Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 13 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 

Lydia presently knew nothing; she only heard that Edgar’s old enemy whom he fought for a long time --- Prince, had already died. 
But she felt that Edgar hadn’t felt settled since the war ended.
The organization fighting together with Edgar until now, “Scarlet Moon”, was also the same.
The fairy painter Paul, Edgar’s friend, who was also a member of the organization, spoke to Lydia, who was visiting the Earl’s mansion.
“The Earl is still requesting that Scarlet Moon scout out Prince’s surviving subordinates.” 
When Lydia was waiting for Edgar in the residence’s living room, she met Paul, who had just come. Both people hadn’t seen each other in quite a while. 
She asked Paul, who was just about to leave, to stay. He was still the same, and frankly acted as Lydia’s companion, as someone to talk to. 
“In other words, although the Prince’s organization lost their important leader, they retained their strength as before?”
“Yes. They seemed to have not lost any unifying force due to the Prince’s death. ” 
“Ulysses is also still alive, right.” 
Ulysses is Prince's trusted aide, and is a person who directly conflicted with Edgar every time. 
“Yes, although his location isn’t clearly determined, he seems to have gone into hiding with the organization….. After all, he controls the fairies. Raven seemed to see two hooded crows often, I heard that the fairies that had set a contract with Prince were of that shape...
Those were the reincarnations of the war goddesses. Although the goddesses were originally a trinity, the Prince only obtained two. Currently there was no need to be afraid, but perhaps they were monitoring the activities of Edgar’s faction.
“So, Edgar’s still taking precautions?”
If it’s concerning fairy matters, then he could have discussed this with me. Lydia thought this and knitted her brows. Paul saw this and quickly said cheerfully: 
“But you don’t need to be so worried. Probably… well you see, I think it’s because right now the Earl has to prepare for the wedding, an important event, so he will be cautious in all aspects as he doesn’t want to disturb you.” 
Paul probably believed that he mustn't say any words that would make Lydia upset while this important period of marriage preparations was in progress.
“Ah~~ yes, Miss Lydia, I sketched several new paintings to congratulate the both of you on your marriage, and now I’ll be in the process of confirming the room’s dimensions. It seems that the paintings will also be decorated in your room, so I will definitely complete a fine work of art.” 
Lydia clearly knew Paul was being sensitive towards her, so she replied with a smile.  
“Oh my, I really look forward to it.” 
Recently, regardless of who she came across, her surroundings were all brimming with a congratulatory atmosphere. Regarding this, it was only natural that Lydia felt very grateful, but compared to her mind filled with thoughts of getting married, she was concerned about many other matters even more.
Although she had planned not to interfere with matters relating to Prince until Edgar confessed, completely knowing nothing made her feel uneasy. 
Moreover, she was also worried about the two people who appeared at her home yesterday, and whether or not it would cast a shadow on her and Edgar’s marriage.
Despite making a firm resolution to not have any sort of relations with them, something was happening in the fairy world. This also made her extremely worried, and she felt that she seemed unable to not get involved.
Was it necessary to ask Edgar to discuss more on these sorts of things with her?
Even if she intended to understand Edgar, there were still many matters she did not know about between them. 
“Mr. Paul, do you have someone that you like?”
This abrupt question made Paul open his eyes wide. 
“Ah, no, um, I’m very unfamiliar those sorts of things.”
“Then, I ask that you imagine your ideal woman.”
Because Lydia earnestly asked, he was helplessly forced to close his eyes. Painfully wrinkling his brows, he was probably trying hard to imagine. 
“Can I ask you to imagine a scene of that woman giving you a present?”
“...Yes.”
“After opening it, what’s inside?”
“Umm... a hedgehog or something…”
“What?”
“Ah, um, uh... I only carelessly thought this up… Ahh I don’t know why I said that, I’m sorry.”
Paul went into an awful panic, as it looked as if he surprised himself.
“B-but you know, Miss Lydia, is this not an unexpected delight? I would think that sending me a gift that would make me laugh, seeing my startled appearance and a laughing woman also isn’t bad.”
“Yes…. I guess that it really isn’t bad.”
If our hearts were connected and we understood each other's feelings, will I be able to come up with a wonderful gift? Perhaps, I don’t have to think too strictly.
Lydia’s felt somewhat relaxed, and exchanged a smile with Paul.
“You seem quite happy.” 
Lydia, wearing a frank smile, turned towards Edgar, who suddenly appeared in the living room. After he saw Lydia, he narrowed his eyes as if he saw something radiant.
“I was just asking Mr. Paul what his ideal woman was like. ” 
“Ohh? He’ll dodge this kind of question every time, did you get anything out?”
“I heard more interesting things.”
Lydia took Edgar’s extended hand her and got up, and Paul stood up immediately afterwards.
“Earl, excuse me, I must leave first.”
“Yes, I’m counting on you to paint beautiful works of art.”
After seeing Paul off, Edgar left the living room together with Lydia. 
“Because you will be here in the future, I had the room slightly remodeled, today I wanted to let you have a look.”
Lydia nodded, but she couldn’t help but feel that it was odd, because Edgar walked towards a corridor that was different from his usual direction. 
“Um, my study is over here.”
He halted and stood still, gazing at Lydia with a perplexed expression.
“....I’m not talking about your study, it’s the place where you’ll live in the future. Up until now, I was alone, so the biggest bedchambers suite in the mansion was not used, but I’m going to decorate that place into our private room afterwards.”
“Eh, i-is that so.”
Come to think of it, it would be obvious that she was going to live in this mansion after marriage. Yet she practically hadn’t thought about and considered this. Lydia couldn’t help but feel astonished and slight self-loathing.
Edgar continued walking as if he already pulled himself together. 
After ascending the private staircase at the end of the corridor, Lydia arrived at an area where she had never set foot in before. 
Edgar lead her into a dressing room which had just been finished decorating. 
This tone was a light blue, a very well decorated elegant room.  The wallpaper had a clear design and the identical-colored sofa gave the same kind of invigorating impression.
Although the room’s colors were bright, perhaps it was due to the effectiveness of the detail in the wooden accent texture of the decorations and furnishings that could make people feel calm.
Looking up, the ceiling’s relief paintings were just as magnificent, Lydia couldn’t help but gasp.
“Do you like it?” 
“Yes....” 
Lydia looked utterly entranced, so much to the point that she was unable to speak a line of her thoughts. Edgar held her shoulders, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
“Whether it’s the curtains, tablecloths and so on, as long as you ask, don’t hesitate to speak to me. After all, this is your room.”
“My room? In every case, thinking of luxury makes me feel that it isn’t real.” 
Edgar shrugged his shoulders slightly. 
“I want you to soon feel that you are actually getting married.”
“I have.”
“However, Lydia, you haven’t asked me anything. For example, speaking of the room’s decorations, don’t tell me that after you become this house’s Countess, that you plan to sleep in the study? Also, the church formalities, what to do on our honeymoon and so on, you don’t care?”
Indeed, Lydia had not thought of any matter that Edgar spoke of. However, hasn’t Edgar also not briefly mentioned of this? She currently just found out that the room was being remodelled.  
Moreover, she was also actively trying hard in moving towards the path of marriage.  
The dowry and dress had already been chosen. As she used the status as Edgar’s fiancée to participate in aristocratic social gatherings, she also would find time to be taught etiquette by the Duchess.
What truly needs to be said was that Edgar prepared everything earlier, and Lydia merely conducted herself according to his wishes. 
“I did ask for something didn’t I? Yesterday, I asked if there was anything you wanted.” 
“...In other words, you’re still in the stage of worrying about the engagement gift?” 
Edgar, as if he was shocked sat down heavily on a nearby chair. 
“Therefore, I noticed that we need to discuss this more.”
“I see. Perhaps it really is necessary. Then, let’s talk. I think it’s about time we establish a marriage date.”
“Although that is also very important, I’m more concerned about the matter with Prince. ” 
Edgar frowned a little. Lydia sat by the window side and gazed outside. 
“I heard that the goddess’ reincarnation of a hooded crow may have been watching you closely, even I didn’t know about this matter.”
“If your mind is full of fairy matters, surely you will ignore the marriage matters to worry over them instead, right?” 
“Was this why you didn’t say anything to me?”
Lydia couldn’t help but feel surprised, she turned to Edgar and said:
“If something happened to you, wouldn’t marriage be the last thing on our minds?”
“They absolutely can’t do anything, but merely loiter around, nothing more.”
“Surely you don’t know that!” 
“In any case, you don’t need to think about so unnecessary things.”
“Unnecessary things? I am clearly a fairy doctor, yet you want me to just think about the marriage?”
“Lydia, if possible, I want you to do according to what I say at this current time.” 
Edgar’s words seemed to dissuade her from acting willfully and this somehow made Lydia feel uneasy. 
So far, Edgar greatly respected Lydia as a fairy doctor. Moreover, he clearly didn’t understand fairy matters, so if there was anything fairy related, he would discuss it with Lydia. 
But why did he speak with that tone of voice?
“Edgar, you’re still hiding something from me, aren’t you?” 
Ever since after the Prince died, Lydia felt that he somewhat seemed preoccupied. She told herself to wait until the day that Edgar takes the initiate to talk to her about it. However, the reason why he even hid the appearance of the hooded crow from her, was it related to the matter of him not speaking out?
“I’m not hiding anything from you.”
Edgar said these words without looking at her and sat motionlessly. 
As she expected, she felt that he was deceiving her.
“The Prince’s matter has already ended, even if Ulysses controls the remaining fairies, he can’t do anything major. As for me, I want to only think of how we will spend our happy future together.” 
Is it really over?
“I won’t let you come across danger again, so… rest assured, I also hope that you’ll think of how to enrich your life by using the status of a Countess.”
Actually, Lydia didn’t want to simply become a Countess, rather in the future she intended to use the status of the Earl family’s fairy doctor to aid Edgar.
Or was Lydia the only one thinking this, when in fact, Edgar is not expecting her to be more than an ordinary housewife?
He said not to think of unnecessary matters, was Edgar wanting to say that as long as a household where he could feel at ease was established, then it’s fine?
However, they had struggled together to this day only until then, they'll believe that they are separating from each other.
“You liar.” 
She blurted out.
“Didn’t you promise me to not lie again? And yet, why are you deceiving me again? You don’t trust me?”
Looking as if it were bothersome, Edgar unwillingly got up, faced Lydia and frowned painfully.
“Trust, huh? In that case, to what extent do you trust me? Regardless of what you hear, your feelings won’t change?” 
“It’s not like my feelings will change will it?”
“No matter what I do, it won’t change?” 
What?
Edgar slowly headed for the doorway, and locked the door afterwards.
This wasn’t his usual joke. His pained expression made Lydia realize this.
“I want you right now.” 
“Wh--what are you saying!”
“Even if I said it like this anyhow, will you not grant my wish for me?”
The situation was too abrupt, Lydia could only stand motionlessly still, confused and disturbed.
Although Edgar would do something to make one embarrassed, he treated Lydia earnestly, thus in the corner of her mind, she was convinced that Edgar wouldn’t force this kind of thing that would be disgraceful for a girl. Despite that, can she believe that he was being serious about it this time?
“You don’t have the means to change yourself just for me? I know that a man requesting this kind of thing before marriage is despicable, yet even if I do this, are you still willing to love me?”
Although Edgar spoke unreasonably, yet it was unknown why he painfully remained standing there, not approaching Lydia nor planning to forcibly touch her.
Even though Lydia’s heart was in chaos, she still faintly sensed something.
That is, if she ran away, Edgar would surely be deeply hurt.
In this way, Edgar would gaze at her with a desperate look and she thought that she simply didn’t want to hurt him.
When all is said and done, how should I answer? The more she wavered as words did not come out, the more Lydia was unable to respond. She proceeded to move her tense trembling hands towards the ribbon in front of her neck. 
Lydia untied her ribbon. But while doing this, she noticed how indecent this matter was, and felt afraid.
Even if the man in front of her was her fiancé, the both of them still weren’t married, so this definitely should not happen.
She was definitely unable to refuse, therefore she must bear shame in the future days due to her immoral conduct. But if only she thought of the world’s innocent maidens feeling indifferent to this kind of matter due to their ignorance, her mind was filled with unease.
From within the mind a pure innocent maiden appeared casual, her uneasiness grew considerably. 
Because Lydia was too embarrassed, she lowered her head and closed her eyes, yet continued to move her hands.
Her hands trembled until they wouldn’t obey, so not even one button was undone and tears came falling down at once. 
By the time Lydia noticed, Edgar had already grabbed her hand. 
“I’m sorry...”
He held her hands and pulled it to his chest as if to calm Lydia’s trembling hands and extended the other hand to wipe her moistened cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Lydia, I wasn’t myself.”
Lydia, with a mood of despair, raised her tearful face. 
“Why must you apologize? I simply don’t understand this. What should I do in the end? What must I do so that you’re willing to tell me the truth?”
Even though Lydia pressed on, Edgar looked perplexed, merely looking at her without a word.
“Will you tell me one day?” 
Even this request, Edgar was also unwilling to nod in response, perhaps he decided to not tell any more lies towards Lydia.
If that was the case, then could it be that he planned to always hide this secret in the future? Does he think he can continue on in life harboring this kind of secret?
Lydia pushed Edgar away.
She ran towards the doorway, and when she hastily opened the door lock, Edgar didn’t ask her to stay, even after she rushed out of the room.

*

(Earl, you seem to have angered Miss Lydia again.) 
He was unable to see the person’s figure but heard their voice, it ought to be Coblynau. Edgar knew that even if he turned, he wouldn’t see its appearance, so he just sat on the sofa, glancing at the window side.
(Bow the Moonstone is sighing in grief, it said that if the both of you don’t get married smoothly, then it will be troublesome.
Even Edgar is more troubled. 
That Moonstone engagement ring possessed fairy powers; it is said that it was passed down from Earl Ashenbert’s first ancestor and is a symbol of Lydia becoming the wife of the present master of the Earl’s family. Coblynau, who could communicate with the Moonstone was also extremely concerned about how things are progressing on Lydia’s and Edgar’s marriage. 
“Later, I will go and appease her.”
Although trying to please her this time seems a little difficult, the person who made a mistake was clearly Edgar.
He hoped that in reality, the sense of their inseparable feelings were already connected. He believed that if it was like this, perhaps he would be able to say it out loud.
Yet his actions made Lydia cry.
Furthermore, it was also for the worst reason. 
Although Lydia desperately wanted to understand Edgar,  his actual expectations already surpassed Lydia’s tolerable limit. 
Edgar clearly knew, as long as one was infatuated, even if they were pure, a chaste girl will be unexpectedly bold. On the other hand, he also knew that Lydia hadn’t been infatuated at all.

A man who regards affection as a business trade even before marriage, his words cannot be trusted. Lydia was a girl who had this instilled in her in terms of common knowledge, so as long as she isn’t infatuated, then she would decide to run away calmly. 
Edgar thought that even if it was really like this, then nothing can be done, Lydia’s response had betrayed his expectations. The situation that increasingly startled him, was Lydia having an expression of nearly fainting as she had her hands on the buttons?
(I ask that the both of you reconcile as soon as possible, now is not the time to be quarrelling.)
“Coblynau, what do you mean?” 
“This was what Bow said, it said that the sword seems to have unusual changes taking place.” 
Edgar couldn’t help but turn toward the window, but sure enough, he couldn’t see the fairy’s appearance.
“Unusual changes?” 
(Although I’m not too sure, there is a presence that seems to summon evil forces or something.)
Edgar recalled his dream where he saw a red sword which greatly resembled the Merrow’s sword.
It was a sword that gave him an ominous impression, without knowing why.
Was the Merrow’s sword aware of the red sword’s existence that was summoning these evil forces?
“Has this kind of omen appeared before?”
(Yes, ah, that’s right, I heard that the past Earls would to control these changes, through their own power, so I didn’t let you know.) 
Edgar didn't possess that kind of power at all.
“Then if possible Coblynau, what will happen if there’s no way to suppress the changes?”
(Bad things may happen.) 
“What kind of things?” 
(That kind of situation has probably never happened before, even Bow also doesn’t know what will occur. It’s just that, Earl, it seems that the unusual changes can bring crisis to the Blue Knight Earl’s family, so I ask that you be cautious.)
At that time, the master of the red sword wanted to kill and behead Edgar, who possessed the Sapphire sword. It was certainly an ominous dream.
Moreover, Arrow didn’t mention it?
He said that the influence that Edgar could bring to the sword will influence his destiny. 
If it was truly like that, perhaps the appearance of the ominous changes in the sword was caused by Edgar himself.
As Edgar ought to be the Blue Knight Earl, hidden within his body were the memories of his old enemy, the sword must have sensed this. 
Edgar himself was causing the Earl family to get caught up in a crisis. Going on like this, will he, along with the Blue Knight Earl’s mission and his pride, become tarnished together with his sword?
Edgar planned to get married with Lydia and to not speak of the circumstances of this serious matter.
As long as Lydia is willing to stay by my side, I won’t lose to the Prince or that sort of person. He said these words as if chanting a wishful spell.
Ahh, But the relationship between me and Lydia is in a horrible state.
Edgar didn’t want to think, so he firmly closed his eyes.

* 

“What happened Lydia? you’re not very cheerful.”
After Lota spoke, she gulped down a beer clean in one go.
This pub that she frequently went to wasn’t a suitable area at all for an upper class young lady to stay for long. But Lota considered this place like her own home and relaxed, urging Lydia to drink a little.
“Were you nearly attacked by Edgar?”
“Eh!” 
Lydia blushed, promptly looking away. Did I hit the mark? Lota clicked her tongue.
“Really, that guy is fully aware of your personality, why couldn’t he wait until marriage?”
“....No, he somewhat waited.”
It’s just that for Edgar, perhaps the situation was making him feel that it wasn’t going anywhere and felt restless, so he urgently wanted to get married. 
After all the trouble, Lydia had begun to be consciously aware that she is engaged, but she was still unable to clearly see the end goal known as marriage. As a result, Edgar seemed to be waiting for her all along is what she thought, but sometimes he would suddenly behave in an impetuous manner.
Does this also have something to do with his secret hidden within his heart?
“That said, he seems very worried that you’ll be snatched away by someone, so after quarreling he sent someone to keep a close eye you.” 
Originally, the narrow inn only had Lota, but now, without knowing why, there was an addition of  Raven and Nico.
From the time Lydia ran out of the Earl’s residence afterwards, Raven had been following her all along. This was certainly Edgar’s command. 
“I did not come to monitor, I am an escort.” 
Raven, who was at the adjacent table, seemed to protest in correcting Lota’s words.
“Another glass!” 
After Nico cheerfully finished his beer he called out; honestly, it was unknown as to why he was here.
Because the pub owner saw Nico as simply a cat in his eyes, Lota ordered a beer in his place.
“Old man, give this little guy another glass.” 
The owner didn’t think that a cat would drink, thus he placed the beer in front of Raven. 
But Raven, from the beginning, did not drink a single sip.
“Well Lydia, if it’s like that, you don’t need to worry. Because that guy, Edgar, seems to really like your “hard to get” attitude.” 
Normally, one would really think that.
Yet his recent actions didn’t seem like one of his usual jokes. 
Edgar had even asked her whether her feelings wouldn’t change regardless of what she heard.
Lydia thought it was a little frightening. Would she be able to assert that she absolutely won’t change?
She undoubtedly liked Edgar, yet she couldn’t say it. But even if Edgar wanted to have her, she would burst into tears because she felt that the shame and guilt was more intense than her feelings for him.
She didn’t know whether or not she herself could handle this.
Before blaming Edgar for unwilling to tell her the truth, perhaps Lydia ought to behave more maturely.
“How about you guys get married soon? That way, regardless of what cannot be done, perhaps other problems can be settled completely, and you guys won’t quarrel again, will you?”
Raven also nodded slightly. 
Lydia thought to herself, that it was probably as Lota said.  However… although she felt that spending time with Edgar, drinking tea, and the peaceful times of taking a walk was quite pleasant, but even if Edgar’s half-jokingly unyielding manner was imminent, she still felt flustered and would want to run away. 
Even when the both of them kissed for a relatively long time, the first to move their head away was always Lydia. 
Despite that she really wanted to understand him more, she was unable to step forward.
As Lydia sighed, she heard the doorbell ring, proclaiming that a visitor has entered. 
Raven immediately got up. Lydia lifted her head and saw a red-headed young man by the doorway, gasping for breath while looking around the inn.
It was that Highlander called Fergus from yesterday.
Once he found Lydia, he hurriedly ran over, and Raven blocked his way.
“Hey, don’t stand in the way…. No, now is not the time to be quarreling. Ah, Lydia, you need to get out of here quickly!”
Get out of here? Just when Lydia felt confused by Fergus’ unexpected statement, Raven grabbed him. Although Raven’s hand looked quite thin and weak at first glance, Fergus’s arm was easily caught by him as he struggled unceasingly. 
“...Listen to me... That guy has come...” 
“That guy?”
At that split second, the building shook violently.  
“Watch out!” 
When the oil lamps nearly toppled over, Lota screamed.
Raven immediately grabbed Lydia and Lota’s arms and pulled them over, Nico instantly hid under a table, and Fergus also crouched down.
When the swaying finally stopped, there was an approximately ten foot tall giant standing before everyone.
The unimaginable size of his stature made them think that he wasn’t human. He wore a black cloak, his entire head was also covered with a hat, so you could only see his chin, but he also held a long wooden magician’s staff, which would be associated with ancient times. 
Lydia got up from underneath, with the assistance of Lota, and her location wasn’t at the narrow pub. It was a vast plain, interspersed with the pub’s tables and chairs. 
It seemed that the pub owner wasn’t involved in the disturbance, but it wasn’t known whether they were fortunate or not, because Raven, Nico and Fergus were all brought here.
“Dammit, we were caught.”
Fergus spoke in a low voice.
“Mr. McKeel, what is that...” 
It’s a Trow that resides on my island. ” 
Among the fairies, the giant Trows were considered to be one of the oldest races. Within some tribes, some would get close to people, but there were others that were known to eat people’s villages.
Which kind is it? Lydia felt nervous.
“Son of McKeel, why did you intend to run away?” 
The giant spoke.