Chapter 99 – Contract with the Devil
2024.02.07.
Baron had come down to Willas after a long time for an interim report on the investigation Leonard had ordered.
The two met in a quiet park to talk.
“Why did you bring that dog?”
“I didn’t bring him. He got into the carriage himself when he heard we were going to Lady Cordelia.”
Baron glanced at Lottie, who was stretching and yawning. Lottie casually rested his chin on the ground, dozing under the sunlight.
“Here’s the report you requested.”
The park was quiet at midday, with few people around. Only nobles could afford to stroll at this hour, so it was naturally peaceful.
Leonard crossed his legs and examined the documents Baron had brought. They were thicker than he expected, taking some time to read. Soon, a look of disappointment spread across his face.
“What is this?”
“The Vasquez household staff changed frequently, so the only person who remembered Lady Vasquez was the butler.”
“How many people did they go through? Were they all obsessive about cleanliness or something?”
Over the past twenty or so years, hundreds of servants had worked for the Vasquez family, each for a very short period. Usually, noble households retained staff for decades, so this was highly unusual.
“It seems less about cleanliness and more about unpaid wages. No one stayed long because more than half of those who left never received proper payment.”
“Hah.”
Leonard sighed shortly and placed the documents beside him. He had ordered the investigation hoping someone might know something about Cordelia’s birth, but it seemed he had gained little.
“And the butler? Does he know anything?”
“Well… he also arrived long after Lady Cordelia was born, so there wasn’t much information to gain. I recommended checking with her nanny if you want details about the birth.”
“The nanny? The one from Yeratkus?”
A faint memory of what Cordelia had once said came to Leonard: she could speak Bedos, the language of the southern continent, because her nanny was from Yeratkus.
“You remembered. Yes, that’s correct. The nanny was close to Lady Vasquez, but due to circumstances, she left the Vasquez household when Cordelia was around ten years old.”
“Where did she go?”
“We’re currently tracking her whereabouts. If she returned to Yeratkus, it might take some time.”
“No matter how long it takes, make sure you find her.”
“May I ask… why are you suddenly investigating Lady Cordelia’s birth?”
Baron asked politely. Leonard pressed his lips tightly together. He didn’t want to instill any baseless prejudices toward Cordelia with truths that weren’t fully uncovered.
“Just curious.”
“Understood.”
As a loyal subordinate, Baron recognized that Leonard was reluctant to share the reason and didn’t press further.
“I also have another report. Maximilian and Rosalyn Embly headed south together, but just before boarding a ship in Ansen, they split into two groups. We first followed Maximilian, who seems to have made contact with underground mages. Traces of unknown magical power were found in several places. They killed not only our trackers but also the Embly knights who were accompanying him. The secondary tracking team discovered this a bit late.”
“Underground mages? You mean those who have been expelled?”
“Yes. We don’t know what Maximilian promised them, but he seems to be moving with them now.”
“Still scurrying around like a rat, huh?”
Leonard clicked his tongue. Even without magic, he escaped faster than anyone. Leonard couldn’t help but admire the skill.
“Are you sure he split from Embly?”
“Yes. From the reports so far, he seems to be moving only with those mages. And this is not confirmed yet, but…”
Baron trailed off, then continued quietly, “It seems Rosalyn Embly has died.”
“Died? How?”
“She appears to have died during childbirth.”
“Hmm.”
Leonard rubbed his chin. The situation was becoming increasingly complicated. With his cherished daughter dead, it was impossible to predict how Lord Embly would react. While hunting Maximilian immediately might be the rational move, he feared that Anton, losing his senses, might create further chaos in Attilay.
“Did Maximilian run away after learning that?”
“That part is unclear.”
“Ha.”
Annoyance flared suddenly.
They could have just killed him in the Diloana territory. Leonard rarely regretted his actions, but letting Maximilian live to punish his treacherous brother had started to feel frustrating.
“Anyway, what about Menupio joining us?”
“I received word just yesterday. He said he would head to Ansen first.”
“Good. No need to capture him alive. Just kill him if you see him.”
“Are you sure? Didn’t you plan to capture him alive for a trial?”
“Forget it. I’ve lost interest in trials. Besides, I’ve found something far more interesting.”
The rage that had burned like a volcano had long since disappeared. What now dominated Leonard’s body and mind was not vengeful hatred, but a tender, awkward love.
Leonard’s gaze fixed on a point, and Baron followed it. Naturally, Cordelia was walking toward them. Seeing the two of them, she waved from afar. Baron lifted his hand slightly in return.
“When do you think the wedding should be?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Spring would be nice, don’t you think? If we start preparations now, we could finish by the time we’re back at the main estate.”
Baron teased lightly. Leonard propped his chin on his hand and watched Cordelia approaching. Their eyes met. No, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Enough. There’s no reason to enter the wedding alone.”
He did not deny his feelings. Baron felt a mixture of amusement and sympathy at his master’s weakness.
“What’s bothering you? Who would dare refuse if you proposed?”
“I’m afraid ‘who’ might include her.”
Only after saying it aloud did Leonard realize what he feared. He had tried to gauge Cordelia’s feelings since recognizing his own, but it was clear she held no romantic interest in him.
At first, he had been confident. He had wealth, intelligence, looks, and more—an endless list of advantages. But he realized all of that meant nothing to Cordelia.
Sometimes just watching her face was painful. He had never felt before what it was like to reach out and be unable to touch someone. Meanwhile, Cordelia seemed to shine ever brighter, as if the whole world could see her radiance, which scared him.
“Master! Baron!”
“Don’t run. You might trip.”
Leonard stood and walked toward Cordelia, naturally brushing the hair from her forehead. His touch was gentle and kind.
Baron greeted her.
“Lady Cordelia, it’s been a while. Was the funeral handled well?”
“Yes, it was all properly finished. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen Baron since Lord Craig’s funeral. Huh? Lottie?”
The gray dog slowly walked to her feet. Cordelia knelt to stroke Lottie’s face…
“Aw, you won’t let me pet you today either?”
Lottie quickly turned his head and stepped back. Cordelia pouted and stood up. Leonard asked,
“I told you to stay on your homework. How did you know to come here?”
“I actually went looking for Lord Rosenbluth because of Lydia. But I couldn’t find him anywhere, so I thought maybe he came to the park, and that’s where I found you.”
“Why Lydia?”
“Well, after you left, I spoke with Lord Candias a bit…”
“Ugh!”
“What, what happened?!”
From afar, screams echoed. Soon, a blood-soaked man stumbled out from the bushes.
“Monster! Woman! Aaah!”
He looked insane. He shouted a few incoherent words before running out of the park.
Leonard pulled Cordelia close. She clutched his sleeve, terrified.
“Wh-what’s happening?”
“Not sure.”
Baron, with a serious expression, also scanned the surroundings. More rustling indicated people running toward them. Seeing Cordelia and her group, they shouted:
“Run! Quickly!”
“What’s going on?”
“Some mad mage is killing everyone!”
After saying this, the woman tightly held her child and ran off.
“A mad mage?”
“Could their magic be spiraling out of control?”
“We’ll have to check. Stay here.”
“Master, are you going?”
Cordelia grabbed Leonard as he turned to leave. Seeing her worried eyes, Baron patted her reassuringly.
“Do not worry. No one in Willas would dare harm you, my lady.”
“Still… if you’re going, I’ll go with you. I can’t stay here alone in case something happens.”
She clung to Leonard’s clothes. Smiling, he extended his hand.
“Who did you inherit this fear from?”
Cordelia quickly took his hand. Leonard and the others moved against the flow of the crowd running toward them.
But the further they walked, the more labored Cordelia’s breathing became. Her grip on Leonard’s hand weakened, and her body swayed.
“Huff…”
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Ugh… hick.”
Leonard grabbed her arm in surprise.
