Chapter 20


    Carynne wanted to tell the people who undermined Dun this: Even though that guys like that, hes somehow good enough at night. The size is fine, and his endurance, well The motion of the ocean isnt there, but his priests robes are quite arousing, I guess?


    If she was actually going to say this, she wondered how they would react. But she had to endure the urge. She wanted to stir the pot, but she had to endure.


    This impulse was akin to wanting to touch a wasps nest. Even though she knew it was dangerous, Carynne felt the undeniable urge to talk.


    Dun is


    W-Wouldnt it be better tother this on top?


    AH! Lord Dun?


    <i>Tadadak.</i>


    There was a smallmotion. Cant he at least be a gentleman. Taken aback by Duns sudden visit, Donna almost fell over while Helen hid her surprise by keeping her expression nk. The masseuse, on the other hand, quickly covered Carynne with a cloth and stepped back.


    Carynne was somehow a little relieved. Before impulse overtook to open her lips, the uninvited guest came in and cut off her stray thoughts. If he hadnte in, would she have said it? If she had, what would have happened?


    Why are you here?


    Your i-injury


    I was already treated.


    Y-You cant apply oil or water on it.


    Did youe here only to say that?


    No, the  conflict of emotions  here was as per usual. However this time, Dun seemed to want Carynne to be more obsessed with him, so he should be moderately coaxed, else hed be twisted.


    Im not ming you. Im really just asking.


    Im here to check if its infected to a degree.


    At least whenever he talked about work, he stuttered less. As Carynnes negligee was swept aside, her injury was disinfected with a soaked cotton ball. When the scent of alcohol mixed with the rose fragrance, Carynne had the intense desire to drink.


    Can I drink some whiskey tonight?


    Crazy.


    She knew that the best liquor would be brought out today. With this thought, Carynne felt despondent. The whiskey she had in mind had been brewed over sixty years ago and was made in the Hare territory. There were only about seventy bottles of it.


    Could she enjoy its taste this time? Damn Hans, Ill lop off your head and drown it in alcohol.


    Even a ss of ros wine should be fine, right?


    Not even beer diluted by water.


    Damn.


    He was being unnecessarily careful. Carynne clicked her tongue, deciding to sneak some and drink it secretly at night.


    Then can you leave now?


    W-What.


    Hm? Im in the middle of a massage.


    This This is an expensive scented oil You dont care about your inner character at all, youre just concerned with other things.


    There are many important guests. Its only manners.


    T-To this extent If its just me visiting, you d-dont do this. Your hair


    Dun didnt seem to like seeing Carynne like this. What he said was true, though it wasnt for the purpose that he was thinking. Even so, Carynne felt that it was a bit absurd for Dun to be acting this way.


    He was being particrly more annoying in this life. Was it a mistake that she slept with him?


    Sir Raymond Saytes hails from a barony, and he is close to Verdic Evans. Above all, hes the man who saved me. Wouldnt it be natural to try to look good?


    To this extent Y-Youve never done that. You already


    With twitching lips, he continued to criticize Carynne.


    Your morals


    Hey, you ah.


    While its like this, perhaps he was trying to grab her by the ankle? Carynne red at Dun.


    She felt that it was unfair. Why was it that when men lose their virginity, it wasnt a w for them? It would be fairer if men got hurt in that ce every time they did it.


    Carynne red at Dun as though shed chew him out. At this, Helen quickly rose to her feet and implored Dun.


    Lord Dun, there is not enough time. We need to finish Lady Carynnes preparations.


    Ri ght now, its mor, ning though?


    Women are different from men.


    Ha, you w-waste your time with useless things, t-that is nothing but vanity.


    With those words, the expressions of all the women in the room became menacing. What do <i>you </i>know? How dare.


    That kind of vanity, would <i>you</i> like to try it?


    U, seless I shall be praying until evening


    Shut it.


    Carynne made a gesture of pinching over her lips to shut him up, then she called the masseuse.


    Raymond was surely going to be absolutely handsome today, but if hed be a mere stone next to a diamond, shouldnt the soil on it be removed at least? Helen, Donna and the masseuse were nervous as they approached Dun.


    After quite a while, the three women were left exhausted as they stepped back.


    Dun, you really dont go beyond expectations, huh.


    Usually, youd have be a handsome man by now, but um I dont know, something like that?


    Helen, Donna and the masseuse could only be frustrated, and Carynne was feeling bitter. It was just enough that the soil was brushed away. Thats as far as she could expect from Dun.


    A-A persons worth isnt judged by their outward appearance.


    Then, are you worth more than how you appear? Nothing about him could hold a candle to Raymond, be it personality, power and knowledge.


    But instead of speaking up about it, Carynne smiled with her eyes and said, Its my turn now, please get out of the way, and left her body to the three women.


    And there, Dun watched the already pretty girl turn into an astounding beauty.


    * * *


    Ise gritted her teeth audibly.


    I dont like that either! Bring something else! I need a dress that would make myplexion look brighter!


    What about this ivory fabric, Miss?


    Its too dull! Is this a <i>joke?</i>


    No.


    Coming from the next room over, Verdic knocked, although it wasnt heard. Ise insisted on staying next door to Verdic because she had nightmares, but her father also felt very tortured by this.


    Ise, stop this now.


    Even <i>youre</i> doing this to me, Father?


    What did I


    Hiic


    At Verdics sigh, Ise burst into tears. Seeing this, Verdic could already feel his fatigue rushing in at once.


    Haa.


    Even the Evansdy-in-waiting, who had been with them for the longest time, was also of no help. She originally was this selfish since she was raised as a precious child, but it wasnt usually to this extent. Aftering to this ce, it seemed like she couldnt control her emotions.


    The thought of his daughter depending entirely on the knight induced a headache. Before the knight would change his mind, Verdic would have to hasten their engagement.


    It was already too much to handle the knight because he was so talented, but it was even worse of a headache when his daughter was acting as though she had mncholy on top of it all.


    Ise.


    Yes.


    Whats the problem?


    Raymond saved Lady Hare.


    Right, he is an exemry knight.


    She shes nngh shes prettier than me.


    And what of it?


    What do I do if Sir Raymond falls in love with that girl?


    If you put it that way, then Sir Raymond would have set up a harem of women by now. Ah, and men, too.


    Father!


    Do you remember when you got engaged?


    When I was five.


    Do you think a child at that age could talk about serious feelings?


    What do you mean?


    Im telling you to stop thinking that life is a fairytale. With me and your mother, too, I only met her once before we got married. Catherine Hare was also engaged to Dun Roid at that age. So did you, so did Sir Raymond, and me and Lord Hare. Marrying for love is what idlers on the streets sing about. For people like us, lovees after marriage.


    I fell in love with Sir Raymond at first sight!


    You also fell in love at first sight with the blue diamond ne you received during yourst birthday.


    Father.


    Be reasonable. Youre being too emotional right now. Its difficult to imagine that he would suddenly break off his engagement with you and marry someone elses fiance.


    <i>But Father. </i>Her father thought that everyone else would also move ording to their self-interest and by the course of rationality. But was that the case? Was that true?


    Would Raymond marry her ording to his best interests and sire children with her because it was an obligation? Would she need to marry him to present their child to her father, a grandson of his that would have thest name of a noble?


    The blue dress is the best one.


    Mdy, please raise your arms.


    Ise was speechless. She had an obligation. As she was born with the name of Evans, she must carry her duties and must repay her father for feeding her, giving her a ce to sleep in, and providing the clothes on her back. Ise wore the blue dress that she disliked the most.


    Do you still have nightmares?


    Sometimes.


    What kind of nightmares do you have?


    Ise felt the stream of lighting in from the window.


    A nightmare with a dead body.


    Why, is it a dream with your mother or even me dying? You know that people are bound to pass on


    No, thats not it.


    Then tell me.


    She had to keep talking. While her father was still listening.


    Here, the Hare households maid. Its a nightmare where I keep seeing that ck maids dead body.


    Was there a maid like that here?


    She went on a vacation during the second day we arrived. Her corpse keeps appearing in my dreams.


    Then whats worrying you? Wouldnt that ridiculous nightmare end the moment that maid is called and you see her in front of you alive? Dont tell me youre a prophet.


    No, Im not


    She gulped.


    Shes been on vacation since that day.


    As he was frowning while looking over his daughters outfit, Verdic raised his head for the first time and expressed his wonder.


    What? Its been a while since we came here


    Father. I havent seen her since Ive started having these nightmares.


    Why did the ck maid disappear after that? If seeing that dead body was a mere hallucination, shouldnt the maid have shown herself the next day? Ise couldnt stop trembling.


    That night, the scene she saw in that room came to mind. The face of the maid who had her head separated from her body. It was too clear of an image.


    It was so terrifying.