Chapter 73
Donna, a corpse was found this morning. Do you know that were about the same age as that woman?
That should have no connection to us though
The dead woman who had been found this morning was in the papers. Theres not a lot of details known right now , but by tomorrow evening, more would be known about the incident. Its true that the dead woman had no connection to them in terms of background. She died at the next town over after all.
Although she was the same age as them, shes been selling her body ever since she was thirteen years old. Then, at eighteen, she was murdered in a ditch. She had a very pretty face, but that didnt really matter anymore. Her face got ripped right off.
But whats the difference between the woman in the papers and the female lead in a novel? To me, theres no difference between her and us, but you dont know that, do you.
This is nothing compared to that kind of situation.
Donna didnt say anything back. Carynne didnt say anything either.
The maid in front of Carynne would never understand what would happen to Carynne or what the dead woman from the next town had experienced.
Its alright.
Thats nothing, you know.
Carynnes daily life, while it was filled entirely with manual labor, was difficult to endure as it was eating away at her. It was a waste of time, and it was difficult not being able to understand the situation at hand. Thats why Carynne had hinged the matter of figuring it all out to an external incident rather than trying to sort it out by herself internally.
The serial murders of the Jack of Spades.
Carynne knew about this case. Its written in the papers. Really though, this incident didnt matter to her at all. Murders happened every year. Just think about what went on throughout the empireor even the entire continent. Theres not one day that something like this wouldnt happen.
For Carynne, this incident existed only in print. Its somebody elses business. Eventually, the criminal would be caught, and anyone involved in the case would also be caught.
She must confess to Sir Raymond. She hoped that he would believe her. Like Donna, Raymond might not understand Carynne now, but he will, eventually.
Carynne will make that happen.
* * *
At around the time of dawn, when the sun hadnt even risen yet, Verdic called for Carynne. Donna woke her up, the maids face obviously tinged with fear. She was still in her nightgown, but Carynne had to go down to the cellar like that.
Miss Carynne.
Mister Verdic.
Verdic was still in his suit. An oppressive air emanated from his thick frame. He had a whip in one hand.
So you used money just as you pleased.
I apologize.
Crackle!
He whipped the cold stone floor. The loud noise echoed threateningly inside the cellar.
Not only that, but you wasted it away in a gambling den.
You got involved with Baron Ein, bet all that money on a game of cards without my permission, and you lost.
What do you think Ill say to you now?
I apologize.
Carynne continued to ask for his forgiveness time and again, but inwardly, shes just wondering if Raymond had already found the corpse. A fleeting thought also passed through her mind that her back might not be so different from that corpse after she would be whipped this morning.
And Raymonds saying that she didnt know what kind of cruelty Verdic was capable of?
Carynne laughed at the young mans words.
Hold her down.
Yes, sir.
Carynnes arms were held tightly by stocky maids. As she was forced to kneel, she felt the biting coldness of the floor seeping into her skin.
Carynne Evans. You seem to have misunderstood something.
I apologize.
You entered this household as my daughter, but that doesnt mean that you can use my wealth as Isella does.
Thats why you need to pull your own weight.
Verdic wasnt pleased by Carynnes silence. At a place like this, he would rather hear her cry desperately as she struggled. But she did not want to give him that satisfaction.
Hold onto the frame.
The cellar was cold even though they were at the height of summer. How many years had it been since she was last dragged to this place?
Despite being in the midst of all this, its laughable how she was still feeling sleepy. And after sleeping, she would walk up soon enough.
Huuk.
Donna was dragged in as well, eyes and mouth closed shut. Tears were pooling around her eyes. That child was a huge coward. Isellas the same. However, even if she was scared at first, she would eventually smile. Thats the difference between a maid and the master.
Dont cry, Donna.
Im the one who wants to cry, so why are you crying. Im the one whos going to get hit.
Thats what Carynne wanted to say, but it seemed like thats not something Verdic would have wanted to hear.
Who told you that you can speak however you want?
Carynne pushed against the arms of the maids holding her.
Let go of me. Ill do it.
Im used to this already, you know. Please, I just dont want to scream. Please, I dont want to lose my composure. Please, dont faint.
Carynne walked closer to the frame, her back exposed. The cellars door was slammed shut.
In the end, it was impossible not to scream.
* * *
Ah, I think I can live a little now.
Verdic patted his throbbing shoulder and took off bloodstained clothes. A servant brought him new clothes.
Hows my shoulder? Its throbbing a little.
It is just muscle pain.
Really? Good. I rarely move my body these days, so I guess I cant do things like this without exerting myself anymore. Isnt that right, Reverend?
Dullan maneuvered Verdics shoulder once, but when Verdic didnt grunt, he just instructed the servant to change Verdics clothes.
When When do you think Isella is going to wake up?
I apologize.
Reverend.
Verdic wielded the horse whip in his hand.
Crackle!
The desk shook as though it was about to break. There was a scratch left on that wooden desk.
Dullan merely glanced down at that desk with an indifferent expression.
Im a father who has a daughter. I can get testy.
As time went by, Verdic grew more nervous. Isella still had not opened her eyes. Even though it looked like she was getting better, she still wouldnt wake up. Because of this, Verdic increasingly became infuriated with Dullan.
Verdics gratitude towards Dullan slowly waned, and all thats left were doubts that piled up. He wanted to give Dullan lashings as well.
These days.
From the bloody whip, Verdic glanced sideways towards Dullans face.
It seems like youre stuttering less?
I-Its a psychological affliction. As long as I dont feel nervous, Im fine.
I must have startled you just now then.
With his head bowed down, Dullan answered.
No, you didnt.
But you said thats the case just now.
Yes.
Carynne is immoderately insolent.
Thats right.
Dullan nodded and agreed with the other man.
How dare she even waste my money. I thought about exacting your revenge as well, Reverend Dullan. You might not know it very well, but such an impudent wench should be thoroughly destroyed.
But you went too far today.
Reverend?
Verdic clutched the handle of the whip tighter.
Im just guessing, but.
Dullans face was as pale as ever. Verdic stared at the priests face and asked.
You still dont have feelings for Carynne Evans, do you?
His doubts grew stronger as time went by.
Unlike Isella, who was in the helpless state of a coma, Carynne suffered at best with only nursing the other young woman. And every night, she would flirt with Isellas fianc, Raymond, whilst she socialized. Verdic had a very difficult time holding back his wrath.
He tried to give everything he could to Isella, and yet she was just lying there like a corpse. But then Carynne, who had made his daughter so jealous, was enjoying everything that Isella should have had for herself. Wealth, men, beauty. And now, the money of Isellas father, Verdic!
I already knew shes a mannerless wretch. Parents go crazy when their child acts like that.
The night before, Verdic almost went blind with anger when he found out that Carynne had gambled with Baron Ein. How dare she. And so, he whipped Carynne just to remind her of her place.
He hit her more than he had planned to.
While he was whipping her, he felt the sympathetic gazes of the maids around him. He could understand Carynnes maid looking like that, but even the maids he had employed for many years had watched the scene with some displeasure. It seemed as if those eyes were looking at a villain.
Verdic felt a huge wave of discomfort surging within him.
Merchants were very aware of profits and losses. Right now, Verdic was suspicious of even Dullan. He doubted whether it was truly a good thing that he let Carynne enter his household as his adoptive daughter.
And he also did not like the sympathetic gazes directed towards Carynne. If even the maids he had employed for a long time were feeling sorry for her while he whipped her, then what about Dullan, who was right in front of him now? What kind of emotions did he feel when he made that suggestion?
He wanted to ask.
He heard that Dullan and Carynne were distant relatives and that they knew each other from when they were younger. Then, compared to a betrayed man, wouldnt a blood relative be more susceptible to lingering feelings when faced with the distant cousin who had nowhere else to go?
Then if thats the case, then the illusion of letting Carynne Evans enjoy the benefits of the family name would have to be thoroughly destroyed. A parents anger should be properly resolved.
Do you think that I hit her too hard?
Then, Verdic stared intently into Dullans eyes just to see if even a flash of sympathy would appear.
However, Dullans eyes were too dark for him to tell. The priest responded with a rough voice.
Not at all.
Dullan reached forward and placed a hand on Verdic. It was a cold, yet comforting touch.
Even if she dies, I dont care.
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