Clearly, there was a much simpler method available to Carynne than becoming friends with Isella. Surely, an unprecedented event might strike again. The changes that started with Nancy’s death that year were immense.
Isella was the most notable person in Carynne’s life. No doubt, things would change dramatically.
And it would really be interesting.
“……”
Carynne quietly pulled up the blanket to cover Isella’s neck. She could feel Isella’s warmth beneath her hand. Carynne glanced down at her fingers, staring intently.
But in the end, she quietly exhaled and turned away from Isella after tucking her in. She needed to try and sleep, too.
‘…Everything’s alright.’
Carynne decided to choose the joy of becoming friends over the joy of killing. There were things more important than satisfying her petty curiosity.
It wasn’t because she was suddenly feeling compassion for Isella.
It was because she loves Raymond.And for his sake, she could even become a saint.
Just as much as he could become the devil.
* * *
“Wake up.”
Oh, please.
Carynne squinted her eyes shut again and pulled up the blanket. She hadn’t complained of being tired like Isella, but Carynne was exhausted all the same.
And since she could guess who was shaking her so roughly, Carynne wanted to cry even more.
Had the coachman recommended by Raymond already died? Should she have brought Raymond along? If he were here, he would take her away like last time. To kill all these people waking her from her sleep.
No. Hadn’t she decided against that? Carynne opened her eyes.
The people she was already expecting had surrounded her.
She had hoped the dates wouldn’t match, but as always, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
“…Who are you?”
Although she asked, she already knew who these people were.
Duke Luthella and his group.
“Get up right now.”
“…Who are you?”
Suppressing the desire to cry, Carynne repeated the question she had asked before.
This time, there were more than just one or two people. An old man and a child. The accent from beyond the White Mountain Range. Definitely people from the Luthella Duchy.
“Who are you, and what’s your relationship with Verdic Evans? Answer.”
A man roughly pulled Carynne to her feet.
Carynne looked around. Isella wasn’t in bed.
Could it be.
Carynne clenched her teeth.
Was Isella already dead? Last time, Nancy was killed on the spot. Had Isella taken on that role?
“State your name.”
“…My name is Carynne Hare, daughter of Catherine Nora Hare. My mother’s maiden name was Enide.”
“The granddaughter of Countess Enide.”
“Ah, the great-granddaughter of Grand Duchess Carla.”
The old man leaning on a cane stepped forward again.
“Why are you here?”
Repeating questions, repeating scenarios. But this time, Raymond wasn’t there. She had agreed to meet Raymond later because he needed to stay out of Isella’s sight. At his pace, he should be at his mansion now—far, far away from here.
“I was on my way to the capital.”
After answering, Carynne closed her mouth. There’s no need to ask who these people are or reveal their identities.
Keep quiet and end it as quietly as possible. Hopefully, they would just pass by.
But Duke Luthella didn’t act as she had hoped.
“Aren’t you going to ask who we are?”
“……”
“Wise.”
“We must kill her. It’s not good for anyone who has seen us to remain alive.”
Damn, the conversation was flowing at a faster pace than expected. Carynne was already in an irreversible situation. She shouldn’t have stayed in this tower. No, she shouldn’t have even passed through this forest. Even if it took longer, she should have found another way. Or was the root of the problem visiting Isella’s house?
Carynne tried to trace back where her choices went wrong.
“Is that really necessary?”
“There are rumors that this girl is the bastard of Crown Prince Gueuze. Information might leak.”
How could those ridiculous rumors be erased? Carynne glared at the man spouting the same tiresome rumors she wished she could forget.
This time too, it seemed people had no intention of letting Carynne live. Where was Isella? Carynne pondered over what part she had failed in this life.
The path to becoming friends with Isella was too treacherous.
“It seems we have no choice.”
The old man approached Carynne. As expected, Carynne was to die this time. Without Raymond, would it end quickly?
“Kyaaaaah!”
“Better not move any further, or things won’t end well.”
“D-Don’t!”
But at that moment, the situation reversed.
One second and the old man was rushing towards Carynne, but the next, he abruptly turned towards the window when someone shouted.
There stood the old man’s granddaughter and Zion.
More precisely, Zion was the only one standing.
The girl’s body was dangling outside the window.
“Who are you!”
“Grand… Grandfather…! Please save me!”
“Oh, didn’t I say you shouldn’t come any closer? If you move even a step forward, I might get too scared and lose my grip.”
The coachman recommended by Raymond was holding the girl’s arm with one hand and swinging her outside the window.
Did he sneak in while people’s attention was on Carynne? The man looked around at the people, smiling broadly.
“Let that child go!”
“You first. Let go of that lady over there.”
They hurriedly released Carynne.
“Fine! Done! Now bring that child here… inside…”
“Put down your guns, too.”
“How can we trust you!”
“Then don’t.”
And he let go.
“A-Aaaah!”
“No!”
But she didn’t fall. The man let go and then quickly grabbed the girl’s neck from behind. The girl’s face was contorted with fear.
“If you think I’m joking, keep doing that. Now, put everything down and leave naked through the forest. Otherwise, I really will let go. Well, the girl might live if she’s lucky. But expect her to be crippled.”
“Do you think you’ll be safe after this?”
“Would I be in less danger if I don’t do this?”
Licking his lips, he clearly enjoyed the situation. Carynne felt the atmosphere growing more hostile. This wasn’t good. These people were ready to face death.
“If you don’t back off, this kid’s head might just burst, you know?”
“……”
Stop.
The coachman’s provocation was too much. The people began exchanging glances, stepping out of panic. No matter how the coachman threatened them with the child, he was just one man against four men with guns. The outcome was obvious. The situation was not good. But what could Carynne do to defuse it now?
“……”
Their eyes met. Carynne clenched her fist, looking at the coachman. Was he signaling her to escape alone while he distracted them? Carynne started to back away slowly.
While the man bought time, she needed to hide. That was the best option for now. Slowly. Quietly.
“…Oh my? Who are you people?”
But the voice from right behind her signaled the end for Carynne.
“Huh? Carynne?”
Isella was standing there, eyes wide open. She must have fallen off the bed, and that’s why hadn’t been visible before.
***
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