Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 9 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 ♦ Queen and the Fairies

Once upon a time, living hidden in the forest, an elderly old man said:
“Ah, that child has a fairy living inside his body. He’s fated to become a warrior for the king.”
At the time, his sister knew the secret why her younger brother’s black eyes held a mystic-green essence.
This cynical old man appeared to have deep knowledge of the place named Hadiya, fully aware of its famous legend across the land.
The white, pale sister along with her younger brother with brown skin had come to visit the elderly man several times before.
The boy was already five years old but was not able to laugh or speak. Because of that, he treated as taboo by his mother. And, as his mysterious sister was also the same, she was despised in the same way.
Shortly after the mother gave birth to the elder sister, they were driven out of the farm the English were managing. It was said that the reason was because the child resembled the man who fooled around with the woman there.
The siblings did not know who their father was.
The elder sister only knew that her younger brother was a special child.
Although they were young, his strength was commendable.
Once, a ruthless man had intended to attack the sister, but instead was killed by her brother using a large stone.
The sister covered the body with leaves and threw the blood-stained stone into the pond.
If her brother was discovered to be his murderer, he would surely be apprehended. 
However, she believed he committed no crime.
The small country no longer existed now. However, in order to protect that nation, the brother was granted an enchanted power by the heavens.
It was said to be a horrendous sprite.
However, in the past, an ancestor of the royal family surrendered himself to the sprite, forcing it to vow to forever serve the royal family.
Because its power was used for a protection, it couldn’t possibly be evil.
The words the elderly man said had given the young older sister great courage.
Though the younger brother couldn’t speak, he understood the words of others well. His face may have lacked expression, but it didn’t mean he lacked feelings.
As they returned on the trail from the depths of the forest back to their cottage, he stretched out his hand, gingerly grasping his elder sister's hand.
From that moment, she was determined.
‘I must let you see the king. He is the one whom you must serve.’ She had said to him.
                                      ※
 
When Ermine woke up, she found herself lying at the bottom of a lake.
The colors of dark blue surrounded her, filling her vision. But in her fairy eyes, she could spot the swarms of small fish and the gentle sway of the seaweeds.
The water around her was cool and gentle to the touch. She felt at ease, as if the vitality of life found in the natural world flowed through her body.  
The wound left from nightmare’s attack gradually became less painful as well.
She noticed the blood seemed to have stopped.
Therefore, she carefully confirmed her wound with her fingers. As she continued to think of what happened, she soon came to a conclusion.
This was the Serpentine Lake of Hyde Park.
In order to chase after Lydia, Kelpie settled here in London rather than his original home.
“Hey, you woke up?”
With a small splash of water, there appeared a jet-black, water horse.
Ermine looked up at the beautiful figure, at once remembering she had been saved by him.
Though he was clearly a fierce horse, he was unexpectedly very meddlesome.
“Since you are a selkie, you should remember: your stamina will recover rather quickly in the water. Seawater is much better for you, but there is no seawater in London.”
Needless to say, Kelpie didn’t want to simply help her for no reason.
Therefore, Ermine cautiously sat up.
“What happened to all of us?”
“All of us? Do you mean the Earl and the rest of them? Doesn’t your master, Prince, want to kill the Earl?”
Her concern for the Earl and his followers after betraying them certainly surprised Kelpie.
Prince does not want to immediately kill Edgar. And from Kelpie’s calm expression, it also appeared that Lydia was safe. Therefore, Ermine truly only cared for one person.
“That Raven brat was taken away by Ulysses.”
Though Ermine was aware and thinking of it in her mind, it was Kelpie who spoken the words aloud without much thought.
“That bastard Ulysses, he actually left you when you fainted.”
Ulysses did not trust Ermine. It was only by Prince’s order was Ermine assigned to him, so Ulysses was trying to use her as much as possible.
To have Ermine retrieve the Diopside after the murder of the man who held it, Ulysses intended to test the stone’s influence on Raven. As for how the event would turn out, he did not intend to inform Ermine.
However, the colour of the stone, and it’s unique trait of projecting a double image, was just like what the elderly man who resided in the forest had said. Since this was a jewel of the Hadiya's Royal family, she had learned that it must not be touched by Raven. However, the moment she realized this, Edgar had already discovered that the Diopside was in her possession.
And once the Diopside matter was discovered, she could no longer stay by Edgar’s side. Despite this being Ulysses’s rash miscalculation, because he was unable to confirm the effects of the stone, he was enraged.
Originally for Ulysses, the sprite was a mere weapon. If it became of no use, he would discard it.
“......Raven was caught?”
Instead of being concerned of her abandonment as a sacrifice, she was more worried for her younger brother, Raven.
Then she remembered, suddenly the ballistic power of the Nightmares escaped and met against Raven and, at that point, Kelpie had appeared… ...After that, she had lost consciousness.
Raven gave up the chance to kill her.
It was either his own will, or he was just obediently following Edgar’s command. But whether what he did was good or not, Ermine did not know.
She chose this path. Now, she still didn’t know where it would lead to.
Perhaps if he died, that was better for them.
“I must go......”
But in spite of all this, since she was still alive, she couldn’t possibly wait here and remain idle.
As she was standing up, she was abruptly blocked by the water horse’s forefoot.
“Not so fast. I also have something to say to you. There are things I must ask you.”
Not allowing me to leave, that was to be expected. Ermine thought.
She decided to give up and hoped that everything would end.
Perhaps he would never forgive her. If one were to anger a water horse, what would happen? As she mentally prepared herself, she moved her line of sight towards the two pearl-black eyes that gazed at her.
“Is Ulysses planning to trick me? He said he wouldn’t do anything to hurt Lydia, but that was all a lie. You knew?”
“It is not Ulysses who orders Ulya, but Prince.”
“Do you plan on deceiving me with this sophistry?”
“It is Miss Lydia you wish for, correct? Prince was only practicing his torment to torture Lord Edgar. Although he wishes to capture Miss Lydia from Lord Edgar’s side, he does not necessarily need to kill her. One day, you will be able to take her to the Highland Lake or any other place to live.”
“Practice of torture to torment the Earl? Won’t Lydia also be tormented by his tactics?”
“It is possible.”
It was very likely it would make Lydia wish to die than live.
“This guy Ulysses said that up till now, because of the earl, a lot of women have already suffered.”
According to Ermine, after fleeing from Prince, Edgar was very careful not to remain close with a particular lover. Or perhaps she should say that in general, he often treated several women at a time as lovers. If he cared strongly for one, she would surely be targeted by Prince.
That was why the so-called “women”  Kelpie mentioned referred to the time of Edgar’s imprisonment. Those girls had been arbitrarily assigned as his own.
Nevertheless, those close to him always met with a miserable fate. In turn, Edgar most certainly was hurt by it all. However, no matter what time, regardless of who was punished, Edgar had to keep his composure.
Because only through this, Prince would stop resorting to such measures. Eventually, Edgar became a soulless, living breathing doll, which was exactly what Prince wanted.
Of course, Edgar only pretended to be what Prince hoped for in front of Prince himself, but in truth, he had not lost his soul.
“Well, for me, I don't want Lydia to get hurt and that was the only reason why I made a deal with him. Ulysses, however, that guy used my tamed Nightmare to attack Lydia!”
He gave a wild and dangerous look, his mane flared out fiercely. The dark water horse then reverted back to his human form and gripped Ermine’s throat.
“You wanted to give me a broken and tattered Lydia, didn't you? You clearly knew this much, and you still asked me to help Ulysses?”
Had Ermine been human, his brute force would have choked her to death. She gasped, not being able to breath. It was not because of suffocation but because of the deep pain at which Kelpie’s nails dug into her throat.
For all of this, she was enduring it patiently. She had already expected him to be very angry. 
She was ordered by Ulysses to propose the idea to Kelpie and build an alliance. And it wasn’t because Kelpie couldn’t go back on his words and would be obedient in order to ensure Lydia's safety. It was in order to get Kelpie involved in the whole mess.
Of course, once he was involved, it was not known how he would have behaved. Nevertheless, she believed that the uncertainty of it was perhaps better.
Because he intended to protect Lydia, his will and magic would make it impossible for Ulysses to predict.
As she continued to endure it patiently, Kelpie suddenly threw her to the side, releasing his grip.
“Why do you have that expression? It's like you're already dead inside.”
It seemed that Kelpie thought she was no longer worth his anger. Therefore, he shoved her away from him. This hurt her more deeply than the nails that pierced her. At the same time, in her heart surged with feelings she could no longer suppress.
She didn't want to give up hope, and so that was why she made a resolve to just bear everything on her own, suffer through her loneliness.
“What do you understand? Clearly, you place yourself above that of a dark fairy (Unseelie Court). Even though you are fond of Miss Lydia, isn’t it because you’re frantic you have nothing to pass your idle time with? You've never even wanted to sacrifice for her, and you've never felt the need to protect her!”
Unconsciously, she strongly raised her voice.
Kelpie gave a surprised expression and closely watched her.
“Is this because of the matter with your younger brother? I suppose your head wasn't only filled with the Earl.”
Then, he smiled knowingly.
“So, you were not completely obediently to Ulysses then.”
“.....If so, then what?”
“It doesn't matter. If you want to take advantage of me, then I will accept it. I don't hate strong women.”
“...is that so.”
He was a water horse that liked Lydia.
“But I also want to make use of you. Since its like this now, I must know how those guys will act.”
“Do you wish for me to help you?”
“I just told you, let’s make use of each other. I don’t want to be assisted by Ulysses’s subordinate!”
Kelpie angrily said. But, she didn’t know why, he put his hand on her head and ruffled her hair.
Strange, I don’t know the meaning of this. Though Kelpie stared at her, Ermine felt he didn’t seem to mind her or appeared angry. And her hair became a mess.
“But then again, you'll probably be more reckless than Lydia. Be obedient for now and remain in the water until your neck injury recovers.”
Kelpie said these last words before leaving. Because he injured her neck, was this unruly attitude his way of expressing an apology to her?
For a water horse to actually be worried, she felt that it was all a somewhat strange situation.  
Ermine sighed and gently combed through her hair, which was disheveled by Kelpie’s hand.
Why did Kelpie say such things?
No matter who it was, Ulysses or Edgar, Kelpie was not on either side. And Ermine was a traitor to both. Yet he was the only one who did not lie when he spoke.
With Kelpie becoming more involved, wouldn't the outcome of all this just become all the more chaotic?
Being too lonely and in need of someone who was neither friend nor foe -- maybe this alliance would be good for herself as well.
   ※
 
As he was thinking of Raven, Edgar’s expression contorted as he returned to his manor. Because so many things happened at once, not even able to organize their emotions, Lydia didn’t know how to open her mouth to speak to him.
His wet hair dripped water droplets. As if he couldn’t feel it, he stared straight ahead.
Anger made him even calmer and callous. His pale cheeks were like porcelain, and his eyes were burning.
He had given her his coat, so he must’ve been very cold. However, she had never seen him behave this way before.
In the end as they were reaching the earl’s manor, as they were getting off the carriage, she tried to say something most ordinarily comforting: 
 “Raven will surely return to you safely.”
Somehow, Lydia didn’t understand why Edgar looked so startled when he finally turned to look at her. Then, he suddenly grasped her hand.
“Your hands are so cold... I’ve gotten you harmed and through so much suffering, and yet you still worry for me?”
He painfully remained silent, and it seemed it had to do more than just the matter with Raven.
“You're not going anywhere...and if I have you, I can still fight.”
Although Lydia didn’t answer, but after hearing his words, she felt her cheeks become feverish. She took this as a sign that her body was warming up.
While in the manor, standing in her dressing room, she was finally about to take off her mud-stained clothes and change into cleaner, close-fitting undergarments. She went to the side of the heater to dry her dripping, wet hair. At the same time, while standing to the side, she took deep breaths.
Prince was indeed pushing harder at Edgar little by little. Ermine returned, but only to allow Edgar's pain to further continue. Moreover, Prince’s entourage had now taken Raven away from him as well.
And Lydia didn’t know whether she was as important to him as Edgar said she was.
Both Raven and Ermine are gone. Can she really become Edgar’s savior?
As she continued to think of all these things for some time, there came a faint sound from nearby.
Lydia immediately turned and found that the closed door had opened a crack.
“Ed... Edgar?”
Normally if it was him, he would openly speak up with sophistry, all dignified and imposing.
But, apart from him, there would have been no one interested in Lydia who was standing in the dressing room.
“......I’m changing my clothes, do you intend to peep!”
Just as she strengthen her voice to shout, a shadow of a human came from behind and tightly grabbed her, pushing her against the ground.
In her vision was not Edgar’s golden blond hair, but jet-black long hair.
Mr. Ulya!
She heard that he had been brought back by one of the members of Scarlet Moon and locked up in his room.
But he was right there. On top of Lydia, covering her mouth with his hands.
“I’m sorry, Miss Carlton. Please do not make a sound. There's something I need to tell you.....”
However, Lydia was terrified, so she continued to struggle under him.
“Please listen to me.”
“Don't....! Help......”
“I was just used by them.”                                                            
She was in no mood to listen to him. Fearful and ashamed for wearing nothing else but her undergarments, her mixed feelings made her tears well up even more.
“.....Ed.....”
She wanted to yell out for help, but she couldn’t. If only Ulya could let her make even a peep.
“I don’t wish to assault you. I am also a woman.”
Eh?
Lydia stopped struggling, and so Ulya slowly opened his hand.
With long hair and a neutral face, it would be no surprise if he was a woman.
The shoulders and waist were also too slender for a man. Ulya had similar skin tone as Raven, and compared to the English men, he was slender and had skin that was rather fine and delicate.
A woman disguised as a man. Because she was always around Ermine, she thought that there was no way that even men's clothing could hide the exquisite curves of a woman. She had since been in such an impression. So to face Ulya now as a woman, seemed a bit unfitting.
However, Ulya’s figure was indistinguishable.
Ulya pulled the doubtful Lydia’s hand into his coat jacket inside.
Through the thin shirt, Lydia could feel the protruding chest. And then, she finally understood.
Since the other person was a woman as well, her shame disappeared, and Lydia was able to calm down.
“Miss Carlton, I am sorry to deceive you. However, at the time, I was unable to disobey orders.”
I see, Lydia thought.
Because Ulya was the container for Nightmare.
But you could at least still dress as a woman.
“Why do you wish to dress as a man? Was it because women cannot go to University and my father was a professor there … …. In the end, was all this a facade so you could approach me?”
“Those were one of the reasons. However, I am always in disguise. That is our family custom. When the family has no male heirs, the eldest daughter shall be the heir and, until marriage, we are to be in disguise.”
“But, didn’t you become the adopted son of an Englishman?”
“Even though I was born in Bombay, India, it was rumored that my ancestors lived in the mountains of Ceylon island, led by the later generation of the small clan’s leaders. Even if I were English, I also must not lose their native tradition.”
“Ceylon......? That can’t be. Then, the one who was recently murdered, he was also part of the royal family...”
“Yes, he was. Before the death of my father, he told me of my relatives who had migrated to England. Although I wished to look for them in England, I had little money. I had no one to turn to, and then that was when an old man appeared.”
“An old man?”
“He adopted me and brought me to this country. Not only that, he also helped me return to the country of Ceylon and to the land name Hadiya... It was then when I heard that he was the leader of a very large secretive organization. Although he was American, he had royal blood, and was known as Prince.”
Then, Lydia was reminded of what happened at the London Bridge. She shivered as a chill ran through her body.
It wasn’t the real Prince, but for him to have been so close to her, it made her tremble with fear.
“Even though he did not become the king, he became a Lord and recovered those ancestral lands for generations to live upon. Today, the English run the mines there. If you are able to buy it, those people’s livelihood problems would be resolved. Therefore, he said if I helped him, he would agree to also help me in return. There was one condition though. I had to hand him the green stone, which was my family treasure. But I've been thinking, wouldn't I also become a victim like Mr. Kent after holding the Diopside?”
“Is it a green stone? The size of an almond with symbolic engravings?”
At Lydia’s inquiry, Ulya showed an inscrutable expression, as if to say ‘How did you know?'
“Yes… ...”
“Please tell me then, what was the word that was written?”
On Lydia’s palm, Ulya wrote down the ancient Nordic text, NMM.
Nemain --along with Macha and Badb, she was one of the Celtic war goddesses. Lydia thought.
However, the problem she and Ulya had to face was not the Nordic text itself.
Ulya quickly returned to their conversation.
“That man, Prince, didn't only want my gem. He had my body become a vessel to imprison demons, and I could only obey him.”
Then, she sat on the floor, grasping Lydia’s shoulders with both of her hands.
“Miss Carlton, please help me. The Earl of Ashenbert is competing against Prince for the rival position as the leader, right?”
According to her reasoning, Prince and Edgar completely became two violent factions fully immersed in battle.
“If this continues, I will be treated as a spy. I will be tortured and questioned, and killed to set an example as a warning for others.”
Unfortunately, Ulya’s fears may not be so exaggerated. And in a sense, Edgar had no mercy for those he thought were enemies.
“I can depend only on you. I hope you will be able to let me escape.”
What should I do?
When she hesitated, there came a knock at the door.
Ulya immediately gasped, and Lydia froze.
“Lydia, have you gotten dressed yet?”
It was Edgar.
“Ah, not yet, wait a minute.”
Frantic, she replied quickly. 
“Shall I call for a maid to assist you?”
In the beginning, Lydia was firmly determined when she request someone for a change of clothes. She didn't want anyone to see her tattered clothing or the scars on her chest.
But in truth, Edgar had asked her again in order to search for Ulya who escaped.
If Ulya was also there, Lydia was probably held hostage.
“No need, it’s fine for now.”
“Really?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Just as her words left her mouth, the door was kicked down.
With her hands on Lydia’s shoulders, Ulya was still holding her breath and had no time to hide at all.
“I felt it was strange. The door was not closed, and if it was like usual, if I greeted Lydia while she was getting dressed, she would be angry as if I had peeped, but surprisingly, she thanked me.”
‘Am I normally that grumpy?' She thought.
As Edgar approached Ulya, at the same time, he drew out his sword.
Ulya, of course, would not stay there and await her death.
Quickly, she pushed down a small table beside her, using it to avoid Edgar’s sword.
However, Edgar easily skipped over the table and stabbed Ulya.  
Lydia screamed in fear. However, the sharp sword had only sliced through her coat sleeve and embedded into the wall.
However, it was too early to feel relieved.
Nailing her, Edgar let go of his sword and kicked Ulya in the knees, so she was absolutely pinned against the wall.
“Stop it-!”
Lydia who, aside from her three overlapping layers of petticoats, wore only her chemise. She had forgotten all about the fact that she was only in her undergarments as she rushed in front of Edgar.
“Ulya was being used by Prince!”
“He shamed my fiancée. I must tear him to shreds.”
“Wrong, this person is a woman! She hasn’t done anything to me!”
Edgar didn’t release Ulya but stopped his attack. Then, from top to bottom, he looked at her several times and furrowed his eyebrows.
“She's a woman?”
“Yes. I beg you, listen to what she has to say!”
“Is it true?”
He glared at Ulya threateningly and suddenly reached his hand in between her two legs.
“You, what are you doing! Edgar!”
Shocked, Lydia was flushed with shame and cried out. However, his face was calm, and he pulled his sword out from the wall, releasing Ulya.
“I confirmed it. The words of the enemy cannot be believed too easily.”
Ulya, as if she was deflating, slowly sat to the ground where she was.
“So, Lydia, don’t be angry because I was touching another woman.”
Edgar said in a jokingly tone. Though he did not wield his sword, Edgar sharply peered down at Ulya with his eyes.
“It's still not confirmed yet. Miss Ulya, are you a homosexual?”
At the sudden question, Lydia didn’t understand what he was saying. Ulya had a startled expression and shook her head.
“Even though you stole a kiss from Lydia?”
“That was....the Nightmare’s doing against my will.”
“But that was a fact.”
“I only remember a little bit......”
Edgar, once again, slashed his sword at Ulya and a handful of her black hair fluttered down.
“The hair is compensation for the matter. No man could be so lucky. I was going to stab you to death with my sword.”
He finally put away his sword and lowered his head to look at Lydia.
“Well, Lydia, I still have some things I need to ask her. I'm going to call someone to escort her to another room. Can hide behind the couch for a moment?”
Lydia, who finally noticed her appearance, hurriedly left Edgar’s side and quickly ran to hide behind the couch.
About the same time, Edgar signaled someone from outside the door. The two large twins from the Scarlet Moon appeared at once.
“I’m sorry, Lord Edgar. Because the guards were carelessly absent-minded, he got away.”
She had probably used this gap in order to run into the dressing room Lydia was in.
“Please be careful. Also, because this person appears to be a woman, you must handle her accordingly.”
He eloquently said “accordingly ” the second time in a heavier tone, as if he was insinuating something.

The two members were surprised as they looked at Ulya. But afterwards, they looked at each other and nodded at once.
Watching them take Ulya away, Edgar let out a long sigh. Facing away from the couch where Lydia was hiding, he sat in the armchair next to it.
“I'm sorry.....I let you experience yet another terrible thing.”
It sounded as if his heart had sunk deeper in despair.
“.....it doesn’t matter. I don't blame you.”
“I said that I would protect you, but things have still ended up this way.”
“I'm fine.”
“Really?”
“Um, Edgar, I would like to change my clothes.”
Even if she hid, trying to talk to him as she was dressed like that made her nervous.
“I'll go out right now. But answer me, alright? Because Ulya is a woman, is that why you’re not upset anymore? Earlier in the rain, you looked as if you were about to fall apart, and I wanted so much to curse myself."
True, to feel at ease just because the other person is of the same gender was still too naive, but to Lydia, it would have been much worse if Ulya was a man.
Originally, young women of upper class society had been educated like that. Among girls, no matter how close they got or what they do, no one would reprimand them. However, if a girl had a close relationship with a man that was not family, it would be scandal in the eyes of society.
Girls are being repeatedly warned about what not to do with vile men. However, some do not quite understand what would be considered as “bad men.” It is implanted among girls that a casual woman that has lost her purity is to be outcasted and coldly judged by society.
Perhaps, by living in a different family and educated in freer laissez-faire principles, Lydia would be an exception.
To be cautious when approaching the opposite sex, and to never kiss anyone aside the one you're courting. For Lydia, who had neither brothers nor intimate male childhood friends, this was especially true.
All in all, since no one will comment about an intimate kiss between girls, Lydia had already realised the difference between being with the opposite sex and being with the same sex ever since she was a young girl.
It was true that when she and Ulya were close to each other, Lydia felt that she had become impure. But after discovering that Ulya was a woman, that feeling had disappeared...
But suddenly, Lydia felt restless. Would Edgar think she was impure?
“Can’t you forgive me? Because Miss Ulya was Prince’s subordinate, I still feel as though I am a dirty girl..”
“What are you saying? Why would I think that?”
His simple and blunt denial relieved her greatly.
At the same time, at her own words, Lydia was suddenly feeling very shy.
“Well, it's not that. I don't really care what you think of me......”
Such words clearly indicated that she did mind. Saying anymore to explain herself could only result in her digging her own grave, so she remained silent.
“I’m more worried that you are actually trying to be brave again.”
Edgar stood up. She knew he was looking in her direction, and immediately tensed up.
Of course, he couldn’t see Lydia, who was behind the couch, and she could not see his face, but she knew he was looking this way. 
“So, even if you won't take my words to heart, I'll say it in advance. No matter what happens, I will always love you, my fairy.”
Her heart was racing. Her whole body began to feel hot, and she couldn’t calm down. Sitting down, Lydia firmly tightened her arms around her knees.
Edgar’s tone was not as light as usual but actually quite flat. This made Lydia believe he sounded apathetic.
In reality, he must actually be in a very depressed mood.
“In the future, you may not forgive me. I don't want to ask of you to understand me, but if I were to hide this from you anymore, it would only hurt later on.”
His words were unnerving.
“....what is it?”
“I'm afraid you won't see Ulya again.”
To say that....
Even after forcing her to say all those things and inquire about all that she knew, he didn’t even intend to let her live?
“No, don’t, don’t Edgar, please let Miss Ulya go!”
Lydia thoughtlessly rushed out from behind the couch.
“She was only forced to follow Prince's orders.”
“I don’t know what she said to you, but only those that are the most closest to Prince can move freely without restraints.”
“It was because of the Nightmare. She was only obeying orders.”
“Is that so? I can only see her as a threat to me, starting from the moment we met the first time.”
“But please, don't kill her!”
She begged him, grasping onto his arm. She paid no attention to the fact that she was the first to take the initiative to touch him. And when he stroked her hair, she was startled.
“Are you going to look down on me if I do?”
He frowned with a lonely expression.
Look down on him?
For Lydia, these words were the complete opposite of how she felt for him deep down inside.
“Even so, you are my only hope. If you still have a little bit of sympathy left for me, before that fades, don’t ever leave me.”
Lydia knew he was the kind of man to do cruel things. However, she also knew it was due to that fact that he had to face Prince and his organization in the most relentless and violent battles. Many of his comrades were murdered by Prince in the crueller ways. Knowing that, there was no way Lydia could judge Edgar’s intentions as sinful.
I could never look down on him.
Even if she didn’t understand him, she worked together with them to solve their hardships. Struggling together made her understand that, when Edgar was in battle, he was truly a leader at all times. 
He could only go by his own wisdom and strength. Any other virtues could not protect him or his companions.
If he was like Lydia, dictated by pity and compassion, Edgar would have lost everything a long time ago.
“I cannot stop you from what you do. I can only try to help you until the very end. However, I hope that, when you do such painful and cruel things, you won't try to keep so much composure. I hope that you don't have to give up your own conscience.”
As she spoke, she tightened her grip on his arm with more strength. In order to calm her down, he hugged her shoulders.
Her no-touching agreement was already broken by the both of them. However, Lydia did not let go of her own hand.
Lydia truly meant what she said. And, she knew, no matter what he did, she would never leave him.
Long ago, she had already noticed that.
She realized that she liked Edgar.
There was no need for the nightmare to show her in the dream. She would have wanted to become Edgar's most special girl regardless.
Therefore, she would never give up. She didn't wish for him to become Prince.
“I'll be there by your side. So please, before you harm others, think a little more about it. If the purpose of Prince is to take everything away from you and to let you despair, at least you still have me. I'm not going anywhere, I won't let you despair. So...”
“Marry me, won’t you?”
“…………”
I like him, and because of that, I’m scared.
If I accept Edgar's proposal, then I would certainly hope I can be the one you love the most. But if you still have a little love for ‘her,' I cannot bear it.
Even though Lydia understood, that it was a place within his heart she was not allowed to enter, it would only become more painful for her to bear.
For Edgar, there are only two types of women. Is it Ermine or a fleeting lover?
It was only a dream the nightmare shown her, but perhaps it was also reality.
If this was the case, then could she really marry this man?
“You're obviously worried about me, but you can't marry me?”
Her feelings were too complex, too difficult for her to convey to him.
Lydia became silent. She had summoned up all her courage to say those words already. And before she knew it, they were belittled by Edgar’s easy-going manner.
“Lydia, in that case, you gave me a little too much excitement. Although I neither drank nor took any pills, it seems now I may have reached the limit of my patience.”
…. …  She was wearing only her undergarments.
But Edgar held her tightly. His arms firmly pulled Lydia, pressing her body closer to his.
“Well, then, would you let me go?”
Lydia anxiously wanted to leave him, but--
“That’s too bad, I can't seem to do it.”
“What...that's not possible...”
“Hit me.”
“Eh?”
“If you don’t do this, I cannot stop.”
His fingers brushed her cheek, gently raising her chin up.
“Otherwise…” Edgar continued.
Before Edgar finished speaking, she subconsciously slapped him.
　　　　　
 ※ 
 
“Lord Edgar, what happened to you?”
The first to ask about the red handprint that marked Edgar's face was Paul, who had just entered the study room.
Butler Tompkins, Jack and Louis guessed what must have happened to Edgar and pretended not to see. However Paul, who was too naive, had not noticed their intentions.
“This is the mark of the most passionate love.”
“Ah, yes, but......”
“I didn't expect her to be able to hit so hard.”
It was only because she was so cute, so unwilling to let go, that Edgar wanted to tease her a little bit.
“I made the wrong choice. I should not have told her to ‘hit me’.”
“Is that true?”
“Paul, you should also try letting your beloved woman hit you, because such cold practices rather make for a more exciting experience. I clearly should not tease her, but I’m always asking for trouble.”
Edgar looked at the astonished Paul and smiled, while rising from his chair.
“Yes, do you have any new information?”
Paul’s original purpose to see Edgar was to actually report new findings.
As Paul thought of this, confused by their initial discussion, he quickly amended his attitude.
“Ah, yes, there is new information. We have found Mr. Kent’s widow.”
“Really? Where is she now?”
“I brought her here. Anyway, most likely, she would have been the next target, so I convinced her to accept the Earl's protection.”
---
“Demons (Evil spirits)? In other words, she believes her husband was killed by demons?”
“Well, that is what she seems to believe. In fact, for the cases at the London Bridge, the nightmares may actually be partly to blame.”
Mr. Kent’s wife definitely must have been aware of some important matters.
“Please let Lydia see her too. She would most likely discuss about the ancient Nordic text of the Celtic goddesses.”
Lydia changed her clothes, in accordance to Tompkins’s instructions, and walked toward the living room.
She had heard the holder of the Diopside stone, the one with the engravings 'Macha', was Mr. Kent’s wife, who was brought in by Paul.
When she arrived, Paul and Edgar were already in the room.
Soon, Mr. Kent’s wife was led in by Tompkins and appeared as well.
Her face was pale and thin. However, she had just finished her mourning and was properly presentable. She, at the least, did not appear unpleasant.
Giving a slight courtesy, she looked over to Edgar and in a soft voice said:
“You are the Blue Knight Earl.”
The widow still seemed fearful, as she spoke with her eyes nervously looking around.
“Do you really wish to protect me from the hands of that terrible thing?”
“Madam, you really have nothing to worry, because we have an excellent fairy doctor.”
Though she took a glance at Lydia, her expression remained uneasy.
“In fact, I was hesitant to come here. My husband was murdered by the demons, but no one would believe me. I heard that you inherited the name of the Fairy Earl, but my husband once told me the new earl was an imposter....I’m sorry, to say something so rude...”
“I won’t mind in the least, so say what you want to say.”
“The blood of the Blue Knight Earl has been cut off 100 years ago. This is sure to be true.”
That was indeed a fact. She must have also known that because the Hadiya’s royal family was in contact with the earl one hundred years ago as well.
Lydia sent a knowing look to Edgar.
Probably thinking the same, he glanced back at her and nodded his head.
In any case, there was finally a connection between Mr. Kent’s holdings of the Ceylon’s Diopside, and the England’s legend of Celtic goddesses. The carving of the goddess’ name was clearly England’s legend and its fairy.
If the one who was involved in this was the Blue Knight Earl from 100 years ago, then it would all makes sense.
“One hundred years ago, one of my ancestors was named Lady Gladys Ashenbert. She made an agreement with your husband’s ancestors. Due to that agreement, we think that, as of now, the Hadiya royal family’s engraved Diopside and the recent incidents could be related. Did your husband consider this possibility?”
Edgar, who was just as anxious as Lydia, merely deduced this idea. Even so, he spoke as if he was already aware of the entire situation ever since the beginning.
“At the time, Lady Gladys’ purpose was to resolve all the crisis triggered by the dark fairies in England, and therefore she traveled throughout the country.
The Diopside played a key role in her battle. Although she did sacrifice her life in battle, the Earl's bloodline was not broken off.”
Listening to him say all of this, the madam’s doubts of him vanished right away. He must have already planned this out beforehand.
“For you to even know all these things, you must be the Blue Knight Earl....”
Her face had indeed changed to be more at ease.
“Had I consulted with you earlier, my husband may not have been killed. Because my husband believed the true Earl was gone, he hid his origins and name. It was in order to avoid the evil hands of the enemy and protect the stone.”
“You have said that the organization was an opponent Miss Gladys fought with...” Edgar verified.
That was Prince’s organization.
“I believe so. If all three stones were in the organization’s hands, then a terrible calamity would occur. Those were the Blue Knight Earl’s last words.”
“This so-called terrible calamity meaning...?”
“I do not know the specific details. However, I have heard that the Diopsides swore allegiance to the Hadiya royal family who held the demon’s powers. If those outside the family held the three stones together, there would be no meaning to its essence anymore. Despite this, it is possible for it to also be abused by the members of the royal family.”
“Or perhaps, there are people who wish to wage war by resurrecting the war goddess.”
Lydia suddenly added.
“Because, Edgar, although she was a dark fairy, the goddess of war, Badb, had surely wished for her allies to succeed in war. If Prince was unable to return to England after King James's defeat, it's impossible for him not to want her by his side."
“If this were the case, then Lady Gladys would most certainly not give the goddess to Prince.”
It was said 100 years ago during the Highland War, the Prince of Calamity had rose from the battle’s flowing blood, that had been bewitched by black magic.
It had become an unprecedented tragic battle in the Scottish Highlands. King James III’s son, Prince Charles, had been defeated by King Edward I. However, many of the prince's supporters were residents of Scotland and Ireland. Therefore, the legend of ancient gods and fairies remained strongly true to the people there.
Perhaps because they were rivals to the royal family, the descendants vowed to take revenge. In an attempt to use some kind of incantation, they had used the spilled blood from the battlefield in order to revive the long-forgotten ancient goddess. If this was 100 years ago in the Scottish Highlands, there should have been many people who knew of the demon’s magic. Including those who abused that power. 
“The dark fairies began to have more vitality and enhanced strength. Once Lady Gladys noticed this change, she immediately intended to suppress their power at all cost. For this though, she needed a stronger power to equally compete with it.”
“Therefore, she decided to use Ceylon’s power of the Diopside which contained the demon’s magic?” Asked the widow.
“Yes. However, it was still Hadiya’s royal treasure. Regardless of the close relationship between the Hadiya’s royal family and the Blue Knight Earl during ancient times, it should not have been able to be used in England. Would you care to explain this, Madam?”
The woman answered Edgar's question truthfully:
“As the settlement of colonies progressed, the family lost their lands and became displaced. From my husband’s great-grandfather, I have heard that the Blue Knight Earl, coming from England, came to aid them and therefore settled there. In return, as a gift from their friendship, he did not hesitate to lend the Earl the power of the gemstones.”
“....and Lady Gladys Ashenbert had sealed the resurrected goddess inside of those gemstones. She did not hesitate to sacrifice her life for it.”
Prince, born from the incantations, and his supporters were weakened in strength where they were then expelled from England by Lady Gladys.
However, he was not killed. Instead, his descendants inherited his position as Prince, with the intent to kill all of Blue Knight Earl’s blood and take away Lady Gladys’s goddess.
“But two of the three Diopside pieces had already fallen to the enemy's hands. Mr. Kent's and Miss Ulya’s.”
Edgar nodded in agreement.
“The last one is Morrigan. She is the strongest goddess of all three.”
“So, by gathering all the three stones, the goddess will be resurrected?”
With the way things seemed to appear, perhaps England will once again fall into chaos, and become just like the battlefield 100 years ago.
As of now, the third stone of the Diopside was in the hands of one person. Either the Hadiya's royal family or a completely neutral party...
Prince was searching for it while watching Raven as well.
Ermine said that if Raven touched the Diopside, he would no longer obey Edgar. Hadiya was the place where the subordinates of the sealed demon king reside. If so, the overflowing power of the Diopside would reduce its holder to become subordinates of their sprites, regardless of their own will. Eventually, Raven would become a servant of the Hadiya royal family, forced to obey the demon king.
Perhaps there were other members of the royal family. If they were under the hands of Prince like Ulya and had taken Raven, what should they do?
Perhaps Edgar would not only have to hand Ermine to the enemy, but Raven as well.
“Madam, do you know the location for the other piece of the Diopside?”
Edgar questioned her again.
“I have not heard anything. Originally, since the loss of their home, my husband’s family was the only one to inherit one piece of the Diopside. Even with the Blue Knight Earl, it was a mystery as to how Lady Gladys obtained all three pieces of the stone. However, my husband did sense something strange in the Diopside. He felt as if the dark spirit trapped in the stone was waiting for a chance to attack him.”
Mr. Kent was similar to Ulya. They had a strong resistance to the magic and had a sharp sense to it.
“Unfortunately, his worries turned out to be true. Am I not also being watched?” She worryingly asked.
“I think, as of now, there should be no reason for an attack against you. Having said that, you, madam, are part of the lineage strongly tied with the Ashenbert family. Therefore, I will keep you safe.”
Edgar said as he looked at Paul.
“You basically understand, correct? Please report to the Scarlet Moon and bring the madam to the Wellman Hotel.”
The hotel was owned by Edgar so several members of the Scarlet Moon were already guarding there. The place should be well secured, so there was no danger detected at the moment.
Paul nodded and led Mrs. Kent out the door.
When he returned, he looked at Edgar with a worried expression.
“Lord Edgar, there are even less people guarding you than before, right? If you need a skilled entourage --- though there is certainly no one compared to Raven, there are some credible candidates you can look into.”
With Raven gone, Lydia also believed that some of the guards were unreliable.
However, Edgar only shook his head.
“My only entourage is Raven. I can protect myself.”
Even if he lost his will, Raven should still continue to protect Edgar if he appeared before him. Edgar was determined to make Raven admit that he was his only master.
Though Edgar said that if he had Lydia by his side, he could continue to fight. However, the one person he truly did not want to lose was Raven.
Raven must be saved. Lydia watched as Paul left and then came up with a grand idea.
“Where will Raven be taken to? Prince’s hiding place?”
“When I tried to ask Ulya, she didn’t say anything beyond the details of her own life. She held back details regarding that man and his henchman, so she must have had strict training.”
Then, by displaying herself as a victim in front of Lydia, was that all just an act?
Edgar, taking a look at Lydia, then added:
“I have not done anything to her.”
“Well, do you want to know where Raven is?”
Suddenly, there came a voice from out of the window.
In the form of a handsome, young man was Kelpie, who was already sitting at the frame of the window. It was unknown when he arrived.
With a fearless smile on his face, he gave a challenging look to Edgar.
“Kelpie, do you know?”
Lydia walked up towards him without thinking, but Edgar pulled back by hand.
“You are not going to tell me so easily like that, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Get the hell out. I don't wish to give you anything.”
Based on their previous experiences, Kelpie most certainly wanted Lydia back. But unexpectedly, Kelpie spoke of different words this time:
“Give the container of the nightmare to me.”
“... Ulya?”
Edgar was surprised.
“I can’t leave the Nightmares alone. It will certainly remember the taste of Lydia’s blood.”
Lydia, placing her hand near her chest that was near the wound, unconsciously remembered Ulya’s attack on her with the Nightmare.
“Then, will it be targeting Lydia?”
“Yes, so give the Nightmare’s cage to me.” 
“Kelpie, Ulysses commanded you to do this, right?”
Hearing Ulysses’s name, Kelpie seemed to frown in disgust.
“Don't be ridiculous. How can I be commanded by that boy? I’m trying to think of a way to get revenge on that bastard for deceiving me. So, because of that Earl, it'll become problematic for you since you won't be able to protect Lydia against Nightmare's power.”
Poked at a sore spot, Edgar’s heart flared in anger. Even though he became impatient, he still cautiously asked:
“If I give you Ulya, would you tell me where Raven is located at?”
“Yeah. If you take the foreigner out from here, I will tell you where that Raven is at. However, before the Nightmare comes out from again, you need to hand Lydia over to me for protection. Only until the nightmare can longer touch her.”
Having heard this, Edgar snapped in anger and grabbed his sword.
“Did you expect Lydia to go with you? Disappear from my sight!”
“Wait, Edgar.”
Lydia stopped him.
“To save Raven, you need Kelpie’s knowledge. I’ll be back soon. Kelpie doesn’t lie.”
“Lydia, it doesn’t have to be a lie or a deceit in order to conceal the truth.” 
“It will be no problem. I am a fairy doctor. I’m very good at negotiating with fairies.”
Although she knew she was only a novice and inexperienced, in this case, she had to say it.
“No.”
“We must save Raven.”
“We will find him ourselves.”
“If Nightmare runs loose again, it can affect Raven. And besides, Kelpie will never harm me.”
“But he wants to take you away from me.”
“I’m not anyone’s possession.”
With that, she ended the conversation.
Lydia believed this was the most valuable thing she could do for Edgar, and so she voluntarily accepted the deal.
However, hearing her remarks made Edgar feel he was rejected by her. Therefore, he painfully knitted his eyebrows.
But, Lydia was determined in her decision. His hand that grasped hers, weakened its grip.
“Edgar, wait for me.”
With no time to hesitate, Lydia approached Kelpie who extended his arm to hold her.
And then at once, he transformed to a dark water horse.
Then, Lydia felt as if she was swimming lightly, floating in the air as she sat on his back.
“Lydia!”
With a gust of strong winds, Kelpie flew out the window.
She grabbed onto his mane and closed her eyes, only hearing the sound of Edgar’s voice in her ears.
“Do you want to leave me alone?”
Lydia suddenly felt somewhat uneasy.
She told him she would stay by his side. She said that, even though Raven was gone, she would save him from his despair.
A brief parting should be fine, right?
It’s alright. There’s Mr. Paul and the rest of the Scarlet Moon members with him, so Edgar is not alone.
Or so Lydia tried to convince herself.