Volume 5 Chapter 21 Sometimes It's Necessary To Be Scolded
"So? I thought you finally decided to reach out after a long time..."
Right now, Randy and Liz are visiting Cedric at the Marquis family's mansion in the capital, along with Catherine and Leon. The warm fire from the fancy heating stove fills Cedric's office, but everyone there can feel Cedric's cold stare.
Cedric, looking exasperated, shrugs and says, "I can't believe the Saintly Lady is here too." Even though he probably knows a lot from his shadow reports, there's an unmistakable sharpness in his words.
In fact, Miranda, who is standing behind him, also has a slightly exasperated look on her face. It's as if she wants to say, "What are you doing?" Randy quietly looks away from her gaze.
But right in front of him is Cedric's piercing stare. Under that sharp gaze, Randy is struggling to find the right words to say.
Usually, Cedric's office has a cozy vibe, but right now, it feels dry and business-like. It's as if the atmosphere is saying, "Let's just get to the point." Everyone, including Randy, is almost overwhelmed by it.
The reason Randy and the others came here goes back a little in time...
──────
For now, the shape of the fabric has been decided, and the 3 girls have reworked the copper heating device, which is starting to take shape. To be honest, they want to embed runes to make it even more efficient, but there are still big hurdles to overcome with rune engraving.
It's actually unusual for someone like Liz or Ellie to be able to apply runes so easily. Considering the production system, using runes is still not feasible. So, the device was made without runes, but since they took their time to refine it, the results are quite good.
There are still things to figure out, like the shape of the table to fit it and the choice of fabric, but as the sky is getting darker, they decided to pause the prototype for now.
If they can't secure and process the copper properly, everything will go back to square one. Continuing with more prototypes at this point would be hasty.
First priority is to secure stable copper. Then, set up the production system. Develop sales channels... there's a mountain of things to do. To be honest, relying on Braubelg is the quickest way for all of this. But this time, it's Catherine's idea.
Randy can't imagine Braubelg saying "sure" happily. But just because he can't rely on them doesn't mean he shouldn't talk.
(I should stick to my principles...)
Even though Liz is already with Victor's people, there are still principles to follow. It's about trust between families, and more than anything, Randy doesn't want to neglect that.
Securing copper is important, but Randy, who thinks that's the top priority, waved his hand in a different direction, away from everyone cheering for the equipment.
"What are you doing──."
Just as Catherine frowned, a pitch-black shadow appeared in front of Randy and the others.
"Sorry for calling you out like this."
Randy scratched his head, and the shadow shook its head, saying, "It's fine."
...A shadow from the Marquis family. It's probably one of Miranda's subordinates, who keeps a certain distance while watching over Liz every day. They understand Randy's strength, but Randy isn't perfect either.
Randy thinks their loyalty, protecting Liz daily to fill his gaps, is admirable.
After calling out that shadow, Randy opened his mouth again after saying "sorry."
"While I'm at it, could you send a messenger?"
Randy looked hesitant, and the shadow replied, "Are you referring to Sir Cedric?"
"Yes. I wanted to arrange a meeting."
Once Randy said that, the shadow said, "Please wait a moment," and left the scene.
"W-What was that..."
Catherine's cheeks twitched, and Randy glanced around, saying, "It's Liz's bodyguard."
She must have understood the meaning of that action. Catherine was sweating, saying, "I'm surprised I wasn't killed." Indeed, as Catherine pointed out, when they trapped Liz, it wouldn't have been strange to be killed, but that defense system was only set up recently.
Randy once wondered about this too, but it seems that hiding in the royal capital or its surroundings is a big no-no. It could make people think you're after the royal family, and it sends a message that you don't trust the royal family's dark side.
In fact, when Liz was sentenced to exile, Lucian was in the capital, but the shadow was far away, keeping watch in the Braubelg territory. It was expected that Liz, the Crown Prince's fiancée, and her father would be protected by the royal family's dark side.
Because of this background and the sudden exile, Liz ended up without proper bodyguards and just managed to rope in Rita, who happened to be at the Marquis's residence.
Catherine, who didn't know any of this, was still stepping back from Liz, saying, "You really aren't a lady."
"Hehehe. If Lady Catherine tries to scheme, it'll be obvious right away."
As Liz grinned with a mischievous look, Catherine puffed her cheeks and said, "I won't do it again," just as the shadow from earlier appeared again.
"You're meeting tomorrow afternoon."
"That's really soon."
Randy couldn't stop his wry smile as the shadow said, "Please understand," and then vanished again.
(Seriously, this is not just a brother complex...)
Thinking about that, he glanced back and saw Liz still deep in conversation with Catherine and Cecilia.
────────
So, here they were, rushing to meet the busiest man right now, Cedric, but judging by his attitude, he was definitely not in a good mood.
"I'm sorry."
Liz instinctively bowed her head, and Cedric hurriedly shook his head from behind his desk, saying, "No, no. Liza isn't at fault," but there was a hint of blame in his gaze directed at Randy.
It's understandable. Given the circumstances, even if Liz said she wasn't worried anymore, Catherine almost got her killed. The Marquis family would never forget that.
Of course, they probably didn't want to keep bringing it up forever, but it was definitely too soon for things to be all good again.
(Well, I ended up being on the side that got connected on that rainy day too.)
That day, as he told Liz, he had some thoughts about Catherine, whom he had gotten involved with. It wasn't easy to simply call her completely bad.
──Maybe she could have been me...
Thinking it was just a game world, he had done as he pleased. As a result, he caused trouble for his father and family. However, it can be said that the incident became the turning point that allowed Randy to live in this world as Randolph Victor.
When he told Liz, "I've always been Randolph," it carried that kind of sentiment.
But if he hadn't made that mistake back then... or if he hadn't realized it was a mistake... there's a good chance he might have made an even greater error, like Catherine.
That's precisely why, if she has decided to live in this world as Catherine instead of Sachie, Randy wants to support her.
However, that's just Randy's perspective. It doesn't erase the fact that Catherine, as an individual, committed various actions. To the Marquis family, who actually suffered because of her, it must be baffling to see Liz and Randy getting along with Catherine.
"...Even though Father said, 'If it's Liza's decision, so be it,' I'm sure deep down, he's still boiling with anger."
With a sigh, Cedric glared at Catherine, who stood behind Randy and Liz, looking small and insignificant. Randy couldn't help but feel a slight regret for bringing Catherine along, as she hung her head with a pale face.
But being here was her decision.
Since she had proposed the idea and received Liz and Randy's cooperation, she felt the need to see it through. Even if Braubelg wasn't directly involved, Liz's status as a Braubelg daughter was still widely recognized.
Whether they wanted it or not, the name Braubelg would inevitably come up. Therefore, it was necessary for Catherine herself to address the matter. Even if it meant stepping into a lion's den, she needed to handle it herself.
Those were Catherine's words, and Randy and Liz agreed to let her accompany them.
Catherine was ready for this. But she never expected Liz's brother to be this strong, and feeling his killing intent all at once was a different story. Even now, Catherine was shaking a little as she held her hands tight, and Leon whispered "Saintly Lady."
"It's okay..."
Catherine smiled back at him and looked straight at Cedric.
"I'm sorry."
Catherine bowed deeply, and Cedric's eyebrows twitched slightly. From his frozen expression, Randy couldn't tell what Cedric was thinking.
But when Cedric stood up, Randy felt it was bad...
"Sir Cedric──"
"Elder Brother──"
"You two, be quiet."
The voices from Liz and Randy came almost at the same time, but Cedric's cold voice cut them off. The pressure he gave off was something Randy and Luke couldn't match.
Cedric walked around the desk, glancing at Randy and the others as he stood in front of Catherine. With Cedric's intense presence, Leon stepped forward to protect Catherine.
"...A little puppy. Do you think you can block me?"
Under Cedric's icy gaze, Leon forced a smile, even as sweat trickled down his cheek.
"I'm a Knight guarding the Saint. If I back down now, I won't have a job anymore."
He was joking, but Leon's skills were no match for Cedric. Still, Leon stood his ground, and Catherine pulled on his sleeve, telling him to step back, but he wouldn't budge.
"I don't see any value in protecting this woman."
"To me, she has value."
"Oh?"
With Cedric still giving off that killing intent, Liz couldn't help but try to stop him... but Randy grabbed her shoulder.
──Why?
Randy shook his head at Liz's questioning look. He knew Cedric wasn't the type to enjoy doing things like this. He was smart, quick-witted, and always calm and collected.
Randy thinks that even though Cedric has a strange side where he really loves his sister, his actions that seem out of character must have some reason behind them.
After all, Miranda hasn't moved an inch. If Cedric's words are truly from the heart, there's no way Miranda wouldn't step in. No matter the reason, Cedric can't just judge Catherine on his own here; that's not allowed under the law.
(Is he trying to compromise... or is there another reason?)
Cedric usually never shows his feelings. From what Randy knows, he's a guy who can always handle his own mood. But now, he's showing anger and intimidating a younger woman. It's clear that he's struggling with self-hatred inside.
Is this action a way to release his grudges? Or does he have another intention? Randy doesn't know, but he understands that Cedric believes this is necessary.
So, it's not right for Randy and Liz to interfere.
Because of that... Randy grips Liz's shoulder a bit tighter. Trust Cedric and Catherine, he seems to say. Liz understands this and nods slightly, stepping back.
Catherine, still being glared at by Cedric, says "I'm sorry" and bows deeply again. Her voice and trembling shoulders are just like before. All Catherine can do is sincerely apologize like this.
In front of that apology, Cedric lets out a sigh, as if he's about to say something.
"I've heard some of your situation from Liza... It's part of a story, right?"
Cedric furrows his brow, and Catherine nods, saying "Yes. More accurately, 'it was.'" It's not exactly a story but a game, yet it's similar in terms of having a plot.
"I see. So in this story, am I going to forgive you?"
Randy feels a chill run down his spine. At that tense moment, Catherine silently shakes her head.
"This isn't a story; it's reality... so I don't know."
Catherine shook her head, and Cedric muttered "I see" again before turning away. Randy, seeing Cedric's profile, somehow figured out why he did this.
(I get it. Story and reality...)
Cedric, sitting in the chair, probably noticed Randy's gaze. He slightly looked away, clasped his fingers on the desk, and rested his head on them.
Cedric's sigh echoed in the office.
Breaking the silence that followed, Cedric whispered, "Got it."
"Do as you like."
Hearing that, Catherine bowed deeply and said, "Thank you."
"Miranda, it's shameful for the Marquis family not to serve tea to guests."
Cedric turned back, and Miranda nodded, saying, "I'll arrange it right away," then urged everyone, led by Catherine, to go outside.
"Oh, Randolph. You stay for a bit──."
Cedric stopped Randy, looking unusually serious, and said, "I need to talk to you."
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)