She Is Not a Witch

Ceres stood among the guards, his expression barely changing despite the swords pointed at him. As if accustomed to facing death, his black eyes beneath graying temples remained fixed on Loranhil.

“Ceres, do you have anything to say?” Head maid Chelsea re-entered from outside, addressing her colleague of nearly 10 years.

“I have nothing more to say. Any explanation would just be a cover-up. Besides, I have indeed wronged Lord Angus in some ways.”

“Your contributions to the Carithes Merchant Association are no less than mine. For so many years, you’ve been wholeheartedly devoted, helping the association through many difficult times. If there’s something you find hard to explain, perhaps after discussing it with Lady Lacey, your mistakes could be forgiven and pardoned.”

Chelsea stood to the side, trying to persuade him. Although Ceres had erred, his achievements couldn’t be erased. As long as it wasn’t a fundamental mistake, forgiveness might be possible.

Ceres remained silent, unmoved.

Loranhil looked at Ceres, as unyielding as cold iron and stone, and inwardly sighed. Why wouldn’t he just explain, making it impossible for her to offer him a way out? In truth, apart from failing Angus regarding Madam Mela, this butler was truly beyond reproach in other aspects.

She raised her sleeve, dismissing the guards, then asked Chelsea to bring some tea.

Only the three of them remained in the peaceful room. Outside the window, people could be seen walking through the association’s courtyard—some were accountants, some were maids doing chores, and occasionally a child or two running by. In this crisp autumn season, everyone’s mood seemed brighter than usual.

Sunlight slanted into the room, not too strong. Loranhil sat poised in the light and shadow, her light red dress gleaming.

“Uncle Ceres, can you tell us about the specific background of that child?”

“Whether or not he is truly Angus’s blood, I will keep my promise to protect him until he comes of age, and I won’t harm him in the future.”

Ceres looked into Loranhil’s clear, transparent eyes, remaining silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

“That child is indeed not Lord Angus’s biological son.”

“In fact, he’s not even Madam Mela’s child.”

“He’s the son of a war comrade of mine and a young lady from the Helis family. Due to the vast difference in their social status, they couldn’t be together. Depressed, my comrade’s old wounds flared up, and he died young.”

“At that time, the Helis family was fiercely competing with our Carithes over the spice trade. I only learned of my comrade’s death when Angus asked me to investigate Madam Mela. The Helis family planned to use his child to disrupt Carithes. If Angus were to die accidentally and this child’s identity was revealed, he would gain inheritance rights, thus splitting the association.”

“Madam Mela was pure-hearted but timid. If questioned harshly, she might not withstand the pressure. So the Helis family approached me, promising to treat the child and his birth mother well if I turned a blind eye and didn’t expose this matter. This way, my comrade’s child could also be protected.”

“I didn’t agree immediately. But after some time, the Helis family and Carithes reconciled, exchanging interests, and the child became less important. If I were to expose it then, it would have broken the hard-won reconciliation, and my comrade’s descendant might not have survived.”

“So the Helis family and I tacitly maintained silence, treating the matter as if it had never happened, and ceased contact.”

“Until yesterday, when the Helis family guard attempted to assassinate the young lady. Because our association’s influence is currently so great, they urgently wanted to know Lady Lacey’s attitude towards the Helis family, so they contacted me again.”

“That’s the situation. I’m willing to accept any punishment, but I hope Lady Lacey won’t take it out on that child.”

Although Loranhil had obtained considerable intelligence by scanning the entire city’s information, knowing that Ceres had some connection with the Helis family and piecing together fragments of the truth, these events had occurred over 10 years ago, and some details remained unclear to her.

Now everything became clear. Loranhil lowered her head, stirring her teacup, feeling somewhat regretful for Angus. She hadn’t expected that he would have no descendants after all. This man who had experienced such ups and downs in life had passed away silently in the wild mountains.

“I understand. I promise you. I won’t pursue the matter with that child, as he is innocent.”

“But because of your soft-heartedness, you deceived Angus, causing him to neglect remarrying. Now the Carithes family line has ended.”

As the young lady said this, Ceres finally lowered his head in shame, no longer looking up.

“In some time, you will cite your advanced age and declining health as reasons to resign from your position as butler and retire to one of the southern islands.”

“I humbly accept the young lady’s punishment. I will properly hand over all my duties.”

“And I will visit the Helis family tonight. You will act as the carriage driver one last time.”

“Yes, Lady Lacey,” Ceres responded resolutely.

Watching Ceres’s back as he left the study, Loranhil set down her teacup and slowly walked to the window, observing the bustling, prosperous scene in the association’s courtyard.

She knew she couldn’t stay here forever. When the time came, who would lead Carithes?

Her thoughts wandered as she watched the colorful leaves swaying in the sea breeze, gleaming like scales in the sunlight.

The girl extended her fingers, feeling the wind passing between them. Occasionally, the breeze would ruffle her hair, making it float in the wind.

Loranhil, Loranhil, don’t think too highly of yourself. Can’t others survive without you? The association will be fine, life will go on. They will naturally seek their own sunshine, have their own ideas and choices, and walk their own paths in life.

She leaned against the window, softly humming a tune from her memory, her fingers gently tapping the windowsill to the rhythm.

[That little bird can’t spread its wings and soar just yet]

[But one day it will ride the wind and rise]

…

[Children, walking on summer railroad tracks]

[The passing breeze gently caressing bare feet]

[Childhood memories]

[Gradually fading away]

[The dream about to be realized]

[Is in our own hands]

[We keep chasing]

[The dissipating seasonal clouds]

[Since crossing that hill]

[It has always been so]

[Never changing]

[Just as we have always been steadfast]

[We will surely protect]

[That strength like a sea god]