How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 5

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

【Episode 5】

Evangeline continued to make efforts for a long time after that, but failed to read the earth’s memories about Carlisle until deep into the dawn.

“Young master, you must go now. The knights who were watching you will return soon.”

“Ah, then I should go.”

At Maranello’s words, Carlisle released the hand he had been holding with Evangeline and took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

After holding hands with Evangeline for several hours, his hands had become completely drenched in sweat.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Evangeline seemed embarrassed by Carlisle’s action and quietly wiped her hands on her dirty apron.

Carlisle didn’t respond to Evangeline’s apology.

“It’s a bit disappointing.”

“….”

“Well, it’s the first time, so that’s probably why. You still don’t know Spirit Language well yet.”

[Spirit Language] was a language used only by spirits.

It was standard for novice spirit mages to start by learning Spirit Language from the spirits they contracted with for communication.

“Yes….”

“You’ll get it with practice. So try practicing with your siblings. I’m under house arrest, so it’s hard for me to come every day. I’ll send Sir Maranello here every night, so let me know if you succeed.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Well then, I’m going. Be careful on the night road.”

Saying that, Carlisle turned away from Evangeline and took steps toward the castle.

“Do you really think that girl will be able to read the earth’s memories?”

“Probably.”

Carlisle answered Maranello’s question.

“Reading the earth’s memories isn’t particularly difficult magic. She’s just inexperienced still.”

“If you turn out to be the culprit, what do you plan to do then?”

“What do you mean, what would I do.”

Carlisle answered with a snort, as if asking how that could even be a question.

“I’d have to admit to all my crimes and beg desperately for my life.”

“Hehe….”

“That’s the only way.”

Certainly, for Carlisle now, only Evangeline was his sole hope.

With only a week left until the trial.

It was too short a time to prove that Jeffrey, the witness, was a spy sent by the hostile Loren Family.

Moreover, in the current situation where public sentiment was turbulent, pointing to Jeffrey the witness as a spy of hostile forces would likely backfire.

“Well, even if I’m not the culprit, I just need to avoid the death penalty. As long as I’m alive, an opportunity will come someday. Whether it’s atonement or proving my innocence.”

“It won’t be easy.”

“What choice do I have. Right now my life is in father’s hands.”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“Well.”

Carlisle was at a loss for words at Maranello’s question.

Having already died once and being possessed in another person’s body, his perspective on death was inevitably somewhat different.

“I….”

Carlisle slowly opened his mouth.

“I don’t know about dying, but living is scary.”

“Pardon…?”

Maranello felt something strange in Carlisle’s answer.

Normally, he would have dismissed it as words from an immature scoundrel who only caused trouble and let it go in one ear and out the other.

But now….

‘He’s exactly like… someone so weary of life that he doesn’t want to lift a finger.’

That’s how Maranello felt.

At least regarding what he had just said.

* * *

The next day.

Because Carlisle had met with Evangeline the night before, he couldn’t wake up until the sun was high in the sky.

Waking up around 3 PM, Carlisle spent quiet time eating and having tea time as usual.

In his spare time, he sat on the terrace reading books.

“What’s this? Why is he so quiet? Has he given up?”

“I don’t know either. Still, be careful. He might snap and cause a scene at any moment.”

“Still, he looks quite at peace inside? How can a person be like that? The trial will be held soon, right? Does he think he’ll just get away with it this time too?”

The servants and maids felt both puzzlement and anxiety at Carlisle’s unexpected non-unexpected behavior.

Watching what Carlisle was doing, they wondered if this was the same person as that scoundrel.

Also, he seemed too well-behaved, like a powder keg that could explode at any moment.

Regardless, Carlisle spent his own time without caring at all about the gazes of those around him.

Starting with his attire.

Originally, Carlisle was pathologically obsessed with his appearance even when at home, always pursuing perfect outfits.

He would groom his hair and even apply light makeup despite being a man, paying great attention to his appearance.

But the current Carlisle wore comfortable pants and a half-unbuttoned shirt, and was even walking around his room barefoot without slippers.

Of course, being naturally handsome, his attire didn’t matter much.

Rather than when he was all dressed up, he looked more natural now, with a subtle decadent beauty that made him even more attractive.

Though Carlisle himself didn’t spare a single glance at mirrors….

That evening.

“Young master, I’ve met with Miss Evangeline.”

“What did she say?”

“She hasn’t succeeded yet.”

“She’ll need more time. I understand. Go ask again tomorrow.”

“Yes, young master.”

Carlisle didn’t show impatience even at Maranello’s report.

“But, are you alright?”

“About what?”

“I asked because I thought you might be anxious.”

“What would change if I fretted? This is entirely up to her. My situation is urgent, not hers.”

“Hehe.”

“Just don’t go tomorrow, go the day after instead. If she feels pressured, she might get anxious and do even worse.”

This time, Maranello was truly flabbergasted.

The Carlisle he knew would never maintain such composure in this situation.

And on top of that, not losing his composure?

“Are you really alright? Young master?”

“If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll have to try making a deal with father.”

“A deal… you say?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know what you plan to use to make a deal with His Grace the Grand Duke, but….”

Maranello jumped up, telling him not to say such dangerous things, but Carlisle didn’t listen.

From a possessor’s standpoint, it was awkward to respond to everything.

There was a limit to deflecting and evading with vague answers….

“Stop nagging. I don’t want to talk anymore. My mouth hurts.”

“No, young mas….”

“Say one more word. I’ll make you swallow this.”

Carlisle picked up the fork that had been stuck in the leftover cake and made a gesture with an expressionless face, as if he would shove it down his throat.

“….”

Maranello could no longer press further at Carlisle’s behavior and shut his mouth tight.

If it had been anyone else, he wouldn’t have batted an eye and told them not to make such ridiculous threats, but Carlisle was different.

Looking at that expressionless face, it really seemed like he would actually shove the fork down his throat and kill him on the spot.

* * *

That night.

Just as Carlisle was about to fall asleep, the window opened with a creak.

‘An assassin?’

Carlisle was startled by the presence he felt, but instinctively reached for the dagger hidden by his bedside.

But thinking about it again, the possibility was very low.

‘No, that’s not right. How long has it been since I woke up? If they wanted to assassinate me, they would have done it already. Then who could it be?’

As Carlisle was having these thoughts.

“Carlisle.”

A slightly husky, androgynous voice was heard.

‘Ah.’

Carlisle immediately recognized who the owner of that voice was.

‘Aunt.’

It was definitely the voice of Hestia, the younger sister of Carlisle’s mother Adelia.

“Carlisle, Carlisle.”

“….”

“Carlisle, hurry up and get u—”

“You came.”

Hestia was startled.

“You could have at least made some noise. Phew.”

“….”

“…Hurry up and get up to pack your things.”

“Why?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

A light of reproach appeared in Hestia’s eyes.

“Ah.”

Carlisle realized why Hestia had come and nodded slightly as if he understood.

“So that’s why you came. But I’m not going.”

“What?”

“I said I’m not going.”

“Then you’re going to die like this? At your father’s hands, no less?”

Hestia’s gaze became fierce.

Her momentum was so frightening that she looked ready to slap him at any moment.

“Really. You don’t think about your mother. Not even a bit, do you?”

Hestia spoke quietly in a low voice, grinding out the words lest they leak outside the door.

“If such a thing happens, have you ever thought about how sad your mother would be in heaven before spouting such nonsense? Have you?”

Carlisle didn’t answer.

‘She’s already dead.’

Of course, Carlisle never voiced that thought.

Why?

Because if he did, he would really get slapped.

Carlisle wasn’t stupid enough to invite a beating, nor was he that oblivious.

“If such a thing really happens, your mother won’t be able to close her eyes even in the underworld. Because of you, because of the evil deeds you committed, she would lose both her beloved husband and child.”

“….”

“Will you still not go? Do you need to see your mother’s eyes shed tears of blood to be satisfied?”

Carlisle couldn’t answer this time either.

Not because he had nothing to say, but because he didn’t have time to respond.

Thud, crack!

Crash!

Suddenly, loud noises came from outside, and the door burst open as a man appeared.

“Huh?”

Carlisle recognized the man and showed a surprised reaction.

“…Brother-in-law.”

Hestia also recognized him and bit her lower lip firmly.

Silas van Sigmund.

He was Grand Duke Guntram’s younger brother and Carlisle’s uncle.

“Oh my. I’m one step too late, sister-in-law.”

Silas smiled toward Hestia.

“Since it’s come to this, let’s cooperate.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Didn’t we come here for the same purpose?”

Silas took a large step back to the side.

Then, behind where he had been standing, knights who had been acting as guards could be seen scattered here and there.

It was clearly a scene where he had used force to ambush and knock them all unconscious in an instant.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————