Chapter 209***https://www.patreon.com/subliminalwayfarer

Chapter 209***https://www.patreon.com/subliminalwayfarer

Upon opening the window, the chilly early spring breeze brushed against the tip of her nose. Until just a few days ago, not a single plant had sprouted, but now, a hint of green was beginning to show at the tips of the branches. As Carynne gazed at this, Nancy approached and started a conversation.

“Miss, do you really think you can stop the business once you get there?”

“No, it seems difficult. What kind of money and power do I have right now?”

Carynne answered Nancy with complete honesty. There was no need to put on airs in front of Nancy. It would take months before Carynne could have any significant power.

Nancy seemed somewhat incredulous at her response.

“Then, really, why are you going? What benefit is there in going to meet those people?”

“Do people only move when there’s something in it for them?”

“Didn’t you say you were tired of staying at the mansion? It would have been better to just travel to a relative’s house. That would have made His Lordship more readily agree.”

“That won’t do. I’m going to meet Verdic Evans and Isella Evans.”

This was not a simple trip. Going to the Evans’ mansion was not out of mere curiosity. If it were for curiosity, a new place would be more attractive. But Carynne’s journey to the Evans’ mansion was to meet those people.

“I keep telling you already. I’ve already lived this life before, so try and think about it again with that in mind.”

“Um... I’m getting more confused. If you’re not going for some benefit, then... Ah, is your lover there? That man you mentioned, uh, Sir Raymond?”

“Yes. Probably.”

Carynne nodded. Raymond was likely to be around there now. In the last iteration, Raymond dealt with Isella right away—but it wasn’t right after the loop restarted.

During this time, Raymond would be on the battlefield. Therefore, Carynne had to meet Isella before Raymond could.

“I’m going there partly to meet him, but that’s not the main reason. I’m going to meet Isella.”

“Isella Evans, not Mister Verdic Evans? Aren’t you going to meet him to stop the business? At least to plead with him to stop the business...”

“That’s just a superficial reason, honestly. The business is... not my main concern.”

“...That’s shocking. Miss, aren’t you going to help your father?”

“It would be good if the business could be stopped as well. But that’s not the biggest reason. I just needed a plausible excuse to tell my father. If I don’t go, Sir Raymond will kill Isella Evans, so I’m trying to prevent that.”

Carynne smiled at Nancy.

Nancy looked at Carynne for a long while without saying a word, her face utterly bewildered.

“To be quite honest, I really don’t understand. If Sir Raymond is going to kill her, why are you stopping it? At least regarding the Evans’ business at the fief, wouldn’t it be better if she died? If his daughter suddenly dies, Mister Verdic would have a hard time focusing on his business, wouldn’t he?”

“Sometimes I think you jump to quite cruel thoughts, kiddo.”

“...Is that something you should say, Miss?”

Perhaps this time, the proposition of becoming friends with Isella was worth trying.

Until now, they had grabbed each other by the hair, covered each other’s heads with trash, and testified falsely in court. Several people were involved between them. There was Verdic, and there was Raymond.

Because of Raymond, Isella was jealous of Carynne, and Verdic killed Carynne because of Isella, and again, Raymond killed Isella because of Verdic.

But what if Carynne and Isella became friends?

Until now, becoming friends with Isella seemed nearly impossible. Isella was only satisfied when Carynne completely ignored Raymond and submissively entered into servitude as her maid. They were never truly friends.

Love thy enemy.

It was a remarkably new endeavor.

Carynne decided to try it in this life.

* * *

Verdic Evans sipped his coffee and closed his eyes.

He enjoyed this rich and bitter taste. Tea was the trend in the capital nowadays. Verdic also had been involved in the tea business until now, but he was keen on introducing a new beverage. Above all, he personally preferred coffee over tea.

The coffee’s unique heaviness overwhelmed his tongue and throat. Verdic looked at his wife and daughter with satisfaction.

“What do you think, Dear? And you, Isella?”

However, Verdic’s wife, Selena, looked unimpressed.

“I don’t like it much. It’s too bitter. How about adding some sugar and milk?”

“What do you know to say that?”

“Not everyone is like you.”

“Ordinary people can enjoy this drink as well. And sugar and milk? I think people in this country lack dignity for adding milk to their tea.”

“You’re one of the people of this country now too. There’s still unpleasant things being said about the Evans family precisely because of that attitude.”

Verdic turned his head away from his wife to ask Isella.

“I can’t trust your mother’s opinion. What do you think, Isella?”

Isella was startled.

“P-Pardon?”

Her mother quietly urged her from the side.

“Isella, it’s okay to speak honestly. It’s ridiculous to distribute this as is. And who would drink such dark water? It lacks dignity even in color, doesn’t it?”

Both Verdic and Selena looked down at Isella, their faces saying, ‘Agree with me, quickly.’ Isella, holding the coffee cup, swallowed hard.

/subliminalwayfare