Chapter 223


    “Sir Zion, how much longer until we arrive?”


    Carynne had only been listening to the conversation between the two until now, but she finally spoke to Sir Zion.


    “So that’s what Sir Raymond said.”


    “Really? Did he say that?”


    “……”


    But it seemed Zion hadn’t heard Carynne at all.


    She thought about asking again but decided against it. She felt like a borrowed sack of barley, a feeling she rarely experienced even though she had lived for so long.


    Meanwhile, Ise and Zion were enthusiastically blooming in a conversation about various topics, but mostly revolving around disparaging remarks about Raymond.


    “So when Sir Raymond did that, it was so funny you wouldn’t believe it. He isn’t all that great, you know.”<i>“Hmph,</i> I wish I had seen that.”


    “Um, Miss Ise, are you alright with me talking about Sir Raymond like this?”


    Zion already knew that Raymond and Ise had broken off their engagement. Yet, he asked her about it like this anyway.


    After finding out that he was a knight, Ise had started showing interest in him. And since then, Zion hadn’t missed the chance to switch it up—the callousness of an insolent coachman had thus transformed into the splendor of a chivalrous knight.


    Carynne could only be amazed by his quick change of attitude. She stared at Zion with a hint of incredulity, but he just winked at her and continued talking ill of Raymond.


    “I understand you were engaged to Sir Raymond… I hope I’m not making a mistake here.”


    “…What nonsense.”


    Good heavens.


    Carynne had to pretend she wasn’t listening to the exchange between Ise and Zion. She couldn’t join in nor could she escape somewhere else while sitting in the carriage. Regardless of Carynne’s difort, Ise and Zion continued their conversation.


    “What? Your engagement with Sir Raymond had been broken off?”


    “That’s what happened. I would prefer it if you no longer speak of him in front of me.”


    Ise snorted disdainfully as she responded to Zion’s inquiry about Raymond. Zion looked at her seriously.


    “But Sir Raymondcks discernment to hurl such abuse at someone like Miss Ise Evans.”


    “I utterly despise such hypocrites.”


    Ise turned her head sharply and snapped back. Zionughed and said,


    “Sometimes Sir Raymond seems that way. Ady with the honesty and great spirit like you, Miss Ise, wouldn’t suit him.”


    “How do you know that about me?”


    “A lot of people are curious about Mister Verdic’s daughter.”


    “What do they say?”


    Ise asked with a tense voice.


    Carynne thought about the reputation that floated around Ise in high society. Naturally, the stories weren’t good.


    Verdic’s money-grubbing daughter. Rude,cking manners, and a woman who buys men with money.


    It was so publicly known that Ise herself couldn’t possibly have stayed unaware, and Carynne had to endure her hysterical outbursts.


    “No rumor lives up to the real thing.”


    Zion chuckled as he responded.


    “Are you talking about my face?”


    “Everything about you.”


    <i>Good grief.</i>


    Carynne narrowed her eyes and red at Zion. Sir Zion, introduced by Raymond, certainly had nock in his security skills. But for him to flirt so openly with Ise…


    Carynne frowned as she looked at Ise.


    <i>“Hmph! </i>Everyone just starts spreading rumors after borrowing money from my father.”


    “That seems likely.”


    <i>But this guy seems like he’s after your money, too.</i>


    Carynne was about to whisper that. As a friend, she ought to advise on whether the men approaching were good or bad.


    Carynne thought of the noblemen in high society who, though not as reputable as Raymond, were not rude <i>and</i> possessed considerable wealth.


    “……”


    The problem was that the men were all only interested in Carynne. Even if she tried to introduce Ise, it was uncertain whether they would like each other. Moreover, while talking to Zion, Ise looked like she was genuinely quite chipper.


    ‘Should I just leave things as they are?’


    Carynne noticed Ise ncing at her while her voice grew louder. Ise seemed quite pleased that Zion was showing more interest in her than in Carynne. It felt a bit strange, but perhaps it was okay as long as Ise was satisfied. Ise was pleased with Zion, and Carynne would just be pping along at Ise’s side.


    “…Sir Zion, when are you meant to receive the promisedpensation?”


    “You needn’t worry about that, Miss Carynne.”


    His deliberate distancing was too obvious. Carynne frowned. Was it really right to leave it at that?


    Zion ignored Carynne and asked Ise.


    “Ise, will you continue to stay at the Grand Cathedral after we reach the capital? Isn’t that a bit dull?”


    “I suppose so. My father won’t be able to enter anyway.”


    “Ah, but I know some great ces, and it would be a shame to just stay there.”


    “But if my fatheres looking…”


    It was already clear from Ise’s face that she was thinking of changing her ns of staying indefinitely at the temple, and the following to-do list she had written before meeting Zion. At this, Carynne stopped herself from saying anything. Ise pretending to be a well-mannereddy didn’t suit her.


    Why did Raymond introduce such a man? Clearly, he was skilled, but Zion’s overt flirting with Ise was concerning.


    Ise was the priority.


    Carynne thought again about her goal in this life.


    <i>To be friends with Ise.</i>


    And as a friend, it was her duty to remove any unworthy men who clung to her. Carynne believed that. And as she red at the back of Zion’s head, she pondered how to separate the two.


    There are many men in the world. And Carynne knew plenty of men herself.


    Carynne clenched her fist and resolved to introduce other men to her friend.


    * * *


    “Then, I’ll entrust this task to you, Sir Zion.”


    Raymond had to swallow his groan as he looked at the man before him. The guy’s smile was bright. He seemed quite pleased with thepensation Raymond had promised. After all, most of the tasks he took on were more dangerous than Raymond’s.


    With a background of being from the lowliest among themoners, Zion was always tasked with dirty work or fighting on the front lines. For him, this was no more than a light exercise he did every day.


    “Just trust me, senior. Carrying twodies to the capital is no sweat at all.”


    “…I’m seriously relying on you this time, Sir Zion. I have things to do and can’t apany them… but really, it should have been me going.”


    “Just trust me.”


    Zion thumped his chest confidently in response, but Raymond was not reassured.


    ‘I can’t just send the two of them alone.’


    It was impossible for Carynne and Ise to travel to the capital alone. They needed a carriage and someone to protect them.


    “…Sir Zion, I have a favor to ask.”


    Sir Zion Electra, while not as skilled as Raymond, was certainly capable and was one of the people closest to him that could be motivated by money. Others had power so that Raymond couldn’t move them, or it risked Ise or Verdic finding out about the n.


    Zion was the right choice. However, the problem was that Zion was a bit too good at wooing women. Raymond knew how much of a ‘darling’ he was to many women, which was why he really didn’t feel like introducing him to Carynne.


    “Well, so many people already say that I do anything for money. Do I look like someone who would touch your woman, senior?”


    “…I’ve broken off my engagement with Ise Evans.”


    “What? Why? That cash cow… <i>Ahem.</i> But wow, you’re really crazy, senior.”


    “That’s why I want to help her achieve what she wants to do from now on. So, if you do anything strange to her, I won’t let it go.”


    “What about the other woman? There’s one more, right?”


    “Yes, it’s Miss Carynne Hare…”


    <i>And actually, she’s my lover, and she and my ex-fiancée are supposed to be friends.</i>


    It seemed excessively strange even to himself. How should he exin their situation to Zion?