CHAPTER 6 – Time of Atonement (Part 1)

Lillian couldn’t take her eyes off Cedric as he stepped out of the carriage.

It had been a long time since she’d seen him without the clerical robe.

‘What a handsome man he is.’

Despite his tall stature, his long arms didn’t appear clumsy at all. Broad shoulders, a small face, a well-defined jawline, a long and elegant neck, and striking features…

He seemed slightly leaner than before, but he was still an undeniably handsome man.

‘And what a voice.’

If Cedric were the leader of some heretical cult, Lillian might have devoted herself as an enthusiastic disciple. Alongside a million adoring followers, admiring and worshiping him…

‘I’ll never get tired of seeing that face every day, and that body.’

The image of the man’s naked body, hidden beneath the luxurious fabrics, involuntarily appeared in her mind.

‘Why should a man have to wear clothes? It was regrettable that such a splendid male physique couldn’t be flaunted freely.’

‘Yes, I’ve experienced Cedric. Now, even if I die, I have no regrets.’

Just one thing.

She needs to hire a painter right now and capture that look on canvas. She needs to leave one more masterpiece in this world, and it’s a shame she can’t do it herself …….’

Inwardly exclaiming her admiration, Lillian licked her lips as she studied the approaching man intently. Unaware of the future that awaited her.

“Sir Edelgard, what brings you here?”

Felix casually stepped in front of Lillian.

“I heard the news.”

Even with Felix’s greeting flowing like water, Cedric’s gaze remained unwavering. Since he got off the carriage, his eyes were fixed solely on Lillian.

‘Is it my imagination…?’

From his gaze, she felt a chilling breeze.

Cedric Edelgard was a man for whom even silence became a weapon. Just looking at someone without saying a word was enough to convey an overwhelming presence.

“Unfortunately, the Duke Edelgard, he…….”

Reading the atmosphere, Felix naturally trailed off.

The intense anger emanating from Cedric, something she had never seen before, sent shivers down her spine.

He stared at the woman beside Sir Perry as if piercing through her. Just as Lillian was about to say something, his gaze shifted smoothly.

“Indeed, my beloved father has left this world. I heard the news on my way here. It’s truly an unfortunate event.”

The voice that resonated flatly was definitely not that of a son who lost his loving father. Felix, stiffening in surprise, pursed his lips like an ice sculpture.

“Th-the Duchess must be deeply distressed.”

“I can’t say for sure. Unfortunately, I was on the road at the time, and I couldn’t hear as much as you did.”

According to Felix, the day Duke Edelgard died had occurred two days ago. The journey from the capital to Turin was more than a fortnight, so the words were true.

“How did he pass away?”

Cedric asked about the details of his father’s passing with a cold gaze, tilting his head slightly.

“Did you not hear about it?”

For a moment, Felix hesitated unknowingly.

The atmosphere around Cedric was peculiar.

Neither words of praise, comparing him to a saint, a divine manifestation, or the executioner of the living God, seemed fitting for Cedric Edelgard now. It might be more appropriate to call him a worshiper of the devil.

Lillian was equally astonished.

‘What’s going on with Cedric? Why is he acting like this? His gaze seems so cold and distant. Was it because of sadness over his father’s death…?’

However, Cedric was the one who gained the most from the death of Duke Edelgard. Unfortunately, that was the harsh reality.

“Perhaps my father’s throat was slit by the blade of betrayal.”

“……”

“Or maybe his heart was stabbed. That’s probably what happened.”

Cedric’s straightforward words left Felix and Lillian equally dumbfounded. Horrified, they exchanged bewildered glances.

With an unnerving smile, Cedric raised his eyebrows.

“If you ever hear more about it, be sure to let me know. How my father departed, that is.”

“….”

Felix swallowed a dry spit. Cedric’s gaze and expression were unsettling. Even at a glance, there was a reason why the guards didn’t take kindly to him despite his luxurious attire.

As if on cue, the estate’s gatekeeper hurried over.

“Forgive me, sir, but even for someone of high stature, without the Lord’s permission, you cannot enter.”

Armed individuals couldn’t enter Turin’s inner sanctum without the Lord’s approval. This was a right protected by imperial law.

Though Cedric hadn’t donned any armor, he was already a weapon himself.

“The Lord is away at the capital, and it is uncertain when he will return…”

The gatekeeper added hesitantly.

“I’ve heard that you’re a close friend of Sir Perry, but… of course, if Lord Perry vouches for you, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“…”

It wasn’t an easy task to vouch for Cedric Edelgard’s identity. Moreover, he was the man who was now to become head of one of the empire’s only three ducal families.

But somehow, he was drawn in without even realizing it.

It was instinct. There was an unexplainable, dangerous aura emanating from Cedric at this moment. It was an indescribable sense of unease and madness. Felix felt as fearful bringing him into the inner part of Turin as if he were inviting in a demon.

Moreover, what? Close friend?

They weren’t like that, even in jest. For some reason, Cedric disliked Felix. It had been that way for a long time. Cedric never openly showed it or spoke about it, but Felix could always feel it.

If, as Felix suspected, his hunch was right…….

“……I know you’ll be busy with the funeral. Wouldn’t it be better if you returned to the capital as soon as possible?”

“I was already planning to leave tomorrow.”

That meant he intended to stay overnight in this estate.

“I was on my way to check on my estates. As the successor to Edelgard’s throne.”

Technically speaking, Turin was in passing. However, there was no need to visit Turin just to reach the duchy.

“As you can see, the carriage wheel broke, and it’s impossible to proceed.”

“….”

‘What is this man talking about?’