WHM | Chapter 62

~Chapter 62~

Eileen glanced behind Chester, noticing several knights milling about nearby. However, while the crescent-shaped seal representing the Demicalon Baron family was visible, the Duke’s seal was nowhere to be seen.

Chester noticed her glance and added, “If you’re looking for Cedric, he’ll be here soon.”

“Did Cedric ask you to hold Lady Ribbonshire captive?” Eileen asked.

“He asked me to hold you captive,” Chester corrected her, with a strange tone that seemed tinged with something more than just a simple fact. Cedric had urgently conveyed the message to hold Eileen if Lady Ribbonshire was heading to her estate, as Chester would be closer.

“I see. Thank you for stopping the carriage in time,” Eileen replied.

“Wasn’t going to Ribbonshire against your will?” Chester asked, his words seeming to imply something more.

“…I suppose so,” Eileen responded.

“So, you were being taken there by force,” Chester said, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. Eileen quickly shook her head.

“There’s no need for force,” she replied calmly, making it clear that she wasn’t going to escalate things further. It seemed like she was trying to avoid the confrontation. She clearly didn’t want to explain the details yet and preferred to discuss it with Cedric.

This response indicated that she had developed enough trust with Cedric to believe in his judgment. However, Chester wasn’t entirely pleased with the idea that Cedric had turned to someone else for support, rather than relying solely on him. Cedric had always been a sensitive and compassionate person, traits that were both his strength and his weakness.

‘He’s still not strong enough,’ Chester thought, recalling the doubts he’d harbored since the time of the late Duke’s death. Cedric was capable, but he lacked the ruthless decisiveness required of someone destined to lead such a large territory.

‘I don’t know if I can do it either,’ Chester thought. ‘But I can at least keep my eye on him, and he needs me to handle these matters.’

Cedric had grown more competent with each passing year, but it didn’t escape Chester’s notice that the young heir had become more self-reliant in recent times. It worried Chester. The earlier acts of rebellion, like quelling the remnants of the insurgents, were proof of Cedric’s progress, but Chester wasn’t convinced Cedric had the experience or resolve to handle the greater challenges that lay ahead.

“I see you’ve become quite close to Cedric,” Chester remarked.

“Cedric is a good person,” Eileen replied, her words filled with an unshakable belief.

Even though she hadn’t known him for long, her unwavering confidence in Cedric was clear. Eileen was an important part of Cedric’s life, and it seemed like her faith in him was only strengthening with time.

“I can tell you’ve become certain of him, even though we haven’t known each other for long,” Chester said.

“Yes, I don’t need much time to know something as certain as this,” Eileen answered, a soft conviction in her voice. It was clear she had developed a quiet belief in Cedric that went beyond mere surface impressions.

However, Chester didn’t want Cedric to grow too firm in his beliefs or become too independent. He still wanted to hold influence over Cedric, and if that meant making him question himself, so be it.

“Cedric is a good boy,” Chester said, almost to himself.

But Chester didn’t want Cedric to be too strong. Just like the house of Finikel, who openly staged a rebellion, Cedric needed to be broken down, not strengthened. If Cedric collapsed under the pressure, it would be easier for Chester to take control.

‘Maybe I should have let her go,’ Chester thought, considering whether it was really worth pursuing. However, losing Eileen seemed like too short-sighted a solution. He would need to look at their relationship more closely and figure out how to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

Chester had patience. He was sure he could find a way to turn the tables in his favor. He had always believed in the power of trust and that no one would ever doubt him, especially Cedric, who had built such trust in him over the years.

***

When Cedric arrived, he immediately tried to set things straight in his usual manner. “Anything Ribbonshire needs, Lowell will provide,” he said.

“I don’t want to owe your family any more than I already do,” he added.

“It’s not just ‘your’ family anymore. It’s ‘our’ family now,” Eileen reminded him.

“You used to say it wasn’t ‘our’ family,” Cedric retorted, though he immediately realized how ridiculous his own words sounded.

“Just this once… could you give in to me? You don’t really want to go, do you?” Cedric continued.

“I’m always giving in to you,” Eileen sighed.

It seemed like Eileen had always ended up giving in to Cedric, whether she intended to or not. Her heart softened around him, even when she wasn’t sure she wanted it to.

“Are you really not interested in going?” Cedric pressed.

“I didn’t want to leave Ruth behind,” she answered. “But you’re right. I didn’t want to go either.”

“Then why are you still here?”

Eileen paused. “I think I’ve been making things harder than I should have.”

Cedric stopped short, watching her closely, his own doubts creeping in.

“I don’t want you to feel burdened,” Eileen whispered, feeling her heart grow heavy.

It was a strange thing, this relationship. She wanted to be there for Cedric, but it was also so hard for her to trust her own feelings sometimes.

“Why are you hesitating?” Cedric asked.

“Maybe I’m just afraid,” Eileen replied.

“Afraid of what?” Cedric asked, his voice soft.

Eileen didn’t want to answer, but as Cedric gently wrapped his thick cloak around her shoulders, she felt a warmth spread through her.

“I’m not cold,” she said, but there was a slight tremor in her voice.

Cedric chuckled softly, “You say that, but I can feel the cold.”

She took a deep breath, trying to focus on the moment. The scent of the forest and the cool air mixed with Cedric’s familiar scent, a combination of earth and mint, which made her feel more at ease.

“I don’t smell like sweat, do I?” Cedric asked teasingly.

Eileen laughed softly, shaking her head. Then, as her gaze met Chester Lowell’s in the distance, her smile faded. She could feel his watchful eyes, and it made her uneasy.

Her doubts about Cedric’s uncle, Chester, had been growing, but she had no concrete reason to be suspicious yet. Still, the fact that Chester was now so close made her feel uncomfortable.

Whatever happens…

Eileen knew she would endure whatever came her way, even if it meant facing the unknown consequences. She had come this far, and now, whatever was at the end of the road, she would accept.

Cedric might never understand, but it was moments like these that made her feel she could carry on.

“Prince Theo Arwyn is staying away, saying he doesn’t want to get involved. But he’ll meet with you before leaving,” Cedric said, as they continued their conversation.

Cedric was still unhappy that the rare herbs needed by the Ribbonshire heir could be found relatively easily in the Arwyn Kingdom.

“Eileen, how do you know about Prince Theo Arwyn?” Cedric asked.

“I’ll explain later,” Eileen replied quickly, holding up a hand to silence him.

She didn’t want Chester to overhear their conversation. She didn’t want to reveal anything about Theo Arwyn, as it might raise suspicions.

Cedric, confused but obedient, stopped talking.

“Anyway, I’ll go get those herbs and tell them that if they need money, they can borrow it under the name of Lowell,” Cedric said.

“Can I come with you?” Eileen asked.

“No, you stay here. I’ll handle it,” Cedric replied firmly.

Eileen felt a mix of warmth and discomfort. She wasn’t used to being left behind, but something in her heart told her that Cedric was doing what he thought was best.

She had already become attached to him, even though she wasn’t sure if she should.

The more she tried to keep her distance, the more she found herself drawn in.