Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Moonlight Anomaly
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Breina's expression grew serious as she listened silently to Rin's story.
"I didn't even know this was the young lady's room! Really, please believe me…."
Breina fell deep into thought as she gazed at Rin, who was pleading desperately with Lara.
'No memory? That's nonsense… Wait. If she was sleeping right up until then, could it be that Rin… has somnambulism?'
But Breina had never heard anything about her distant relative Rin having somnambulism. Rin's mother wouldn't have hidden something like that from her, and with the empire's top physician Breina right there, she certainly wouldn't have failed to consult about her daughter's health.
"So you have no memory of it."
Theodor had also picked up on the oddity in her response. As he asked in a low, even voice, Rin nodded vigorously.
"Yes, really, my lord! I have no idea why I'm here, or why I even touched these je, jewels… I, I really didn't steal anything…."
Tears finally fell in big drops from Rin's bowed head. Whispers rose from the servants gathered outside the young lady's door.
Didn't steal? But she touched the young lady's jewels. What is that girl even saying? With clear evidence right there….
"……."
Lara handed Rin a handkerchief. Rin hesitated for a moment before taking it and wiping away her tears with sniffles.
Theodor watched the entire scene and arrived at a conclusion. Seeing Lara terrified and suffering had sent his reason flying halfway out the window, but it was gradually returning to its place.
It was too clumsy for that noisy beastkin girl to have approached Lara with any real scheme. And from Breina's flustered expression as she heard Rin's statement, it clearly wasn't somnambulism either.
That left just one possibility.
It was a bit unrealistic, but there was only one that made sense.
'…Now I know what's going on.'
But he couldn't say it here and now. Theodor wanted to wrap this situation up as quickly as possible.
Theodor stepped forward toward Rin. When his shadow fell over hers, she flinched back in fear.
"Lack of memory doesn't erase your crime. But since you're not yet an adult, your guardian should bear responsibility for your actions. Breina."
"Yes, Master Theodor."
"Confine yourself with this girl for a week. Any punishment for her will be held off until then."
"Understood, Master."
"If this happens again, I won't let it slide so easily. Everyone, return to your posts."
At Theodor's command, the gathered servants immediately fell silent and dispersed.
Now, only Theodor, Marsha, Breina, and Rin remained in Lara's quiet room.
"Marsha, come with me."
"Yes, Master."
"And Lara."
Theodor, about to say something to Lara, let out a short sigh before approaching her and gently stroking her head.
"…Rest. I'll be back soon."
"…Yes."
Lara, looking a bit downcast, lowered her gaze and nodded.
Theodor turned away after silently watching her.
Marsha and Breina took the awkwardly standing Rin and left as well.
"……."
Left alone, Lara climbed onto the bed and hugged her knees tightly.
Scattered jewels that hadn't been cleared away yet sparkled on the floor.
Theodor's study.
Standing before Theodor's desk, Marsha felt like she had a thousand words but no mouth to say them. Her body was tense with strain as she bowed her head, waiting for her master's words.
"Marsha."
Theodor fixed his gaze on his butler and spoke.
"Yes, Master Theodor."
"Tell me. Do I seem overprotective?"
"……Pardon?"
But the words from Theodor were so unexpected that Marsha foolishly asked him to repeat himself without thinking. Realizing her mistake, she cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Master, forgive me, but I don't quite understand what you mean."
"Exactly as I said. It's about Lara."
Sitting in the leather chair with his long legs elegantly crossed, Theodor rested his elbow on the armrest and fiddled with the buckle of his glove.
"The preparations for Moonlight are all complete, I assume."
"Yes, Master. A place to stay away from here has been prepared."
"I'll revise that plan."
"Pardon?"
As Marsha wore a bewildered expression, Theodor let out a knowing chuckle.
"This Moonlight is particularly unique."
"What do you mean by 'unique,' if I may ask…."
"Someone boldly broke into my bride's room right where I'm staying… Isn't that unique enough?"
Marsha swallowed hard.
'Could the master be linking this incident to Moonlight?'
The 'Moonlight' that Wolfkin experienced around the full moon was known even to other beastkin races.
As the time when the world's most powerful beastkin, the Wolfkin, had their instincts awaken, it was common knowledge for any beastkin living near them.
But that made this incident even harder to understand. Marsha spoke up.
"Master, that maid is a Crow Beastkin. Non-Wolfkin beastkin aren't affected by Moonlight. So why would she…."
But it was true that Theodor's theory fit all the puzzles perfectly. For a maid recommended by a trusted person to cause such a major incident on her first day in a grand mansion like this was rare.
Moreover, Lara's room was in a separate wing from the servants' quarters. How could a girl unfamiliar with the mansion's layout go straight to the young lady's room on her first try?
He had even given her a chance to explain, but she couldn't offer any proper excuse and stuck to claiming no memory.
What if Rin's claim of no memory was truly real?
Theodor put an end to Marsha's doubts.
"Everything she touched was something shiny. Not just valuable jewels, but everyday items made of ordinary glass were mixed in."
"Shiny things, you say?"
"Think about the traits of Crow Beastkin, and the answer comes easily."
Marsha had indeed heard that Crow Beastkin had an obsession with shiny objects.
"Her actions are proof that she was influenced by Moonlight, when beastkin instincts are stimulated."
"B-but why would she suddenly be affected by Moonlight? She's not a Wolfkin…."
"Lara."
Theodor continued nonchalantly.
"It seems the unknown influence of the 'Bride of the Wolf' on Moonlight hasn't been revealed yet."
"I… don't recall hearing anything definite either. The 'Bride of the Wolf' has been passed down in strict secrecy among Wolfkin. Other beastkin probably don't know much about it."
"Exactly. Even I didn't know. Unless that Crow Beastkin girl turned into a Wolfkin overnight, the only variable in Aren Manor that could affect beastkin is Lara."
As Theodor finished speaking, Marsha's expression grew even graver. She hesitated before speaking.
"This is serious. Aren Manor is full of beastkin. Moonlight is tonight. If Lara is the variable, then what should we do now…."
"I'll stay here."
Theodor rose from his chair and looked out the window. Once the sun set and night fell, the merciless full moon's Moonlight would rise.
"I won't leave the manor. But send out all beastkin except me and Lara."
"Everyone?"
Marsha asked in shock at Theodor's radical order. When he turned from the window to look at her, she quickly bowed her head.
"My apologies. I'll see to it immediately."
He hadn't been staring to reprimand her, but as the mood stiffened, Theodor let out a short sigh.
"Think of it as giving everyone a rest for a couple of days. I'll do the same."
Marsha nodded and left Theodor's study, lost in thought.
Master Theodor had always suffered especially during Moonlight periods since childhood. All his sensitive senses amplified several times over, when the curse's power was at its peak.
After becoming an adult, Young Master Theodor had practically isolated himself during those times. That's why preparations had been made for this Moonlight as well. The young lady's presence seemed to make him even more cautious.
With a new maid arriving to attend Lara, she thought it would be fine if the master disappeared for a few days. The preparations had been thorough.
But now, all plans were upended.
What was the master thinking? Was Lara really the variable in all this? What exactly was the 'Bride of the Wolf'….
Marsha pushed aside the rising questions and hurried on her way.
Breina received a full explanation from Marsha.
Her face serious, she sank into thought before addressing Rin, who was sniffling at her side.
"Rin, everything you said in front of Master Theodor earlier was true, right?"
"Yes. Really, Lady Breina…."
Rin, now listless, answered softly.
"I'm sorry, Lady Breina. You trusted and recommended me, but now you've been confined too. What do we do? If you get fired from here…."
"…Don't worry about that."
As Rin started getting worked up again, Breina removed her glasses and pressed her temples.
"Anyway, I'll believe you. Master Theodor seems to think the same, so we'll talk again in a week."
"Really? Hooray! What a relief!"
Rin sprang up like a coiled spring, instantly reenergized.
"But Lady Breina, this handkerchief—it's from the young lady. So she's the one I'll be serving?"
"Yes. Though whether you'll serve her will be decided in a week."
"I know, but still! I was so shocked when the young lady spoke to the master on my behalf. She must be such a kind person!"
"From now on, call him Master Theodor, not 'the master.' Anyway, we need to leave here for a bit."
"Huh? D-does that mean we're getting kicked out after all?!"
"No, that's not it. Be quiet and pack your things quickly, then get in the carriage."
Before Rin could jump to another wild conclusion and start crying, Breina hurriedly packed.
To think such a bold act ended with just confinement—it was still hard to believe.