WHM | Chapter 27

~Chapter 27~

“By the way, didn’t Lord Lowell leave for the North?”

“I heard Lady Eileen is staying at the duke’s residence in the capital. Isn’t that strange? Why wouldn’t she stay at the count’s house she’s used to?”

“Oh, the Countess said Lady Eileen suddenly fell ill. Maybe she’s quietly resting somewhere.”

“Well… It’s amazing how that young lady has managed to stay strong after losing her whole family.”

Under her black veil, Eileen kept her eyes forward, ignoring the whispers around her.

She didn’t care what they said.

She had more important things on her mind.

‘The emperor’s death came earlier than expected.’

The storyline she thought of as the “original story” had never changed this drastically before.

Similar events were still happening around the same time—but this one was too early.

The Emperor was supposed to pass away during a hot summer one year later because of the heat. Yet here she was, attending his funeral already.

‘Things are definitely changing.’

She didn’t know what exactly was causing these shifts.

All she could do was prepare for the future the best she could, using all the knowledge she had.

While she tried calmly assessing what was to come, the gossip around her became more distinct.
“It’s probably not just for rest. Have you noticed how far Lady Eileen keeps herself from the Cassiar family?”
“Right. Without the support of the former princess, things must be tough for her now. Poor girl.”

“Poor? She’s set to become a duchess!”

Jealousy filled the voice that followed the envious one.

“That’s not guaranteed. Even if they get married, couples can split.”

“Let’s stop now. This is not the place for petty gossip.”

At that moment, a noblewoman—someone Eileen recognized from the last Duke’s banquet—interrupted, silencing the crowd.

Eileen turned to glance at her. She was relieved to see that at least a few people still held goodwill toward her.

Although judging by the lavish gifts the Countess of Cassiar had been distributing, most people were being swayed to her side.

After the chaotic funeral finally ended, Eileen climbed into her carriage. Once inside, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

“Lady Eileen, a letter has arrived from the lord.”

“Give it here.”

She let out a long sigh as Sir Aaron handed her the letter, looking slightly troubled.

Cedric must have known she was comfortable around this quiet knight, which is why he left him behind to guard her.

Apparently, Cedric had meant it when he said he’d stay in touch—he had been sending letters occasionally.

[I can’t tell if winter snowstorms are worse, or the muddy pits in spring.

Have you ever seen the sea? I have.

The estate looks best when snow falls heavily.

I worry sometimes the roof will collapse.]

His letters were always like that.

It felt like he was just tearing pages out of his diary or scribbling down random thoughts.

‘Even if someone intercepted these, they’d gain nothing.’

If anyone tried to decode the letters thinking they were in code, they’d just waste time and effort. There was no code.

Eileen found some comfort in the fact that at least he was healthy and able to write.

“Are you not going to reply this time either?”

“We’ll see.”

And in fact, Eileen Cassiar had never written back—not even once.

Cedric didn’t seem to expect her to. He never mentioned it.

Instead, it was Mary, and eventually even Sir Aaron, who seemed disappointed by her lack of replies.

But this letter… was different.

As soon as Eileen unfolded the paper, her eyes locked on a single line.

Her hand holding the paper trembled slightly.

“…Sir Aaron. Is this all?”

“Yes. That’s the entire letter I received.”

It looked like any other letter from Cedric. Short. Simple.

But the one line it held carried heavy meaning:

“You were right.”

Only Cedric Lowell and Eileen Cassiar would understand what those words meant.

He had uncovered the traitors in the knight order—and dealt with them.

***

For a while after that, no more letters came.

‘Why haven’t I heard anything?’

Eileen had assumed things were under control. She thought Cedric had sent that letter because he was confident of victory.

But more than a month passed without a single word.

“Unexpected things happen during war. He might not have time to send letters,” Aaron explained.

“But you said you haven’t heard anything either.”

Waiting for news filled her with growing anxiety.

“Shouldn’t things be resolved by now?”

Was Cedric in danger?

‘More likely… he’s just too busy to contact me.’

But waiting passively didn’t suit Eileen’s nature.

“Sir Aaron.”

She made up her mind.

Until she heard definite news that Cedric had won, she couldn’t rest easy.

She couldn’t do anything from so far away. She had to get closer to where he was.

She needed to see the situation for herself—to judge it, respond to it.

“I’m going to the Duke’s northern estate.”

“What? Milady, all of a sudden?” Mary jumped in, surprised.

“Yes. We’ll leave soon. Maybe not tomorrow, but within a few days. That should be doable, right?”

Aaron was surprised too, but the way Eileen said it—like the decision had long been made—left no room for doubt.

“…The season is good for travel, but…”

“Is there a problem?”

“It might not be safe. It’s best to wait until the lord settles things in the North.”

“You think I’ll die? I’m a valuable hostage—they’ll just capture me.”

Aaron was momentarily speechless at her sarcastic tone. Was she joking?

Only when she grimaced and added:

“I’m joking. The battle in the east, so even if it takes longer, we’ll go by the western route.”

The only things Eileen knew about Cedric’s future were how much misfortune awaited him.

‘Maybe that’s why I care so much…’

Her own misfortunes had all come true.

Maybe she just wanted him to avoid even a little of that.

“If you’re worried, let’s open the map and go over the route together.”

“…Understood.”

In any case, Aaron’s top priority—by his lord’s order—was to obey Eileen’s instructions no matter what.

His lord had even said not to question them—just obey.

‘She never makes the wrong decisions. That’s just how Eileen is.’

It was as if Cedric had predicted she’d make a decision like this.

The two of them had an uncanny way of understanding and predicting each other’s actions.

Even if they didn’t realize it, they were clearly well matched.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, my lady.”

Aaron had served House Lowell since the previous duke.

He’d seen how Cedric had grown and suffered after his father’s death.

Even though Cedric tried to stay strong, he was still young.

And from what Aaron had seen, Aileen also forced herself to stay composed, as if she carried the burden of doing everything alone.

He could only hope they would both realize how much they needed each other.