Resetting Lady - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The late autumn city was quite chilly, so it would be fashionable to wear fur over a single layer of thin clothing.

“Are the traps sufficient?”

“Uh, ah, yes. There are plenty left.”

“That would be troublesome.”

“Ah… no, that’s not what I meant – they’re adequate.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

When Karen spoke to him, Xenon answered in confusion. After checking the bullets and lunch boxes, Karen signaled that it was time to depart. When the coachman gestured to Tom, Tom approached him. Fortunately for Tom, the coachman was quite fond of him. So was Xenon.

Pure affection shown to a child. Karen found such behavior oddly touching, remembering the subtle disgust the maids had shown him when she said she would take Tom in. Were the feelings one had toward the same gender different? There had been no such feelings between herself and Isella.

* * *

“Oh my… the footboard is broken.”

“They don’t maintain things properly, do they?”

Knowing this, it wasn’t particularly surprising.

She let the coachman’s excuses of “That can’t be right…” go in one ear and out the other as he scratched his head, and grumbled while extending her hand.

“…Ah.”

Karen stared into empty air. There was no hand. Usually Raymond would come and support her as she entered the carriage. Even when she hadn’t married him, there had never been a time when she didn’t receive assistance, so it felt strange. It was even somewhat unpleasant.

‘Why?’

Surely she should be enjoying the change. Karen was displeased that she felt displeasure. Raymond wasn’t beside her. And it wasn’t by her own choice.

Karen gestured to Tom, who was standing there blankly. Since Raymond wasn’t there, she should at least use a carriage attendant at times like this. But Karen sighed looking at the boy who was smaller than herself. She would have to receive the coachman’s help again.

“Tom, go back to Larry.”

“…”

“Tom?”

“What are you doing instead of getting down?”

A cold voice came from behind.

“Lord Raymond?”

He wasn’t looking at Karen. His cool eyes were directed not at Karen but at Tom. How strange of him. He normally wouldn’t even speak to that boy. Tom flinched and approached, bowing his head.

“You’re slow.”

Tom understood faster than Karen. Karen belatedly understood what he was saying. Tom bent his body at the carriage entrance. Tom’s shoulders were trembling slightly with tension.

Why? Karen stared at the knight, unable to understand him in that moment. Raymond turned his head and met Karen’s eyes. His eyes formed a pleasing arc.

“Please get in, Catherine Hyer.”

He extended his hand. Her knight was demanding that she trample on a nine-year-old’s body.

“…”

“Hurry.”

Karen took Raymond’s hand. Karen was about to step on Tom, but then lifted her foot higher into the carriage instead. Even if Raymond was acting differently than before, Karen had to match him as much as possible. He had to fall for her. When Karen strained to lift her foot, her body swayed slightly. Raymond caught and lifted her body again.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Having received her thanks, Raymond smiled and closed the carriage door. From inside. After seating Karen, he bent down and got into the carriage himself. It wasn’t behavior he could have with his fiancée left outside. We’re not in that kind of relationship yet, are we? Karen asked Raymond in amazement.

“What about Miss Isella?”

“She said she likes horseback riding. She seemed to enjoy it so much that I was considerate enough to let her indulge.”

Oh my. Karen could easily picture Isella’s face turning red and blue with rage. She was afraid to look out the window. The tar on her head would be a direct hit. Now she’d have to consider rotten food as well.

“Since there’s enough space, I trust you won’t issue an order to expel guests.”

“…Lord Raymond, why aren’t you riding a horse?”

“I can’t ride horses.”

You’re a knight, aren’t you? Karen was left speechless by his smile.

“…These days the army… I suppose you don’t need to ride horses?”

If you’re going to lie, at least wet your lips first. Raymond laughed while settling into a comfortable position.

“I’m very shy, so I can’t ride horses I’m seeing for the first time.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m introverted.”

“…I see. Please call me Karen. I rarely use the name Catherine, so it feels awkward. It’s my mother’s middle name.”

“Yes.”

Karen looked at him acting unusually familiar and smiled wryly, then cast her gaze beyond the window.

“…”

Was Raymond someone who became comfortable with people this quickly? Karen knew well how foolishly stiff he became when he fell in love. Raymond making jokes? He was someone in a position where he didn’t need to do such things. The kind of person who didn’t need to make self-deprecating jokes.

“The weather is nice.”

Karen set aside judging Raymond by her previous memories. This topic scored 7 points. Excessively safe. Karen lowered her gaze to Raymond’s clothes. The dark navy hunting outfit suited him splendidly. Who had chosen that for him?

“Indeed. Do you prefer summer, Sir Knight?”

“I like anything as long as it’s not winter.”

“The winters in the White Mountains are quite harsh.”

“It was terribly cold.”

Raymond had once muttered in bed as if recalling the distant past.

“I wanted to cut off my fingers. Everywhere I looked there was nothing but white snow, so I thought it might be better if I drew some blood.”

And he had lifted the end of Karen’s bright red hair and kissed it.

“I really like the color of your hair.”

“You know it well.”

“A woman needs somewhere to go. Just sitting at home listening or reading books is all there is.”

Karen shrugged her shoulders.

“In dangerous times, it’s better to be in a safe place.”

Dangerous times. Even now, wars continued in the countries beyond the White Mountains. But that had nothing to do with this country. Karen had sometimes wondered if she could relieve her boredom if she were one of those distant people caught up in war. If she said such thoughts, Raymond would be angry.

But ultimately, it was other people’s business. Something happening in that distant place that had nothing to do with her.

When spending afternoons embroidering and watching dust dance golden in the sunlight, one stopped caring about someone suffering somewhere beyond those mountains. Whether those whose faces and names she didn’t know suffered or not, that was now entertainment for her. Whether the type of story she used for entertainment was comedy or tragedy, both ultimately carried the same weight for her.

Karen had thought this way even without telling him. In fact, she gave more weight to the opinions of people whispering in the Countess’s salon. The war Raymond had participated in was neither honorable nor one that affected most people in this country.

Soldiers who were pushed out when countries beyond the mountains requested support. The army Raymond belonged to was composed of those whose life or death didn’t matter. Most were like that. Third or fourth sons of noble families, children of fallen middle-class families, young men wanting bigger opportunities, and lower-class men who enlisted for money.

For the country, it was enough to send just enough troops to maintain decent appearances – that level of combat. Another country’s war.

Verdick had gained great profit from that war. Countess Rotten had also quietly obtained mining rights, and Baron Noring had organized large-scale gambling on the battles. That was the weight it carried in this country. Just that level of tragedy.

But Raymond, the person involved, wouldn’t want to think that way. He wouldn’t want to hear that the war he participated in was for such few people’s profit and appearances. Karen decided to give him what he wanted, even if cheaply.

She bowed her head.

“Thanks to the knights’ hard work, the people of this land could live peacefully. Thank you.”

Because he wouldn’t be able to bear it if he didn’t think that way.

“I just hope people’s deaths weren’t useless.”

You’re so much like a knight.

“So.”

Karen organized her thoughts without lifting her head.

How far was he suspicious?

How much had she said that night? How much had he seen? From where had he been watching? Had she said anything unnecessary? She shouldn’t have let her face be seen. Was taking in Tom a good decision? Should she have just quietly endured it that day?

Once suspicion begins, it spreads uncontrollably. Like ink mixed in water. Karen could no longer assume that Raymond had approached her with pure infatuation as before, and Raymond wouldn’t think she would either. She didn’t know what or how far he suspected.

“You know me well.”

“With this expression, indeed.”

“Why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you want me to step on Tom?”

Karen scrutinized Raymond’s face. But his well-crafted smile soon continued with the face of a proper nobleman.

“It wasn’t something I wanted from you.”

“Then from Tom?”

“That child seems to have some misconception. Karen, I also agree with Verdick’s opinion. It’s better not to form relationships that could breed resentment.”

“If that’s your answer to that, I think I’ve already given mine.”

I can overcome it with love. Resentment with goodwill, malice with forgiveness. Karen repeated those words.

“His eyes didn’t seem moved by your goodwill. If you really want to show kindness, how about sending him to the kitchen?”

“Wouldn’t the kitchen be more dangerous?”

When Karen laughed, Raymond turned his face slightly. Beyond his gaze was the boy.

Gazing beyond the carriage window, Raymond spoke.

“I don’t know much about the Manor’s affairs, but men are bound to grow stronger. In just 4 years, he’ll be stronger than you.”

He’ll be dead in a month anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

“If someone is destined to die, won’t they die from anything? I’m grateful for your kindness, but I don’t want to reverse a decision I’ve already made so quickly. Let’s end this conversation here, Lord Raymond.”

Karen cut off the conversation. Then she glanced sideways to gauge Raymond’s expression. Fortunately, he didn’t seem offended. Having successfully played the role of a well-meaning young lady, Karen let out a small breath.

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