Hakushaku to Yousei Vol 11 Chapter 2

"I'm so sorry for springing this on you so suddenly, Lydia."

The Duchess of Maysfield exclaimed to Lydia during their afternoon tea.

The Duchess of Maysfield was an elegant old lady who, for some reasons unknown, adored Edgar, and she treated him as if he was her own grandson.

Not long after Edgar had arrived at England, everyone had thought that he had purposely curried the Duchess' favor to showcase his status as an Earl in the social world. However, since Edgar had also treated the Duchess like family, everyone wouldn't think that the Duchess was being used."

Of course, this may also be because of Edgar's flirtatious ways.

The Duchess of Maysfield had already decided to appoint herself as Lydia and Edgar's guardian, even before Lydia and Edgar, who had clearly expressed his love for her, had spoken their vows.

Because of this, Lydia was to stay at the Duchess' manor for only three days to learn the social etiquette of a noble lady. 

"I have not taught you anything, yet I'm sending you off to somewhere you are unfamiliar with…"

"No, it's fine. I was to be sent there in a week's time anyways."

Lydia had already planned in advance that she was to travel to another noble woman's manor with the Duchess of Maysfield next week. Due to the fact that Countess Othred was well known for teaching young noble ladies social etiquette, the Duchess of Maysfield had planned on letting Lydia stay with the Countess for a short period of time.   

However, the Duchess had just received word of her eldest daughter's sickness this morning, so she has to pay her a visit.

They weren't sure when the Duchess would return to London, and Lydia's lessons could not be postponed for any longer, so Lydia had decided to depart earlier than scheduled, and start her bridal training at Countess Othred's mansion.

"Countess Othred is not only humble, but kind as well. Not to mention, she has repeatedly expressed her excitement at your arrival. I'm sure that it will not be a problem if you depart early."

"Understood. Please do not worry about me anymore. I hope that your daughter gets well soon."

"Thank you, Lydia. However, since I have to send a telegram in advance, I wonder if you can depart for Somersetshire tomorrow?"

Somersetshire is a small county far away from London, in the west parts on England.

Lydia was suddenly reminded of the fact that she wouldn't be seeing Edgar for a while. 

But then again, they hadn't seen one other ever since she had refused to visit him.

They haven't met ever since Lydia had refused to make her debut with him.

Ever since their engagement, he often came to visit her despite the fact that he wasn't invited to. However, he had never tried to visit her here. Perhaps he had thought that it was best for them to not meet  for the moment.

"Lydia, if you have the support of Lady Othred, your debut will be much smoother. Good luck."

Lydia suddenly lifted her head.

Now that she thought about it, Edgar must have already discussed the matter of her debut into society with the Duchess. That must be why the Duchess was so adamant that Lydia have her bridal training under another noblewoman.

Edgar didn't suggest her debut into society on a whim, so he most likely wouldn't ask for Lydia's forgiveness. Now that she understood, her anger at him disappeared.

This allowed her to realise that her fiance was a noble.

And not just any noble, she was getting married to an earl.

"Wonderful. I look forward to it. Oh, and you have to bring a maid with you to Somersetshire, but since I have to go to Derbyshire, I don't have anyone to spare."

"If so, I don't mind going alone."

"Lydia, Earl Ashenbert thinks that you're fine just the way you are. He didn't send you here to change you - just for you to learn the social etiquette and mannerisms of nobles.

"Yes… I understand."

What if she couldn't please Lady Othred?

She felt distressed, and suddenly the desire to see Edgar before her trip welled up within her.

But she hesitated.

Lydia asked the maid sitting across from her in the carriage. Apparently, she quit working for the Duchess of Masefield to work at her hometown.

"Then, do you know about the red legged Danish fairies?"

"That's right. Because they are chatterboxes, they will often accidentally reveal the location of their hidden treasure. However, it's wiser to pretend not to know anything even though you've accidentally learned anout their secret. In return, if you promise to keep it a secret, then you can request for a wish to be granted in exchange."

People that actually believe in fairies have been declining nowadays, so Lydia merely smiled mysteriously. 

One can only negotiate with the Danish fairies when he or she knows where they hid their treasure. One must not make a widh if one didn't use the secret to exchange for it.

That's because the fairies' magic will affect the person. If he or she were to simply blurt out their wish, the mischievous fairies will cast spells that have unpredictable results.

That's why, it's best to pretend not to know anything even after having accidentally having heard of it.

Although she didn't know whether the maid's grandmother was the one who told her those things, but she was sure that the maid didn't really care.

"But Miss, aren't the Danish fairies vikings in actuality? If there were vikings who lived here before, maybe their treasure really is hidden somewhere in this area."

"The Danish fairies are not vikings. In fact, although they are often misunderstood, the Danish fairies are fairies that are related to the Danu tribe."

"Eh?"

It seems that she had brought up the wrong topic. Just as Lydia wanted to change it, the conductor appeared, causing her to let out a sigh of relief. 

They must be close to the station.

"Miss, the carriage is really behind schedule! "

The maid's new master's mansion was at the next stop. 

The original plan was for the maid to accompany Lydia to Countess Othred's mansion as she waited for the next shift. However, if she was to do so now, she might miss it.

"Yes, that's right. That is the last shift…"

Even after passing through the large, ornate feont gate, there were no buildings around, and they were still on a path surrounded by numerous trees.

Lydia knew how large and extravagant most nobles' countryside villas were. But since this mansion now belonged to a widow, Lydia suddenly felt that the whole atmosphere had a tinge of loneliness to it. 

When Lydia finally reached the mansion's front door, she told the butler that she was introduced here by the Duchess of Maysfield. The butler asked her to wait for a moment before leading her into the mansion. 

Lydia waited for quite some time before a woman in a simple, green apparel appeared.

"You are?"

"… Lydia Carlton."

"I am Boyre."

Looks like it wasn't the Countess. 

"From today onwards, you'll have to obey my orders. Do you understand?" 

She couldn't think about anything else, so Lydia quickly changed into her work clothes and left the room, once again descending the long, winding stairs.

"You're too slow. You take too much time just to change. You will not be able to work with that attitude."

You are not allowed to enter the Mistress' room of your own accord. Once she calls for you, you are to leave the tea tray in the lounge and leave." 

"Oh. Um, why will the Countess be cooped up in her room these days?"

"Do not ask about things you do not need to know."

"… yes."

Remember to ask the Mistress if she has any other orders for you when you serve her tea and meals. Other than that, you are not to disturb the Mistress, no matter what. Understood?" 

That means that Lydia couldn't even meet the Countess to inquire about the bridal training.

Also , the fact that Countess Othred was cooped up in her room was very strange.

Just as she had descended the stairs, she heard loud noises coming from the salon, which was right next to the living room. Maybe there were more guests that had just arrived.

Madam Boyre and a few higher class maids had lined up to greet the new guest.

"Hey, you over there. Can you help carry this?"

Sensing that she was called, Lydia turned to see who it was.

She saw a young lady with long, raven black hair.

The young lady pointed at the ornate box on a table.

"Isn't it a beautiful jewelry box? I wish to keep it in my room, as I borrowed it from my holiday villa. Also, my maid's hands are full." 

The jewelry box, adorned with silver roses at the side, looked like it was worth hundreds or thousands.

Just as Lydia lifted it up, Madam Boyre reminded with a worried tone.

As she wasn't used to it yet, Lydia hesitated for a moment before nodding head.

"Then, Father, I shall rest in my room for a while."

In front of the young lady called Lucinda, stood a stout gentleman that must have been her father.

"Do you want dinner?"

"No, Father. I don't have the appetite."

"Is that so. Go and rest in your room then."

Miss Lucinda asked as they walked.

"As I plan to make my debut into society this year, I came here to learn from my Aunt. If I have the support of my Aunt, then surely my place in society will be higher than most."

Does that mean that she will also be working as a maid? Or will she, a noble relative, receive different treatment as compared to Lydia, a commoner who wishes to marry an Earl?

Once they entered Lucinda's room, Lydia realised that the room Madam Boyre had chosen for Lucinda, was far more superior than Lydia's room in the attic.

It was a roomy guest room with an attached wardrobe.

No matter what, the Earl's precious daughter would most likely not be forced to work as a maid. 

"I didn't just come here for that. Soon, another guest will arrive - my fiance."

"Oh, I see."

"He's the one who has been secretly writing letters to me, and he will come here to inform my Father about his proposal to me. If he were to visit my home so suddenly, it would surely cause my Father to be more cautious. However, if we were to pretend that our meeting here was a coincidence, then surely my Father will be more accepting towards this news. That's our plan."

"That's wonderful."

"However, my Father still thinks of me as a child. So I'm worried that it will not go as planned."

"Don't worry. Since he's your father, I'm sure that he will understand."

As she chatted, Lydia suddenly remembered about her own situation, and she lowered her head to hide her warmed cheeks.

Her father, who had always viewed her as his precious daughter, was surprisingly very quick to accept her marriage to Edgar.

When asked, her father would always reply with: "Lydia looks the happiest when she is with Edgar."

When she's with Edgar, rather than feeling happy, she felt nervous, embarrassed, and lost most of the time.

But when her father said it like that, Lydia felt that maybe that was happiness after all.

That's why, even though she didn't really understand Lady Othred's methods, she will still give it her all. 

"That's right. So if anything happens, you'll have to help me, okay?"

Lucinda was unexpectedly quite the chatty individual. However, why was it that her maid had been silent ever since the start?

"Please help me to put this jewelry box under the bed." Priceless jewels must have been kept inside, she thought as she did as she was told. As she stood up, her gaze met those of Lucinda's maid.  

Lydia tried to get her to talk.

"What's your name?"

Miss Lucinda answered for her servant.  

"Hey Lydia, what is my Aunt like?" 

"Huh?"

"Honestly, I've never met my aunt before. Since the relationship between my Father and my Aunt is bad, this is my first time being here. After all, my debut will be smoother with Aunt's support, so Father has deemed it necessary for us to pay her a visit."

 "I have also just arrived here earlier today."

"Oh, is that so? What a pity! I heard that Aunt is resting in her room, so I wanted to find out more about her. Then, do you also not know about Aunt's 'REGARD' necklace?"

What kind of expensive jewelry was it like? Even Lydia couldn't imagine. 

A place where young maidens with that kind of accessories gather, that was the noble society. 

Can she, who hadn't made any preparations, really live in that place?

When she thought about it, she suddenly felt that maybe Countess Othred didn't want to let a commoner girl like Lydia enter the world of nobles.

By inviting a born noble like Lucinda, and her fiance, did Countess Othred want to show Lydia an official marruage between nobles?

Or was it to show Lydia her place as a commoner by making her work as a lowly maid? If that is true, then no mater how hard she tried, she wouldn't be acknowledged.

… No, that's impossible. I will be acknowledged if I try hard enough.

She said to herself, as if trying to chase her depressed feelings away, and left Lucinda's room.

However, she couldn't stiffle her sigh.

"Hm, so this is bridal training."

She mumbled softly, and after checking to see that there wasn't anyone else around, sighed loudly again.

As she wandered listlessly to Madam Boyre's side, she could hear the telltale noises of an approaching carriage. Maybe another guest has arrived. She looked outside the window.

It must be the other guest Lucinda had mentioned.

What kind of person would he be like? She suddenly felt very curious, and started to pay attention to the newcomer. 

As the carriage door opened, her gaze landed on the man that alighted the carriage. She gasped, but quickly muffled it by covering her mouth with her hand.

From his hat to his shoes, even his tall and slender figure, all of them were extremely familiar to Lydia. She couldn't have mistaken him for anyone else.

Lydia tried to calm herself down. Even though he's here, it doesn't mean that he's Lucinda's fiance.

That's right. That sort of thing is impossible.

Because he's Lydia's fiance.

Edgar knew about Lydia's plans to stay in Countess Othred's mansion as she learned about noble social etiquette. Maybe he had some matters to discuss with the Countess.

Or… maybe he received notice from the Duchess of Maysfield, and has come to visit her. 

"…. Maybe he's come to see me."

Even so, Lydia couldn't feel happy at his arrival. She didn't want Edgar to see her work as a maid, after all.

It didn't matter whether it was under Madam Othred's orders, or if it was an important part of her bridal training. She didn't want to meet him if she didn't at least look presentable. 

***** ****** ****** 

Edgar, who had already planned on meeting with Countess Othred, still thought that Lydia was only supposed to arrive on the week after. 

If Lydia was to have a smooth and successful debut into the noble society,  she had to have the praise of elder noble women.

Edgar didn't have the chance to know Countess Othred personally, so he had to ask for the Duchess of Maysfield's help. Even so, he wanted to meet her.

Also, soon there would be another inportant guest who will arrive.

"No, Raven, Lydia must be thinking about me as she performs her duties."

"That… what?"

Even though they were already engaged, just like how Raven couldn't answer him, Edgar still couldn't fully understand Lydia's feelings.

She was a girl that he had wooed incessantly due to his own desire for her.

However, when it came to passionate love, she was still lacking.

For example, he has never heard her say things like "I love you". When they were alone, and when Edgar wanted to be intimate with her, she would calmly reciprocate his actions.

She must have thought that since they were already engaged, it would be rude of her to reject his advances.

Even so, it did not matter any more. Edgar had already started to think differently than before. 

All of his wishes were irrelevant, as long as Lydia was by his side. That was Edgar's biggest wish. 

In the end, he loved seeing the abashed and clueless Lydia try to reciprocate his feelings.

However, he still felt somewhat unsatisfied.

"If she said that she wanted to see me, I would immediately rush to her side."

They haven't seen each other for quite some time, but he still hasn't heard Lydia say anything of that sort.

"Then why didn't you go and see her?"

However, most likely, she wouldn’t feel even a little happy at that.

In the Countess' yard, near the woods, he saw a maid with pigtails that looked as though she was lost, and was pacing in an agitated manner. At that time, the thought of that maid being his fiancée never crossed his mind, and Edgar simply imagined her as Lydia, who always held her head low.

***** ***** ***** **** 

Lydia hurriedly gave chase, and the rabbit stopped to look back.

(You can see me?)

"Where is the rose garden?"

"Um, I never planned on stealing anything."

Frustrated, she started to mumble. 

An unfamiliar voice came from behind her.

Lydia turned her head and spotted a young servant.

"That, just now…"

As she was pondering, Billy suddenly grabbed ahold of her hand.

"Such pretty hands! Are you a lady that's been forced to work for some reason? Why would you come to this place then?"

Lydia, who had quickly retracted her hand, asked him where the rose garden was at.

"It's at the end of the pathway with the gorse flowers."

In a corner of the rose garden, was a tall tree. In its shadow, Lydia could vaguely see a floating myriad of colours, just like a miniature aurora. 

What is that? Lydia drew closer.

She crouched down, and saw some ivy that came from goodness knows where wrapped around a rose in the space hidden between the tree and another patch of flowers. As she moved closer, her foot sank downwards.

Instantly, Lydia fell into what seemed like a trap.

It was all thanks to the velvety soft grass that broke her fall that prevented her from from getting injured. But really, what a mysterious cave it was.

The tunnel connected to the cave was small and narrow, and made Lydia think that it a passage was meant for fairies.

The pit was slightly deeper than the height of an average person, and the floating lights were right above Lydia's head. It must be the magic cast by the fairies to hide the cave entrance.

It seemed that Lydia, who could already see fairies, had accidentally stumbled upon this place. Up ahead, she could see a tunnel that looked as though it was recently dug up. It was undoubtedly a pathway for fairies.

(Since you've already found this place, we have no choice. We'll fulfill your wish, then leave this place!)

It seems that the area beyond was their territory, and they were trying to chase away the intruder.

However, Lydia's a fairy doctor, and had known how to deal with this situation.

That was to ignore tham, and not respond to their inquiries. 

Because to punish the intruder, the fairies will look for an opening to cast their magic.

Lydia silently walked towards the light.

That place was undoubtedly the 'Rose Garden'.

The Danish fairies' secret rose garden.  

In the centre, there were countless blooming roses that were blanketed by a thin layer of mist. 

All of the flowers looked like they exuded a soft glow, and when Lydia touched them, she felt as though the cool and soft petals had caressed her fingers. The rose's petals looked glossy, colourful and slightly translucent, and they were as soft as a swan's down.

Once Lydia reached the centre of the rose garden, it seemed as though the fairies had given up, and their presence disappeared.

Thank goodness, Lydia thought as she continued to explore.

"So pretty…"

She forgot all about her errand, and merely gazed at the beautiful roses.

It was the voice of a lady. Lydia turned and was shocked by the presence of a human in the fairies' garden.

"Um, I'm very sorry for trespassing. " 

It was a middle aged lady wearing a straw hat. Her face was tanned, she wore a dirty apron and had a watering can in her hand. She had on her neck a beautiful necklace made from various flowers, with a scarlet rose at the centre.

"It's all right. I'm just a gardener."

Lydia has never heard of fairies hiring humans to be their gardeners.

"But, this is the first time I've seen another person in this place."

True. Even Lydia herself didn't expect to see anyone else here.

"This must be the fairies' garden." 

"Do you already know the way to this place?"

"Yes, because I am a fairy doctor."

"Wow, so fairy doctors do exist! I thought that they were myths."

What had looked like a small garden shed on the outside, actually seemed very tidy on the inside. The potted plants and the dried flower specimens were well placed and adorable, so the interior looked like a simple cottage from the countryside. 

"Is it because of the fairies' magic?"

The lady nodded, gazing at a little vase decorated with coral-coloured roses.

According to the woman who loved caring for the roses, she had once been the gardener that tended to Countess Othred's rose garden. As she tended to them, she would also perform research on new species of roses, and spent most of her time  trying to improve them.

Not long after, she heard from her master, the previous Earl of Othred, about the fairies' garden which was situated somewhere on this land.

"I've heard about a legend. It says that it would be better to have this if you wish to enter the fairies' garden."

Virginia lightly touched the flower necklace.

"Also, they told me that I shouldn't say a word when the fairies ask about my wish. At that time, I didn't really believe this old myth, but I still tried it. But after I found this place, I started to come here every day."

A garden with roses that bloom all year round. These mysterious roses wilt immediately after they are brought to the human world, and even if you bring a seed with you, it will not germinate outside of this garden. That's why even the most exotic roses couldn't be brought out yo be studied, the woman explained. 

"My desire to cultivate new, exotic roses, to tend to them, and to watch them bloom under my care became stronger as the days went by. And in the end, I answered the voices that inquired about my wish."

It seems that for her to make her wish come true, she became the fairies' gardener.

The fairies must have known about how passionate the lady was about roses and her skill in making roses bloom.  So they didn't use any sort of magic to cause her any misfortune, but instead had formed a contract with her.

"However, the life here isn't bad at all. Once a new rose blooms, the fairies will be very happy. In turn, I will be able to return to the human world, and continue living as I normally would. However, after a few days, I will return here of my own accord, as I have already fallen in love with this place."

Whenever the lady wanted to return to the human world, she would have to breed a new species of roses.

The rose tea was elegant and wonderfully fragrant. The opening of the rose buds, was like the sigh of a beautiful rose.

At that moment, all of Lydia's worries disappeared without a trace.

Chapter end