18 – The Inescapable Curse
My private room in the corner of the Lilieth house.
I was sitting in the chair and looking out into the garden. Then I closed my eyes and exhaled quietly.
—After that happened. I was driven out of the study by my furious father, and locked up in my room.
Well, I understood the seriousness of what I said.
It had been very reckless.
Of course, it would not be accepted. After all, this man was not even a noble. However, there was nothing else that I could do.
If…it had not been me here, but that friend of mine. What would have happened?
Perhaps things could have been resolved in a better way.
Suddenly, my familiar room seemed so much larger.
“Lady Mimi’s wedding will take place in a week.”
Said Mr. Rand as he stood by the door without emotion.
“…Mr. Rand…do you agree with it?”
“…I am just a butler. It is not my place to interfere.”
The expected reply.
I did not feel like blaming him.
He had escaped the old country with my grandfather. And it was because of my grandfather that he was able to live here.
And I suppose he felt a debt to the son and the Lilieth family.
But it was also like a curse.
That is what I thought. After growing up and seeing him be used to their convenience, without being paid much.
And yet he was loyal. I could not hate him for that.
(A curse…huh?)
My eyes turned to the window again.
—Was this a curse then?
The Lilieth house, who had abandoned their country and went over to the enemy.
My once proud father, kind mother. It had all changed as if it was a curse.
Looked down on as gutter rats. Yes, it was just like that. We were cursed to wade through the dirt.
If only I could throw it all away and leave. I had sometimes thought that.
Surely, it was possible. But…
“…Lady Aize.”
I heard Mr. Rand’s voice, and our eyes met.
“?”
Immediately, I felt something strange.
I had known him so well, but now he seemed like a different person.
As if unsure, he looked away once. And then he turned back to me and opened his mouth.
“If…if you really have the will to fight… You must know your opponent well. That is what I think.”
“Know him…? Mikhail Fravault?”
“Yes. There is a saying about knowing your enemy and winning a hundred battles.”
It was not like him to talk like this.
Up until now—he had never spoken about this family’s problems.
He only served, and did nothing above his station. So what has changed for him now?
But I pushed all of that aside and asked him,
“…Is there something you have in mind?”
“Yes.”
He nodded without hesitation.
According to him, before and after the engagement was decided, strange men had been seen lurking through the village.
Though, it was just once a week at most…
“Mikhail Fravault must have some reason for wanting this engagement.”
“And that reason is related…to the strange men?”
“I believe so. And they are trying to conceal it.”
“…And I must find out what it is?”
He lowered his eyes without saying anything.
Find their weakness and use it.
However, he was not going to say how to use it.
(But I don’t have any other options right now…)
I didn’t know what this secret was.
But I could not do anything without finding out first.
“In other words, if I escaped from here…you will turn a blind eye. Is that the case?”
Mr. Rand continued to look down without answering.
That was his answer.
I see. I muttered and reached for my coat. And then I remembered something. I took out the pink pressed flower from the pocket.
(Mimi…)
What could I actually accomplish?
But I pushed such doubts aside, and reached for my coat again.
Thanks for the chapter.