Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 22

 

***

 

When the news of the Duke’s vacation came, the servants of the mansion were in great shock. It would be worthwhile for people to take a break, but the news of Edwin’s untimely vacation left the people in awe. That wasn’t all. The news of his vacation was also featured in a manuscript that mainly dealt with news in the territory.  After the death of Serafina, the former lord, Edwin, who had never rested since taking over the office, declared an official vacation for the first time.

 

It was unknown how the article came out, but a man with all sorts of impure modifiers, including the nickname “the Devil of August” became an unprecedented romanticist in the world. Asaya looked with amazement at Edwin, who was drinking tea leisurely with his newspaper. The person involved in the article, “Lovers of the Century,” was reading his story as if he had no objection to a novel-like story with all kinds of juicy details in it.

 

The person mentioned in the article as ‘Lovers of the Century’, not someone else’s story, was reading my story as if they were watching someone else’s story, whether there was no objection to the story like a novel with all kinds of flesh attached. The useless news is amazingly fast. Edwin wondered if these reporters were to work at Riverarden, the cleaning up would be done faster.

 

“So did you decide what to do?”

 

“I just need some rest for today. There’s an uproar outside.”

 

“We could just call in the soldiers and drive out all the reporters.”

 

“Such acts would just stimulate them more.”

 

“Well, they do not hesitate to do anything that stimulates me. Is there a law that tells them not to stimulate because of me?”

 

“But it’s better to refrain from going out today. I haven’t fully recovered my physical strength, so it’s a bit burdensome to go out. I think it’s okay to spend time chatting at home like this. You have a week left anyway.”

 

With Asaya’s words, Edwin glanced at her and found a piece of cake lying on the table as if it were new.

 

“Why are you not eating it?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“The cake.”

 

“Isn’t it for you?”

 

“If anyone had given me a cake, that person would have been fired right away. I don’t need to spend expensive money in the mansion for a servant who is not familiar with even my taste, who hates sweets.”

 

Asaya looked at the cake and Edwin alternately. It certainly looked far from sweet.

 

“Then, is this mine?”

 

“Who else?”

 

“Oh, I didn’t know.”

 

“Do you not like sweets?”

 

“No, I like it. Thank you.”

 

After Edwin called the chef and instructed him to serve a new cake each day, Asaya lifted a fork and started to eat the cake. In the meantime, a new tea was provided to accompany her. At that time, a servant who looked pretty young came up.

 

“The invitations from the Adorasium have arrived.”

 

“Oh my God, it’s here.”

 

Edwin received the invitations and slowly read it.

 

“This is the beginning of terrible torture.Time is so fast. It’s already National Day.”

 

The most troublesome day of the year, National Day, was back.  The only difference from the previous one was that there were two invitations. Edwin handed an invitation to Asaya.

 

“This is yours.”

 

“Mine?“

 

Asaya was confused and received an invitation. Surely, when she checked it, her name was really written on it. It was an invitation with the emperor’s seal.

 

“Am I going to Adorasium with you, too?”

 

“Who will go if the one who will be the hostess of Kabelheider does not go? Are you going to stay alone in this place without me? This is a big deal.”

 

“I don’t know if I would dare to attend …”

 

“Why not? You were once a noblewoman, wouldn’t you know well about National Day.”

 

“I was. However, I have never attended the official National Day celebration. I’m often worried that I will cause trouble.”

 

“Are you the worrying type? You are already worried about something that hasn’t even happened yet.”

 

“Because each one of my words and actions will be the subject of evaluation, and the evaluation will affect your reputation.”

 

“In the end, you’re not worried about getting judged there, but you’re worried about making me look bad?”

 

When Edwin said she was absurd, Asaya answered naturally.

 

“The Duke’s reputation is important.“

 

Edwin was dumbfounded. He knew what kind of treatment he would receive there, but he didn’t understand that her worries were for him.  Yes, they definitely wouldn’t be treated well there. It would be a silent battleground where numerous nobles and key figures gathered. It would be a common atmosphere that even for the immediate large and small social circles, the class was divided according to the region of origin, status, or level of property, and thoroughly harassed and excluded. If Asaya was taken to this big event at this time, it would be natural for her to become the focus of attention. But It was certainly an unavoidable situation. Edwin frowned in the imagination that was unfolded right before his eyes.

 

“You’re right. If my wife was bullied and ignored there, I would be in trouble too.”

 

“So is it okay for me not to come?”

 

At Asaya’s words, Edwin stood up from his seat, sulking.

 

“What are you running away from? You just have to be prepared to avoid being ignored.”

 

Edwin immediately called one of his servants to come and instructed,

 

“I’ll write a letter. Send it to Mrs. Romula.”

 

*******

 

“Mrs. Romula? Are you sure?”

 

Lucia and Diana reacted more sensitively to the name ‘Romula’ than anyone else. They blinked their eyes as if they couldn’t believe it, and soon cracked their nails in anxiety.

 

“Why is Mrs. Hippil Romula…?”

 

“Why? Who is she?” Asaya asked.

 

“Mrs. Romula was the nanny of Duke Kabelheider. She was also the servant of Serafina, the former Duke.”

 

“In that case, does she have a family-like bond with them?” Asaya asked.

 

“They’re more like an actual family. She’s been in charge of Duke Kabelheider since Duke Serafina died. Originally, she was the real hostess of the Kabelheider family.”

 

“Why did she leave?” Asaya asked once more.

 

“After Menefrida died, she withdrew from the hostess’s position and from the Kabelheider family.”

 

Lucia and Diana looked at each other.

 

“Menefrida, was she the former priest of Duke Kabelheider?” Asaya was curious.

 

“How did you know?”

 

Asaya first heard the name ‘Menefrida’ from Reibene. He told her that she was Menefrida’s replacement. Instead of answering, Asaya smiled bitterly.

 

“I don’t know how you know the name, but you should never speak of it out here.”

 

“That’s right, especially in front of Duke Kabelheider or Mrs. Romula.”

 

“Why?” Asaya asked.

 

“We can’t tell you why. Anyway, the name is taboo here. Don’t ever try to find out about Menefrida. Just pretend you don’t know anything about it and forget.”

 

Asaya was confused by the unexpected reaction. She didn’t want to learn more about her from the beginning. After all, there was no reason to know deeply about her circumstances, who was not in the world anymore, and was a former exclusive priest. She just wanted to do well in her job here. She didn’t think about how or why Menefrida died, but looking at Lucia’s and Diana’s attitude, she felt strange.

 

Asaya wondered why they were afraid just by putting the name Menefrida in their mouths. It seemed like Menefrida’s death was unexpected. Was she not welcomed here?

 

“Anyway, Mrs Romula is a very strict person. Duke Kabelheider called her in, but it’s doubtful whether she will respond to the call or not.”

 

“There is no one but only Mrs. Romula as an etiquette teacher. But I heard that she is that strict and the curriculum is harsh. Lady Daisy had Mrs. Romula as her etiquette teacher, but there was a situation where Mrs. Romula poured tea on Lady Daisy’s dress while having a tea party. And her leg was bruised.”

 

“Duke Kabelheider calling in Mrs. Romula makes me anxious. There’s not even one noble family who wants to have her as a teacher of etiquette. It tells you that much about her.”

 

“By the way, I heard that Mrs Romula has been out of business for a long time because of her old age. She is reluctant to interact with people and is spending the rest of her life in a small mansion in the remote mountain.”

 

“I think she is trying to live a life that is separated from the world. She is not a nun, but she pursues a life like one.”

 

“But it would be nice if she can come and help Lady Asaya. Because the deadline until National Day is too short. No one will be willing to take the job.”

 

For now, Asaya thought the best option was not to attend the event. However, the invitations had the Emperor’s seal on it so ‘not attending’ was an impossible option.There was no provision in the law stating that anyone would be penalized for refusing to attend the national event, but refusing the emperor’s invitation meant being disrespectful to the emperor, it is an act of disregard for his authority, and so the risk of being penalized is high.

 

As Diana and Lucia said, the remaining period was so tight that it was doubtful that there might be anyone who would take charge of etiquette education. Even if it was lucky to find a teacher, there was no guarantee that she would be able to master the education perfectly.

 

“Bishop Schrandel will also attend the event, right?” At Asaya’s question, Lucia nodded as if it was a natural answer. The fact that Asaya has to see Reibene at the event added more anxiety.

 

“Is Bishop Schrandel married?”

 

“Yes. He got married when he got the Bishop’s position. I heard it was an extraordinarily grand wedding. And the Cardinal officiated the wedding in person. Everyone was talking about it for a while, weren’t they?”

 

“It was very noisy, and his wife was also a beautiful woman.”

 

“Yes, she was a great beauty. There were dozens of paparazzis that followed her intensively, and her portraits and pictures were drawn by the paparazzis pouring into the streets.”

 

“Do you know her name?” Asaya curiously asked.

 

“I do. It’s Lishayas Schrandel. It’s rarer to find someone who doesn’t know her name.”

 

Asaya laughed at the familiar name. Lishayas. It was the name of her childhood friend who Asaya loved and cherished at one time, and it was also the name that she cursed countless times.

 

*****

 

“Don’t come out for the time being.” Lishayas hastily got dressed as she was talking to GT. The servants, who were watching outside the door, urged her to hurry, and the maids who followed her tidied up her clothes. She hurried out of the annex and headed to the main building, leaving behind the gentle eyes of GT looking at her far away. He saw a familiar figure.

 

Lishayas jumped toward the wide back of her husband, the only one she really loved. Without hesitation, she embraced him.

 

“Welcome back.”

 

Reibene turned around. Then he hugged Lishayas tightly in his arms.

 

“Lisha .. Ha! Now that I see you, I can breathe again. How have you been?”

 

“I missed you and thought I’d die of loneliness every night, but I’ve been well. I can never worry you. But did you come back earlier than expected?”

 

“I had to come back early. I ran into a very poor situation.”

 

“I heard about August, that an intermediate demon broke in and caused disturbance. Fortunately, it was said that the initial response was good and it was finished well.”

 

At the words of Lishayas, Reibene laughed.

 

“That’s not a big problem.”

 

“It’s not?”

 

“Do not be surprised and listen. Asaya is back.”

 

At such news, Lishayas hardened in place like a stone statue. She blinked, doubting her ears. Then she asked with a serious expression.

 

“What did you just say?”

 

“Asaya Lubedoa, the girl is alive.”

 

“But what do you mean she’s back? You mean she’s in August?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then shouldn’t you have kicked her out of the wall or killed her immediately?”

 

“I couldn’t do that.”

 

“Why? Because of your old feelings? Because you miss her?”

 

“Don’t be ridiculous. All I love is you, Lishayas. I didn’t kill her because of Edwin Kabelheider, that bastard.”

 

Lishayas hugged her body tightly, feeling goosebumps all over her body at the name of Kabelheider. At that moment, the scandal of The Duke Kabelheider, who had made the public sensation a while ago, passed through her head. The world has turned gray. The feeling of anxiety rising wrapped around her body. As her pulse accelerated and her airways narrowed, she felt suffocated. Lishayas, by all means, hoped that Reibene would not bring terrible calamity from his mouth. But the wind shattered.

 

“Asaya came back as a woman we couldn’t touch. She’s Edwin Kabelheider’s fiancée.”