Chapter 174
“I know.”
Lynette answered quietly, pondering the meaning behind those words.
She’s right. This is a matter for Euphen and Eshar. And none of them wanted her to get caught up in such trouble.
Sillian’s concern was solely for Lynette’s safety, and Euphen hoped she wouldn’t step into danger. Even this woman clearly wasn’t pleased with Lynette crossing certain lines.
“Haah…”
Eshar let out a short sigh.
“Lynette, it’s not because I hate you that I’m like this.”
Those words surprised Lynette even more.
She had thought Eshar wouldn’t care even a little, so this is unexpected.
When Lynette’s eyes widened, the woman gave a bitter smile.
“So please don’t misunderstand. I’m just saying that you’re someone who will leave eventually, so it’s better not to get too deeply involved.”
“I didn’t misunderstand.”
Lynette answered calmly, then quickly added more.
“I’ve never thought that you hated me.”
She thought that maybe Eshar didn’t like her much, but she hadn’t voiced it. Still, it wasn’t wrong since she never believed Eshar truly despised her.
“To me, it felt like you were worrying in your own way.”
“…You make me embarrassed by interpreting it so nicely.”
The woman chuckled softly.
Lynette followed with a smile.
“In any case, I hope you don’t get too deeply involved.”
Eshar spoke quietly and calmly.
“Because I’m someone who will leave someday, right?”
At those words, the woman smiled silently.
Lynette gazed at that face quietly, then gave a bitter smile.
She had never hoped that this time, after meeting again, they would stay together until the end. But no matter how many times she recalled the ending, the bitterness was unavoidable.
She started to look around while walking.
As they moved far from the village, wide fields and farmland came into view.
“You said a red roof, right? Can you see it?”
Both of them were looking around, searching for a red roof.
Nothing stood out.
“Is this the right way?”
“It is. I scoped out the location in advance, just in case.”
The phrase ‘just in case’ sounded a little cruel. It meant Eshar already knew Edwin might die.
‘They would have needed a relative to succeed as the next Count.’
Eshar had already given up on the previous Count and was preparing for the next.
Lynette didn’t want to accuse her of being cruel or question how she could do that. Since there was nothing they could do immediately, accepting it was the best choice.
She glanced back briefly.
The child still slept quietly in Sillian’s arms.
What is fate?
It had made her meet Edwin and ultimately save that child.
Lynette tucked her hair behind her ear as the wind blew.
The moment she turned her head, she spotted the roof. It wasn’t bright but closer to a dark crimson, yet clearly red enough to be called a red roof.
“Eshar, could that be the house you mentioned?”
“Looks like it.”
She changed direction and headed toward the house with the red roof.
Since they were far from the village and those searching for the four had dispersed, Euphen and Sillian came quite close.
“Eshar, is this the woman you mentioned before?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
They must have already talked about the relative.
When Lynette turned her head to look, Euphen calmly explained who it was.
“She’s Edwin’s aunt. The younger sister of the previous Count. They apparently didn’t get along well.”
“Why?”
At that, Euphen furrowed his brow slightly.
“Before she became an adult, her parents died, and her brother became the Count. He did nothing for her. Didn’t even arrange a marriage, saying the dowry would be a waste.
The household wasn’t struggling at the time, but they tried to marry her off to an older man for money.”
“Ah…”
“So she cut ties and left.”
Eshar, who had been silent, let out a soft sigh.
“She’s likely not fond of Edwin. Besides, she left the Count family without even getting a single coin…”
Lynette closed her eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them.
Hearing all this, it wouldn’t be surprising if the woman refused to cooperate.
‘Not that she would care for Edwin just because she is his aunt.’
If she had truly cared, if she had known the child’s situation and felt sorry, things might not have gotten this bad.
Whoever she was, she seemed different from her brother in temperament.
“If we can’t convince her, returning the title to Edwin will just repeat the same problems.”
Euphen said quietly, and everyone agreed.
The child is still young, and above all, he seemed to have never received proper training as a Count.
With some concern, the four arrived in front of the red-roofed house.
Though it is small and worn, it’s clean.
The small flowerpots neatly arranged on the windowsill were well cared for as well.
Eshar stepped forward and knocked on the door.
“Yes?”
With a light voice, the door opened.
“What is it…?”
The woman asked with a smile, but when her eyes fell on Edwin, her expression stiffened.
Without another word, she slammed the door shut right in front of them.
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