Resetting Lady

Maybe it was already too late. Isella wondered how quickly someone could die. If the Crown Prince decided to, he could have already killed Carynne. A full day had already passed. It was unlikely the Crown Prince would have left her unharmed.

‘She might already be dead. If I leave tomorrow, I’ll be safe.’

It was such a sweet temptation.

No one knew that Carynne had disappeared with Isella. Only she knew. If she closed her eyes and followed her mother, she would be safe for the rest of her life.

Except for her conscience. But even that would soon dull.

Isella placed her hand on her chest. She hated that she still carried this heaviness towards Carynne.

She shouldn’t have gotten involved. Whether Carynne was pregnant or not. Whether Carynne sacrificed herself or not. It wasn’t her concern. It wasn’t her business. She wanted to live like that.

Isella hugged her pillow and suppressed a sob. The deeper she pondered, the more her body seemed to ache. The scratches and bruises she had began to resurface in her awareness. But this pain would soon fade.

The feelings tormenting her would dull with time, as they always had. Like the disgust she felt for people who came to see her father. Like when she crushed the hand of a beggar grabbing her ankle. Like when she blamed the maids for her lost belongings.

If she just buried this, like before.

Knock, knock.

“…Ack—”

Isella was startled and covered her mouth with her hand. When she turned her head, she almost fainted again. There was a hand outside the window, knocking.

“…Sir Zion?”

“Isella, could you open the window?”

It was Zion Electra. Isella approached the window and unlocked the latch. Zion entered, shaking off his rain-soaked hair. It was raining outside now.

“I apologize for the sudden visit. They wouldn’t let me meet you at all.”

“It’s alright. But why are you here…”

She trailed off, thinking of her father’s talk about marrying Zion. Marriage. It was not something she wanted to discuss now.

But it could also be an escape. Zion would accommodate her feelings. Unlike Raymond, he had nothing. Maybe he came to inquire about their marriage.

“I was worried since Miss Carynne Hare disappeared with you. Seeing you alone, I wondered if you were alright.”

“Did I mention that to you?”

“No, but I went to the Grand Cathedral, and neither of you were there. So, I figured you both went missing together. If you were in danger, she must be too. If she hasn’t been found, we should search for her.”

“I see… So, you knew.”

“Isella?”

“That’s how you managed to save me.”

“What are you so worried about?”

Zion knew that Carynne had been with her. And he knew that she had disappeared with Isella. Could he stay by her side forever if Isella wanted him to keep quiet? Like her father? Could he turn a blind eye to his conscience and seek comfort?

“……”

Isella knew he wasn’t like Raymond. He wasn’t a noble, didn’t have money, and sought out wealthy women.

But it didn’t matter what kind of man he was. What mattered most was her confidence that he would do as she wished.

Knowing that he knew about Carynne and herself made her want to be more hypocritical. Isella looked directly at Zion and spoke.

“Sir Zion, swear to me. Promise you will always be on my side.”

“I will always be on your side.”

Having someone who was entirely on her side gave her courage.

“Carynne Hare has been kidnapped by Crown Prince Gueuze. And I want to save her. Will you help me?”

Zion Electra knelt on one knee, like a knight. He was, after all, a knight.

“I shall follow your will.”

* * *

“Carynne… was taken by Crown Prince Gueuze.”

“Miss Isella said so. But she doesn’t have any proof.”

“No, I believe her. She’s not one to make things up. I can roughly guess where she might be.”

Raymond covered his mouth with a serious expression but did not seem shocked. He studied the map and dates thoughtfully before asking Zion.

“It’s kind of you to be so concerned. Where is Miss Isella Evans staying now?”

“She’s at my lodging, Sir Raymond.”

“It would be better to move her to Count Landon’s estate. I’ll contact him. He’s my godfather, so he will accommodate us.”

“Should I tell them you arranged it?”

“No, just say it’s through your connections. It’s not entirely untrue. Let’s go with that.”

“Understood.”

Raymond remained calm even after hearing the news from Zion. For someone whose lover had been kidnapped, he seemed overly composed, though he was known to remain calm even in the face of chaos.

Still, Zion was unsettled by how unsurprised Raymond seemed about Crown Prince Gueuze being the culprit, almost as if he had expected it.

“Sir Raymond, did you know about Crown Prince Gueuze?”

Zion had heard rumors about the prince’s unsavory hobbies, but he never imagined he was capable of multiple murders. He looked at Raymond’s resolute face and asked.

“A bit. I mentioned it to the Marquis not long ago, but it was useless.”

“What do you plan to do? We’re dealing with royalty, and the location is the palace. I promised Miss Isella Evans that I’d do my best, but honestly, I’m not confident.”

Raymond looked silently at the map. His green eyes darkened.

“There’s only one thing we can do.”

He drew a line on the map.

“We blow up the palace.”

Zion blinked several times, looked at Raymond’s hand, then out the window and down at his shoes, realizing he was being serious. Raymond really intended to do it.

“Oh, I see. Then may I excuse myself from this?”

“I’d like to say yes, but it’s too late for that, Sir Zion.”

“Sir Raymond, my dream is to live a long and quiet life.”

“I’ll be the one doing it, so don’t worry too much.”

Zion was incredulous and spoke to Raymond.

“Planting explosives in the palace? If we’re caught, our entire families will be wiped out! This is outright terrorism! Shouldn’t we gather evidence and hand it over to the investigation department?”

“You’re an orphan.”

“Is that the issue right now? Is that why you’re involving me?”

“No. It’s because you’re the only one I can trust.”

“I’m not moved. I don’t want to die.”

“Then there’s no other choice. Even if we hand it over to the investigation department, no one will dare investigate the Crown Prince’s palace. I have to do it myself, even if it’s reckless.”

Zion, watching Raymond respond so straightforwardly, asked cautiously.

“What exactly are you planning?”

“I’ll blow it up by myself.”

“……”

He had always thought Raymond was calm, but this was different.

Raymond was calmly going insane.

Zion had promised Isella that he would help, but he hadn’t expected such an extreme course of action. Was Sir Raymond always this reckless?

Since introducing Carynne Hare to him, Raymond had been acting like a different person. The Raymond who Zion used to know was gone, making it hard to follow his lead.

“Let’s think this through, Sir Raymond. Blowing up the palace? How will you get inside? What about all the guards and people in the palace?”

“I can get in.”

“Sure, if there’s a party or you’re there to see the Crown Prince. But this is different. Besides, please don’t get angry and listen. How can we even be sure Carynne Hare is still alive?”

“She’s alive. I’m certain. But… I’m more worried Carynne might cause a bigger problem.”

“…Pardon?”

***

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