Resetting Lady

Raymond Saytes.

With the door to the side, Raymond frowned.

“Do you have to go as far as say something like that and insist on conversing this late at night?”

“Because you keep avoiding me.”

Glaring at Raymond, she pushed the door open and made her way inside.

“I was so sad that I could cry. Can’t you see how my feelings have been hurt.”

“If you really have shed tears, then I’d understand.”

“Would shedding tears make you offer a cup of tea?”

“Please have a cup. It’s late at night though, so I’ll add some milk.”

And, the door closed.

Raymond turned around and headed towards the hot water. He had no luggage in the room. Certainly, there were only three sets of clothes inside the closet, and all of his belongings would fit in just one bag.

On the table, there was a watch, a pair of gloves, some documents, and a hot water bottle with a warmer wrapped around it. Rather than something from here at Isella’s villa, it was a dull-looking bottle used by military personnel.

Most of the luggage would be carried by Xenon, but his belongings were still too few. As if he was ready to leave at any given time. Because Isella’s villa was not his home. It was a place he’d one day leave.

Even this aspect was definitely the same as how she remembered it. But, no. The person inside this familiar place was not entirely familiar. Carynne wasn’t confident whether she was just figuring things out after seeing it, or whether everything she could remember was just one huge bout of déjà vu.

Perhaps guessing her thoughts as she stared blankly, Raymond handed her a cup and spoke.

“There’s no particular reason. It’s not like I don’t trust Mister Verdic in this small territory. I just pack lightly.”

As he uttered the unprompted excuse, he poured the hot water and made tea. It was a simple cup of tea that tasted neutral enough, worth neither like nor dislike. It was a bit unfortunate that she couldn’t drink the tea that she usually enjoyed, but enjoying things that are popular weren’t always as bad.

Raymond started off with a topic for their conversation.

“Mister Verdic has been interested in the coffee industry lately.”

“It’s going to be difficult.”

Carynne traced her memories. This business venture wouldn’t be very successful for Verdic. There was a time when Isella took some to present to a salon, but the new flavor was an acquired taste only for some aristocrats and some of the middle-class. Moreover, it couldn’t be mass produced to the public.

Hearing Carynne’s answer, Raymond asked curiously.

“Why is that?”

Ah, damn. Carynne berated herself for inadvertently answering again. She pretended to know, for no reason at all. This conversation wasn’t anything important anyway. She was just trying to remember things from the past, but then she pointed it out. In the end, people would find it difficult to tell their own stories, but they loved to point out what’s the truth and what’s not. She felt somewhat disillusioned towards herself.

“It has dark pigment, so it’s easy to mix and sell with other low-grade things. It’s easier to replicate at a lower quality compared to clear tea. That’s why the public won’t partake in it easily.”

“Is that a metaphor pertaining to yourself?”

“No, I’m just showing off.”

Did he think that she’d get surprised if he caught her off-guard? Carynne answered calmly nonetheless. There was a grin on Raymond’s lips as he brought his cup of tea to them.

“So, you didn’t fall for it,” Carynne said.

“Please don’t do that again. Confessing to me, and opening my door.”

“…You’re amazing, aren’t you. I want to applaud you.”

But contrary to what she said, she didn’t clap. She just drank her hot tea.

Raymond wasn’t a picky eater. Isella’s the one who’s quite picky. A woman raised to be so prim like you just isn’t good! was something she’d say. No, well, would it be better to grow up to be so rugged then? Carynne wondered, momentarily thinking to herself.

“You’ve got a funny expression.”

“What do you think of a woman who’s very picky with her food?”

“…I don’t particularly care for a woman who acts in that way.”

In the midst of the courteous and lighthearted mood, what she wanted to say was out of place. In the middle of the playful conversation, Carynne felt a chilly look come her way. It wouldn’t be good if Raymond acted this way. Amidst the laughter was a sharp knife, and the people who behaved casually were utterly different. The latter was dangerous.

‘His suspicions are raised.’

Which part? Until where?

She was curious about that. Carynne and Raymond continued to exchange laughter and conversation inside this space, but it felt as if they were each holding a gun to the other’s head.

Tak.

Setting down the teacup, Raymond stood to his feet.

“Would you like another cup?”

“……”

Carynne looked down at the teacup that she hadn’t touched yet. Raymond also looked a little awkward as he filled her cup for a second time.

“Hm, nevertheless. Let’s have one then, a conversation.”

“What happened during that time, how did it come to that?”

“What are you talking about?”

As expected, Raymond was being sly. Carynne glared at Raymond as he responded with the same tone she had earlier. She was already tired of having to continue hearing this kind of joke.

“Don’t feign ignorance. I’m talking about Miss Isella.”

Carynne felt the grip of her hand on the teacup tighten.

How much did he know?

And, if he did know something, what did he want?

Why was Raymond different from the Raymond Carynne knew until now?

She had so many questions. She wanted to grab Raymond by the collar and shake him if she could. It was at times like this that she’d grow so angry at the fact that she was a woman. She wanted to use brute force, but she couldn’t do that here because men were physically stronger.

“Goodness, I thought this was a secret rendezvous after you’ve whispered your love to me. You’re just curious about that after all.”

“……”

“You’re injured.”

Was he seriously still talking nonsense? In the end, Carynne couldn’t help but glower.

“If you want, should I take my clothes off?”

“I would welcome that with open arms… No, no, never mind. You don’t truly have to take it off.”

Dullan would have welcomed it without any hesitation. Inevitably, this man was brazen when it came to words, but weak-hearted when it came to the decisive part. At least, it was like that whenever it came to Carynne.

“You fought with Miss Isella.”

“…It wasn’t a fight. I took a one-sided beating. You see, it’s all because you couldn’t keep your fiancée on a leash…”

“And your foot?”

“Miss Isella stepped on it that night.”

“But at the end of that day, wasn’t it you who saw Miss Isella last? What time did you last see her then?”

What a clumsy leading question. Carynne felt the tension in her body ease up.

“I wasn’t the last one who saw her. It was Dullan. Why are you pretending as if this is something significant? It’s offensive.”

”…Pretend, you say. That’s funny. Reverend Dullan never testified to that.”

“…What?”

Raymond guffawed exaggeratedly. His voice was strained.

“Haha, that expression, it’s funny. It looks to me as if you two planned this beforehand.”

No. Wait a minute, you’re going too fast. This conversation was much too confusing. Was it a mistake on her part to mention Dullan? She hadn’t seen him in person since. Borwen came in his stead to deliver his words.

It was a short message telling her to take care of Isella in the name of atonement. Was that message intercepted in the middle? Was there someone eavesdropping back then? Or did the two men talk without Carynne knowing? That’s plausible. Did Dullan turn her in? If he confessed, how far was his confession?

Carynne bowed. Her head was spinning.

“……!”

He gripped her shoulder tightly.

“Don’t think so hard about it.”

Raymond leaned down, looking straight into Carynne’s eyes. The green glint of his eyes was reminiscent of a sharp blade’s glimmer. There was still a curve upon his lips, however it was not a smile.

“Don’t think about how much I might know, and don’t try to change the subject. You’re not under investigation.”

It wouldn’t be in Carynne’s best interests to say something like, ‘If you don’t have any evidence, then don’t dig deeper.’ She wrung her thoughts for dear life. Raymond was already sure of it. Did he wish to fight with evidence? But was allowed disposition rights. Not only that, but it’s a problem because if he were to testify in court, then it’s all over.

The odds were stacked against Carynne because she didn’t know exactly just how much Raymond knew. And first of all, what did he want out of this? Carynne was curious about that. What was this man trying to gain now?

“Sir Raymon…d. If you already know the answer, then… I want to know why you’re doing this to me.”

“Shh.”

With curved eyes, he smiled. A finger touched Carynne’s lips.

“…Sir, Raymond.”

“I would like to remain courteous to a lady.”

But something like courtesy wasn’t needed when it came to a criminal.

These words didn’t leave his lips, but Carynne could hear the underlying meaning.