“Why is it because of the Baron? It’s because of the men who kidnapped me.”

“Did you see the faces of those who kidnapped you?”

“Yes. I think Maximilian was behind it. I couldn’t see his face due to the backlight, but it was definitely his voice.”

“Hah. I see.”

Cordelia explained in detail what had happened. The two men’s faces changed strangely when she said that she lost consciousness the moment she smelled the scent of daisy flowers, and that she escaped using Evrad’s treasure while being moved by two clumsy kidnappers.

“It seems too sloppy a plan to have been directed by Maximilian. To assign only two men.”

“I think so too. Moreover, the men who kidnapped me weren’t knights or anything, they looked like they had just come from farming in Ansen. They couldn’t even hold a sword properly.”

“Hmm. It’s a bit strange. No matter how urgent the situation, he’s not one to handle things so carelessly.”

Baron Lancaster rubbed his white beard. Leonard spoke up in place of the Baron, who was lost in thought.

“You said you heard Maximilian’s voice when you lost consciousness?”

“Yes. It was definitely his.”

“That’s strange too. The reason I hurriedly left Lady Cordelia’s side was because I saw Maximilian.”

“You saw him too, Baron?”

Cordelia became a bit confused. It seemed odd that Maximilian, now just an ordinary person, could have eluded the Baron and come to kidnap her in such a short time. Something doesn’t add up.

“So, is Maximilian in Wilas?”

“It’s not certain. As soon as we confirmed Lady Cordelia’s disappearance, we sent people to Wilas, but they couldn’t even find his shadow. Moreover, we just received this message via carrier pigeon.”

The Baron took out a small note from his breast pocket and handed it to Leonard. It was written in code, so Cordelia couldn’t read it. Leonard examined the contents and became quite serious.

“It says that Lord Menuphio has spotted Maximilian in northern Ansen and is currently pursuing him.”

Baron Lancaster kindly added an explanation for Cordelia, who didn’t know the contents.

“Is that possible? Ansen is at least a ten-day journey by ship from here.”

“It doesn’t make sense. It seems those shadow mages who travel with him have done something.”

Even if Maximilian was fast, he couldn’t be faster than a bird. All three fell into a brief silence at his mysterious movements.

At that moment, Leonard gently placed his hand on Cordelia’s shoulder. Cordelia flinched and stiffened at the contact. Leonard was aware of her reaction but didn’t show it.

“We’ll look into that carefully later. For now, you should rest.”

“Ah, yes. You must have been very startled. You shouldn’t be standing here, please go and rest.”

“I suppose I should.”

It was clearly midday when she left this mansion, but now the surroundings were completely dark. She hadn’t eaten all day and was hungry, but fatigue was much deeper, making her want to collapse into bed right away.

It was surprising how much had happened in just one day.

Cordelia left his room and walked wearily. Leonard immediately followed behind her. She turned awkwardly and said,

“I can go by myself.”

“I know.”

She had never felt uncomfortable with Leonard before, but at this moment, walking together in the corridor, she was extremely conscious of him. From his breath on her back to his footsteps, everything was noticeable.

The more she felt this way, the faster Cordelia walked. The room where she was staying was not far, so they arrived quickly. Just as she was about to say goodbye and enter, his voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Cordelia.”

“Y-Yes?”

“I feel like I should say this properly.”

“What, ahem. What do you mean?”

Her heart, which she had barely managed to calm down, started beating wildly again like a live fish. Surprisingly, his face was shining in the dim corridor. Cordelia felt so queasy that she thought she might vomit.

“If something were to happen to you without me conveying these feelings, I think I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”

“These feelings…?”

“Yes. Originally, I wanted to take you to a nice place, or at least give you flowers, and tell you properly.”

“Master!”

Cordelia was afraid of Leonard’s words continuing.

Yes, this emotion that felt like someone was rummaging through her insides and made sweat drip from her fingertips was clearly fear. She had a certain conviction that their relationship would be completely turned upside down by the words about to come out of his mouth.

“I’m tired. Can’t we do this later?”

“…Alright. Rest well.”

Leonard very slowly took in her face, then left. Cordelia waited until he disappeared from sight before opening the door and entering, as if escaping.

* * *

When the coffin of the deceased arrived at the Embly main house, everyone anticipated who was inside. It seemed the lady as beautiful as a rose had finally withered along with the flowers after the season passed.

The butler of the main house instructed with a gloomy face to prepare flowers according to the funeral procedures of Ersche.

Anton filled the coffin containing his daughter’s body with roses, which Rosalyn loved, and spent more than half of each day in front of it. The rest of the time he spent looking at Daniel, who resembled Rosalyn.

The flowers wither.

Now twisted and dry, all that remains in his hand are brown fragments. Anton muttered that day too, stroking his daughter’s cold forehead.

“If I could see you one more time, I could give even my life.”

“My Lord.”

The butler carefully bowed his head and approached him.

“You need to bury her today. The flowers have all withered.”

In fact, the time to bury the coffin in the grave had already passed by several days. Anton kept postponing the burial date, making one excuse after another.

The butler, who had watched over Rosalyn since her birth, understood his feelings better than anyone, knowing how dearly he loved his daughter, but the living must move forward.

“The young lady needs to rest in peace too.”

The butler’s words pierced Anton’s heart sharply. It was all because of the father’s greed that Rosalyn had not been buried in the ground until now. Anton stroked his daughter’s face once more.

“Right. Prepare it.”

“Yes, sir.”

The butler hurriedly called the servants to move the coffin, fearing that he might change his mind.

Anton walked slowly towards the burial ground where generations of Emblys were buried. The sky was dazzlingly clear. It was the weather Rosalyn loved.

“My Lord, My Lord.”

A young servant came running, out of breath.

“What is it?”

“A man has come looking for you, My Lord. I politely refused his visit because of the funeral, but when he mentioned the name Atilei, I thought I should inform you.”

“Atilei? Did he happen to limp?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

For a moment, Anton felt a surge of irritation and anger, but it soon died down like a last flame. To be precise, no emotion could burn for long.

“Bring him here.”

“Yes, sir.”

The servant disappeared, and not long after, he returned with a blonde man. As expected, it was Maximilian. He was wrapped tightly in a thick cloak despite the midsummer heat, and if it weren’t for his limping leg, he would have been hard to recognize.

Anton couldn’t help but laugh mockingly at the sight.

“So, where have you hidden that disciple of yours?”

“I’m sorry, My Lord.”

“I didn’t expect anything to begin with. I’m more surprised that you came here on your own feet. It’s the day Rosalyn is being buried, so you can lie down next to her.”

He already knew through the surveillance he had placed on Maximilian that his operation had failed miserably. When he first heard the news, he cursed him as a fool, but then thought it was better this way.

There had been no attempts to target Daniel since coming to the Embly main house. When reason returned, he was also convinced that Atilei wouldn’t go to such lengths to make an enemy of Embly just to kill Daniel.

In truth, Anton was exhausted by everything. If it weren’t for the weight of being the head of the family, he would have liked to lie down next to Rosalyn.

“My Lord. Please give me one more chance.”

“Enough. The only way for you to ask for my forgiveness is death.”

Maximilian prostrated himself before him. Anton didn’t even have the energy to get angry, so he nodded to a nearby knight.

“Take him away and kill him. Disfigure his face and throw the body in the river.”

“Yes, sir.”

“My Lord, My Lord!”

Two knights approached Maximilian and firmly grabbed his arms on both sides. Maximilian cried out, sobbing. Anton ignored his screams and walked forward. He would have continued to do so if his daughter’s name hadn’t been mentioned from his mouth.

“There’s a way to revive Rosalyn! It’s true, My Lord!”

“…You are filled with lies and hypocrisy from head to toe.”

Anger surged at the audacity of mentioning Rosalyn at Rosalyn’s funeral. Anton felt the fury that had died down like dead embers suddenly flare up. He should not just kill him, but cut him into pieces.

“My Lord. Haven’t you seen how Leonard Atilei came back to life?”

“You take me for a fool. He himself said he came back to life by transferring his soul. Do you think I would be fooled by a few words from your tongue?”

“It’s not a lie! That means Rosalyn’s soul can be transferred too! My Lord, My Lord!”

Maximilian shouted loudly. Anton ignored it all and walked forward.

The graveyard was getting closer. The crumbled flower petals in his hand remained, tickling him. The butler approached Anton and said,

“The preparations are complete.”

“I see.”

The newly hired wet nurse had dressed Daniel in black clothes and brought him. The child had been whining since earlier, probably feeling sleepy. Anton bid farewell to Rosalyn one last time before closing the coffin.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do enough for you, my daughter. I hope in that place, in that place…”

He should say ‘rest in peace.’ He should let her go.

It feels like there’s a gaping hole in his chest. It’s probably a hole that can never be filled.

Anton closed his eyes for a very long time and then opened them. Then he turned around and said to the servant,

“Bring Maximilian back.”