There is a reason why Randolph Ulster was also known as Lord Grim Reaper.
There is the fact that he always wears black and is ruthless in his hunt for criminals. But, the real reason was his upbringing.
First, when Randolph was six, his parents died in an accident. A few years later his sickly brother died on his sickbed. When he was 16, a daughter of a duke who was of the same generation and had a relatively similar family background was executed*. And in the end, his wife committed suicide within a year of their marriage. People started to see all those unfortunate events as no mere coincidence. Randolph Ulster must have been the lord of death who takes the lives of those close to him. Rumours like that spread, and the nickname Lord Grim Reaper stuck with him ever since. (*TL Note: refers to Scarlet)
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[I see, and you want to clear the false charge against Scarlet Castielâââyes?]
Randolphâs interrogation, which was held in another room in the Montrose mansion, was splendid, to say the least. It didnât even feel like an interrogation. But he skillfully guided the answers, pointed out contradictions, and ironed out the blanks.
Before she knew it, Constance was on the verge of telling everything. Even so, she wanted to praise herself for keeping Scarletâs intention for revenge a secret. Beside her, Scarlet hung her head low with her palm on her face. Truthfully speaking, Connie wanted to do the same.
[âŚ..Ten years ago. I was sent to another country for an undercover investigation at that time. When the news reached me, I was surprised that she met such a stupid ending, butââââ]
Scarlet, who previously closed her eyes, twitched at the mention of âstupidâ.
[I was not that interested in digging deeper into it. That seems to have been a mistake.]
Scarletâs ghostly body softly floated, approaching the person who spouted ruthless words without even batting an eyeâââRandolph Ulster, with a sinister smile on her face. From her expression, itâs clear that sheâs plotting to make the person in front of her suffer.
[Then, can you tell me what is this Holy Grail of Eris you mentioned?]
Randolph already moved on to another question, as if itâs par for the course. Catching Connie by surprise.
[Wa, wait just a moment, please?]
[What is it?]
[Why are you willing to trust me?]
Honestly, any other person would probably see this as a jokeâââafter all, claims of being able to see the spirit of the dead are rife with controversy.
Randolph gave Connie a look, before quietly nodding his head.
[Certainly, it sounds like a tall tale. Especially given that I canât see Scarlet Castielâs ghost myself.]
[The, then whyâŚ]
[Yet Iâm still missing too many details to decide whether I should believe you or not. However, there is another possibility as well, that you are lying and there is someone else or a group behind all of your actions, which isnât something I can readily discountâââthat being said.]
Randolph casually shrugged as Connie stared at him.
[Of course, itâs just one possibility. But for now, youâll be under observation. At least until Iâm sure âthat-itâs-not-the-caseâ. Therefore, itâs best to keep you in a position where I can keep my eyes on you, in case you try to do something again. âŚ..This wouldnât be part of the official investigation, since itâs just me chasing after a personal hunch. But of course, itâs impossible for me to be constantly around a young lady, especially if itâs not work-related. Iâd say a proper cover to keep up appearance is necessary.]
Of course. Connie understood what he meant. But, think about it. In keeping up that appearance, weâll end up in a strange situation. She thought.
[If you really intend to clear Scarlet Castielâs name, then I wonât stand in your way. Of course, I wonât condone any criminal act. I feel itâs admirable of you to willingly help someone else, even more so when that someone has already passed away.]
[Tha, that is, thank, you�]
Randolph paused for a beat and tilted his head again.
[For what?]
âââWhat is this deja vu?
Connie thought in her defeat.
[Well, let me tell you my personal opinion.]
Randolph Ulster continued on indifferently.
[Once in a while, I think you resemble Scarlet Castiel to an uncanny degree. As if sheâs talking and acting through you.]
His face was expressionless as before, but somehow she could feel a trace of melancholy in his voiceâââit wasnât that obvious, yet it was there. Randolph said that he was disinterested in Scarlet, while at the same time he wasnât exactly hostile to her either. For better or worse, for this Lord Grim Reaper to be indifferent about someone like Scarlet Castiel is strange.
[Uum, uh, Milord.]
Connie decided to ask one last question. Itâs very important to her right now.
So she asked,
[Arenât you angry with me, at allâŚ?]
[Angry?]
At Madam Godwinâs night banquet, Randolph showed a bit of hostility toward Connie. Calling it âhostilityâ might stretch it too far though. But thatâs just one reason. If it wasnât for that, Connie wouldnât be this upset.
[Ah, about that.]
The Lord Grim Reaper nodded and replied without showing any sort of hesitation.
[You were so full of openings, I thought youâd show your true color if I gave you a prod. Thatâs all.]
[Thatâs all?]
[Yes, thatâs all.]
[âŚthatâs allâŚ?]
Connie tilted her head. Still unable to comprehend.
[More importantly, is there anything else you still hide?]
The first thing that came to mind was Lilyâs key. It was inside the envelope hidden by Lily Orlamunde behind the painting in the chapel. There was also a note along with the key. A scribble mentioning the Holy Grail of Eris. Connie hadnât said anything about that, given that Scarlet would immediately glare at her, causing her to instantly fold.
Should I tell him, orâââ while Connie hesitated, Scarlet finally spoke.
ăâââDonât you dare. Do not make any mention of the key. We still canât ascertain whether this man can be trusted or not.ă
Connie hesitated a little, then lowered her gaze and replied in a small voice.
[âŚ..Thereâs none.]
Randolph once again nodded.
[I see.]
Then, he slowly turned his gaze. It was an expression that seemed to be troubled with something as if he was concerned about whether to say it or not.
[âŚPerhaps you havenât noticed this yourself, so for the future, let me give you one piece of advice.]
Connie was captivated by his pair of azure, cloudless blue sky-like pair of eyes.
[Constance Grailâââno, Miss Grail.]
Scarlett puts her hand on her forehead as if her head hurts. Ah, Iâm in trouble. Connie thought to herself.
Randolph Ulster then said with a straight face.
[You areâââin every way, really terrible at lying.]