Chapter 33


    Ah.


    Lord Raymond is looking at me.


    He turned to face thedies. There was still some distance between them, but his green eyes were vivid. That gaze was burdensome. Ise coveted that gaze, but Carynne was only left ufortable by it.


    He recalled what happenedst time. And the attitude Carynne showed him back then The corners of his lips went up. He smiled, chuckled, made a strange expression, bowed slightly and then focused on the conversation once more.


    Is he being shy?


    Yes.


    Carynne didnt think that was it, but she still answered patiently.


    Ise had yet to direct any hostility towards her in earnest. However, the despair and frustration that would sprout were sometimes stronger than her jealousy that made her ufortable.


    Though in Carynnes case, this difort was a new feeling for her, so she didnt necessarilyfort Ise. Because of this jealousy,


    Ise had yet to show any hostility towards her in earnest. However, rather Ises mncholy and envy, what made Carynne ufortable was her despair.


    But even this despair was a new stimulus for Carynne, so she didnt necessarily soothe Ise. Because of that envy, Ise was keeping a close friendship with Carynne and this would lead to bullying that at least wouldnt be akin to torture, but at the same time, it wasnt that close of a friendship that theyd go as far as holding a double wedding together. Just a so-and-so friendship.


    This tension was felt little by little by everyone in the mansion. Problems between men and women were also enjoyable to witness. Giggling to herself, Carynne looked around at the horses. The adult horses were all white and glossy.


    How much would you sell them for?


    The horses arent for sale. Theyre presented as gifts every now and again.


    Certainly If the horses are of this variety, the cost of breeding them alone would be considerable. I wouldnt even take them outside. Im very envious.


    Most of the Hare households horses became pure white once they became adults, so Ise quite liked them. Their coats were white and they were smart, and it could be said that these horses could only be seen in fairytales.


    Theyre pretty and have good physiques. If its like this, really, you should put them up in an auction house. The profits would really be


    Ises gaze continued to hover towards Raymond. As if the subject of her words werent the horses but that man himself. Carynne quickly replied to Ise, who looked as though shed be drooling any moment now.


    Its amazing that you know a lot, Ise.


    Barring the problem with Raymond, would Ise even be able to have a proper rtionship with him? Carynne was curious about that. Ises biggest drawback to her character was her tactlessness, which sometimes annoyed even Carynne.


    Miss Evans, youre quite interested in horses, arent you? Are you interested in horseback riding as well?


    Ise had pretended to look at the horses only as she gradually inched closer to Raymond. There, Raymond spoke to Ise and asked like this. While her attention was focused on him, Carynne slipped away.


    Hm? Oh, yes. Im confident in my horseback riding skills. Ive heard from others since I was young that I have a talent for it


    That much self-esteem didnt sound good to hear. Ise didnt have much of a grasp on how rtionships worked. Carynne clicked her tongue.


    Anyway, as she was witnessing this for the hundredth repetition, Carynne waited inside the carriage as Ise continued to blush while bragging to Raymond.


    At this point of the plotline, Carynne wasnt meant to know how to ride horses just yet. Besides that, Ise boasted of her horseback riding skills, so she couldnt understand how Carynne preferred riding a carriagefortably instead of riding a horse by herself. If theres something she could brag about


    Well, from inside the carriage, the scenery outside the window as they passed through the road towards the hunting grounds was beautiful to see.


    While Raymond was being held up by Ise, Carynne did her job and supervised the servants who were carrying all the luggage. The entire day would be spent on the hunt, maybe even a few days to catch some game. They would need to return to the mansion ande back to the hunting grounds a few times. On the other hand, the hunters would have to remain there, thats why Carynne also had to check the number of bullets and traps.


    Actually, the person who needed to work more here was Xenon, but he was just sitting next to the coachmannot the horsesmoking and chattingfortably. Rather than animals for the sacrificial ritual, Carynne nced at the trap and wished that they would just catch some foxes. Thete autumn in the city was quite chilly, so it was going to be a trend to wear fur over ones rtively thin clothes.


    Do we have enough traps?


    Oh, uh, yes. More than enough.


    Then thats no good.


    Ah No, theres just enough.


    Then thats a relief.


    When Carynne asked Xenon about the traps, he panicked as he replied. She looked through the bullets and the packed lunches, then she gave the signal for departure. The coachman beckoned to Tom, who in turn approached the man. Fortunately for him, the coachman thought that he was cute. The same with Xenon.


    It was a pure affection for children. When Carynne said that she was going to take Tom under her custody, she recalled how disgusted one maid looked, though the maid tried to hide it. Carynne felt that such a reaction was strange. Did people feel differently if it was the same gender? But there was no such feeling between herself and Ise.


    * * *


    Ah The carriage step is broken.


    So you didnt take care of it properly?


    Its not a surprising fact to Carynne, but the coachman scratched his head and just kept saying, That cant be true He mumbled one excuse after another. Carynne didnt listen.


    Ah.


    Carynne looked at the empty space in front of her. There was no hand waiting there. Originally, Raymond would havee to help her into the carriage. Even if he wasnt her fianc, it felt strange. She had never <i>not</i> been helped into the carriage. Its a little unpleasant.


    But why?


    She was sure that shed enjoy this change. Carynne felt displeased by the fact that she <i>got</i> displeased. Raymond was not by her side. And it wasnt because of her own choice.


    Carynne beckoned and called Tom, who was standing some distance away. Since Raymond wasnt here, she should at least use her little carriage footman at a time like this. Even so, Carynne sighed as she looked at the boy who was smaller than her. She should just get help from the coachman.


    Tom, go and get to Larry.


    Tom?


    Should he just lie there in front of you?


    A cold voice spoke out from behind.


    Sir Raymond?


    He wasnt looking at Carynne. The icy stare was directed at Tom, not her. Whats wrong with him? He never even spoke to the boy before this. Tom flinched and bowed his head low.


    Youre being slow.


    And here, Tom understood faster than Carynne did. She btedly realized what Raymond had said just now.


    Tomy down on his hands and knees at the base of the carriage entrance. His shoulders were shaking minutely because of the tension.


    Why though. Carynne looked at the knight because she couldnt understand what was happening at this moment. Raymond then turned to meet her gaze. Both gazes did not waver.


    Go ahead, Catherine Hare.


    He offered his hand to support her. This knight was urging her to step on a nine-year-old child.


    Go up now.


    Carynne took Raymonds hand. She tried to step on Tom, but instead, she brought her foot higher and stepped directly onto the carriage floor. Even if Raymond was doing something right now that he hadnt ever done before, Carynne also had to adjust as much as possible. He must already have a crush on her.


    When Carynne tried to step forward, she stumbled slightly. Raymond supported her again and lifted her up.


    Thank you.


    My pleasure.


    Receiving her thanks, Raymond smiled and closed the carriage door. While he was <i>inside</i>.


    After hoisting Carynne up into the carriage, he went ahead and got in as well. This was something that he shouldnt be doing, especially when his fiance was right outside.


    Its not time for us to have this kind of rtionship just yet, right?


    At a loss for words, Carynne asked.


    What about Miss Ise?


    She said she likes riding on horseback. Since she likes it so much, I thought it would be considerate to let her enjoy it.


    Whoop-de-doo.


    She could easily imagine what kind of face Ise would makeshe had definitely turned bright red. Carynne was too scared to look out the window. Forget the tar that would have gotten poured over her headter. She should just expect rotten food now.


    Theres plenty of space here, so Im hoping you wont kick me out.


    Sir Raymond. Wouldnt it be better for you to ride on horseback instead?


    I dont know how to ride a horse.


    But youre a knight? Carynne was rendered speechless by his smile.


    The military these days Is it alright that soldiers dont know how to ride a horse?


    Try licking your lips before lying like that. Raymond smiledfortably anyhow.


    Im a bit shy, so I cant ride horses that I havent seen before.


    Suuure.


    Im an introvert, you see.


    Apparently so.