Chapter 189


    Prince Lewis is dead.


    Now, the sole heir to the throne is Crown Prince Gueuze.


    However, Marquis Penceir had no intention of letting him ascend to the throne. It was clear who had killed Prince Lewis.


    All sorts of people were striving to smoothly pass the throne to him. The current king, even past his nies, was forcibly clinging to his crown, and the nobility were still interacting with the young Prince Lewis.


    But with the young princes death, all ns were dashed.


    With the trained king dead, they must now ept Crown Prince Gueuze as their king. But Marquis Penceir was unwilling.


    He needed to meet the old king.


    It seems a bloody struggle will ensue.


    .


    Raymond, for now, you should stay home. I will call you when the timees.


    Do you not need my help now?


    Raymonds green eyes gleamed in the sunset. He was known to be an excellent marksman. Marquis Penceir shook his head. Being too well-known meant his presence here might raise suspicions.


    Everyone knows you and Prince Lewis were close, so your presence in the capital now is definitely not good.


    I really wish to meet His Highness the Crown Prince Gueuze.


    Marquis Penceir shook his head again. If Raymond met Crown Prince Gueuze and would kill him, it would spark another conflict.


    I understand how you must be feeling. You probably want to take revenge immediately.


    But now is not the time.


    Go down and perhaps conduct your brothers funeral. Live quietly as if youre indifferent to everything.


    Raymond was silent for a long time, as if he couldnt possibly rise.


    I will surely call you again. But not now. I also have preparations to make.


    Understood.


    And Marquis Penceir felt he knew who the culprit was. In fact, there could be no one else but one.


    Marquis Penceir clenched his fist. Prince Lewis was his king and his nephew. Marquis Penceir had no intention of sitting by and watching Crown Prince Gueuze ascend to the throne.


    Then, Ill see you next time, Marquis Penceir.


    Yes, Ill send a contribution for your brothers funeral.


    Thank you.


    Raymond bowed his head and left. His stern face was worrisome.


    <i>Poor fellow.</i>


    Marquis Penceir watched the younger mans back and thought so.


    Despite the blessings given to him in terms of abilities, that young man had always been unlucky. He lost his parents early and was forced into an engagement with a debtors daughter. Then, his fiance disappeared, and now the only remaining familyhis older brotherhad died, too.


    And now, the Marquis felt a tightening in his chest. The young prince he had cherished more than anyone, the boy who looked up to Raymond with eyes of admiration, had died.


    Crown Prince Gueuze must pay for his crimes.


    * * *


    Raymond closed the door of the Marquiss chambers.


    <i>Haa.</i>


    Prince Lewis was dead.


    Marquis Penceir was burning with intense vengeance towards Crown Prince Gueuze. Now that Prince Lewis was dead, the next in line for session was Marquis Penceir. Until now, the marquis had been working to ensure the throne would rightly go to Lewis, but things would be different now.


    The real battle for the throne henceforth begins. Crown Prince Gueuze will have to put all his effort into suppressing Marquis Penceir. At least for a year, he wont even have time to think about women.


    Are you the famed Sir Raymond Saytes?


    Is it true that you can take down a hundred men all alone?


    The voice of the boy who used to look up to him seemed to echo, but he shook his head. That wasnt what mattered. The difort settling in his chest was ignorable. The only important thing was one person.


    Ah, the boutique should be closed by now. Ill probably have to leave the day after tomorrow.


    He looked up at the sky. The sun was setting.


    A burning sky appeared. The edges of the blood-red sky were gradually turning purple, weing the night. It reminded him of the only person who mattered to him, the one he loved.


    The sunset, like your hair. The purple sky, like your eyes. The moon, like your fair features Hmm, is this expression too cheesy? Im not sure whats appropriate. But I suppose I should try it. If its too cheesy, I can use it as a joke.


    Raymondughed.


    Marquis Penceir will openly console Crown Prince Gueuze in his grief.


    Crown Prince Gueuze will have to devote all his mind to dealing with Marquis Penceir.


    And Verdic will do everything to protect Carynne, who he believes holds clues to Ise.


    I need to get some fitted clothes before going back.


    I hope Im not toote and that she wont be angry. But it should be fine, right?


    Raymond picked up his bag. It was quite heavy, but not beyond his ability to carry. Raymond looked down at the bag and smiled.


    It will be fine. Carynne will love me no matter what.


    She will be safe till then. Raymond stepped forward lightly.


    Only one person mattered.


    That was enough.


    * * *


    Raymond had returned.


    His arrival was quite sudden.


    Since Raymond hadnt specified his return date, everyone scrambling on the day of his return was an inevitable sequence.


    The first to greet him was Verdic.


    Alerted by the distant sound of horse hooves, Verdic sprang up from his bed and hurried to the door faster than any servant, desperate for any news.


    Raymond Saytes.


    It was him. Verdic felt a wave of detion.


    Raymond Saytes had finallye back to his home. Inevitable, yet Verdics heart was heavy with a sense of loss.


    Not yet I havent found anything yet.


    The thought gnawed at him.


    Time had flown much too swiftly. Despite his exhaustive search, no evidence surfaced, and Carynne had remained as tight-lipped as ever. He couldnty a finger on her, and his pleas for her sympathy were in vain.


    Time had slipped through his fingers, and now, Raymond had returned.


    Why are you here? Raymond asked.


    His Highness Crown Prince Gueuze wrote to me, sympathizing with my situation.


    Verdic spoke through clenched teeth. Raymond simply raised an eyebrow and let out augh, one that seemed to mock the entire situation.


    I see. Have you been well?


    How can I be, when I havent found my daughter?


    Thats unfortunate.


    Raymonds casual manner irked Verdic further as he bypassed him, carrying arge bag, heading inside his own home.


    G-Goodness.


    LLord Raymond.


    Verdics servants and maids scrambled to their feet and dashed out. Raymond chuckleda cold, dispassionate soundas he surveyed the disheveled lineup.


    He then turned to Verdic.


    Ah, Mister Verdic Evans Inviting so many people into my home during my absence, youve been rather presumptuous.


    Verdics face flushed then paled. Interactions with Carynne had taught him to control his anger better, perhaps even to ept defeat more readily.


    Verdic spoke again, more slowly this time.


    I just wanted your maid to have somefort.


    Carrie is merely a maid. For what reason have you gone to this extent?


    Shes Carynne Hare.


    No, she is not.


    Raymond countered almost yfully, then continued upstairs, still carrying his bag. ncing down at Verdic, he remarked,


    Ill overlook your impudence this time, for Crown Prince Gueuzes sake.


    Raymonds expression turned nk.


    But Id appreciate it if youd leave soon.


    What do you know about Ise? What have you done?


    I know nothing of it.


    His tone was icy.


    And then he moved on, disappearing down the corridor to his room, leaving Verdics gaze behind.


    Verdic brought a hand to his forehead.


    God damn it!