P. 203

P. 212

He knew, yet it always felt out-of-place to witness such a sight.

"Lydia has been taken by Gossam and his men. They're going to make her search for the gemstone."

The cat jumped down from the window and walked over to Carlton on his two hind legs, and cleverly crossed his arms, or his front legs.

"What happened? Last time I saw Lydia, she was with that blond noble."

To tell the truth, Carlton had to always fight the urge to want to pick Nico up and inspect and test him, but even though he had the body of a cat, if he was a gentleman as he claimed to be, then it would even be rude to stare curiously at him, so Carlton reframed yet again.

Nico was Lydia's mother's partner, and had watched over Lydia ever since she was a young child.

So he also knew Carlton for a long time as well. For Carlton who wasn't able to see faeries, Nico was the only faerie that he was able to come in contact with.

"She was, but she was captured by Gossam. I was also tricked by Gossam, and came along with him to find Lydia but...either way, Lydia is heading towards the hidden location of the sword."

"This is bad."

"It's bad? I was told by a woman dressed like a man that that nobleman would sacrifice Lydia to the merrows."

"Yes, in the promise between the merrows and the Blue Knight Earl, if you weren't the real decendant of the Earl family and got your hands on the sword, then apparently that means you will only come out dead."

P. 213

The sound of approaching footsteps made Nico close his mouth. And then he vanished.

At that same time, the door slammed open. The eldest Gossam brother entered the room; he was in a poor state, one could tell by first glance that he was punched in the face.

This man apparently introduced himself as Huxley to Lydia, and with an obviously irritated look like he was venting his anger out on Carlton and kicked the chair.

"Your daughter has been kidnapped by that thief again."

"Uh-huh, eitherway, that doesn't change the fact that I'm still in bad situation."

P. 236

He knew perfectly well of her worry that she never handled a sword before and was scared to harm someone.

That’s why even if Lydia thought he seemed timid, she couldn’t bring herself to move.

Nico tugged her sleeve to instigate her.

“Don’t hesitate over this, Lydia. If you don’t kill him, he’ll kill you. Or do you plan to join him in becoming pray of the merrows?”

Nico was right.

[Exchange a star for the merrow’s star. Or else the merrows will sing their song of lament.]

If they didn’t hand over the promised item to the merrows here, then the merrows will sing their song. That meant everyone here would be dragged into the sea.

Slowly, Edgar stepped over to her.

“I said don’t move!”

“If I’m not close you can’t cut me.”

“He’s right, that man was planning to kill you, Lydia!”

Edgar paid no heed and continued to close up on her.

“Were you really planning to kill me?”

“Are you frighetened? You’re trembling.”

“Was it a lie when you said you wouldn’t? You said that you would save my father. Was that a lie too?”

P. 237

“That’s wasn’t a lie.”

You big liar. Even as she thought that, Lydia was still hesitating.

“Tell me, was there any truth in any of your words?”

“What’s the use of knowing that?”

“Because, you protected me all this time. I don’t want to think all of that was a lie. After losing Ermine, I thought that I had shared even a little of the same pain as the both of you. That’s why I thought you would understand my feelings of wanting to save my father....”

Of course, saying such a thing now was pointless.

Edgar made a wry face, either because he was irritated or befuddled by her.

“Why are you hesitating? Wouldn’t the man who tried to kill you deserve to die. Even if you cut me, no one will blame you.”

“Lydia, ahh, geesh, what are you doing!” said Nico impatiently.

“....What am I suppose to do!”

Most likely, there was no way Lydia was ever going to be able to harm Edgar with a sword.

P. 238

Edgar, who had been staring at her steadily, suddenly chuckled like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“Even if it was a criminal like me, you’re still scared of cutting me with that sword? Then, let’s do this.”

He took a hold of Lydia and grabbed the sword out of her hand before she knew it.

He narrowed his eyes and for some reason looked at the sword sadly.

“You’re too soft-hearted, Lydia. Even though there are villains in the world who can be more sadistic and cold-blooded than you can imagine.”