Origin

It's strange how people are. The old duke was certainly no good father to Edward—barely a father at all—yet he indulged the other children's every whim.

Consequently, all his children grew up spoiled and arrogant. Even the illegitimate children he never acknowledged received generous allowances, fine clothes, and luxurious homes—they were settled in the utmost comfort and ease.

Only toward Edward was the old duke not merely cold, but downright cruel.

When he first discovered the children tormenting the demon in the tower, he seized the whip—no longer light in his hands—and lashed Edward mercilessly.

As he struck, he bellowed, "You demon! Don't you dare defile my children!"

He treated the beating of Edward as a form of exorcism.

In this era, intermarriage among nobles was chaotic and intimate. and later psychiatrists even speculated that the direct line of the Papal Palace suffered from hereditary mental illness. The old duke was clearly a quintessential blue-blooded noble—this wasn't some comical adolescent declaration. In this era, nobles placed immense importance on lineage, believing bloodline to be the very root of a person's nobility. Even the wealthiest commoners couldn't compare to a destitute, fallen noble.

And it wasn't just the nobility who held this view—it was the prevailing belief among all people. Thus, when merchants amassed wealth, they would spare no effort to marry a noblewoman, thereby elevating their family's status. For this, they could endure even the most unsavory secrets of their noble bride.

Yet nobles rarely intermarried downward. In fact, in York's earlier years, before merchants amassed such wealth, marriages between nobles and commoners were outright forbidden—illegitimate unions.

After hearing all this, Tang Feiliu concluded that the late duke was likely the product of generations of inbreeding, resulting in mental instability.

The old duke genuinely believed Edward was a demon—he wasn't joking. He whipped this demon with a silver-studded whip and even once tried to stab a silver dagger into Edward's chest himself, seeking to end the suffering of this child possessed by evil.

This relentless abuse, coupled with Susan's departure, plunged Edward into despair. Despite Dave's persistent efforts, Edward descended deeper into madness. He genuinely believed himself to be a demon dwelling in hell. Hallucinations consumed him—he feared light and shunned all human contact, refusing to let anyone near. He even lashed out violently, biting and attacking his brothers who beat him for amusement.

This, in turn, earned him another brutal beating from the old duke for exorcising the demon.

Dave didn't dwell on those past events, treating them as mere footnotes. Yet even so, Tang Feiliu listened with heart-pounding dread—the duke's madness and distortion, Edward's chaos and despair... Fortunately, as Dave spoke, his expression gradually softened. He murmured softly: Then His Grace encountered a child. A most adorable child, brought to a banquet by his country gentleman father. He looked like a little angel from a fresco... The Duke didn't know the child's origins, but I did. It was you... The son of country gentleman Duke Doug—Lance Doug."

"...But," Tang Feiliu stared blankly at Grandpa Dave, stunned by his words. He stammered, "I didn't understand anything back then. I just played games with Edward for a day—he was the one who coaxed me..."

"That was enough." Grandpa Dave clasped Tang Feiliu's hand, his tone earnest. "His Grace was in a state of confusion back then. It took him a long time to recover. He always said he had met his guardian angel, that he had been forgiven by God."

So that was how Edward remembered it.

That tiny, soft, blond-haired, blue-eyed child had been seen as a miracle by the mentally unstable Edward. No wonder Edward had always harbored such a fervent longing for angels. No wonder he'd always gazed at him with such rapture... Tang Feiliu understood now. Though Edward had recovered and forgotten that episode, the memory of his guardian angel remained buried deep within his consciousness.

Born a demon, he had always lifted his head, yearning to be bathed in light, hoping to shed his filth and never again plunge into the dark, agonizing hell of his memories.

This was the true Edward. Though he had lost all his memories, he had never forgotten the image of his guardian angel being taken away—even after he returned to normal, the unease of that loss remained forever etched in his soul.

"Grandpa Dave, thank you for telling me all this." Tang Feiliu surveyed the surroundings, his expression gradually hardening. He murmured softly, "I... I want to write a letter to Edward."

That night, the light in the master bedroom remained on as Tang Feiliu carefully crafted each word of the letter, sorting through his thoughts as he wrote. The next day, after the letter was sent off with other documents by a special courier, Tang Feiliu stayed in his bedroom for a long time. Suddenly, he asked Ivans, "...How long until the first snowfall?"

"Probably over a month," Evans replied, glancing outside. "Sir, would you like to go out?"

"Ivans, I'd like to go home for a while." Tang Feiliu looked at Ivans and said softly, "Edward isn't here. You don't need to address me that way."

Tang Feiliu's words brought a faint smile to Ivan's face. He cleared his throat and chuckled softly, "Did I forget to tell you? His Grace the Duke appointed me as your personal valet... I no longer belong to His Grace."

"What?!" Tang Feiliu was genuinely shocked. He froze for a moment before finally managing, "...So he went to the palace alone?"

"Yes, with Jess," Ivanis replied softly. "I didn't mean to keep it from you. I just couldn't find the right moment to tell you these past few days..."

"I know," Tang Feiliu replied. "But what is he doing with Jace? Isn't Jace a knight?! How could he become a personal valet... So Prince Charles really is in trouble?!"

At this, Tang Feiliu’s expression darkened. An incident at the palace was no trivial matter. Edward had set out alone, bringing not only his knightly escort for protection but also Jess—raised in York and unfamiliar with the Nat Palace—disguised as a personal valet, along with a group of trained servants... What exactly was he doing there?

Before Tang Feiliu could dwell on her worries, Ivans reassured her, "It's nothing. Just a precaution. His Grace the Duke has always been this cautious... Some within the palace aren't particularly fond of the Black Duke. He's merely being prudent."

"Is this always the case?!" Tang Feiliu watched Ivans nod, her heart aching more and more for Edward. His expression must have changed, for he then said, "Very well, then I shall wait for Edward's return... Since it won't snow for some time yet, I must make a trip home... My family residence isn't far from here; a little over a month should suffice for the round trip. Would you accompany me?"

"My pleasure, Your Excellency." Ivanis replied with a smile. Truthfully, being assigned from the Duke's side to Tang Feiliu wasn't an enviable task. But if this ordinary gentleman was someone the Duke held dear, then this transfer clearly promised Ivanis a brighter future—in fact, Ivanis had long anticipated this change, having waited patiently for this day.

This transfer was no hardship at all. In fact, Ivanes had secretly lobbied for it for a long time before finally gaining the Duke's approval. Everyone in York wanted to remain by this angel's side. For he was not merely beautiful in appearance. Rumors claimed he possessed hands that could turn stone into gold and eyes that could see the future... Wherever his bare feet trod, that land would reap a bountiful harvest.

Having been by Lance's side all along, Evans knew full well the rumors were exaggerated. Yet he was also the one who understood their truth most deeply. Lily, Stewart, everyone in Black Swan City... even York—whoever had graced the presence of this noble angel, hadn't their lives grown increasingly blessed?

Ivans never trusted vague, intangible gods. He believed only in what he saw with his own eyes.

"Alright, then do you know the way from Black Swan Castle to Orvino?" Tang Feiliu asked nervously. "My home is by the Varal River in Orvino. There's a small town there called Varal Town, and my family lives in that town."

"Of course. I haven't traveled that route myself, but surely someone in the castle has... You needn't worry about any of this, Your Excellency. I shall handle everything." Ivans blinked and addressed Tang Feiliu.

His words were spoken with such enthusiasm and confidence.

Tang Feiliu looked at Ivans and said gratefully, "Thank you, Ivans. If there's anything I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Ivans gazed at Tang Feiliu for a moment before suddenly smiling and shaking his head. "I will. Thank you."

With that, Ivanis nodded and went back to his duties.

Only after Ivan had been gone for some time did Tang Feiliu notice that his entire appearance had changed. Gone was the disheveled look they'd sported while wandering the countryside. Now dressed in a standard butler's uniform, his demeanor instantly shifted back to one of impeccable politeness.

He seemed capable of effortlessly shifting into any persona according to his role, Tang Feiliu mused inwardly. Yet he remained puzzled, for Ivan never concealed the ambitious gleam in his eyes. Tang Feiliu knew he must harbor some profound desire, one so significant that though Ivan excelled as the duke’s steward, he never succumbed to the allure of such power.

Such magnanimity was beyond most men. Yet no matter how Tang Feiliu probed, Ivan never truly revealed it.

Though the matter remained shrouded in mystery, Tang Feiliu pondered it briefly before letting it go. His greater concern was the impending return—in his memories, Alexander Doug, Lance's older brother, was far from a respectable figure.

Blond-haired with emerald eyes, tall and imposing, he loved hunting and horseback riding. He managed the family estate well, but his nature was unsmiling, his mouth turned down at the corners. When he didn't smile, he gave off a cold, harsh aura.

This was an aura Tang Feiliu absolutely lacked. In fact, little Lance behaved like a timid little bird in Alexander's presence. Yet everyone in Valra Town knew the Doug brothers had a terrible relationship. Alexander was cold-hearted by nature and showed his younger brother not the slightest bit of mercy.

If Tang Feiliu had been asked about his family just days ago, he would have replied, "...They're doing well in the 21st century. Thank you for your concern."

But now, Tang Feiliu felt utterly lost. He knew he was Lance Doug, yet his formative years had been spent in the modern era. Deep down, he still saw himself as Tang Feiliu—he had merely accepted the fact that he was also Lance. That fleeting glimpse in the dream, of Lance living as a medieval young master for ten years... Did the Lance living in modern society now share the same struggles?

Tang Feiliu didn't know, though he secretly felt this turn of events wasn't so bad after all... Alright, he'll admit it—he was absolutely thrilled. After those memories returned, Tang Feiliu felt both guilt and joy, a complex mix of emotions hard to describe. On one hand, he was tormented by guilt over his father's death—the man had worried until his dying breath about where his real son was, and his brother hadn't been happy all these years either. But on the other hand, that persistent sense of unease gradually faded away. It was as if someone who had been floating in the air had finally rooted themselves to the earth, gaining a foundation and courage.

He belonged to this era, and this era belonged to him. He had roots, he had family... Those who hadn't experienced it would never understand.

In short, Tang Feiliu knew he had to return. This was his brother—the one who had held his hand and cared for him since childhood. After searching for so many years, Tang Feiliu felt utterly despicable. Because of his lack of memories, it had taken him over two years in this timeline to finally decide to go home and see.

He set out the very next day. Yivans had prepared a comfortable carriage. The road out from Black Swan was relatively smooth. As Tang Feiliu gazed at the scenery outside the window and the azure sky, he felt both restless excitement and hopeful anticipation.

Just like any wanderer returning home after parting from family.

Meanwhile, the Duke sat in a reception room within the palace.

Queen Josephine, resplendent in dazzling attire, fanned herself with a feathered fan—true winter clearly held no sway within the palace walls. Her gaze drifted to the vibrant yellow roses in full bloom indoors as she spoke in a measured, soft voice: "Eddie, I hear there's a young administrator with golden hair and blue eyes at your castle who's quite dear to you?"

"Aunt," Edward clearly disliked the subject, addressing her softly, "This is hardly the moment to concern yourself with officials in my domain."

"...Is he merely your official?" Josephine was a strikingly beautiful woman, not delicate but possessing a rugged charm—like a blooming red rose, embodying a contradictory beauty of both allure and fortitude.

Hearing Edward's reply, her face darkened. Her voice dropped to a threatening whisper. "Eddie, whether as your aunt or your partner, I warn you earnestly: leave no grounds for the Templars to exploit. Charles still needs their support. Do you understand?"

Edward drew a deep breath, his dark eyes flickering with suppressed anger. "But Aunt," he murmured, "you must understand—the one caught kissing a man is your own son, Charles."

They locked eyes like two lions, both radiating fierce intensity. For a moment, neither would yield.

Author's Note:

Writing the main storyline makes me so happy, I wish I could update three times a day (in my dreams).

Truthfully, I was quite worried about writing Edward's backstory. My previous work made me realize my understanding of "sweet romance" might differ from most readers'... I've always believed that if two people strive to understand each other, draw closer, overcome their own limitations, and ultimately come together—that qualifies as sweet romance.

But... it seems the common understanding is [sweet without major obstacles]?

What's everyone's take on this? If you have time, please let me know—I'd really appreciate it!