Hakushaku to Yousei Vol 11 Chapter 5

Chapter 5 The two of them with their misunderstandings

Chapter Five. The two of them with their misunderstandings

Edgar wanted her to return tomorrow. Although not one matter had yet been settled, she couldn’t give up on the gardener and Madame Oughtred. However, regardless of what circumstances she discovered in the end, she was unable to handle it sufficiently. 

The reason why she spoke of annulling the engagement was because she hoped Edgar would refuse. Although he really did do this, Lydia also knew that her words hurt his heart.

She never thought about wanting to escape from Edgar's side; at the time, she thought that her knee was actually small enough for him to cover with his hand. 

Lydia believed that by she accepting Madame Oughtred's education, she would become that kind of lady. But although she tried hard, it was to no avail which made her feel increasingly unworthy of Edgar. 　

“Hey Lydia, wake up!” 

“....I’m up already.”

Once Lydia heard these words, she hastily threw aside her blanket, immediately changed her clothes, and left the room. 

“You see, this room has fairy footprints everywhere, and there are many new ones. Those guys seem to enter and exit this place frequently.”

Here, in the former Earl's study room, it seemed as if time had stopped. It was arranged very neatly as if not even a speck of dust remained. But from years of using the armchair and Victorian desk, one could infer the predecessor's character. 

Madame Oughtred had no children, so her deceased husband's title, the Earl, ought to be passed on to her husband's relative. Although Lydia didn't know whether that relative felt reminiscent of the land their ancestors' had lived in until now, for the fairies, acknowledging that the relative kept away from this piece of land due to the Earl family's master was very difficult. 

What kind of contract did Madame Oughtred and the Danish fairies agree upon? If the Madame let the fairy act as a substitute as they waited in the residence, then what was she doing there again? 

Lydia thought while she looked around the room.

Finally, Lydia’s line of sight stopped at a painting.

Unexpectedly, Lydia had the impression that each type of flower combined and became a necklace.

What is going on? 

Was it Virginia who made a garland that was similar in appearance? Again, what was this for?

“Could it be...the Regard necklace...?” 

The roses were crimson rubies, the leaves were green emeralds, the amaryllis were scarlet garnets, not to mention, the grass were violet amethysts and the white roses were diamonds.  

Japanese T/N: リガード literally translates to “ri-gaa-do” which is why there isn’t a second R in the necklace, as the author is following the Japanese spelling of “Regard.”

Removing the first letter of each gem’s English name and putting it together became “REGARD” --- this message expressed respect and love. 

Virginia once said that, as long as you wore the garland around the neck, you could enter the fairy rose garden. Furthermore, the flowers and the fairies’ essence were originally very similar in meaning, in other words, through the flower’s power, it was relatively easy to find the entrance to the fairies’ rose garden. 

Lucinda once said the flowers were used as a theme for precious stones. The butler also said that it was usually worn on the body, as it would be a very conspicuous article. 　

"What? Got what?" 

Therefore she, because the fairy driven her away from the room and replaced her identity, was unable to leave the rose garden.

“About the Madame’s Regard necklace, I already know where that thing is, let’s go and confirm it.”

“Wait, Lydia, where do you want to go?

Lydia had the mind frame of taking everything and placing it onto this one clue and ran out. As a result, she nearly bumped into a figure who suddenly appeared at the study room door. Therefore, she stopped. 

That person was Billy.

Not knowing whether or not he heard the dialogue from a moment ago, Lydia minded this a little. Although Nico's speech sounded like a cat calling for the majority of people’s ears, Lydia unexpectedly was thought to be speaking strange thoughts to herself by people.

“I just wanted to call you, can you follow me for a bit?” 

“It’ll be quick.  In fact, there was a maid who picked up Lucinda’s brooch. She said that it was probably because she didn’t return it immediately that caused you to be suspected, therefore she would like to apologize to you.” 

“Can you go and see her?”

She used her eyes to hint at Nico to wait a bit for her, and proceeded to walk out of the room together with Billy.

“Mr. Nico, breakfast has already been prepared. Did you want to sleep in this kind of place?" 

He was by the edge of the study room’s window and waited for Lydia until he fell asleep. It was because the chairs here were quite comfortable. 

“I am also trying to find Miss Lydia.” 

“What did you say?” 

“Nico, after Lydia was taken away by Billy, it should be unlikely that she wouldn’t return, right?”

“Stop it, put me down... Argh, really, you, with that kind of jealous man attitude, not excusing anyone who gets close to Lydia, you should also restrain yourself a bit.”

“She did, she said it. Lydia, that girl, she suddenly said something, that she knew where the Regard necklace was.” 

He proceeded to release Nico, as if he were throwing something out.

“Yes.” 

“I’m not being jealous, Lydia is in danger.” 

Instead, there were two attendants [waiters] who seemed to be part-time workers (footmen? AKA those who work under butlers).

“Hey, Lydia, your identity as a maid is fake, right?”

“Where is Madame Oughtred?” 

“Madame Oughtred and the Regard necklace’s whereabouts, spit it out.” 

“Our matters aren’t important, hurry up and answer my question.”

“You, your identity as a meal waiter is a scam.”

Billy raised his arm.

Lydia looked up at Billy, surprised. 

It was some person who was fixated on the Madame’s gems that did it...

“I don't know.....” 

The other man swayed the knife in front of Lydia. 

I was looking for the Danish fairies.

“Billy, are you guys... the group of thieves? For the purpose of the gems, pretending to be servants...” 

“Is your comrade that blonde Earl? No, that is a swindler calling himself an Earl. A noble bringing an attendant, who emits such an unconcealed murderous aura all over. That was very suspicious from the beginning.”

It seems the person who held the knife and infiltrated the Madame’s room was not their comrade at all. 

“Hey Lydia, if you want, I can also distribute some of the gems to you. Overall, compare it to being killed here, okay.” 

Lydia glared at him, keeping her mouth shut.

All of those things were Lucinda’s fabricated lies. And for a woman, it was the ultimate insult, so Lydia was really unresigned(?). 

“I don’t dislike this kind of woman, moreover I won’t use a woman to handle matters. So long as you become my woman, I'll make you even happier compared to that blonde guy.” 

“Don’t touch me!”

He pressed her against the wall of planks, proceeding to speak words, not knowing whether they were persuasive or threatening.

Because of yesterday’s punishment, the bruises were still bright red on Lydia’s hand. Billy seemed to take pity, as he gazed at Lydia’s hand.

She desperately struggled, wanting to escape, but she wasn’t successful. The other man took her from behind.

“You better do according to what I say. That superficial guy, in any case only has his looks...”  

The man(or men) grabbing Lydia collapsed on the spot. A brown-skinned boy supported Lydia simultaneously, who almost immediately fell together [with the other men].

Just by him using his line of sight, Billy and the other men felt intimidated. 

Edgar appeared from the other side of the stables, also pulling a man whose hands were bound.

Edgar, as if he wanted that man to be seen clearly, took him and exposed a cold smile to Billy.

The man that Edgar brought was ruthlessly kicked by him, and after he fell to the ground, Raven regarded that as a signal to push Lydia towards Edgar’s direction.

Billy moved his hand towards his chest in his clothes, as if he wanted to take out a weapon, but Raven’s movements were clearly much quicker.

Lydia passed through Billy’s side, wanting to run towards Edgar whom she extended her hand to.

Her surroundings spun, and subsequently her footsteps became unsteady.

The sound of Edgar calling her sounded especially distant.

Her whole body lacked strength, probably due to the tense mood suddenly relaxing.

She was in the state of being unable to open her eyes, pondering over where she was. 

Edgar? 

In spite of that, her body’s strength was still slowly beginning to recover in this way, and she continued to open her eyes slightly. 

Lydia recalled that her hands had bruises from being whipped, and thus she bashfully wanted to pull her hands back immediately, but she still didn’t have the strength to even move her hands. 

What should I do? Although she was unable to move, Lydia was absolutely flustered.

“The doctor? Still not here?” 

Lydia, who was finally able to turn her head, saw the head maid, Mrs. Boyle, calling the male  footman to enter the room. 

“But we cannot let a maid sleep in the guest’s bedroom. ” 

“This is a common matter. Once tomorrow arrives, she will recover.”

Faced the head maid, who was unwilling to call a doctor, even stating that she wanted Lydia to be taken out, some part of Edgar’s mind snapped. He muttered in a peaceful and indifferent voice.

“Listen clearly, Lydia is not a maid. Lydia is my fiancee. If something happens, I might not virtuously stop and let matters rest. I will take you, as the person in charge, and the maids who bullied her, and bury everyone alive in the cemetery.” 

The head maid exposed a sympathetic and complex expression. She seemed puzzled about Edgar, why would he treat the maid so well, as she felt it was inconceivable.

“Concerning Lydia’s matters, I’m not sure what you heard from Madame Oughtred, but I did not give her to you. Rather, because I believed in Madame Oughtred, I entrusted Lydia to her. Since the Madame is not here, I should have told her earlier to stop the maid’s work. However, I didn’t expect her to go as far as to receive such excessive treatment.” 

Fundamentally incapable of communicating with her, this made Edgar increasingly impatient.

Lydia glimpsed at the butler(?) who was passing by from the outside. Because he didn’t know what was happening, he stopped at the doorway, scared, but Edgar continued to protest against the head maid. 

Until now, the head maid righteously(?) spoke strictly to refute Edgar’s words, but her facial expression became increasingly uneasy. 

“Because Duchess Masefield had an urgent matters, the trip was shifted to an earlier date, so the duchess ought to have notified you.”

The butler nervously interrupted. 

“...So, who wanted Lydia to be a maid? It wasn’t Madame Oughtred’s instructions?” 

Lydia also blankly pondered in her mind. 

Mrs. Boyle stammered, not knowing how she ought to reply. However, it seemed she was still unable to completely grasp the situation, tilting her head. 

“The new maid arrived just now. She said that due to damage on the main bridge, she was unable to go through the road for the time being.” 

Madame Oughtred had not considered Lydia to be a maid at all, but because her identity was replaced by the fairies and she was brought to the fairy rose garden, only then would she not know that Lydia had came over ahead of time. 

It looked as if the matter was like that.

“...Edgar...” 

“It would have been good if I also careful to confirm it. I myself believed that this was a bridal course.”

“I’m alright. This isn’t Mrs. Boyle's mistake.” 

As a result, it was due Lydia not being of the upper class, that this type of misunderstanding was able to occur. 

“Okay okay, I understand, I will not blame her anymore, so rest well. Your complexion still isn’t too good.” 

Edgar worryingly bent down and gazed at Lydia.

Saying it like this, that seemed to be it.

Edgar caressed Lydia’s cheek. Held her soothingly, and then he proceeded to order the butler and head maid. 

He was clearly by her side, but he couldn’t protect her. When their positions are different, even proposing an idea would be difficult.

The more Edgar paid attention to her, the more he made her suffer from the maids’ jealousy, even from the spread of vulgar gossip. In the end, Edgar had no choice but to reveal Lydia’s identity. Otherwise, making the head maid find a doctor to come would be impossible.

No matter what position was promoted, Edgar’s status was a noble, and Lydia was not.

Because of this, he wanted publish the engagement beforehand. First, pushing up(?往上推*) Lydia’s identity.

However, this notion, because Madame Oughtred’s whereabouts were unknown, hit a snag.

He should not have forced Lydia. After marrying and leaving London and being secluded in territories such as Manaan Island, living a leisurely life wouldn’t have been bad either. 

Before any accidents occurred, he wanted to be able to give her everything she wanted. (他想在发生什麼变故之前,将她能给予她的事物全部送给她*) Edgar always thought like this. He believed that aristocracy, in some sense, can also become a weapon to protect Lydia; because of this, he wanted to establish Lydia’s foothold within aristocracy.

Lydia was in front of him and fainted due to exhaustion, thus he had already lost the intention of executing the plan unyieldingly.

Raven’s voice drew Edgar’s line of sight from outside the window to the indoors.

“I threw them into the pit of horse manure beside the stables.”

While he said this, he thought that they deserved it.

“No, they wouldn’t speak. It’s as if they were dead.”

Raven was also able to understand this right away, that the other party would begin to talk so long as they received threats. Or, if it wasn’t through such special interrogation [or torture], it would be quite difficult to make the person spit out the truth. He probably decided that Billy belonged to the latter category, and stopped interrogating.

Were they really just a common group of thieves?

[“Hmm, in that case, pay close attention to the maids also. She’s not part of Billy’s group. There is another group of thieves. ” ]

The target was employed to transplant vegetation [plants], someone living in a cabin at the  mansion’s inner region.

To say the least, Lucinda thought that she was a maid who was unable to speak. Moreover, for the purpose of letting people believe this, she must have gotten through each day very carefully. She likely followed after Lucinda; was it not because she knew that the other party was Madame Oughtred’s niece, who furthermore was preparing to enter society, and thus paid a visit to the Madame’s mansion?

“What do you think of Miss Lucinda? There’s still aren’t any clues about the black hair that was found.”

She was holding a white box, that was apparently an ivory jewel case. She claimed that Lydia stole the brooch from this case.

Lucinda held onto that thing while simultaneously paying attention to her surroundings as she entered a circular glass greenhouse. But, when she walked away, she was empty-handed.

“Yes, she has some fantastic activity [actions], too…” (是啊，她也有些奇妙的举动……」*)

“In short, right now there is nothing to be done but to bring Lydia back immediately, you [we] must completely eliminate the enemy [lit: dangerous people].”

“Compared to Billy, I feel that Lucinda’s maid should be able to provide much more inside stories, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps you know that Miss Lucinda was not related to that night’s event, so this will save [us] the formalities.”

The doctor said that the dizziness ought to have been from the fatigue and tension that caused it. As long as she rested a bit, her health would recover. After Edgar heard this, his solemn expression finally relaxed greatly.

Being gazed at by such a proper appearance, and at such a close range, Lydia still felt uneasy.

“... I basically did useless things, right? Not only was I stubborn, but I also gave you trouble, I really am a fool.”

“But, now you made it clear that I’m your fiancee… There are still a lot of maids who believe that I stole Lucinda’s brooch.”

“I also let you wash the bowls and casks.”

“Moreover, I also occupied your bed.”

“Eh… You want to sleep here?”

“You don't need to be so afraid, we’re already lovers. Do you still consider me as a big feral wolf?”

Just because they were lovers, Lydia didn’t know how she ought to react properly. And yet, she couldn’t get angry or reject him like before for the purposes of concealing her awkward and embarrassed self. Be that as it may, she still hadn’t been able to immerse herself in the sweet atmosphere of being romantic [habits].

“Just joking, I’m sleeping in the next room.”

“You’re still unwilling to look at me. You’re thinking that matters will be like this, that I’m also somewhat responsible. Furthermore, it’s because by agreeing to marry me, it will be like this… right? ”

“So, you suspect Miss Lucinda and I?”

“Whether or not you thought of it, you believed believed that her liking me was a wishful opportunity. Therefore, I would expose a happy facial expression?”

“You exposed…. A very happy facial expression?”

“.........”

However, Lydia felt that this was also understandable.

“She is a beautiful woman, who also has a lot of self-confidence. If you were liked by this kind of girl, I think that, granted if you were tempted a little bit, it would be difficult to escape.”

“If it were me, even if you were somewhat thinking about other men, I also wouldn’t agree.”

At this moment, he let out a profound sigh. When all was said and done, how could he contain his mood? Lydia lowered her head, so she was unable to find out [see] his facial expression.

“Lydia, I definitely wish to have all of you.”

She wanted to peek at Edgar’s expression, so she slightly turned her line of sight. She was still unable to look Edgar straight in the eyes, so she gazed blankly at the golden hair that stuck out from the side of his ear.

While he gently raised Lydia’s chin, he used his thumb to touch her lip.

Regardless, she was unable to get used to kissing when they were both alone. Moreover, Edgar was slowly unwilling to part from her, making Lydia unable to recognize what way was good (?). Even if she was motionless, she still felt baffled by such a wonderful feeling.

Lydia didn’t understand how this was a thing. Not only was she unable to budge, she was in a nervous state as her body froze in place.

Edgar ignored it, tightly embracing Lydia and continuing to tenderly and deeply kiss her.

“Earl Ashenbert, Miss Lucinda has come.”

Lydia felt startled at this thought which momentarily flashed through her mind, thus she couldn’t help but take the initiative and get carried away. 

“Edgar… there’s a visitor.”

“...But they have matters that they need to find you for.”

“I’ll be right back [I’ll return immediately].”

Then, the bedroom door closed. It was probably Edgar who asked Lucinda to enter into the dressing room on the other end, so Lydia was also able to hear her voice.

The sound of sobbing words spreaded over.

“I sent her to Father’s room for work, but Father told me that Annie didn’t come. Moreover, she hasn’t come back for one hour...”

“No, Earl, this kind of thing has never happened before. I think that something has certainly happened to her because this mansion has a gem thief.”

Lucinda didn’t know that Madame Oughtred’s gems were being watched. So this, on behalf of her family, pointed to Lydia as the gem thief.

“Lucinda, listen to me. Wasn’t there already proof of Lydia’s innocence yesterday?”

“Lydia is not that kind of girl.”

The clothes dragging on the floor emitted a rubbing sound. Lydia thought to herself that it was probably Lucinda approaching Edgar, and so she couldn’t help but mind it.

“Do you wish to say that you are that kind of girl?”

“What you said was quite specific.”

Yes, from the beginning, Edgar wouldn’t seriously drive away a girl who especially approached him first.

Furthermore, the substance of the conversation had already digressed from the missing Annie. Lucinda seemed to use Annie as an excuse and came to seek [chase] after Edgar.

“Oh~~ You’re saying, as long as it’s a partner that you approve of being together with, you would be indifferent even if I was unfaithful?” 

“Yes, compared to Lydia, there are many good maids.”

By the time Lydia realized it, she had already ran from the bed and forcefully opened the dressing room door.

Lucinda was absolutely astonished at seeing Lydia rush out. Her face dumbstruck.

“Play...?  I am Lord Constable’s daughter! By no means am I that type of girl who can be played with and forgotten! You, a maid, yet so arrogant….!”

“Lydia.”

“Don’t touch me...!”

As a result, she hit Edgar.

My god~~ I seem to have done a very humiliating thing.

After recovering, Lydia was unable to stay any longer and wanted to flee, but Edgar grabbed her hand and pulled her over, holding her in an embrace.

“I’m sorry, Lydia.”

“I was no good [It’s me who was no good].”

It was Lydia who was wanting him to receive Lucinda, the one paying a visit. And he was simply answering Lucinda generously, that was all.

Even so, Edgar apologized while stroking her hair soothingly for the humiliating and embarrassed mood. By the time Lydia noticed, she was already tightly grabbing onto Edgar and unable to let go. 

“She is my fiancée.”

 Regardless of what Lucinda said, it didn’t matter.

Unaware of when Lucinda had left, after Lydia sat on the sofa with support, she buried her face in Edgar’s chest and cried.

“… No, it was me….”

With Edgar incessantly apologizing, it was making Lydia feel she had to stop crying, but her tears wouldn’t stop. 

“As long as you’re the same like now, then it’s fine.”

“You being like this is already enough.”

“Didn’t I say this before? As long as you’re by my side, then it’s fine. ”

Though Edgar repeatedly and quietly apologized to her, she still felt that her former self that had repressed things had already brimmed all over and flowed out.

She grabbed and leaned onto Edgar, casting away these heavy matters. And immediately afterwards, her heart’s burden gradually became lighter.

And so, not once did Edgar show a perplexed or fed up expression. Rather, he tenderly smiled.

“I like sitting like this again [We seem to be sitting like this again].” (再像这样坐一下吧。*)

“Because, I’m quite happy that you want to embrace me like this.”

Edgar still embraced Lydia, unwilling to loosen his grip, and she also embraced Edgar’s back once more. 

“Lydia, may I ask you something?”

“If it’s a girl that you approve of, can I be unfaithful?”

“When we were quarrelling, it was merely empty words... I simply couldn’t help but believe this at the time.”

“Of, of course… Hey Edgar, what are you laughing at?”

He truly was a person who behaved like such a child at times.

She was finally able to properly gaze at Edgar with her eyes.

It was probably a visitor coming. As the path to the entrance was connected to the patio, the sound of a carriage gradually approached. 

Edgar’s tone of speech seemed imply that he know who the visitors were.

“It’s no surprise that [you’re] so tight-lipped.”

But at this, Lydia suddenly  recalled an important matter. Thus, she lifted her head.

She wanted to stand up, but Edgar stopped her. 

“Um…”

“There is not much time remaining. Although I don't know whether I’ll be able to do it, there is no other way. In short, the angry fairies, who no longer believe in humanity, plan to take Madame Oughtred’s whereabouts and bury her in the rose garden. The fairies are only willing to wait until daybreak tomorrow after the full moon has ended.”

“However, there is still a dangerous person in this mansion excluding Billy and his men. Someone who trespassed into Madame’s room while holding a knife.”

“In brief, the possibility that this person is also watching Madame Oughtred’s gem is quite high.” 

“In other words, it’s in the fairy rose garden?” 

“...So, in that case, Madame Oughtred is still safe tonight.”

“Lydia, related to the criminals watching the Madame’s gems, I will find the solution before sunrise. After the matters are settled, you can then go and save Madame Oughtred. Otherwise, Madame Oughtred may encounter danger when she leaves the rose garden.”

“Don't worry, there should be someone coming to help. Compared with this, right now, you have to properly recover your health, understand?”

Chapter end