Chapter 163
Its still clean.
Carynne climbed the stairs.
Despite the servants leaving, or rather, being forcibly dismissed, it seemed they had tidied up in their own way. Carynne thought back to her time at Isellas house.
I remember I used to hide plenty of tar under the carpet. Wasnt this only normal?
She may have been a naughty maid, but Raymonds servants had evidently done their best right to the end.
Such a shame.
Places with overall skilled servants like those in this mansion were exceedingly rare. Carynne was on the verge of tears at the thought that her much-anticipated relaxing vacation was slipping away.
Creak.
Carynne opened the door to the room she had shared with Raymond in the past. The door was not locked.
Haa. I knew it would be like this.
There was a draft inside.
Carynne sighed as she saw the open window. The white curtains on the window fluttered, welcoming Carynne as they waved.
He said that a storm had passed. Was this window open back then? Carynne approached the window and tied the curtains. A few twigs and some early spring petals had blown into the room.
A soft, rosy petal touched her face.
Carynne plucked the petal away.
The dazzling afternoon sun greeted Carynne.
Carynne gazed out of the window at the garden below.
It was still a beautiful and peaceful mansion.
This was the place that she could have had when she chose Raymond.
A vast meadow and occasional herds of grazing sheep could be seen in the distance. There was a stream near the mansion, and it was nice to read a book on the wooden raft there and fall asleep.
Across the bridge over the stream, there was a fountain. It hadnt started flowing yet, but in the summer, water would surely spout from there. In the rose garden, beautiful roses would bloom, and below the arched walkway made of wisteria, a lilac-colored promenade would shine.
The gardeners must have all been dismissed, too. Itll be chaos in the summer
Carynne couldnt imagine how messy the garden would become without proper care. The romantic image of the mansion was shattered. She vowed to make sure that the gardeners would return.
We definitely need to hire a cook.
Carynne had zero expectations for Raymonds cooking. The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.
She shook her head. She had complained enough, so it was time to rest. She was tired from the unfamiliar experience of horseback riding.
She turned towards the rooms interior.
The large bed could easily accommodate six people.
She lay down on the bed. With a sigh, she sank into it. The bed was soft and large. Instead of a mattress with springs inside, she only felt the softness of the bedding.
Carynne buried her face in the pillow and kicked her shoes off onto the floor.
Raymond said he would take care of it, so he would.
Rest was what she needed.
She closed her eyes. The pillow smelled faintly of flowers.
The scent of peace.
* * *
Carynne, what about dinner
Raymond woke her up a couple of times, but each time, she gestured for him to leave. It had been a long time since she had slept peacefully.
* * *
Mmh.
When she finally opened her eyes, it was midnight.
She had slept for too long.
Carynne was momentarily disoriented upon waking up. She had slept for too long, making it difficult to grasp the situation. A headache surged from her extended slumber.
Haa.
This time again, her dream was a nightmare. Carynne had died again in the dream. No, it wasnt just dyingshe had dreamed of being drowned while still alive.
She couldnt do anything as water slowly filled the coffin, where she felt the water rising from her toes as she sank endlessly beneath the sea.
She got up and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Carynne sensed a persons presence and turned her gaze. She momentarily tensed up, but it was Raymond. She sighed in relief as she looked at Raymonds golden hair and the body below it.
There was nothing to fear. Raymond was with her. Raymond remembered her. He was the one and only person who would step into the coffin and be buried with Carynne.
The fear of death never disappeared, but there was warmth in waking up from a nightmare.
However, that was that, and Carynne shook Raymonds shoulder.
Sir Raymond.
Raymond.
Yes.
Raymond barely managed to answer. His voice was mired with drowsiness, but Carynne didnt stop shaking him.
How can you get into bed without changing? Get up, change your clothes first, and then go to sleep.
Raymond frowned, then turned his body towards Carynne. However, his eyes remained closed.
My clothes are really dirty right now.
No matter how much she pinched him, he didnt get up.
Raymond opened his mouth in a voice that was close to crying.
Cant you just let me? I fell asleep just a little while ago
No. Youre all dirty.
If Raymond had been cleaning all day, Carynne could only imagine what was on his body.
You lit all the candles You didnt even see them.
She wanted to smack him. She shook Raymonds shoulder as he rambled in his sleep.
I told you Im going to bed first. Raymond, at least change your clothes first before going back to sleep.
Im so tired right now Just five minutes
How about I sleep in another room?
At Carynnes words, Raymonds eyes shot open.
No. Dont go, Carynne.
Then he tightly pulled her body towards him.
Sleep next to me.
Carynne grimaced as her face buried in Raymonds clothes, which were covered in dust.
Then change your clothes already.
Too late. The sheets are dirty now.
With that, he closed his eyes tightly.
Give me a pass for just one day I really couldnt sleep well for so long
His whining voice was like a sulking childs, and he didnt finish his words.
Haa.
Carynne sighed and began unbuttoning Raymonds vest to help him change clothes.
But she didnt succeed.
Ugh
Raymond tightly pulled Carynne into his embrace. With her face buried in his chest, she eventually gave up on undressing him. He had said he would do the laundry himself anyway.
Grumbling, Carynne closed her eyes again. She already slept enough, however, she couldnt bring herself to move away from Raymond. In fact, she didnt want to. She just wanted to complain a little.
She turned her head slightly and tugged at Raymonds arm, urging him to move it.
Still, there were some advantages to this situation. She could feel warmth all over her body. It was still just the early spring, and it was chilly.
She listened to Raymonds breathing. She found it strange that both of them were lying on the same bedalive. It felt like they were lying together for the first time.
If she were to be buried alive, she hoped it would be in this bed, not in a coffin.
Even if her entire body turned cold from freezing water, she would probably wake up if she kept hearing breathing. This warmth would protect her from any fear.
Carynne nestled further into Raymonds arms. If she were to die, she would rather sink into the bed with him than into a coffin.
She didnt fear the dark or death as long as she had him. Raymonds body felt sturdy and safe.
Hes her sanctuary.
Did Raymond suffer from insomnia too? Did he stay awake all night waiting for death, just like Carynne?
It didnt take long for her to fall asleep again.
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com