Chapter 020
Chapter 20: The Master and the Apprentice (14)
Of course, even if Cordelia could see magical energy, it would be useless if she couldn’t use it properly. However, Cordelia didn’t mention that part.
Bellucci laughed mockingly and said, “What’s the use of seeing magical energy?”
“My master said it’s a great talent. Oh, Bellucci, perhaps you don’t understand what I’m saying because you know nothing about magic, do you?”
His lips twitched up and down several times, as if he wanted to say something hurtful. It was clear that Leonard had scolded him harshly, as he didn’t raise his hand as easily as he did yesterday.
With difficulty, Bellucci regained his composure and said, “The master is always fickle. Once he loses interest in something or someone, it’s over. He’ll demand they be disposed of immediately.”
“Really?”
“When that time comes, I’ll cut your body into pieces and throw them in the field. Look forward to it.”
Bellucci said it in a mocking tone. Cordelia responded with a delicate smile and clasped hands, “Maybe you’ll be disposed of first. I’ll cut you into pieces and throw you in the field too. Oh, and I’ll bring the dogs you love to feed, so don’t worry.”
Bellucci made a strange sound and broke a part of the door. Cordelia didn’t even glance at it.
“You don’t miss a single chance to retort.”
“That’s thanks to the good education from my master.”
Bellucci glared at her as if he wanted to kill her, then stormed off angrily without saying another word.
“Oh, was that Lord Engrion?”
Emily, who came to serve her lady, asked in surprise upon seeing Bellucci leave.
“You two seem quite close. He visited you early in the morning.”
“Yes, I didn’t expect a morning visit from him.”
Cordelia looked in the direction Bellucci disappeared and smiled.
“By the way, Lady Helena invited you to a formal dinner tomorrow.”
“A formal dinner? Suddenly?”
“Yes. She heard the lord has fully recovered, so she wanted to celebrate that.”
It was bold of Helena to do this while Gerard’s eyes were still watching. Cordelia thought she might have done it deliberately in front of Gerard.
“So she wanted you to make sure the lord attends.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“You think he’ll listen to me?”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Nothing.”
Cordelia shook her head, wondering if Leonard would agree to attend.
When she told Leonard about the dinner, it was a big surprise when he agreed.
“You’re really going to attend? Why?”
“For the cleanup.”
“Cleanup?”
“I told you before. We need to get rid of the filth. We can’t leave things as they are. By the way, invite Gerard too.”
“Gerard Abrams?”
“Yes. Invite everyone who has a problem with me. I hate searching for them one by one.”
Cordelia didn’t fully understand what Leonard was planning, but she knew he had a plan.
And so, she informed Helena through a maid that Leonard would attend the dinner with Cordelia.
***
This was the first formal dinner in a long time. After the death of the previous Count, Dairin Abrams, and Craig’s fall from his horse, there was no one to organize such an event.
Cordelia arrived at the dining room first. Soon, the others began to arrive.
Helena came with Lily and Arnold. Lily tried to say something to Cordelia, but Helena silenced her.
“What’s this?”
There was no time to think, as Baron Lancaster and Gerard Abrams arrived shortly after.
Only one seat remained empty.
Soon after, the doors opened, and the awaited person entered.
“Everyone’s here.”
Leonard glanced at the attendees. Then an unexpected guest arrived.
“Oh, Lord Engrion.”
“Good evening.”
“I didn’t invite you to this dinner.”
“That’s why I came myself. It seems you prefer proactive guests.”
Bellucci smiled elegantly. Helena was visibly annoyed by the unexpected guest’s appearance.
Arnold whispered something in her ear, which made her regain her composure and smile lightly.
“Sorry for not extending an invitation. Please, sit.”
“Thank you, Lady Abrams.”
A servant brought a chair and a plate for Bellucci.
After a few moments, the food was served, and everyone began eating in silence. As they neared the main course, Helena started speaking.
“The reason we’re gathered today is to celebrate my son Craig’s recovery, and also to discuss an important matter.”
“An important matter?” Baron Lancaster asked. Helena responded with a meaningful smile.
“We’ll inform you about it after the meal. But first, we have an important guest in the castle, and we haven’t welcomed him properly.”
“Oh, of course. Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Dean Lancaster. May I know your esteemed name?” Dean addressed Bellucci, as if waiting for this moment.
“My name is Bellucci Engrion.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you. You won the jousting tournament last year, and the king praised you, saying no knight could match you.”
“His Majesty tends to exaggerate in his praise.”
Surprisingly, Bellucci spoke naturally. Cordelia, who knew his true nature, smiled inwardly.
“By the way, may I ask how you came to Abrams Castle? I’m curious about who you’re connected to.”
“That’s thanks to Lady Cordelia.”
Everyone’s eyes suddenly turned to Cordelia, causing her to stop chewing and quickly raise her head.
“I have a long-standing relationship with the Vasquez family, known as the ‘purest sword’ in Erschie. We’ve been friends for a long time.”
“I see.”
Bellucci lied without hesitation, and Helena accepted it without doubt.
“And fortunately, I found a lord here to whom I’ll dedicate my life.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean Count Abrams, present here. I’ve sworn my sword to him.”
A knight’s oath is an ancient tradition, but it carries great weight. Everyone’s eyes widened, especially Helena’s.
“It seems Lord Engrion has misunderstood.”
“What do you mean?”
“This man is not the count yet.”
Helena pointed her right hand at Leonard, who didn’t even glance her way. Instead, Gerard, who had been eating quietly, spoke up.
“That’s right. He hasn’t officially received the title.”
“Gerard is correct. This matter needs to be clarified properly.”
Arnold sided with Gerard. Things were taking a strange turn. Cordelia put down her fork and looked around.
When Leonard first woke up, they were all worried that Gerard would take the title. It seemed Helena had changed her mind and sided with Gerard after realizing Leonard wasn’t in her favor.
“Not the count? As far as I know, the legitimate heir to the title is Lord Craig.”
“That was before he lost his mind. We can’t let a fool like him be the count, can we?”
Gerard said proudly, looking around to see who agreed with him. Helena and Arnold were the only ones who supported him. Lancaster remained silent.
Gerard turned to Leonard and said arrogantly, “No one here recognizes you as the count. Even if you claim to be the legitimate heir, Lady Helena and Baron Arnold will testify in the council that your mind is unsound.”
“Have you finished talking?”
“What?”
“Is there anyone else who doesn’t recognize me as the count? I understand the stance of you three perfectly. But the opinion of someone who married and left the household doesn’t matter. That leaves just one person.”
The remaining person was Baron Lancaster. He hesitated, clearly feeling pressured.
“I…”
“Speak. Will you recognize me as the count or not?”
“Baron Lancaster. Remember what you promised me.”
Lancaster looked at Helena hesitantly, then finally said, “I believe Lord Craig is the legitimate heir.”
A smart choice.
Cordelia was impressed by Baron Lancaster’s instincts and resumed eating. The outcome was clear to her.
“Really? So you recognize me.”
“Baron! How can you change your stance now?”
“Let him be. There’s no need for a fool in our ranks. Come in!”
Gerard shouted proudly toward the door, and ten armed knights entered, drawing their swords. It was now clear why Gerard was so confident.
“If you don’t want to die, sign here. I’ll spare you and only exile you.”
Gerard pulled a document from his pocket and threw it in front of Leonard. Its contents were obvious without reading it.
Leonard leaned back in his chair lazily and said to Bellucci, “Do what’s necessary.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m tired.”
“Alright.”
The conversation between them was cryptic and unclear, except to Cordelia, who continued eating calmly, causing the servants to stare at her in astonishment.
