Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Carynnes breathing stopped. Its not a number that should be associated with human life. Her own lifespan was just one year. If Raymond would live another seventy years after her, he would have had to live those seven decades 105 times over.

That was more than seven millennia.

Should he still be able to move and talk? Could a human being be able to endure that kind of life?

Seven millennia was just short of an eternity.

Carynne was frightened. Selfishly, rather than fearing the time that Raymond had endured, she feared the possibility that she herself might have to live through that period of time.

Not to that extent.

Haa. Thats a relief.

Carynne let out a relieved sigh. She dreaded that great deal of years. Seven thousand years was too long.

Much too long.

But it was long enough.

Raymond kissed Carynne on the forehead.

As though he, too, felt a great amount of relief.

* * *

After Carynne Evans had died on death row, Raymond had thereafter been summoned by Marquis Penceir, who was about to be crowned king. The soldier thought that the incoming monarch would be livid with him, or that hed be faced with a cold expression due to his bold defiance, told to die right then and there.

Im assigning you your next mission. I wont accept any objections.

Of course, Marquis Penceir.

Theres not much time left before the coronation.

Congratulations.

Raymond answered calmly. While handing over the briefing documents to Raymond, Marquis Penceir asked.

Are you alright?

The implication of his question was clear. Raymond nodded.

Yes.

About the funeral. What should be done?

A death-row convict cannot be granted a funeral.

As Raymond answered, he carefully leafed through the documents detailing the targets that Marquis Penceir had tasked him to kill.

Shouldnt you rest first?

No, sir.

As a matter of fact, he could not possibly be alright. However, the marquis wasnt truly sincere in his generosity, just that he was intoxicated by the role of a generous man. He didnt think that Raymond should rest.

Right, since its like this, it would be better that you go straight to work. I think so as well.

As the marquis said that, they both knew that his job was more than just killing people firsthand. But Raymond just bowed his head.

Im going to be fine.

I had known her for only a few months.

Raymond replied repeatedly.

Im fine.

His own circumstances were not perfect. His seat on the parliament had been completely revoked, and Verdic was still on a roll.

Laughably enough, Verdic was the only one who had lost nothing. Rather, he even gained more for himself.

Soon after Carynne had fallen from the tower and died, Verdic approached Raymond, who was then the target of several soldiers guns.

In the mirror, his eyes met with the gaze of a woman.

You will forget me, Sir Raymond.

I wish I could, Carynne.

Carynne is dead.

The girl he loved died. Even now, he wasnt completely sure whether he truly loved her. The time he spent with her was just so short.

Youre fine.

Its just trauma.

The grief brought upon by losing your beloved and letting her go is only just catching up to you.

This was how people consoled him.

However, Raymond knew that it couldnt be. After having lost his family, his friends, his comrades, he was already well accustomed to grief and tragedy.

Regardless of any kind of grief, he found it in himself the ability to stand back up again. Thats how accustomed he was to misery.

Look at that. I told you so, didnt I? Youll forget.

I dont know about that.

Was it even possible?

The most terrible thing that happened to him was not Carynnes death.

It was what happened afterwards.

Carynne.

After she had passed away, unforgettable memories continued to come in droves upon his mind.

Improbable memories.

Carynne died.

Carynne, dead.

Carynne, hanged. Poisoned. Trampled on by horses. Strangled by men. Pushed down to the ground.

Those cascading, never-ending memories began to weigh heavily on Raymond.

This was the beginning of the curse.

* * *

Once upon a time, during a quaint day when shining lights sparkled and the pleasant sweetness of desserts filled the air, Carynne looked up at Raymond. Tension was visible in those wide purple eyes.

Raymond waited to hear what she would say.

Sir Raymond, I know this will sound strange, but I dont think Im from this world. I feel like this world is inside a novel. No, to tell you the truth I think we really are in a novel.

It was an interesting story, yet nonetheless childish.

Youre the male lead, and Im the female lead. If the two of us fall in love, there will be a happy ending.

In that tale of hers, there was no input on the worlds societal structure, no consideration on how the lives of countless other people went on. However, as she spoke of that tale, he could feel the shyness in her confession.

That alone was enough.

Raymond took Carynnes hand.

And I love you, so we must be having our happily ever after now.

Then, he suddenly thought. Does Carynne love me? But, no matter. It was of no great concern to him. They had a lot of time ahead of thema lot of time to foster their love.

Raymond brushed it aside, thinking that Carynne might just be having wedding jitters.

Yet, the very next day

Carynne died.