Reward

"Yes, a feeling!" Unlike Fitzgerald, Edward might usually seem as cold as ice, but he was actually a very emotional person. Otherwise, he would never have been so utterly devoted to Fitzgerald. Emotional people were often bound by their feelings.

He trusted his intuition deeply. He could sense that Solam had no interest whatsoever in what they—or rather, Fitzgerald—were planning. He even seemed to be watching Fitzgerald's frantic efforts with a hint of amusement. That feeling made Edward very uncomfortable. He believed Solam simply looked down on Fitzgerald and saw him as nothing more than a clown.

In truth, Edward's instincts were not wrong. Solam was indeed watching his brother Fitzgerald's performance with a touch of amusement, but not because he looked down on him, as Edward assumed. In fact, Solam admired Fitzgerald greatly. Solam was not someone content with mediocrity, so he had no prejudice against Fitzgerald's unconventional actions. He even appreciated his courage and ambition.

But that was no reason for Fitzgerald to treat him like an idiot! What Fitzgerald had just said might have fooled some gullible kid, but Solam? Ha! What a joke! Besides, Solam had never been particularly interested in these matters to begin with, so naturally he did not take Fitzgerald's words to heart.

"Is that so? Then forget it." Fitzgerald did not argue with Edward about anything else and merely said it lightly. As for whether he truly meant to let it go, that was open to interpretation.

Given Edward's understanding of Fitzgerald, he would not give up so easily. In fact, Fitzgerald had not truly given up. He simply had plenty of time now, and he was willing to be patient with Solam!

When Solam returned to the inn that night, he did not encounter the scene he had imagined. Lilith