Hakushaku to Yousei Vol 1 Chapter 1

P.8

    “Stop! I‘ll pay as much as you want,” pleaded the old man in his scratchy voice, s.h.i.+vering his portly body that was tied to a chair. 

    “That’s just a legend, it just comes out in a story, it doesn’t exist,” answered the old man whose name was Gossam. 

    Gossam was tied up to a large white laboratory chair. They were in a laboratory room that he used as a doctor in psychology. 

P.9

    Gossam didn’t know anything about his young man’s past and bought him thinking he was another worthless, unwanted rat of society. 

    He wasn’t just some rat from the sewer. The one standing in front of Gossam was a powerful predator who finally was able to show its lethalness.

    And then he lifted up the pistol again. 

    In perfect King’s English, the young man spoke to Gossam in a voice dark like he was death itself: “Mister, I will be needing to take off pretty soon. It’s unfortunate that the ‘Merrow’s star’ doesn’t exist. I’d wager this will be the last time I’ll see you.” He put his finger on the trigger.

    It wasn’t fear of death that made Gossam come to confess what he knew. It was an omnious feeling, that even after death, the devil hiding inside this man would come after him to make sure he fell to the bottom of the depths of h.e.l.l.

    “A specialist in fairies? If it’s a spiritualist imposter, aren’t there plenty of them in the city of London?”

    “But you're saying that knowledge, which is only for children, is what we need?”

    “So, who is qualified for this treasure hunt? You say that they are all past their prime, but I respect you enough that you’ve handled everything and found someone - a fairy doctor - perfect for the job, am I right?”

    “Yes, I’ve found one. In a town near Edinburgh Scotland….”

*****

Fairy Doctor, Lydia Carlton

    A sign hanging in front of a house, written with that message, was inviting the laughter of today’s pa.s.ser-bys yet again. 

    “That’s just a fairy tale. Of course they don’t exist.”

    “Fairies are real, even if you haven’t seen one before. To prove it, before you go to sleep put a cupful of milk near your windowsill and then brownies will come to visit.”

P.12

    Lydia watched the mother and son go off as she lay her head on her hand, imagining how she was going to be called ‘abnormal’ or ‘crazy.’ 

    This cat, who could talk and walk on its two hind legs, was Lydia’s friend. He always wore a necktie and was peculiar about how his fur needed to look by always grooming it to perfection, but the sight of him stretching up to stand and scratching around his bellyb.u.t.ton only looked like an old man in a cat-suit to Lydia’s eyes. 

    “That’s asking too much. The time when there were fairy doctors everywhere and being asked for help to solve fairy troubles that happens everyday is over. It’s the middle of the 19th century now.”

    Just when she had her attention was focused on talking she heard a hesitant voice come from beyond the bushes. 

    Could it be that it appeared to him like I was talking to myself?!

Lydia tried to cover up for what looked like deranged behavior, but the postman only cracked a unsuccessful smile at her.

    “Stop that! What are you all doing?! Stop playing pranks with those letters!” 

    “I’m terribly sorry, brownies are terrible pranksters.” 

    The postman cautiously accepted them, and as if in a race, he dashed off down the road. 

P.14

    Either way Lydia was already well known as the Carlton oddball and had no human friends. That was because she didn’t try to hide the fact that she could see and talk to fairies. 

    “Now now, don’t cry just because you’ve scared off the new post boy,” said Nico. She entered the house to see that he was sitting on the sofa and spreading open the newspaper.

    It wasn’t that she had a fancy towards the postman, it was just that she spotted some of the town's young women, who were around the same age as her, talking to him in a delightful-looking, lively conversation. In such a country town, which had hardly anything new, just the arrival of a young man was enough to make the girls excited. 

    Lydia didn’t mind if she wasn’t understood by others or feel lonely. When she was little and growing up, fairies would be her playmates and fight with her. But now, she was seventeen years old, a young lady who was coming into the marrying age. 

P.15

    “Hmmm, looks like there‘s a criminal on the loose,” said Nico, quickly changing the topic by reading the paper. She wanted to show the townspeople the sight of this cat sitting on the sofa like a human, crossing his legs and holding the newspaper with his front paws. That way, they would realize there still were many unexplainable things in the world. 

    “Oh my goodness, why’s a crime in London on the newspaper of a country town like this?!”

    A creepy portrait of the man was printed on the paper, but besides that, Lydia noticed something more important - a letter that had just been delivered. 

    “That’s rare. It isn’t even Christmas yet.” 

    It had been a while since she received a letter from her father who loved to do research and thought it was a gemologist’s duty to research and cla.s.sify every species and nature’s creation, and he would get so absorbed in his studies that he would spend his free time going off searching and collecting rocks.

    “That’s true. But there's nothing to worry about, even if I meet a thief, I’m not rich enough to steal from.”

    Lydia’s mother was a Fairy Doctor. Before Lydia's mother married her father, she lived in an island up north and helped the town people with their fairy problems, and even though so many years have pa.s.sed from the medieval times, she lived a life not so different from that time. 

    Even though the islands were part of the enormous European empire and each had their own discrete cultures still remaining, Lydia had never visited her mother’s birthplace. By marrying her father, who was an outsider, she was told that her mother had left the island. Even if Lydia went to visit, she wasn’t going to be welcomed. Lydia remembered only a little bit about her mother, who had pa.s.sed away when she was young, but amazingly, she still remembered the stories that her mother told her. 

P. 17

    That’s why, just like her mother, she wanted to become a great fairy doctor. She didn’t want to be embarra.s.sed or hide the fact that she could see fairies. It didn’t matter if she was called an oddball. As long as fairies existed, there was sure to be people who needed a fairy doctor’s help.

    There were numerous steamboats parked at the pier, the grounds were covered with stacked wooden luggage boxes and there was a busy crowd of pa.s.sengers weaving through them. Her plan was to go abroad a s.h.i.+p and head to London. Nico, as if being an ordinary cat, was riding on top of Lydia’s suitcase.

    “It’s tiring to walk on all fours,” he replied, purposefully meowing like a cat.

P. 18

    Lydia stopped at the sound of her name. An unfamiliar man was smiling at her as he greeted her by tipping his hat. 

    “Uh, so you’re Father’s colleague?”

    He spoke courteously. He looked to be late in his twenties. At first impression, she saw him as a gentleman.

    “There’s no need to worry. I had come to Edinburgh with business from the university as well. I had sent word to your residence, but it seemed that you were absent, so I was worried if we might miss each other.”

    “Thank you very much, Mr. Huxley. By the way how did you know that I was the Carlton you were looking for?”

P. 19

    That was true. And a young unmarried woman like Lydia wouldn’t be so likely to go abroad a s.h.i.+p in the first place. Besides, being in a well-to-do social cla.s.s and living by herself was unimaginable as a proper lady and so that labeled her as a freak even more, but it was useless to fret since the house maid didn‘t want to stay in that house for too long anyway. The resident fairies cause rackets at night.  

    It seemed like he was about to say rusty-iron colored hair, which was how Lydia's hair was described as behind her back on a daily basis, and that description made her hair her complex, so she became a little sad and disappointed.

    Maybe father had said something to him. Of course her father was someone who didn’t notice such small details that ladies of coming age would worry about, so it was worthless to try to have him realize that and note it.

    But then, if she brought up the topic of fairies, would his att.i.tude change? That was something she couldn’t help but be curious about. He may not show any difference in his expression, but he would definitely think she was weird. Antic.i.p.ating that, Lydia always ended up keeping a distance between herself and others.

    He lifted up the suitcase with ease, which felt quite heavy for Lydia, and he started to lead the way so she followed him, but Nico whispered to her after he jumped down from the suitcase.

    “Then what in the world would be his purpose be in meeting us? If he wanted to kidnap someone for random money, then he would have surely targeted someone more wealthy, wouldn’t he? Even if we were his target, our savings are used by Father, who is the type to spend it all on his research.”

    The only unexpected thing was after she entered her room.

    “Yes, but it’s all right, the Professor had this room specially reserved. So please feel free to use it. I will be in the room next door, so if there’s anything you need, please let me know,” explained Huxley and left the room. 

    “See, Nico, you were worrying too much.” Lydia fell back onto the large feathery bed. “It looks like there’s still time until the departure.” Just after she murmured that, she heard an unnatural noise come from the corner of the room.

    Empty.

    A figure came from out of the shadows of the curtain, and covered Lydia’s mouth with a hand, while grabbing ahold of her tight from behind. 

P. 22

    “Help me. I beg you….” whispered the stranger, into Lydia’s ear.

    “Please listen to me, quietly. That man…, the man who brought you here, he’s a member of a criminal gang. If you stay here, you’ll be in great danger.”

    Wait, Huxley is a villain?

    “What do you mean? Who are you?”

    “You’re not making any sense.”

P. 23

P. 24

    He was a slender man. His brown hair was ruffled and untidy and there was stubble on his face, but looking past his poorly-conditioned clothes, his face revealed that he was quite young, just around twenty. It was obvious that he was in a slovenly state, but mysteriously, his face still had an attractive allure to it. His eyes were strongly set on Lydia, and his sweet ash mauve eyes unnerved and confused her.

    “I’ll be killed.”

    “Did you notice how this room is at the end of the hallway? Huxley, well it may be his alias, but unless you pa.s.s by that man’s room, you can’t go anywhere. By doing that, he plans to confine you here. If you went outside, his brothers who are with him will keep an eye on you. They are a sibling of eight brothers, and there are six of them on this s.h.i.+p, every one of them are muscular and strong, a group good at using force. Huxley is the eldest and they formed a gang to go against the law.”

    “Even if you were to sneak out, there’s a string tied to the k.n.o.b, so as soon as you turn it, it’s made to notify them in the next room. Most likely they would put you under sleep and get you off at any one of the next ports.”

P.25

    Lydia folded her arms and stood in front of the man.

    Lydia took a deep breath as she stood in front of the door of Huxley’s room.

    So she knocked on the door in front of her. After a brief moment, Huxley stuck his head out.

    “Well, I’m hearing strange noises in my room. Like there’s something hiding in the closet… It’s really disturbing; could you please take a look?”

    Oh please, well yes, you might be sure. They must have had no thought to spare about Lydia becoming suspicious about his brother’s sudden appearance and 'being sure' about him.

    In his room, including Huxley, there indeed were six st.u.r.dy-looking men.

    “Let’s go.”

    “Nico, are you following?”

    “Hey, they’ve escaped!” The two of them heard a man’s yell. It seems they were quickly noticed, and Lydia heard the young man tut as he was pulled harder on her hand and they continued to run, flurrying down a flight of stairs.

    The brother grabbed her bag, making Lydia let out a scream as she was pulled back.

    Still having his grip on Lydia’s bag, the man slammed into the railing and that force flipped him over, making him fall into the ocean.

    “Don’t look back.”

    Even as she was out of breath and her lungs were tightening in pain, Lydia desperately thought only about keeping up with him. When they finally stopped, both of them collapsed down on the floor. She gasped to take in as much air she could, calming down the frantic beating of her heart, and when she finally felt her lungs relax, Lydia noticed that the floor she was resting on was very smooth and soft as a pillow.

    She lifted her head up and slowly inspected the place around her; the room they were in looked like the interior of a castle, with expensive heavy furniture and elaborate pieces of art and nicnacs.

    “On a s.h.i.+p.”

    The scenery outside the window revealed the ocean. She could also see the pier. 

P. 28

    “Excuse me, but we..”

    Mumbling those last words, he closed his eyes, and no matter how much Lydia tried to wake him up, he didn’t respond, as if he lost one of his bolts.

    She couldn't come up with anything other than checking the inside of the room. There was a s.p.a.cious living room, three bed chambers, an office, and a wash room and shower.

    She didn’t leave the room, because she didn’t want the s.h.i.+p crew to find her, and from fear that Huxley and his men might be looking for them.

    “Who knows, but, he saved us from being tricked.”

    Could we be? Lydia’s muscles became tense and trembled. But, there was no mistake that the man who called himself Huxley was suspicious. 

P. 29

    “I guess we have to hear his side of the story,” she said, sitting down on the leather bound sofa. Leaning down into the soft silk of the cus.h.i.+ons like they were a bed of feathers, Lydia felt the soft pull of sleep come over her. 

    She felt the wisp of Nico’s tail brush her cheek, flinging her back awake. It looked like quite some time had pa.s.sed, as the sky had started to set, and the dark room was only lit by the light of an oil lamp.

    Their eyes met in the reflection of the mirror. Lydia’s eyes widened.

    “You’re awake. Your sleeping face was quite adorable.”

    “If your cat didn’t hiss at me, I would have wanted to watch you longer.”

    “More importantly, your hair-”

    He dried his wet hair nonchalantly. The eyes, which peeked through the sheen of his golden hair were those same ash mauve eyes.

    “You’re in the presence of a lady, my lord.” The one who said that was a darkly complexed young man. She guessed that he might be around the same age as her. But for that, he seemed overly calm and composed, a strange servant who didn’t even faint a smile.

    “Oh, excuse me. I guess my mind hadn't quite adjusted to this situation yet.”

    “My lord, you’re wounded...”

    “Don’t be bothered by this, Raven. There is no use in killing someone for this.”

    “Yes, my lord,” replied the servant. But his expression wasn’t one that was humored by a joke or one that was mulling over if he should really kill the one who injured his master. He just closed the b.u.t.tons on the s.h.i.+rt swiftly with his fingers.

    “Everything ran just as planned, Raven. I’d like you to meet Miss Carlton.”

    “The Huxley brothers were looking for a young lady named Lydia Carlton. So that must be you.” Then he suddenly stopped his servant with his hand like he remembered something, and walked over to Lydia. “I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself, my lady. I’m Earl Edgar Ashenbert. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.” He took her hand and kissed lightly on her fingers.

    “E-earl? You? …I don’t believe it. I have need to go to London. If you’ll excuse me now.”

P. 32

    “What?!” She dashed over to the window, and sure enough, the port was a small dot far off in the distance.

    “I’m shocked you thought of me that way. I promise to have you properly escorted to London. Once we’re done with business. I’ll have all your needs taken care of, and no worries, this is my cabin. I even have your ticket.”

    “That was real. I have no taste for cutting myself as an act.”

    However!

    Which means, he got captured on purpose?

    “Oh, that, that was so they wouldn’t think I had the intention of getting captured.”

    “Raven, what time is it?”

    “We need to hurry, dinner is about to start. Oh, yes, you would have to get dressed as well. We’ve been invited to join the table of the Marquis and Marchioness Eugen. They’re n.o.bles of Denmark, and the ones who invited me on this s.h.i.+p. Since you can’t board without a respected invitation.”

    She began to tremble at the thought that perhaps, she might have been caught by an extremely dangerous man.

    “Please, call me Edgar, Lydia.”

P. 34

    “Where's Ermine? Tell her to bring a dress for Miss Carlton.”

    Lydia wondered if she a servant of his as well.

    “Well…, I’ll go with what you say. However, Ermine, that dress really isn’t my taste.”

    “I know that, but I’d like it more if the front was a bit more revealing.”

    “Now, my lady, it you would please follow me,” guided the female servant.

P. 35

    “Um, I can do this by myself,” mumbled Lydia, who wasn’t used to being a.s.sisted in dressing.

    She needed to be stripped of her regulars and put on a new corset and crinoline, and carefully slipped the dress on, paying careful attention not to damage the soft ribbons, laces and the fine beads adorning it.

    She felt like she was treated like a little child.

    Her white skin was spotless and smooth, her hair and eyes were a near black, dark brown, her brows were set sharp and her red lips, like flower petals, was absolutely seductive.

    Add to that, she was an ‘oddball,” so no one ever considered her as a woman.

    “Ermine, it’s time.” Said a voice from beyond the door.

    While she was busy being absentminded, she saw in the mirror that there now was a elegantly dressed, unrecognizable refined young lady looking back at her. But, that was during the brief peek she was allowed, before she was swept off her chair and lead back outside. 

    “Stop joking.”

    “What would I be smiling for?”

P. 37

    What’s wrong with this person. Lydia didn’t hide back the absurdness on her expression.

    “Well, aren’t you hungry?” he asked, nonchalant.

    “I meant, that it would be more relaxing if I ate alone.”

    “Huh? I am not your accessory.”

    So in the end, it’s all for your own sake.

    The doorman made a respectful bow and opened the door. She was lead by his experienced lead but his lady’s first forced Lydia to step into the room.

    That is quite an arrogant thing to say.

    In the grand hall, a wave of orchestra music greeted them. A chandelier sparkled above them, the silverware s.h.i.+ned, and the jewels worn on the n.o.blewomen glittered. At several tables, there were bursts of laughter.

    When he was dressed in that dirty outfit, his thin figure almost made him appear tired and weak, but once he put on an expensive tight-fitting evening coat, he seemed una.s.sociated to worry or struggle, as it matched his graceful presence perfectly.

    His facial features showed both sharpness and sweetness, and his s.h.i.+ning golden hair, was truly the ideal features of a n.o.bleman that no one could to meet that easily.

    And as for Lydia, who was introduced as his friend, didn’t have to pay them any extra attention, but was allowed to silently enjoy the dishes that were set on the table.

    Her strict father wouldn’t allow a young woman to go on a short trip, but apparently, after Edgar offered her escort her there and back, he finally agreed.

    “I’m so impressed; the Earl is truly dear to one’s friends.”

    “I’m glad you'd understand. But, unfortunately, she only allowed to me to be a friend all this time.”

    But, the young man’s performance of sincerity was able to win a positive impression from the Marquis husband and wife, who were gazing at the Earl like he was their grandson, and the other older crowd of people as a pure, child-like adorable young man.

    “An ocean cruise is a good chance to get away from one’s old routine, if it’s on the waters, then any kind of women would feel the romance, don’t you think so, young lady?”

    Being spoken to with such kind voices, it felt slightly new and strange for her, since she felt like she really was accepted warmly among them.

    It did feel quite satisfying, but half of it was frustrating, but Lydia still replied friendly, which he replied with a sad shrug of his shoulder.

    “As one in a position trusted by her father, it’s unfortunate that I cannot court her any further.”

    So this is what he meant by showing him off.

    But that was meaningless to Lydia. Even if this situation was enjoyable and comforting, Edgar obviously wasn’t her friend; it was all a sham, like she was just embellished with fake jewelry.

    Was it true that he’s an Earl?

    “To say famous would be an exaggeration. For most of the British people, the Blue Knight Earl is just another fictional character like Hamlet. And not even as well known as him.”

    Of course even Lydia knew about the story of the Blue Knight Earl. Surprised at hearing the unexpected news that Edgar was the descendant, intrigued, she inclined her ear to their conversation.

    “Yes madam. The model of the character was a knight who pledged his loyalty to Edward I. He was led the attack against the crusaders along with the king from when he was still the crown prince. He said he was from the fairy world and spoke of various adventure tales about foreign countries which fascinated everyone… Brown’s writing depicts the work of the Blue Knight Earl’s fairy servants as trustworthy and helpful and was completed as a mysterious fantasy novel. But, aside from the fairy servants there indeed was an advisor of Edward I called as the Lord Blue Knight.”

    “It is true that the Lord Blue Knight was granted the peerage of Earl of England by Edward I. Don’t you think that being the ruler of the fairy world and by pledging his loyalty eternally, the King of England would become ruler of the imaginative land of the fairies reflects typical English sense of humour.”

P.42

    All eyes at the table focused onto her. Oh no, I’m going to be laughed at again. Even though she knew that, she couldn’t stay silent after being offended by the scholar’s story.

    “Young lady, the fairy part is too absurd but since doc.u.ment papers exists stating that a peerage was given to Lord Blue Knight, then there is no doubt of his existence.”

    Edgar smiled back sweetly.

    The eyes of the group that were looking at Lydia skeptically, quickly unraveled.

    “Of course, it was pa.s.sed down to me from the previous Earl.”

    “Oh, I would really love to pay a visit.”

    “Oh my, if a woman was persuaded with that then I would understand how Ms. Carlton would not want to believe in the land of the faires.”

    A conversation that was taken as a joke out in the open. But a strange time where no one makes denials about fairies. 

    With just a little help of Edgar’s art of conversation, Lydia wasn’t made fun of or and was watched over with warm eyes.

    She became intoxicated by the high-quality spirits, the sparkle of the chandelier, and the smell of perfume.

    “I feel like I’ve heard a lifetime's worth of praises,” mumbled Lydia, as she refreshed herself on the deck from the breeze of the wind.

    “This is absolutely ridiculous, those lousy servants, they served me milk in a bowl. What am I, a cat!? Who would drink from that?!” Nico, a gray-haired cat no matter who looked at him, was sitting arrogantly on a deck chair gulped down some scotch. There was a side dish of fried fish beside him.

    “You say it yourself, you can talk just fine.”

    Well, anyone wouldn’t want to admit that a cat would talk.

    “I haven’t asked yet. But, he claimed to be the decendant of the Blue Knight Earl. Maybe it’s something related to that.”

P. 45

P. 46

    Could that mean, he might already know that Lydia calls herself a fairy doctor?

    “But, hey, I still think it’s best we don’t get involved. That Huxley man and the Earl Lord is fighting against each other, right? Did you see both of them, trying to pretend to be lady-killers or something! At their level, it’s just embarra.s.sing.”

    “Thank you.” The voice from behind was the person in question.

    “Uh, no, that was, I was just simply repeating the general opinion! So, it’s a completely different matter if I have any good feelings to you or anything!”

    “Huh? ……well, that’s”

P.47

    “Is it strange? Talking by myself with a cat.” Lydia was only left to take a defiant att.i.tude.

    There is no way you think that way. But then again, Edgar didn’t show the slightest bit of banter in his expression.

    “Were you having another drink? Did you get tired after all?”

    Becoming embarra.s.sed, and angry at Nico who was feigning indifference, Lydia’s temper burst and she blurted out “It, it wasn’t me, it was Nico drinking. He drinks whenever he wants, he has no manners and bad behavior, on top on that, he’s a picky cat with his taste in neckties and his s.h.i.+ny coat, and complains that he can’t drink milk out of a bowl, and wants pancakes and bacon and milk tea for breakfast, he says nonsense like this all the time!”

P.48

    I knew it, even for someone like him, who says he’s the descendant of the Lord Blue Knight, I’m just an oddball freak. Noticing that, she signed.

With his ash mauve eyes, he calmly gazed down at her. They were so close she could clearly see his blond eye lashes just with the lamp light.

    “I was told that fairy doctor