Chapter Fifteen and a Half: A Foolish Man 2 (Will’s POV)

Tracing the remnant of tears, I dropped a fleeting kiss on her white cheeks. Then, I proceeded to lift up Liliana, who had fallen asleep crying.

Truly, how delicate and small she was. Surely, if I were to exert too much strength, she’d break.

The silence in the room was deafening. I left for her bedroom. Elsa, who was by her bed, saw me and stood up to tuck Liliana in.

Elsa gently laid Liliana beside her younger brother, who was even smaller than her.

Upon noticing that Liliana’s cheeks were damp, Liliana dipped a handkerchief into a basin of water on the side of the table, before wiping her cheeks. As I sat on the edge of the bed, I stared towards the sleeping faces of both Cedric and Liliana.

It was difficult to say whether or not they were in peace. After all, they had a somewhat painful look on their faces.

“…Will the Alwin family be punished?”

The frigid voice of the maid ruthlessly broke the silence.

As I stared at the sleeping face of my precious wife and her younger brother, I began to speak.

“Only seven years have passed since the end of the war. As of the present, it’s difficult to determine whether or not the domestic situation has stabilized. Although the neighboring countries are showing their fealty, there’s no doubt that they’re keeping a close eye on us. They’re waiting for an opportunity to attack. The truth is, I don’t even know how many people have infiltrated the kingdom.”

However, to Liliana, it was a very peaceful and calm kingdom. Since Cedric had an excellent tutor, Liliana probably heard the situation from him to an extent. Regardless of age, it was customary for a successor to receive a strict education.

The Kingdom of Cression was indeed a prosperous and peaceful kingdom. However, the remnants of the war still lingered within. There was no saying that a spark wouldn’t lead to multiple explosions.

“Three, or maybe four days ago, on the night Count Eighton won at the gambling den, he was contacted by a spy from the neighboring country. The spy happens to be the one we have been chasing for some time. Unfortunately, I can only remember the details from documents. But apparently, they’re quite skillful. It was reported that Count Eighton was tipsy and in a jolly mood.”

I heard a small gasp.

“The spy wanted to learn more about me through Count Eighton. After some alcohol and gambling, his mouth had loosened a lot.”

“Then, did he leak any information?”

“Due to the influence of the alcohol, the man himself didn’t remember what he said. Well, the knowledge Count Eighton possesses isn’t any different from the others, really. It’s also possible that he was talking about Liliana.”

“But the existence of your wife is a pre-established fact. Not to mention, she’s known for being sickly and weak.”

As if to disperse her anxiety, Elsa interjected.

“While that’s certainly true, there’s a possibility that the fool also divulged about his debts while at it.”

I turned to Elsa, who was expressionless.

“Recently, he has borrowed 5 million Rills from somewhere. Keep in mind that he still has 30 million Rills’ worth of debt. Once the inquiry committee of the House of Lords discover it, not only will he be stripped of his title, both his territory and property will be confiscated as well.”

While loosening my collar, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Taking advantage of the whole assassination commotion, I’m trying to take care of some things behind the scene. But I don’t know how much information has leaked to the other party. I should’ve tightened the surveillance.”

“Had my Lord properly faced his wife before losing his memory, he would’ve been made aware of his own foolishness at an earlier stage. You only have yourself to blame.”

“…Freddie also said the same.”

As if to escape from her piercing look, I turned to gaze at Liliana. Elsa clicked her tongue, but I pretended to not hear it.

Upon noticing that the ice pack on Cedric’s forehead had fallen off, I reached for his small forehead. His fever seemed to have gone down, perhaps because it was psychological in nature. Deciding that the ice pack would be too cold, I placed a damp towel on his forehead.

“…Had I not lost my memory, I probably would’ve easily divorce Liliana as a mean of self-defense, especially considering that her family is about to fall.”

“Not necessarily.”

Towards the unexpected words, I looked back at Elsa in amazement.

“Certainly, you did hurt Lady Liliana. Moreover, you also exhibit all the traits of an irresponsible husband, it was the worst. Milady, who had been denied for her entire life, was denied by you, as well. Even though she’s a gentle soul. Although I have forgiven you, to forget is a different matter altogether. Because of that, I intend to keep an even stricter eye on you. …Nevertheless, the fact remains that Milady is also somewhat indebted to you. More than anything else, you aren’t the kind of man who’d just arbitrarily abandon someone weaker than you.”

Elsa indifferently spoke to me.

“You spoke as if you’re used to it.”

At my careless reply, Elsa slightly narrowed her eyes. The emotion that flashed across her gaze wasn’t one that I could fathom. Liliana—no, Frederick, would’ve surely been able to decipher it.

“…Because Milady has suffered so much, I want her to be happier than anyone else. At the same time, I’d like her to be able to relate with others, to genuinely care for them, while always keeping kindness within her heart. But first and foremost, I yearn for the meek Liliana to find happiness.”

Her dark blue eyes turned to gaze at the sleeping Liliana.

“I don’t want her to give up, for everyone has an equal chance at happiness. As long as she extends her hand, she’ll be able to reach it…”

Then, Elsa slowly turned to look at me.

His words, which should’ve been directed towards Liliana, gave me an illusion as if I was the recipient all along.

“Therefore, please don’t run away from loving and being loved.”

Her navy-blue eyes seemed to narrow slightly, seemingly about to burst into tears. Yet, after a single blink, there was the usual, dignified maid.

“Please retire to your room soon. I heard from Frederick that you’ll return to the Knights from tomorrow.”

“…I was planning to take another week off and spend it with Liliana and Cedric, but the captain said no.”

“Well, obviously. My lord, as the division commander, you’re a vital part to the security of the royal capital. Please be considerate.”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll fulfill my duty as the division commander.”

“In that case, immediately go to bed in preparation for tomorrow. If your health were to deteriorate, your wife will be saddened.”

I couldn’t argue against that.

Like Al said, it might be nigh impossible to win an argument against Elsa.

In turn, I caressed the heads of Liliana and Cedric, before taking my leave. Elsa proceeded to drape a blanket over them.

“…Did you tell Milady everything?”

“Well, half-truth and half-lie. Otherwise, she would’ve gone to the monastery. That’s a waste for a nobility.”

“If that happens, I’ll go with her. However, you’ll have to sleep with one eye closed. Frederick won’t take kindly to that.”

Elsa had a terrifying smile on her face.

“…I, I understand. I’ll do my best to avoid it.”

“I believe in you, my Lord.”

As she sat down on a nearby chair, Elsa chuckled. Then, she watched over Liliana. From the side, her profile looked more like a mother or sister caring for her daughter or sister, than a maid caring for her mistress.

I was hesitant to call out to Liliana, who was asleep. Well, it was unlikely for her to leave. Instead, I whispered good night to her and walked into the hallway, where Frederick was waiting.

“Have you heard anything?”

“No, there’s nothing of importance. Therefore, please take a rest.”

Like a shadow, Frederick followed me half a step behind.

I removed my coat and gave it to Frederick, who hung it on his arm.

“How’s Lord Cedric?”

“He still has a slight fever, but it’ll eventually go down in the morning. As for his injuries and emotional scars, only time will tell. But since Liliana is here, I’m sure it’ll be alright.”

I stretched out and yawned, pretending to not hear Frederick’s reprimand, “Show some manners.”

“Starting from tomorrow, I’m going to be busy.”

Nevertheless, I intended to make time for Liliana, no matter what.

“…How did that scum give birth to an angel like Liliana, I wonder?”

“Her mother must have been a wonderful person.”

I agreed with Frederick’s reply.

Upon thinking that Liliana’s mother must’ve been a beauty, I recalled her father’s interrogation.

***

After being washed in the well, Count Eighton, dressed in a crude prison attire, was brought to the underground interrogation room. When he was told to sit across from where I was sitting, the sullen count didn’t even try to conceal his displeasure. Regardless, the moment he noticed me, he became aghast.

Biting his lips until they lost color, Count Eighton lowered his face and begun to tremble in earnest. He seemed about ready to escape at any given chance.

“Don’t let anyone in except for the vice-captain.”

At my words, the knight who brought Count Eighton in bowed and left. After confirming that his footsteps had faded away and that there were no signs in my surroundings, I turned to face him once again.

With my chin on top of my crossed hands, I smiled gracefully and tilted my head.

“Let’s cut to the case, shall we? Do you remember who you spoke to and how much did you say that day you won at the gambling den?”

Letting out a short gasp, Count Eighton shook his head. He was still unable to meet my gaze.

“Well, that’s certainly disappointing. While your son-in-law may look like this, he’s still a figure of authority in this kingdom. To me, someone like you, who isn’t only bad at keeping his promises, but also loose-mouthed, is nothing but a problem. But do you know what isn’t a problem? If you were to disappear.”

Count Eighton vigorously raised his head. His green eyes went round, while his ghastly white face looked akin to that of a corpse.

“N, no way… A, as if you can do that—…”

“You may be a notorious count, but I’m the hero of this kingdom. If I make up a corpse as I see fit, I’m sure there’ll be no problem. If I crush your face, no one will know any better. Did you realize how many crimes you’ve committed? Even if you manage to avoid the death sentence, you’ll be guaranteed a life in prison. Although, you might prefer to be a coal miner or be a sailor, instead?”

A strange voice, as if his throat had been crushed, leaked from Count Eighton’s mouth.

“Not only did you try to embezzle the fund to manage the territory, you also tried to avoid taxes. Father-in-law, the extent of your crimes honestly astounds me.”

When I smiled at him, Count Eighton stood up, and proceeded to prostrate himself before me. I looked at him sideways.

“We haven’t even gotten to what you’ve did to both my dear wife and the young Cedric. Perhaps, only in death can you truly be absolved.”

“T, that’s, no, please, spare me…—”

“—Oh my, you sure didn’t hold back.”

When I turned my face to the happy voice, I saw Alphonse leaning against the door. Count Eighton tilted his head for a moment, but soon realized that it was none other than the crown prince himself. Somehow, he managed to become even paler than before. Alphonse laughed out loud, before coming over to my side to look down at the kneeling Count Eighton. Instead of a knightly attire, he wore the glamorous and dignified attire of a crown prince.

“Will, what’s this thing doing?”

“Your Highness, it’s uncouth for you to refer to him so, for he’s still my father-in-law.”

“Well, is that so—!?”

Without any remorse, Alphonse burst out laughing.

“Then, Count Eighton, let me ask you a question. Is Lymos Alwin your name?”

“T, that’s right…”

Count Eighton replied with a voice that sounded like a mosquito.

Unlike his usual, friendly appearance, Alphonse’s expression was that of the crown prince of Cression. Looking at him, it was hard to believe that he was the same man who used to crack a joke alongside my butler.

I stood up and pulled out a chair. Alphonse nodded generously and sat there while looking down at Count Eighton. With the sword that once leaned against the desk strapped at my waist, I stood behind Alphonse.

Be it the reason why he was caught in that situation, or why the crown prince himself was there, Count Eighton failed to comprehend anything. After all, he had committed numerous crimes that when he was taken away by the knight, he couldn’t even deny the label they had given him—a criminal.

“Before anything else, I overheard something earlier. Is it true that you’re 35 million Rills in debt?”

“T-that’s…”

“I like direct people. Answer with either yes or no.”

“Y, yes…”

Count Eighton nodded while trembling. Alphonse crossed his long legs, putting his crossed hands on his knees.

“Marquis of Springfield.”

“Yes!”

“I commend you for dealing with this matter and taking appropriate measures.”

With visible despair on his face, Count Eighton looked up.

“Your Highness, I apologize for my rudeness. Even if he’s like this, he’s still my wife’s father. Therefore, I’d like you to give him a chance.”

Alphonse glanced towards me. Upon receiving the gaze of an absolute ruler, I naturally corrected my posture.

“…A chance? But didn’t you give him exactly that in the past? You agreed to shoulder his huge debt of 30 million Rills, while the man himself showed no prospect of repayment. Not only that, he had increased the amount by five million.”

“I’ll take care of that five million.”

I turned to my father-in-law with a smile, finding that hope had seeped into the face that was stained with despair. Although, we probably had two different things in mind.

“In exchange, I’ll be the guardian of Cedric Alwin, who’ll succeed the title of Count Eighton. I’ll take care of him and thoroughly educate him. For the next ten years, the current Count of Eighton, Lymos Alwin, will be placed under the supervision of the Lutherford family in the Eighton territory.”

When I looked at him, his wide green eyes were swaying, as if they were spilling out. A meaningless sound resembling a groan leaked from his mouth.

“To surmise, you’re in charge of everything. Then, what of the countess and her daughter? Not only are they loose with money, their personality is also vile. Isn’t that just the worst?”

Alphonse flat-out remarked.

“Considering how irredeemable they are as a person, both his wife and daughter will be going to the monastery.”

“Certainly, instead of supporting their own livelihoods, they should’ve used the taxes to ensure a better life for their people. After all, the taxes are the fruits of the sweat and tears of the people. Let’s tell the church to educate them properly.”

“Understood.”

“W, while I understand that both I and my wife are guilty, but please spare Margaret… Margaret, she—she already has several inquiries, and is trying to arrange a marriage with Charles, the eldest son of Count Todd.”

Despite not loving Liliana in the slightest, the count’s affection towards Margaret was made apparent by his hoarse plea, which was akin to a choking seagull.

I recalled a portrait of Charles, the son of Count Todd. He was young, beautiful, and according to the documents, he was a very competent civil servant.

Alphonse curiously tilted his head.

“How strange. Charles has been infatuated with a certain viscount’s daughter since he was young. Just the other day, the date for his wedding was decided. I’m invited too, because Charles is my brother’s friend.”

I wanted to applaud the count for digging his own grave.

Lying to royalty could be considered as a crime.

But His Highness the Crown Prince only laughed gently.

“In your haste, did you commit a mistake? But well, it’s only to be expected for a parent to wish for the happiness of his dear daughter. Then, I won’t send her to the monastery.”

“Ah, t-thank you so much, Your Highness—”

“—But we still need to do something about her wasteful habit? Oh, yes—! I’ll be the one to arrange for her marriage! Well, this is a bit difficult, considering that not only isn’t she a virgin, but she acts slovenly, as well. However, not to worry, since I know a man who has a penchant for such a woman! Sir Boniface has a slightly peculiar taste. Despite already being married, he also has eight mistresses, and they all live in the same mansion. For some reason, the females of his house are always stark naked and crawling on all fours like animals. What do you think, William?”

Alphonse looked back at me, as if hoping for me to say, “Good idea!” On the other hand, Count Eighton desperately shook his head.

However, these weren’t the words of Marquis Springfield, but of the crown prince—Alphonse Cression. To put it simply, the words of the royal family that ruled the kingdom. Even if it was merely an idea, as long as it came out of his mouth, it’d have a stronger binding force than any other command.

…Also, how did he find out that she is no longer pure?

Nevertheless, if I were to research it on my own, I’d surely reach the same conclusion. Unlike Liliana, who had an angelic innocence, Margaret was intimate with plenty of male friends.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

“I intend to be a benevolent king—!”

Alphonse laughed loudly.

At a loss for a word, Count Eighton tumbled on the floor, before letting out an ugly sob.

“Caddock, take Count Eighton back to prison number four lest he drowns in his own tears!”

Out of nowhere, Alphonse’s stern escort appeared and carried Count Eighton in a jute bag. The man himself was two years older than Alphonse and I. With a large vertical scar above his left eye and a sturdy body, he looked powerful.

“Caddock, show this to the guard.”

After receiving the paper I gave him, Caddock left without a word.

During the war five years ago, Caddock sustained a serious injury to his throat after protecting Alphonse. As a result, he lost his ability to speak. Afterwards, it was none other than Alphonse himself who stopped Caddock from resigning, saying: “I’m a talkative guy who can get along well with a taciturn guy like you!”

“What’s wrong, Will?”

Alphonse broke my reverie.

“For some reason, I recalled how you and Caddock got to know each other. How you told him that the talkative you will get along well with the taciturn him.”

Alphonse stood up in surprise.

“Did you regain your memory!?”

Hearing that question, I sensed that something was amiss and shook my head.

“No, but it might be a sign. My memory may be returning.”

Even though I acknowledged it myself, a part of me refused to. In the past, I used to be cruel towards Liliana.

Perhaps, I refused to remember that.

Upon seeing me scowl, Alphonse made an indescribable expression.

“…Did anyone tell you why you despised women?”

“Frederick told me that I was fed-up with how they only care about my title.”

Alphonse opened his mouth, before closing it once again. Then, he smiled as usual.

“…You’re a man who dreamed of love.”

“Huh?”

“By the way, what’s the endgame with Count Eighton? Even the Imperial Court made a fuss of it. After all, the knights had just broken into a count’s house.”

While leaning against the desk, Alphonse stood up and tilted his head.

“I’ll make him work in the territory. After making him feel that he’d be happier living as slaves in the mines or at the sea, he’ll unfortunately die of illness.”

“Or, we can just hire an assassin and make quick work of him. But in order to protect the honor of Lily and Cedric, should I say something? As a crown prince, I’ll order him to retire to his territory under the pretense of medical treatment. That way, your reputation as the hero also won’t be tarnished. If the fact of abuse were to come to light, the two of them might even abandon their nobility.”

“I’ll appreciate that. I don’t care about those things, but I want to protect their honor no matter what. Hence, I stepped into the count’s house despite fully knowing that it’ll cause resentment.”

“Until a while ago, you’ve been gathering and manipulating information in the castle, it seems.”

Hence why I was convinced.

“Some of the stubborn guys are making a fuss about disrespecting the aristocrats. They are the same people who hate us knights, calling us savages.”

“Even though they live carefreely in a kingdom protected by those savages.”

“I agree. You can’t rule a kingdom through elegance alone.”

Alphonse scowled while shrugging his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.

“Let me warn you, there are fools out there who’re sympathetic towards the plight of Countess Eighton. They promised her safety if she were to come to them.”

My eyebrows twitched.

Alphonse went on with a serious tone.

“After all, despite being from a baron family, she managed to rise to the rank of a countess. You should be careful.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

When I nodded, Alphonse’s usual elusive smile appeared.

“Then, Will, are you going to stay?”

“No, I’m going home. I’m worried about Liliana and Cedric.”

“I see. Tell him that I’m wishing for him to get better soon.”

“I will, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll take care of the rest, so hurry up and go home.”

Alphonse stretched out and left the desk he was leaning on. The two of us left the interrogation room side by side. When I went up from the basement, the sky was already dark and illuminated by the faint moonlight. The moment I left the sturdy stone building and went to the courtyard, a half-moon could be seen floating in the night sky.

“Aren’t you going back to the castle?”

“No, it’s troublesome. It’s easier this way. See you tomorrow.”

After saying that, Alphonse quickly left. I saw him off, before turning my heels towards the gate. Frederick should already be waiting for me.

“…What am I going to say to Liliana?”

While worrying about the most important issue, I made my way home under the moonlight.

---

***T/N: Will has his ruthless side too, doesn’t he?

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