Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Yeah, she knew this would happen.

Raymond grabbed Carynnes arm. It seemed as if he had rushed to get here. He was panting a little. With a flushed face, he spoke in a whisper.

Stop.

Okay.

Carynne nodded slowly. Actually, she wasnt planning to do this. She could have killed Isella here and that would be fine. If she couldnt kill her, then thats also fine. If she was really planning to kill Isella, she would have run straight to the bed and immediately cut down the other girls throat. Thats what it looked like right now. However, Raymond wasnt aware of this. Her wrist started to hurt. Carynne spoke again.

Youre already holding my hand and stopping me from doing anything.

So please let me go. I understand. This is something I cant do.

She already knew that she couldnt do it.

Im telling the truth, so let me go.Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

Carynne realized that her face was stained with tears. Raymond was just staring at her. Then, he took the scissors from Carynne with his other hand.

He led Carynne to a chair and made her sit, then he cuffed her hands together.

You dont have to do this, she said.

Do you think Ill believe you right now?

I dont think I can even believe my own thoughts.

Carynne burst into tears, into laughter.

After Raymond had bound Carynnes hands, he then began to change Isellas bed sheets. He moved deftly, very unlike a noble man.

As Carynne watched him change Isellas sheets and IV line, she asked him.

Have you confirmed it?

He should know what she was talking about. Raymond replied.

Yes. There was a corpse in the area you told me about.

And as soon as Carynne heard this, she couldnt help but let out a peal of laughter even as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Good. What a relief.

She could be certain now.

She was repeating the same past.

Even if Nancy had muddled her memories, this fact couldnt be denied.

I see.

Carynne was overjoyed. She could finally be sure. It was so difficult to live with doubts that constantly lived inside her mind. She let out a relieved smile.

Sir Raymond. I have a confession.

You know, I. I believe that this world is a world within a novel.

Mm.

Raymonds expression changed subtly. Was that a smile? But the situation was too dire for him to have interpreted that as a joke. Carynne cried and laughed.

Ah, I shouldnt look crazy.

Fortunately, Raymond didnt say anything. And he just stared at Carynne. So she continued.

Its not a figure of speech or a metaphor. I know how it sounds. But to me, this is the truth.

I need help. Half of my daysmy nightswere entirely Raymonds. I cant spend my time just working like this.

Until now, Ive constantly dreamt about death. No, to be honest theyre not dreams. Until now, I have died over and over again, one hundred times. After the novels plot is finished, I keep going back to the start.

Carynne, slow down.

You have to believe me. I supposedly came to this place for the first time in my life, but tell me, how is it possible that Im taking care of Isella better than a professional nurse? Tell me, how do I know whats going to happen in the future? If this isnt enough proof, if you still dont believe me, then I can show you more.

Even if we have to meet for the first time again, Im certain that I will love you. You dont have to be scared. I will protect you.

But he couldnt even remember.

Its alright. Everythings alright now. I believe you.

How about this time?

Carynne leaned back on the chair she was sitting on. She could still feel the blood dripping. She lifted her bound hands and clutched her clothes tightly with her fingers. Her wounds were so bad that her dress had come loose because she couldnt wear it tightly.

With her back exposed, Carynne said to Raymond.

Ive been killed by Mister Verdic one hundred times so far.

Murder. And he probably knew.

This time, perhaps it would be difficult for you to love me.

Please help me.

If thats the case, then shouldnt she at least appeal to his sympathy?

* * *

Earlier, when the corpse was found

Raymond left it to Xenon to mark the spot on the map where they found the corpse, then he urgently rushed back to Evans mansion. As he ran, the revolver in his pocket made little noise. His objective was certain.

Click, click, click.

He loaded it with bullets and rolled the barrel. Then, he pointed it at his temple. The cold metal of the gun cleared his mind.

If I pull the trigger like this, I will die. Dont think.

When Raymond had been called to war as a sniper, he was rather comfortable with it. He didnt have to take responsibility for anyone else out there.

But as a noble, he must think. He wouldnt be able to survive without thinking. Raymonds plan until now was not bad.

But was it really?

Hiiik!

!

Lo Lord Raymond?

It was a servant of the Verdic family. Raymond took off the gun. As though he had been caught pleasuring himself, he felt a wave of shame wash through him.

What on earth

But the servants words were cut short by a question.

Wheres Carynne?

Then, the servants eyes wavered.

She She

Had she been arrested for being complicit with murder? How far was she connected with this case? Or was it the other way aroundsomeone else was helping her kill?

One particular theory flashed through his mind, the one that he was deeply suspicious of.

That Carynne was conspiring together with Verdic from the very start.

Then everything would make sense. If this truly was the case.

Speak.

However, the answer that came back to him wasnt what he had been expecting.

Trembling, the servant replied.

She went to work at Lady Isellas room.

So she didnt run away after murdering someone.

Was he overthinking it?

Raymond turned his head and looked at the room once more. She went to work. But this room was left in too much chaos for her to have gone out to do such a mundane thing.

Whose blood is this.

U-Um.

M-Master Verdic punished her.

Punished?

Because the Lady had gambled

This blood was Carynnes. But why was this servant so anxious that it seemed as if she didnt know what to do?

Whats your connection to this.

I-I have no power. I am merely a servant, sir. O-Of course, I thought that the Master had been too harsh, but

Raymond was perhaps disappointed to figure out why the servant was trembling so badly. Shes thinking that he was angry about the fact that Carynne had gotten hurt.

That was the natural conclusion. He and Carynne had been acting intimately these days. They spent time together, they laughed, and even talked at dinner every night in front of Verdic. Its no wonder that this was what the servant thought.

Huu.

Feeling that his nerves were a little less taut, Raymond went up to Isellas room. He silenced the sound of his footsteps.

He heard Carynnes muttering voice inside the room.

If you die

Raymond opened the door. Carynne was holding a pair of scissors.

At that moment, without thinking, Raymond moved. By the time he came to his senses, he was already holding Carynnes wrist.

Carynne wasnt surprised by his sudden appearance. She just stared at him, then she asked.

Do you love Miss Isella?

At a time like this, was she joking? This woman must truly be crazy.

Raymond bound Carynnes hands. Then, he looked at Isella. IV fluids and blood wetted the floor of the room.

He hurriedly rolled up the sheets and examined Isellas body. But there was not one wound on her body. The blood was coming from Carynne. The maid said that it was Carynne who got hurt.

All Carynne did was cut Isellas IV tube. What he could see from her was a face full of tears, then her back. It was filled with manifestations of malice. He had seen a lot of these wounds before. This was by no means just a product of discipline. She had been hit with the full strength of an adult man.

Shit, what exactly happened that it came to this? Has Verdic gone mad? Did he detest gambling that much? Raymond was beside himself with angertowards both Verdic and himself. Was he not just thinking of pointing a gun at her just now?

The two of us I think we need to talk.

It was more like he was talking to himself now, and he felt depressed. What was running through him right now was, certainly, sympathy.

And he sat down and looked at Carynne. Then she told him something unbelievable.