Resetting Lady - Chapter 128
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Karen was dead.
The girl he had loved was dead. Perhaps now he was even confused about whether he had truly loved her. The time he spent with her had been such a short time.
It’s okay.
It’s just trauma.
It’s just the grief of losing a lover overwhelming him.
That’s how people comforted him.
But Raymond knew it wasn’t that. He had become accustomed to that sorrow and tragedy from sending away family, friends, and comrades.
No matter what grief he faced, he had always risen again. He was that accustomed to sorrow.
See? I told you that you would forget.
“I don’t know.”
Would it be possible?
The most terrible thing wasn’t Karen’s death.
The more terrible thing was what happened after Karen died.
“…Karen?”
After Karen’s death, memories that couldn’t possibly exist kept surfacing.
Impossible memories were surfacing.
Karen was dead.
Karen was dead.
Karen hanging herself, eating poison, being trampled by horses, being strangled by people, being pushed.
Waterfall-like memories began to crush Raymond.
This was the beginning of the curse.
* * *
It was a story from one day. It was a day when sparkling lights and sweet candy scents filled the air. Karen looked up at Raymond. Tension showed in her large purple eyes. Raymond anticipated what she might say.
“Lord Raymond, this might sound strange… but I don’t think I’m a person of this world. This world feels like a novel to me. Actually… I think it really is a novel.”
It was an interesting story, but a childish one.
“You’re the male protagonist, and I’m the female protagonist. If we fall in love, it’s a happy ending.”
There was no social perspective in that story, no contemplation of how countless people’s lives flow. But it was filled with a shy confession. That was enough.
Raymond took Karen’s hand.
“Since I love you, this story will now have a happy ending.”
He suddenly thought: Does Karen love me? But that probably didn’t matter much to him. There was plenty of time, and the years would create love.
It was like the unique anxiety of a bride before marriage. That’s what Raymond thought.
And the next day Karen died.
* * *
It was a story from one day. It was a day when a bleak wind swept across his entire body. Isella Evans cursed and slapped Karen’s cheek, but that was the end of it. Even that small revenge wasn’t accomplished by Raymond’s hand. Today was the day Verdick Evans went completely bankrupt, and Raymond had won.
Countless people sent congratulations to Raymond and said they would come to his wedding to add honor. Raymond bowed his head and kissed his beautiful fiancée.
Karen looked up at Raymond. Raymond looked down at Karen. Her large purple eyes were filled with fear. To comfort Karen, Raymond wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
“You don’t need to be so afraid. Verdick has now lost all his power.”
It was beyond Raymond’s expectations. One of the main pillars of Verdick’s business had completely collapsed. Among the stories Karen told, Raymond focused on one part. It was quite a plausible speculation.
“Lord Raymond, I…”
“Since you helped me, I will spend my entire life with you.”
“I’m afraid. I don’t think I’m a person of this world. This might sound really strange, but this isn’t my first life. …It really feels like a novel.”
Unlike the realistic and cold advice she had given, dream-like stories flowed from her lips. Come to think of it, the Duke had once talked about Karen’s mother. He said she lived somewhat lost in dreams.
But if Karen was lost in dreams, Raymond was willing to respect those dreams. He would make it so she could continue dreaming.
Even if reality was cold and bleak, so that the dream-like beautiful girl before his eyes could continue to be immersed in fantasy.
But Raymond knew that Karen’s eyes were somewhat tinged with resignation. Even so, how could he believe her words?
‘Lord Raymond, I know you don’t believe me.’
Karen’s eyes seemed to say that.
But what would change if he believed?
And the next day Karen died.
* * *
It was a story from one day. It was a bright spring. Raymond had to find a suitable excuse to break his engagement with Isella Evans. Wasn’t there some passing beauty that would make his head turn? Raymond grumbled inwardly as he flipped through his notebook. And he was pathetic for doing so.
“Hello.”
“Yes… Lady Hyer, are you feeling well?”
“I’m fine. Thanks to you, I survived. Thank you.”
“It was only natural.”
Raymond looked down at the red-haired girl named Karen Hyer. She was a plump, round girl. Raymond wanted to poke her cheek once but had to restrain himself. She would definitely hate it tremendously.
“I thought it would be okay if I gained weight.”
Karen Hyer sat beside him and blurted out. Raymond pondered what she meant, then remembered the dangerous situation Karen had nearly faced. He had rescued and brought back the lord’s daughter who had been surrounded by ruffians during the festival.
“…Originally rape, um. I’m sorry. But those kinds of men don’t discriminate based on appearance.”
“Yes, but I thought it would make some difference. I’m disappointed in my life.”
They said she had been incredibly beautiful since childhood. Maybe that’s why she gained weight? Raymond remembered how Karen’s father had subtly promoted his daughter.
“I thought my body would get bigger and I could become stronger. Then I thought no one would be able to kill me.”
“I’m a man and a soldier, but I’m scared every time I go into battle.”
“But it’s not the same as me. I can’t even walk the streets with peace of mind.”
“That would certainly be the case. What can you do about it.”
“…That’s right.”
But why was this woman talking to him so much? Because she liked him?
Raymond looked at Karen’s profile.
“…What?”
But that face seemed far from anything like romantic feelings. It was closer to the tragic beauty of someone going into battle. As if Karen noticed his gaze, she glared at Raymond.
“No, I was wondering if you had fallen for me.”
“I have no such intention, so turn your head away.”
Raymond felt unnecessarily embarrassed and turned his head away again.
“…”
Still, somehow his pride was hurt. With childish pride, Raymond put down the notebook he was holding and turned to Karen.
“I’m handsome.”
“I know. I told you to turn your head away, didn’t I?”
“Do I need permission even to look?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Come to think of it, giving unwanted attention was indeed rude. Agreeing, Raymond turned his head away again.
‘She’s quite nice though.’
Though plump, her features were distinct and her eyes were clear. What kind of face would Isella Evans make if he said he would marry this girl?
She might make a good partner. Maybe Isella would get even more furious and cause a scene.
“My life goal is to live a long, long time. But why is this so difficult?”
“Um… hang in there.”
“You too, Lord Raymond.”
Karen’s eyes were rippling with determination.
Raymond saw that and knew his proposal wouldn’t work on her. Raymond was in a profession where it was hard to live long.
“But why are you telling me about that determination…?”
“Don’t fall for me. Just in case, I’m saying this, but don’t propose to me. I came to tell you in advance because I have a feeling you’re going to propose this time.”
Raymond couldn’t help but laugh at that boldness.
It was absurd but interesting. That made it even more regrettable. Raymond’s side would never be such a safe place.
“I only look at women’s faces. You’re not one.”
Would she cry? Raymond glanced at Karen’s face. Karen hung her head and ground her teeth for a long time, then stood up.
“…More than I thought… Lord Raymond… you’re that kind of… person.”
“Look at yourself before you speak. What’s with suddenly coming here.”
Karen stamped her foot once with a thud, then got up from her seat.
“Let’s never see each other again in this life. Preferably in future ones too.”
“Why go that far.”
But Karen stomped down the hill in frustration. Raymond watched her retreating figure with an idle smile.
She’s quite entertaining. Though her mind is a bit peculiar. I hope she lives a long, long life.
“….”
And this region will fall into Verdick’s grasp.
Raymond sat back down and sighed as he organized his schedule. Even that eccentric country girl would crumble, become depressed, and turn miserable once Verdick’s touch reached her. Just as he had.
Raymond had such thoughts while looking at the lord’s manor visible in the distance.
And later, Raymond heard that Karen had died. She ultimately failed to fulfill that wish of hers.
* * *
It was a story from one day. It was a day when a storm was raging. Raymond pulled out a girl who was being swept away by the river current.
“I thought I might actually die this time.”
“It’s not yet time for you to die, so please live longer.”
Raymond looked at Karen Hyer’s gaunt face. She was the lord’s daughter.
“…Please don’t cry.”
“Damn it…. I’m alive again….”
Karen was crying while practically cursing. Her face looked as if she utterly despised being alive.
“Did I interfere with your suicide?”
“…Yes. Could you help me?”
“I refuse.”
“I thought you’d answer that way.”
Raymond declined while wrapping a blanket around Karen Hyer. He wanted to live. For a long, long time. Happily.
“My fiancé has come.”
Karen stood up while wrapped in the blanket. Raymond absently watched that girl’s retreating figure.
“…Th, thank you.”
The priest stammered as he expressed his gratitude to him. Raymond accepted that thanks while speaking to the priest.
“Your fiancée seems to be having a hard time, so please comfort her well.”
“…Pl, please don’t concern yourself.”
Oh my. Raymond smiled bitterly. It was the same wary look he had grown tired of receiving in high society.
Though they didn’t look like a happy couple, it wasn’t his business to worry about. If those two were an ordinary pair, then what about himself and Isella?
Didn’t Raymond want to almost kill Isella? For the single reason that her father was a criminal.
Those two would live well enough. It wasn’t his concern. Even if Verdick coveted that estate and took away all rights, she would at least be able to maintain basic food, clothing, shelter, and livelihood.
But Raymond remembered for a long time those eyes filled with despair at the fact of being alive.
And Raymond heard a year later that Karen had finally succeeded in dying.
* * *
It was one day.
Karen had died.
Falling before his very eyes.
…Dead.
Raymond closed her eyes.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————