Chapter 8: Reason of the original’s death (part 1)

Being hated, tortured, and killed was not something one should be able to associate with one’s lover. But as of this moment, Colt could feel a deep sense of bloodlust coming out of Mina.

Although Mina had yet to fully show her yandereness, it was gradually being cultivated.

Being hugged by a young girl who appeared no older than 12 made Mina creased her brows. It was setting off multiple red lights in his head.

“Dear, who is this young home wrecker? Do you know who she is?”

“Um, no, no, I do not know who she is. Young lady, can you get away from me? My lovely future wife is eyeing me at the moment…”

“Hah? Big bro Sparkly what are you talking about? Just because you didn’t come to the orphanage for two days, you’re already forgetting your great benefactor?”

“Benefactor?”

Mina’s voice instantly returned to normal upon hearing the word benefactor from the lass. 

Colt looked at the young lady, surprised at what she had just announced. He donned a wry smile.

“O-okay great benefactor, can you please unhand me? I am currently finding it a little hard to breathe.”

“Ah, sorry about that.”

Colt was released from the lass’s tight grip and looked at Mina, who carefully approached the young lass, asking, “What did you help my husband with? I am intrigued to know.”

The lass stood straight at the sight of Mina, “Ehem, well you see, around three years ago he wished to learn how to handle a child, and I was the one who taught him everything he knows. Hehehe, I was also the one who took care of him when he collapses on the ground, drunk in front of the orphanage, also…”

Colt listened to the words of the lass named Hylda. These memories were not something he could remember. In fact, when he tried to remember what she’s talking about, Colt would feel a headache.

‘Goddammit, is this a part of the puzzle?’ the puzzle he speaks of was not tangible. The original’s memories and the past events, Colt wished to know all of it, yet the only thing he remembered was the events mentioned in the book, as for the rest, it was blank spaces.

Leo knows only the base knowledge of what the only book told him. He managed to inherit most of the knowledge not spoken in the main series while he sleeps, but most of them were still vague. But Leo couldn’t complain. After all, even inheriting such little past experience and knowledge of a 19-year lifespan was not something he could easily take.

‘My head might explode if that much information flooded my mind.’

Colt examined Hylda and raised his brows. She seemed to be attached to the old Colt. Thus he found this really intriguing.

He crouched down and looked at Hylda.

“Young Miss Hylda, you seem to know a lot about me.”

“Of course, you could say that the two of us are best friends.” Hylda then showed him a thumbs up and a wide smile.

“Is that so, I am sorry to say this, but since the other day, I have had gaps in my memories as I have hit my head while I was asleep. Do you think you’ll be able to tell me about our connections in a cup of tea?”

“Blegh, why are you talking like that? Just be your normal untamed self around me…”

“And around me as well…oh sorry, I didn’t mean to cut you off.” Mina apologized as Hylda continued her words.

“I’ll tell you everything, but you have to treat me to cake. You said you’ll bring the cake on your next visit!”

Colt laughed at Hylda placing her small hands on her waist to exhibit confidence. Colt, no, Leo was no pedophile, but he found that rather cute, and the thought of getting a daughter flashed in his mind.

‘Would she have pink hair like Mina?’ He thought to himself before shaking his head after realizing what his thoughts had led him to fantasize.

Clearing his head, Colt motioned with his chin for Hylda to follow. He pointed at the Garden of Serenity, “If you want cake, we’ll go there.”

“Really? Good going, big bro sparkly.”

Hylda threw her hands in the air to celebrate. Running up to the Garden of Serenity, she opened the door and immediately froze upon seeing how classy the place was. She seemed to have forgotten her position and the types of people who frequent the teahouse and failed to handle the pressure.

“Hey! You rat! You’re not supposed to be here!”

“Ah! S-sorry.”

One of the attendants saw Hylda and was about to take her arm and drag her out when another hand grabbed the attendant by the wrist.

“Hoo, are you telling that the friend of this Young Master is a rat? Are you insinuating I am a rat as well?” irritation was plastered on Colt’s face.

“N-no, I wasn’t…my apologies, I…” the attendant panicked.

Colt raised his hands and looked at the shaking attendant and smiled. He threw the attendant away and took out a handkerchief to wiped his hands clean before throwing away the said handkerchief.

He looked around and smiled at the customers enjoying their time watching. 

They were snickering at Colt’s display. Their eyes screamed of disdain.

‘A commoner? As a friend? How laughable.’

Colt frowned.

“Tsk, the mood had been sullied by an idiot, Hylda, let’s go somewhere else…”

“…Yes, bro sparkly.” her shoulders hanged low.

“Argh, don’t be so gloomy, it’s not worth the time.”

Smirking, he had Hylda exit first, but before following, he said one last thing.

“I may be a wastrel, but remember this, I am still a part of the Edgeworth family. It would be in your best interest to learn who the ruler of this city and fief.” an uncharacteristic smile from Colt sent an ominous chill down their spines.

His voice then echoed from outside, “Hylda, let’s go, we’re hitting every place that sells cake we’re going to eat until you’re bloated, got it?”

“YAY!” Hylda pushed her shyness and embarrassment to show a smile.

The two left the teahouse, and Mina decided to enter for the last time.

She eyed everyone on the first floor; it didn’t matter if they were nobles or wealthy people. She looked at them with a smile.

“To everyone who spoke badly about my future husband earlier, I only wish to tell you that it would be rather hard for you to find yourselves doing business in the Vera family. I have now remembered everyone’s faces. Well then, have a good day.”

Mina left the teahouse to catch up with Colt and Hylda. Everyone was silent until someone broke the silence.

“Pink hair, gentle smile, red eyes, and a beauty that is akin to a fairy…w-was that the sole daughter of Marquis Vera?”

“I-it can’t be right?”

Silence returned, and a minute later, they left, the news about the Edgeworth and Vera family having their children engaged to each other spread like wildfire.

Colt’s name exploded without him even knowing.

The only thing he knew was that he protected the friend of the original…and that he wants a daughter and cake.