By the time the banquet which carried on endlessly was called a night, the guests which were thoroughly drunk returned home after being pushed onto their carriages by their servants one by one.

At such a time when the Ashenbert mansion had returned to its usual peace and quiet, Edgar was seated alone in his study, resting his chin in his hands with a disappointed expression.

“Ah—Ah, to think that the fairy magic was actually negated; you must have said something very horrible.”

When he turned his head towards the voice, Edgar saw Nico enter through the window and stood in front of him at his feet on two legs.

Nico then looked up towards Edgar with his arms crossed, in an admonis.h.i.+ng manner.

He probably heard about what had happened from Lydia.

“How’s Lydia?”

“Although she nearly embraced Paul when he came by earlier, Lota and I worked hard to prevent that from happening.”

“I see.”

As he thought, Edgar was the only one whom the magic wasn’t working on.

Come to think of it, Lydia was the one who asked for the magic to be cast on her. Even though she had misgivings towards him because of what happened with Claire, it was precisely because she had no hesitations about becoming husband and wife with Edgar that Lydia had chosen to use magic.

Edgar, who was disappointed over the fact that Lydia had resorted to magic, now regretted that he did not realize those feelings of Lydia’s then.

“When it comes to Lydia, somehow I just end up turning into simple and honest ten-year old youth.”

“Oi, you were only simple and honest up to the age of ten?”

“Since the magic was already in force, I should have just gone with the flow just now.”

Even if it was a little different from the usual Lydia, if he had let nature run its course, then perhaps the issue with Claire wouldn’t matter anymore.

“I’m surprised that nothing happened even though Lydia went after you that way.”

“But for me, I’d prefer it if Lydia was a little reluctant.”

“Are you a pervert?”

“No, I’ll welcome it fully if Lydia herself were to become enthusiastic about it. As I thought, I don’t want it if it’s not completely Lydia.”

“You’re surprisingly a romanticist.”

“Nico, I’m glad that you understand where I’m coming from.”

“If that’s the case you should’ve just said so. To say that ‘anyone will do’… you know that Lydia’s not that kind of girl don’t you?”

Edgar became depressed after being coolly scolded by Nico.

But, it was precisely because he was dealing with a cat, that he felt that it was alright to open up the pathetic feelings he had to Nico.

“I guess I was shocked to find out that I had to bear with it tonight. And I ended up venting my frustrations on Lydia.”

“You’re an exasperating fool.”

Today, Nico was wearing a tie that was different from usual. It wasn’t bad to be called names by a fas.h.i.+onable and gentlemanly fairy cat.

“Seriously, it’s as you said. On a separate topic, Nico, that’s a lovely tie you have on today.”

Nico, who was praised, puffed his chest out in a good mood. He narrowed his eyes happily as he stroked his whiskers.

“As I thought, Earl, you have good taste. Isn’t it lovely that it looks like a flying fish?”

“Yeah, it’s exactly like a flying fish.”

The term ‘flying fish’ must be some word to describe something wonderful in the fairy world.

As he looked at Nico who appeared more and more satisfied, Edgar thought to himself.

Nico had also become a member of the Earl family. That’s why he was being unusually cordial towards Edgar.

Edgar felt a little glad.

Today was a special day. Edgar had obtained something precious. It wasn’t only Lydia, but also the various things that she held.

The bonds with fairies, the sense of future happiness as well as the hope towards peaceful days and the future.

I want to treasure them.

This is no time to be in a fight.

“Well, since Lydia’s also stubborn, I know that it’s difficult for you too. But don’t let your guard down just because you’ve gotten married. Because Kelpie’s in a good mood.”

Edgar leaned his body forward as that was something he could not overlook.

“Kelpie? That horse, is he around Lydia again?”

That’s also something that sticks around Lydia. This was unpleasant to Edgar but there was nothing he could do.

“Yeah, because it seems like if he takes the form of a horse Lydia doesn’t get into a weird mood. And so Kelpie is having a field day bad mouthing you as much as he wants to.”

I don’t like this. But he is after all a horse. Since he can’t seduce Lydia using his true form, I guess in a way it’s better than a human male.

Even so Edgar couldn’t stay still and stood up from his chair.

“It’s probably about time that Lydia has calmed down enough to hear me out.”

“I wonder about that.”

Despite what Nico said, Edgar left the study.

“Kelpie, it’s fine for you to go back.”

Kelpie, who stayed in the room in the form of a horse, looked dissatisfied at Lydia who told him that.

“What? I need to keep a lookout to make sure that no man approaches you don’t I?”

In any case, Lydia had confined herself in one of the guest rooms.

Lota had just left to send Paul off. Now that she was alone with Kelpie, Lydia started to become bothered with herself over-relying on everyone.

“But I can’t be together with you so late into the night.”

“I’d been going in and out of your house at such hours hadn’t I?”

That’s right. Because Kelpie isn’t human. Because he was a fairy, even if it was a late visit, or that he had entered Lydia’s private room as he pleased, Lydia had allowed it. But from now onwards, things cannot be so.

“This is Edgar’s mansion. From now on, even if it’s my room you can’t enter as you please. Please understand.”

Lydia stretched out her hands and stroked Kelpie’s mane.

“Kelpie, thank you. I’ll take care not to let any man come near me. The guests have returned while Mr. Tomkins and Mrs. Herriot are keeping a lookout for me, so it’s fine.”

Even so, Kelpie turned his black pearl-like eyes towards Lydia worryingly.

“Has that pirate girl gone back too?”

“That’s right, it’s about time that Lota also …”

I can’t hold her back indefinitely either.

As she thought that, the door opened and Lota returned to the room.

“Lydia, Gramps sent someone to come for me, because I promised to return home proper today.”

Lydia stood up and walked towards Lota.

“That’s right, I’m sorry I kept you back for so long. I’m fine already.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Lydia tried to smile cheerfully as much as she could.

“I’m also thinking of having Kelpie go off soon.”

Lota nodded and hugged Lydia by her shoulder.

“Well, Edgar’s probably reflecting on himself now. Be sure to reconcile with him.”

“Yes, thank you, Lota.”

After sending Lota off, Lydia closed the door and told herself that she needed to pull herself together.

“Oi Lydia, are you sure you’re not pus.h.i.+ng yourself?”

Lydia turned around to face Kelpie while working hard to smile. Then, she was shocked and opened her eyes wide. Because unbeknownst to her, Kelpie had taken the form of a grown man.

“Ke-Kelpie, what are you doing!?”

If it was Kelpie in the form of a horse, Lydia could rest a.s.sured that even if he touched her it will be fine. Yet because he had suddenly taken the form of a human, Lydia stepped back.

But Kelpie ignored that and approached Lydia. He then grabbed her shoulder roughly.

“Sto…”

By the time she tried to finish saying ‘stop’, she had already embraced Kelpie.

“Lydia, I had thought that so long as you continue to smile, it can’t be helped if you got married. But that Earl made you feel lonely on such a day.”

“…Kelpie, you’re the only one, who would understand me so well like that.”

Wh-what am I saying!

Once again, her mouth was blurting out words on its own.

Even though he should know better, Kelpie held Lydia in his arms.

“Hey, why not you spend the night with me, even if it’s just for tonight. It’ll definitely feel good to sprint through the moonlit night endlessly.”

“That’s… right, that’ll be lovely.”

“Alright, it’s decided then.”

No, at this rate …

Lydia tried to exert strength throughout her body. But the fairy magic robbed her of the strength to resist.

To think that even though the magic was working so strongly, she still ended up rejecting Edgar. It was not because she hated him, but because she loved him more than anyone else.

That’s why she was afraid of being despised by him more and more. Because that was the only thing she could not bear, Lydia held on to her own will stronger than the magic towards him was.

Even if it was because of the magic, I can’t follow Kelpie. Lydia told herself that resolutely.

I definitely, can’t!

At once, Lydia raised her hand.

Kelpie, who was slapped, let go of Lydia. Lydia, seizing that chance and escaping, hurriedly ran towards the door.

“Kelpie, please don’t do things that go against my will…”

“But that Earl, he was talking about having kissed that woman from just now! That’s something that humans only do with someone special isn’t it? Doesn’t that make it a betrayal towards you!?”

A kiss? With Claire?

“Stop! I don’t want to hear such things!”

Lydia turned her back in order to run away, and slid out through the door.

“…Sorry then.”

As Lydia did not have it in her to take in those words of Kelpie's, she ran out as she was shaken.

What did he mean by a kiss?

Does it mean that Edgar and Claire were not only acquaintances but had actually dated each other before?

If so, then he may not have only courted her just to make use of her?

Even if the part about there being a problem with Scarlet Moon was true, I wonder how much of Edgar’s earlier explanation was true.

I wonder if Claire really knew something and that it was related to the matter with Slade.

Suddenly, I feel like I can’t even believe in the most fundamental things.

Isn’t this a case of having a past lover intrude on this day?

When she thought about Edgar hiding his relation with Claire and speaking with Claire alone like lovers, Lydia became increasingly confused.

I want to go home.

Suddenly, such a feeling arose.

I can’t imagine having to stay by myself in this mansion like this.

Driven by anxiety, Lydia hurried her feet even more.

As she was about to run down the stairs, she was called to a halt by the housekeeper.

“Miss… ah, no, milady, Professor Carlton is leaving soon.”

Father.

I wonder if he will scold me if I tell him that I want to go home with him. But if I explain what happened to him…

“Father!”

As she ran into the entrance hall, her father, who had been pleasantly drunk, turned to face her with a smile.

“Lydia, I had just asked for you to come because I was thinking of leaving soon.”

“Yes, Father, I want to go back too…”

“Professor Carlton.”

Edgar’s voice erased Lydia’s words. Taken aback, Lydia fell silent.

Edgar, who had glanced at Lydia with a stern expression, probably realized what she had been about to say.

But immediately, he turned to face her father with a smile.

“No, I guess I should already be addressing you as Father? Thank you very much for staying around so late for the banquet.”

Appearing to have come to send her father off, Edgar stood beside her casually.

“Earl, even though I had been mentally prepared, it seems that I’ll become quite lonely from tonight onwards. I’ll leave Lydia in your care.”

Her father, who was not aware of what had happened, appeared happy even as he was moved to tears.

Even if it was to her own father, she should not be thinking of saying that she wants to leave with him. When Lydia realized that, she was no longer able to say anything but to look downwards.

I must smile properly, or Father might suspect something and become worried. Even though she thought that, Lydia felt like crying as she tried to lift her face.

“Of course. Please come and visit again anytime. For Lydia’s sake as well.”

As Edgar said that, he placed his arms around her shoulders, like he was being considerate towards the bride who was at a loss for words at having to part with her father.

Even when he touched her, as she thought, the magic did not activate.

After her father left, Edgar let go of his hand.

And with that he kept silent and because she could only feel his gaze on her, Lydia felt like running away.

“…What did you intend to tell the professor?”

Edgar opened his mouth and asked somewhat carefully.

“It was, nothing.”

“Lydia, your home is here. So is the place you should return to.”

“… I know.”

When she tried to turn back, he grabbed her arm.

“And your room is this way.”

“Wai-, Edgar.”

As he dragged Lydia along forcibly, they went up the stairs which led to the private room.

After he opened the doors to the dressing room which led to the master bedroom and dragged Lydia into it, he shut the door behind his back.

He was grabbing on to Lydia so strongly that it did not seem like he would let her go. Without realizing that he was furrowing his brows painfully because she looked afraid, Lydia was unable to tear her eyes off those ash mauve eyes of his.

She knew what it was that Edgar wished for. Lydia’s wish should be the same as well. But now, with her heart thrown into a state of disarray, she did not think that she’d be able to entrust herself to him fully.

“Let go… it hurts.”

As if it was extremely difficult to do so, quite some time had pa.s.sed before he finally let go.

Even so, Edgar continued to keep the door shut behind him. As Lydia was at a loss as to what she should do, she vented her irritation on him.

“Have you dated Claire before?”

Although he raised his eyes up in surprise, Lydia continued to confront him uncontrollably.

“I heard that… you two kissed. Is it true that that’s the kind of relations.h.i.+p you shared?”

“What are you saying? There’s nothing going on with her…”

“Tell me the truth! Have you two kissed? Or not? Don’t lie to me!”

Lydia felt that this was the first time she had seen him seriously troubled. Just based on that, Lydia already had an inkling as to what his answer would be.

“To me, it was something that didn’t involve any feelings.”

He did not lie. Even as she felt relieved by that, the truth that had been made clear struck Lydia heavily.

“Is that, so.”

“Lydia…”

“…Edgar, I’ll, rest in the guest room tonight.”

“Please stay here.”

He said that with a sigh.

“Lydia, it’s not the same. When I touch you, what I think and what I feel are extremely special.”

Truth be told, Lydia understood that as well. Even for her, whenever she was by Edgar’s side, talking to him and having meals with him, she felt something special which she did not feel when she was with others.

Are you going to treat me the same way as Claire? Lydia had probably said that because she felt frustrated. She knew clearly that it was not the same.

But because she still needed more time in order to forget what she had seen and heard, now she was still unable to look at him properly.

“I’ll be going out, so please stay here.”

Surprised at those words, Lydia lifted her gaze a little.

“I want you to stay at the place that’s meant for you. If it’s not that you want to hurt me, then please don’t think of returning to some other place.”

“Edgar…”

“Good night.”

Leaving those words, he disappeared outside the door.

It’s not that I want to hurt you.

Ahh … I’ve been such a fool…

Lydia muttered.

But I’ve already hurt him. What a horrible thing have I done?

Even though she had finally become a part of Edgar’s family, and that this was already the only place that was her home, she thought of leaving with her father.

Even though she regretted it, Lydia remained standing grounded in the center of the room as she was unable to run after him.

                                                                                                                                                  *

Slade’s gallery and high cla.s.s club, which served as Scarlet Moon’s base, had suspended its business as its owner was detained.

Alighting from his carriage at the front of the building which lights had been extinguished, Edgar went round to the backdoor with Raven.

After displaying the signal which only people belonging to the guild would know, the door opened from the inside.

Paul who showed his face, looked at Edgar in surprise.

“Earl… what is the matter?”

“Scarlet Moon is investigating into the articles Owen left behind right? I thought that everyone would be here.”

“Erm, what about Lady Lydia?”

Although Paul looked extremely uneasy, Edgar avoided the topic with a smile.

“She’s at the mansion. Can I come in?”

“Eh… Yes, pl-please.”

Edgar proceeded towards the end of the narrow pa.s.sageway while following Paul, who was showing him the way albeit with a confused expression. The room from which light was spilling out through the opening in the door was Slade’s office. In this room which was lit with only light from candles, were twenty odd members who were gathered inside.

Although everyone appeared surprised at Edgar’s appearance, in such a gathering which comprised of youths who admired Edgar, their feelings of joy at the reunion eclipsed any feelings of distrust at being abandoned, and they gathered around Edgar readily.

“Earl, as we thought, you did not abandon us.”

“We knew that that was definitely the case.”

“Even if you are no longer our direct leader, to us, the Blue Knight Earl is the support to our hearts. Yet Mr. Slade, he told us to forget about your existence…”

“No, that man is just being stubborn; the truth is that he did not want the Earl to leave us.”

Faced with the earnest feelings of the young members, Edgar couldn’t help but feel how good things would be if he had more confidence in himself.

Even if he had inherited Prince’s memories, it would be sufficient if he could hold on to the conviction that he would not betray Scarlet Moon. But there were still too many things which were unknown to him for him to be able to have that conviction.

“Sorry, but I have my reasons for stepping down as the leader of Scarlet Moon.”

“Why is that?”

“Scarlet Moon is an artist guild which had been protected and groomed by the previous Blue Knight Earl. We have sworn that we will always a.s.semble around the Blue Knight Earl.”

“Even if you no longer concern yourself with Scarlet Moon, our master is still the Blue Knight Earl.”

Even though they knew that Edgar was not a descendent of the Earl family, they still said that and so Edgar was thankful towards them. But at the current moment, Edgar was not able to come to any conclusion on that matter.

“Rather than that, what’s more important now is the matter concerning Slade.”

“That’s right. Everyone calm down. There’s no point in troubling the Earl over that.”

As Jack said that, finally everyone fell silent.

“Earl, we were just about to report to you. We have correspondences between Owen and Sir Bourton. Although it seems that Sir Bourton had ordered paintings from Owen on a couple of occasions, Owen had kept this a secret.”

Louis immediately went straight into the topic.

“No one else knew?”

“Yes. Because depending on the genre of the painting, there were occasions whereby the purchaser wants to keep his ident.i.ty a secret.”

In other words, it was a painting that can’t be shown in public for moral and ethical reasons.

“The theme which Owen was pursuing, was that of devils and h.e.l.l… Generally speaking, paintings which are rather grotesque, those which ladies would avert their eyes from.”

“I see. So Sir Bourton was interested in that.”

“It seems that way. Only that Owen had let out on his wanting to see the actual thing as a result of his own overzealousness.”

“To see a real devil?”

“One of his acquaintances had heard that that wish could be fulfilled at some place nearby.”

“And because Owen died shortly after that, the acquaintance kept silent about it as it was too unnerving.”

Edgar fell into thought. When he was about to connect the dots to what Claire had said, Paul interrupted.

“Erm, Earl, is it alright for you to leave the bride alone by herself?”

It seemed that Paul was very much bothered by that.

Edgar smiled as he walked towards Paul, and leaned his face close towards Paul’s in order to intimidate him.

“I’m prioritizing Slade over my beloved bride for Scarlet Moon’s sake. Are you unhappy with my goodwill?”

“No, of course not. … But won’t you get into a fight with Lady Lydia afterwards over this…?”

Although Paul had said so out of concern for Edgar, Paul was still too oblivious in matters concerning man and woman.

“Paul! The Earl is concerned for us even on such an important day.”

Paul appeared to fail to catch the hint even though Louis tried to help.

That was even though everyone other than Paul realized that the topic of Edgar coming to a gathering full of men on his wedding day, despite his earlier declaration that Lydia takes number one priority, was a forbidden topic.

“That’s right, Earl, please take a look at this. This just came out earlier.”

Another youth pushed Paul aside and presented a bundle of papers in front of Edgar.

“These are?”

“Based on the dates, these should be the rough sketches Owen had prepared for the latest painting ordered by Sir Bourton.”

“Owen had the habit of transcribing what he saw and felt onto sc.r.a.p papers like these instead of using sketchbooks.”

Taking that, Edgar laid those sketches out on the table.

On the sc.r.a.p papers made out of writing papers filled with miswriting, wrapping paper, flyers and pages torn from books, were drawings made in fine ink lines cl.u.s.tered together.

“I see. The ones who had used Sir Bourton’s name had only seized the completed paintings, and overlooked these as simply scribbles.”

Each of the sketches was filled with religious motifs.

The sketches could be seen to have ill.u.s.trations of old chapels with altars, damaged statues of angels, and bibles being engulfed in flames.

Most likely these are parts of images and sketches which would form a single painting.

With a faint image of anything religious, the decadence ill.u.s.trated was exactly in line with the painter’s theme.

“Is this, a magic formation?”

Edgar stopped his eyes at a new sketch.

“…Is that a black ma.s.s?”

The sketch looked like it was trying to depict a scene of a ritual to summon the devil.

Or could it be.

The underground pa.s.sage.

Edgar pulled out another sketch. In a place that looked like a dark and long tunnel, there was a door with a cross at the end.

Claire said that there was an underground pa.s.sage in Sir Bourton’s garden. If this sketch was depicting that place, then Sir Bourton and Owen could have been peeking into the underground chapel from there.

Sir Bourton knew something that could only be known if he was a member of the religious organization. But it was difficult to imagine that if he had been a follower who knew the rules, he would reveal the happenings to anyone, even if it were to an artist who he was close to. Sir Bourton had probably stumbled upon the underground pa.s.sage and found out about the religious organization by chance.

Claire had also approached the underground chapel and the like by chance and saw something. Probably the black ma.s.s.

She said “something frightening.”

Sir Bourton and Owen were probably not satisfied with only peeking through the hidden pa.s.sage, and had gone on to investigate the monastery ruins. And with that, the religious organization found out that the two knew about their secrets and sent Claire’s brother out to search and put an end to them.

The fact that they tried to recover every single one of Owen’s paintings from Slade was probably because it would be trouble if the painting leaked out.

If that’s the case, it would mean that the painting contained something which the lot who conducted the black ma.s.s needed to hide at all costs.

Edgar went through the bundle of sc.r.a.p papers further.

It should be here. There should be something important recorded down which can’t be treated simply as a fantasy drawing if it enters the public eye.

Eventually, Edgar withdrew a Christmas card that had a fold, and flipping over the printed design of The Virgin and Child, he fixed his eyes on a sole portrait.

Unlike the other sketches, this drawing had portions coloured with light watercolours. The fact that it was different from scribblings and had been drawn with care, was either because it was part of an important theme in the painting, or because Owen himself was particular about it.

That was a portrait of a man in a priest’s robe. He was trampling on a cross and holding a goblet used during baptisms. The deep red contents of the goblet was probably not wine but blood. It was the appearance of a priest performing a black ma.s.s.

Although this person was covered with a cloak which was painted black, the reason why it was still thought that he was wearing a priest’s robe, was because one could see a little of the clothes which a clergyman would be wearing peeking out beneath the cloak, from the sleeves and the trouser cuffs.

The long trouser cuffs which covered the feet were purple. It looked like a red waistcoat-like robe was laid over it.

“So that’s what it is.”

Edgar muttered.

“This is a bishop from the Church of England.”

“Ehh.”

Everyone from Scarlet Moon was at a loss for words as they were in shock.

“… A high ranking clergyman, is involved with a black ma.s.s?”

Paul made a sign of the cross at his chest.

It was not something impossible. Since the past, black ma.s.ses which praised the devil by thoroughly blaspheming Christ had been entertainment which were popular amongst aristocrats and clergymen who were overwhelmed with boredom.

It was an immoral and dangerous game which cannot be made public.

“Let’s identify this person. There’s no doubt that he is the mastermind.”

“But we can’t tell his face from this painting.”

“Leave it to me. And then, Raven.”

The valet who had been standing by silently, took a step forward towards Edgar.

“Could you bring over Claire Florey’s brother who is staying at Bloomsbury? Use any means necessary, but take care not to catch the attention of others. Take as many people as you need.”