Chapter 12
Catherine had worried that Cesare might refuse or make things difficult.
Fortunately…
He simply nodded.
“Very well.”
“I’ll return it.”
Then he casually walked up the stairs through the wide-open wooden door.
Catherine stood on the magic circle for a moment, staring blankly.
At first, she wondered where he had gone.
Then she remembered.
A few days ago…
He had disappeared in exactly the same way.
Just as she expected, footsteps echoed through the basement walls.
A moment later, Cesare came back down.
“Is it this one?”
The book he held out was titled:
ćHuman Livestockć
Just reading the title sent a chill down Catherine’s spine.
Knowing who Cesare really was only made it worse.
“No.”
“The cover is the same color, but it’s a different book.”
“What was the title of the book you lent me?”
He had borrowed it because he said it looked interesting…
Yet he couldn’t even remember its title.
It was ridiculous.
Still, Catherine wasn’t in any position to criticize him.
“I’m sorry…”
“I only remember that the title started with ‘Soul’.”
She couldn’t remember the full title herself.
“Hmm.”
After thinking for a moment, Cesare went upstairs again without another word.
Watching him quietly fulfill her request made Catherine feel strangely guilty.
A few minutes later…
He returned carrying five or six books.
Every single one had a red cover.
Every title began with “Soul.”
“Is it one of these?”
“…No.”
The third time…
Cesare came back carrying more than ten books stacked high in his arms.
The pile was so large that she couldn’t even see his face.
“How about these?”
Seriously…?
There were this many red books that began with “Soul”?
Afraid they might be too heavy, Catherine hurriedly looked through the titles.
The one she wanted wasn’t there.
“It’s not here.”
“Wait…”
“You borrowed it only a few days ago.”
“How can you not remember the title?”
“Did you even read it?”
“I don’t know who’s criticizing whom.”
“At least I’m better than someone who doesn’t even know the title of her own precious book.”
“…Actually…”
“I was criticizing myself.”
“I’m glad you realize that.”
Cesare didn’t smile.
Instead…
A quiet sigh came from behind the mountain of books.
“It would be faster to move the entire library.”
“It can’t be helped.”
“Let’s go to my house.”
“…What?”
His house?
The sudden suggestion caught her completely off guard.
She had barely blinkedā
When everything changed.
The cold, damp air disappeared.
Warmth surrounded her.
The darkness lit only by lamps suddenly became bright enough that she couldn’t even open her eyes.
The change happened so suddenly that it felt as though the ground beneath her feet had shifted.
“Catherine.”
“You can open your eyes now.”
After shielding her face for several moments…
She slowly lowered her hands.
“…Ah.”
Where…
Was she?
She was no longer standing in the cold stone basement.
Instead…
She stood on an elegant, spotless carpet.
Beyond the enormous window…
The sea stretched endlessly into the distance.
The sunlight pouring through the glass looked especially blue and refreshing.
Beautiful statues and murals decorated every part of the long hallway.
If her guess was correctā
No.
She was certain.
This was Cesare’s residence.
And not the home of some ordinary noble.
This mansion belonged to someone unimaginably wealthy.
“Gren.”
“Yes, Lord Cesare.”
Catherine jumped.
An elderly man had suddenly appeared behind her.
The stack of books had somehow disappeared.
Cesare’s hands were empty again as he calmly rolled up his sleeves.
“Take our guest to the drawing room.”
“Miss Panya.”
“I’ll bring your book shortly.”
“Please wait there.”
Leaving only those words behind…
Cesare disappeared once again.
Who would have thought I’d end up at his house because of a single book?
If this was the Grand Duke’s residence…
Shouldn’t it be the Christopher Ducal Estate?
But somehow…
It didn’t feel like that.
Then again…
Why would he bring someone he barely knew to his true stronghold?
“Should I simply follow you?”
The elderly man called Gren smiled warmly.
“Of course.”
“Before that…”
“May I ask your name, my lady?”
“Please call me Gren.”
“I’m the butler of this estate.”
“Oh.”
“My name is Catherine Panya.”
“Cesare and I are…”
She hesitated.
How should she explain their relationship?
People fighting over ownership of a mansion?
People who borrowed books from each other?
Neither sounded right.
“We’re simply acquaintances.”
“I see.”
“Would it be alright if I called you Miss Catherine?”
Since today was probably the last time they would meet…
She wondered if there was any reason for such familiarity.
Usually…
People only addressed each other that way when they expected to meet again.
“That’s fine.”
Following Gren…
She walked through the dazzling mansion.
Oddly enough…
Although it was her first time here…
She didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
Normally, visiting an unfamiliar place felt awkward.
Yet this mansion felt strangely peaceful.
“This place feels very comfortable.”
“I’ve never heard anyone describe it that way.”
“Most guests say they feel a chill.”
“Thank you.”
“That may be the finest compliment I’ve ever received.”
More importantly…
She couldn’t sense those things at all.
Not even the faint presence she often felt during the daytime.
Sitting in the drawing room, Catherine quietly looked around.
“It makes me feel calm.”
“Everywhere is bright.”
“There isn’t a single shadow.”
“…Ah.”
As though something finally clicked…
Gren slowly nodded.
“I understand now.”
“Forgive me for realizing it so late.”
“Those things cannot even set foot inside this estate.”
“Lord Cesare forbade them from entering.”
…What?
Before Catherine could ask what he meant…
Two maids entered the drawing room.
Soon…
The table was covered with beautiful desserts.
It looked as though they were preparing for an elegant tea party.
“Miss, what kind of tea do you like?”
“Herbal tea?”
“Black tea?”
“Or milk tea?”
One maid asked while skillfully preparing the tea.
“I like both.”
“Lately I’ve been enjoying herbal tea more.”
“Oh!”
“That’s wonderful!”
“Next time we’ll prepare herbal tea for you!”
“Please let us know before you visit again.”
“We’ll ask the chef to bake delicious madeleines for you.”
The maids giggled happily before leaving.
Why did they all act as though she would be coming back?
Feeling strangely uneasy…
Catherine picked up the teacup filled with yellow chrysanthemums.
She had wanted to ask Gren something.
But the noisy maids had completely distracted her.
After taking a sip…
She looked up.
“Gren…”
“Is this the Christopher Ducal Estate?”
The expression on Gren’s face instantly became rather strange.
As though he had just seen a cat with wings.
“What you mean is…”
“Miss Panya.”
Another voice interrupted him.
Cesare entered the drawing room.
In his hand was a familiar old red book.
He handed it to Catherine.
ćSoul and Memoriesć
Right.
The moment she saw the cover…
She remembered.
That was the title.
“Yes!”
“This is it.”
“Thank you, Cesare.”
“You found it so quickly.”
“I thought I’d have to search through another hundred books.”
“It was the only book that contained a photograph.”
“That makes sense.”
“I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble over one book.”
“This hardly counts as trouble.”
The picture of her mother was still safely tucked between the pages.
Catherine let out a relieved sigh.
Carefully…
She removed the old picture.
The edges were just as worn as the book itself.
“Cesare…”
“Do you happen to know who this woman is?”
She held the picture out to him.
Cesare quietly looked at her mother.
His expression didn’t change.
“How would I know?”
“Who is she?”
“She’s the person I’m searching for.”
“The picture was on the bookshelf in the bedroom I’m using.”
“I wondered if you recognized her.”
His answer came immediately.
“Unfortunately…”
“I’ve never seen this woman before.”
“I see.”
That made sense.
Just because he knew the mansion long ago didn’t mean he had ever met her mother.
Even if someone had lived there…
He probably only came and went through the basement.
Her mother might have stayed there only briefly.
“Your estate is beautiful.”
“I hear that often.”
“You can even see the harbor and the shipyard.”
“If you’d like…”
“You’re welcome to go have a look.”
“Thank you.”
“The horizon where the sea meets the sky is breathtaking.”
The view from this drawing room…
Without question…
Was the most beautiful Catherine had ever seen in any noble estate.
The endless blue sea.
The wide sky.
The enormous harbor.
Even the shipyard with its faint smell of iron.
Only a mansion built high on a mountain could have such a view.
“I’d believe this was the Christopher Ducal Estate.”
“I hear that often as well.”
“They say the view there is magnificent.”
“I’ve heard that many times.”
I knew he’d answer like that.
Catherine narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Cesare simply smiled.
He deliberately picked up his teacup…
Poured himself warm milk tea…
Then smiled even wider.
His smug face was incredibly annoying.
“Lord Cesare.”
“There’s something I need to report.”
“Say it.”
“She can hear it.”
Gren glanced at Catherine for only a brief moment.
Then he obeyed.
“It’s regarding the return of the Holy Knights.”
“Tch.”
Cesare clicked his tongue.
His face immediately twisted with annoyance.
“The Vatican people are always so noisy.”
“What is it this time?”
“Do they expect us to hold a festival to welcome them as they pass by?”
Catherine remembered.
Even the first time they met…
When Cesare had pointed his sword at her…
He had spoken badly about the Vatican.
There seemed to be a deep grudge between them.
“Yes.”
“They’re impressively consistent.”
So they actually ask for things like that…
Thanks to Cesare…
Catherine had learned something new.
At the same time…
Her opinion of the Vatican dropped slightly.
It seemed the Holy Knights were just as arrogant as ever because of the Vatican’s support.
Cesare stared silently into the distance for a while.
Thenā
In a completely emotionless voice…
He spoke.
“Then we’ll hold a Goat Festival.”
“We’ll spread the rumor that being hit with goat droppings brings blessings.”
“Then we’ll throw them at their faces.”
“That should make them shut up and continue on their way.”
How much does he hate them…
He was saying something so ridiculous right in front of a guest.
Feeling half amused and half concerned…
Catherine asked,
“You’re joking… right?”
Cesare took a sip of his milk tea.
Then answered calmly.
“I’m completely serious.”
