Resetting Lady - Chapter 186

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

“If it’s Baron Seyertes, I understand. Has his condition improved somewhat?”

“…Thanks to your concern, he’s much better.”

No. Baron Seyertes’s illness will never be cured.

He always died early. Walking around drunk and drugged, falling into a stream and drowning was his end. His life was always violent.

For Raymond, a wife is enough for family. His brother is already someone who died in childhood.

But Raymond saw Karen folding the letter and writing the house address on the envelope. Karen in this life does things she had never done before. She looks after each maid, thinks about family, and takes care of Isella Evans.

So Raymond also decided to do his best within his limits. Baron Seyertes didn’t get better, but Raymond still took care of him. Instead, he stripped him of his authority as a baron.

“Congratulations. But that’s not the only reason I called you. You know that, don’t you?”

The Duke continued speaking to Raymond while organizing his schedule.

“The rumors about you lately aren’t very good.”

“Since they’re not true, I don’t mind them.”

“Whether they’re true or not, what’s more important is what kind of rumors are circulating. Don’t you understand that you need to show favor when you should? Prince Louis is worried.”

Raymond thought about the rumors circulating about him. It seemed Sion was working hard enough for them to reach the Duke’s ears. The Duke spoke to Raymond with a genuinely displeased expression.

“I can’t understand why you broke up with Isella. She’s still a card that needs to be played.”

“There’s someone else who truly likes her.”

“If that’s Count Sion, I’ll skip lunch properly today.”

“It’s fine. I’ll have something light.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

The Duke stopped writing his memo and rang a bell to call a servant. When the servant standing outside came in, he gestured to Raymond, and Raymond ordered a cup of tea.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been somewhere other than the study.”

“…I must have misjudged you. Now for such a trivial reason… your connection with Verdick… and with Count Sion of all people?”

Duke Fankair was someone who ground his teeth at Verdick. As Verdick Evans began interfering with military supplies, the conflict became even more intense and weapon prices soared.

Raymond was just a horse to him. One of the connecting links with Verdick.

If the connection continued with Isella and someone among Raymond’s subordinates, that would be fortunate, but if it was Sion, things would be different. Verdick wouldn’t be satisfied with Sion. Sion was woefully inadequate compared to Raymond.

Verdick would definitely find it strange and might try to dig deeper.

A little investigation into Sion’s background would immediately reveal Raymond. Digging into their relationship would naturally bring up the military and school, and Duke Fankair wouldn’t be far removed either. Using Sion as Raymond’s replacement wasn’t a good choice for the Duke.

“I didn’t know you’d make such bad choices consecutively.”

The Duke’s eyes gradually grew colder. Raymond knew he was already calculating and reassessing his usefulness. Having lived long, his intuition had to be quicker.

But Raymond had more cards from living long. Even if Prince Louis no longer admired him, even without connections to Verdick, it would be fine.

“May I speak about something else?”

“Temporary face-saving won’t help at all, Lord Raymond. If you want to change the subject now, you’ll need to present a proper story. Would you be attractive to me without Verdick Evans?”

“You’ll definitely like it.”

“I’m warning you in advance, if you mention His Highness the Prince, you won’t appear before me for a while.”

Raymond shook his head. He couldn’t know how the Prince would think of him now. But he didn’t care about such things. He thought more about how he should act.

“Duke, you must know that the recent series of murders has stopped. I’d like to tell you more about that.”

“…That’s not a good topic to hear during a meal. I’ll change to something other than meat.”

Verdick changed the type to tea as well.

Raymond took out a map from his coat for him. It marked the locations where incidents had occurred so far and the places he had prevented.

“Recently, I’ve been frequenting the red-light district for investigation purposes.”

“What’s this?”

“I need the Duke’s cooperation regarding the serial murder case.”

Even without Verdick, he had many useful cards.

The Duke would definitely like this information quite a bit. Raymond knew various things the Duke would like.

Could he live in this life?

Could he finally live this time?

He hoped so.

He loved her for trying to become good.

This time must succeed.

Raymond felt desperate hope.

* * *

“…I understand.”

Isella stood up abruptly. Then she said to Sion.

“Even if it’s burdensome, not saying anything is more burdensome, so I’ll speak. When wondering whether to do something or not, it seems better to do it. I can handle the aftermath with money.”

Though she couldn’t tell Sion everything, talking made her decision firm. Sion shook hands with Isella to encourage her.

“I don’t know what it is, but I hope it goes well.”

“Yes.”

Isella decided. It would indeed be better to tell Karen.

No matter how uncomfortable Karen might be, if she didn’t tell her, she would continue to feel uneasy. It would be right to tell her the reality and give her a chance to choose.

And she knew that her allowance was enough to handle someone like Karen. Isella tried to think lightly. It might not be such a big deal. Even after just one day of worrying this much, if she didn’t speak, she would only worry more and it would definitely be a loss for her.

“And Count Sion, I’m fine with you not having money.”

“Thank you.”

“But that’s not because I like you tremendously. It’s because I have enough to be generous.”

“Of course. It’s fine if I like you more.”

Isella wouldn’t feel too bad even if Sion liked her money more. She seemed to understand the reason better. She indeed preferred someone accommodating her rather than admiring someone.

Karen was continuously uncomfortable. She couldn’t understand why. But Sion was clear. As long as Isella had money, he would listen to her and love her like that. Even if it was pretending to love.

But Isella knew that was enough for her. To her, men were beings to be controlled, not objects of admiration. What Verdick gave wasn’t satisfying. Verdick didn’t know Isella and Isella didn’t know herself.

Raymond was an object of admiration. And she might have loved him. But Isella was always uncomfortable with him. It was like wearing ill-fitting jewelry or riding a horse. Not all famous horses are obedient.

Verdick tried to give her a good man, but for Isella, a man she could control suited her better. This was something she realized after meeting Sion following her breakup with Raymond.

* * *

Walking along the riverside dyed in golden sunset. It was more of a stream than a river, but it was perfect for taking a walk and getting some air.

Karen walked slowly, enjoying her hair fluttering in the wind. Swans floated on the river, chasing bread crumbs thrown by people. The capital was indeed nice. Many more people came and went, and there were buildings and sights of all kinds.

“What should we do about dinner?”

“Um, uh, wouldn’t it be better to eat before going back? I don’t really like temple meals.”

“I see.”

Karen looked at Isella, who had been restless since earlier, wondering how far they should walk.

“Did you meet Count Sion? You were looking for him all day.”

“…Yes.”

She must have met him. She had taught her where to find him. But what was Isella’s problem that she’d been acting like this since yesterday? Karen tilted her head, pondering. She wasn’t visible yesterday, and the day before in the morning… she had gone to the hospital.

Karen finally remembered that she had confessed about regression to Isella. She had forgotten again during this time.

She must have said she was crazy at the hospital.

Karen smiled bitterly as she guessed why Isella was so anxious. That’s why she was so nervous. Thinking she’d been living with a crazy woman. It’s difficult to tell a crazy person they’re crazy.

Raymond had been like that in the past too. So Karen could immediately recognize Isella’s attitude.

“It’s okay. Even if I’m not normal, I won’t cause you trouble.”

The goal of becoming friends with you is so difficult to achieve, but just getting this far seems like something. Karen thought that just Isella recommending a hospital was remarkable progress.

The old Isella never cared even when Karen collapsed from illness while working. If she cared, it was only worrying about catching it and being annoyed. For such an Isella to recommend going to the hospital first was enough to be moved.

“Karen… um… do you have any idea what it might be about?”

“Um, well.”

Karen continued walking with Isella, who was talking about incomprehensible things. She seemed to have something to say but kept hesitating to bring it up. Since she couldn’t press her, they ended up walking for quite a while.

After walking for a long time, the golden light had changed to red and was slowly being dyed purple. The early evening moon rising was beautiful. Karen looked up at the sky. They had to go back now. If they were later, the subdeacon would be furious.

“Isella, how about writing a letter to your father?”

“…Why?”

“I recently wrote to my father about various things, and it felt quite nice. Mr. Verdick must be waiting for news from Miss Isella too.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes.”

Silence flowed again. Karen stopped walking.

“If we’re later, the subdeacon will be angry. Shall we retrace our steps?”

“Wait a moment. Let’s walk a little more.”

Isella insisted. Karen shrugged and started walking again. The wind was cool, and the mixture of insect sounds, people’s chatter, and the smell of cooking food wasn’t unpleasant.

Grass stains had somehow gotten on the hem of Isella’s skirt. Karen was concerned but didn’t point it out since Isella seemed distracted by other things.

Isella stopped walking. Karen stopped too.

Isella opened her mouth toward Karen. She had to tell her. No matter how she would take it. She had to let her know the truth.

“Karen, you are.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————