The Secret Cult Chronicles of the Decaying Lake Manor

"Inspector, Paradise Island is surrounded by lakes, and the main impact of the disaster currently appears to be limited to the island itself, especially the areas near the lake shore, and it is not expected to spread further out for the time being."

George earnestly offered his proposal: "Give me some time. If by tomorrow morning I still can't find any clues or a breakthrough, I will immediately agree to your request for assistance from the Anti-Corruption Bureau."

Inspector Douglas gave him a deep look, thought for a moment, and then nodded in agreement with a hint of helplessness.

"Alright, since you put it that way, then wait one more night. But I must emphasize that this is merely an 'exceptional' arrangement. If the situation shows signs of further deterioration by then, I will not hesitate to take action."

"Thank you, Inspector." George bowed slightly. "Well then, you two, please feel free to contact me or my servants if you have any questions. Bates, please come downstairs with me."

After George and his companion left, Douglas also took his granddaughter's arm and left the alchemy room.

"I thought with Viscount de la Porte overseeing things, the succession ceremony would go smoothly, but I didn't expect this." He sighed as he walked. "Do I really have a 'troublesome' constitution? No matter where I go, I always seem to run into some minor troubles that I can't escape."

Kelly rolled her eyes dramatically:

"I was also looking forward to seeing the Viscount you keep mentioning break that impression, and I even forced myself to wear a skirt—it seems your 'power' is still stronger, Grandfather."

"Well, anyway, with Mrs. Patmore's delicious cooking, it's not a bad deal."

"Do you think we can get something out of the heirs? If they're really like you said..."

"No, my dear, not even if the Viscount is about to pass away."

The inspector shook his head in strong disapproval.

"Firstly, taking advantage of someone's misfortune is absolutely not something we should do; secondly, we still have to consider Earl Lincoln's reputation from back then; and thirdly..."

He gave his granddaughter a sly smile.

"The Viscount is not yet at his wit's end."

-----------------

George and Bates went down to the servants' quarters to check on Elliott's condition.

Surprisingly, while most of the servants were anxious, Elliott was quite normal.

He was cleaning George's shoes at the moment, and he seemed quite surprised to see the two of them come downstairs.

George gave a vague reply and left Bates with Elliott in case anything went wrong.

He then asked a servant about the situation and learned that the steward was recuperating.

He then inquired his way to the butler's room.

In the manors of this era, only a limited number of high-ranking servants, such as male and female stewards, had private rooms; others inevitably had to share rooms.

George knocked gently and pushed the door open, finding the butler sitting on the bed in his pajamas, muttering to himself, with a male servant beside him.

The two people inside the house seemed somewhat surprised to see George arrive.

"Young Master George, what brings you here?" Carson's voice was hoarse as he got out of bed. "Please excuse me, I'm not able to get out of bed. Mrs. Hughes should have already made arrangements..."

"Don't worry, Carson, everything's fine outside. I just came to check on you," George gently interrupted him.

He turned to look at the young male servant who was taking care of him.

"You can go out now. I want to speak with Mr. Carson alone."

The male servant nodded obediently: "Yes, young master. If you need someone, just call out in the corridor."

Only George and Carson remained in the room, and Carson seemed unable to stop talking.

"I really shouldn't have gone to the lake. I have to entertain the Inspector and Miss Moore tonight, and the drink menu isn't ready. Mrs. Hughes will have to use the same arrangement as last time, but the estate's Vatiero Madeira is almost gone..."

George didn't respond, but instead smiled and took control of the conversation:

"You are still the same as before. I remember when Sybil was born, it was also your sixteenth year as butler—the Christmas carols were especially beautiful that year."

"Ah, young master, you remember? That Christmas, the master led us in singing 'God Bless You, Gentlemen,' and the lady accompanied us with great joy that night."

Carson's face flushed with excitement, as if he were transported back to that night: "How wonderful, young master, a Christmas like that is a rare treat..."

"It's a pity that my mother left us five years ago," George sighed. "Perhaps... my father won't make it to Christmas this year either."

George then asked Carson, whose expression was frozen in place:

"Carson, I didn't make it back when my mother suddenly fell ill five years ago. Did she have a peaceful time before she left us? Did she suffer a lot?"

Carson's gaze fell on George's young face, as if he could see through him the little boy who had once offered the wooden sword as "interest."

A deep pain and resolute determination struggled to emerge in his eyes, replacing his usual solemnity and profundity, and even causing him to fall silent for a moment.

The quiet atmosphere in the butler's room felt strange and oppressive.

The silence lasted for a moment, and George wondered if he could steer the conversation toward his family in a few seconds to break the ice.

But he saw Carson take a deep breath and slump his shoulders slightly, as if he had finally unloaded a heavy burden he had been carrying for a long time.

When he spoke again, his voice was no longer as steady as usual.

The voice was heavier and trembling than ever before, almost as if it were squeezed out from the depths of the chest:

"Please forgive me, young master."

Under George's astonished gaze, Carson began to speak on his own.

"I started as a bard under your grandfather, the second Viscount, and eventually had the honor of becoming the manor's butler. I always thought I would serve here for the rest of my life and retire with honor as the butler of this famous manor."

He paused for a moment, a deep struggle appearing on his face.

"...But let me tell you, after your father, the third viscount, did such a terrible thing, I wavered and even considered resigning."

While George was still puzzled, Carson took a deep breath and continued, "However, your father is no ordinary man."

"Aside from his terrible obsession with the extraordinary, the master was otherwise astute, frank, and charming—he quickly sensed my intention to leave and did everything he could to persuade me to stay."

"Out of loyalty to my family and a sense of responsibility for knowing my secret, I ultimately stayed with immense guilt and fear. But I have never lived a moment without fear and self-reproach, never had a moment of peace. God bless me..."

The room was silent, with the flickering flames of the fireplace casting dancing shadows on the wall.

"Young Master George, I must confess to you." Carson looked directly at George, his gaze filled with grief and determination.

"Your mother died during the master's terrible promotion ceremony."

George tried his best to control himself and not lose his composure in front of the butler.

He hadn't even put in any effort to test the waters, so how come the butler had already revealed the information himself?

That's not how you play the social game!

"Carson, are you saying that my mother died because of my father?"

“Young Master, things are more complicated than that…and more perplexing.” Carson’s expression was one of confusion and pain. “From an ordinary person’s perspective, Madam knew the inside story…and could even be said to have readily agreed. I still can’t understand why.”

He paused, seemingly searching for the right words.

"Either the master bewitched her with their deep love, or there is some secret involved in your extraordinary relationship with the master... Madam's involvement may not be as simple as I think."

"And what you're about to tell me," George's premonition grew stronger, "is there another reason behind my return to the manor?"