Volume 5 Chapter 22 Those Who Take It Out On Others Don't Say, ＂i Took It Out On You＂
Randy, stopped by Cedric, called out to Liz, Catherine, and Leon while staying behind in the office.
"Well, please have a seat."
Cedric smiled and picked up the pot from the window, asking, "How about some coffee?"
"N-no, no way, Sir Cedric. I can't just──."
"Don't hold back. We're friends."
Cedric smiled and skillfully made the coffee. It was that drip coffee Randy had handed over to Cedric.
After making 2 cups, Cedric brought them on a tray and offered one to Randy before sitting down on the sofa himself.
Cedric tilted his coffee cup and smiled slightly.
"I've really gotten into coffee lately. I'm picky about the beans and the tools too."
Just as Cedric said, Randy tilted his cup and was impressed by the taste. He never thought that just teaching him about drip coffee could turn into such a refined hobby.
"If you grind the beans just before brewing, it brings out better aroma and flavor."
"I see. I'll keep that in mind."
With a smile, Cedric set his cup back on the saucer and looked straight at Randy.
"Now... do you know why I called you?"
"If it's about how I've gotten better at making coffee... then that's good, I guess."
Randy shrugged, and Cedric laughed, saying, "That's part of it," and a silence fell between them.
A brief silence was broken by Randy's big sigh, "Huff."
"I have too many ideas about the reason..."
Randy gave a wry smile. Cedric looked like he wanted to say, "Shall we talk about it?" Their eyes met, and Randy scratched his head, saying, "Well, let's see..."
Randy had too many thoughts on his mind. Still, at this moment, he figured there were only 2 main reasons, so he reluctantly spoke up.
"First, it must be about Miss Catherine."
Randy sounded resigned, and Cedric showed a cool smile, saying,
"That's right. Seriously... I thought you would keep Miss Catherine away."
Cedric's face showed disbelief, as if it was saying, "You're supposed to be her bodyguard, right?"
"When the country is having secret talks, it's really hard for Braubelg if you're out there being friendly with Miss Catherine."
Cedric sighed again, and Randy bowed his head, saying, "I'm sorry." Even though it was Liz's choice, Randy had been actively supporting Catherine lately. From Braubelg's perspective, still tied up with the country, he probably wanted to say to wait a bit longer.
The whole reason for the issue, the reconciliation between Catherine and Liz, made Braubelg's anger seem less important.
Of course, there's no connection between the country and Catherine. The country cut ties with Catherine and the Church's higher-ups. Still, the image of the victim and the offender making up must feel like a strong wind against Braubelg.
...They're getting along with the offender, huh?
He wouldn't say that out loud, but his words could easily be twisted.
"That said, it's not right to vent this on you."
Cedric gave a wry smile, sighed, and tilted his cup. Even a genius like him could lose his temper like anyone else. This fact made Randy feel a bit relieved.
"...I feel like you're smiling──."
"You're imagining things."
Randy shook his head, and Cedric raised an eyebrow, tilting his cup again.
"About Miss Catherine... well, I feel like she brought this on herself."
Despite his tone, Cedric's expression was not good. Those words he threw at Catherine were probably his way of showing concern. As Randy thought this, he picked up his cup...
"...Why are you smiling?"
Cedric looked at him with narrowed eyes, and Randy scratched his cheek, opening his mouth.
"I just think, they really are 'siblings'..."
Saying this, Randy added with a slightly mischievous smile, "I hope Miss Catherine realizes the reality too."
"...What do you mean?"
"Sir Cedric is kind, or so the story goes."
Randy shrugged, and Cedric pouted as he continued, "Where's the kindness?"
"I just took it out on a younger girl."
"But my gut feeling says 'that's not it'──."
Randy shrugged again, and Cedric let out a dry laugh,
"Not at all. She's a nasty girl. And honestly... I don't care about Miss Catherine at all."
Cedric sighed and sank deeper into the sofa, muttering, "I don't care..."
"I see. I'll just leave it at that."
Randy smiled and tilted his cup. "You don't believe me, do you?" Cedric shot him a glare.
"If you really didn't care, you could have just brushed it off."
"I can't do that. After all, I almost lost Liza because of her."
Cedric let out a sigh, but Randy couldn't help but smirk at his averted gaze.
(He's not being honest.)
If he really didn't care, he could have just let his anger out and sent her away right then. If he really didn't care, he could have just laughed it off and ignored her.
He didn't have to act all tough and bring up 'stories' to ask questions in such a roundabout way.
What Randy was talking about was Cedric's earlier attitude towards Catherine. That intense questioning filled with anger. In a way, it could be seen as Cedric's own kind of kindness.
A kindness that comes from warning Catherine.
As Cedric said, Catherine mistook this world for a game, thinking she was the main character and could do whatever she wanted. Because of that, Liz was hurt, and the people of the Marquis family suffered greatly.
But Liz, the one most affected, didn't seem to care much, creating an atmosphere that her actions weren't a big deal.
That's when Cedric stepped in. Don't get it wrong. Even if Liz forgives her, they don't intend to.
As Cedric and Catherine said, this world is not a story; it's reality.
The person in front of her has parents, siblings, and loved ones. They are not possessions; they have their own thoughts and feelings.
Just because that person forgave her, they didn't forget.
Because that person forgave her, they can't pretend everything didn't happen.
That kind of thinking doesn't make sense. It's completely obvious. Cedric showed this obvious truth with his anger. What Catherine did hurt not just Liz but everyone around her. It was to make her realize that.
"I don't have any hidden motives like you think."
Cedric shot a sharp look at Randy, as if he could read his mind.
"What are you talking about?"
Randy played dumb, but Cedric's glare didn't let up.
"No way. I can't seriously think that Sir Cedric is playing the bad guy to make Miss Catherine face reality and get a real apology from her."
Randy joked, and Cedric's cheek twitched.
The reason Cedric directed his anger at Catherine was not just to make her see the reality, but to help her understand the weight of her actions. Only then could she truly apologize.
He didn't want her to casually say sorry without knowing the consequences of her actions.
He didn't want her to feel like she was 'forgiven' without understanding the real pain, anger, and resentment.
What she needs to apologize for... only Catherine from that time knows. Still, Randy believes that Cedric's choice to play the villain reached her heart.
The meaning of the apology, the people involved, and the consequences of her actions. The pain is something Catherine needs to live in this world moving forward.
Catherine bowed her head knowing all this, and Cedric chose to forgive her. It might seem like a farce, but it was a real step forward for both families.
So Randy thinks Cedric's earlier attitude was his own way of being kind. It was his way of trying to pull Catherine into the situation with his fierce words and energy.
"...Why are you smiling?"
"No, no. Just thinking about you two as siblings..."
Randy shrugged, and Cedric pouted, sinking deep into the sofa.
"Still, I was a bit careless too. I should have thought more about Braubelg and the country."
On that point, Randy also felt a bit guilty and lowered his head. Cedric smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's fine."
"Honestly, I don't really care about the demands on the country. I'm not asking for anything the country can actually agree to anyway."
Cedric laughed while looking up at the ceiling, and Randy didn't ask 'why' or anything. He just nodded and said,
"Even my father... doesn't really care at all. Ever since that day in the assembly when Liza got mad at His Majesty, he said, 'Using a young girl goes against my principles'."
Cedric, back from staring at the ceiling, wore a self-deprecating smile.
"So, you see... this time, it's really just me taking it out on others. It's about being left behind all alone."
Cedric grinned and said, "It's not kindness at all," trying to keep up his villain role...
"Well then, I'll tell Liz that... That was Sir Cedric's tantrum──."
"Stop. That's a bit..."
Cedric frowned, and Randy smirked, saying, "But it is a tantrum, right?" Seeing Cedric's genuinely annoyed face made Randy happy, and he tilted his cup with a smile.
In the end, it seems both siblings are a bit too kind-hearted.
"Don't worry. Liz will understand Sir Cedric's true intentions."
"That's still a bit embarrassing."
Cedric mumbled, and Randy thought he was quite a troublesome older brother, but he also realized he understood him a little.
Randy is also an older brother. He can't show Clarice or Cecil any embarrassing sides of himself.
"You're smiling again..."
Cedric looked unhappy, but he finished his coffee and turned his gaze to Randy.
"Shall we get to the main topic now?"
Cedric showed a serious expression again, no longer the lovable big brother, but wearing the face of a genius that everyone admired.
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