Chapter 47


    Father, this world Even when you heard that its a novel, did you not care?


    When youre in pain, of course Im also sad.


    No. Im not talking about that. Father, its not that.


    His daughter. His wife. Its not about that. Not about other people. Not any minor, insignificant thing. What theyre talking about here was closer and more relevant to him.


    What opinion do you have of yourself? Carynne was curious about that. She agonized over it. There was a world she could go back to. It was a faint memory now, but she could remember a family other than this one, a kinder world, more fascinating food, aparatively exotic culture, distinct animals, different dreams. That world.


    Carynne fumbled through the dim images.


    A true life. A true world.


    If she really could go back, if all this was a momentary dream


    She opened her lips, then closed them once more.


    In the end, she was still stuck with the same anguish that she was trapped in when she was a ten-year-old child. If nothing has changed, then its better not to think further.


    True love you say.


    How bizarre it was for her to say it with her own mouth.


    During my whole life For all those one hundred years If I tell you that I lived with only doubts and fear within me that entire time, what would you say?


    About her own existence, about everything in the world, about what she felt as she wandered aimlessly as though drifting in the air. About how there was no one like her anywhere, no evidence that her existence was the way that it was, no conviction that stayed as it faded away. What would he say about all this? What would he say about the days of torture she experienced, those days where only pain existed?


    Then, the fief lord answered with pity.


    My dear daughter. You have lived your life in futility.


    At that moment, Carynne made up her mind.


    You seem to believe Mother.


    Of course. I believe you just as I believed her.


    And yet he left her all alone for one entire century. Carynne wanted to tear that portrait to pieces and vent her anger. Love? A vehement sense of jealousy surged from within her. She was jealous of her dead mother.


    Im d youre dead, Mother. Did you go back to your original world? Did you leave this ce to return to your real family? Ah, I wish I could die soon, too.


    Carynne was so eaten up by jealousy that her fingers started trembling. She didnt know what to do with them, so she sped her hands together.


    Im a lot older than you. But right now it seems I have, to find my own love in earnest.


    Her voice trembled awkwardly. But the fief lord paid no mind to this.


    Who is it? Your male lead.


    Carynne hesitated for a moment before she answered.


    Its Sir Raymond.


    Mm, I knew it. Thats usible. Hm Then Verdic must have been quite upset. Thats good.


    He was so upset that he even hacked away at Carynnes neck with an axe. She didnt even have the energy to snap back at the fief lord who seemed to be finding amusement in this. Why even care about Verdic. What mattered here was her male lead.


    You really do believe Mother.


    Yes. I believe her with all my heart.


    Just as you should. If you didnt believe, then all you are right now is an aplice to a lunatics killings. Her father was a devoted zealot. The dead Catherine was his god, and Carynne was a sacred relic. She was merely evidence to his gods glory and divinity. So this was the kind of person he washe, who gave her this body she was inhabiting.


    Ah, its already dark out.


    Im going to skip dinner. I dont think I can eat at all.


    It didnt seem like shed be able to get any more information from her father. From the very start, he was an outsider. She didnt even know if what hes saying was correct. Even if Carynne were to tie his limbs and pull out his nails, he could never divulge what he didnt know in the first ce.


    He held no value to her now. There was no need to talk to him. Carynne wished to rest. If she went to dinner, then shed have to see his face again.


    Come to dinner together. The Countess and her daughter areing to visit.


    Yes.


    Carynne grimaced. She wished for a bit of time to rest. It was so difficult to digest it all because reality and fantasy were both so haphazardly intertwined. She felt gued by indigestion, but instead of her stomach, it was her mind.


    Nevertheless, the question had to be asked.


    Since Mother is someone from outside the novel, what did you think about this, Father?


    The fief lord chuckled after hearing this. At that very moment, he seemed like a young man. He smiled with such innocence, such passionsuch conviction. Towards Carynne, who he regarded as a sacred relic, he answered.


    Its truly romantic.


    * * *


    Carynnes not here?


    Ise was in high spirits. The fact that Carynne Hare wasnt anywhere in her line of sight made her mind feel at ease and her body feel rxed. As she monopolized Raymond all day without ever bumping into Carynne, Ise was fully satisfied. It felt as if she was full when she hadnt even eaten yet. Besides that, Raymond met all of Ises various demands throughout the day.


    Lord Raymond, lets talk about what happens after our engagement ceremony.


    As Ise spoke excitedly about the schedule after their engagement ceremony, Raymond immediately asked.


    Did Mister Verdic mention my situation?


    She wanted him to satiate her craving more. At this, Ise did not hide her slight difort.


    Yeees. You wont have to suffer in the army any longer.


    Is that so? Its been a while since I stepped back from the frontlines.


    No, its only natural for you to step back from there. Youll be taking on a much more important role in this countrypared to being part of the army.


    To be exact, it was a role that would benefit the Evans family more.


    Ises father was right.


    Raymond was sold to her.


    Flowers were merely in season, and in the same way, there was no way to stop a mans eyes from wandering elsewhere for a little while. Even as Verdic asionally indulged in other women and even as Ises mother smiled at another man, in the end, they both would go back to the same bed and discuss their familys affairs together.


    The most important aspect of a marriage was the fact that its a contract.


    Ive spent my whole life in the knight order.


    My, oh my. Arent you still young though? Youve got a bride to marry, but what are you talking about?


    Ise nervously scoffed and then giggled. She wished that she wouldnt be swayed by Raymond anymore. It was so miserable to crave for a mans affection when that man did not care about her at all. This was her ideal: while she was providing for and supporting Raymondpletely, she would keep him on a leash so she could watch him tter andpliment her.


    Im suddenly leaving the ce Id always been in, so its a bit worrying. And its also a little awkward for me. I thought it was something Ill be doing for the rest of my life.


    With a grin, Raymond shrugged.


    Father and I will support you in anything, so theres nothing for you to worry about.


    Ise held Raymonds hand. He then looked down at Ises hand and nodded, then he said, Is that so.


    Just as he did until now, her father would continue to be there to help her. She had no doubt that she could buy Raymond anything that he wanted. Even after hes already her husband. And, again, Ise wished that there would be no uncertainty with her fianc any longer.


    Lord Raymond, if Countess Elva will attend, will you still feel the same way about our marriage?


    Of course, Miss Ise.


    Are you happy as well?


    Narrowing her eyes, she stared at the handsome, golden man. He answered back with a picturesque smile on his lips.


    Yes. It is a joyous asion.


    His positive answer came out with not a hint of hesitation, yet it sounded rather false. Even so, this was not anymore important. What mattered here was that hes no longer in a position to show any displeasure.


    From the bottom of her heart, Ise thought that it was of no consequence to her. As long as he would look at Ise and smile at her, as long as they would enter the hall together, as long as they were in the same bed, side by side.


    Fufu.


    Do smile, my knight. My overpriced groom.


    However, Ise wouldnt let Raymond live freely like her father did. She did not wish to live like her mother. If it was that kind of rtionship, then all that was ted for her was to adjust ordingly, have a child together to fulfill the contract, then go in search of lust and affection elsewhereseparately.


    No matter how handsome and no matter how high the quality of his bloodline was, he was nothing but a stallion that was eventually sold. And his owner was none other than the Evans family.


    Even if he was of noble descent, he was not next in line for his households peerage, and it wasnt like the eldest son would share his inherited fortune with his increasingly famous younger brother.


    After the ceremony three dayster, in the end, Raymond would have toe back to the Evans household and shareughter together. Even if his smiles did note from his heart, at the very least, he would not be allowed to do as he pleased.


    Lord Raymond. I hear that youve done numerous merits on the battlefield.


    Yes.


    Im curious about just how many youve taken down.


    If Carynne held the reins through her beauty, then Ise would hold the reins through her wealth. At most, the daughter of this small domains fief lord would just continue to live here and marry her stuttering fianc. Thatd be all that there was to her insignificant little life.


    You came back all in one piece, fortunately. And thats enough.