Resetting Lady - Chapter 71

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

“Um, Donna. Do you remember Mother? What do you think she would say if she saw me now?”

“Of course I remember the lady. She was so beautiful. She would definitely be pleased. You look exactly like her when she was young.”

Wasn’t there anything more beyond the story she already knew? Karen tested Donna.

“What was she like?”

“I was young back then too… I wasn’t even working at the manor at that time.”

“Ah.”

Donna was only a year older than Karen. Karen clicked her tongue and consoled her disappointment. She shouldn’t expect too much at once. Anyway, the people who would know more about Mother were in high society. Karen put on her shoes while trying to recall Prince Guiz’s face.

“Still, I remember her because she came to the village often.”

“Really?”

“She was truly like an angel. She was very interested in helping the poor and paid a lot of attention to education.”

I did that too, but it didn’t seem to be the answer. Karen reflected on her past while thinking to herself. There was a time when she mistakenly thought good deeds would be the answer. Rebuilding Father’s estate, spending her fortune to help the poor.

But that wasn’t the answer either. Karen had died then while caring for children in the slums, killed by a strange vagrant. What hardships had Catherine faced? But Karen didn’t think the world was harsh only to her. If Catherine had helped the poor, it must have been in the realm of pure hobby, not an answer for death.

“Mother must have always been sincere.”

“Yes. Actually, I applied to be a maid at the manor because the lady was so beautiful. It was good just to look at her. She was kind.”

“I see.”

Then why didn’t she give her a proper answer? Why not to her only daughter, to Karen? While she showed kindness to all those who were nothing but ink. The truth was still hidden, dark and confusing. Why did Mother… Karen closed her eyes. Let’s not think about it.

“With the money the lady gave us, we were able to pay off most of our house’s debts. She truly was a person whose inner beauty was even more beautiful.”

But she wouldn’t have been beautiful when she died. Karen remembered what Mrs. Deere had said. Catherine was beautiful, but when she died, she died in an extremely ugly state, ravaged by disease. Perhaps she too would die like that. Was that also part of the curse?

“At least I hope I’ll be pretty when I die.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, um… that’s just me.”

Karen laughed with slight cynicism. She couldn’t even remember any face other than this one now. She only had the impression that she used to be more ordinary before. Like Donna’s level. But now she couldn’t even remember. Not even her name. She had no identity other than “Karen.”

“Miss, please don’t say such things.”

“Did you see Mother when she passed away?”

“No…”

Donna answered dejectedly. Karen regretted that Donna was the same age as her. If only Mrs. Deere were beside her instead, she would tell her various things about Mother. Perhaps she had killed her too quickly just because she was annoying.

“Still, Mother must have gone to heaven. Thank you, Donna. For thinking well of Mother.”

If Mother had lived for about 100 years, she would have tried everything. Even so, she died in the end, so that was success. How was Mother able to die? And what did she think at the end? Did she return to her own world? Not here, but somewhere far away.

To Karen, who was showing jealousy and petulance, Donna gently said.

“Miss, you will live for a long, long time.”

“Thank you.”

“Together with Lord Raymond.”

Really? Karen smiled bitterly. If that were the case, it would have happened long ago.

Would he be able to give an answer this time?

Karen waited. She heard steady footsteps. It was time for Raymond to come. And she heard a knock on the door. Karen looked in the mirror once more, checked her appearance, and instructed the door to be opened.

Now it was time to go again.

“Let’s go, it’s time to leave.”

One of Mother’s suitors, this country’s prince… could he give a decent answer?

Karen hoped so.

* * *

“Anyway, I’m trying not to expect too much. I don’t want to be disappointed after getting my hopes up. Seeing that Mother didn’t end up with him, it’s obvious he won’t give me a proper answer. This is just how things are. Nothing special has happened so far, so nothing special will happen in the future either.”

“I see.”

Raymond answered while taking the chattering Karen to the carriage. After sending Karen off, he would go kill someone again. Karen said she wasn’t expecting anything, but her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

I hope that expectation doesn’t get crushed. Raymond wished so with the feeling of giving a toy to a child.

“Please get in.”

There was no footstool this time either, but that didn’t mean Karen had to step on a person. Raymond helped Karen into the carriage and emphasized again.

“I’ll say it once more, but don’t get too close to Prince Guiz. Always stay among the ladies. It’s dangerous if you’re alone or anything like that.”

“Am I going to war or fleeing somewhere?”

Though Raymond repeated warnings and reminders to Karen, upon hearing his words, Karen tapped lightly with her shoes and glared at Raymond. She seemed displeased with being treated like a child. But Raymond continued speaking without batting an eye. Compared to him, she was indeed a child.

“And I’ve entrusted my will to a lawyer, so if you hear news of my death, go find it immediately.”

“Oh my. Lord Raymond, you absolutely won’t die!”

That would be nice. But Raymond just kept his mouth shut and smiled wryly at the girl who was certain he would never die. That would be nice. If he were the male protagonist, born to love her. If the future were predetermined so there would be nothing to fear.

‘But how wonderful it would be if life were that easy.’

Raymond found that depressing. If what she said were true, why would there be hardships in his life? That he would absolutely never die? Raymond had never once gone to the battlefield without a will.

He had escaped from near-death situations countless times. If he had gone east instead of west, if he had drunk the well water then, if he hadn’t killed the prisoner then.

To regard Raymond’s survival from countless choices as mere decoration. If this world were a book created for her, why did such things happen? Why did people die in the streets and wars never end? That was arrogance and deception. A childish delusion of believing the world revolved around oneself.

“Lord Raymond will come in three days.”

“Understood.”

“Really.”

“Yes.”

But even so, when he saw those confident eyes, that face firmly believing he wouldn’t die, he wanted to believe it too. That there would be no sad things in the world and he could do everything for her. Even if it were the ravings of a madman.

“No.”

“Pardon?”

“I know you want to put your hand on my head, but this hair took six hours to style.”

“…Yes.”

Raymond awkwardly lowered his hand. Karen smiled and grabbed Raymond’s collar, pulling his neck down.

“I’ll pat you instead.”

“…Yes.”

It wasn’t six hours, but it was hair he had nervously touched for an hour. Karen seemed unaware that not only women but men also put considerable effort into their hair. Her claim of having lived 100 years was definitely her delusion.

Still, as the elder, he generously granted her the right to pat his hair. Karen patted Raymond’s hair and smiled proudly. She seemed pleased with the hair she had styled. “Still, please be careful.”

I want to believe.

I want to believe her delusion.

But how could I believe it? Raymond silently kissed Karen’s hand.

* * *

That night when Karen collapsed at the Evans Estate. Dulan, who had been dragged there by Raymond, said as if incredulous.

“Do, do you believe those words?”

“What’s there not to believe?”

Raymond shrugged and looked down at Dulan. Dulan thoroughly examined the sleeping Karen’s condition and stood up. When he stood, Raymond realized he was taller than expected. Though his back was hunched and his build small, when he stood and met his eyes, he was quite tall. If he were his subordinate, Raymond would have made him straighten his back. Raymond suppressed his urge to interfere and bowed his head to Dulan.

“I was very rude, Priest. I couldn’t hide my impatience in trying to save someone, so please understand.”

“I… understand.”

Raymond had grabbed Dulan by the collar and literally dragged him here, shoving him into Karen’s bedroom. Despite his rather heartless words about not needing to go if she was already dead, he carefully checked Karen’s condition and administered new medication. Her breathing became much easier. Raymond sighed in relief.

“Priest, this won’t take long. And I want to respect her. I hope you will too.”

Even if it meant putting on handcuffs politely. Raymond didn’t say the rest. Karen might have committed murder. And Dulan might also be her accomplice, or perhaps he was the murderer.

Raymond remembered that Dulan’s servant was the first person to shout about the fire. And ultimately, the cause of the fire was never properly determined. The investigators concluded it started in the kitchen, but the fire spread far too quickly for that to be true.

Perhaps I should lock up both of those two. Raymond thought so. But Dulan’s petty-seeming behavior was somewhat clearing his suspicion. Dulan seemed to hate Karen, who had brought him dishonor by breaking their engagement. Even now, at this moment when he was dragged here.

“Lord Raymond is… a good person.”

But there were too many emotions written on that face…

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