For Better or For Worse

Chapter 3

“Is this the way to the Langton estate?”

Instead of greeting Cedric or answering his question, the boy turned around. His eyes widened and he stiffened, staring at Cedric for a long time without blinking.

After a time, Cedric asked, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Status aside, it was rude to stare at people. Not that he had any intention of using his authority on a child—he wasn’t that petty—but he was taken aback.

“You were calling for a kid, so I didn’t realize you were talking to me.”

I see. Cedric realized his mistake as soon as the sour-faced child broke his silence. Judging by his voice, it appeared that the child hadn’t yet hit puberty, but he must have been in his early teens, that age where kids felt like they were already grown. He was probably insulted by being referred to as a child.

“My apologies,” Cedric apologized halfheartedly. “Can you tell me where I might find the Langtons?”

“May I ask why you’re visiting the Langtons?”

Cedric’s eye twitched. How dare that impudent brat respond to a question with another question? He replied sharply, “Is there a reason I should tell you that?”

“No, not at all. I’m just curious as to why a shabby gentleman like you is in a respectable place like this,” the kid said with a shrug.

Cedric couldn’t believe his ears. “What did you just say?”

“Oh, my mistake. I meant to say, I was wondering what a respectable gentleman like you is doing in a shabby place like this,” the kid replied, a smile stretching across his face. But it was clear that his apology wasn’t an apology at all—there wasn’t a hint of mirth in the boy’s brown eyes.

Yeah? So? What? Are you going to fight back? Are you going to fight back over something so petty? That was the kind of gaze the boy had. Cedric narrowed his eyes. What was this boy up to?

He spoke up before Cedric could think of a response, and the sour expression was back on his face. “You’re not supposed to be here, my lord.”

“What?”

The boy gave a great sigh at Cedric’s response. Shouldn’t he be self-conscious about sighing like that in front of other people? “You’ve come to the wrong place, my lord. You’re on the wrong path. You’ll find the Langton estate if you go down that way.”

Cedric didn’t think that was right, but maybe it was just his imagination. He raised an eyebrow.

“If you go that way, you’ll reach a forest. Just follow the path until you arrive at the end of the forest, my lord.”

The boy seemed to speak respectfully by adding “my lord” to the end of his sentences, but the way he said it made him sound less than pleased about it. Furthermore, the title “my lord” could only be added if Cedric was a nobleman of particular status. The kid must have thought he was a big shot to go around using the title so casually. To Cedric, it sounded like his words were tinted with sarcasm, but on the other hand, he might have just been overreacting to some ignorant kid.

In any case, he had the directions now. Cedric gave a slight nod to the kid. “Thanks.”

“Have a safe trip.”

The boy returned the nod and hoisted the sack on his back. Even his footsteps seemed to emit a chill—his whole being projected the desire never to meet again.

What was that about? Cedric narrowed his eyes at the shrinking figure of the boy. His initially good impression of the Langton estate’s surroundings had dimmed a little. Shaking his head, he urged the horse on.

* * *

The Langton estate was nowhere in sight. As Cedric followed the forest path, eerie scenery spread out before his eyes. He was surrounded by a silence that was much quieter than the center of the village had been. There were no houses in these parts, let alone a mansion. Finally, Cedric pulled the reins and came to a halt. From the moment he had entered the uninhabited forest, the only sounds he had heard were the grunts of his horse. But just when he was thinking about turning back, he noticed a middle-aged woman dressed in mourning clothes walking in the distance. He pulled up his horse in front of her.

“Excuse me, my lady.” The black-clad woman immediately looked up at his call. Cedric gave a faint smile. “Is this the way to the Langton estate?”

“Oh, dear,” she replied. “You’re on the wrong path.”

Of course. Cedric chewed on his lower lip. He had sensed that he was going the wrong way. And if not for the so-called helpful directions of the boy in the village, he would have turned back much earlier.

“This is the way to the cemetery,” said the woman.

“The cemetery?”

“Yes. That’s the only thing down this path. The Langton estate is in the opposite direction.” She pointed to the trail that Cedric had just come from.

“I see.” He smiled at the woman, swallowing the urge to curse. He had been raised to be polite to women his mother’s age regardless of the situation.

That little brat.

“Have a safe trip.”

Cedric would have bet his entire fortune that the kid had deliberately sent him on this wild goose chase.

* * *

Cedric finally reached the Langton estate an hour later, thanks to the woman’s accurate directions. The Langtons lived in a quaint old country house. It must have been rather impressive when it was first built, but now, the exterior was crumbling in some places as if it hadn't been maintained in some time.

Cedric got out of the wagon and left it to the footman, being sure to ask him to put out special feed for his horse. His horse wouldn’t have had to work so much if it hadn’t been for that cheeky brat. The footman opened the front door and Cedric walked inside, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors. Almost as soon as he entered the foyer, the owner of the mansion appeared to greet him, cane in hand.

“I’m Cedric Hayworth, grandson of the Duke of Southerwick,” Cedric said, removing his hat as he greeted the viscount.

The man responded with a calm smile on his face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marquess of Northerland. I am Robert Langton.”

Cedric had another name: the Marquess of Northerland. The eldest son was typically given the highest title among the additional titles owned by his father. The title itself had no real power. It was merely an indicator of the right the eldest son had to become the heir, and it had previously belonged to his father, Alexander. It was passed on to Cedric after his father’s death. He shook his head at the title that he had only just gotten used to.

“Please, there’s no need for formalities. Just call me Cedric.”

Robert nodded as if he had been waiting for the younger man to say that. “Fine with me, Cedric.”

Although Cedric had a higher title, respect within aristocratic circles was not granted according to title and rank alone. Cedric was heir only in name, but Robert was a proper nobleman. In addition, Robert was due more respect because of his long lineage. Recently, hierarchies were also determined by the measure of wealth a family held, but Cedric wasn’t like that.

“I haven’t seen you since the wedding.”

“I’m still a bachelor.”

“I meant your Uncle Chase’s wedding,” Robert said as he led Cedric to the drawing room. Chase was his youngest uncle, and his wedding had been nearly twenty years ago. “I can’t believe you’re already this grown up. It’s a shame I can’t attend many social gatherings because of my leg.”

Even though Robert had said that, both he and Cedric knew the true reason: financial difficulties. Robert Langton had sold his home in the capital long ago, and it was difficult for him to make regular visits there. What’s more, participating in aristocratic society wasn’t cheap. It wasn’t uncommon, for example, for poor aristocrats to gather money for the social season, especially if one of their daughters was about to have her debut. Of course, neither Cedric nor Robert showed any indication of the true reason for Robert’s absence from society.

Cedric smiled politely. “I apologize for my sudden visit. I wasn’t sure if it was a good time.”

“Not at all. How is your grandfather?”

“He is in impeccable health, and he sends his regards.”

If Cedric was being honest, his grandfather was a little too healthy, given that he was doing so well he had sent his grandson into the countryside to fulfill a promise to his first love from half a century ago. Cedric sat down on the couch in the drawing room and thought about his grandfather, who was expecting a message.

“I see. What brings you all the way out here?” Robert asked the second he had set down his teacup.

Cedric took a moment to consider his response. At first, he had planned on saying he was visiting to give Viscount Langton his grandfather’s regards. However, judging by the Viscount’s expression, it was clear that he already had an inkling as to the true purpose of Cedric’s visit. Well, poor business sense didn’t rule out a quick wit, Cedric supposed.

In fact, his grandfather had probably been asking around about the viscount and his daughter. Cedric changed his mind and decided to tell the truth. Wasn’t it better to lay it out all on the table?

“To be frank with you, I’m here to meet your daughter, Lady Haley.”