Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Carynne wanted to tell the people who undermined Dullan this: Even though that guys like that, hes somehow good enough at night. The size is fine, and his endurance, well The motion of the ocean isnt there, but his priests robes are quite arousing, I guess?

If she was actually going to say this, she wondered how they would react. But she had to endure the urge. She wanted to stir the pot, but she had to endure.

This impulse was akin to wanting to touch a wasps nest. Even though she knew it was dangerous, Carynne felt the undeniable urge to talk.

Dullan is

W-Wouldnt it be better to lather this on top?

AH! Lord Dullan?

Tadadak.

There was a small commotion. Cant he at least be a gentleman. Taken aback by Dullans sudden visit, Donna almost fell over while Helen hid her surprise by keeping her expression blank. The masseuse, on the other hand, quickly covered Carynne with a cloth and stepped back.

Carynne was somehow a little relieved. Before impulse overtook to open her lips, the uninvited guest came in and cut off her stray thoughts. If he hadnt come in, would she have said it? If she had, what would have happened?

Why are you here?

Your i-injury

I was already treated.

Y-You cant apply oil or water on it.

Did you come here only to say that?

No, the conflict of emotions here was as per usual. However this time, Dullan seemed to want Carynne to be more obsessed with him, so he should be moderately coaxed, else hed become twisted.

Im not blaming you. Im really just asking.

Im here to check if its infected to a degree.

At least whenever he talked about work, he stuttered less. As Carynnes negligee was swept aside, her injury was disinfected with a soaked cotton ball. When the scent of alcohol mixed with the rose fragrance, Carynne had the intense desire to drink.

Can I drink some whiskey tonight?

Crazy.

She knew that the best liquor would be brought out today. With this thought, Carynne felt despondent. The whiskey she had in mind had been brewed over sixty years ago and was made in the Hare territory. There were only about seventy bottles of it.

Could she enjoy its taste this time? Damn Hans, Ill lop off your head and drown it in alcohol.

Even a glass of ros wine should be fine, right?

Not even beer diluted by water.

Damn.

He was being unnecessarily careful. Carynne clicked her tongue, deciding to sneak some and drink it secretly at night.

Then can you leave now?

W-What.

Hm? Im in the middle of a massage.

This This is an expensive scented oil You dont care about your inner character at all, youre just concerned with other things.

There are many important guests. Its only manners.

T-To this extent If its just me visiting, you d-dont do this. Your hair

Dullan didnt seem to like seeing Carynne like this. What he said was true, though it wasnt for the purpose that he was thinking. Even so, Carynne felt that it was a bit absurd for Dullan to be acting this way.

He was being particularly more annoying in this life. Was it a mistake that she slept with him?

Sir Raymond Saytes hails from a barony, and he is close to Verdic Evans. Above all, hes the man who saved me. Wouldnt it be natural to try to look good?

To this extent Y-Youve never done that. You already

With twitching lips, he continued to criticize Carynne.

Your morals

Hey, you ah.

While its like this, perhaps he was trying to grab her by the ankle? Carynne glared at Dullan.

She shes nngh shes prettier than me.

And what of it?

What do I do if Sir Raymond falls in love with that girl?

If you put it that way, then Sir Raymond would have set up a harem of women by now. Ah, and men, too.

Father!

Do you remember when you got engaged?

When I was five.

Do you think a child at that age could talk about serious feelings?

What do you mean?

Im telling you to stop thinking that life is a fairytale. With me and your mother, too, I only met her once before we got married. Catherine Hare was also engaged to Dullan Roid at that age. So did you, so did Sir Raymond, and me and Lord Hare. Marrying for love is what idlers on the streets sing about. For people like us, love comes after marriage.

I fell in love with Sir Raymond at first sight!

You also fell in love at first sight with the blue diamond necklace you received during your last birthday.

Father.

Be reasonable. Youre being too emotional right now. Its difficult to imagine that he would suddenly break off his engagement with you and marry someone elses fiance.

But Father. Her father thought that everyone else would also move according to their self-interest and by the course of rationality. But was that the case? Was that true?

Would Raymond marry her according to his best interests and sire children with her because it was an obligation? Would she need to marry him to present their child to her father, a grandson of his that would have the last name of a noble?

The blue dress is the best one.

Milady, please raise your arms.

Isella was speechless. She had an obligation. As she was born with the name of Evans, she must carry her duties and must repay her father for feeding her, giving her a place to sleep in, and providing the clothes on her back. Isella wore the blue dress that she disliked the most.

Do you still have nightmares?

Sometimes.

What kind of nightmares do you have?

Isella felt the stream of light coming in from the window.

A nightmare with a dead body.

Why, is it a dream with your mother or even me dying? You know that people are bound to pass on

No, thats not it.

Then tell me.

She had to keep talking. While her father was still listening.

Here, the Hare households maid. Its a nightmare where I keep seeing that black maids dead body.

Was there a maid like that here?

She went on a vacation during the second day we arrived. Her corpse keeps appearing in my dreams.

Then whats worrying you? Wouldnt that ridiculous nightmare end the moment that maid is called and you see her in front of you alive? Dont tell me youre a prophet.

No, Im not

She gulped.

Shes been on vacation since that day.

As he was frowning while looking over his daughters outfit, Verdic raised his head for the first time and expressed his wonder.

What? Its been a while since we came here

Father. I havent seen her since Ive started having these nightmares.

Why did the black maid disappear after that? If seeing that dead body was a mere hallucination, shouldnt the maid have shown herself the next day? Isella couldnt stop trembling.

That night, the scene she saw in that room came to mind. The face of the maid who had her head separated from her body. It was too clear of an image.

It was so terrifying.