Chapter 229: Chapter 229

He gave off a different atmosphere compared to Raymond. He had a more slender and youthful charm. And certainly, his favorable attitude towards Isella earned him significant points compared to Raymond.

“Why were you late?”

“There was something I needed to handle in the army.”

“Oh dear, you must have had a tough time.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Technically speaking, he wasn’t lying—the army was the army. Zion recalled Raymond’s not-so-much-a-request. The frustration of why he had to do such things crossed his mind, but what could he do? Orders were orders. Even if Raymond wasn’t his direct superior, he owed him countless debts from the past.

“How have you been lately, Miss Isella?”

“Just so-so.”

“That’s good to hear. I was worried that the Grand Cathedral might not be a very comfortable place. What about somewhere else? If you’re okay with it, I can find a place for you to stay.”

Perhaps her staying at the Grand Cathedral made her unusually sensitive. When she was with Zion, Isella wasn’t usually so particular. So Zion thought that being away from Carynne might actually improve their relationship.

“No, I can’t stay anywhere else.”

“Why not?”

“I have to consider my father’s reputation.”

Isella answered with a pout.

It was an unexpected response.

“…I thought you wouldn’t care about such things since you ran away from home.”

“Hmph, how could I not care? After all, my entire financial foundation comes from my father.”

It was harder for Isella not to know. When she ran away, she took Verdic’s seal and stamp, along with various jewels and cash. There was a bank account in Isella’s name, but she couldn’t predict when Verdic might freeze it.

The Grand Cathedral was one of the few places where Verdic couldn’t easily reach, but it wasn’t impossible. However, Verdic hadn’t yet come to take Isella back. Her bank account hadn’t been frozen either. Even without direct communication, his actions spoke volumes.

‘Have your fun and come back.’

Verdic hadn’t reprimanded Isella for her first act of rebellion.

So she decided to maintain the minimum level of decorum despite her unease.

Staying somewhere else, especially with a man like Zion, would negatively impact Verdic’s reputation. Even though she had run away, staying at the Grand Cathedral wouldn’t cause much scandal. Isella decided to maintain at least that much.

“Are you not uncomfortable staying with Miss Carynne?”

Zion asked, considering Isella’s explanation.

“Why are you bringing her up?”

“It’s natural to feel uncomfortable living with someone you’re not familiar with. Actually, I suggested it because I thought you might be uncomfortable living with Miss Carynne Hare.”

Zion emphasized that he had no interest in Carynne whatsoever.

“Why would I be uncomfortable with Carynne? It’s rare to find someone so easygoing.”

Isella’s expression turned uneasy at the mention of Carynne’s name, but she quickly gave Zion the answer he wanted to hear.

“That’s why it’s even more unsettling.”

It was a perplexing answer.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Zion questioned, not understanding, but Isella shook her head.

“No! It definitely means she has deeper ulterior motives! She never shares anything bad about herself, always says nice things, and agrees with everything. That means she has much deeper and hidden motives than those who show their cards.”

Carynne meticulously chose things that Isella would like and acted accordingly.

That was the problem.

Relying on her memories, Carynne did everything Isella liked, but it backfired because it was too perfect, raising suspicions. Carynne never got angry at anything Isella did, always accommodating and trying to win her favor.

But Carynne overlooked one thing.

Isella’s life was different from most people’s and that romantic relationships and friendships were not the same for her.

Isella had seen too many people around her waiting for the crumbs to fall their way, so she couldn’t help but be suspicious of Carynne’s approach. Carynne was different from the men who were easily won over by her smile.

She even deliberately put Carynne in uncomfortable situations, like making her carry luggage, embarrassing her in front of others, calling her during dates with Zion, or showing off jewelry Carynne could never afford.

Every time Carynne endured these moments, Isella only grew more suspicious.

“She laughs and brushes everything off. Is that normal?”

* * *

“…Even if I treat her well….”

Carynne’s face hardened at Raymond’s words.

“Isn’t it enough by now?”

“Anyway, thank you, Sir Raymond.”

Carynne said thoughtfully while chewing on her pen. Raymond, sitting on Carynne’s desk, spoke to her.

Raymond often snuck in while wearing a disguise, but it was only possible during times when there were fewer people around. Because he would soon need to leave again, Raymond wanted Carynne to focus on him.

“No, I want to hear you say it’s enough now.”

And maybe even a kiss. But Carynne, with a contemplative look, brushed off Raymond’s arm.

“It’s not a man’s place to meddle in women’s affairs.”

“……”

“Just kidding. Anyway, I need to think about it more.”

“There’s no need to think about it.”

“I think accepting Isella could be a step toward facing the world, rather than just staying in our own little world.”

“I’m perfectly fine staying in our own little world.”

But Carynne quieted him by tapping his lips with her fingers and resumed writing her letter.

“Who are you writing to?”

“My father.”

“To Lord Hare?”

Carynne nodded.

“Yes. He’ll be surprised to know how hard I’ve been working lately. Sir Raymond, even though Nancy ran away, I’m doing my best to treat each person well. I want to find a better, more righteous path. And I think it’s worth trying for about a year.”

Raymond sighed. Wasn’t it ineffective? Becoming friends with Isella Evans was a tough road, and they weren’t a good match from the start. But Carynne still seemed unwilling to give up.

Carynne finished her letter, tapped the paper to dry the ink, and spoke to Raymond.

“I’m going to confess to Isella Evans.”

“…I hope it’s not what I’m thinking.”

Raymond looked down at Carynne with a frown. What was Carynne talking about? Confess? To Isella? Carynne will? Even if it was to become friends, what kind of cruel joke was this?

“It’s exactly what you’re thinking. But no matter what you say, Sir Raymond, I won’t listen.”

“No, Carynne. I oppose this. How could you… leave me….”

Raymond’s face turned pale. What was Carynne talking about? A confession? To Isella? Even if it was just to become friends, what kind of awful joke was this?

“We can’t live together just the two of us forever. Two is too few.”

“Absolutely not.”

Plans to move Carynne somewhere else rapidly formed in Raymond’s mind. It would be better for them to stay alone together for a while. Carynne, upset by Raymond’s firm answer, raised her voice.

“When have I ever needed your permission to act?”

“Even so, I can’t allow it.”

“Even if Isella doesn’t believe me, I’ll try!”

“Why are you lying?”

“What? What are you talking about? I’m trying to tell the whole truth.”

“…The truth? Carynne, you….”

“I know it sounds crazy.”

Carynne’s demeanor did not change.

“Sir Raymond, are you crying?”

“……”

Her tone was outright disdainful. How could she?

“No, do you hate the idea of confessing to Isella that much?”

“…What?”

“I know she won’t believe it anyway, okay? But… fine. If you hate it that much, I won’t do it. Geez….”

It took a long time to clear up the misunderstanding.

Raymond, his face flushed bright red, repeatedly apologized to Carynne, but the look in Carynne’s eyes did not soften for a long time.