Chapter 229

Chapter 229

He gave off a different atmosphere compared to Raymond. He had a more slender and youthful charm. And certainly, his favorable attitude towards Isella earned him significant points compared to Raymond.

“Why were you late?”

“There was something I needed to handle in the army.”

“Oh dear, you must have had a tough time.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Technically speaking, he wasn’t lying—the army was the army. Zion recalled Raymond’s not-so-much-a-request. The frustration of why he had to do such things crossed his mind, but what could he do? Orders were orders. Even if Raymond wasn’t his direct superior, he owed him countless debts from the past.

“How have you been lately, Miss Isella?”

“Just so-so.”

“That’s good to hear. I was worried that the Grand Cathedral might not be a very comfortable place. What about somewhere else? If you’re okay with it, I can find a place for you to stay.”

Perhaps her staying at the Grand Cathedral made her unusually sensitive. When she was with Zion, Isella wasn’t usually so particular. So Zion thought that being away from Carynne might actually improve their relationship.

“No, I can’t stay anywhere else.”

“Why not?”

“I have to consider my father’s reputation.”

Isella answered with a pout.

It was an unexpected response.

“...I thought you wouldn’t care about such things since you ran away from home.”

“Hmph, how could I not care? After all, my entire financial foundation comes from my father.”

It was harder for Isella not to know. When she ran away, she took Verdic’s seal and stamp, along with various jewels and cash. There was a bank account in Isella’s name, but she couldn’t predict when Verdic might freeze it.

The Grand Cathedral was one of the few places where Verdic couldn’t easily reach, but it wasn’t impossible. However, Verdic hadn’t yet come to take Isella back. Her bank account hadn’t been frozen either. Even without direct communication, his actions spoke volumes.

‘Have your fun and come back.’

Verdic hadn’t reprimanded Isella for her first act of rebellion.

So she decided to maintain the minimum level of decorum despite her unease.

Staying somewhere else, especially with a man like Zion, would negatively impact Verdic’s reputation. Even though she had run away, staying at the Grand Cathedral wouldn’t cause much scandal. Isella decided to maintain at least that much.

“Are you not uncomfortable staying with Miss Carynne?”

Zion asked, considering Isella’s explanation.

“Why are you bringing her up?”

“It’s natural to feel uncomfortable living with someone you’re not familiar with. Actually, I suggested it because I thought you might be uncomfortable living with Miss Carynne Hare.”

Zion emphasized that he had no interest in Carynne whatsoever.

“Why would I be uncomfortable with Carynne? It’s rare to find someone so easygoing.”

Isella’s expression turned uneasy at the mention of Carynne’s name, but she quickly gave Zion the answer he wanted to hear.

“That’s why it’s even more unsettling.”

“To Lord Hare?”

Carynne nodded.

“Yes. He’ll be surprised to know how hard I’ve been working lately. Sir Raymond, even though Nancy ran away, I’m doing my best to treat each person well. I want to find a better, more righteous path. And I think it’s worth trying for about a year.”

Raymond sighed. Wasn’t it ineffective? Becoming friends with Isella Evans was a tough road, and they weren’t a good match from the start. But Carynne still seemed unwilling to give up.

Carynne finished her letter, tapped the paper to dry the ink, and spoke to Raymond.

“I’m going to confess to Isella Evans.”

“...I hope it’s not what I’m thinking.”

Raymond looked down at Carynne with a frown. What was Carynne talking about? Confess? To Isella? Carynne will? Even if it was to become friends, what kind of cruel joke was this?

“It’s exactly what you’re thinking. But no matter what you say, Sir Raymond, I won’t listen.”

“No, Carynne. I oppose this. How could you... leave me....”

Raymond’s face turned pale. What was Carynne talking about? A confession? To Isella? Even if it was just to become friends, what kind of awful joke was this?

“We can’t live together just the two of us forever. Two is too few.”

“Absolutely not.”

Plans to move Carynne somewhere else rapidly formed in Raymond’s mind. It would be better for them to stay alone together for a while. Carynne, upset by Raymond’s firm answer, raised her voice.

“When have I ever needed your permission to act?”

“Even so, I can’t allow it.”

“Even if Isella doesn’t believe me, I’ll try!”

“Why are you lying?”

“What? What are you talking about? I’m trying to tell the whole truth.”

“...The truth? Carynne, you....”

“I know it sounds crazy.”

Carynne’s demeanor did not change.

“Sir Raymond, are you crying?”

“......”

Her tone was outright disdainful. How could she?

“No, do you hate the idea of confessing to Isella that much?”

“...What?”

“I know she won’t believe it anyway, okay? But... fine. If you hate it that much, I won’t do it. Geez....”

It took a long time to clear up the misunderstanding.

Raymond, his face flushed bright red, repeatedly apologized to Carynne, but the look in Carynne’s eyes did not soften for a long time.

/subliminalwayfare