In the middle of a night, in a well-developed manor, a young boy with a pale complexion was standing near the window to his room. His bright yellow eyes stared at the darkness of the woods that the window's scenery lead his gaze to.
After getting a glimpse of the movement below, he opened the window and soon after, a figure could be seen right at his window. The fine figure of a woman clad in black was there—with her wounded body and messed appearance. It was the same lunatic that hunted Lyra and Alt down. However, she didn't wear any mask.
The dark red-haired boy gestured the woman to enter and closed the window shortly after the woman hopped inside the room.
"Master, I have returned," the woman knelt and cast her head downward.
"…I have heard of the news…," the boy said curtly.
"Master, I… I'm sorry… I… I failed!! I was careless…," the woman's voice shook. Her voice was younger than the one Lyra and Altaire heard. Obviously, her mask was equipped with a voice-changing tool.
"Raise your face."
The woman quickly obeyed the young boy's command and looked up at her master. The woman's dazed brown eyes met the young boy's yellow eyes. Her brown hair was blowing because of the strong wind from the opened window.
Noticing this, the boy quickly closed the window in order not to let any leaf flying inside, considering the strong wind that the nature has right at this moment.
"It's fine… we still have a lot of time… and I've come up with another plan. It might take time, as I have to find the materials needed and… there are various complicated things…," the boy sat down on the sofa and put one of his hand to his chin, thinking deeply.
Seeing her master's troubled face, the young woman quickly approached him and her hands grabbed her master's free hand.
"Master, don't be troubled! No matter what, I will assist Master!! My life has belonged to you ever since that day, so…"
The young boy turned at the pleading young woman and smiled gently.
"Yes, Candice. I know that you won't disappoint me. Today's plan seems to be a failure, but at least we still managed to clean the trashes out of this place."
The young woman—Candice's face lit up in happiness upon hearing her master's words.
Master won't abandon me despite this failure?! He still lets me stay by his side…?!
Noticing Candice's doubt and joy, the young boy caressed Candice's head and said softly.
"It was my mistake to let that old man Phillip handle the plan. Even when I personally let him use you, he still failed. Well, at least my hand didn't get dirtied, and we have gotten rid of that useless trash that would surely be a burden to everyone if nothing was done about him."
The young boy understood that he repeated some of his words, but he wanted to make it clear that he still wanted Candice to be by his side—to continue to serve him. He made it clear that he had no intention of abandoning her.
Candice's mad eyes flashed with happiness as they reflected the young boy's face—Candice was looking at him as if she was worshipping him.
"Yes, yes, Master!! Thank you!!"
"Now, go and quickly get changed. Let's get some potion to heal your wounds so it won't cause any suspicion."
"Yes, Master!"
As Candice quickly obeyed his every word and went somewhere else to get changed and cleaned, the young master gazed at the dark woods and sighed.
He closed his eyes to calm himself down.
It's okay… It doesn't matter if this plan failed, there is still another time. I have all the time needed to achieve my goal.
He wasn't a bit concerned about the old man that he was cooperating with—Phillip Elandia. To him, Phillip was nothing more than a pawn that could be disposed of. Or rather, it was still beneficial for him even if Phillip was disposed of. If Phillip succeeded, it would be good for him, too. It was a win-win situation for him.
Nevertheless, as this plan has failed, he realized that he might take another approach that require a lot of time—but perhaps it would guarantee him more success.
For now, it's better for him to stay lowkey.
Cyan went to visit Raphael Elandia's residence shortly after the incident with Phillip. Again, they were suspecting Raphael or someone else from Elandia residence of Phillip's suspicious death. Cyan described his finding during Phillip's interrogation in full details.
Raphael Elandia closed his eyes, calmly listening to every detail about his relative's wrongdoing and death. When Cyan was finished, Raphael opened his eyes and he quickly stood up.
Cyan was alerted with Raphael's sudden action, but what came afterward surprised him.
"I'm really sorry. I apologize for my carelessness, to think that Phillip held this kind of prejudice—and the fact that I failed to notice this evil plan of him at all…," Raphael's words were full of sincere apology and regret. He bowed his body deeply in front of Cyan.
When Cyan returned Raphael's gaze, he could sense sincerity in his eyes.
This man is innocent.
All of the officers—especially those who are skillfull at reading people's intention and in interrogating them all came up with the same conclusion.
Raphael Elandia was innocent. The assault was all planned by Phillip Elandia and his subordinates.
Of course, they captured the other suspicious members of Elandia branch family and their subordinates. The rest of them were deemed innocent and were taken in under Raphael's care.
Cyan even lost count on how many times Raphael apologized and bowed to him. Even his wife seemed to feel guilty and bowed down.
"We deeply apologize for all the trouble given by one of Elandia clan..."
"If there is anything else we can do, by all means, please tell us and we will help."
More than anyone else, Cyan knew that they really meant their words—they are different from the double-faced nobles that he knew for most of his childhood.
In the end, they returned with mystery of Phillip's death and question about who exactly assisted Phillip in doing this whole scheming.