Chapter 84
Look at that, buying portraits turned out to be more helpful. And its more fun to look at pretty faces.
While ignoring Raymonds silent protest at the expenditure, the portraits that Carynne bought were good to have in terms of finding out more about her ancestry.
Raymond nodded as well. Small wars had been waged too frequently throughout the continent, so records inevitably disappeared from time to time.
Carynne managed to enter the grand library with Raymonds help, but there were too few records that were worth looking at. After the women had gone abroad or after getting married, all records of them disappeared, and if they had married a commoner, their name would be completely erased. The most useful record they found was of Grand Duchess Carla, who was Carynnes great-great-grandmother on her mothers side.
My mother, my mothers mother, and everyone before. Theyre all pretty, arent they?
Carynnes mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. They were all redheaded women who had beauty enough to make peoples heads turn. And its easy to find portraits of such beautiful womena lot of artists had left many portraits of them behind. But, in the end, thats all.
Still though, Im the prettiest.
Thats a lot of confidence you have there. Anyway, thats enough. Lets go.
Raymond replied sourly. He shoved the list aside and piled up all the books that Carynne had handed him. She was going to borrow these books because she couldnt read them all here.
Her eyes caught sight of his face in her periphery, and so she expressed her admiration.
Sir Raymond, youre handsome, too.
Thank you.
A beautiful young man and woman are meant to share love between them, dont you think?
Ignoring Carynnes words, Raymond remained silent and walked far ahead.
What a long way to go ahead of her. Carynne sighed deeply as she followed after him.
* * *
With trembling hands, Baron Ein lit his pipe. His wife took their child and left for her parents house, leaving a letter behind that said the divorce papers would be mailed to him at a later date. And there was not a single maid left to cling to him and moan under him.
Ein vented his anger at the men who took even the most insignificant of his possessions.
Shit, why are you taking even the portraits!
Youre required to sell everything thats even the least bit valuable, Baron Ein.
The attorney bowed his head and answered politely. Even so, there was a smirk on his lips as he kept his head down.
This situation was so fun to watch. Baron Ein had become the laughingstock of high society. Even though he lost his fortune in one fell swoop, no one was sympathizing with him. His fall to ruin left him with no honor and no importance.
Ein knew well enough just how ludicrous his situation looked to others, but he could only huff on his pipe.
Is death the answer.
It was baffling no matter how he thought of it. Carynne had not hesitated for even a momentshe didnt even look at the cards. He thought that she might have been cheating while waiting for a signal from someone else, but that wasnt even the case.
Fuck.
Should he kill himself to preserve his honor? With his pipe between his lips, Ein had no choice but to watch it all unfold, dumbfounded. As he watched all these people dragging out all the belongings that could be soldeven his houndsempty laughter burst through his throat.
Actually, this isnt the first time.
His grandfather had once played this kind of card game. Ein remembered the story of how the Baron Ein of two generations ago had been so utterly defeated by Grand Duchess Carla with three cards. Catherine had also once played a card game with him back in the day. Ever since she had met eyes with Hare, she never looked back at Ein anymore.
Ein gnashed his molars. Fucking wenches.
Ah, shit.
Ein leaned his head against the door frame and spat out curses. They even took his desk. Later, Ein had to write a letter against a wall in that empty room. While writing, he mumbled to himself about how he wanted everyone dead.
* * *
I love you. I love you. Truly, I do.
However, that confession was empty. It did not reach the other person. His feelings were worth nothing to her. That woman, whose eyes were shining as she looked at him not too long ago, had such a disgusted look in her eyes as she faced him. There was no reason for her to have changed like that.
She wouldnt open the door even if he would knock.
She wouldnt reply even if he sent letters.
Anger turned into tears, and after that, only emptiness was left.
The fires of passion died down, the embers of anger became insignificant.
Only filthy hatred remained.
Still, Crown Prince Gueuze could remember his own passion.
* * *
Thank you.
Raymond held out a flower to Carynne. The light blue hydrangeas looked charming. Carynne stared at the hydrangeas, the petals of which still holding dew. Recently, shes been hearing his confession almost every day.
Raymond asked cautiously.
Do you feel anything different?
The exchange of love and thanks was like a joke and a punchline, but neither of the two people involved found humor in this. Raymond confessed to her as promised. And yet, nothing changed. Was it meaningless if its tied to obligation?
Doesnt seem like it. Who did you buy this from?
The flowers were beautiful, but they didnt look very valuable. The light blue-violet hydrangeas were suitable only for a days decoration. Carynne liked red roses the most, but still, these flowers had their own elegant charm.
Still, dew wasnt good for books. Carynne pointed to the old books and research materials surrounding her, then handed the flowers back to Raymond. There wasnt a maid next to her to receive the gift for her, so the situation was quite funny, though it couldnt be helped.
Realizing that he made a blunder, Raymond laughed awkwardly.
I bought these from an old neighborhood across the cathedral, from a girl named Cecil. The flowers were blooming, and they looked high quality.
You went there early this morning?
Sure, its possible to go to the capitals cathedral, but it wasn't necessarily worth going that far when its not a church day. However, Raymond was the type of person whod catch a cold if he didnt actively move his body. Hes been like this even before he got engaged to Carynne, so he went to this place and that at every opportunity he found.
He did his best to be thoughtful as he often brought back gifts for her, but since he didnt know what exactly Carynne needed, he rather brought back flowers every day, which the maids would receive instead.
Moderate exercise helps you enjoy a healthy life.
She already knew whats going to come next. Hed ask her to go out together with him, but then Carynne was too lazy to move at all.
Thank you for the moderate advice. But I dont want to hear more.
Sighing, Raymond took the bouquet that Carynne had handed back. He opened the window and placed the flowers by the windowsill. By then, Carynne became aware of how she hadnt slept in bed and instead sat up all night.
Anyway, good morning, Carynne. Did you find anything throughout the night?
Nothing right now. And I dont have much time Please cancel all of my upcoming appointments.
When she saw that he was about to hand over some invitations, she shook her head. So many invitations came in, yet there wasnt enough time.
Everyone wanted to meet Catherines daughter, who was also Evans adopted daughter, and at the same time Raymonds fiancewho made Baron Ein miserable. Compared to when she had to bend to Verdics whims, its different now. Even if Raymond went alone to those social gatherings, his presence alone was enough.
Lets get up and eat first, shall we? And also wash your face. Its not proper for a lady to constantly worry her loyal maid.
While Carynne was buried in the middle of a mountain of books, Raymond picked her up and pulled her out from the pile. Then, he dusted her off. It looked like he was taking care of a naughty kid who had played too much, and this made Carynne feel a bit displeased.
Sir Raymond.
Yes.
What is love?
Its giving the other person the best things that you can provide without feeling that its a waste. Its enough just to see the other person smiling.
You dont actually believe me, do you?
Raymond looked up at Raymonds vivid green eyes, which looked a bit taken aback.
He didnt reply right away and instead continued to tidy up Carynnes clothes. Then, he handed over the bundle of letters that he brought.
Im trying.
Ah, so in the end, he really didnt believe her. In response, Carynne gave him a sullen look. Even if she thought about it, it didnt seem believable to her either.
Its the truth, you knowwhat I said about how we unexpectedly became lovers in our past lives, how this world is inside a novel, how I relive this same life over and over
And, how she was a murderer.
Carynne held her tongue on that last part. That one was taboo. A different kind of absurd taboo. No matter how much suspicion was being held against her, she shouldnt say it out loud. It was a promise and a courtesy. The final line of defense.
Sweeping her hair to the side, Carynne changed her words. The days were blurring past. She needed to do what she could.
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