Chapter 66
Raymond leaned back again, glancing down at Carynne. He laughed as though he truly found it funny. Carynne tried to match him and laugh as well, but she couldnt bring herself to.
Lets think.
Lets think about Raymond.
Lets think about Raymond, the one who came back from the war, who loathed Isella and loved Carynne. Lets think of the marksman who suffered from insomnia and always kept poison in his mouth so he could kill himself at any given moment.
She knew Raymond. Now, she had to make the best offer to grab hold of Raymond. Other than love, what was the most plausible thing to present to this man who didnt seem to love her?
Carynne laid down her answer.
You hate Mister Verdic, dont you.
The best thing that would work on him for now was this.
Raymond shrugged and sipped his tea.
Not exactly. Well my life is held hostage as a mortgage with him. Its not something I find pleasant, but its just like your case. Theres a lot to gain.
Why am I fighting this war?
Why am I the only one left alive?
I loathe him. I loathe everything that he has. Myself, as well.
Love is the only thing Ive chosen for myself.
Revenge wasnt enough. It would be difficult to hold onto him with just revenge alone. His loathing was perhaps on a more comprehensive, wider scope. Its what hed like to hear the most. A proposal that would never be rejected.
Sir Raymond. Its possible to end the war of attrition at the White Mountain Range.
What are you talking about all of a sudden?
Mister Verdic Evans is funding the Luthella Duchy.
Mm Carynne Evans.
Raymond chucked.
I dislike people who talk recklessly even as they dont know the whole story.
His index finger turned to point at Carynnes forehead.
Dont think too hard.
Cant we just make Mister Verdic Evans go bankrupt? I loathe that person.
Carynne gave a plausible reason. This reason, too, roused her dried-up loathing.
He killed me several times. He slashed at my neck several times. He purposely used a rusty, blunt axe. Many times, so many times.
No matter what he thinks, it was because of Mister Verdic that my father offed himself.
Carynne blinked her eyes at Raymond.
No matter who I am, and no matter who you are, dont we have one thing in common?
Raymonds expression hardened.
Carynne knew Raymond well. He told her not to think so hard about it, but now that its been said out loud, it wasnt just Raymond who could hold and make the other waver one-sidedly.
I want to get revenge against Mister Verdic. If theres something youre planning to do with me, then do it after Im done with this.
Thats what you had wanted.
The love you gave me must have been that kind of love. A matter of factbecause its only right that youd love me, only right that youd loathe Verdic, only right that you despise Isella. To you, who craved true love, Carynne was a rather fine recipient of that love. Beautiful and pitiful and pure, just as he was to Carynne as well.
Carynne.
An answer wasnt urged out of anyone. Raymond paced back and forth in the room for a while. As the sound of his footsteps resounded, he just stared at the ground. Then, he looked at Carynne. Their eyes met.
I need to give the answer you need, dont I.
Ha.
You love me. Just like you said.
You must be having fun, right?
Yes, well, when I see any woman, all I see is her face.
Thats why Ive fallen for you. And thats also why I saved you.
How nice My face has such powers of persuasion.
And you love me. Just like you said.
Yes.
This was how they confessed their love for each other.
It was a starry night.
* * *
The birds chirping and the bells ringing during mornings were painful to hear.
Good morning, Milady.
Yeah.
Lady Carynne.
I got it I got it
Then please dont bury your face further into your pillow. Please rise from the bed.
.
Carynne opened her eyes, pushing down on the urge to cuss. A day like this was what she hated the most. Anger that couldnt be avoided, fatigue that was so abundant that it just ruined her mood, things that she had no control over even if she tried. It was at times like these that Carynne acknowledges she was a human being made of blood and flesh, not pure ink.
What a profound thought. And Im still half asleep.
Pardon, Milady?
Wouldnt you say that its counterproductive for a human to have a body?
Huh?
I wonder why humans get born, only to work, get exhausted, then die.
Milady Please wake up.
Fine.
Carynnes face was wiped by the soaked towel in Donnas hands. Shes so sleepy that she felt like shes about to die. She was exhausted every single day because she had to do so much work lately.
If I just die.
Milady. You do know that maids like me get up one hour earlier, right?
Carynne looked at Donna as though she couldnt believe what the maid just said, but then she soon sighed deeply. Its obvious how much weaker Carynne was compared to Donna. Whether it was physically or mentally.
Just let me whine for a bit. Ive been really tired these days.
Yeees. Please go ahead and eat your breakfast.
Seriously
Carynne opened her eyes.
The light of the blue daybreak filled the room. Then, a feeling of sadness seeped in from out of nowhere.
This is all because of Sir Raymond. Im always tired at this time of the year. Ive never ever been comfortable in Verdics house. And this, Raymonds adding to the burden rather than helping me. Hes making things more difficult.
Carynne had lost all her strength.
Ugh, cold.
When Donna opened the window, a chilly breeze blew in. Donna was flustered as Carynne, wearing only a thin nightgown, folded into herself.
Should I close the window?
No, I need to stay awake. Ill eat breakfast with the window open.
Yes, Milady.
Donna pushed the trolley in. It was the kind of luxury that Carynne wouldnt have ever seen while she was just Isellas lady-in-waiting. She should be satisfied with this.
With this thought, Carynne glanced down at the breakfast feast. It was breakfast, but what lay before her was a lavish meal.
The thick pancakes topped with maple syrup were surprisingly soft. The plate was also apparently heated on purpose, and as a result, the pancakes were still warm, its taste harmonizing with the still-melting butter.
There were many other things to eat besides the pancakes as well. There were large blueberry scones, which looked to be freshly baked, then there were also slices of crisp toast, which were covered with fruit jam.
Ill gain weight.
Please take even just one bite of each.
How about you?
If Milady has any left-over food, thats what Ill have.
Okay
O-Oh, no, its fine if you eat everything, Milady! The Evans household doesnt seem to be frugal when it comes to food.
Really?
Carynne wondered whats different compared to her memories. If thats what Donna was going to eat, was the household actually generous with their servants? She could remember always just eating small portions of tasteless meals. Theyre all leftovers and coarse food.
Yes. They feed us well Its the other things that are difficult.
They used to be so stingy though.
Huh? How do you know that, Milady?
Never mind. Its just, I heard it somewhere.
Where and how did the story change? Carynne looked down at her breakfast. Its not the taste she had to worry about now, but the quantity.
For a poor family, such a feast would last them a week. Besides the food, there was also a selection of drinks for hermilk, two kinds of juice, lemonade or hot tea.
I never thought Id ever be served such a meal.
This was the meal of the Evans households daughter. And shed just take a bite or two out of this luxurious meal. Even though she was tasked with nursing Isella, her meals, her clothes and even the bed she slept on were all so opulent.
I should be satisfied with this, yeah.
Carynne poured some milk into her tea and walked towards the window. The morning mist rose faintly.
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