~Chapter 45~
Eileen didn’t take long to answer. She gave a simple response.
“Okay.”
It wasn’t because she was trying to smooth things over; she understood that.
She had wanted to say it for a while, but had been unsure how. So she had just kept circling around it.
Cedric was like that too, and so was Diana. Both of their simple, straightforward actions made Eileen feel softer than usual.
She thought she’d continue being soft with them in the future.
“Let’s try to get along.”
“…Okay.”
Diana nodded quickly several times. Eileen decided that was enough for now. So, she asked casually.
“But why did you think of making cookies and giving them to me?”
“When my mom was sick and lying down, she loved it when I made things for her.”
Diana hesitated a bit before adding.
“When I was little, I did a lot of origami, but I can’t do that now. So, I was looking through my mom’s recipe book…”
“You found the easiest recipe, didn’t you?”
Eileen’s voice shook a little, and so did Diana’s, Cedric’s, and her own.
They were all people who had lost close family. Especially Diana, who had lost both her parents when she was very young.
It made sense that Cedric was so protective.
“…But I couldn’t follow it well. I thought making herbs, cutting them, and boiling them would be fine, but…”
“Boiling?”
“Yeah. I often helped make medicine.”
Diana’s eyes sparkled, showing she was really passionate about it. It was nice to see her so eager about something.
Eileen felt a bit envious. Cedric was serious about swordsmanship, Diana about healing, and here she was… just Eileen Cashier.
“So, the flowers you gave me… were they herbs?”
“No. They were flowers from the castle.”
“Where in the castle?”
“Near where Prince Theorn Arwyn stays.”
“…You met him?”
Diana’s tone made it seem like she had met Prince Theorn, and Eileen tensed up. But her anxiety quickly faded when Diana casually continued.
“Yeah. He asked about the flowers and who I was going to give them to.”
“That’s it?”
“…I didn’t talk much. I was worried it would seem rude. And I was a little scared.”
Diana didn’t seem curious about him. She just appeared cautious, and that made Eileen feel that their first meeting, which was supposed to be important, was now pointless.
“Even so, there was something comforting about it.”
Eileen’s calm nature came from her ability to predict the future. But now, she wasn’t sure how to stay calm. Her life had always been predictable, but now, everything seemed uncertain, and she didn’t know how to handle it.
“…Diana, I need to ask you something.”
If she didn’t have information, she would just get it herself.
“Sure. You’re asking now, right?”
“Yeah, I think it’s ready. If we wait too long, it’ll burn.”
Eileen took out the perfectly baked cookies and asked Diana.
“What’s Cedric’s uncle like? He’s coming soon.”
“Lord Demicalon?”
Eileen noticed the distant tone as Diana spoke. She quickly added more information.
“He used to take Cedric hunting and taught him swordsmanship. He’s close with the knights of the Duke’s house.”
“Really?”
“Lord Demicalon is a bit intimidating, though. Not like the prince, in a different way.”
Diana tried to explain Lord Demicalon’s character, thinking Eileen might be nervous about meeting an elder of the family. But Diana herself didn’t interact much with him.
“Of course, I’m grateful because he saved Cedric’s life.”
She tried to be friendly with him, but when she met his pale blue eyes, she always felt cold. Even though Cedric had the same eyes, his were different—warmer.
“He saved Cedric’s life?”
“Yeah. He lost his left hand because of it. So, when you meet him, don’t stare at his left hand too much.”
“He lost his hand?”
“Yeah. The wound got infected and they had to amputate it. He didn’t have a proper healer, so it wasn’t treated well.”
Diana spoke seriously about something most girls her age would shy away from. She seemed to have a deep understanding of the situation.
“I heard they didn’t sterilize it when they stitched it. Or maybe he didn’t take care of it properly afterward.”
“That’s really unfortunate.”
Cedric clearly trusted his uncle, and it made sense now why. His uncle had sacrificed a hand to save Cedric’s life.
“Yeah, there’s probably no real healer in Demicalon. It’s a barren land with nothing.”
Diana started talking about Demicalon in detail. Eileen quickly reminded herself not to think too hard about it.
In the end, it didn’t matter what Cedric’s uncle was like. She didn’t need to worry about it. Cedric would handle things himself, and she didn’t want to create unnecessary conflict.
Her life was her own, and Cedric’s life was his. It was easier when they went on parallel paths. Getting too involved made things complicated.
But her thoughts didn’t always align with her feelings, and the internal conflict was troublesome.
***
Eileen was supposed to meet Cedric’s uncle soon, but that meeting was delayed. Because the arrival of Lord Rotner had complicated things a little.
“Did Lord Rotner ask anything?”
“He asked if you’re coming.”
“So, why would I go?”
“I don’t know, but he seemed to want you to come.”
Cedric relayed the urgent message from Lord Rotner, mentioning that he couldn’t move due to his injury.
“Anything else?”
“No. He just said it would be an honor to meet the future Duchess and that he brought gifts from the market and wanted to deliver them personally.”
“Just send the gifts. The rest is nonsense.”
Eileen wondered why Lord Rotner seemed so insistent. She was starting to feel a headache coming on.
“Why…”
“People usually don’t ask for something unless they have a hidden agenda.”
“I’m sure of it. That’s why we have to go, but we’ll see what happens.”
Cedric finished her thought smoothly.
But Eileen could guess why Lord Rotner was acting this way. It wasn’t about a close relationship.
“It means we’re not trusted enough for him to send important messages in writing.”
“So, are you going?”
“I don’t have a reason not to.”
Curiosity was a big part of it. She also had some questions for Lord Rotner. She wanted to know what was really happening, what new developments were coming out of the capital, and whether there were any decisions that would affect the entire kingdom.
“I don’t like him.”
Cedric flopped onto the sofa in the office, spinning his dagger in his hand. He turned his head and asked.
“You wouldn’t listen if I told you it’s safest here, would you?”
“Wasn’t your side the safest? You’re the strongest, after all.”
“…True.”
Cedric couldn’t hide his smile as he skillfully spun the dagger back into its sheath. He suddenly stood up, sitting straight.
“You were going to dodge the question, weren’t you? My strength doesn’t change the fact.”
“I thought you’d let it go. You’ve grown, Cedric Lowell.”
Cedric had expected Eileen to insist on coming along. She wasn’t the type to just watch.
He remembered how she had arrived in the north before the message had even reached her. She didn’t like to sit back and watch.
“Then, keep this.”
Cedric finally put his dagger in its sheath and handed it to Eileen.
Thank you very much 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺