CHAPTER 6 – Time of Atonement (Part 2)

Felix couldn’t comprehend everything he was saying. Cedric Edelgard was a highly skilled equestrian and a master in horse magic, well-known in the Empire. Riding was a given.

But to quietly sit in a carriage and announce his unhurried intention to return to the capital when his father had just passed away?

Lillian, watching from the sidelines, was also confused.

‘Did they already have an engagement…’

She was not a fool. Because of the Priesthood ceremony, she had seen and heard a lot while wandering through the palace.

People, for the sake of power, easily harmed even family members with whom they shared blood. Feuds among nobles were even more frequent than harming ordinary people.

Judging by that face that didn’t seem the least bit sad, perhaps the Duke’s death was planned.

It could have been perpetrated by Cedric’s fiancée and her family.

The person who would benefit the second most from the Duke’s death was Cedric’s wife.

It could be the Imperial family, the Marquis of Melverin, or a similarly prestigious family. If they cooperated, orchestrating the Duke’s death while Cedric was away from the capital would be an easy task.

Cedric would most likely have consented, or even allowed it, though he was not the sort of man to do so……..

‘I don’t know. Maybe, because his fiancée is so lovely, he overlooked everything…’

Lillian looked at Cedric with unfamiliar eyes, then quietly turned away. The time to say hello had long since passed.

He probably wasn’t too happy about running into the woman he’d spent the night with either.

He’d only come to Turin to fix his carriage, but it seemed like it turned into quite a surprise. The gaze that stared at her as if she were an enemy now made sense.

When she parted her lips to greet him, Cedric immediately averted his gaze.

Given the circumstances, Lillian decided it would be better not to say anything to him. It would only hurt her feelings.

“Well then, please come inside. It’s an old estate, so there’s nothing particularly impressive to show you, but it’s my uncle’s residence, my home away from home.”

Felix pointed to the estate gate in a somewhat awkward manner.

“I’ll have a feast prepared for you, though I’m afraid I won’t be able to offer much in the way of gracious hospitality since the Lord himself was out of town…….”

“No need for that. Just a simple meal will do.”

“In that case…”

“I’ll just quietly spend the night and leave in the morning.”

With those polite words, Felix finally felt relieved.

“Open the gate!”

“Yes!”

As the gatekeeper rushed to open the castle gate, a silent gaze shifted towards Lillian.

Cedric’s green eyes exuded a dangerously intense light, like that of a cold-blooded creature. It was a gaze that slowly devoured its prey, examining the opponent as if scrutinizing a meal in front of it.

Unconsciously, Felix instinctively protected her, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Fortunately, Lillian didn’t push him away or retaliate as she usually did.

The man’s hand rested on her slender shoulder. The man’s gaze anxiously watched the estate gate. The woman’s pupils trembling with unease as if she had been caught red-handed.

Cedric looked at each one in detail, his lips twisting dryly.

“Thanks to you, I’ll have a comfortable night. I appreciate it, Sir Perry.”

With that silent mockery, Cedric turned coldly away.

The two people left behind as he headed toward the gray, worn-out fortress, couldn’t say a word. Since a while ago, the overpowering aura wrapped around them made it difficult to even breathe deeply.

Lillian watched the overwhelming man’s back with a bitter smile.

An unknown chill crept in her, contrasting with the refreshing spring breeze of Turin.

***

Felix, who had returned from showing Cedric around the estate, sought out Lillian.

“I know you like Lord Edelgard, but don’t be so rash.”

“…”

Is he crazy? Lillian couldn’t believe the words he spat out as if he were her husband. Even if he were her husband, she wouldn’t have let him talk to her like that.

“I’ll handle it myself. You don’t need to advise me so presumptuously.”

“…That’s good. I’ll see how quietly you can handle it.”

Felix’s condition was worsening as time went by. Ever since his time in Turin.

Every time he acted like a husband spying on his unruly wife, Lillian had to suppress the urge to seek out the Lord. She had grown quite fond of Turin.

“Lord Edelgard seems to be in quite a…… bad mood today because of his father’s death.”

‘As if I don’t know that?’

Was he taking her for a fool? Anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to be considerate.

Normally, it would have been time for her to browse through the Lord’s library. Lillian moved as inconspicuously as possible, trying not to catch Cedric’s attention. Dinner was served.

Anyway, Cedric said he would leave tomorrow morning. She just had to endure for one day.

It seemed Cedric didn’t seem to have much to talk about, as he didn’t come looking for her or call her. She was both relieved and disappointed.

In the end, even if they happen to run into each other, they won’t have to exchange words.

It was only natural. Cedric was about to become a married man.

‘If he hadn’t gone up to the second-floor balcony at that ball and quietly returned home, would things be different now…’

It was unlikely.

Lillian, soaking in the bathtub, raised her head absentmindedly. A faint smile of resignation adorned her face, reddened by the hot water.

Even if nothing had happened between them, she had planned to leave the capital before Cedric’s wedding.

An auspicious day the whole empire would celebrate. She didn’t want to be the only one drowning her sorrows.

“It’s cold…”

Lillian hugged her knees. She missed those times when they used to stay up late, discussing things on their own on the battlefield.

God forgave her if she wished the war would never end. She had been born abandoned but had received grace throughout her life in His generous embrace…