25 [25]

"Women should have somewhere to go. It's just sitting inside the house listening or reading books."

Karen shrugged her shoulders.

"It's better to be in a safe place in times of times."

It's a dangerous time. Even now, wars continue in countries beyond the White Mountains. But that has nothing to do with this country. Rather, I wondered if Karen would be able to relieve her boredom if she was a person from far away who was involved in the war. Raymond would be angry if I told him this.

But in the end, it's someone else's business. It has nothing to do with yourself that happens far away.

In the afternoon, I'm embroidered and watching the golden dancing dust under the sun. If you look, you don't care where someone is suffering from beyond that mountain range. Whatever it is with those who don't know their faces or names, it is now an entertainment for themselves. Whether it's comedy or tragedy, the two of them eventually weigh the same.

Karen thought so even if she hadn't told him. In fact, he puts more weight on the opinions of those who chattered in the Countess' salon. The war in which Raymond participated was not honorable nor influential to most people in this country.

Soldiers who were pushed away after countries across the mountain range asked for support. It was Raymond's army that gathered those who did not care whether they died or not. Most of them were. Three sons of the aristocracy, or men, children of the fallen middle class, and young people who want to get a bigger chance at this opportunity, men of the lower class who support them for lack of money.

A battle like that, as a country, it only needs to send a decent amount of face-saving troops. a war in another country

Verdick benefited greatly from the war. Count Rotten's wife also stole the mining rights, and Baron Norling played a huge gamble on the battles. such a weight in this country a mere tragedy

But Raymond wouldn't want to think so. You don't want to be told that your war is for the benefit and face of those few. Karen decided to give him what he wanted cheaply.

She bowed her head.

"With the hard work of the knights, the people of this land could live in peace. Thank you."

If you don't think so, you can't stand it.

"I hope people's deaths are not useless."

You're like a knight.

"So."

Karen arranged her thoughts without raising her head.

How far can he be suspicious?

Where did you say that night? How far did he see it? Where did he watch it from? Maybe he said something useless. I shouldn't have caught your face. Was it a good judgment to pick him up? Why didn't you have to behave yourself that day?

Doubt spreads uncontrollably once it begins. Like ink in water. Karen couldn't see Raymond now as purely in love with her as he used to, and she wouldn't think so either. I don't know what you're suspicious of.

"You know me well."

"With this expression."

"Why did you do that?”

"What?"

"Why did you want me to step on Tom?”

Karen opened Raymond's face. However, a well-made smile soon followed the face of a fine aristocrat.

"I didn't want it from you."

"Then to Tom?"

"He seemed to be mistaken. Karen, I agree with Verdick. It's better not to have a relationship where you can have a grudge."

"If that's the answer, I think I've already done it."

I can overcome it with love. Woe is good, evil is forgiveness. Karen echoed the remark.

"Your eyes didn't seem to appreciate your good intentions. Why don't you send him to the kitchen if you want to be nice?"

"Wouldn't the kitchen be more dangerous?"”

When Karen laughed, Raymond turned his face a little. Beyond the gaze was a boy.

Staring beyond the carriage window, Raymond said.

"I don't know much about family affairs, but men will soon be strong. I'll be stronger than you in four years."

I don't care because I'll die in a month.

"If a man is to die, wouldn't he die for anything? I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to reverse what I've already decided so quickly. Let's stop talking about this, Lord Raymond."

Karen cut the horse. Then I looked at Raymond's expression with a sidelong glance. Fortunately, he didn't look offended. Karen breathed out a little bit as she played the role of a good-will young lady.

This conversation was similar to the past. Tom had worked as a handy boy who was collected several times and washed the dishes. And every time he did, Raymond told Karen not to do anything useless, but he admired Karen for behaving well, contrary to his words.

"No one believes in the battlefield."

"That's why I'm looking forward to it more."

I remember him looking a little gloomy.

"People's good intentions, forgiveness and so on. I'm looking forward to it more. I don't think it's like that among the same comrades, but maybe you can forgive the enemy. Something that I think I can love."

It was a desperate craving. And Karen gave him enough of the role he wanted. A beautiful girl who always forgives, loves, and looks after her warmly. A woman of good standing who still needs his help.

"I will remember you in my next life."

"I can't. You've already…Twice."

"What's on my face?”

"I just saw him because he was handsome."

"…I see."

It was useless.

He didn't give her the answer she wanted, even though he gave him the right answer. Life and death. I used to think this man would save me. He would have looked at Raymond as if he were looking at the sun high up in the deep sea.

But it wasn't him to save Karen. The sun is just the sun. The times have changed. The sun has not risen and fallen by God-drawn wagons, nor is it God's eyes. It just produces light and heat, and the light is too far for deep-sea creatures.

Nevertheless, this time again, Karen will play the role he wants in front of him. To present him with death.

"We're almost there."

"I see."

Karen almost fell down trying to get off Tom again this time. Feeling Raymond's gaze at him, he hoped his actions would hide some doubt. And after years of experience, I was sure he was already attracted to me.

Since then, it has been trivial for Isela to stare at herself with swollen eyes. Raymond has already hardly even looked at her.

***

Berdick snapped at the papers and made the calculations.

'It's a lot more budget than I thought.’

I didn't expect you to be this passionate. Unknowingly excited, I spent more of my budget. In this way, only Lord Haier is good. Tsk. Berdyk kicked his tongue and looked at the funds that could be pulled right away.

"This is a little too much."

The lord groaned, deepening the wrinkles.

"I don't think we need to do this. You won't be able to retrieve the principal of the money you spent.”

He's gone until he's gone, to the point where that dull lord would notice it' Berdick did himself a favor. But there was an alternative.

I haven't told Isela yet. This opportunity will also attract the Countess, who had been planning to do so for a long time. She'll be at a resort that takes a day by carriage. You won't be able to say no. And if a nobleman of her size attends, it is no different from notarization of engagement.

"How about this?"

"Isn't it... a little early?”

"What would it be if I had the lord's permission? You'll be very happy. How would you like to join us at this time?"

The runner had already been turned, but when asked with the least courtesy, fortunately Young-joo shook her head.

"No, it's too early. But I bless your daughter."

"Thank you."

Young-joo looked at the proposal while stroking her chin. It doesn't matter much. No, it's symbolic, but there's a problem with mood. But Young-joo already knows that she is not in a position to oppose it. Berdick knew that.

Berdick put his hand on the lord's shoulder. It is quite rude considering the rank, but the lord did not point it out. No, you can't point it out. Already Verdick had greater authority than the lord. The Lord of England, Berdick knows it. So Verdick was funny about this situation.

"It'll be all right."

The last day of the festival. In this area, in the blessing of the lord, showing the inhabitants who the real ruler is. Berdick recalled the face of his crying daughter. Then I remembered her smiling face again.

Raymond will have to be engaged to Isela.

***

Isela sniffed behind a tree that was invisible to people and sniffed. My nose was sour maybe because I was running too fast on a horse. I took a deep breath to calm down.

"Hmm…."

But I feel like crying. You have to put up with it. But it was so upsetting that Raymond did not ride a horse like Isela, but rode a carriage with Karen.

"Bad girl."

Isela bit her lips. A bad girl who teases other men. Raymond is his fiance. Even if they had not yet held a proper engagement ceremony, they were scheduled to be engaged to each other, and their families were all promised.

How much money did Isela's father Verdick write off for Raymond? Even though childhood relationships were forged by the circumstances of adults, Raymond has so far kept up with her. He respected Isela and used to send gifts on her birthday or whenever she had a special days.

It was popular regardless of age or sex, but there were no scandals. The fact has been a great comfort to Isela so far.

I'm the only one who will marry him.

Raymond thought it was okay if he didn't hold Isela's hand when people were not around, but if he didn't have work, he didn't have to look at himself separately. She retorted that if she was the only woman she was and she was marrying him, she wouldn't have a big problem.

But why is Raymond so blatantly friendly in front of her?

"…no way."