The Lady and the Stableman

“As soon as you saw my condition, you knew that I had been brought back because of the imprisonment spell.” 

Upon hearing Walter’s precise recognition of the imprisonment spell that had been cast on her, Edith became certain. It was clear that he had a great interest in imprisonment spells.

She was able to conclude by integrating the information she had obtained from Vivian, Anne, and Marie.

The reason why this man, who had a body that seemed capable of fleeing at night and even attacked the Viscount with a sword, was staying in the mansion…

“Did you get caught not only by the Viscount with an imprisonment spell but also with other weaknesses?”

Walter tried not to show his emotions, but his nerves became even more sensitive. He was reacting to being exposed to all the embarrassing and irritating circumstances he found himself in.

“Protecting me wouldn’t be a loss for you either. I can freely roam inside the mansion, so I can help you escape.” 

Edith’s expression was desperate as she said that, so Walter had no choice but to focus on her elegant voice.

On the other hand, he found it strange how a woman who had been held captive in the manor for less than a week could be so composed and calm.

One thing was certain – her proposal was not only appropriate but also quite useful.

“Moreover, I know myself better than anyone else. If what the Viscount promised you is true, then it’s wiser to protect me first and gather information about what you want, one by one.” 

“…” 

“I will escape from here. And soon after, you will be able to escape from here as well.” 

Edith briefly shifted her gaze across Fortrion’s vast garden.

“Help me regain my freedom, Walter, and in turn, I will help you attain yours.” 

“…” 

“Let’s escape from this place together.” 

Walter looked at Edith’s blonde hair fluttering in the cool breeze and her determined blue eyes.

Though they were merely gazing at each other, his heartbeats quickened as if he envisioned a moment of running along the endless horizon outside of this estate.

Moonlight danced over her red lips as she spoke of escaping together in a clear yet elegant voice. When he first saw her, he thought a whimsical sound would suit her the most, but her confident words held his attention just as effectively.

Just like the first time he had seen Edith a few days ago, a needle-like headache returned.

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After taking Edith back, Walter returned to his abode. 

The cabin that the Viscount had constructed for him was situated far from the stables and notably more comfortable.

『 Why the hell did Nicholas go to such lengths?』

Walter still didn’t know the reason behind the Viscount’s special treatment towards him. Now that the Viscount is in a coma, he wonders if he’ll ever know the reason.

Suddenly, a man with a bottle of alcohol approached him while he frowned.

“Walter, how about a drink? I brought it from the kitchen.”

“…” 

Cassius, one of the few men at the Viscountcy who interacted privately with Walter, poured a drink and handed it to him.

He understood the reason for Walter’s somber expression today as he silently observed Walter taking a sip.

『 I’d probably feel the same way. The Viscount finally found a way to recover Walter’s lost memories, went out to do that, and returned in a coma.』

To others, it might seem like he went to retrieve his fourth wife, but the Viscount said something different to Walter before departing.

Nevertheless, due to the attack, the only woman in the carriage upon their return was a woman named Edith.

“No matter how I look at it, you really have no luck. Even the most worthless of men know who they are, what they’ve been doing to grow up like this, but you don’t even know that.” 

“You’re noisy, Cassius.”

Cassius recalled the moment he first saw Walter.

At that time, Walter had been a boy who appeared to be at least five years younger than Cassius, yet everything about him was different from ordinary humans.

The boy possessed the gaze of one born in high places.

So, Cassius thought that whether Walter killed the Viscount or secretly escaped at night, he would find a way to leave this place on his own. However, Walter had been bound to this manor all this time.

This was a result of the imprisonment spell and vulnerabilities that the Viscount had acquired from the black market, targeting Walter’s memories.

⋙“Walter, if you can undo the imprisonment spell, you can disappear anytime. But if you do, you will lose your memories forever.”⋘

The Viscount was evidently afraid of Walter. Even during crucial deals, he wouldn’t physically retaliate against Walter despite being verbally furious.

The Viscount was certain of who the boy was, the innate power he possessed, and what he could achieve with it. Yet, he gently asserted that he was the only one who could restore the boy’s lost memories. Despite being a seemingly young and humble lad, that claim didn’t sound like a lie.

The Viscount had promised to eventually restore his memories and, when that time came, he asked Walter not to forget the person who had nurtured and protected him before falling into a coma himself.

“What are you going to do, Walter? Now that the Viscount has become a vegetable, finding your memories seems to have become a bit more… difficult.” 

Cassius felt deep sympathy for Walter. It wasn’t only because Walter was his pupil, exceeding his teachings in swordsmanship two or threefold.

It was because he was a man who drew attention with his exceptional combat skills and brilliant mind, even when he didn’t know who he was.

Even while trapped in Fortrion Manor, Walter could manipulate people outside the manor to devise elaborate plans. If he were to regain his memories, it would be fascinating to see how far he could ascend.

“Walter, it seems that getting your memories back will be difficult. Should I storm into the Viscount’s mansion, and eliminate him and his wives? After that, if we proceed with our plan, the spell that binds you to this place could be broken.”

Cassius offered his consolation. Then, Walter, who had been quietly sipping his drink, replied.

“That won’t work. The deal proposed by the Fourth Lady is quite tempting.”

“The Fourth Lady?” 

“Edith.” 

For a moment, Cassius felt a strange sensation. It was the first time that Walter had shown interest in a woman, even mentioning her by name.

──────────✿◦•

The next day, as promised, Sophia summoned the dressing shop staff for Edith. Edith knew why Sophia was keeping her promise.

⋙“Edith, we will have dinner with the other wives tomorrow. The second and third wives are very picky, so it’s best to be thoroughly prepared.”⋘

『 It will be advantageous to Sophia if I dress up like a proper lady.』

However, knowing her intentions didn’t mean Edith would deceive the designers.

“What do you think of this design? We can adjust the waistline to fit your body.”

The designers quickly displayed what they had brought for Edith. It was because when dealing with aristocrats, they could sell ready-made items for a slightly higher price.

“That’s fine. I want to buy everything I’ve just seen. I’ll try them all on to figure out what suits me best.”

Since Sophia was going to cover the cost anyway, Edith expressed her willingness to purchase them all without hesitation.

The more extravagant the dresses, the better.

The jewels on the dress will serve as her secret fund later. The more discreet it is, the more funds are needed.

Moreover, using her enemy’s money to purchase luxury items is quite satisfying for Edith.

Edith might have felt a bit relieved if she could have seen Sophia’s lips trembling with annoyance.

She chose a few more pieces of jewelry while imagining Sophia’s crumpled face.

Thanks to this, the dressing room staff became friendlier, grinning from ear to ear.

This allowed Edith to gradually hear snippets of the outside world, thanks to their excited chatter about things she hadn’t even asked about.

With Sophia’s money, she was even able to gather information and build up more of her secret fund. Her lips couldn’t help but curl upwards.

──────────✿◦•

After a while, upon returning from her duties, Sophia, who had been speaking casually, stared at the items Edith had purchased and stiffened.

The amassed items appeared to be worth at least several dozen gold coins.

“Thank you, Sophia. I tried my best to look like a Fourth Lady as much as possible, what do you think?” 

Sophia’s facial expression crumpled even more as Edith whispered in a low voice. To be deceived by such an innocent face.

“Edith, I’m glad you liked the items from the dressing shop.”

Sophia let out a benevolent smile that everyone could see, and then she added softly enough that only Edith could hear.

“Now that this is done, we need to move ahead with the plan quickly.”

“I know. Thanks again for inviting the dressing shop staff, Sophia.”

After she sent the dressing shop staff away, Sophia nudged Edith, suggesting that going for a walk in the new clothes she had purchased would lift her spirits.

『 Going for a walk is an excuse, but her real intention must be to set me up with a man.』

The fact that the contraceptive effects of the Ilibicus flower were still active was not important. Edith felt the urgency to escape from here as quickly as possible before encountering any danger.

“My name is Hans. I work as a stableman and I come to escort M’lady.”

“…” 

Having a man other than Walter come to pick her up was a significant threat.

Especially since Hans, the man whom Walter had stopped from laying a hand on her under Sophia’s orders.

“Don’t worry. Walter sent me. I’m not stupid enough to disobey that bastard when my injured hand hasn’t healed yet.”

Hans was embarrassed, but Edith wasn’t particularly interested in engaging in a conversation with him.

“I won’t ride, I’ll walk on my own.”

“Please do as you wish, M’lady.”

She reluctantly dragged her feet along, following Hans.

“It would be difficult to mount a horse in such a dress.”

Edith oddly found Walter’s mocking tone welcoming.

Walter gestured to Hans to allow him in, taking over the horse’s reins.

“I was concerned about what to do if a man other than you came to pick me up with a horse.”

Walter stared at her as if time had frozen for a moment before responding.

“You look even more beautiful than last time.”

“Sophia called the dressing shop staff and said preparations need to be made for Thanksgiving.”

『 Is he staring at me so intently because he’s suspicious that I’ve dolled up?』

Edith felt somewhat embarrassed to be adorned so lavishly with Sophia’s money.

“Anyway, I came because M’lady was offering me freedom, so if you’ve changed your mind, please let me know.” 

“That means…” 

“I will do it, the proposal.”

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