CWMBR 156

Chapter 156

****

The charity performance at the Glynford Grand Theater lasted only one day. The venue closed for the next four days, seemingly to give the staff time to enjoy the festival.

According to a hint dropped by Iliont, who had been in contact with Mrs. Ottertz, Bridget also planned to enjoy the Glynford Festival. Her schedule included a meeting with Gilum.

Having already seen Gilum and Sanne visit during the charity performance, Ain quietly drew in a breath at Iliont's hint. If a connection that began simply as royal investigator and subject of investigation had lasted three years, it meant both sides had made an effort to maintain that acquaintance. Ain remembered how significant Gilum's gaze had been when he looked at Bridget three years ago.

Three years was a long time. More than enough time for any relationship between a man and a woman to develop.

If they had been in some kind of relationship, he would have heard about it long ago. But since there had been no such talk, they were likely not in a publicly acknowledged relationship.

But what if they were nurturing good feelings for each other? At the very least, Gilum Arsiut had likely been cultivating his feelings since three years ago. Judging by his character, he would receive a higher score than Ain himself.

But three years was enough time for a person to change completely. Wasn't he himself living proof of that? In that sense, Gilum Arsiut should undergo a proper character assessment to verify whether he was truly a worthy and respectable person suited for Bridget...

Watching Ain seriously contemplate Gilum's character assessment as he gazed out the window, Iliont cautiously asked.

"Would you care to take a stroll through the streets?"

It was a question implying that wandering the festival streets might lead to a chance encounter. Ain clenched his teeth.

Honestly, he wanted to see for hi,self how well Gilum escorted Bridget through the crowded streets and judge him. But he knew he wouldn't be able to keep his distance if he saw them walking side by side. Even now, he'd been told to stay away instead of a greeting; ruining their date might only provoke greater fury. What if she told him to get lost from Glynford forever, refusing even an apology?

Though jealousy boiled over with every imaginable scenario, the possibility that Bridget might despise him and that he might lose this hard-won chance paralyzed Ain.

"Oh, the monastery contacted us too."

Fergus interjected just then. Though he hadn't fully recovered from the pain of rejection, he did regain his senses for an hour or two each day to handle business. Just like now.

"They say the donor has disqualifying circumstances, making it difficult to accept the donation outright."

"Disqualifying circumstances?"

"Character."

Ain's expression turned icy as he realized he'd been judging others' character only to have his own pointed out. Yet Fergus, merely relaying the abbot's words, continued without a hint of intimidation.

"It seems the rumors about you are worse than expected, Lord Ain."

Unable to bear Fergus's confident tone any longer, Iliont interjected politely.

"………………It's because orphanages are often used for money laundering. I've heard the monastery's orphanages thoroughly verify even small donations before accepting them. This case is likely due to that reason."

"So I'm seen as someone who donates to launder money."

Iliont's explanation made Ain realize the outside perception.

"It's not so much that... but rather... you've gained a reputation as a cold-blooded person without a shred of compassion. They're likely questioning your sincerity."

Ain had abruptly departed for the New Continent without properly addressing the rampant rumors circulating about him. How deeply ingrained those rumors must have become over three years. It wasn't unreasonable for the abbot to worry, upon hearing Ain's offer to donate, that some other scheme might be lurking, or that he might unwittingly get entangled in some dark crime.

"How about visiting the orphanage yourself? If they see you volunteering, they'll understand that your intentions are pure."

Iliont countered Fergus's suggestion with a skeptical tone.

"It's not a bad idea, but gaining trust through just one or two volunteer sessions would be difficult. Perhaps looking into private orphanages not affiliated with the monastery would be more..."

"If you go to a private orphanage after being rejected by one under the monastery's umbrella, won't you just look like someone trying to launder money?"

"…So you're going to volunteer?"

"Why not?"

Iliont's eyes widened. The indifferent expression was unmistakably the face of the Ain he knew, and the disinterested tone was definitely his superior's, but the words coming out were completely unlike him.

"It's for volunteering at an orphanage."

"Yeah."

"The orphanage run by the Pastore Monastery has many young babies. Infants under two years old. Plus, it's larger than you'd expect."

"Yeah."

"No………………”

"But Iliont, you seem to know quite a lot about it. Have you been there?"

Iliont, who had been speaking with an expression of disbelief, suddenly clamped his mouth shut. Blinking rapidly, he cleared his throat loudly and mumbled.

"Well, I helped out once or twice at Mrs. Ottertz’s request."

"What connection does Mrs. Ottertz have to that orphanage?"

Why did he keep getting thrown into these awkward situations? Iliont felt truly wronged. He really wasn't involved with Bridget at all! They weren't even that close! Why did it keep seeming like there was something going on?

His acquaintance was truly limited to Mrs. Ottertz. If he stretched it a bit, maybe Wayna too? The problem was that those two were Bridget's closest people...

"……Miss Pennington volunteers regularly at that orphanage."

Even Fergus shot Iliont a suspicious look. And once again, Iliont had to sweat bullets explaining that not only had he built absolutely no friendship with Bridget over three years, he hadn't harbored any personal feelings either.

***

"Why is your body acting up again all of a sudden……."

Magnus, who had been about to launch into a lecture, swallowed his words with a sigh. Instead, he examined Bridget's complexion with a worried look.

"I heard you canceled your appointment yesterday too. Why don't you just rest at home today? I'll go to the orphanage alone."

"Resting yesterday helped me feel better. Besides, I deliberately chose to volunteer during the festival period this month. I should have left earlier, but I'm running late."

"Huh………………"

Magnus glanced at the desk clock. As Bridget said, it was later than usual. Since they were already running late, it would be best to explain the situation to the orphanage today and cancel the visit, but Bridget showed no intention of doing so.

It had been three years since she started volunteering at the orphanage, not long after the Grand Theater reopened. Since they hadn't missed a single monthly visit, surely they'd understand missing just one day.

"Then if you get tired, just come back early whenever you need to."

"Magnus, you're being way too overprotective."

Bridget seemed to think Magnus was joking. But he was serious. Because Bridget still wasn't well. Compared to the old days when she'd collapse even from a minor illness, she was much better now. Still, when she experienced severe mental stress, her body reacted, and she'd become ill. After several such episodes over the past three years, she had finally started to stabilize. Hearing yesterday that she'd suddenly developed a fever and was suffering from body aches again, Magnus couldn't help but be overly protective.

It was fortunate she had already come to Glynford to volunteer at the orphanage together. Otherwise, he might have faced Bridget who would stubbornly try to tough it out with a few over-the-counter pills, only to fall even more gravely ill.

"Magnus, you look exhausted yourself. Are you sure you'll be okay? The children will be even more energetic today."

"I'd like to suggest you take a look in the mirror, young lady."

"You just get more naggy every year. How can you be so much like Mrs. Ottertz?"

Magnus shook his head, watching Bridget deliberately force a lighter smile with a troubled look.

This was clearly all because of Ain Wise, who had suddenly reappeared after three years.

Of course, he knew Bridget had worked quite hard preparing for the charity performance, but for her to be so ill over it... she was now a fairly seasoned theater owner. More likely, the constant presence of Ain Wise at the Grand Theater—having returned after a spectacular failure and now facing cold treatment even within his own family—was causing her greater exhaustion.

Though Magnus hadn't encountered Ain Wise yet, he resolved that if he did meet him, he would at least subtly issue a warning. If he had even a shred of conscience left from his divorce, he wouldn't ignore the doctor's advice to stop tormenting his frail ex-wife.

…………He had intended to warn him, but he hadn't expected to get the chance in just a few hours.

Magnus's eyes widened in surprise when he saw Ain Wise in a place he never expected.

"Oh, Doctor Magnus?"

Iliont, recognizing Magnus, greeted him. Magnus, who had been frozen with a dazed expression, finally snapped back to reality. Ain hadn't noticed Magnus's presence yet.

Well, he didn't seem to have the mental capacity to notice anyway. Ain was currently surrounded by children. He was responding with a very blunt expression to the children's voices chattering from all sides.

"I suppose my eyesight is failing. I see all sorts of nonsense."

"………………Haha."

Iliont laughed awkwardly at Magnus's words. He understood why Magnus was reacting that way.

 "Rest assured, Doctor. Your eyesight is perfectly normal."

"That doesn't exactly put my mind at ease. If he’s here chasing after our young lady, tell him to stop wasting his breath."

"Of course, Lord Ain is eager to meet Miss Pennington, but he isn't chasing after her. He came personally because his donation to the orphanage was refused."

"He visited in person after his donation was refused?"

"Yes, to undergo a character assessment."

"...."

Magnus couldn't help but doubt his hearing as well as his eyesight.

It seemed the decline in bodily functions due to aging was indeed real.