Chapter 93
As expected, men should be powerful. I was told that a strong body is necessary not only to lead the country, but also to temper the mind.
Was that Barons Strieders opinion? It didnt seem like thats the only takeaway. Then again, Carynne just wanted to watch everyone else and had no intention of being involved any longer. So, she watched Prince Lewis try to calm William down as he insisted that, Physical strength is the nations power! We must promote this as a national movement!
Ah, then is it true that Carynne likes Sir Raymond for his strength?
No, I dont think so. Williams a boy, isnt he? Only a fellow woman will know what another woman thinks.
Lady Lianne countered the question as she waved one hand. If she had been five years older than she was now, her argument would have been more convincing.
Carynne could sense the amusement and nervousness of the adults in the sidelines.
Really? Then what do you think is the reason?
Isnt it obvious? Its his face.
Thats what Raymond said, too. In her mind, Carynne recalled Raymonds brazen smile.
Whenever I look at a woman, all I see is her face.
Come to think of it, was he serious when he said that? Carynne struggled to keep her expression neutral. Why did she even think that Raymond was the male lead? Because of his face? For some reason, she was half-convinced by this supposition, but at the same time, she didnt want to admit it.
Wow. What a brave theory, Lady Lianne.
Prince Lewis eyes grew wide as he looked at Lianne. And while looking at that brave expression on her face, Carynne sympathized a little with the girl. Prince Lewis gaze and all the attention of the male nobles were focused on Lady Lianne.
Lianne seemed to always put a lot of importance on peoples appearance. Maybe its because of Carynnes looks that Lianne tended to stick by her side?
What if it wasnt Sir Raymond who saved her, but his squire?
Of course, as the master of that squire Um, couldnt that be considered as something that falls under his authority?
B-But Lady Lianne You shouldnt judge people based on just their appearance.
Then Miss Soleia, do you not judge people by their looks?
Of course I dont. The most important thing is authority! Judging by someones face wont be enough. Miss Carynne must be in love with Sir Raymond because he has a higher social standing.
While clasping her hands together, Lady Soleia replied like so. She was looking up with such firm conviction in her eyes.
Countess Elva initially grew nervous when she heard her daughters answer, but the moment she heard Lady Soleias, she relaxed. Face was a better answer than that.
Prince Lewis asked grudgingly.
Then Soleia, do you like me because of my authority?
Yes!
And if I dont have any power?
Then I wont like you.
Lady Soleias answer brought upon silence to the immediate vicinity.
I like Your Highness because youre handsome.
Lady Lianne also replied with a very confident expression.
Uh Thanks?
For me, I like Your Highness because youre healthy and strong.
William also pitched in, equally confident. With one hand to his chest, he knelt before the prince as though he was taking an oath in front of him.
Im very thankful that you think so, William. Its a bit burdensome, so please stand up.
As he asked William to raise himself, Lewis turned to Carynne.
Then, would it be alright for you to consider these three answers first?
Oh, but theres still a lot of other people.
Carynne tried to put off her choice by pointing out the other young nobles who looked like they were itching to speak. However, Prince Lewis shook his head.
It will be time for our luncheon soon.
Alright
I dont quite like being hungry.
Thats very natural. It wouldnt be good for Your Royal Highness to become emaciated, that will be a cause for worry. We should move forward.
Um, yes. Thank you.
Roughly brushing aside Williams flattering remarks, Prince Lewis soon sat at the seat in front of Carynne and asked her.
Okay, then. Miss Soleias answer is authority, Lady Liannes answer is appearance, and Williams answer is a strong body. Whose answer is the closest to yours? If none of these match, then we can ask the others. After the luncheon, of course.
I
Carynne tapped her fingers as she mulled over her choices. Which answer would benefit her here? Truthfully, Carynne had been bored since a while back. Whatever it was that these children thought and whatever kind of arguments they could come up with, what did it matter? Wasnt this all just to kill time?
She was planning to say, It just happened, Im not really sure either. If shed give a serious answer here, it wouldnt do her any good.
I don
You cant say you dont know.
Somehow, he resembled Raymond. When Carynne looked into Prince Lewis eyes, this was what she thought.
The reason she liked Raymond? Carynne didnt know what to say to that. Did she even like Raymond? Supposing that this was the initial question, she wasnt even sure about her answer to that. All she was thinking was that this world was inside a novel.
And shes had this notion for one hundred years. She was bound to Raymond, thats how it was in the novel But did she actually even read that novel? No, dont. Dont think about it. Thinking about it deeply here would lead to a breakdown. What should she answer right now?
Is Is my answer important?
Carynne realized that her voice was quivering slightly. And Prince Lewis gaze deepened unexpectedly. His eyes were curved.
Im curious about what a woman whos about to be married considers lovable.
Hes just one soldier though. Carynne wracked her brain. She needed to think of an answer that anyone would consider good to hear. A good answer. As expected, personality?
For the sake of my future vassals, its not bad for me to be curious about this, no? I cant imagine marrying a woman who doesnt love me. Thats too heavy of a thought. I would like to hear it in more detail, of course, since it will help me in the future as I rule my country and
My country, huh, what a funny thing to hear.
A cold voice cut through the people there.
It was just one sentence. However, it was enough to change everyones expressions. The smile on Prince Lewis face hardened for a moment, but he smiled once again. This time, it was a smile that was full of courtesy and tension.
Isnt it too early for you to call it my country?
Step, step.
Carynne knew. She knew who that man was. But did he act in the same way before?
Carynne rose from her seat and immediately curtsied. All the nobles in the hall also rose and bowed down, taking a step back. The childrens gathering was now over. Theres no need for smiles and laughter now. Because that man did not like that kind of thing.
Father.
Its been a while, son.
Crown Prince Gueuze had arrived.
* * *
Youre not going to eat, sir?
No. I dont feel like eating.
Now seated inside a train, Raymond stared at the steak that Zion was cutting into. Only the surface was cooked slightly, and so blood dripped down from the meat. It made him feel sick for some reason.
Zion had personally cut into the dukes flesh to decapitate him, but it didnt seem to affect him in the slightest. After cutting his steak, Zion looked up at Raymond, and when he saw how his superiors expression wasnt so good, Zion openly said, How fussy.
Wow, for you to be so delicate now Youre acting like a 17-year-old girl.
Not only with his expression, but also his words, apparently. Raymond nodded readily and provided a pre-rehearsed answer.
Because Im in love these days. Isnt there a saying that you start resembling the other person when youre in love?
Thats a very funny joke, sir.
Thats a much more clipped reaction compared to Xenons. Xenon just looked at his master with an exceedingly suspicious look.
While recalling his loyal servant, Raymond answered.
Thats what Xenon said, too.
Ah, that reminds me, why did you leave him behind? There are few servants as fit as Xenon.
Because its dangerous.
Raymonds quick answer made Zion protest with an outcry, and he dramatically grabbed his chest with one hand.
How about me, wont I be faced with danger as well?
Why are you asking such an obvious thing?
Wow.
Havent you already prepared to die when you swore before His Majesty? Xenon isnt on the same line of work as us. Hes just my servant. Theres no need for him to suffer, so
Raymond trailed off. Hes alive. Thats an overwhelming outcome, too. But still, he was alive. Raymond survived not at all because of the new weapon he was asked to carry.
I have to finish my report. Wheres the inkwell?
I havent even started eating yet.
He was about to retire now, but was he being too lenient? Raymond thought about it for a moment as he watched the back of Zions head. Still, he decided to let it go. Zion just tended to act like this in front of everyone. He was good at his job and he didnt mind doing the dirty work. Outside his role as a soldier, however, he wasnt very sociable.
When he was first assigned to work under Raymond, didnt he even try to blow smoke into his face? But even when he got hit until his ribs got fractured, Zions attitude remained the same. Maybe thats something good about him. Hed be the same until hed die. Raymond just sighed and got up to find the inkwell himself.
Why dont you have even just the vegetables, sir? Theres a long way to go until we return.
Ill eat on my own later, so just leave me be Found it.
Raymond opened the inkwell, dipped his pens nib in it and started writing his report. The new gun was not likely to be very useful. Raymond survived not because of the weapons performance, but purely due to his own dexterity, agility and physique.
During that infiltration, Raymond killed more people with his bare hands or with a dagger compared to the gun. The gun would give the advantage of stealth because of its silencer, but it was unnecessarily bulky and heavy, and loading it took too much time.
While meticulously writing the weapons pros and cons, Raymond felt a little sentimental. He thought that his bones would be buried with the military. He also thought that it was only a matter of time until that would happen.
However, his sentimental mood did not last long.
Rattle.
Damn it.
The train shook. The inkwell dropped to the floor as the compartment rattled. The ink was spreading out of control. Now, the floor became dirtied with the black ink as the inkwell rolled around. Far from being emotional now, Raymond groaned.
S-Sir Raymond.
Theres no maid, I know. Ill clean it up.
N-No.
Zion tried to call Raymonds attention. While setting aside the report he had been writing until now, Raymond turned his head. Zions going to nag at him.
However, thats not important right now. Did Zion spill the ink? For a moment, this was all Raymond thought about. He couldnt comprehend why Zions face was covered with black liquid.
Zion?
Cough.
As Zion covered the lower half of his face with his hands, his nose and mouth spewed black blood, which then started spilling through the gaps between his fingers.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel