Chapter 77

77. Funeral (1)

The funeral of Lucas von Scheiskel took place about a week after he was returned deceased.

Since it was a case of homicide involving a noble’s offspring, there were many discussions about conducting an autopsy and other procedures. However, in the case of Lucas’s death, no such procedures were carried out.

“He did some terrible things before dying. It’s embarrassing and pointless to go through all that fuss. Let’s just quietly proceed with the funeral.”

Contred von Scheiskel, the current head of the Scheiskel family, settled the entire situation with these words.

His wife made a small protest, but as the head of the household who decides all matters big and small, her objection was essentially meaningless and dismissed. Thus, it was decided to hold a quiet funeral.

The day was clear and the sky was blue.

White pigeons flew across the sky, and white clouds drifted between them.

At the entrance stood the Scheiskel guards dressed in ceremonial attire, greeting the mourners with solemn expressions.

The mourners were not noisy.

This was not an occasion for celebration, and it was Lucas von Scheiskel’s funeral. The heir apparent to the family was being mourned, so there were no particularly daring individuals making a scene.

Because of this, the management of the funeral was not difficult, and the guards simply stood silently in their positions, providing basic guidance to the mourners.

“…Hey, am I seeing things?”

“Huh, it’s really him. Incredible.”

Even the guards, who had maintained their composure, soon began to murmur and sigh when an unexpected figure appeared.

It was Carla della Cascata, dressed modestly in a simple black dress.

“Coming to the Scheiskel mansion is really a rare occasion for me.”

“It’s my first time.”

“First time, right? You’re a commoner after all.”

At Carla’s remark, Ivan twisted his lips.

He refrained from laughing, scratching his head while looking around. He easily sensed the hostile atmosphere that surrounded them.

“Really, we’re not welcomed mourners.”

“Of course. No need to explain something so obvious. You tried to seduce me or whatever, right? So when would we get married?”

“That’s not what I said…”

Seeing Ivan frown, Carla gave a dismissive sniff.

“You’re no different.”

With a haughty expression, Carla scanned the area.

The people who had been pointing at her and whispering soon quieted down as she looked at them with an intense gaze. Finally, they turned their eyes away, pretending to be distracted.

“Time for someone to show up.”

“Who?”

Looking at the curious Ivan, Carla sighed softly.

Where on earth should I start teaching this guy etiquette? Even basic manners like this, and yet…

“There are levels among mourners. If you’re from Cascata, you should be greeted with ‘Please come this way’ rather than just walking in unattended.”

“But…”

Ivan hesitated without finishing his sentence.

That’s general etiquette, but somehow applying that level of formality to Carla doesn’t feel quite right, especially since the deceased died by her hand—though Ivan did play a part as well.

“You’re from Cascata.”

At a low voice, the crowd that had gathered like clouds dispersed like wind-blown clouds.

A slightly weary-looking man appeared through the crowd, and upon seeing him, Carla bowed deeply.

“Lord Scheiskel.”

“Yes. Your father visited yesterday. I thought you wouldn’t come, but I didn’t expect you to come separately.”

“Indeed. I made a promise to attend Lord Lucas’s funeral.”

“Promise? With whom?”

“To Lord Lucas.”

At Carla’s words, Contred’s eyebrows twitched.

Though it wasn’t meant to provoke, it was quite a bold statement to make in front of the father of the deceased.

Nonetheless, Contred, the father of the deceased, was wearing a meaningful smile.

Almost as if savoring Carla’s boldness, he observed her closely then spoke.

“You were almost in a perilous situation, yet you made such a promise. There’s depth in your bond with him. Come in, and you, ah, you’re Ivan, right? Ivan Kontadino, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Ivan also bowed deeply to Contred.

Coming from a common background, it was a rare chance to encounter a great noble like this—though he had met Carla’s father, Enrico, occasionally.

“How could I not recognize someone who beat up Lucas to that extent? Especially someone renowned as a great genius.”

“I, I’m flattered.”

Ivan, his head bowed, helplessly shook his head.

His awkward appearance drew smothered laughter from the surrounding crowd.

“Though it’s not a time for mourning, I hear laughter.”

At Carla’s sharp words, the laughter vanished instantly.

Amidst the silent atmosphere in the chapel where Contred stood with an expressionless face, he spoke.

“Come in. Both of you. It may have ended unpleasantly despite marriage negotiations, but there’s no need for it to end in ugliness. Lady Cascata, it rests well with you to see him off. Ivan, you too.”

“Yes.”

Carla walked in without hesitation.

Ivan followed behind Carla.

The funeral altar was illuminated by hundreds of candles, their golden light flickering.

At the center lay a casket adorned with elaborate carvings, exuding an aura of luxury.

Carla approached the casket quietly and slowly.

Once closer, she saw Lucas’s pale face resting inside the coffin, the upper part of the lid opened.

After a proper cleansing, the large wound on his chest was covered, so the grotesque image of Lucas was nowhere to be found.

“In your next life, may you be born a better person, Lucas.”

Though their relationship was adverse during his lifetime, there was no need for such a nasty ending after his passing.

Carla picked up a candle from a nearby table.

Silently lighting it, she placed it in an empty space around the coffin.

She brought her hands together in quiet prayer, wishing him well in the afterlife, then turned around.

“Uh, C-Carla…?”

A familiar figure stood there.

“Emil?”

There was Emil.

“Did you come to mourn Lucas?”

At Carla’s question, Emil awkwardly scratched his cheek.

Though mourning wasn’t something to be ashamed of, upon seeing her puzzled face, Emil reluctantly answered.

“Rather than mourning, I came because my father brought me.”

“Huh? Then why are you alone?”

“Ah, Emil? Hello.”

“Ah, Ivan…yes, hello. Father is speaking with Lord Scheiskel, so…”

Factually, from Carla’s perspective, and as part of Cascata, the families of Scheiskel or Aufstieg seemed similar and of the same level. Yet, Cascata was the strongest, the most prosperous, making it clear they were of a different rank among the four pillars of the empire.

“I heard you and Ivan are getting along well…”

At Emil’s words, Carla was somewhat taken aback.

Did it show that much, or was it bound to be obvious?

“Ah, I should greet Lord Aufstieg as well. Do you know when he’ll be out?”

“Not sure. He’s been in there for not too long, so I don’t think he’ll come out soon.”

“Understood. Then there’s nothing to be done.”

In fact, Emil never expected Carla to be here.

To be honest, it struck him as quite remarkable that she was here at all.

—Could Carla be the one who killed Lucas…?

After all, it was like the murderer coming to mourn the victim.

Indeed, though the current silence masked it, Carla was receiving plenty of unfriendly glances.

The lady sitting at the head table, likely Lucas’s mother, was glaring fiercely at Carla as if ready to consume her.

“Well, I’ll go offer incense then.”

As an awkward silence enveloped them, Emil used the incense offering as an excuse to quickly leave.

Carla silently watched Emil’s retreating back.

It wasn’t particularly strange that someone from Aufstieg had come to mourn.

After all, one of the Four Pillars had lost their heir, so it was expected for others to extend their condolences.

‘Without a separate meeting with Cascata, Aufstieg and Scheiskel are having a meeting…?’

There was something unsettling about it.

While lost in thought, Carla noticed the inner gate opening.

The two individuals revealed were Contred von Scheiskel, the head of the Scheiskel family, and Dreemalo von Aufstieg, the head of Aufstieg.

“Ah, isn’t that Carla.”

Dreemalo was of somewhat short stature.

Short, with a few spiky whiskers that looked unkempt, he appeared somewhat unappealing overall.

Dreemalo quickly approached Carla, then, seeing Ivan standing beside her, his eyes widened significantly.

“What, isn’t that Ivan? Ivan Kontadino, right?”

“Uh, yes, yes…that’s right.”

Carla looked back and forth between Dreemalo and Ivan, slightly perplexed.

Preferring Ivan over her…this was completely unexpected.

Dreemalo approached Ivan as though they had known each other for a long time. He immediately grabbed his hand and fondled it, showing clear enthusiasm.

“Though this is the first time I’ve met you face-to-face, I’ve heard a lot through Emil. They call you the genius who descended from the heavens into the mortal world, no?”

“Ah, no…not that…”

Despite his words, Ivan’s cheerful demeanor showed he wasn’t upset by the attention. Carla, however, felt oddly irked.

There was no need for Aufstieg to be so overly friendly.

It made her uneasy.

Dreemalo, with Carla standing right beside him and completely ignored, continued his affectionate welcome towards Ivan.

It felt strangely off-putting.