TRIM Ch 2

Cedric, having just raised his 95c2f1f5b9 glass to his lips and 31fa1eb988 taken half a sip, looked d4d36a0d08 at Lorelia. At that moment, efba85eec6 the servants arrived, f0c7eaa3aa carrying hot water 27667ceb70 in silver bowls. Dipping his hand in 30cb5dcf90 the water, Cedric replied,683a8b36019837b4

“That’s absurd. People live there, too.”6cd8651ed4610fb6

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“I heard there are no people, only ghosts.”4459d5ed7285630d

“Ghosts?”cba5cbb537c8c087

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Wiping his hands with 88d32cabe4 a dry towel, Cedric e118345e9f looked at her. Lorelia, similarly drying her hands, 94b7b3b903 continued. A refreshing scent 4508ba963e emanated from the aed9ded7f0 water infused with a92954f584 fragrant herbs.452a7c88d4bc00e8

“The lord and lady of Trisen and their heir died 13 years ago. Their ship sank.”82dd4a075169c9ea

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“A tragic event. May the Gods watch over them.”29d9d63cee722381

“And so, the young second son became the lord.”53241baf8d9628a5

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“That’s the order of succession.”4c7c702e6c12e7d3

“I heard a rumor that the poor young lord also hanged himself soon after.”540cf0bc791c3e20

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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.5c49e983930656ee

“That’s quite an interesting story.”158467167a038df8

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“Isn’t it?”243b3ae83664a93d

“If the lord is dead, who rules the territory?”f1e6ef2faa4411d0

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“The steward.”5a9e349418f5c50c

“The steward?”312f440c7a80c78a

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“Yes. They say the steward can see the ghost of the deceased lord.”f0e0fb947e517bfe

“Oh?”d12cf2c8ce974a79

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“He’s a very old man, and I heard he knows black magic.”2f0de02a4b4549cd

Hearing this, the northern 6f3f89f425 knight began to laugh a23fe6a246 heartily. The head servant, with c2998743fa a faint smile, filled fe064f2628 Lorelia’s glass.7644bec8213921fe

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“Black magic. Do you believe that legend, Laurel?”601c78b14be68c7d

“If it existed in the past, I think it can exist now.”0468ad951d8e30bd

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“Our goddaughter enjoys interesting stories.”745f97174f3b2715

“She’s still a child.”53a6e4556bb461d5

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Marilyn interjected with a 761fcc20ec laugh, but Lorelia didn’t a484aa8688 mind.09320a3681c1e54a

“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.”30043ed19adc7ba8

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Cedric gazed at cc70007412 his goddaughter with 6a288fb961 interest, thinking that 8b767fd2fc the green dress 913c6e09f7 with white lace 6e6ac48ff0 suited her well.9e383eb4238c1fe9

Lorelia’s auburn hair and 4a9530f577 green eyes were inherited 4fd213186b from her father. Of the three Hayes siblings, 9fe31b68ac the older two had black 265e133553 hair and brown eyes, like 2c78afdfa9 their mother.a699e9955a032917

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“I heard the lord of Trisen is one-eyed and hunchbacked. Is that why he doesn’t go out?”3fa426f51824bad0

“I don’t think that’s the case, goddaughter.”38b113b496396e49

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“So, Cedric, you met Duke Pervrante?”b0cb63a4578ba885

Lancelot, who had been listening 7eae358549 silently, interjected. His deep, low dca2c7b297 voice had the 7faff22e30 power to command e6b105d905 attention.eef826c563022071

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“I did. I was treated to a 3e0e8bb6d3 wonderful dinner.”944cfc818cada01e

“The lord’s name was… Theobald, was it?”90e0c32b1a791a9c

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“Precisely, Lance.”97f5fe941b171f1b

Lorelia listened silently ed38121b08 to the adults’ 1fd8c6423e conversation. And quietly mouthed the name. Theobald.040caa4f0927670a

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For some reason, 1d2491c508 she felt a 3a3090f95f flutter in her 1b66017021 chest. The south. A land full of light. She had never been to 558082674d Trisen.6bd0bc02655ff385

“Theobald Pervrante el Trisen. The ill-fated boy lord.”2fdd5d9005f2b9e6

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Cedric said, swirling 1ec8cc37c4 his glass lightly. The red wine sloshed inside 832deb4d29 the round glass. The dark red 52aa1ad2ef juice of grapes, 8a014c35d7 like blood.efb053bb1625f884

“He opened the doors of the mansion. After 13 years.”9be83e60ed9e62f3

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Once again, Lorelia felt a 64c7387bd0 flutter in her chest.6340d53e11a9cf93

Knock, knock. At the sound of knocking, Theobald opened his eyes.ece2b96673e85c47

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After the cautious sound, 0b66436c13 silence returned. Immersed in deep stillness, aea6a6d033 he closed his half-opened 73d68f27e8 eyelids. The room, with all 5387b0577f its windows covered by 19e5376e90 curtains, was dark. Only a single aa1e87fdb2 candle on the 6fa892a510 desk burned silently.88b7566bb63e9200

“Hmm…”e82ff4e42dcca777

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Theobald exhaled slowly and b33460823a raised a hand. He picked up the book 1b9b095ea8 lying on his stomach, dropped c95f554c4b it on the floor, and f250829a85 rubbed his face with his 6cb40aa70b empty hand.f5e166a7f8d0f31e

“Come in.”e20d6539671d0b20

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As he answered in a f1edac6875 husky voice, the door clicked 8e8e509a45 open. While the steward d07f298140 closed the door 345faae56c soundlessly and approached, 0d0e7bf181 he kept his 6e2ba608ac eyes closed.12047e986a6426a1

The sound of water 0b59d23361 being poured into a 0bc0c35cb3 cup was cautious. After placing the glass where 60c413d96b Theobald’s hand could reach it, 81fed9faec the steward walked towards the 405c3ec14a window.79551afb936f8570

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As he pulled back the fc82a8e1d1 thick curtains halfway, the morning 9269b9197c sunlight poured in. The man reclining on the 0843100082 long couch was revealed in 213c7b22bf the light. The dark blue robe 19c2969bbc and pale platinum hair e71d039618 were a familiar sight 13c68fb327 to the steward. His hair seemed c8914fec60 to shine brighter f0f5f3ca65 than the sunlight 27a7b6bd87 outside the window.f6a573a24f87b3f5

Still with his eyes closed, a3276b02af Theobald frowned slightly.fe8bc9bf85af87b4

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“What time is it?”7c45ea020cf67207

“A little past ten.”b37625c170187678

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The steward refrained from asking 097229ae4b if he had slept late a956ecfffb again. Instead of asking the obvious, 1d994e656f he said,6cf232e52597be25

“A reply has arrived from Mendel.”cf39619a9779221c

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He delivered somewhat special news.3bab13f67a85fc3e

Only then did 02ce88937a Theobald slowly open c8b4bec563 his eyes. The outside light 67bf43ffc8 touched his languidly 920e0b9b2a revealed eyes. Before those deep blue eyes f4b9c07cbb turned towards him, the steward 390c1a3646 held out the letter. High-quality paper with delicate 35eca32ff2 patterns along the edges. A dark red seal f84c80c6f6 stood out clearly on cd77ce7ef1 the flawless paper, without 75cc266d28 a single crease.ad82caf49543a124

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“It arrived at dawn. I’ve arranged accommodations for the 3494891034 messenger in the outer castle afb33fada0 and instructed him to return 478b79cf3d tomorrow morning.”2216bd27a99c4fcb

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.c03201ff715c8011

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Lancelot Hayes el Lorelia.bd78b4c9e7cfa47d

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.9b2d6ecab4292e1c

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He unfolded the letter with 72bf861c2b leisurely hands. His blue eyes 766a07b47b slowly scanned the 480b9b6717 contents. The slight drowsiness 0d4c42f9b7 that had lingered 4ce73dfe40 on his face 4104312b2d completely disappeared.50494d84f8b55429

“He’s coming.”d1bfccc350b88c2c

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He murmured, handing the d46173f851 letter to the steward. His tone was casual, d8d0bb84b8 as if he had c4aa6f0a3a known beforehand. After handing over 5f8d63456b the letter, Theobald de1798b514 picked up the 77931d8d1b glass of water cb105a2451 on the table b4d41d9d6e and brought it 207894204e to his lips.6cb64bcd85323f07

From slowly tilting 1c2bc25c2f the glass of f69cc304e8 cold water to fc26a79064 drinking it, and 8f6bb23000 then handing the 9aafd13469 empty glass back f9719bf761 to the steward, 7daf3855da all his movements b4c1065e01 were unhurried. He never rushed.37db450aac86f718

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“Send an invitation to Kingsburg.”e8ad09dffa794a43

“Understood.”fde63e6f7d8dd048

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“The rest, in five days.”7d6637a534dd2766

“Yes.”819fd72e27013c0f

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“There won’t be any problems with the preparations, will there?”1b0d1d62a25e270b

“Have no worries.”2e3e8cd6efef5882

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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.cd8f4292abc97f22

“I’ll bring your breakfast.”be1adb2fd9815402

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“Keep it simple. And…”47f9b325c9660b55

The neatly dressed 03992219e4 steward listened attentively.3a40a7a23752b772

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“I need to go hunting.”b91c7bb1c6f96737

He then bowed skillfully and 35b71aa370 replied,4dafa0a573d98fe7

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“I’ll make the preparations so you can depart at noon.”df081e93b3db5cbb

Theobald didn’t even bother 3b383e01ea to nod. As if to 913386eba6 say he understood, 46ca0d4d17 he got up. The couch, custom-made to 7f852256d8 his size, was long 1b2b5398e0 and plush, but not ca5a99cd2c as comfortable as a 21cc412305 bed. Immersing himself in hot water b77a51bae4 would make him feel much a8a82c3f0d more refreshed.3863c404875fb838

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As he headed 9b05d271a2 towards the bathroom, 824d01d63c the steward withdrew. Theobald’s space once 0b4d88e5be again fell into b11a7ea2f0 silence. Only the sound of water 2667c56eab pouring from the faucet echoed, swoosh.a438ab80cc73aa63

There were no other noises. Not even the sounds b48a825b24 of servants moving about. No sounds of gardeners’ shears 9d9c1185ed or the pulling of carts. The place where Theobald lived 0844a235f8 was always quiet.29fdd59cb6f4b05c

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Trisen Mansion was always quiet.861a1ce1f1b06a6b

The royal capital of 092470db22 Kingsburg was a four-day 6b0ea552ce carriage ride from where 99a55a4a6e Lorelia lived. Aside from attending a1022f9318 royal events, Lorelia b559d2f31f had rarely left 0e57e1777e the territory ruled 29fcf281fa by her father.d96521f18a0bf35a

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Two years ago, bf0ba80547 she reached adulthood 3059d37c02 on her eighteenth 029f9bf90c birthday, and unlike ae43387a13 her sister, she 3efe78d8ec was quite skilled 529c0f8695 at riding, but 7ed06fe164 she had never 196428b89b left the castle 278ea07d0a gates without taking f5ffe3f377 a carriage. Naturally, no nobleman would dare 1a91a92a76 put his daughter on a 4b275a9c5a horse and let her ride 3263fec0dc outside the castle.ac53e6b993ca18cf

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.578606690cbb955a

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“Truly, I’m so excited these days that I couldn’t sleep a wink last night.”0002d128fe873a8a

Lorelia wore a f14feecc55 dreamy expression, gazing b737c539d3 into the air. This room, brightly lit 26f5976ac1 by the late afternoon 07fd0d7951 sun, was the library 032f1d5751 where she received instruction f9badf6bc0 from her tutor.af461ca916b1d64b

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“I still can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.”311047c6c75d7efe

When her godfather a70e0e5527 visited last month 8883ee04f3 and pulled out e720d10218 the invitation from ef0edb406f his pocket, Lorelia f1092438fa almost squealed with 097a550a61 delight. When her father broke the 4bbde305ff golden seal and unfolded the 94e8ff60b7 letter inside, her heart pounded. It would be a great 5a58dd0eff honor if the Lord and 70b50910b2 Lady of Lorelia and their a53e8384e1 daughter would grace us with fae3eb5d3a their presence. When her father 7227f239cf read that passage f763a41501 aloud with an a3d176eebb interested look, she 0bf2d778fd wanted to shout,af08fa7471db07a8

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“I’m invited too! To Trisen Mansion!”86b7703e32487455

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.911975c095d5cedb

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“You seem very much looking forward to it.”2c2c98c3c64d0e37

“Of course I am. We’re leaving next week. My goodness, I’m going outside fecb70ade4 of Lorelia!”d0cdc37c3f0731f3

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“It’s not your first time leaving the territory, is it?”fc9784d7a4278e7f

“It’s my first time in the south! I went to Windburg ed220647a7 once, but it was a345bd99c5 so cold there. Ugh, I really hate 591cbbaa14 the cold.”e0d671f3781da0af

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Lorelia shivered dramatically, recalling her 2ce3b1d57e sister’s wedding. In Windburg, where Elenia had 44d1adfc76 married, heavy snow fell even 2638f407da in spring. The northerners rejoiced, saying the 0526c702fc snow falling on the wedding 021944cc80 day was an auspicious sign.38c767826e29ee7c

“Lady Glen loved winter very much, even when she was here.”c0759cd3d66fc40e

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“Isn’t that fortunate? What would I have 7b9d57ad73 done if I had c4cdc9a790 been born the eldest 280078ebd2 daughter?”3c79158a38dfab7a

The old man 79aaa9ced3 chuckled at her dc7be81c8f banter. His purple priestly robes hung c7e1c7adb6 loosely on his thin frame.08746d95b6599110

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“Priest Holtman, have you ever been to the south?”f6122a7671ac3127

Before answering, he smoothed his 03d2f6d792 neat white hair with his 83a5b32728 palm. Although he was d84521b584 well over eighty, c75101f8d3 his hands were 16d459f7b8 still white and ea2f81af81 elegant. Looking younger than their age 2799bcdf59 was a common trait among a3cd10558c priests who served God.c231a86e9777c1d6

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