Kay stumbled out of the bedroom as if he were fleeing.
Erwel and Krisina, who had been waiting in the parlor of Rishi’s room, jumped to their feet. Even to them, Kay must have looked rattled.
“Count, are you alright?”
At Krisina’s question, Kay gave a dismissive wave of his hand and walked straight out of the room. Only once he reached the hallway did he cover his mouth with one hand.
“Damn it.”
A sound like a groan escaped him. Strangely, whenever he was with Rishi, he lost his composure. When those pale purple eyes stared at him quietly, a nameless emotion would surge from his gut, pressing hard against the pit of his stomach.
He had only gone in to share some wine and exchange a few jokes about the day, or perhaps just to see the look of confusion on Rishi’s face at his sudden visit.
‘Instead, I’m the one who ended up confused.’
“Captain.”
At the sound of Wallace’s voice from behind, Kay turned around as if shot. Wallace and Jamie were standing side by side, looking at him with suspicious eyes.
“Why are you standing in front of your sister-in-law’s room? Is she not letting you in… Wait, Captain, why is your face so red? Are you sick?”
Wallace strode over, looking genuinely concerned. Kay stepped back involuntarily and held out a hand.
“Stop right there, Wallace.”
“Why? Did you catch something contagious? Your face is burning up. Isn’t it, Jamie?”
Jamie watched Kay with a knowing look—a gaze that suggested he understood exactly why Kay was acting this way. Kay wanted to flee, but he forced himself to stay put.
“Leave me be. I’m not in the mood for talk.”
“What’s wrong, Captain? Did you catch rabies or something?”
“…Wallace…….”
“That would be a disaster. I hear there’s no cure once it sets in. Didn’t you hear? In some village in Eort, a man bitten by a rabid dog went completely mad. Oh, come to think of it, they say victims are afraid of water… Should I splash some on you, Jamie?”
Kay debated whether to hit Wallace or simply pretend he hadn’t heard him and retreat to the study.
“It’s fine, Wallace. The Captain has simply entered that turbulent period every adult man goes through.”
As expected, Jamie had caught on.
“Turbulent? What turbulent?”
Wallace looked back and forth between Jamie and Kay, completely baffled. Jamie tapped him on the shoulder.
“The Captain is, you see… Iris…”
“Jamie. Stop.”
Kay cut him off and pointed toward the other end of the hallway. It was a clear command to “shut up and get lost,” and Jamie understood perfectly.
Jamie smiled slyly and whispered to Wallace, “Come over here, I’ll explain it in detail.”
“Jamie…….”
“Oh, Captain. The old Count contacted us about the wedding invitation. He seemed quite displeased… Wouldn’t it be best if you contacted him yourself?”
“Understood.”
Jamie walked off with Wallace, whispering something. He was likely giving a detailed report on Kay’s condition.
Kay felt a headache forming. To his closest confidants—who called themselves the “Shadows”—Kay was a reliable comrade rather than a dignified captain. Even so, he didn’t want to expose them to the complicated emotions he barely understood himself.
‘I need to pull myself together.’
Kay smoothed his hair and headed for the communications room.
A dozen years ago, mages and mechanical engineers had invented the communicator. It was a machine that allowed for easy contact between distant locations, provided you knew the correct number. Because of its potential for abuse, only government offices or major cities were typically permitted to operate them. While private ownership was possible with special permission, the conditions were so strict that few individuals ever possessed one.
Naturally, House Green, as protectors of the Holy Relics, had easily received permission.
Kay entered the room, stood before the large device, and pressed the button connecting to the old Count Green’s mansion. Soon, he was connected to the butler, who went to fetch Wyvern Green.
“Father.”
[Cavebrandt Green.]
Wyvern enunciated Kay’s name formally in a low, icy voice. It meant he was furious.
“There are circumstances.”
[Your mother and I didn’t believe the gossip in the papers, no matter how much they blathered. We trust you more than we trust rags of ink.]
“I know. But there are circumstances…”
[So, she is the flower of the Witlow Duchy, is she? I hear Duke Witlow was keeping his daughter under lock and key, claiming he didn’t want to show her to just anyone.]
[Kay, it’s Mother.]
Heraina Green interrupted.
“Mother…….”
[It’s natural for a man to like a beautiful woman. Heroes often do. But Kay, Mother’s heart is troubled. A grown son deciding his own bride and marrying without a word to his parents? We find out about the marriage after the fact? I suppose I could understand that.]
Her tone suggested she didn’t understand at all.
[But Kay, Duke Witlow is a greedy man. If he’s so protective, why would he keep Iris hidden—a girl who is said to be dazzlingly beautiful—while he debuted his first daughter, Britney, into society so early?]
“That is…”
[It was to sell her off. By flaunting the pretty Britney, he made everyone curious. They’d wonder, “If he let out the pretty Britney, just how beautiful must Iris be if he’s hiding her?” He was building anticipation.]
Kay was stunned. He hadn’t realized his parents, who had retired to the quiet countryside, were observing the political climate so sharply.
“Mother, there are reasons for that, too.”
[What did you trade to get that girl?]
The old Count and his wife didn’t give him a chance to make excuses. Kay could tell just how angry they were.
“Nothing.”
[Now you’re lying to your mother because of a woman. The day you brought that child home, we heard news that one of the mines owned by the Greens was transferred to the Witlow side.]
“Who is your informant? If you have such a good source, please share them with me.”
[I am not joking with you, Cavebrandt Green. I understand that you wanted to marry on your own. But buying a woman by trading property is not right. Did Lady Witlow even agree to your intent?]
Kay let out a sigh of relief. The reason his parents were angry wasn’t just that he had married without their permission—they were worried he had forced Rishi into it.
“She is not Lady Witlow, but Countess Green, Mother. Even if we haven’t held the ceremony yet…”
[I don’t think that was what I was asking.]
“Rishi—Iris—agreed to it, too.”
The line went silent for a moment. However, the communicator, which was in excellent condition, transmitted the couple’s conversation on the other side clearly.
[Dear, what should we do? Our Kay has started lying.]
[It’s all my fault for how I raised him. Don’t cry, Hera.]
[But… that our son grew up to be a man who buys women with money…]
Kay swallowed his sigh. It was true he had given up a mine, but that had been Rishi’s own wish. Still, he couldn’t explain to his parents, “Rishi told me to buy her.” It was better to be the villain who used his wealth.
Finally, Wyvern spoke.
[Cavebrandt Green. We are departing today. We’ll take the fastest carriage; we’ll arrive in two or three days.]
Heraina added, [If Lady Witlow didn’t enter this marriage of her own free will, you will become the first divorcee of our family.]
+++
Britney held a tea party in the garden conservatory.
Because of the vast wealth flowing from the Benote gold mine—which Kay had given up to secure Rishi—she had redecorated the garden, and she was desperate to show it off to the other young ladies.
“It’s a relief, though, that Countess Green cleared up the misunderstandings. You must be able to breathe easier now, Miss Britney.”
The young lady who spoke didn’t sound like she actually found it a relief. Britney felt the same way, but she forced a smile.
“Indeed. It is such a relief. I couldn’t even sleep, worrying that Iris might be crying after being falsely accused.”
“My goodness. Your devotion to your younger sister is truly deep.”
It was deep, indeed. Just not in the way they imagined.
As the misdeeds of that woman, Gillette, came to light, the newspapers that had been mocking Rishi scrambled to change their tune. They had insulted Iris—the flower of House Witlow and a guardian of the holy relics from House Green. Tarnishing the honor of such a noblewoman with baseless claims was a transgression deserving of severe punishment. If things had gone wrong, the papers might have faced closure.
However, Rishi didn’t file any lawsuits, and the newspapers rushed to publish articles praising her magnanimity and beauty.
“Lately, reporters are dying to praise the Countess Green… but I have a different opinion. To corner Lady Gillette like that in front of others? Isn’t that basically telling her to go hang herself?”
At the young lady’s words, Britney wanted to applaud, but she restrained herself.
“I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way. Iris is the type who can’t forgive those who have wronged her, but surely she wouldn’t have told her to go hang herself? She probably just forgave her in her own way.”
Britney offered a defense that wasn’t really a defense at all.
“I don’t know. I heard a rumor that the woman used to serve Count Green at night… wouldn’t that invite some jealousy?”
“She must have been a little jealous, of course. But…”
Britney stopped, lips pursed as if in a difficult position. The young lady who brought up the topic fanned herself gracefully.
“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to corner you, Lady Britney.”
It was then that Britney’s maid arrived, standing silently by her side and handing her an envelope.
“What is this?”
In the center of the white envelope, rimmed with a gold band, were the words [Wedding Invitation] written in elegant calligraphy.
“Is someone getting married?”
Britney glanced at the ladies, but they all looked confused. She pulled the invitation out. It was lavish, bordered with real gold. Britney’s eyes widened as she scanned the text.
[You are cordially invited to the wedding of Cavebrand Green and Iris Witlo.]
“Whose wedding is it?” Katrina asked in a low voice.
“Count Green and… Iris…”
“My goodness. She must be desperate for his affection,” Katrina said, looking around for support. The other noble ladies nodded with mocking smiles.
“She must have heard the rumors. She probably pestered the Count into holding this wedding.”
“How could she do something so shameful? I would rather die than force someone who hates me to marry me.”
“Exactly. Since she’s never been out in high society, would she even know how a lady should conduct herself?”
Normally, Britney would have enjoyed listening to them, but their voices weren’t reaching her. Her focus was caught on the name written at the very end of the invitation.
Noticing her strange expression, Katrina leaned over to peek. Her eyes stopped at the same spot Britney was reading.
“What is this…?”
“What is it?”
The other young ladies grew curious. Without realizing it, Katrina snatched the invitation from Britney’s hand and held it up.
“The host of the party is… Countess Nellanicus Jenal!”