Chapter 22, Edward, Speaking Of The Past

Translator: Lizz

 

Calogero was given a room as the butler, but when he asked ‘May I have an altar to pray to God?’, Sylvia renovated the church for him.

 

Although the church was modest, it had all the necessary essentials.

 

Calogero expressed his gratitude excessively and kissed her fingers again, which made Edward furious.

 

Gina was exasperated.

 

Edward was overreacting. Since Calogero arrived, Edward hadn’t left Sylvia’s side, and he vehemently threatened Calogero whenever he approached her.

 

It seemed as though he was afraid of something.

 

With the repairs to the fortress progressing, Edward had been resting in the renovated adjacent room, but since Calogero arrived, he had started sleeping with Sylvia again, and he never let go of his sword.

 

One night, Gina summoned the courage to ask.

 

“Sir Edward, is something wrong? If you have any anxieties, please share them with Lady Sylvia and me, even if we might not be much help.”

 

Edward looked at Gina in surprise. Sylvia, equally surprised, looked back and forth between Gina and Edward.

 

Gina inwardly smiled at Sylvia’s reaction and continued.

 

“While Lady Sylvia is happy to have you always by her side… You seem to be suffering. Even just talking about it might help ease your worries… There is also something I would like you to listen to.”

 

Edward stared at Gina intently, then suddenly laughed as if he had been deflated.

 

“Sorry, I seem to have made you worry. …I see, my behavior was strange.”

 

Edward scratched his head and motioned for her to sit on the sofa.

 

“…I’ve been a bit too cautious. I was afraid I might get caught in a trap again.”

 

Gina did not miss the word ‘again’. Edward realized this and, staring at his clasped hands, began to speak about his past.

 

“I am formerly the second son of a Marquis house, and was in the Knight Order. I was the knight guard of the Third Prince… Back then, I was a fool, intoxicated by superficial praise, without considering others. I didn’t realize I was being envied and was betrayed by someone I thought was my best friend.”

 

Gina gasped.

 

Sylvia understood only the parts ‘was the knight guard of the Third Prince’ and ‘was betrayed’, and furrowed her brows.

 

“That’s why I am wary of that shady false priest. What is he plotting? With that face of his, it would be easy for him to deceive Gina or Sylvia. I think he might be planning to frame me, who is wary of him, drive me out, and eat you up.”

 

Edward was speaking with his head down, but when he raised his head, he was met with the sight of two faces that were impressively pouting, and he widened his eyes in surprise.

 

“H-hey? Why are you pouting…?”

 

“Don’t underestimate me!”

 

Gina sharply pointed her finger at him.

 

“I have dedicated my life to Lady Sylvia! There’s no way I’d be deceived! I didn’t pledge my loyalty to her lightly!”

 

Gina’s angry words shocked Edward.

 

He felt the same way.

 

He had been betrayed once and thought he could never trust again.

 

But he decided to try trusting one more time.

 

It wasn’t a light decision. He didn’t want to lose his place, so he overreacted.

 

When Edward was about to apologize to Gina, Sylvia jumped at him and clung to him like a cicada on a tree.

 

“Edward made a contract! So, you are with me! You promised to be with me forever!”

 

“What? Oh, yes, that’s true.”

 

“You cannot be the Third Prince’s knight guard! You are my knight guard! You must protect me! If you were betrayed, then forget about it! You are my knight guard!”

 

Edward unconsciously patted Sylvia as she shouted.

 

Then, he relaxed his shoulders and sighed.

 

“Of course, I have already forgotten about it. I never want to be the Third Prince’s knight guard again. I am Lady Sylvia’s knight guard.”

 

Gina understood after seeing Sylvia’s reaction.

 

“Ah, it seems Lady Sylvia was also feeling anxious about you, Sir Edward. Isn’t that why she reminded you? ‘Are you really going to stay with me forever?’, something like that.”

 

“What?”

 

Edward thought, looking down at Sylvia, who was clinging to him.

 

He didn’t think he had acted in a way that would cause anxiety, but seeing Sylvia clinging to him like an insect, he realized that he had made her anxious.

 

“…Um, Lady Sylvia. Did I do something to make you anxious? Like Gina, I did not pledge my loyalty to you lightly.”

 

“…”

 

Sylvia remained silent, unable to explain her feelings.

 

For Sylvia, Gina was a source of comfort. She was always kind, always returned even after leaving, and talked about what happened during the day. She listened to what happened during the day. She stroked Silvia’s hair and said, ‘Let’s always be together’.

 

Edward was always with her, but he was always busy and always talking to other people. He often got angry. She worried that he might abandon her and felt that he might leave someday. She made a contract with him because she was anxious. Without it, she felt like he might disappear.

 

“‘Lady Sylvia, a knight’s oath is not so easily broken. The Third Prince arrested me, threw me into the dungeon, and severed all ties and oaths… As long as you don’t do such a thing, a knight’s oath cannot be broken.’

 

“…Even so, it’s still impossible. We made a contract.”

 

Sylvia mumbled, to which Edward laughed.

 

“Then, it’s truly impossible to break it, isn’t it? I’m relieved. Lady Sylvia, please allow me to serve as your knight guard for life.”

 

Sylvia nodded silently, but she didn’t stop clinging to him.