Chapter 98

Chapter 98

My first impression had been correct. Jeanne was indeed an elegant and classy matriarch who exuded quiet serenity. The light scent of magnolias, or perhaps lilies, seemed to emanate from her very being.

“Cassis informed me that you were feeling under the weather a few days ago.”

Hearing the genuine concern caused me to feel a little guilty, but I mustered my courage to respond. “It wasn’t anything serious, Madame. I just needed a bit of rest in order to regain my strength.”

She watched me for a moment before speaking again. “I also heard there has been a bit of commotion lately.”

Of course, she would have heard about the Pandora incident by then. I immediately began to wonder if that had been the reason for her summoning me. Then again, she had mentioned having tea with me the first time we met.

I settled on the possibility that the tea invitation may have been her way of killing two birds with one stone. My original assumption that no one would recognize my poison butterflies besides Cassis and Orka had indeed been a mistake. Plus, the matter would have no doubt come to light during Pandora’s investigation. I even supposed her own cousin would have contributed testimony of his observations. I was far more certain that to the Fipellions it was likely a relief that Pandora hadn’t attacked some fragile guest, but a woman who could tame demon monsters. Cassis had actually said something to that effect during our breakfast together.

I put down my teacup to answer. “Madame, I am terribly sorry to have been the cause of a disturbance within the Blue castle.”

“Roxana, why are you apologizing? Was it not the Fipellion who was first to offend you?”

“Yes, but I did react a little too extremely.”

Frankly speaking, there was no need for me to have commanded my butterflies to feast on her demon. And since Cassis had been involved in the matter, I definitely should have been more careful and exercised some restraint. Any way I looked at it, I had overreacted. Still, since Pandora had used a beast to infiltrate the Pedelian fortress, then turned around and used another to attack me as soon as the first had been returned to her, no one could play devil’s advocate well enough to paint her as anything but the villain. To put it simply, I got a pass, and she got all the blame.

“Since I myself am not a demon tamer, I can’t be certain of this, but I have heard that poison butterflies are somewhat parasitic to their master.”

Jeanne was evidently well aware that I was the one who had beckoned the poison butterflies that day. “There aren’t any notable demon tamers among the Pedelians, though I have heard Isidore who often patrols the borders was an expert of sorts in that area. Thus, I asked him and he said you were most likely laid up due to the exhaustion. Controlling those creatures is apparently rather draining.”

It was finally coming together. I recalled that Isidore already knew about my butterflies since he had encountered them three years ago while in search of his young master near the Agrece border.

“That is why I was so concerned, Miss Roxana.”

It was an unexpected turn. I began to wonder if others were also under the belief that I had been bedridden due to the butterflies. In truth, I was actually surprised that I hadn’t been affected at all by the exertion. In fact, thanks to the steady doses of energy I received from Cassis, both my communication with and control over my butterflies improved significantly. For days, I had absolutely no trouble beckoning them.

Those three days with Cassis had been like receiving spring rain for my thirsty garden. They left me feeling healthier and more refreshed. Still, the real reason I had kept to my room was far from what Jeanne had concluded. Even so, I didn’t think it wise to point that out. If everyone had resigned themselves to worrying about me because of the butterflies, then why should I disappoint them with the truth?

“Thank you so much for your concern, Madame.” It was a simple response that excused any need for further explanation. “If I caused you to worry even slightly, please know that it was not my intention. Moreover, I think I will be able to recover quite soon thanks to Cassis.”

His mother gazed at me intently. The concentration on her face made the resemblance between her and Cassis even more pronounced.

“Roxana.”

I was taken aback to hear her call out my name so gently.

“Do you know what his power is exactly?”

It hit me like a bolt of lightning that she had actually been steering our conversation to this all along. My instinct told me as much, but I had no idea what to say or do in that moment. After a short pause, I responded as best as I could. “I am aware of it, but... only just, Madame.”

It was an honest enough answer that left room for her to interpret my words however she saw fit. Then I noticed an expression flash across her face. I couldn’t tell if it was due to worry or relief.

“I see. So you do know about it.” Her expression really was hard to decipher. Before I could speak again, she continued. “Long ago... Sylvia was put in mortal danger due to that power.”

She then peered at me closely as she had moments before as if trying to determine if she should say more or not.

“Unlike now, she was an uncontrollable tomboy and would get into extremely dangerous situations constantly. There was one incident in which she stood on top of a sculpture in the garden.” Despite how reluctant his mother seemed to do so, she seemed to set her mind on finishing the story. “She fell and injured her head terribly. Cassis was the one who found her in that state.”

Jeanne’s eyes became hazy as if she were looking far into the past. “At the time, my son didn’t have full control of his powers. Yet when he saw his sister’s head bleeding, his immediate instinct was to use his power to help her.”

I could sense rather quickly that what would come next would be bad. After all, Madame Pedelian had already made it clear that Cassis’ power had her daughter in danger.

“There was an adverse reaction during the energy transfer, and Sylvia...”

Of course, I couldn’t have expected how bad.

“She stopped breathing completely, then I... I foolishly blamed Cassis for everything. I don’t remember everything I said to him, but I do remember being unbelievably cross with him.” She paused for a good while before resuming with an awkward smile. “As I said, although I don’t recall exactly what I said, I’m sure he remembers every word.”

I didn’t know what to say to her or how to console her. Instead, it occurred to me suddenly that Cassis was likely meeting with his father right at that moment as well.

“I’ve regretted it ever since. I’m so ashamed and apologetic about my actions toward him.”

“Have you... tried telling him, Madame?” I asked.

The older woman’s expression changed at my question. “Yes. After his return from the Black territory three years ago, I finally told him.”

Well, then... that settled that I supposed.

“Of course, that didn’t entirely absolve me. Had the worst happened and he had perished... I never would have been able to apologize.”

True. She may have carried the remorse over how she treated him until the day she died. After all, the novel version of her son never made it home dead or alive. Even now it still boggles my mind that had all that transpired, that elegant lady of the Blue manor wouldn’t have been able to explain such matters to me with a relieved smile. There was no way for me to be certain, but I like to believe that hearing his mother’s heartfelt apology was a huge load off of her son’s conscience, belated it may have been. Once again, I was filled with a thankful feeling that the Blue Heir had made it back to the Pedelian fortress safe and sound.

“My only hope now is that my son will never have to go through something like that ever again. Of course, now that he has full control of his power, it’s unlikely there is a soul in this world he couldn’t save.” Her eyes peered directly into mine as she went on. “I sincerely hope you will recover, then live a long and healthy life. I suppose I wish for that more dearly than anyone else in the world because to me... your happiness equates to Cassis’ happiness.”

I lowered my gaze to the floor as I had no idea how to respond.

“When I last saw you it seemed as if you weren’t really present, even though you stood right before me,” she said. “You reminded me of an empty chrysalis, and that greatly worried me.”

I still wonder if that ability to see through others to their core is a specialty of the Pedelian clan. In that very brief span of time when we first met, Jeanne had pegged me the moment she laid eyes on me.

“But you look so much more radiant now, so my heart is very much at ease.” Her expression was full of warmth and tenderness. Before we finished our tea, she saw me off with a few more kind words. “Please take good care of Cassis.”