Chapter 202


    And because he blindly believed in repetition and immortality, no threat or torture worked on him. It was frustrating, and she didnt even want to see him. Torture would do nothing and would just tire her out. After five consecutive failures, she had to think of a different approach.


    Am I barren?


    Pardon?


    Ah, that was too sudden.


    Carynne spoke to Nancy again.


    Do you think Dun made me barren? Did Mother have something to do with that?


    I dont really know


    Not much help there.


    Its sad to think that way


    Im the one who wants to cry, so dont even start.


    Oh my, my.


    Had Dun made Carynnepletely barren?


    She had been with Raymond for months, yet no pregnancy. She had eaten only the meals Raymond prepared during that time. She suspected Dun had tampered with her food to force contraception. But having spent that much time with Raymond at the Tes Manor, she thought she should have conceived.


    Perhaps what Dun did to her body was further back than she thought.


    Carynne twirled her hair.


    If Dun had indeed made herpletely barren, then there was no solution. Carynne and Raymond were trapped in this perpetual time loop.


    Neither of them wanted that. It wasnt that they were desperate to die right away, but being only the two of them was not enough. They wanted to live in the world together, not be forever suspended in a world of their own.


    But really.


    How did Raymond manage to remember her?


    Carynney down, swinging her legs and resting her chin on her hands.


    There were much too many mysteries.


    For starters, Im not getting engaged to Dun.


    Oh my, really? Wouldnt it be better to get engaged first, even if you n to break it offter? The invitations have already been sent out.


    Send out notices postponing it. Im not getting engaged to that guy.


    Um


    Nancy looked troubled, not knowing what to do. Carynne realized that Nancy was just a maid, and she ultimately wouldnt be able to convey Carynnes decision to break off the engagement.


    So, she got up from the bed.


    She had to speak directly to the fief lord to settle this.


    * * *


    Dad!


    Carynne burst open the door and deliberately shouted. It was a childish way to seize the initiative. The fief lord, sitting in his study, looked up, his expression awkward as he watched Carynne stride in.


    Uh, yes, Carynne. Its been a while.


    Why has it been a while? We live in the same house.


    Milord, the Miss she


    Nancy tried to speak to the lord with a hesitant nce. Carynne looked at Nancy and put her finger to her lips. <i>Shh, just stay quiet.</i>


    I remember now.


    I see.


    As the fief lord signaled the attendants behind her, Carynne raised her hand and spoke out. <i>Absolutely not.</i> If she lost her memory again, everything she had umted would vanish. That was uneptable.


    Im fine now. My mind is very clear and stable.


    People watched. Carynne smiled broadly and spoke again.


    Im serious. Im really fine.


    It took a while to convince the fief lord.


    * * *


    First of all, Im not getting engaged to Dun.


    The fief lord shook his head.


    Dun isnt a bad choice. Your mother and I chose him after careful consideration. And with his age and family connections, hes likely to be my sessor. Marrying him is the most suitable option. Besides, he took care of you since you were young, and you dont know how actively he supported Catherines ns.


    He knows too much, and thats the problem. Thats why he fed me tranquilizers and contraceptives. Maybe he even made me barren. Once, he even tried to drop me from a tower.


    Carynne felt a headacheing on just thinking about all that. Should she just kill that guy one more time?


    He promised to willingly break off the engagement if you said you loved someone else. Such understanding is rare in a young man.


    <i>Understanding?</i>


    Carynne struggled to stay calm. Losing her temper here would be the end of her. Men ready to subdue her lurked behind, and Nancy, who would ultimately obey the fief lord, stood beside her.


    Calm down.


    Not getting engaged to Dun is more important.


    She hated even the thought of seeing that assholes face.


    Well, tough luck.


    Carynne responded with determination.


    * * *


    The fief lord was at a loss. Carynnes demand was, in a way, reasonable. But he and his wife had long-nned something else. Catherine liked Dun because she believed he trusted her, but the fief lord had more pragmatic reasons to favor him.


    Dun was the next in line to be the lord of this domain. It was a natural session byw. Since the fief lord had no other children besides Carynne, the position would naturally go to Dun, a close male rtive. While Carynnes husband would have some rights, the lordship was always meant for Dun. The fief lord doubted whether Carynne could marry any other normal man.


    Shes my daughter, but isnt she sick?


    Carynne was beautiful, but at the same time, she was prone to crying fits, seizures, and memory loss. She also relied heavily on medication. Thats why the fief lord preferred Carynne marrying Dun, who knew all about her situation and could take care of his daughter.


    Most daughters in Carynnes position married the next lord to remain in the house. For future lords like Dun, such marriages solidified their position. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.


    But Catherine had wanted Carynne to find true love.


    Will you grant my request?


    Of course.


    Catherine had no reason to choose him, the fief lord thought.


    If it wasnt for love, there was no reason at all. She had many prestigious suitors. A kings consort was always better than a peasants wifethis was a universally agreed truth.


    Father. If you respect Mother, and if you respect me, please postpone the engagement.


    Carynne was adamant. The fief lord sighed deeply when his daughter brought up Catherine. She was right. As much as it made sense for Carynne to be engaged to Dun, his priority was Catherines request. Carynnes true love.


    I wont force the engagement.


    The fief lord replied. Even in Carynnes eyes, she could see that her father also seemed reluctant about Dun. He was a useful rtive but not the ideal son-inw.


    Please cancel mying-of-age celebration too.


    Is that necessary? Its an important event marking your adulthood. Many important rtives will be there. And


    Carynne shook her head.


    There was no one importanting to her birthday. She knew that from repeating it so many times. The rtives who came were just rted to her father, critiquing her appearance and gossiping about her being with Dun. They were of no help to her, merely important to her father. They werent people who would be beneficial to her in the long run. Carynne didnt want to spend time with such people this time.


    I dont want to. Father, you might not believe me, but,


    I believe everything. I believe all your mothers words.


    The lord hastily said. Carynne smiled inwardly.


    So youre saying that you <i>really</i> believe everything that I say?