Chapter 15
“…She disappeared?”
Raylenne’s expression became just as serious.
“After I finished talking with you yesterday, I went to find the maid Helen.”
Caverion’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“But no matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find her. No one saw where she went after we visited the greenhouse.”
Raylenne’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
Did she disappear in just a few hours?
“It seems she noticed something was amiss.”
Even though Caverion tried to play it down, it could have been because they suddenly removed the magnolia flowers. Raylenne hadn’t changed the magnolia for years.
‘Damn, I didn’t think this through.’
“Raylenne, don’t worry too much. I’ll search the entire empire if I have to.”
Caverion patted Raylenne’s head. The coldness in his eyes had disappeared.
“I’ve been really neglectful. Someone was trying to kill you, and I had no idea…”
Suddenly, Caverion’s regretful mode kicked in again.
‘Why is he acting like this now…?’
If he was going to be nice, he should have done it sooner. Raylenne stood there awkwardly as Caverion’s hand paused mid-pat.
“But Raylenne,”
“Yes?”
“How did you know someone was trying to kill you with Sana grass? You wouldn’t have figured that out on your own.”
Caverion’s unexpected question made Raylenne freeze. She felt uncomfortable revealing that Aiden had discovered the red spots on her neck. Up until now, she had always come up with excuses quickly, but this time, nothing came to mind.
“Raylenne?”
When she didn’t answer, Caverion tilted his head slightly. Her mind was racing, but she still couldn’t find the right words.
“Well, um…”
Cornered, Raylenne’s mouth finally moved on its own.
“Aiden figured it out.”
She had trusted her mouth but never expected it to be this honest.
“Aiden Bedeusian… figured it out?”
“…Yes.”
Caverion’s expression was clearly displeased. His azure eyes had the same dark look as when he spoke about Helen.
Raylenne decided that, since it had come to this, she might as well face it head-on.
“When I was checking his cell, he grabbed me and pointed out the red spots on my neck.”
Recalling the events of that day, Raylenne continued.
“I didn’t know what Sana grass was, and I certainly didn’t know the red spots on my neck were caused by it.”
Raylenne met her brother’s eyes, which were the same blue as hers.
“Brother, I don’t like Aiden either, but it’s true that he helped me this time.”
Caverion’s eyebrows twitched at this unwelcome truth.
“If he hadn’t figured it out, I would have died slowly, not knowing someone was trying to assassinate me.”
“Don’t say such dreadful things!”
Caverion shouted.
“Even if it wasn’t Aiden Bedeusian…”
“But didn’t you just say earlier that our family has been neglectful, and even I haven’t been taking care of myself?”
Raylenne looked up steadily at her brother. The Bedeusian eyes wavered slightly.
“I’m not asking to give him credit, just to acknowledge the truth.”
Caverion didn’t agree out loud, but his silence spoke volumes.
‘This should be enough.’
Raylenne intentionally brightened her expression and changed the subject.
“Moving around since morning has made me hungry.”
Her soft smile made Caverion nod.
“Shall we go have breakfast together?”
* * *
After concluding the conversation with Caverion about Aiden, Raylenne noticed that Caverion seemed uneasy about having received help from Aiden, but thankfully, his displeasure didn’t last long. He only advised, “Make sure you don’t expose areas like your neck to Aiden. It could be dangerous.”
Raylenne quickly shifted the conversation to Helen. Caverion soon became engrossed in discussing the culprit. They concluded that they should keep the matter about Helen a secret for the time being, especially from Duke Ergen and Helis. Caverion believed they wouldn’t be much help, and Raylenne agreed. In fact, they might only make things worse.
As Raylenne and Caverion entered the dining room, they noticed someone was already there having breakfast. It was Helis.
‘Bad timing,’ Raylenne thought. Though the family lived in the same place, they rarely saw each other due to the sheer size of the castle and their differing schedules. They only met once a month for a luncheon to see each other’s faces.
‘Why did I have to run into Helis this morning?’ Raylenne sighed and sat at the table. The one consolation was that Caverion was there, so Helis wouldn’t act out like before.
[Brother, didn’t you slap Aiden when he disobeyed you?]
[Raylenne, it seems the household hierarchy has indeed crumbled, seeing Helis talking back to me.]
Helis had recently been reprimanded by Caverion for speaking out of turn.
“Good morning, Brother,” Helis greeted politely as Caverion took his seat.
“Yes,” Caverion replied indifferently.
“And good morning to you, Sister,” Helis said, staring at Raylenne. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment without saying anything.
Silence followed.
“Ahem,” Helis cleared his throat to break the silence and set down his cutlery.
“I have something to say to both of you.”
Raylenne and Caverion turned their attention to Helis.
“I’ve been disrespectful. Not only to Sister but also to you, Brother.”
For some reason, Helis bowed his head first. Raylenne looked at him in bewilderment, but Caverion spoke up.
“As long as you’re reflecting on your actions.”
“Thank you, Brother!” Helis then turned to Raylenne.
“Sister, will you also forgive me?”
“…Yes.” Raylenne agreed, though reluctantly, as Caverion had already spoken magnanimously. Helis finally smiled brightly.
“Thank you. I’ll strive harder to be a help to the family.”
Raylenne thought to herself, ‘Doing nothing might be the best help.’
“Helis, how is the village restoration project going?” Caverion asked, seeming to soften at Helis’s unusually docile demeanor.
Helis responded enthusiastically, “Yes. We’ve completed the food distribution to the villagers. We quickly procured wheat at a low price from the Nazmin estate due to a bountiful harvest. The transaction was smooth, so we plan to continue buying wheat from Nazmin.”
“Well done,” Caverion said indifferently while mixing his salad and sauce. Despite the lack of enthusiasm in Caverion’s praise, Helis’s expression brightened noticeably.
“Now that the urgent needs are met, I plan to focus on managing the household for a while.”
Raylenne barely restrained herself from asking, ‘You?’
“You’re busy with the knights, and Father is often away, so…” Helis paused, realizing he might have said too much.
“And Sister is not in good health,” he added, perhaps fearing it would seem inconsiderate not to mention her.
‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?’ Raylenne felt suspicious of Helis’s unusually courteous behavior but couldn’t confront him without concrete evidence.
Helis glanced at Raylenne and continued, “I plan to keep an eye on Aiden Bedeusian, especially.”
Raylenne’s spoon halted in midair.
“Aiden…?”
“I don’t think someone as delicate as you can handle Aiden,” Helis said. Raylenne frowned. Helis still seemed fixated on Aiden.
“I’m already monitoring Aiden,” Raylenne stated firmly.
“You don’t have to refuse out of courtesy,” Helis smiled, shaking his head. “Two are better than one, aren’t they, Brother?”
Caverion, please say no! Raylenne silently prayed.
“It’s already Raylenne’s responsibility.”
Nice, Caverion. Raylenne felt a surge of gratitude towards her brother. Helis looked visibly disappointed.
“…Alright.” Helis’s demeanor fell, but he quickly regained his composure and looked at Raylenne.
“But it wouldn’t hurt to visit the dungeon once, right?”
Helis spoke with a curious expression. “I heard he bowed his head in apology and had his punishment lifted. I’m curious to see how much of his defiance remains.”
Raylenne was wary of Helis visiting Aiden. Despite his polite behavior now, there was no telling how he’d act in front of Aiden.
“No…”
“Once should be fine,” Caverion interjected before Raylenne could refuse. Raylenne put down her cutlery and drank some water to stop herself from protesting. Refusing too vehemently might raise unnecessary suspicions.
Raylenne reassured herself, ‘Once should be fine, as Caverion said. Even Helis couldn’t cause trouble in one visit.’
“Sister, do you also agree?”
Raylenne put down her glass and looked at Helis.
“…Just once.”
Helis smiled broadly.
“Thank you, Sister.”
* * *
Though she had agreed, Raylenne felt increasingly uneasy. She recalled something Helis had said in the past:
[A disobedient beast just needs to be beaten. Pain works on both animals and humans.]
Throughout the meal, Raylenne couldn’t focus on the food. After hastily finishing her meal, she approached Helis, who was about to leave.
“Helis.”
“Yes?”
“When do you plan to visit the dungeon?”
Helis’s eyes darted around.
“I’m not sure. When I feel like it? But why do you ask?”
“When you go, you must take me with you.” She couldn’t let Helis go alone. She had to monitor him closely.
“Why?”
“…I have the key to the cell. You can’t enter without me.” In truth, the key was with the jailer, Haele. Raylenne lied to prevent Helis from going unannounced.
“Oh, I see. Alright, then.”
Helis agreed readily, and Raylenne finally felt a bit relieved.
