Chapter 38
This new coachman was determined not to repeat his predecessors mistakes. Carynne had no intention to cause a ruckus anyhow, so she was just sitting on her carriage seat quietly as they went towards Missus Deeres house. This seemed to make the servants feel even more uneasy.
Im not going to run away.
I dont believe you, Milady.
Gosh.
She shook her head in resignation, and so too did Donna, but determinedly and with her lips closed shut.
Tell me about Missus Deere.
Milady should know her better than I do.
Yeah, that should be the case. Carynne twirled a lock of her hair with one finger.
What can you tell me?
All too soon, the carriage arrived at its destination. They were now Missus Deeres residence. She had to suffer so much just from trying to get here last time.
It was a quaint little house, but it was too modest to be the house of a governess who once took charge of the fief lords daughter.
Why is this place so old?
Milady. Even still, its a pretty nice home, you know And its near the downtown area.
But itll only be noisy being at a location like this.
Its a convenient location. You wouldnt need to ride a carriage to go anywhere, and security is better here.
Is that so But since theres so many people living around here, how is that more secure?
People keep watch of each other, thats why.
How is that different from just hiring many servants?
Um Its The money that
Unable to keep listening to the two girls who kept whispering to each other, Borwen spoke up.
Lets head in.
W-Wait.
Borwen went ahead and knocked on the door without even waiting for Carynnes go ahead. An exhausted-looking maid came out and asked who it was, then her eyes soon widened before she hurried into the house. After a short while. A middle-aged woman came to the door.
Donna was the first to greet her.
Hello, Missus.
This woman was Missus Deere? Carynne folded her parasol and raised the hem of her skirt slightly to curtsy. After the short greeting, Carynne looked at the woman from head to toe. She was someone she had never seen in any of the past timelines.
She wasnt an important character, so whats the use here? It was a little discouraging that even the womans appearance was ordinary. Its nice for expectations to be broken, but encountering the unexpected wasnt always going to be satisfied with what shed see.
Missus Deere was a plump middle-aged woman who had brown hair, flushed cheeks and a few gray streaks. The fact that she was so ordinary was whats so surprising. Her impression seemed to be the furthest from something like a secret or a conspiracy.
Carynne?
Yes
Oh my goodness
She was a middle-aged woman with a gentle demeanor. For a governess, she did look the part.
Missus Deere rushed towards Carynne, running almost as fast as she could. Then, without even any time to speak, she pulled Carynne into an embrace.
Carynne? Oh, it really is you.
Carynne was so taken aback that she raised a hand to try and push away the woman, making her stop. The woman held her so tightly to the point that she couldnt breathe, but as she finally loosened her hold on Carynne, she looked at the younger woman with such emotion in her eyes. She took Carynnes hands and held them tight.
Its been a while, hasnt it?
Carynne had never met this woman before, so all she could do was smile.
Do you remember me?
It was a difficult question. This time, there really was nothing to do but smile, so she did.
Its because we havent seen each other in such a long time.
It hasnt been that long though.
Donna also definitely said that it hadnt been long.
Carynne.
Yes, Missus Deere.
You dont remember me.
The missus spoke with a serious face. The womans demeanor of gentleness quickly froze. This look on her face certainly had a meaning behind it. Carynne couldnt respond.
You still cant recall?
Then, with a small voice that Donna and Borwen wouldnt be able to hear, she continued,
Youve lost your memories, havent you.
The simple sentence rang in her ears. Lost memories. The woman seemed to already know about it. What was she saying. Youve lost your memories. All the memories she had until now turned inside out.
Who was this woman. Why was she saying something that Carynne had never heard of before. Did this woman know just how much shed affected Carynne with just those words.
Come on in. Its been a while. Truly a while.
Carynne followed the woman into the dark houses interior. The exterior looked old, but inside, everything looked neat. However, cleanliness could only go so far.
If one were to take a closer look, the wallpaper was evidently faded, and the wooden floor creaked with every step. The sound made Carynne even more antsy. This was a place she had never been to before. Its the first time shes seeing this. Everything was uncomfortable. Her mouth was dry. She was parched for tea.
Bring out some tea, and the best teacups!
When the missus shouted out this instruction, the maid hurriedly disappeared into the kitchen. Carynne turned to Borwen and Donna, who were just standing by the door.
Donna, Borwen. Why dont you go out and enjoy the festival?
Milady, how can we trust you?
Donna replied in a gruff tone.
But Carynnes expression hardened. She didnt want to deal with them both right now. She couldnt afford to.
We have a lot of catching up to do, privately. Its been so very long. Then you can just stay in the guest room for a while.
Im sorry, Carynne, but theres no guest room. How about they stay together at the maids room instead?
Looking over to the missus maid, whose clothes were dirty, Donna was appalled.
A-Absolutely not. Id rather go to the market.
Donna flatly refused. Fortunately, Borwen grabbed Donnas shoulders and pulled her back before she could say anymore. Carynne made a mental note to tell Helen about Donnas behavior once they returned to the manor.
Frowning, Carynne pointed towards the door for Borwen to see. Get out.
Well be sure to come back around the time for afternoon tea. Donna, lets go.
Hnng
Lets go.
As the two finally left, the missus maid came out with some tea and refreshments, her expression having come undone. And the reason was immediately apparentthe teacups were of low quality.
Missus Deere, still holding Carynnes hands, led her to the seats and sat down together. Carynne could now finally focus on the task at hand.
Dont you remember who I am?
Carynne thought, how much could she say to this woman? Carynne closed her mouth and blinked. She felt uneasy.
I knew it. You became this way after Madam Hare had passed away. His Lordship is
Whats this woman talking about now? Carynnes eyes stayed trained on Missus Deere. She had to ask.
Why have you mentioned my mother?
Her voice came out much sharper than she had intended.
How much do you know?
She hated that her question was answered with another question, but she was directed with only pity. Carynne took initiative and changed the way she worded it.
Missus, Im just immensely at a loss right now.
Carynne lowered her gaze. Considering the womans standing and how her house looked here, Missus Deere didnt seem to have gotten a proper pension from the fief lord.
In general, if a governess was still single and hadnt yet married, she would be referred to another household if theyd been let go. Even more so if their position had been permanent. If there was no suitable place, then its natural that she should have been given a pension. If not that, there were also some cases that shed continue living together at the household.
However, looking at the condition of this house, it could be inferred that the missus did not go out of this house on a normal basis. Its obvious that some circumstances had led this former governess, who used to teach the only daughter of a fief lord, to live a life like this nowentirely out of the lords sight.
I would like it if youd save me the effort of trying to fish it out of you and just tell me what you know.
Ill tell you everything, as long as you tell me the extent of what you know.
Missus.
Even if Carynne was flustered right now, she had lived for a hundred years and had experience handling dozens of maids. So, Carynne widened her eyes and stared directly into Missus Deeres eyes.
Ive lost my memories. Now, tell me what you know. I am terribly distressed. If you help me here, I shall surely repay you.
Youre still the same.
Missus Deere lowered her teacup and fidgeted with her fingers. She was nervous as well.
Youve been like this ever since you were young.
Then, she talked about a past that Carynne did not know about.
Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at (f)re𝒆we(b)novel.com Only