Upon arriving in the bedroom with that excitement still cradled within me, Isabella handed me Cedric’s letter.
The envelope was silver, the same color as his eyes, and a faint scent of the wind emanating from it resembled Cedric. It felt infinitely free yet restrained.
My heart pounding, I carefully opened the envelope to avoid creasing the perfectly smooth letter that fell onto the table. Not wanting to ruin its neatness, I carefully unfolded the letter and began to read.
[To Lady Serbia Obelton,
I have spent a long time pondering the question you asked at the last banquet, and though it may not be a perfect conclusion, I believe I have found an answer. But before I reveal my conclusion, I ask that you first hear my story.
I am the second son of the Dright family. This means that from birth, I was never first in line for succession unless my brother was grossly inadequate. Therefore, I had no illusions about inheriting the family title.
Accordingly, I renounced my claim to the head of the Dright family early on; ambition for it was something I never possessed.
However, it seems my brother thought differently, as he sent me to the temple. Now, as a commander of the Knights Templar, I feel a sense of responsibility and pride, but initially, I felt wronged. At that time, I was not particularly devout and preferred books to swordplay. Of course, now I wish to applaud my brother’s decision.
Anyway, since that incident, I have no particular grievances against my older brother. I don’t even feel a sense of kinship. He’s just another person to me. That’s why I wasn’t particularly surprised last year during vacation when I found evidence of my brother selling children at a slave auction.
The reason I’m telling you this story is so that you, Obelton, won’t misunderstand. I’m not aiming for the successor position or trying to collaborate with the lady to do so. I simply reached out to you, Obelton, who is the future empress, in order to maintain my faith and do what is right.
Now, I’ll answer the lady’s question. You asked what the purpose of this collaboration is. Primarily, it is for justice, and secondarily, for atonement.
If what I envision aligns with Lady Obelton’s goals, nothing could be better. However, if they don’t match, I have no intention of altering my aims. If that’s the case, we’ll just have to go our separate ways.
I hope that Lady Obelton’s future is smooth, and may the blessings of the Goddess Ateca always be with you.
From Cedrics Dright.]
“Hmm……”
After finishing reading his letter, I gently set it down and touched the corner of my mouth with my index finger, pondering the content of the letter.
Justice as a primary goal, and atonement as a secondary one…
The ‘justice’ that Cedrics speaks of may seem obvious at first glance. He is, after all, the leader of that knightly order. Naturally, he would want to correct the injustices of society.
What concerned me more was the notion of ‘atonement.’ As mentioned before, Cedrics was the leader of that knightly order. Thus, abstractly speaking, he should be living a life as pristine as an unblemished canvas.
But atonement, for what?
“Maybe it’s time to meet him.”
I stopped pondering and gestured to Isabella to bring me writing paper, indicating that I had reached a decision.
As long as what Cedrics wants isn’t drastically off course, it will intersect with my goals at some point. Asking him about his objectives was a form of light verification.
And if ‘justice’ is among his goals, then our objectives align perfectly, making it seem reasonable to collaborate with Cedrics as originally planned. ‘Atonement,’ however, is still an uncertainty.
Having added a proposal to meet at the royal palace soon in the reply to Cedrics, I suddenly felt as though I was missing something.
Tapping the tip of my quill pen on the table, I pondered what I could be overlooking when suddenly, a clear voice echoed in my ears like a reverberation.
“So, Serbia was needed by His Majesty the Emperor’s side. If it’s unpleasant, I’m sorry. But I don’t want to withdraw my thoughts. So, even someone like me, if you wish to cooperate, please write to me. It seems Serbia needs some time to think right now.”
“…Ah.”
It was then I realized I had to meet with Helen as well.
For some reason, my heart felt heavy, followed by a slight headache.
Even if I could somehow manage with Cedric, Helen was still uncertain about everything.
Whether I wanted to hold her hand or trust her.
Yet, holding hands with Helen would be beneficial for Ruth… and for me as well.
“Sigh.”
Feeling as if facing an unbreakable wall, I let out a heavy sigh.
Hearing me sighing, Isabella stood still with a worried expression.
“Are you okay? You must be tired after just coming back. Maybe I should have given you the letter later.”
“No, it’s okay…”
As I was about to say I was okay out of habit, suddenly, the back of my neck felt cold, as if hit by cold water. Then I remembered, there was also something I needed to figure out from Isabella.
It was not the time to rejoice at finding evidence in the casino that proves the corruption of Duke Hazel and Marquis Dright. There’s still a mountain of tasks to do.
Trying to relieve the fatigue that was gradually building up, I washed my face with dry hands and spoke,
“Could you bring me another sheet of paper, Isabella?”
First, let’s deal with Cedric’s and Helen’s matter.
***
Contrary to expectations, a positive response came first from Cedric. He mentioned that he needed to return to the temple within a week and would like to meet before that.
Therefore, hurrying to set an appointment three days later, time flowed like water, and the day to meet Cedric had arrived.
Since gathering crucial evidence, which was a significant task, had already been completed, I spent a few relatively peaceful days, and the tension that had filled my stomach disappeared like melting snow.
Thanks to that, I was able to maintain my composure while sitting in the parlor waiting for Cedric.
I wonder what kind of tea Cedric likes… For now, I’ve prepared the most neutral choice, black tea.
I listened to the ticking of the clock as I poured milk into the black tea, watching the steam rise from the creamy white cup, and observed the clear dark red tea turn into a murky light brown.
How much time had passed?
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door from outside and softly spoke.
“It’s Cedric Dright. May I come in?”
“It’s Sir Cedric. Please, come in.”
He’s here.
I lifted the corners of my mouth to a voice that wasn’t unfamiliar.
Soon after, the door opened and a man with an exotic white hair and pale eyes entered. At a glance, he, dressed in unnervingly neat attire and bearing an expressionless face, was Cedric.
Cedric approached with a fluid motion and met my gaze, then slightly nodded his chin.
“Have you been well?”
“I’ve been fine. And you, Sir Cedric?”
“I have been untroubled as well.”
“That’s good to hear. Please, take a seat here.”
As I pointed to the seat across from me, he blinked in understanding and sat down.
Once Cedric was seated, the waiting maids quietly moved to set a teacup before him.
Soon, the warm scent of tea gently filled the living room.
While moistening my throat with milk tea, I glanced at Cedric following the aroma. He was staring down at the bright red liquid in his cup with an immovable face.
Does he dislike it? His expression is so unchanged, it’s impossible to tell.
Watching him closely, I asked,
“Do you perhaps dislike black tea? I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I prepared the most neutral option, but if you prefer a different type of tea, please let me know.”
“No, I like black tea. I will enjoy it, thank you.”
Cedric finally used his stiff arm to bring the teacup to his lips, with a face still utterly devoid of emotion.
Gulp, gulp.
I watched his adam’s apple bob up and down mechanically as I sipped my tea, wondering when to break the ice even as time slipped away seamlessly.
Eventually, unable to break the fragile silence after finishing my tea, I impulsively started a conversation.
“Excuse me, Sir Cedric.”
“Speak. I am listening.”
“When are you planning to return to the temple?”
“I was planning to return tomorrow, but why do you ask?”
“Tomorrow?”
Despite wanting to keep the conversation casual, I was caught off guard by the unexpectedly early return date.
I had planned to ask him today if he was willing to take over the Dright family and then give him some time to think it over. It would be easier to dethrone the minor Duke Dright if Cedric participated in the succession battle.
However, if he was returning to the temple tomorrow, that changes things.
I had no choice but to get a straight answer now.
I swiftly changed my approach and looked directly into Cedric’s snow-like irises.
“If that’s the case, let’s not beat around the bush and get straight to the point. You said Sir Cedrics’s purpose is justice and atonement, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Is the reason you’re reaching out to me because Sir Cedrics alone cannot achieve this purpose?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
“I thought as much.”
So far, everything was as I had suspected.
But now comes the important part.
I fiddled with the handle of my innocent teacup, trying to calm my breathing. Then, a comforting air filled my chest, suppressing a nascent tremble about to emerge.
“Then, Sir Cedrics.”
“Yes.”
The prompt response from Cedrics, his gaze seemingly revealing his upright character, made it seem like he was a person without a single stain.
But soon, he would be someone who would be utterly tainted in the name of ‘justice’ and ‘atonement.’
I forced myself to look away from the rising guilt and threw a stone into the tranquil lake.
“What benefit do I gain from helping you?”
