Autumn throughout the Whitley and Paiton counties is genuinely magical. Expanses of golden wheat, yellow grass, and reddish leaves were presented during Chas' journey. He had seen autumn several times in the Whitley and Paiton counties, but Chas had never failed to fail every time he saw one.
Had Rhea seen all of this? thought Chas as he passed Earl Whitley's former estate. The ruins are now buried among the fallen leaves.
Chas tapped on the roof of his carriage. Today the sky is quite clear. It didn't seem like there would be any problems if he strolled around for a bit.
Chas' feet then took him around the former Whitley estate. He only watched it from the outside. Even though that place used to be inhabited by the strongest demon cotroller, in fact now there are no signs of demons taking over the estate.
Chas took off again, remembering where he and Rheannon had run up the trails before. After walking down the road, Chas arrived at the place.
Lake whose power is equally divided between Whitley and Paiton.
Oligos Lake.
"This lake is still the same as before," Chas thought as he picked up a pebble at his feet.
With one practiced move, Chas threw the pebble into the lake. The pebble bounced twice above the surface of the water before finally sinking.
Chas' golden eyes narrowed at the sinking pebble. No sign whatsoever. No ripples. No waves or anything. Oligos Lake seemed to swallow the pebbles earlier.
And that is exactly what Oligos Lake is: a lake that will swallow up anything that dares to dive into it. A lake that is said to have no life in it, but the surroundings are lush with grass and flowers. A lake ready to trap anyone. The lake where Lady Whitley and Lady Melchoir used to make tea appointments and play with their children.
"Well, that was a long time ago," Chas muttered. "May aunt and Lady Melchoir rest in peace up there, amen."
Chas picked some rudbeckia from the lake and returned to his carriage.
***
"Welcome, Lord Chas. I am Calore, the butler of this estate. Would you like to go straight to rest in your room or meet Marquess Hadrian and Lady Rheannon first?"
"If they are busy, I can meet them later. Please just give this flower to Lady Rheannon," Chas said while handing over the rudbeckia he had picked around Oligos Lake earlier.
"Oh, these are lovely flowers. Her Ladyship will definitely like it," Calore complimented sincerely. "Please, this way."
Chas arrives at the Melchoir estate just as the rain is coming. From outside came the faint sound of rain. It didn't take long for Chas to smell the earth.
They were also grumbling some people.
"This place is huge! I got caught in the rain because I had to run all the way here."
"You can ask the maid to bring hot soup, right?"
Chas glanced briefly at the person he happened to pass by. They had the same hair and eye color as Hadrian.
"Have many of Melchoir's relatives arrived yet?" Chas asked Calore.
"Only relatives whose homes are far away. The rest will come on the D-day of the party," Calore explained. "Would you like a room away from where relatives are staying? I can provide it even if it takes a little time."
"No need," said Chas. It would be best if he were near Melchoir's relatives to keep an eye on them.
Chas finally arrived at his room. A large room with a smoldering fireplace. Hadrian seemed to know from Rheannon that he didn't like the cold.
Calore said Chas could meet Hadrian in person in his study before dinner if he wanted. Just call the servant and ask to be delivered to his study. Hadrian himself had sent all of his servants to do that to Chas.
So after tidying up some of his luggage, Chas came out of his room and looked for a maid. From the window in the corridor, Chas saw the rain was still falling. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was enough to make Chas feel cold.
"You look cold, Lord Chas," someone said.
Chas turned and saw a man his father's age approaching. The man was as straight as Hadrian, and his hair was already turning gray. Beside him, a woman who was probably the man's daughter smiled at him.
The woman's smile was the same as Luciell's. At the same time, the man who Chas didn't know his name looked very pretentious. It was like looking at King Rexton V and Luciell in miniature.
"Thank you for your concern, My Lord," Chas replied. "But even this kind of cold, I can still bear."
"Oh, very youthful energy," said the man. "Are you lost? This estate is indeed too big for a single marquess to live in, isn't it?"
"Marquess Hadrian doesn't live alone here anymore. If you remember, my cousin was already his wife and His Grace took his distant nephew as a son," Chas replied sarcastically.
The man smiled meaningfully at Chas. "Well, you seem to know much about this estate, huh?"
"Yes, I know a lot about this estate. Even I know how many rats are hiding in here."
"I didn't expect it. I would be worried for His Grace if you could find out that much."
This old man! Chas's mind couldn't take it anymore. He did not know this man in front of him, but it was obvious that he was the one aiming for the marquess' seat! Even if he couldn't, he intended to marry the woman beside him to Hadrian.
"You don't need to worry about that, My Lord," Chas said smugly to himself. "Rather than me, you better worry about the rats roaming around in this estate. Maybe I have the intention to eradicate it. You know, I don't like it when my cousin has to live in a rat's nest like this."
"Lord Chas, your words―"
"Oh, Lord Chas?" Desmond appeared out of nowhere, greeting Chas in a light tone. "I don't know if you've arrived. Oh, there's Uncle Tavish too. Good afternoon."
Chas watched the old man's reaction when Desmond greeted him. His expression was that of a wolf luring its prey closer.
"Desmond, could you take me to your father's study? I didn't find any maids here," Chas said.
"Oh yes. Of course. This way, Lord Chas."
Desmond seems to have grown up in too good of an environment.
Left unchecked, Desmond could grow up to be like Axelle, Chas thought in disbelief.