Chapter 221: Even If Not All Are Shining Gold (1)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 221: Even If Not All Are Shining Gold (1)[R-18]
I had finally obtained a clue regarding ‘Exorcism’ from Elfriede.
I ran until I was gasping for air, finally arriving at the Black Dahlia residence.
“Oh? Master Ian? What brings you here? It feels like you’re visiting every other day now.”
Frederica greeted me with her usual bright smile.
“Ah... Lady Frederica, I’m sorry.”
“Fufu! What is there to be sorry about? Lady Estelle always welcomes you, Master Ian. Oh! And of course, so do I.”
Frederica playfully placed a finger against her cheek and tilted her head slightly.
“But what should we do? The Young Lady has just started her bath. If you don’t mind, would you like to wait in the drawing room for a moment?”
Following Frederica’s guidance, I moved to the drawing room.
“...Ho ho, if it isn’t young Ian. We meet often.”
Estelle’s uncle, Jeffrey, who was sipping tea on the drawing room sofa, spotted me and gave a gentle smile.
“Ah, Lord Jeffrey. My apologies. I didn’t realize you were in the drawing room... Master Ian, if you’d like, we can move to another room—”
“Ho ho ho. Frederica, it’s fine. I was just about to get up after finishing this tea anyway. Ian, don’t mind me and make yourself comfortable over there.”
“...Actually, I have something to tell you, so I think I will stay.”
Despite Jeffrey’s warm welcome, my heart was heavy.
What I was about to say...
Was something that might instantly turn Jeffrey’s goodwill into pure hatred.
“...Hmm? You have something to say to me, not Estelle?”
“Yes. I believe I must ask for your understanding first, Lord Jeffrey.”
Jeffrey set down his teacup and looked at me with a serious expression.
“I see... What is it you wish to say?”
I took a deep breath.
I had to utter words that could never be taken back.
“...I would like you to not take Estelle away.”
In that instant, the smile vanished from Jeffrey’s face.
“What are you talking about? Didn’t you hear me that day? You know how much I sacrificed to get that opportunity. Not just money—I lost many of the connections I built in the Kingdom by pushing through a great deal of forced compliance. All of it was for Estelle.”
“...Yes, I am well aware of your sacrifices, Lord Jeffrey.”
“You know that... and yet you say such a thing?”
“....”
—Yes.
I couldn't bring myself to say those words.
It was an act that directly negated all of Jeffrey’s efforts for Estelle.
“Right... Since the Summer Festival, I’ve had a vague feeling that you and Estelle were more than just ordinary friends. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t you refrain from saying this for Estelle’s sake?”
Jeffrey furrowed his brow as if troubled, speaking in a tone like he was lecturing a naive child.
“This might be Estelle’s first and last chance. Once the first surgery is successful, the most prominent figures in the Kingdom will be lining up to help. ...Do you want Estelle to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then... I shall pretend I didn’t hear that. Sigh...”
Jeffrey let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
“Ian, I’m a man too, so I understand. I know how painful it must be to be separated from the woman you love at such a young age. It must feel like the world is ending. But...”
Slide—
Jeffrey placed his hand over his left chest and spoke.
“I promise you, man to man. I will protect Estelle this time, no matter what. So... please, do not shake Estelle’s resolve. As her only family, I truly wish for that child’s happiness.”
“....”
Logically and emotionally, Jeffrey’s argument was sound.
No matter who you asked in this world, I was the one in the wrong, and Jeffrey was the one in the right.
“Even so... I hope you do not take Estelle.”
“...Are you being serious right now?”
“Yes. I am serious.”
“Sigh...”
Jeffrey looked at me, letting out a groan of disbelief.
Then, he spoke in a voice laced with a faint trace of fury.
“Ian, I thought quite highly of you... but... from this moment on, that evaluation might change. Explain yourself. Why should I listen to this unreasonable demand of yours?”
“Because I can cure Estelle.”
“...I’ve already heard from Estelle and Frederica that you use a special treatment method. Thanks to that, she’s managed to recover sensation up to her ankles, hasn’t she? I am truly grateful for that. But... I heard you’ve been hitting a limit lately. Is that correct?”
“Yes, but I’ve realized a way to overcome that limit.”
I answered while looking Jeffrey straight in the eye.
“...Are you certain?”
“Almost... yes.”
“...Almost? Almost?! ...You expect me to believe such uncertain words! ...Sigh, fine... Let’s say your claim of finding a method is true. But what if that treatment fails?”
Slam!
Jeffrey struck the table with his fist.
“It would be wonderful if Estelle were completely cured! But what if your treatment is only halfway successful? What if Estelle gives up on going to the Kingdom because of it? And what if you ultimately fail? What will you do then?!”
“....”
“Will you regret it then, wishing she had received the Kingdom’s treatment? Don’t make me laugh!! I have no intention of gambling with Estelle’s life!”
After pouring out his words in an agitated voice, Jeffrey let out a long sigh as if trying to calm his excitement.
“Whew... I apologize for raising my voice. But think about this rationally. Shouldn’t receiving treatment in the Kingdom come first? The chance to be treated in the Kingdom is a one-time thing, but being treated by you will be possible later as well.”
Jeffrey was trying his best to suppress his anger and persuade me logically.
If Estelle had lost her senses due to a ‘disease’ or an ‘accident,’ I would have followed Jeffrey’s words as well.
...But.
“The treatment in the Kingdom will fail.”
“...What?”
“No, it might even make things worse.”
“...What did you just say? Do you know anything about magical engineering? On what grounds can you be so certain?”
Grit—
Jeffrey’s teeth ground together as if his suppressed anger was about to explode.
However, as someone who knew the nature of the ‘Balance Demon,’ I couldn't rule out the possibility.
Even if it didn't end in a successful treatment, failure was certain.
And as a result...
What if Estelle subconsciously felt she had been ‘harmed’ because of the pain during the treatment?
The ‘Balance Demon’ that had quieted down might start running wild again.
Slowly—
I stood up from my seat and bowed deeply toward Jeffrey.
“...I cannot explain the reason. But... please trust me.”
Information regarding the ‘Balance Demon’ was under a ‘Sealing Designation’ by the Church, so I couldn't reveal it.
If the fact that this information leaked from me became known, not only I but everyone around me would be in danger.
“...You can’t explain, but I should trust you? ...Are you going to persuade me by showing me this ‘treatment’ of yours?”
“That... is also impossible.”
Jeffrey let out a hollow laugh of absurdity.
“Ha! You can’t explain why you’re certain of failure! You’re keeping the treatment method a secret! And you just want me to trust you?”
“...Yes.”
“Are you out of your mind right now?! Estelle is my only flesh and blood! You’re telling me I should abandon a miraculously obtained opportunity for a matter involving that child’s future, all based on such ridiculous words?!”
Slam!
Unable to take it anymore, Jeffrey struck the table again.
“Don’t you think you’re being far too irresponsible?! What on earth about you am I supposed to trust to leave Estelle in your hands?!”
Jeffrey’s anger was justified, and his outcry was reasonable.
My request was absurd, and my fault was clear.
But I couldn't back down here.
If I gave up, Estelle might go down the wrong path forever.
“Even so... please trust me. It is for Estelle’s sake.”
Looking him straight in the eye, I pleaded once more.
“...You...”
Jeffrey couldn't find the words and just stared at me.
“....”
“....”
How much time passed in that silent eye contact?
“Sigh...”
Finally, Jeffrey let out a long, deep sigh.
“...Fine.”
“...Pardon?”
“I will... try to trust you.”
Even after hearing the answer, I couldn't believe it.
To be honest, I had come prepared to be beaten by Jeffrey...
“To be frank, your request is preposterous. It’s a story that cannot be accepted by common sense or logic. If it were the old me, I would have kicked you out of this mansion immediately. But...”
“....”
“I’ve realized something since that day as well. That sometimes, ‘faith’ is more important than ‘reason’ or ‘logic.’”
Jeffrey said, stroking his ring with a distant look in his eyes.
“If my father-in-law had only acted rationally... I would have died in the river a long time ago. Rationally speaking, there was no reason to help a mysterious one-legged man.”
Letting out another long sigh, Jeffrey looked at me.
“Whew... So, though it is difficult, I will try to believe. Not with logic, but with my heart... I truly hope that you can return Estelle’s senses to her.”
“Thank... you. Lord Jeffrey.”
As I bowed deeply to express my gratitude, Jeffrey covered his face with his hands and spoke.
“But the final decision must be made by Estelle... So promise me. If that child says she wants to leave, you will let her go without a second word.”
“Yes, I promise. I will respect Estelle’s will.”
“Sigh... I have no idea how I’m supposed to tell her this. I don’t even know if I’m doing the right thing. Ha...”
Jeffrey leaned back against the sofa with a hollow chuckle.
Then, Frederica, who had been quietly listening to the conversation from the drawing room doorway, approached and spoke.
“...Master Ian. It’s about time for the Young Lady to finish her bath. I will go and bring her, so would you mind going to her room and waiting?”
“Ah, yes. Lady Frederica. I understand.”
I stood up and left the drawing room through the door Frederica opened for me.
Just as the relief of getting Jeffrey’s permission caused my tension to slacken slightly—
Thuck—!
My breath hitched.
I felt something hot surging and flowing out from my side.
As if the world’s time had slowed down, my body slowly tilted forward.
‘...What?... This is...?’
Barely realizing I had been stabbed in the abdomen, I turned my head toward the culprit’s hand...
“Hehe...!”
Frederica was looking down at me with her usual bright smile.