“No matter what conditions other candidates for the Count’s position offer, I will be the best.”

Andel’s words were not wrong, and Cordelia easily nodded.

“Alright. After the funeral, I’ll write a letter to the council. I’ll tell them how benevolent and suitable Lutravin is for the Count’s position.”

“I’m truly glad we understand each other so well.”

Satisfied with the deal, Andel and Baron Lancaster left with smiles on their faces.

After handling the important matters, the day finally came to move Craig’s coffin to the cemetery.

It had been raining since morning. The weather was very fitting for a funeral.

“Let us pray for Count Abrams, who was benevolent in life and set an example for many. Although he has now left this earth for heaven, the Count’s gentleness will be remembered forever.”

The priest dispatched from the temple began to recite a long and predictable eulogy. Naturally, no one among those gathered here was paying attention to his words.

Everyone was clearly seen glancing at each other, predicting who would inherit the next Count’s position.

Cordelia stared intently at Craig’s coffin being covered with soil while holding an umbrella.

‘Farewell, Craig. I’m sorry for burying you so late.’

Though he wasn’t a good husband when alive, he was now the best husband in death, and the resentment she had at the beginning of their marriage was now gone.

She bid a brief farewell while sending off Craig’s final moments. Now the coffin was completely covered with soil and out of sight.

“If anyone has any last words for the Count, please speak now.”

Most of the mourners gathered here were either involved in business with the Abrams family or wolves eyeing the next Count’s position.

No one was mourning Craig’s death.

As expected, no one opened their mouth. The priest, unsurprised by this, concluded the eulogy. The burial ended with a brief moment of silence.

Although there were still some funeral procedures left, the biggest task was over. As she was about to return to the castle with a quiet sigh, a servant came running breathlessly towards Cordelia.

“My lady, a guest, hah, has arrived.”

“Now?”

She thought their news must be quite slow to arrive after the burial, but she was surprised by the words that followed.

“From Elfenbaum, my lady.”

“Who did you say came?”

“Elfenbaum, my lady. It was definitely the black tiger crest.”

The servant’s voice must have been quite loud, as the mourners behind started whispering upon hearing the name Elfenbaum.

Just as she was about to ask if he had seen wrong, the owner of that name appeared.

Rosenblur, wet from the rain, had become gaunt in the time they hadn’t seen each other. However, this was another way of revealing his sharp jawline.

“Oh my, it seems the burial has already ended. I’m sorry, Cordelia. I’m late.”

He apologized as if he had promised to come. Cordelia felt awkward about his apology since she didn’t remember inviting him.

“You’re not late. The flowers haven’t completely withered yet. But how did you come here, Lord Rosenblur?”

“Of course, to pay respects to Count Abrams. Although our meeting was brief, it was intense enough for me to remember.”

He received a flower from a servant, placed it on the grave, and gave a short bow.

“May you rest in peace there.”

His tribute was sincere. Perhaps Rosenblur was the only one among those gathered here who truly mourned Craig’s death.

“Thank you for coming, Lord Rosenblur.”

“It’s only natural.”

Cordelia walked towards the castle with Rosenblur. Everyone seemed desperate to speak to Rosenblur through Cordelia, but she pretended not to notice.

It was because Rosenblur looked excessively tired. So she immediately guided him to the reception room.

Although it was spring, the weather was quite chilly due to the rain. Cordelia handed Rosenblur, who had been caught in the rain, a towel to warm up and lit the fireplace.

“Now, we’re alone, so speak freely.”

“About what?”

“The reason you came here.”

“…”

“Did something happen?”

“…When was the last time you were in contact with Lydia?”

“Lydia? Well, let’s see. It’s been quite a while. About a month ago, the three of us – my mentor, Lydia, and I – had tea at a cafe, and that was the last time.”

After that, Lydia stopped sending letters as if it were a lie. Cordelia felt a little hurt but thought she must be very busy and let it go.

Cordelia herself had been preoccupied with Craig’s death and her brother Dennis’s issues, so she had forgotten about Lydia.

“Lydia.”

Rosenblur said that name and was silent for a long time before continuing painfully, as if being tortured.

“Lydia has disappeared. It’s been over two weeks already.”

“What do you mean? Lydia disappeared? Where to?”

“Sadly, I don’t know her destination either. That’s why I’ve been scouring Ershe.”

“Ah.”

Cordelia closed her mouth for a moment. She realized that Lydia hadn’t simply left home because she was bored.

For a noble lady, especially from a prestigious family like Elfenbaum, to disappear.

The most romantic possibility to consider would be an elopement, but Cordelia, who knew well who Lydia was in love with, knew that possibility was non-existent.

Then there weren’t many options left.

“Do you think someone forcibly took her?”

“We’re not ruling out that possibility for now.”

It was an ambiguous sentence. Cordelia immediately understood its meaning.

“So you’re not sure whether she left on her own or not?”

“If it were a kidnapping for money, we should have received contact by now, but we haven’t received any communication since that day. Moreover, we found out that Lydia took some sacred objects with her shortly before she disappeared, and those objects were not found anywhere in the mansion.”

“Hmm.”

The situation was certainly unclear. And such an unclear situation drives people even crazier.

Rosenblur hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“In fact, a few days before Lydia disappeared, she was greatly disturbed by the news of Cordelia’s husband’s death.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. She was very shocked and asked the servant who brought the news several times if it was really certain.”

“She must have been very surprised.”

“She could be surprised. But according to the maid, she was anxiously unable to sleep properly after that day to an unusual degree.”

“Lydia?”

For someone who had shown an excessive reaction, Lydia had never sent any letter to Cordelia. And it was strange that she was disturbed by his death when she had never met Craig.

“Was Lydia perhaps acquainted with Count Abrams?”

“No, not at all. As far as I know, there was no connection. Craig had a carriage accident on the very day he came to the capital.”

“Then have you ever talked about Lydia and your husband? I’m sorry if my question was rude. I came to Cordelia in desperation, grasping at straws.”

“It’s alright. I’ll answer whatever I can. Um. I did answer when she casually asked what kind of person my husband was. But it was really brief, and Lydia didn’t show much interest, so there’s nothing particularly memorable.”

“…I see.”

Rosenblur’s face was instantly filled with disappointment. Cordelia could hardly imagine with what feelings he had rushed all the way here.

“I have letters that Lydia and I exchanged in Atilei. Would you like to check them?”

“That seems, too intrusive.”

However, words of refusal couldn’t come out of Rosenblur’s mouth. Cordelia threw a light joke to reassure him.

“Don’t worry. There’s no gossip about Rosenblur.”

“Cordelia.”

“They’re just everyday stories, so they might not be of much help, but you might find clues that I don’t know about. Feel free to look at them. And Lydia is my friend, so I want to help somehow too.”

“Thank you so much, Cordelia.”

He was sincerely grateful. His face, reflected in the embers, had turned slightly red.

“Don’t worry too much. Whatever the reason, Lydia will come back.”

“…I hope so.”

“Lord Rosenblur should believe most strongly. That she will return alive, unharmed. That’s how Lydia will find the strength to come back to us.”

“I should be the one comforting Cordelia, but you’re comforting me.”

“Is there any hierarchy in sorrow? I think my grief over losing my husband and your pain in searching for your sister are incomparable.”

Cordelia smiled brightly and met Rosenblur’s eyes. Though his face was pale and haggard from mental anguish, his beautiful blue eyes still shone.

He seemed to want to say something, his lips moving slightly, but no sound came out.

“It’s late today, so why don’t you stay overnight?”

“Thank you for your consideration. My horse did seem a bit tired.”

He didn’t refuse her offer.

“You seem very tired too, Lord Rosenblur. I’d like to ask you to rest for a few days, but… you need to leave, right?”

“Yes. Lydia will be waiting.”

“That’s right. Lydia will be waiting.”

Cordelia nodded firmly towards him. Rosenblur smiled for the first time.

* * *

“What on earth happened in the capital?”

“What do you mean?”

“You came back in an Atilei carriage. And to think that the Archduke of Elfenbaum himself came to pay respects!”

Emily added more warm water to the bathtub while making a fuss. She seemed to want to hear some exciting story, but Cordelia didn’t have much to tell.

“Just, he happened to find out and kindly came all the way here.”

“People were talking about it so much that it was hard to tell if today was a funeral or an Elfenbaum banquet.”

Well, even when Beluce first came, people gathered in curiosity, so it’s unimaginable how surprised they would be about Elfenbaum.

“Moreover, people thought Lord Elfenbaum wasn’t human when they saw his face. How can someone be so perfectly handsome?”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

Though haggard, his face shone in a different way than before.

“He’ll probably leave early tomorrow morning, so tell the butler to prepare plenty of dry provisions for him.”

“He’s leaving tomorrow? So soon?”

Emily looked very disappointed. Cordelia smiled slightly, fully understanding her feelings.

However, contrary to Cordelia’s expectations, Rosenblur couldn’t leave the next day.