IWMHWD 08

<Chapter 8> The Master and the Disciple
2023.11.08

Cordelia calmed her startled heart and cautiously approached the figure.

“W-Who are you?”

“I must apologize for the late introduction. Good day. I am Baron Langsha.”

The figure—though she wasn’t yet sure it was human—bowed with great politeness. Cordelia spoke with a mixture of curiosity and fear in her eyes.

“Baron Langsha?”

“I am Lord Leonard’s first servant, and a symbol of loyalty and unwavering integrity.”

“Leonard? You mean Leonard Atillay?”

“That is correct.”

“The same Leonard Atillay who complains about every meal and doesn’t have a shred of sympathy for women or children?”

“…Ahem. Yes, that’s him.”

Baron cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his gaze to the distance. Having confirmed his identity, Cordelia finally smiled and stepped closer to him.

“I see. Then what should I call you?”

“Whatever is comfortable for you.”

“Alright then, Baron. So, why have you appeared before me? Is the Lord calling for me?”

“No. Lord Leonard is unaware that I’ve revealed myself before the Countess of Abrams. However…”

“Call me Cordelia. I don’t like being addressed by that title.”

Cordelia frowned as she corrected him. Baron bowed lower and immediately changed his wording.

“My apologies. I’ve appeared, despite the rudeness, to offer my help to you, Cordelia.”

“Help me?”

“I will help you become Lord Leonard’s disciple.”

He smiled meaningfully. There was a subtle confidence in his tone, as if he were certain she would not refuse.

“Why?”

Her unexpected question made him pause.

“Why, you ask? I thought you’d ask how, not why.”

“If someone I have no ties with suddenly says they want to help me, shouldn’t I first question their motives?”

Her tone was casual, but the content was sharply insightful. Baron was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled.

“Now I see why Lord Leonard keeps you nearby.”

“Nearby? He keeps me as far away as possible.”

“And yet you know his true identity and are still alive. That alone is remarkable.”

“…”

This time, Cordelia was the one left speechless. Apparently, Baron’s idea of “being close” to Leonard went far beyond her expectations.

“So, why do you want to help me, Baron? If you came here without his knowledge, I assume you didn’t get permission.”

“As you likely know, Lord Leonard is in a very precarious situation. If Maximilian finds out he’s alive, he’ll never let it go. Moreover, the body’s owner—the Count of Abrams—has such weak standing that it wouldn’t be surprising if someone tried to poison him.”

“That’s true.”

“In other words, he desperately needs allies here.”

“I’ve thought the same. But seeing you by his side makes me think I’m not much help.”

Truthfully, Cordelia wasn’t even sure she was any use to Leonard. So far, the only thing she’d done for him was toss a letter into the air.

“There are times when I must leave my master’s side. If, during my absence, you happened to poison his food, I’d lose my master for the second time.”

“…So it’s not that you need my help. You just want to ensure I don’t harm him.”

“That’s a more accurate way to put it.”

Baron spoke politely but firmly. Cordelia pouted.

“That’s harsh. You won’t find someone kinder than me.”

“I do recognize your kind nature, Cordelia. But I’ve already lost my master once by trusting in human goodness.”

Fair enough. Leonard had been betrayed and killed by his own flesh and blood. Distrusting humans was only natural.

“So helping me become his disciple is just a way to ensure I don’t turn against him.”

“You’re clever. I don’t need to explain myself further.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill me?”

“…”

“Silencing me permanently would be the cleanest option.”

The way she said something so terrifying so casually—it reminded him of Leonard. Baron licked his lips and spoke frankly.

“I didn’t entirely rule out that option. But I decided it would be better to have a reliable ally inside the count’s estate. And I’d prefer to keep things peaceful until my master returns to his rightful place.”

“So… are you going to tell me one of his weaknesses so I can use it to blackmail him into accepting me as a disciple?”

Cordelia’s eyes sparkled dangerously as she said the word “blackmail.” Baron was a little flustered.

“Rather than a weakness, I can tell you how to stay close to him.”

He lifted his chin like he was doing her a huge favor. Cordelia frowned in response.

“I don’t really want to stay close to him. I just want to learn a little magic and become a magic appraiser…”

“No!”

Baron cut her off with wide eyes and visible outrage.

“A magic appraiser? Are you thinking of getting a job? My word—if it becomes known that Lord Leonard’s disciple is a mere appraiser, his reputation will plummet!”

“You sound just like him. Why is that so shocking?”

“Once you formally accept magic into your body, you’ll understand what that means.”

Baron shook his head and sighed deeply.

“I will help as much as I can. And it seems my master thinks well of you, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“He thinks well of me? Based on what?”

Now that was a real mystery. Every time she said anything, Leonard would snap at her to leave. Where was this kindness Baron spoke of?

“You’ll understand what I mean eventually. You don’t need to do anything to become his disciple. In fact, even if you tried, he wouldn’t accept you easily.”

“Then what am I supposed to do…? Never mind. Just tell me one of his weaknesses. I won’t tell him you told me.”

“There’s a far simpler way.”

“What is it?”

“If you want to make a traveler shed their coat, the sun is more effective than the wind. Sympathy is the only thing that can melt your master’s hardened heart.”

Baron smiled cryptically. Cordelia was just about to scoff and ask how a man with no blood or tears could possibly respond to sympathy—

“Milady.”

A sudden voice from behind cut the conversation short. Cordelia turned around awkwardly.

“Huh?”

“There you are.”

A stable boy had arrived, though she hadn’t noticed him come in. Cordelia subtly positioned herself to block the feed trough. Thankfully, Baron had already vanished without a trace.

“Oh. I was just giving Loti some food.”

“This dog? But…”

The stable hand frowned at the sight of Loti. He clearly didn’t like a mangy mutt hanging around the estate stables.

Cordelia smiled sweetly.

“What’s your name?”

“Peter, milady.”

“Peter. Loti is the dog I cherish most in this estate. She looks just like the hunting dog my father raised when I was a child.”

“Is that so?”

Peter looked bewildered by the sudden sentimental story.

“So if I ever find out that you kicked Loti or treated her poorly while I was away… I might have to kick you out of the estate.”

Her tone was gentle and affectionate, but the warning was unmistakable. He bowed quickly and apologized. Ever the merciful lady, Cordelia graciously forgave him.

“So, Peter, why were you looking for me?”

“Oh—Madam wishes to see you.”

“Of course.”

She had half-hoped Leonard was the one calling for her, but of course not. Hiding her disappointment poorly, Cordelia trudged out of the stable.

Even after meeting Baron, Leonard showed no change in attitude. If anything, he became more curt and dismissive. Yet Cordelia continued to greet him with the same cheerful face.

“Does the food suit your taste today?”

“Shall I open the window more?”

“Any more letters you want sent?”

As he grew more accustomed to her presence—

“Lily’s arrived already?”

“Yes. She’s just passing through the outer gates now.”

A fine crack formed on Cordelia’s calm expression. She hadn’t expected her to arrive until next week.

“That’s good news.”

“The maids are practically in tears. Looks like she’s staying a while—they’re dreading what’s to come.”

Emily grumbled, but Cordelia just offered a vague smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

As they walked through the corridor, Cordelia spotted Helena’s back. For once, her steps looked light. It made sense—she was going to see her only daughter. Cordelia quietly followed behind.

“Mother!”

“Lily. Let me look at you. Oh my—you’re half your size! You should visit more often. How long has it been?”

Mother and daughter exchanged warm greetings. Only after passing through the gates did Lily notice Cordelia standing nearby.

Their eyes met, and Cordelia had no choice but to greet her first.

“Welcome, Lily.”

“Your husband’s bedridden, yet you’ve plumped up quite nicely.”

“…”

“Living the good life, huh? If Craig were really done for, we might’ve used the chance to toss you out too.”

“…”

“Ugh. You disgust me. I knew we should never have let you into this family.”

Honestly, Cordelia would’ve preferred dealing with Helena.

At least Helena ignored her like she didn’t exist, instead of growling every time their eyes met.