Chapter 18

“Everyone will assume Cedric is raising the issue publicly because he wants financial compensation.”

“His Grace is not that kind of person. How could he possibly use something like this as a means of getting money?”

Castle's immediate defense went beyond simple loyalty. It reflected his firm conviction that the Lowell family would never stoop to such a level.

Eileen let out a bitter smile.

Strictly speaking, Castle was merely Cedric's advisor, but at moments like this, he revealed the upright and principled character of a true member of the Lowell family.

If every noble possessed even this much dignity...

Perhaps people would not sell their own children for titles or kill relatives over an inheritance.

“I know. That's exactly why I'm saying this. Whether it's a fake apology or money, none of that means anything to me. That's why I don't want to make this into a bigger issue.”

It was a difficult matter.

Eileen was not a saint. Naturally, a small part of her wanted Count Cassier to fall.

But if he fell, the name Cassier would fall with him.

And regardless of everything that had happened, she was not prepared to completely trample on a name she had once been proud of.

In the end, the problem was always the same.

She did not want to become the one who wounded that name.

“I... don't understand.”

Castle spoke quietly.

“From what I've seen, you're not the type to simply endure something and let it pass. So why are you letting this go?”

Eileen's words had struck directly at the heart of the matter.

Castle had not intended it that way, but he was not entirely wrong.

“If someone other than Cedric—a lazy and irresponsible stranger—suddenly became Duke, you wouldn't immediately abandon the Lowell family, would you? At the very least, you'd try to protect some part of the legacy the previous Duke left behind.”

As they entered the drawing room, Eileen quietly added,

“I know it's not exactly the same. But that's how I feel too.”

She lightly touched one of the dried petals in the vase on the table.

The withered flowers were proof that there had been no lady of the house to care for this place for a long time.

“It's a shame... that the heir of the Cassier family wasn't someone as wise and diligent as you.”

“...Indeed.”

Castle answered in a low voice.

Eileen brushed her hand across the table. A thin layer of gray dust clung to her fingertips.

The owner of this residence was generous, but in practice, the place was nearly neglected.

Of course, Cedric hardly had the time to worry about dust in a temporary residence.

But by the standards of her grandmother, who would not tolerate even a single speck, this house might as well have been abandoned for years.

Perhaps I should first find out whether there's a maid responsible for maintaining it...

She almost slipped into the habit of managing the household before remembering she had no right to do so.

Shaking away the thought, Eileen decided to focus on what truly mattered.

Cedric Lowell's condition.

For him to collapse like that...

Honestly, her heart had nearly stopped.

She could not claim she wasn't worried.

“...Will Cedric be alright?”

“I asked the physician earlier. He said the wound reopened and exhaustion worsened the condition. However, there is no serious damage. Besides, the young master has always been exceptionally strong. He'll be fine.”

“Even so. He pushed himself just to come see me... He didn't have to go that far.”

From Castle's perspective, Cedric's actions had not been unnecessary.

It had been important enough to him. Worthwhile enough.

The problem was that the young lord he served expressed his feelings entirely in his own way. He was so awkward with emotions that sometimes it would have been better if he had simply said nothing.

They're complete opposites.

Eileen carefully chose every word she spoke.

Cedric either blurted things out bluntly—or said nothing at all.

They were practically destined to misunderstand each other.

“That's because he cares about you, my lady.”

“...You think so?”

Eileen wasn't convinced.

Perhaps Cedric was simply trying to fulfill the basic duties of a gentleman.

But she kept that thought to herself.

“Of course.”

“Then... perhaps that's true.”

Castle noticed her tone immediately.

She wasn't fully agreeing—she was merely humoring him.

Still, wanting their relationship to improve, he decided to change the subject.

“The young master will likely wake sometime in the early afternoon.”

“I see.”

That was the end of Eileen's response.

She picked up one of the dead flowers from the vase and looked around the room.

“Is something wrong?”

“It's just... leaving withered flowers sitting around doesn't look very nice.”

“I'll have them removed immediately.”

Only then did Eileen set the flower back down.

Even so, she showed no sign of wanting to continue discussing Cedric.

Is something else bothering her?

Castle recalled what had happened at the banquet.

From what he had seen, the two seemed rather close. They had been calling each other by name from the very beginning.

Then perhaps she was simply too embarrassed to talk about it.

With that thought, Castle decided to be more direct.

“The young master would feel much more at ease if you stayed by his side. It would likely aid his recovery as well.”

“...Me?”

Eileen wasn't sure that was a good idea.

Lately, whenever Cedric looked at her, his reactions were always cold, irritated, or indifferent.

If he sees me the moment he wakes up, he might actually be annoyed.

Castle, however, thought differently.

“Yes. The physician will be in the room as well, so if you wish... you can have your injuries treated too, my lady.”

He suggested it carefully, making sure not to sound forceful.

“Very well.”

Eileen had always been weak against sincere kindness.

“It wouldn't be good if your injuries worsened, would it?”

Castle left the choice entirely up to her instead of issuing an order.

Moved by that consideration, Eileen eventually nodded.

And so she found herself playing the role of a concerned fiancée, anxiously waiting for her fiancé to wake up.

“...I'm bored.”

At that moment, her honest feelings were simple.

She was terribly bored.

Even reading could only entertain her for so long.

Closing the book, she turned her gaze toward the bed.

Cedric Lowell was still asleep, breathing steadily.

Eileen watched him quietly.

It would be nice if he were this calm and well-behaved more often.

The thought crossed her mind.

“You've really been through a lot.”

Resting her chin on one hand and crossing her legs in the chair, she muttered to herself.

“An assassination attempt at a banquet... To do something that bold.”

Either the culprit was reckless—

—or they had been that confident.

As her thoughts spiraled, her mind became increasingly tangled.

Maybe it wasn't boldness at all.

Maybe they had been desperate. Maybe circumstances had forced them to act.

“...Hm?”

At that moment, a faint groan escaped Cedric's lips.

Eileen straightened slightly in her chair.

Was he in pain? Should she call the physician?

But Cedric merely opened his eyes halfway, covered his face with one hand, and let out a deep sigh.

At least he doesn't seem seriously hurt...

Then suddenly—as if he had realized someone was nearby—he lowered his hand, looked at her, and frowned.

“Diana?”

“...Wrong.”

Eileen answered calmly, but Cedric's gaze remained unfocused and hazy.

The physician had mentioned that the medicine contained a sleeping agent. He clearly wasn't fully awake yet.

“What a shame. I'm not the person you were hoping for. We're in the capital, Cedric Lowell.”

Her voice sounded colder than she had intended.

Calling someone else's name...

If he had mistaken her for the person who had been by his side since childhood, the one he trusted most, it wasn't strange that he would assume the person beside him was Diana.

She understood that.

Even so, a dull ache spread through a corner of her heart.