel matters.
However, Edgar had not yet been liberated from his battle of life and death, and Raven was his soldier. He understood that Raven intended follow him no matter where he went.
Edgar believed in his bond with Raven, for that his orders were absolute as his master. Edgar spoke.
“Has Annie shown fear?”
She is not very scared. Rather, she appeared firm and resolute, and continued to pretend that she cannot speak.”
“In that case, let me threaten her a little.”
Surely, this was a method that Lydia hated. But to Edgar, only such method was possible.
In order to protect his comrades and defeat his enemies, the most reliable method should be selected. So far, he had always done this and will always do this in future.
Even if they were only just a group of thieves, he planned to eliminate them completely.
“In addition to that, Lord Edgar, this--”
Raven held up to show Edgar red hair. It seemed to belong to Annie.
“Did you strip it off from the scalp of her head?”
“....It’s a wig.”
As one would expect, it seemed that he still cannot comprehend jokes.
“So that would mean Annie is...”
“Black haired.”
Finally, all matters came to light. Annie was the one who intruded into Madame Oughtred’s room. Lucinda hid the jewelry box in order to put the blame on Lydia again.
“Raven, you did well noticing it. This determines the plan.”
Raven paused awaiting Edgar’s orders on what was planned.
But Edgar suddenly murmured something else.
“Raven, has Lydia grown to love me more than I expected?”
Raven seemed tired of responding as he silently looked at Edgar. Although he was partly talking to himself, it seemed that in order to find excuses, Edgar continued.
“Lydia is doing her best for me right now by staying here. She did not give up and despite going through so much hardship, she is still trying to become the fiancée I’ve been hoping for.”
Of course as a fairy doctor, she was perhaps very worried about Madame Oughtred who had been kidnapped by fairies, but she definitely continued to be a maid for Edgar.
Thinking of himself as someone who gradually became precious to Lydia, he shouldn’t be conceited.
Lydia said that she was unable to be accustomed to being his fiancée and had always thought that Edgar wanted her be more pure. It seems that Edgar was too impatient. Understanding these passionate emotions still needed more time but such frustration made one feel attracted to it.
“The theories of love are really unreliable. Who said that the one who loves more, loses? Lydia would certainly love me as much as I love her.”
As long as it was to protect Lydia, anything will be done. Despite his arrogant desires descending onto himself, who received the curse, only this feeling could dispel that desire.
Whether it was for the sake of lovers, family, comrades or for whomever to fight for, he wanted to believe that he will not stray from that path.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
Edgar stood up.
As they approached Lucinda's room, they could hear her shouting as it resounded throughout the corridor.
“What on earth is the matter? Where’s Annie? Father, can you please ask the butler to hurry up and find her?”
“She will be back soon.”
“But she just went to change the water in the vase and hasn’t come back. Although she has a habit of slacking off sometimes, it will soon be noon. I can’t take it anymore.”
Just then, Lucinda cried to Edgar because she was terribly worried that the maid hadn’t come back, but in reality, even when the maid wasn’t here, she did not seem to be the type of person who would cry.
“Although she didn’t speak of it, I was very good to her! But she certainly made a fool out of me!”
Edgar stood before the door. Without knocking, the door opened.
Lucinda ran out and was stopped when she bumped onto Edgar.
“Earl Ashenbert... what can I do for you?”
Just then, she quickly turned away. She probably just remembered how she was expelled out of the room. However on the other hand, thinking that Edgar might chase after her, she glanced imperceptibly towards him, with expectation.
“You were quite disrespectful before, Lady Lucinda.”
Having heard this, she suppressed a smile and then frowned.
“Yes, it’s the first time I received such an insult. The Earl actually stood up for a maid.”
This lady liked to act no matter where she went. Edgar also suppressed a smile and said mysteriously…
“In order to express my apologies, I’ve helped you find your maid. But it was quite troublesome.”
“…… Annie? What was that girl doing?”
“She took your jewelry box containing your jewels. But she didn’t have the jewelry box with her, so perhaps she hid it somewhere else. On where it might be hidden, it’s currently being investigated.”
“Lucinda, Annie wanted to run away with your jewels?”
Lord Constable, who was surprised, drew closer to her.
“Yes...umm.”
As Annie was almost being treated like a thief, Lucinda seemed to be unexpectedly impatient.
“If that’s the case, then we need to ask Annie about it.”
“Earl Ashenbert, my daughter has given you trouble. Where is Annie?”
Up until now, Lord Constable had never shown a modest attitude like that before. Perhaps it was because he believed that Edgar had tracked down Annie for Lucinda.
“This way. I will not let her escape so I’ve sent someone to guard her. Will you come with me?”
Then Edgar brought the two of them to the most secluded room of the mansion.
Almost no one would come here. Therefore, even if there was a little disturbance, it would be as if nothing happened.
Edgar casually opened the door for them to enter and waiting beside the fireplace was Raven, who had started the fire.
“Annie...”
It’s no wonder Lucinda’s complexion went pale. Annie was tied to a chair and was looking down with a pale complexion.
Raven’s “light” threats seemed to be effective.
To only give direct pain, wasn’t torture interrogation. Rather than the reality of pain, people imagining the endless horror feared experiencing it instead.
That’s why things such as torture equipment deliberately looked extravagant without much of a threat.
If someone were to explain to you so you could imagine vividly when you are disobedient, he could still harm you even without lifting a finger.
“So, Annie your master is here to see you. Would you like to beg her to save you?”
Although she looked at Edgar with fearful eyes, she did not look at Lucinda at all.
“You took the ivory jewelry box that contained Lucinda’s jewels. If you say where you hid them, then she will certainly save you. Speak soon, it’s for your own sake.”
As Edgar continued to urge her, Lucinda who was puzzled, interrupted.
“Earl Ashenbert, Annie can’t speak. She was born without a voice.”
“Is that true? Now Lucinda, did you make sure?”
“I’m sure...but actually, the person who introduced her had said that.”
“You didn’t make sure? That is very careless. You never considered the possibility that she may appear that way and just pretend to be mute? If that’s the case, then she would certainly speak of many interesting matters.”
“It can’t be...”
She clearly looked distressed because Lucinda had probably done a lot of things which she did not want to be spoken of.
“You cannot easily trust others. Not carefully confirming whether or not she can talk is no good.”
Edgar walked towards the fireplace. He inserted in and took out a thin red hot iron rod from the burning firewood.
Annie may have begun to imagine the hot metal burning onto her, so she trembled. Edgar was one step closer to threatening her.
“Do you know of the torture interrogation methods used? This was placed on the face to burn down the flesh. Because the screams were so harsh to the ears, witnesses would use earplugs. But if she cannot make a sound, we do not need to worry.”
Annie struggled to move as her hands and feet were tied. Raven held her down from behind.
Lucinda and Lord Constable were silent at this anomalous situation.
Her head was caught, and she was unable to move as she looked into Edgar’s eyes. With horrified eyes wide open, what did she see? Edgar did not know.
Was it a demon?
He understood because he had encountered this kind of situation several times.
At this moment, the outcome was clear.
“No... please stop! Save me!”
The burning iron rod hadn’t even touched her face and she cried out.
“I--I didn’t do it! I don’t know where her jewels are! In any case, it’s all fake!”
Once she began to talk, she believed that she would be given mercy, so she continued to speak.
“Anyway, it was all surely hidden by her! Ah, and it was also a lie when she said the brooch was stolen the other day!”
Lucinda deliberately spread bad rumours about Lydia. Annie, following Lucinda’s command, had placed the brooch in Lydia’s room. The various kinds of Lucinda’s hidden plots, Annie spoke of it gleefully.
In addition, the initials on the letters that were the same as Edgar’s and the events of Lucinda meeting the man in the evening written in her diary, were all fabricated to deliberately allow her father to discover it. Annie had exposed them all.
“Stop... shut up, Annie! Don’t speak of such groundless lies!”
“It’s true! After all, you were looking for someone who couldn’t speak because you didn’t want to let others around you to discover what you were doing, right? "Didn't you often say that every time a maid was about to reveal your schemes, turning her into the villain and chasing her out was becoming troublesome?"
Lord Constable tightly grabbed onto Lucinda’s shoulders who turned pale.
“Lucinda, is that right? The fact that you and Earl Ashenbert have been in contact is...”
“Umm...Father...”
“Come with me!”
Feeling embarrassed after having understood the situation, Lord Constable wanted to Lucinda away as if to escape.
“Lord Constable, what will you do with Annie?”
“That woman is fired. Do whatever you want.”
He had returned to his normal behaviour.
“She has not yet spoken on whereabouts of Miss Lucinda’s jewels.”
“Anyway these are cheap goods.”
After confirming that it was fake, Edgar was surprised.
But such things are not important. Edgar continued to interrogate Annie...
“In that case Annie, the jewels of Miss Lucinda do not concern me. I want to inquire about the ivory jewelry box. The Regard necklace was hidden in there by Madame Oughtred. Was it because she realized that it will be stolen?”
Annie and Lucinda suddenly looked surprised and Edgar pretended that he didn’t notice it.
As Lord Constable was mad, it seemed like he didn’t hear those words just then. Lucinda was immediately dragged by her father and left the room.
But with this, they had both set foot into the trap that Edgar had set up. Lucinda will certainly go and take out the jewelry box that she hid.
Annie and her comrades will aim for that time.
Of course, it was fabricated that the Regard necklace was intentionally hidden, but it seemed that they believed it.
Using this approach, Edgar planned to round up all the thieves and catch them in one swoop.
*
By the time it was evening, Lydia who began to get up, had somewhat regained some energy.
Oatmeal was immediately brought by a maid exclusive to attending to guest rooms. This maid did not maliciously spread gossip as it was an older woman. Mrs. Boyle had probably selected maids that had not been in contact with Lydia.
Lydia stirred the oatmeal just in case to check for any foreign substances. After confirming that there were none, she finally place it in her mouth, relieved.
As her fatigue alleviated, she was able to think clearly and so she began to concern over the matters in relation to Madame Oughtred.
Tonight was a full moon. Something needed to be done by dawn, but Edgar said to wait until all the thieves were eliminated.
Anyway, Lydia still had not yet figured out the most important matter which was the Danish fairies’ secret.
She was just feeling absentminded until she saw light.
If Madame Oughtred’s Regard necklace, which was the symbol of their gratitude, was permitted into the Danish fairies’ rose garden, then the necklace were jewels of the Danish fairies.
Lydia thought it was the Danish fairies’ gift to Madame Oughtred as a way to express their trust.
Moreover, the extremely-hated mankind had entered the Danish fairies’ rose garden. The fairy that Lydia encountered felt angry as it thought that she wanted to steal something.
In that case, this could be interpreted to mean that their treasure was hidden in the rose garden.
But where exactly would their treasure be hidden in the rose garden? By digging up the grounds, would the jewels come out one by one?
There was only one opportunity to trade with the fairies. A mistake cannot be made.
Lydia’s thoughts eventually reached a dead end.
As expected, Madame Oughtred can’t be rescued as it may be impossible to trade with the Danish fairies.
Feeling a loss of confidence, Lydia’s feelings of giving up slowly grew within her.
Nevertheless, she wanted to do as much as she could as a fairy doctor.
There should still be something she could do even if she couldn’t save Madame Oughtred.
As Lydia thought that, she recalled the matter with the blue roses.
Madame Oughtred said that the blue roses will bloom when the moon rises tonight.
Come to think of it, a guest will be arriving at the mansion today. It must be Madame Oughtred’s friend, whom she made a promise with to see the blue roses. She read the letter that informed her that the blue roses will bloom and came over on this day.
The Madame told Lydia that if she were to ever meet her, she wanted her to tell her friend that the blue roses have bloomed.
But perhaps it was still possible for that her friend to see the blue roses now.
Lydia got up from the bed, changed out of her clothes and put on her dress. Suddenly meeting the lady for the first time as a maid, it she would not be willing to listen to her talk about fairies.
Even if she appeared honestly, she didn’t know whether or not she would understand the topic of fairies but anyhow, Lydia intended to talk to her and see.
“No matter who it is, the Duchess of Brightbery will not see anyone.”
The guest room where the lady should be was up the private stairwell, but a woman who was walking down the stairs stopped Lydia who had begun walking up the stairs.
And just like that, Lydia, who wanted to meet her was plainly refused.
“If Madame Oughtred does not come back tomorrow as it is, the duchess will leave. With all due respect, please forgive me for turning you down in greeting the lady.”
Rather than being a maid of the Duchess, she must be acquainted with her as a relative or a friend. Although she was dressed in commoner’s clothing, Lydia received an aristocratic impression of the woman from everything in her tone of voice and behaviour.
“Umm, there is a matter in regards to Madame Oughtred that I want to talk about. I was asked to convey a message.”
She patiently stared at Lydia.
My hair needs fixing up. Ah, I’m not wearing any gloves either.
At a glance, people could see that Lydia was not a noble’s daughter. A daughter of a commoner who is said to have a message from Madame Oughtred, whose whereabouts were unknown, would be viewed doubtfully.
“I am Lydia Carlton. I came here to be taught social etiquette by Madame Oughtred, under her guidance.”
“Let me listen to the message given by the Madame. ”
Meeting her seemed impossible.
Nevertheless, it was better that Madame Oughtred’s words were passed on, than not.
“Umm, Madame Oughtred succeeded in cultivating the roses as promised. But because there are circumstances that are preventing her from coming back to the mansion, she wanted me to convey to the Duchess of Brightbery that the blue roses have bloomed. ”
“Have you seen the blue roses?”
“Yes. ...I mean no, they were flower buds. The roses will only bloom tonight. ”
Lydia hesitated a little as to whether or not she should give up but then she disregarded it and desperately said,
“Madame Oughtred is in the fairies’ rose garden. The blue roses are also there. Umm, I don’t know whether or not you believe me. But if possible, could you please pass this message on to her?”
Lydia was prepared in case of a frown, if what she said seemed insane but the woman appeared to be unfazed.
“So you’ve been to the fairies’ rose garden?”
She asked calmly.
“Yes, I am a fairy doctor, but I’m still not experienced, so I cannot bring Madame Oughtred back from there as the fairies will bury the rose garden at dawn but despite that I can’t do anything about it... they also said that the Madame and the rose garden will be buried together, therefore, it’s very disappointing that I cannot show the her the roses without guiding the Duchess there, I’m really sorry, the Madame wanted me to help her convey this...”
As she was willing to listen, Lydia said that all in one breath.
“If it’s just tonight, it should still be possible to enter the rose garden. I can lead the way, but that is the fairy realm. I don’t know what will happen and it may be dangerous. So um, I cannot persuade Duchess to go there, but if there’s something I can do to help, I want to do it no matter what it is.”
She waited for Lydia to finish speaking, then calmly replied.
“I understand. Then I ask/please guide me there from now on.”
“What?”
“I am the Duchess of Brightbery.”
*
Edgar, in fact hadn’t had the opportunity to get information from Annie regarding her and her comrades’ plan to steal the jewels and other matters.
That was because Lord Constable returned too soon to take Annie away.
He clearly said that he could do whatever he wanted, but after reconsidering, he probably felt that it was unbearable for Annie to continue speaking ill of his daughter.
In addition, he didn’t forget to frankly advise Edgar that exposing Annie’s lie at that time was the root of all the trouble.
“Earl Ashenbert, interrogating a fragile young girl through torture is wrong even if she’s just a maid. Lucinda was completely frightened at having seen such a scene. Burning down flesh using a scorched iron rod, even if they were only verbal threats, that is evil behaviour.”
“Oh? I was still willing to do it if she didn’t speak.”
He wanted to make sure whether he was serious or joking as he looked into his eyes but as soon as their eyes met, Edgar quickly averted his gaze.
This man’s abnormal, he muttered as he rudely grabbed onto Annie’s wrist.
“What are you going to do about Lucinda?”
“For the time being, I want her to do stay in her room to self-reflect...Earl, I’m sorry to trouble you, but don’t ever approach my daughter again from now on.”
Was he saying that Edgar was an abnormal man unsuited for his daughter? Anyhow, Lydia didn’t have to face Lucinda’s jealousy which was just what Edgar wanted. Edgar nodded with a smile.
Lord Constable took Annie and went, as if to run away.
In any case, how Annie and her comrades intended to move was irrelevant to Edgar. As long as they acted according to his plan. In result, Lucinda would be used as bait to set a trap.
In order to allow Annie to contact her comrades, Edgar originally planned to allow her to escape nonchalantly, however Lord Constable took her away which saved him the trouble.
In order to strictly forbid Annie from speaking of Lucinda’s scandal, Lord Constable fired and expelled her out of the mansion, but perhaps that was rather favourable for Annie.
And Annie, who is free, will tell false information to her comrades that Lucinda hid Madame Oughtred’s Regard necklace.
In order to arrest the group of thieves, Edgar hastily needed to carry on with his preparations.
He immediately went to visit Duchess Brightbery’s room.
Edgar already knew the woman under such a name, who came to visit here. Although he understood that she did not want to encounter other nobles as she was using a false name, but what will happen from now on will be a state of emergency. He had to see her.
Unexpectedly, Edgar was invited into the reception room after introducing himself.
While waiting for short while, Edgar felt it was strange and unusual that the maids were unsettled and noisy, unlike the ladies in the room.
Emerging from the room was not the Duchess but one of the women who serve her.
“It’s been a while, Earl Ashenbert.”
Edgar had met this elderly woman who was around her 50s, several times.
He politely greeted her back, but she began to speak hastily.
“Earl, because I trust you and that would like to ask for your help, but can you promise not to divulge this?”
“Of course you have my word, but what seems to be the problem?”
“Just a moment ago, she has disappeared. ”
“Her Majesty the Queen is missing?”
Although Edgar did not say it loudly, she nervously answered in a low voice.
“She is now the Duchess of Brightbery….at the moment, she is in disguise on this visit.”
“I understand. Then again, she left the room without informing anyone?”
“That seems to be the case. Moreover Earl, to tell you the truth, we should be expecting the guard officer to arrive shortly but we did not see him before which we thought was strange. Despite hearing in this mansion that Madame Oughtred’s whereabouts were unknown, the Duchess of Brightbery said that because there was a promise, she needed to visit. Ah, because it was very dangerous, I told her not to leave her room but I do not know when she disappeared. ”
“If the guard officer you’re referring to is Billy, then I know where he is.”
Hearing Edgar’s words, the lady-in-waiting immediately opened her eyes wide in surprise and stared at him.
“You know him? Do you know where Lieutenant William Ramsey is?”
That was seemed to be Billy’s real name.
He is serving the Queen as a military soldier. Therefore, Edgar never thought that he just an ordinary waiter. They were travelling to guard her Majesty in disguise who was to arrive later and went to visit the Oughtred mansion first to prepare.
“Yes. But I’m very sorry. I mistook the lieutenant and three of his subordinates to be thieves who came to steal Madame Oughtred’s Regard necklace so I caught them and held them captive. They did not reveal their true identity, so I thought they were suspicious men. But after seeing the arrival of the Duchess of Brightbery I thought perhaps they were guarding officers...”
“You held them in captivity? Earl, you did that yourself?”
“No, to be accurate it was my valet.”
“Oh my, how vigorous this giant fellow must be.”
The lady-in-waiting went into a complicated state of mind as the military soldier had been disposed of merely by a noble’s follower. Edgar let the topic flow ambiguously as he summarised and explained the details.
In order for Billy and the others to eliminate those eyeing the jewels, they took action and crudely looked for the group of thieves who invaded Madame Oughtred’s room. But because they mistook Edgar and Lydia as the group of thieves, Raven threw them into the horse manure pit.
“I didn’t know about these affairs, I only heard that Madame Oughtred has been missing a while ago. Despite that, they realized that Duchess Brightbery had no intention to cancel today’s visit no matter what and so it’s also been very difficult for them.”
Upon hearing the whole story, the lady-in-waiting seemed to sympathise with Billy and the others but did not blame Edgar in particular.
“Yes. Therefore, I originally intended to request the Duchess Brightberry to receive Billy, no, Lieutenant’s cooperation. Though he may not be willing to help, but the group of thieves will begin their move tonight. In order to subdue them, personnel are needed.”
“I understand. In that case, speak to the Colonel to accompany you. Since things have turned out this way, they’ve been getting increasingly worried about the Duchess’s safety.”
“Of course, I’ll be with them and search immediately. Before that, could you prepare a bath for Lieutenant Ramsey?”
“...Ah that’s right. It would be troubling if the Duchess were to avoid them. ”
The surrounding maids smiled discreetly. They knew that the security guard officer was safe and were a little relieved.
Before the Queen claimed the throne, Madame Oughtred was her close friend. But following the change in political power of parliament, Madame Oughtred had to distance herself from the Queen as the Earl Oughtred had connections with the former government and Madame Oughtred was his wife.
Even so, those around them had no doubt that their friendship was profound.
Afterwards, because her husband passed away at that time, Madame Oughtred withdrew from society. In women’s society where there was no political motivation, there would be an opportunity in attracting the attention of the royal family, in which only a few people will know.
So Edgar relied on his connection with Madame Oughtred and arranged for her to be introduced to Lydia to establish her place in noble society.
Edgar did not know what promise was made between the two women and how many years they’ve maintained their distance before deciding to meet today.
He just knew that Her Majesty would be travelling incognito to visit Madame Oughtred’s mansion.
If he took advantage of this opportunity to introduce Lydia to Her Majesty, Edgar originally intended ensure that the people saw Lydia’s good side.
But that sort of thing didn’t matter anymore.
He didn’t want Lydia to have any more bad memories. Besides, Edgar needed to keep Lydia away from danger.
Speaking of that, Lydia was not in her room.
She ought to be resting, but he did not know where she went.
Although her body shouldn’t be in serious harm, but if she fainted again, what was he going to do? As he was worried, he was about to quickly go find her, but then stopped after seeing Nico.
Nico was leisurely sleeping on the sofa near the window.
Good grief, he really is a fairy cat that only eats and sleeps. What can be done if he doesn’t accompany Lydia?
Edgar poked Nico’s nose with his finger. Because he was half asleep, it was as if he discovered something delicious and licked his finger. Feeling disgusted, Edgar angrily pinched Nico’s nose with all his strength.
Nico’s expression gradually turned into one of agony and suddenly opened his eyes, hurriedly struggling to hit Edgar’s hand away.
“Wha--what are you doing?! Earl, that hurts!....Did you want to kill me?”
Fairies can suffocate?
“Where did Lydia go? Isn’t it dangerous to go out alone?”
“Ah? She’s not alone. She said that she went with a lady to the Danish fairies’ rose garden. I also intend to go after her, but let me sleep a little longer for now. ”
Nico buried his face back onto the cushion but Edgar violently grabbed and hoisted him up.
“Lady? It can’t be the black haired woman right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“The Danish fairies’ rose garden, is that the place where Madame Oughtred is?”
“Yes, yes, put me down already. That lady is a friend of Virginia is she not? That’s why Lydia said that she wanted to arrange for them meet no matter what.”
It seems that Her Majesty and Lydia are together.
Should he ask Nico to guide him to the rose garden? But he did not know when the thieves will begin to make their move.
The group of thieves may not be a danger to the Queen in the fairies’ rose garden. But from what he could recall, Lydia said that there was a time limit, that when dawn approached, the fairies will bury the rose garden.
“Lord Edgar.”
It was Raven.
“Umm, may I ask that you put Mr. Nico down please?”
Raven watched the caught Nico struggling with displeasure. Edgar thought Raven’s consideration for others was unusual thus he did so according to his words.
“What’s the matter Raven? Are you a cat-lover?”
“No, it is because Mr.Nico is a friend.”
“Ah I see... So that’s how it is.”
Since when did they become friends?
Nico, who obtained a strong companion, tidied up his fur and complacently sat by Raven’s feet, sticking out his chest proudly.
“Leaving that aside, as for the report?”
Raven should have been monitoring Lucinda, who was being cautiously watched by her father.
“Yes, Lady Lucinda left her room. ”
She began her move. So Edgar had no choice but to focus on the matter at hand.
He needed to take advantage of the time that Lydia was in the rose garden and eliminate the group of thieves in one swoop.
“What about Lieutenant Ramsey? He should be ready by now.”
“Yes, thanks to you, it appears like I’ve finally come back to life.”
Billy stood by the doorway in changed clothes with a sullen expression.
“Earl Ashenbert, according to your instructions my subordinates have gone to monitor the greenhouse, where you believe Lucinda hid the jewelry box.”
“I see. Ahh don’t come too close, you still stink a little.”
Billy frowned, as he was very offended and somehow restrained himself.
“This was because of your valet.”
“Oh? You admit that you have been gotten rid of by such a man?”
“....I was just careless.”
“Next time you cannot be careless. It is for the safety of Her Majesty. ”
As expected, he grimaced.
“On that matter, the search has to be conducted secretly. So I cannot permit all my subordinates to capture the thieves and close them in from all sides.”
“No, it seems that a search isn’t necessary. For some unknown reason, Your majesty went out alone but there should be no danger for now as seems that Lydia is together with her. ”
“Her Majesty is with Lydia?”
Billy had addressed Lydia’s name without honorifics* which upset Edgar.
This bastard had also half-jokingly told Lydia to “be his woman.”
While Billy still maintained his distance from him. Edgar stood directly in front of him and glared angrily at him.
“Don’t intimately address my fiancée! And also for this misunderstanding, I will not apologize. When I consider all the things you did to Lydia, I have the right to beat you up.”
He was about to open his mouth to refute but he ultimately remained silent.
“I have lured the group of thieves into the greenhouse to attack them. Give your subordinates any remaining instructions.”
When Edgar finished speaking, Billy reluctantly saluted, turned around and left.
“So did you forgive him?”
Raven murmured unexpectedly as he watched Billy leave. Whenever it came to Lydia, Edgar was always narrow-minded, so he thought that he would at least give him a punch.
“Well, in order for them to hide their identity from us, they acted like a group of vulgar thieves in front of Lydia. Since they weren’t seriously pursuing her, I’ve turned a blind eye.”
*
After entering the Oughtred mansion’s rose garden, over the hedges where the roses have not yet flowered, the white moon that had begun to rise from the purple sky could be seen.
Entering the area enclosed by the foliage all around, soon afterwards one will arrive at a cave and stone steps covered by the grass, and from there, it was as if all the foliage had covered their sight. While Lydia headed forward on this path, she explained to Duchess Brightbery that the fairies’ rose garden was still further in.
She didn’t express a particularly tense manner at all, nevertheless, she also didn’t show a dubious manner, merely nodding ordinarily at Lydia’s guidance.
“A voice will come out of nowhere up ahead, so do not answer them. Otherwise, bad things will happen.”
“Did Virginia answer them?”
Although it was the case, this matter was not a bad thing for her, because the Danish fairies had acknowledged her abilities.
“Madame Oughtred is a mysterious woman isn’t she? She can make a rose beautifully bloom in her hands like magic. It’s no wonder the fairies’ had a favorable impression and were kind to her. But if she got too close in her relationship with the fairies then she…”
“Will be in danger.”
“Yes. For example, as a metaphor, fairies are like water and fire. Sometimes they can make a person feel comfortable but sometimes, they can lead to disaster. However, they do not harbor malicious or good-willed intentions in their heart.”
The water that can carry the boat, can also overturn it, is this what you mean? Is that what it means? Miss Carlton, aren’t you close with the fairies? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“…There may be dangers. Because I still have a long way to go as an amateur fairy doctor, I cannot always skillfully deal with fairies.”
"But you seem to have a fiance, so it will be good if you don’t act rashly. The Duchess chuckled while looking at the moonstone ring on Lydia’s ring finger.
This lady can see it. Lydia was a little surprised.
Because they had yet to publish their engagement, Lydia had a fairy cast a magic spell on it, so that it was difficult to be seen by others. Only Edgar could take it off and because he was unwilling to, Lydia needed to do this.
It seems that Duchess Brightbery cannot be easily confused by fairy magic.
Lydia was astonished but greatly relieved, because if such a person were taken into the fairy realm, there would be few chances that they could get caught up in dangerous trouble.
“My only merit is this ability, if only I can be helpful to him in this battle.
“Perhaps a gentleman doesn’t desire that sort of thing for a lady.”
“As expected, she must have a beautiful showy appearance and can socialise in society with great tact. Are such things important? ....My father is a university professor and I am not of the upper class. That’s probably why I cannot become the woman that he is hoping for. ”
“If you can’t do it, it’s okay to let him deal with it for you. You are getting married, are you not? The things you cannot do, he could probably do it without any problems.”
But having an audience with the Queen, this was something she cannot ask him to do.
Lydia was troubled, but the Duchess’s tone was quite firm, so Lydia thought that she may find slowly find confidence.
As they were chatting, the end of the tunnel that was surrounded by grass and leaves was in sight.
Taking a step towards the purple evening light, the vast fairy rose garden appeared in sight.
Although they slowly made sounds in order to test for intruders, Duchess Brightbery avoided answering according to what Lydia said, and walked into the mysterious rose garden.
There was no wind, and the roses looked colorful as they faintly glowed under twilight, surrounded by silence.
The white moon began to rise in the sky, pouring a faint light onto the ground.
Where is Virginia?
Lydia rushed to the log cabin, but did not see her figure there.
The Duchess looked at Madame Oughtred’s notebook on the table and ruminated.
Because the densely notebook carefully recorded the improvement in the cultivation of a variety of roses, was she feeling nostalgic from her handwriting?
“Didn’t she go out?”
Lydia was suddenly taken aback at Duchess Brightbery’s voice.
“...Yes, she must be on the hill.”
The moon had risen. She must have left to watch the blue roses, as they were about to bloom.
Lydia hurried up the hills. They crossed the stone steps together and saw a figure standing in front of the blue roses. It was Madame Oughtred.
“Virginia.”
When Lydia was rushed up towards her, she turned around in surprise.
“Lydia? Didn’t I tell you not to come here anymore? Why...”
She then stopped, presumably because she noticed the woman who was approaching closer from behind Lydia.
“...Alexandrina...?”
“Virginia, you seem to be well. I came to see you according to our promise.”
“But it can’t be...? How did you find this place....?”
The Duchess triumphantly strode beside Madame Oughtred and joyfully took her hand.
“Didn’t we promise that our friendship will never change? The fact that we couldn’t meet anymore due to surrounding circumstances isn’t that big of a matter. You said you will make the blue roses bloom for me and I also said that no matter what happened at that time, I would come to see you.”
“Yes, I have never forgotten that. The blue roses you always hoped to see, will soon be in full bloom. ”
The two of them moved to watch the rose buds before them.
Lydia saw them as if they have gone back to the time of being young girls. She became a little envious as she watched the two ladies holding hands, absentmindedly watching the roses.
To Lydia, the upper-class society was a special place.
She thought to herself, in this so-called noble society, the pros and cons of family status, background and so on must first be settled before building diplomatic relations tactfully. However, from watching the two women in front of her, regardless of whether the surrounding circumstances did not permit it, they, themselves had developed a bond with their precious person.
In that case, Lydia should not be afraid. As long as she went to where Edgar was, those people can’t always be against Lydia.
“Lydia, thank you for guiding Alexandrina here.”
Lydia who withdrew a little, looked at the two of both and Virginia extended her hand, kindly beckoning Lydia to come over.
“If you weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my promise.”
“No, I didn’t do anything. Madame Oughtred, I have not found a way to protect the rose garden. So, I was only able to bring the Duchess here...”
Although Lydia felt very sorry, it was accidentally said. But Madame Oughtred wasn’t disappointed at all.
“Have you discovered that I’m not a gardener?”
“Yes, because I noticed that the garland was the magical Regard necklace... there was a portrait of the late head of the fairies who wore the same necklace at the mansion.”
She looked at her jewelry that was strung together with fresh flowers and nodded in understanding.
“I apologise for hiding my identity, because when my identity was exchanged with a fairy, I cannot speak out my name. In addition, I couldn’t teach you social etiquette because I couldn’t leave and thought that I’ve certainly disappointed you.”
“What? You knew that I wasn't a maid?”
The name “Lydia” I didn’t think of who it was until later. Furthermore, it is just as I heard. Lovely and kind-hearted, a woman worthy of being the Lady of Ibrazel more than anyone else.
“Oh my, Miss Carlton is the fiancée of Earl Ashenbert?”
“Well... yes. ”
Lydia somewhat felt embarrassed and blushed.
“Now Alexandrina, looking at the innocent young lady, are you also thinking of the time when we first got married?”
“Yes, Virginia. ”
The two them laughed happily again.
Madame Oughtred reminisced about her late husband as she stroked the Regard necklace given by him.
Lydia wondered while watching.
The Madame’s Regard necklace should be the workmanship of fine jewels into artificial flowers. However, after her fingers touched the flower petals, she saw that they had a fresh elasticity as if they were roses themselves.
[1] Japanese T/N: According to Japanese customs, Billy didn’t politely address her as “Lydia-san” which was what Edgar was mad about. Japanese people usually address their loved one or anyone else they have a close relationship with, by their first name without "san."
