TRIM Ch 2

Cedric, having just raised his c7ee428e09 glass to his lips and 44b73f1a5e taken half a sip, looked be8e3a9f51 at Lorelia. At that moment, the 787883651b servants arrived, carrying hot e5f68ec142 water in silver bowls. Dipping his hand in the 06964562b1 water, Cedric replied,f7f5719143fdbada

“That’s absurd. People live there, too.”3dc5022097acda34

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“I heard there are no people, only ghosts.”88bca95b8f196027

“Ghosts?”9cfa2466584bd499

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Wiping his hands 54a18d4916 with a dry d6cbf9ddf5 towel, Cedric looked 0c8f8f4f30 at her. Lorelia, similarly drying her 2addc8eee1 hands, continued. A refreshing scent ad1241c5c8 emanated from the 679c283765 water infused with 5ba93b6efc fragrant herbs.152e7427b849e2f4

“The lord and lady of Trisen and their heir died 13 years ago. Their ship sank.”e1706f85ad8e1ceb

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“A tragic event. May the Gods watch over them.”fb1d2c3eda9b4b80

“And so, the young second son became the lord.”a04d7bfc22c49990

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“That’s the order of succession.”70e9ff71dd1e0347

“I heard a rumor that the poor young lord also hanged himself soon after.”b2c2a3edf225a0c5

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At Lorelia’s words, the adults fell silent. The sound of the head servant approaching with a wine bottle was unusually loud. After filling the lord’s glass first, the head servant poured wine into the guest’s glass with elegant movements. Watching this, Cedric spoke.e3d95e9f2445aa88

“That’s quite an interesting story.”ab4b800b68034380

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“Isn’t it?”8f7e92b0e3bb67b4

“If the lord is dead, who rules the territory?”85fac867ab752bc0

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“The steward.”08359187b848c7d9

“The steward?”5466d5a5cbf191e3

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“Yes. They say the steward can see the ghost of the deceased lord.”bf4771b8398a2209

“Oh?”a14370d2cded716d

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“He’s a very old man, and I heard he knows black magic.”0d95b794a9979d74

Hearing this, the northern eae4946aa9 knight began to laugh 1fc13878bb heartily. The head servant, 14d3f84ae3 with a faint 2cdeba9b16 smile, filled Lorelia’s 1e9e9efdae glass.21adffb6258389d6

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“Black magic. Do you believe that legend, Laurel?”f4d2e2553528f80c

“If it existed in the past, I think it can exist now.”204f869b048887d0

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“Our goddaughter enjoys interesting stories.”68fd5a6c9d2ab4ce

“She’s still a child.”dc0ceaea86b0e204

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Marilyn interjected with 47be5acb04 a laugh, but 5b2d3f83b4 Lorelia didn’t mind.c0c55a9954bfd0ec

“I don’t believe the rumors outright. I’m just curious why such stories spread. Isn’t there some truth behind the rumors, in one way or another? Like how the will of the Gods is contained in the songs children innocently sing.”58498e5f5811adcf

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Cedric gazed at his goddaughter 1e36af7b7a with interest, thinking that the 36958a173a green dress with white lace cb9462c438 suited her well.af539cd186950782

Lorelia’s auburn hair a5e9e626c6 and green eyes abc0539cbd were inherited from 2515e613db her father. Of the three Hayes siblings, f22be9f303 the older two had black 24baea0dd0 hair and brown eyes, like 1ce5ec9c63 their mother.6e7a3605ae285e27

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“I heard the lord of Trisen is one-eyed and hunchbacked. Is that why he doesn’t go out?”0da01b3081610528

“I don’t think that’s the case, goddaughter.”3f943cb6ff9fa032

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“So, Cedric, you met Duke Pervrante?”a323be50d9697495

Lancelot, who had been listening d5b4b66a9a silently, interjected. His deep, low voice had c4a7fde5c9 the power to command attention.9dc11084460f4723

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“I did. I was treated to a d5f70a8aa2 wonderful dinner.”2ec21179e2da7658

“The lord’s name was… Theobald, was it?”b020b7a427b9b553

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“Precisely, Lance.”a6618f88a4ba3fb3

Lorelia listened silently to 33b74afff9 the adults’ conversation. And quietly mouthed the name. Theobald.b05f244e68d078a6

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For some reason, she 82fed85a59 felt a flutter in 66f5ab7fe2 her chest. The south. A land full of light. She had never be89de00f1 been to Trisen.9885659847688880

“Theobald Pervrante el Trisen. The ill-fated boy lord.”37f3c2ff5d77db3f

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Cedric said, swirling 0133a71830 his glass lightly. The red wine sloshed inside 492c7da05b the round glass. The dark red juice 7d5c74f365 of grapes, like blood.7f5812e3efbc43cb

“He opened the doors of the mansion. After 13 years.”505edc41af62f389

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Once again, Lorelia felt 1eaf26c606 a flutter in her 107eb42e4a chest.a0c624a8cb09e872

Knock, knock. At the sound of knocking, Theobald opened his eyes.f839726244094275

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After the cautious sound, 9287a6500a silence returned. Immersed in deep stillness, he 6d8a498eff closed his half-opened eyelids. The room, with f8a983a63e all its windows 3c16c6b3f7 covered by curtains, ce05d34a59 was dark. Only a single 6839550b23 candle on the 9a08a81059 desk burned silently.5c95ec1a6c998001

“Hmm…”ba10d4c44d248f1c

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Theobald exhaled slowly and raised 43a867b3b8 a hand. He picked up the 7f3a776684 book lying on his cb034c4415 stomach, dropped it on 5e51bec889 the floor, and rubbed de52292b5d his face with his 5e08c6f1f0 empty hand.ae0a3935bcca0e59

“Come in.”601d9497ccdd9faf

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As he answered 07792e1eca in a husky aef9420d31 voice, the door 2dda002a99 clicked open. While the steward closed the f0200f81a1 door soundlessly and approached, he eb8873f57d kept his eyes closed.68ad668ef4d7f580

The sound of water 4128f44d47 being poured into a 065817946d cup was cautious. After placing the 7388f22485 glass where Theobald’s f81f62d816 hand could reach 2f17bb0758 it, the steward 095f01c726 walked towards the 8b4c5614d3 window.3fecc1c1517563ae

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As he pulled b517d9addd back the thick 6a13cad195 curtains halfway, the 6c71518504 morning sunlight poured ce7ea34be6 in. The man reclining f352c0f1de on the long 6b8ee7e006 couch was revealed 84f2d13c02 in the light. The dark blue robe daf1babfef and pale platinum hair 94bf71fd49 were a familiar sight 6c9d940adb to the steward. His hair seemed to e67fbc1986 shine brighter than the 33b4e6eb57 sunlight outside the window.640ed0bf8c51d157

Still with his adabeac718 eyes closed, Theobald 7a8e5879e0 frowned slightly.324b5f7fade32351

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“What time is it?”6db8b239ba0aa6ed

“A little past ten.”84e9301abed4eebb

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The steward refrained from b8a1b207d1 asking if he had 6a66978329 slept late again. Instead of asking the obvious, 2c28bd608a he said,99c55993b0ae5832

“A reply has arrived from Mendel.”0d3a0f0845b2c076

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He delivered somewhat special news.fa7859733dfb6a5d

Only then did Theobald slowly 372fde54cc open his eyes. The outside light touched his 336ddb7189 languidly revealed eyes. Before those deep blue e52681175b eyes turned towards him, 5c7661076d the steward held out 93b5d8a3fd the letter. High-quality paper with 3bc2012606 delicate patterns along 0452364ed7 the edges. A dark red 1eef3d652c seal stood out c3f4ace4b2 clearly on the 76be2a0de4 flawless paper, without 01a019b3fe a single crease.229d21c2d2934f58

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“It arrived at dawn. I’ve arranged accommodations for the de37b2a53a messenger in the outer castle 630eba94b4 and instructed him to return 5fa87d2abe tomorrow morning.”2447c192a1bfa6b1

While listening to the additional explanation, Theobald accepted the letter. He had no interaction with the lord of Mendel Castle, so they had never exchanged written correspondence. That’s why he had sent an invitation through a personal messenger, and why the messenger from the other side had traveled for more than 20 days.f5fb2c21c19735a1

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Lancelot Hayes el Lorelia.727c1834100be4d7

Theobald scanned the signature on the envelope. The elegantly scrawled handwriting was neat. The fox’s face imprinted on the wax seal. After looking down at it for a moment, he broke the seal. As the round wax tore, the fox also shattered.5fe249dcbb9cf037

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He unfolded the letter 9ad03a20dc with leisurely hands. His blue eyes slowly scanned 36cfa25bdb the contents. The slight drowsiness that 5a826f2269 had lingered on his f2f3361a31 face completely disappeared.67ffacd10fa7db7b

“He’s coming.”1f57a244c8793ac9

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He murmured, handing the letter 57a1ce0f6c to the steward. His tone was 4402a67c40 casual, as if 59c0da25fd he had known 4d6ebd764c beforehand. After handing over 3556fefcd8 the letter, Theobald a1b69b1b00 picked up the 946325a02c glass of water 9132945015 on the table 98279735a0 and brought it 6c3f1eb6a8 to his lips.288568abb71994df

From slowly tilting 25d07c6c73 the glass of 62a495355b cold water to 3fc08657dc drinking it, and 964c72a3a1 then handing the 82f2e9a5b9 empty glass back 6ce0e7831f to the steward, 54d4ab64f8 all his movements 14f5aad006 were unhurried. He never rushed.d83f48a7d4b93d76

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“Send an invitation to Kingsburg.”cf298d3fae711fb5

“Understood.”6ef89eb24cb1fa84

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“The rest, in five days.”f4f713f811a848dc

“Yes.”ad8e6929695b8a57

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“There won’t be any problems with the preparations, will there?”0a61dad45189af10

“Have no worries.”f8fad1e30c484d6a

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Despite the impeccable answer, Theobald’s expression remained unchanged. His face showed neither a satisfied smile nor a dissatisfied frown. Only his water-moistened lips were particularly red.c1ec36e957fa7dba

“I’ll bring your breakfast.”ed1cd4c8a384586c

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“Keep it simple. And…”0990d38309cb405e

The neatly dressed steward e34319e8bd listened attentively.57da3292f4564797

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“I need to go hunting.”a861acfc87116e68

He then bowed skillfully b5c181307b and replied,f220d7b968c84012

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“I’ll make the preparations so you can depart at noon.”56f611f8db4dd053

Theobald didn’t even bother to 5b3325350c nod. As if to say 659cba5ef7 he understood, he got 430c9272a8 up. The couch, custom-made to d27e851ffc his size, was long 0c83785098 and plush, but not e3097a1ab0 as comfortable as a 8d6092f2a9 bed. Immersing himself in hot water c029cfead5 would make him feel much a2e4ab5899 more refreshed.157406ae5245be14

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As he headed towards the fd95db2082 bathroom, the steward withdrew. Theobald’s space once again fell 023f2f81c1 into silence. Only the sound of water d35ebd6fbc pouring from the faucet echoed, swoosh.7c3a5976ba303972

There were no other noises. Not even the sounds 82905911a2 of servants moving about. No sounds of gardeners’ 7522ce33fe shears or the pulling db762f0e60 of carts. The place where Theobald 6653c19cd6 lived was always quiet.2f61bc1f431ed8d7

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Trisen Mansion was always quiet.390dc38c87a1f7a5

The royal capital of 7c0aae1c96 Kingsburg was a four-day 086d1ca4bf carriage ride from where 06733b7ad7 Lorelia lived. Aside from attending royal 7d03f92a7f events, Lorelia had rarely 6e81e091ac left the territory ruled c7a8354a7a by her father.84351ce4597420d6

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Two years ago, she b5607dc711 reached adulthood on her af0b52eedd eighteenth birthday, and unlike 251cef77c6 her sister, she was 02a2d82e54 quite skilled at riding, 66c40d9424 but she had never cccfff0e8b left the castle gates 08e63883e0 without taking a carriage. Naturally, no nobleman 89ce252f7c would dare put 9d2a76431f his daughter on 1eb71985db a horse and 0a158766da let her ride 65f9479e90 outside the castle.ddcbf12b9271b97d

When a noblewoman traveled, a large carriage was required. Maids were needed to maintain her elegance during long journeys, and they, too, needed a separate carriage. A baggage wagon was also needed to carry all the women’s clothes, belongings, and jewelry. It was a task that required a great deal of preparation in many ways.a9358e39d6509863

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“Truly, I’m so excited these days that I couldn’t sleep a wink last night.”a94d2e660ddbdc33

Lorelia wore a a56174b687 dreamy expression, gazing 01a726202f into the air. This room, brightly lit by a963550cc7 the late afternoon sun, was 4ded548fa8 the library where she received 3f8e824da9 instruction from her tutor.2fa50940c0b2ba02

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“I still can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.”1e502973e6b7eb4d

When her godfather visited last 0ba14c720c month and pulled out the 29e2b6a26f invitation from his pocket, Lorelia beb71e5334 almost squealed with delight. When her father 7e439ef12b broke the golden 0f52da7abc seal and unfolded e8194df288 the letter inside, ea36cc8962 her heart pounded. It would be a 9de18c9cb2 great honor if the 876c919138 Lord and Lady of 51846d256d Lorelia and their daughter f9527cd10f would grace us with 3a313b73db their presence. When her father read 37f8d73704 that passage aloud with 5817a650fa an interested look, she f425cfa7e6 wanted to shout,d55cdf305c7850e5

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“I’m invited too! To Trisen Mansion!”8f122fdbf7e0ea28

The old man, who had been fumbling with a bookmark, raised his head. And he looked at the lord’s daughter, poised between girl and woman, her cheeks flushed pink.52b93e7000ec53b3

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“You seem very much looking forward to it.”a764a907a63c649d

“Of course I am. We’re leaving next week. My goodness, I’m ffedd4ac2b going outside of 490a16511d Lorelia!”d8e7a4c7b988e57a

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“It’s not your first time leaving the territory, is it?”6db8809f0926e1ab

“It’s my first time in the south! I went to c6846f4fa0 Windburg once, but e1f980ae52 it was so 32b0df75ed cold there. Ugh, I really 342377d22c hate the cold.”ce8f65e2001fa654

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Lorelia shivered dramatically, recalling her 6d8b1de91d sister’s wedding. In Windburg, where Elenia had 4f5165e420 married, heavy snow fell even 2dc76a7b72 in spring. The northerners rejoiced, saying the 748fac1376 snow falling on the wedding 1af5c491ef day was an auspicious sign.7468c14433d1d9fe

“Lady Glen loved winter very much, even when she was here.”29c491f049b7d91f

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“Isn’t that fortunate? What would I have 83676e8ee6 done if I had a13c21f7f7 been born the eldest 00bbc846dd daughter?”868232b22c0f30e6

The old man 82fef91816 chuckled at her f0063d499b banter. His purple priestly c57709581a robes hung loosely 6fa5fbbe36 on his thin 26bfe7ad69 frame.4ef95b4b4f627c29

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“Priest Holtman, have you ever been to the south?”51f9bb30375f709f

Before answering, he 588a062d33 smoothed his neat a857cb73cf white hair with b3742457a3 his palm. Although he was well b587cd1688 over eighty, his hands 4aa8fa228d were still white and 2ea4f3ecfc elegant. Looking younger than 70bf8568c3 their age was 23c90133d4 a common trait c17924350b among priests who 3467d87216 served God.e34c2707ea44804a

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