Dancing Around Bear Traps

…

Mattheus was sprawled at the back of the automobile that Ophelia Marcel gave to him for his twentieth birthday, en-route to give one last follow-up visit to the countess. Not exactly the safest posture to take but considering this world seemed to have spurned seat belts for what seemed like compressed airbags that essentially would swath the innards of the automobile to the brink of no space, he could lie down at the back even though the speeds were nearing how fast people tended to drive in highways.

The benefit of driving ridiculously early in the morning, when the roads were relatively empty. The suspension system was also a work of art for such a clunky design that was not that aerodynamic.

As for propriety, there was only Vincent and Brunilda to witness his lazy posture with the top up considering the cold temperature. Brunilda need not even be mentioned, no doubt having seen much worse from him. And considering Vincent had seen Mattheus talk at Brunilda (and did it himself), the baron trusted his valet to not tattle to his mother.

It also helped that Mattheus recently switched Vincent's salary from being paid by the family household accounts to his own. Mattheus also increased the twenty-seven-year-old's pay since the man deserved a higher salary, despite only being a valet for a year, for his discretion and for basically taking over the everyday care of a certain mercurial cat.

As his valet, Vincent was the likeliest person to realize Mattheus was different. That he ducked his head and said nothing to the other Crowns was not exactly great for others but perfect as a personal trusted employee for Mattheus himself. With Brunilda giving her stamp of approval on the brunet, the young baron did not hesitate to slowly relax around the valet.

The older man was still not allowed in Mattheus's laboratory nor would ever know a lot of secrets, of course. But a hint of this or that which would be dangerous if someone like Harloch or even the Crown family noticed, that might lead to a trail of his bigger secrets? It was safe enough.

Having to uphold an image around Vincent who was with him pretty much most hours of the day would be exhausting too, so it was a relief that Mattheus could trust the brunet enough to relax a little.

He needed all the relaxation he could get, nowadays.

"We will soon come up to Marinell House, Master Mattheus."

Given the advanced warning, Mattheus grunted a little as he shifted until he sat properly at the back. He placed the hat he was using to keep the light out of his eyes on his lap before he made sure his hair sat neatly. The last thing he wanted was to give away the fact he had been napping during the car ride through a cowlick.

"Slow down a little when we're nearly at the gates. Brue will get out early. And keep one of the windows open a sliver—about the length of a knuckle—when you park."

It showed Vincent was immune to the weird orders concerning the cat that he just replied, "Understood, sir. Should I leave some water out for Miss Brue before I leave the automobile?"

"Sure but keep it hidden," Brunilda voiced.

"Leave her water bowl at the foot space in the seat beside you."

"Very well, sir."

Once Brunilda left to scour the Marinell House one last time, Mattheus took the time to ask Vincent. "How do I look, Vincent? Truthfully."

"Ah… you look a bit stressed, sir. And that you did not get enough sleep."

"Perfect."

Vincent was a bit confused but was mindful enough to know this was one of the times he should just not ask.

Good man, Vincent.

Mattheus was received by the butler, letting the staff take his hat and coat. "Good morning, Winston, has the countess been well since I last visited?"

"The madam has been making great strides in her recovery thanks to your medicine, Lord Crown."

"Good, good. I can wait if she is otherwise occupied. I wasn't sure how long it would take to drive here by automobile so I ended up arriving a bit early."

A few more polite words were exchanged before the Court Healer was directed to a sitting room with tea. Vincent had finished parking and returned to his side by the time Mattheus was interrupted by Baron Baldroy Harloch popping into the room.

"Lord Mattheus, I see you came to see the Lady."

"Lord Baldroy! I didn't expect to see you at Marinell House," Mattheus said the lie with a smile, as if pleasantly surprised to see the other baron.

It had been over a week since their revealing conversation back at his office in the palace. Subsequent crossing of paths were just full of bland topics about Harloch's work and the reforms being implemented.

Harloch had dropped that information on Mattheus purposefully and did not bring up the Eulerian Circles Society again because the traitor wanted to assess Mattheus's interest and reaction. The Treasury Officer had worded things vaguely enough that he couldn't be incriminated, though it was very suspicious.

Both Brunilda and Mattheus recognized the technique Harloch was using. The man was essentially throwing out bait, seeing if there were any interest, and possibly what type of interest the bait garnered.

On Mattheus's end, he was careful with his public outings, making sure to distance himself from Edgar and his father. He purposely stayed up late so he would appear to have had sleepless nights. All in all, he did everything to present himself as a young man with an internal struggle.

If Harloch was keeping an eye on him, and Mattheus had no doubt the traitor was, the older man would know all about it.

"I've been staying at Marinell House lately considering the chaos involved with implementing the reforms," Harloch simply sighed. "I just finished breakfast with the Lady so you should be able to see her soon."

"I see," Mattheus replied. His eyes quickly flickered in the general direction of Vincent without turning his head before meeting Harloch's eyes again. "It's impolite of me to ask under the circumstances, Lord Baldroy, considering your workload, but may I speak with you after my appointment with Countess Marcel about a financial question I have? It shouldn't take much of your time."

Harloch looked a bit curious before he grinned at the Court Healer. "I have plenty of time for you, friend. In fact, you'd be doing me a favor by giving me a break from looking at all those papers!"

Mattheus smiled with the slightest hint of relief.

The challenge could begin after the follow-up with Ophelia Marcel then. Time to see who would be more successful baiting and hooking the other.

…

After giving the countess a clean bill of health, Mattheus was directed to the office Harloch worked out from in the Marinell House. When the older baron saw him, he abandoned the admittedly intimidating amount of paperwork on the desk and stood up.

"Ah, Lord Mattheus. You've finished with the Lady? How is she?"

"She will probably make a full recovery by spring," Mattheus replied.

"Hm. Good news." Harloch nodded firmly though the twenty-year-old very much doubted the truth of the sentiment. "Why don't we walk around the grounds, Lord Mattheus? I don't think I've breathed fresh air since the day before yesterday."

Mattheus smiled a bit weakly. "Well, we can't have that. As a doctor, it would be remiss of me to keep you cooped up in your office when the outdoors would do your health a spot of good."

While it left Mattheus essentially alone with Harloch, he was fine with it. Walking the grounds meant putting on his outerwear, which included his walking stick. He was also fairly sure Brunilda wouldn't be far away if she were needed to intervene.

Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that.

Dismissing Vincent, the valet watched as the pair walked away.

"Rather loyal valet, isn't he?" Harloch remarked.

Mattheus grimaced. "My mother hired him."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Rather loyal… to the Crown family."

"Aha. I see." Harloch was silent for a beat. "So, what was this financial question you wanted to ask me, Lord Mattheus?"

Mattheus was quiet for a time.

"Lord Mattheus?" Harloch prompted once more.

The twenty-year-old grit his teeth as he continued to stare ahead. "I'm sure you know I have no financial question to ask, Baldroy."

"I'm not sure I follow."

Mattheus stopped walking. He glanced around, finding the spot rather isolated. The low hedges would reveal any human that headed toward them.

The tall Crown son looked at Baldroy Harloch before pulling out a handkerchief from a pocket and opening it to reveal a pin. A very familiar pin that started it all when it came to revealing a large conspiracy, and he was at a point where he might finally find some answers through the plain-faced baron before him.

"I am a member of this Eulerian Circles Society even if I don't remember it. Harloch, are you serious about the society being able to ruin Artorius Morgaine?"

Harloch narrowed his eyes. "The issue, Mattheus, is that you don't remember. We've never met before you became a Court Healer so how can I be sure you are the same? That you would keep our secrets? Are you aware that you ruined some plans in the months since you lost your memory?"

Mattheus blinked rapidly. "I-I didn't know!"

"Hm. True. Can't exactly blame you if you forgot you were a member. Tell me, how far would you go to see Artorius ruined?"

"… Anything."

Harloch looked doubtful. "Really? I don't personally know your circumstances but you seem to be in a pretty decent position after your accident. You are Court Healer, well-known for your unprecedented healing skills, and you'll likely inherit the position of Earl if rumors are true and your older brother eventually becomes Duchess Sophily's consort. Why would you risk what you have to get… revenge on the Crown Prince?"

Mattheus froze. He was quiet for a moment before replying with dead eyes, "You have no idea what he has done to me."

The older man flinched back in surprise, before catching himself and clearing his throat. "I see."

The silence was prolonged enough the two men started walking again. After a while, Harloch breached a topic.

"Do you not love your mother, Lord Mattheus? Or your sister?"

The twenty-year-old took a moment to respond. "Baldroy." He sighed. "Let me put it this way: Mattheus Crown will never be happy as long as Artorius Morgaine is not in a state similar to a miserable pile of sewage to directly reflect his personality. He killed me, Baldroy, in spirit if not physically. I cannot feel anything like love as long as he does not taste the despair he has put me in since I ever had the bad luck to meet him when I was but a child.

"Now, if the society plans to do something that would make Artorius Morgaine's life hell… I… would do anything, Baldroy. Anything."

Harloch didn't say anything in reply immediately. They walked in stifled silence before they started seeing the distant figure of Vincent again.

"Why don't we talk more this weekend. Over an evening meal."

"Does that mean—"

"Not now. We will talk more when there are no witnesses of us together."

Mattheus's eyes flickered. "I see… Where and when? I will be discreet."

Harloch gave him the address to the terraced house the older baron owned under a pseudonym that Brunilda never broke into.

As Mattheus reunited with Vincent and the pair headed to the car, Mattheus couldn't help but wonder. Was this a victory or did he essentially sign his death warrant?