Lumiere's POV
Many events had prolonged my plans.
Things had changed. I had to have the inauguration tomorrow and get it over with, but at this point, I couldn't be sure when next I'd have the time to look for Cathy. Nothing would have meaning if I was still unable to look for her, even as the Disciple of the Moon Grace.
How irrelevant could a title be?
My breathing slowed, and I took my face away from the lake. Johan brought a towel for my face. "Do you feel better?" he whispered.
Thankfully, he was becoming aware of how his loud voice and talkativeness contributed to my frequent headaches. I dried my face, then nodded to him.
Janeya sat on the carriage, swinging her whip around. Or was it her whip that warned him of my headache?
"We should check Esme's place, discreetly," I said to them.
"Today?" Johan forgot about keeping his voice low again. He continued quietly. "I know you are in a bad mood after the Duke of Melancholy's departure and what that potentially means for you, but going back to that place?"
If he understood all these things well enough, why did he ask questions? The Disciples of the Moon Grace should not be involved in the politics of whatever kingdom they were in.
If the Kingdom of Dionus had debt with their neighbour Eindrigin, they didn't have to send the coy and newest Duke of Melancholy all the way to appease the king of the kingdom.
When I remembered I was a descendant of our selfish king, it made my stomach churn and my blood boil hot. So new Dukes were dispensable for politics?
That should mean I could be sent to the third kingdom after my inauguration, and the Duke of Fate there would return, since our king wanted to have 'seasoned' Dukes in his kingdom.
"Unlike your highness here, there's nothing to gain if he's asked to leave by the king. With their history, I doubt the king will even dare suggest."
That was something to consider. The permission of a parent or past Disciple was always needed for newly elected Duchesses and Dukes. My mother was both of mine.
Would the king dare send a letter to my mother, asking her to send his unlawful son to another kingdom? She might just commit treason. "You are right, Janeya. Thank you."
Johan frowned. "That's also what I was saying."
"Thank you too, Johan. Let's just go and check for Cathy and after that, we'll focus on doing our best for the inauguration. Alright?"
Getting thanked for doing absolutely nothing put him in a good mood, enough to ask to be the carriage rider. Janeya sat inside with me.
"Are you going to show yourself to her?"
"I just need to know she's safe. I will feel better."
Janeya nodded understandably. "I asked an older lady who lived in the direction Cathy should stay. She said there's a red-haired girl, but she's actually a sweetheart." She smiled. "The lady said the girl gives her free pastries at times, after her long day."
I found myself smiling at that report. Contrary to my inner worries, she seemed to be living freely and making others smile. To be a trouble-maker or to not be was the essence of her freedom.
That was the best I could wish for her sake, but could I protect it for her? If she was already safe here, was there any need to show myself to her and get her tainted with this complicated life?
Are my desires grounded in selfishness?
"Why do you look sad?"
I turned to Janeya. A smile couldn't even stay on my face long enough. Why would I want to bring Cathy into this? Could I improve this life I live? Would it then be righteous for her to be with me? Did I really care to be righteous?
"We are here!"
He snapped me from my thoughts and I checked our current location. In front of a bakery? I narrowed my eyes at the building but my head grew heavy. I sighed heavily, and Janeya touched my head with an open palm.
She hit the ceiling with the hilt of her whip. "Quiet down, will you?" I got down before any of them. My eyes shifted to a red hue and the heaviness in my head dissipated. "That's odd," I heard Janeya say.
"There's a presence here. At Cathy's house."
It wasn't because I still thought of him, but the Sin that had visited me recently—his aura lingered here. They shouldn't have any connection to Cathy as far as I knew. However, her uncle might be different.
It was her uncle who brought the first Sin to my mother the first time she ever met one. He didn't even know what the young man was.
Again, I reminded myself that they weren't inherently dangerous to normal people. The only danger they posed was to us, Disciples, if they should try to take over the governance of the kingdom.
That would be a fruitless decision because the mortal kingdoms had little to offer. Johan walked ahead to the bakery. He knocked, and tried to open when he got no response.
I stopped Janeya's whip from hitting him. "She's not in, but the presence in there should leave."
Those words defeated my earlier thoughts, in the same way my hand moved to protect Johan, who was invading Cathy's privacy. He turned to us and shook his head. "The place is really neat though."
Was there a reason for that conclusion? Or did he think too badly of her to clean her house? I let go of Janeya's whip. "We know where she lives now. Her uncle also runs a bakery and sells pastries."
Janeya nodded, connecting it with the report of the old lady. She waited till Johan returned before kicking him on the butt.
I watched their shenanigans play out while thinking about how Esme must've lived in this village.
Unlike the other parts, this part was owned by a Baron, hence very little happened. It was still very peaceful but there wasn't enough thrill for her adventurous heart?
"We are leaving." Janeya threw her brother into the carriage. I folded my legs to the side, staring at him sprawled on the ground.
She took the mount and rode us out, cursing and snapping her whip. Cathy might actually like them.