Chapter 10
“You’re always so quiet. No fun at all.”
“I don’t need to be entertaining for you, do I?”
“Being fun makes it worth being friends.”
“Not really. I have no desire to be your close friend.”
Bled took a sip of the lemon tea in front of him and turned his gaze out the window. In response, Edmund chuckled brightly and murmured, “That’s what makes it fun.”
They had known each other for quite a long time, but their relationship had always been one-sided—Edmund constantly reaching out.
To Bled, who was quiet and preferred to be alone with his thoughts, Edmund was nothing but an annoying, noisy presence.
A candle he wanted to blow out in one swift breath. Nothing more, nothing less.
“I came all the way here myself this time just to see your face, and you don’t even welcome me…”
Edmund dramatically put on a pout and wiped his perfectly dry eyes with his fingers, pretending to cry.
“Edmund is heartbroken…”
“Sigh…”
A sigh slipped out before Bled could stop himself, and he looked back at Edmund. That youthful face, still unchanged from decades ago, was staring at him with bright, sparkling eyes. It made Bled want to turn his head again.
Sensing this, Edmund dropped the act and gave a faint smile as he spoke.
“Don’t be so cold. I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”
“Soon?”
“Yeah. Roman is still sick, you see.”
The child. Now that he thought about it, Bled remembered hearing that Edmund had one child—barely saved, born between a magician and a human.
Born with a magician’s power in a human body, the child couldn’t contain that power and was always on the verge of death. The mother died during childbirth, and the child nearly followed her.
But Edmund had fought desperately to save the child, and the boy was still breathing—barely. If Bled recalled correctly, the child was turning ten this year.
Even after being dragged back from death’s door, the boy’s body remained fragile. He was constantly sick and had never once stepped outside his room.
Just as Bled’s eyes began to show a hint of sympathy, Edmund cut in.
“It’s fine.”
As if telling him not to think about it.
That forced sort of reassurance made Bled stop himself from dwelling on the child.
“Really, it’s fine. They say he’ll get better soon.”
He’ll get better soon. Bled raised an eyebrow at that.
No physician had dared lay a hand on Edmund’s child. Since the child’s illness was magical in nature, no ordinary doctor could possibly cure it.
Only one person could’ve said such a thing to Edmund.
A magician who was also a doctor.
“Is that person in Poweep now?”
“That’s right. Where else would a magician cast out by the central capital go? In the end, they return to their mother’s arms.”
Poweep was a land of magicians. It was ruled by the only lord who was a magician, so naturally, other magicians gathered there, and the region became known as such.
The central capital treated magicians with deep suspicion, and most other territories weren’t fond of them either. The only place where they could settle was Poweep.
“But, well… they’re not the most cooperative type. That’s what’s really annoying.”
Edmund was smiling, but his voice carried a tinge of anger.
“I didn’t think you capable of anger.”
Bled questioned without filtering himself.
The Edmund he knew wasn’t someone who got angry. No matter the situation, he swallowed his emotions and remained gentle—that was both his strength and his flaw.
Even when a doctor had refused to treat his child and hurled harsh words at him before walking away, Edmund had only smiled sadly.
He had said, If only I had died instead of my wife, perhaps the child would be happier.
That’s the kind of man Edmund was. He never blamed others, only himself, and never showed his anger.
“…It’s only natural I’d be upset when someone shows no effort to help my child.”
“I see.”
As Bled gave a reluctant nod, Edmund casually looked around the drawing room. Wondering if something was bothering him, Bled kept watch, but soon Edmund rested his right arm on the armrest and brought his left hand to his lips.
He seemed to be fiddling around his lips with his fingers before letting out a soft sigh—or perhaps a whisper.
“…Eura.”
Bled glanced at him, wondering if he’d just spoken. But Edmund stayed silent, as if he had said nothing at all.
Then he moved his hand from the armrest and opened his mouth.
“Seems your children aren’t staying at the main estate with you.”
“How did you know that?”
“Nothing much. I just didn’t see them on the way in.”
“I’m not you. I don’t cling to my children everywhere I go.”
Still cold, Edmund laughed softly, and Bled turned his gaze away.
“Do you know what your child likes?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Roman’s birthday is coming up. I thought I’d get him something. Since you’ve raised two already, I figured you might know.”
“Sorry, but I’m not good at that sort of thing.”
Bled was telling the truth.
He had never really taken care of Joshua or Benjamin, and even the one he had been closest to—Sophia—had long since severed ties with him.
He had never been a good father.
“So, you’re someone who needed advice on this sort of thing too, huh?”
Stabbed by Edmund’s words, Bled let out a bitter smile and offered a suggestion.
“I’ve heard books are good.”
“Books?”
“Not simple fairy tales, but ones full of detailed knowledge about the world. They let children who can’t go outside experience the world vicariously.”
“That would be… a perfect gift for Roman.”
After that, Edmund spent some more time chatting with Bled, asking various questions.
Since he had already passed the list of trade goods to a servant before entering the drawing room, there had never been any real business to discuss.
His only goal had been to visit his friend. So Bled, understanding that, spent a fairly long time with him, and it was only after they finished their third cup of tea that Edmund stood to leave.
“I should get going. It was good seeing you after so long.”
“Finally heading out?”
“Yeah. Ah, before I go—mind if I take a look at the garden the former Lady of the Castle created?”
If it was the garden Chase had created, that would be the one located in the Roscent Castle—where Sophia resided.
“Is there a reason you wouldn’t be allowed?”
Seeing Edmund’s eyes curve with a smile, Bled hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Just a quick look at the garden should be fine. Acting too suspiciously could raise questions.
He had already stationed Joshua and Benjamin at Roscent Castle as a precaution. The unusually large number of servants could be explained by their presence.
With those measures in place, it should be safe enough.
Bled instinctively called for Dain, then remembered that he was currently with Joshua and Benjamin, and instead summoned someone else.
“Anthea. Show him the way.”
Anthea, who had been standing by the drawing room door, nodded at the command and exited the room with Edmund.
“Edmund.”
“Yes?”
Startled by the sudden call of his name, Anthea looked at him with curiosity. Edmund, however, simply smiled sweetly.
“My name, that is.”
“Yes, I know, Sir Edmund.”
“Good, just making sure.”
With that, Edmund rubbed the ring on his left ring finger. Instantly, the staff he had used for support upon arriving appeared once more.
Shaped like the roots of a tree, the staff caught Anthea’s eye for a moment before she came back to her senses and led him toward the garden.
Once inside the Roscent Castle, Edmund quickly noticed how many servants and attendants there were.
“There are quite a lot of people here.”
“This is where the young masters reside. Ah—please come this way.”
As Edmund looked around, he nearly bumped into someone, but Anthea quickly pulled him to the side.
“Apologies. I’m in a bit of a rush.”
“It’s fine. Go ahead.”
“…Ah.”
Joshua, hurrying along with Serita, turned around a moment later and realized who had spoken.
“My deepest apologies.”
“I said it’s fine. You seem busy—go on.”
Joshua gave a slight bow and quickly continued on his way. Once they had nearly disappeared, Edmund asked about the person walking beside him.
“Who was that?”
“Young Master Joshua, and Serita the physician.”
Physician. At that word, Edmund brought his hand to cover his mouth.
“Who’s sick enough to send them running like that, I wonder…”
He was worried his smile might be noticed.
