Chapter 61


    Before Carynne fell, Raymond narrowly managed to pull her up and out the window.


    Im sorry. But its my mothers memento


    Truthfully, it was just a notebook that she wasnt even sure about whether it was or was not her mothers memento. But you never know. Raymond didnt explicitly verbalize it, but he must think that shes being ridiculous.


    All right, lets save the words forter and leave first.


    <i>Whiiiizz.</i>


    The raging fire and passing breeze intertwined together over the Hare manor.


    As Raymond carried Carynne in his arms, he rolled his ankles a couple times as he stood on the roof, then he soon jumped off to the low roof below.


    <i>Thud, stagger.</i>


    AHH!


    Carynne hugged Raymonds neck tightly.


    Shit, do it right!


    She cursed inwardly, but she kept it in and gritted her teeth.


    Im asking just in case, but would you be able to bnce by yourself and go across that roof there?


    The roof that Raymond jerked his head towards was a roof that was burning and already a bit tilted, though the stone walls remained intact. Still though, the ce that shed have to walk over was just the exact width of her feet.


    Not everyones a monster like you, okay?


    Carynne shook her head.


    Even if both my feet were fine, I cant do that. Even if Ive died and woken up again a hundred times over, I cant.


    Its not a matter of whether she physically could or couldnt do it. As though unphased by what she said, Raymond nodded without a change to his expression.


    Then try not to breathe and just hang on.


    And Carynne did so.


    With her in his arms, Raymond hunched over.


    The familiar scent of gunpowder emanated from the man. Raymond jumped, but his figure mid-air looked as though he was soaring through the sky. Then, <i>thud!</i> A loud sound entered Carynnes ears. The sensation was horrifying.


    Falling was something she had gone through many times already, but now, the warmth of another human being was right next to her. And that was Raymond. So Carynne was not so scared this time.


    As long as hes around, she won''t die.


    At least, not until that day.


    As their bodies soared lightly for a moment, he stepped off the roof. Then, he started running down the wallso fast that its possible to hear the sound of the wind.


    !


    Carynne wanted to cover her ears, but she couldnt because she wastched onto Raymond. As he ran, Carynne heard the sound of windows cracking in their wake. Whoever it was left in there, it would be difficult to survive now.


    <i>Taak.</i>


    It wasnt until they finally reached the ground that Raymond set Carynne back down.


    Urk.


    Carynne tried to stand up by herself, but she soon faltered once more because of the pain that shot up her foot.


    Mdy!


    Donna came running at her. The maids face was covered in tear streaks.


    Oh my goodness, what do we do. Just what happened here Where is His Lordship? I didnt see hime out Hiic, uhk, hiic Mdy, are you alright?


    Carynne couldnt answer right away. She didnt even have enough energy to pull out a joke right now. Shes at her limit. Too much happened in just one night. She felt her strength leaving her body as she fell over while leaning into Donna.


    What do we do


    Donna hugged Carynne and wept. Carynne patted Donna, but even this became too troublesome for her.


    Ise


    Then, he showed up.


    My daughter, how


    With a dreadful expression, Verdic walked towards Carynne. At this, she bowed her head.


    Im curious about that too. Wheres Ise, I wonder. What happened. And, this situation.


    Why


    But nevertheless, it was awkward to look at Verdics face. All Carynne knew was that no one had since seen Ise.


    Howe.


    Carynne herself didnt know what she was feeling, whether she was happy, sad, or relieved.


    Verdic saw Raymondugh.


    Verdic saw Raymond.


    He looked like hesughing.


    * * *


    Please, dont let me open my eyes.


    I used to pray like this every single time I fell asleep. If only it could all end so that I could stop thinking forever.


    But this was nothing but a futile wish. When I opened my eyes, the day would start again. I know. I know it already. Everyday, it was the same people, the same smiles, the same tears. I despair as I regain consciousness in the dark, and again, I despair as I wake up once more.


    Mdy, are you alright?


    Still, it wasforting to be wrapped in a warm nket instead of the garden where the start always happened.


    The garden was always cold. That coldness which brought upon shivers, its not here. Its not cold this time.


    Who killed me this time? No. Im the one who killed someone else this time. I killed someone. Nobodys going to kill me. Ink on paper, the faint sound of a piano. No. Not this time. Not yet.


    Mdy.


    Whose voice was that? It wasnt that low but steady voice that had a slightly garbled pronunciation. This was a womans voice who was a bit younger.


    Ah, right. I killed Nancy. This girl isnt Nancy. This voice is Donnas. The slightly younger, lively girls voice. Different from how its always been. A voice owned by someone who didnt have enough of a grudge that shed kill Carynne.


    Are you alright?


    Eugh.


    Carynne tried to open her eyes, but she couldnt.


    Was she blind now? Thankfully, that wasnt the case. When she raised her hand to her eyes, she found something draped there. How long had she been unconscious?


    Uh.


    She opened her lips, but her dry throat and lips made it impossible for her to speak. Carynne opened and closed her lips a few times, and Donna moistened her lips and eyes with a wet towel.


    She came back to life again. Her eyes were dazzled by brightness. Carynne looked at the ceiling over Donnas hand as she wiped her face gently. The bright, cream-colored wallpaper was enough to tell her that this wasnt her room.


    Wa, ter.


    Here you are.


    How long have I been unconscious?


    Three days. I really thought that Mdy was also going to to die! Hiic


    Donna burst into tears.


    Also?


    Carynne asked. Donna hupped and said, <i>Ack </i>Then she mped her lips shut.


    Did a lot of people get hurt?


    Mi Mdy.


    Donna nervously exined.


    Please dont be surprised Truthfully, His Lordship hes


    Not that.


    Carynne had to bow her head to hide the irritation that had shed over her face. Her hair cascaded over the bed. Something elsesomething that she didnt already know.


    Wasnt it that right before I fell unconscious, Im the one who said that Father couldnt make it out of there? You dont remember? Did you forget because a few days have passed, huh?


    Carynnes face was devoid of any emotion. But even so, Donna wept at her own face and mourned for the dead fief lord. Maybe shes letting out this excessive emotion at the possibility that shed be out of a job soon. At least, thats how it was in Carynnes eyes.


    Was this girl really grieving over some strangers death? You hired such a great maid, Father. Though shes not good at her job.


    A brief moment passed as Carynne waited for Donna to calm down. Then, she tried to ask again.


    Speak slowly. Where are we right now?


    The ceiling was cream colored, the wallpaper was full of flower patterns. The suns rays gently lit up the entire room, and one the side, there was a table full of tea and refreshments.


    Theres no need to say it, honestly. Its Carynnes first time here, but not really.


    Youre in my home, Lady Hare.


    Mister Verdic.


    The most ufortable and awkward man to be around appeared. Carynne felt Donna freeze up next to her. Carynne furtively touched her own neck. Its still intact.


    What happened to Ise?


    In any case, given that her head was still attached to her body, and seeing as that middle-aged man over there wasnt holding an axe in his hands, perhaps in the end, Ise didnt manage to escape the mansion?


    Donna, go out.


    Beneath the sheets, Carynne clenched one hand into a fist.


    Yes.


    As Donna left, Verdic drew nearer to the bed.


    For a moment, he remained silent.


    Im sure youre aware of the situation.


    My father passed away.


    Yes. Its truly unfortunate.


    Sure. Carynne recalled the way Verdicughed back then. Heughed.


    Heughed as he said this.


    Miss Hare. His Lordship hung himself. My condolences.


    While his eyes were so full of mirth.


    Since hes entrusted you to me Why dont you help out my daughter? It might be good to have you as herpanion who she can confide in.


    Carynne recalled this.


    But this time, Verdic wasntughing. He stayed silent. His hands were sped together, his head was bowed, and his expression remained at a grimace.


    Something must have happened to Ise.


    Carynne felt a small surge of exhration. If it had happened, she would have wanted to throw her decapitated head at him at this moment.


    The silence in the air continued to stretch between them. When Carynne could no longer stand it, she was the one who spoke up first.


    Mister Verdic?


    Ill say this frankly.


    Go ahead.


    Will you be my daughter?