Resetting Lady

Chapter 37

You smell like blood.

Dullan was lounging in a chair as he frowned at Carynne. During the seven days connected to the festival, he would pick up one sacrificial offering per day, slit its throat, let it bleed out, then set it on fire in front of the public.

Unlike him, who had the mixed smell of blood and medicine wafting around him, Carynne seemed radiant. With a displeased look directed at Carynne, Dullan spoke.

Y-You seem to be free.

Because Sir Raymond is such a capable man.

Carynne shrugged as she saw the gutted rabbit in front of Dullan.

During festival season, a priest was to take on the role of a butcher. How ironic it was for a devout believer to smear blood on his hands in the name of showing gratitude towards God.

The preparations for the sacrificial ritual, which seemed to go on forever, ended sooner than expected. The preparation period was expected to be at about two weeks, but it ended in three days due to the combined efforts of Raymond and Xenon.

Carynne had planned to meet her father during this preparation period and find some traces of Nancy, but she had to give up on this because of the unexpected change in the schedule.

On the fourth day of water, Isella and Raymonds engagement ceremony shall be held.

This new agenda on the schedule turned the entire mansion upside down. The work had blown up several times over, and the hired hands and the maids were all practically running here and there. An engagement ceremony was to be held along with the festival, though even without the ceremony, the festival was already cropping up to be grander than that of recent years.

The engagement was something that Carynne didnt expect. She couldnt believe that Isella and Raymond were getting engaged this soon. Not once did this ever happen before.

Maybe it was Isellas whining towards Verdic that did it, maybe it wasnt, but it was exciting for Carynne to think that she somehow caused this to happen.

Nancys death made Isella grow terrified and Raymonds cold shoulder exacerbated her anxiety, so Verdic was then tasked to take up a hundred-year-old effort to soothe his daughter. But more than that, there was something else thats more exciting.

Do you feel that its a shame hes going to be married?

Kinda.

Carynne giggled as she rubbed Dullans shoulder for a moment, then wrapped her arms around his neck in an embrace.

Isnt he handsome? Hes talented, too. And rich.

She tightened her hold on him. She wondered if she could strangle him to death like this.

Though of course, her offhand expectations were dampened soon enough, and Dullan didnt even need to exert much force to do so.

To the shame of Carynnes efforts, Dullan easily loosened Carynnes hold. She put a lot of power into it, but really, theres a huge difference in strength between a man and a woman.

I cant believe you refused my embrace. Im sad.

Crazy.

Dullan said this, though it didnt seem like hes totally displeased. Dullan seemed strangely more relaxed now compared to how he was in past iterations, even when they had gotten married. Carynne didnt like this very much.

Its laughable how complacent men become the moment they manage to sleep with women.

Carynne wanted him to show a bit more jealousy. Or maybe the reason hes like this was because of Raymond and Isellas engagement? If thats so, then this change in schedule was just all the more unpleasant to Carynne.

On the fourth day of ashes, the body must be k-kept clean.

Excuse me, what are you expecting? Carynne strangled Dullan tightly. A weak groan came out of his lips.

Urk.

You dont seem to have any gray hairs.

Y-You, really.

She wanted him to cling to her more. But still, compared to Dullans jealousy, Carynne had something else slated thats more interesting. Raymond was just finishing his work quietly, so while thats happening, she could search her fathers study for any traces of Nancy.

This was even more exciting than Raymonds engagement.

Arent you the one playing hooky? Anyway, Fathers so busy that his schedule wont permit even a short meeting. Ask him to give me some time. He doesnt come out during mealtimes either, so how else can I see him?

His Lordship is busy.

Then give me the key to his study.

Why?

Helen said she doesnt have it. How is it possible that the housekeeper doesnt have it, hm?

T-The study should be open right now.

Not that study. Fathers private study. Not the one thats openI heard he has another one.

Touching his forehead, Dullan frowned.

Why are you going there?

Carynne had an answer prepared, so she responded without any hesitation.

I want to see a portrait of my mother. The entire mansions devoid of any of her portraits.

If things go missing

What kind of delusion are you thinking when this is my house?

Dullan looked away, but soon took out a key from the drawer of his desk and gave it to her. Looking at it, Carynne thought that it might be difficult to replicate because of how complicated its structure was. As Dullan stared at her, Carynne immediately lowered the key and asked him.

Are you going on a slaughter-fest tomorrow, too?

That Dont talk about the ceremony like that. How insincere, absurd

Sorry.

Carynne cut him off with a short apology. Dullan tried to continue, but he soon gave up on his sermon and moved on.

T-To be exact, itll be tomorrow onwards. Today, the sacrificial rites of grain will be held.

Then whats that?

Practice.

The stench is no joke. Seriously, go and wash up right now. Im going out tomorrow. Thats what I came here to say. Im going with Raymond and Miss Isella. Ah, I mean Sir Raymond. Dont use the cherry wood carriage. Were using it tomorrow.

Youre qu, ite familiar with him.

Are you jealous?

Come on.

But against Carynnes expectations, Dullan just frowned and criticized Carynne.

I-Id like it if you dont treat this matter so simply. Have some sense, Carynne Hare. Miss Evans is also preparing for her engagement.

Shes the one who asked me to open up my schedule for her though.

Of course, this was a lie. Isella asked Carynne about some good spots to go to during the festival, but she never asked Carynne to come with her. They planned to go there together, but also agreed to come back separately.

Then, this would give Carynne the chance to slip away and go back to the manor alone, and it would be easy for her to roam around. Telling Dullan that shed be out was more convenient for Carynne.

Towards you? A favor?

Dullan turned around, looking at her as if he couldnt understand Isellas request. There was a perplexed look on his face.

Sir Raymond doesnt seem to like her at all, you see.

Is that so?

Its not to the extent that its apparent to other people. But theyre the people directly involved, so what could be done. Anyway, were going to the festival with Sir Raymond. Isnt it my duty to take care of our troubled guests? Getting those two closer together would be helpful to our fief, too.

This would also spark the embers of sin.

Then thats even better. Shrugging, Carynne grinned, and Dullan no longer raised any objections. He was much too exhausted to do that.

* * *

No, but, why are you lot following me again?

Huh? Milady, Lord Dullan said that I should accompany you since youll be alone while Lord Raymond and Miss Isella will spend time together

So damn annoying to the point of death.

When Carynne frowned, Donna made a teary expression. Borwen averted his gaze and looked far away. Since its like this, it was going to be impossible for Carynne to slip away and go back to the mansion alone to search the study.

That finicky little

The Lord gave quite a lot of pocket money, Milady.

Carynne hit Borwens leg with her folded parasol.

How many times have I told you. Dullan isnt Fief Lord yet, is he?

Donna took a step back, looking around.

And Im the lady of the house. Dont make it sound like Dullans the one giving me money.

I-I apologize.

The attendants were different compared to the maids, perhaps because they werent under the direct command of the lady of the house, Carynne.

Her time was cut short, and now she was being surveilled to boot. This couldnt go on.

After rebuking Borwen, Carynne turned to Donna with a smile on her lips.

Then, shall we pay Missus Deere a visit?