Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Father, this world Even when you heard that its a novel, did you not care?

When youre in pain, of course Im also sad.

No. Im not talking about that. Father, its not that.

His daughter. His wife. Its not about that. Not about other people. Not any minor, insignificant thing. What theyre talking about here was closer and more relevant to him.

What opinion do you have of yourself? Carynne was curious about that. She agonized over it. There was a world she could go back to. It was a faint memory now, but she could remember a family other than this one, a kinder world, more fascinating food, a comparatively exotic culture, distinct animals, different dreams. That world.

Carynne fumbled through the dim images.

A true life. A true world.

If she really could go back, if all this was a momentary dream

She opened her lips, then closed them once more.

In the end, she was still stuck with the same anguish that she was trapped in when she was a ten-year-old child. If nothing has changed, then its better not to think further.

True love you say.

How bizarre it was for her to say it with her own mouth.

During my whole life For all those one hundred years If I tell you that I lived with only doubts and fear within me that entire time, what would you say?

About her own existence, about everything in the world, about what she felt as she wandered aimlessly as though drifting in the air. About how there was no one like her anywhere, no evidence that her existence was the way that it was, no conviction that stayed as it faded away. What would he say about all this? What would he say about the days of torture she experienced, those days where only pain existed?

Then, the fief lord answered with pity.

My dear daughter. You have lived your life in futility.

At that moment, Carynne made up her mind.

You seem to believe Mother.

Of course. I believe you just as I believed her.

And yet he left her all alone for one entire century. Carynne wanted to tear that portrait to pieces and vent her anger. Love? A vehement sense of jealousy surged from within her. She was jealous of her dead mother.

Im glad youre dead, Mother. Did you go back to your original world? Did you leave this place to return to your real family? Ah, I wish I could die soon, too.

Carynne was so eaten up by jealousy that her fingers started trembling. She didnt know what to do with them, so she clasped her hands together.

Im a lot older than you. But right now it seems I have, to find my own love in earnest.

Her voice trembled awkwardly. But the fief lord paid no mind to this.

Who is it? Your male lead.

Carynne hesitated for a moment before she answered.

Its Sir Raymond.

Mm, I knew it. Thats plausible. Hm Then Verdic must have been quite upset. Thats good.

Flowers were merely in season, and in the same way, there was no way to stop a mans eyes from wandering elsewhere for a little while. Even as Verdic occasionally indulged in other women and even as Isellas mother smiled at another man, in the end, they both would go back to the same bed and discuss their familys affairs together.

The most important aspect of a marriage was the fact that its a contract.

Ive spent my whole life in the knight order.

My, oh my. Arent you still young though? Youve got a bride to marry, but what are you talking about?

Isella nervously scoffed and then giggled. She wished that she wouldnt be swayed by Raymond anymore. It was so miserable to crave for a mans affection when that man did not care about her at all. This was her ideal: while she was providing for and supporting Raymond completely, she would keep him on a leash so she could watch him flatter and compliment her.

Im suddenly leaving the place Id always been in, so its a bit worrying. And its also a little awkward for me. I thought it was something Ill be doing for the rest of my life.

With a grin, Raymond shrugged.

Father and I will support you in anything, so theres nothing for you to worry about.

Isella held Raymonds hand. He then looked down at Isellas hand and nodded, then he said, Is that so.

Just as he did until now, her father would continue to be there to help her. She had no doubt that she could buy Raymond anything that he wanted. Even after hes already her husband. And, again, Isella wished that there would be no uncertainty with her fianc any longer.

Lord Raymond, if Countess Elva will attend, will you still feel the same way about our marriage?

Of course, Miss Isella.

Are you happy as well?

Narrowing her eyes, she stared at the handsome, golden man. He answered back with a picturesque smile on his lips.

Yes. It is a joyous occasion.

His positive answer came out with not a hint of hesitation, yet it sounded rather false. Even so, this was not anymore important. What mattered here was that hes no longer in a position to show any displeasure.

From the bottom of her heart, Isella thought that it was of no consequence to her. As long as he would look at Isella and smile at her, as long as they would enter the hall together, as long as they were in the same bed, side by side.

Fufu.

Do smile, my knight. My overpriced groom.

However, Isella wouldnt let Raymond live freely like her father did. She did not wish to live like her mother. If it was that kind of relationship, then all that was slated for her was to adjust accordingly, have a child together to fulfill the contract, then go in search of lust and affection elsewhereseparately.

No matter how handsome and no matter how high the quality of his bloodline was, he was nothing but a stallion that was eventually sold. And his owner was none other than the Evans family.

Even if he was of noble descent, he was not next in line for his households peerage, and it wasnt like the eldest son would share his inherited fortune with his increasingly famous younger brother.

After the ceremony three days later, in the end, Raymond would have to come back to the Evans household and share laughter together. Even if his smiles did not come from his heart, at the very least, he would not be allowed to do as he pleased.

Lord Raymond. I hear that youve done numerous merits on the battlefield.

Yes.

Im curious about just how many youve taken down.

If Carynne held the reins through her beauty, then Isella would hold the reins through her wealth. At most, the daughter of this small domains fief lord would just continue to live here and marry her stuttering fianc. Thatd be all that there was to her insignificant little life.

You came back all in one piece, fortunately. And thats enough.