Resetting Lady

Isella returned to the banquet hall.

“I understand. But after this is over, I don’t want to see you again.”

“Yes.”

“Never at all.”

How would things turn out? If Carynne, as Zion had suggested, were to cleverly name Sir Raymond as her husband, would that make things go smoothly?

“Isella, but… is there something we need to be doing right now?”

“Just stay put, Sir Zion. I don’t think Carynne will name Sir Raymond.”

“Why not? If Carynne just names Sir Raymond, like her mother did with Lord Hare, it would all be over.”

“There’s no way that’ll happen.”

It was impossible. No matter how much people criticized Raymond for being reckless and indulgent, his public value was still significant. He was a famous soldier admired by Prince Lewis, a war hero, and young and handsome to top it off.

“Even if Carynne requests it, there’s no way Crown Prince Gueuze would allow it. It would only make him doubt Carynne’s true intentions.”

“…Yes, I wasn’t thinking straight. Then, what do you think, Miss Isella?”

“Sir Raymond asked me for help because… I think Carynne is more likely to name you as her husband.”

“…Me?”

Zion looked baffled as he pointed to himself. Why would Carynne choose him? Their relationship was not exactly good—in fact, it leaned more toward the negative. So why would she name him as her husband?

“That’s right. It’s the position of a mistress’s husband, so they wouldn’t let her choose a man she’s close to or someone of high value. A man with little status, someone already interested in another woman, would be a better choice. They need someone Crown Prince Gueuze would approve of, and you fit the bill perfectly.”

Zion rubbed the back of his neck.

He understood. If Carynne was thinking strategically, she would never choose Raymond. From what Isella said, it was clear Carynne would think the same. Zion had been too narrow in his assumptions because of Raymond and Carynne’s relationship.

“Hmm, I guess I’d better prepare for a proposal then…. But why did Sir Raymond ask you instead of me? I would’ve understood if he’d just told me. I don’t see why he dragged you into this dangerous plan.”

As Zion grumbled, Isella covered her mouth with her fan and looked at him.

“Because this plan obviously needed my approval.”

“Ah. Um, yes…”

“Are you unhappy with that?”

Of course not. Zion resigned himself to serving his master willingly. Having no choice was just part of the deal.

* * *

But Carynne didn’t choose Zion. Nor did she choose Raymond.

With a gentle smile at Crown Prince Gueuze, Carynne calmly made her request for a husband.

“Dullan Roid would be best, Your Highness.”

* * *

Dullan Roid had come to the capital for one purpose: to drug Carynne Hare.

When Carynne had been at the Hare estate, the manor’s servants or maids had regularly given her contraceptives in advance, but after she left the estate, according to Nancy and the lord, Carynne had likely stopped taking them.

Her becoming pregnant was not part of his plan.

[ There is a man I would like to introduce to you. ]

In the letter she had sent to the fief lord, she mentioned only that there was someone she wanted to introduce. She hadn’t provided any names or descriptions.

Dullan wanted to see for himself. If this wasn’t her first life, she would’ve considered many variables in making her choice.

Which man had she chosen?

He was curious, but at the same time, he thought it didn’t really matter. Whoever it was had nothing to do with him.

Carynne had lived long enough to have opportunities to catch any man she wanted. With her beauty, it wouldn’t have been difficult. No matter whom she chose, the end result would be the same. A rich man, a handsome man, a famous man—it didn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter who it is.

What’s important is his own task. He would not let Carynne Hare become pregnant. Never.

There was no such thing as a beautiful ending. Endings, by their very nature, become dreadful. The story does not need a conclusion.

She does not need a child.

There is no need for an end.

* * *

Dullan had spent a long time at the abbey, and since he was a priest, staying at the grand cathedral wasn’t difficult for him. When he arrived at the cathedral, the vicar greeted him warmly. Even the bishop himself summoned Dullan for a meeting.

“It’s a great help to have you here at such a time, Reverend Dullan.”

“I-I’m just glad to be of service… even with my limited abilities.”

“You’re really of great help. The capital is always short of hands. Truly… if any priest comes to assist, we’d be grateful, but to have someone from the Alburn Abbey—well, we’re deeply thankful.”

Doctors were welcomed everywhere. Private hospitals charged exorbitant fees for treatment and medicine, and the country’s public hospitals were few and far between.

The royal family demanded that the cathedral carry out relief activities, but as in any era or country, the government’s budget was always lacking. Especially for medical services aimed at the poor, resources were even scarcer—there weren’t enough medicines, nor enough staff.

In such a situation, Dullan’s visit was a great relief for the people at the grand cathedral.

“Has the abbot of the Alburn Abbey been doing well?”

“Y-Yes… He is well.”

“The abbot mentioned that he was sorry to see you interrupt your studies. So, is your presence here for the medical symposium, to continue your studies for a while?”

“T-That’s right. Lord Hare is still in good health.”

The vicar had heard about Dullan’s academic dedication from the abbot and was secretly hoping that Dullan would continue down that path.

Though the lord of a small estate wasn’t of much interest to the vicar, a priest who pursued the study of medicine was another matter. Moreover, Dullan had been a top student for nine consecutive years.

“You can always inherit the estate when you’re older.”

“I’m still… considering it.”

As expected, Dullan’s habit of stammering and his inability to make eye contact seemed more suited to the life of a scholar than a ruler of an estate.

So, when Dullan had announced his decision to halt his studies, the abbot, the prior, and other priests had all shaken their heads in disappointment.

“I see. By the way, Lord Hare’s daughter is staying here, isn’t she? Wasn’t there talk of an engagement between you and Miss Carynne?”

“…Yes.”

The vicar nodded knowingly.

“Ah, but…”

“It’s not that kind of broken engagement, I-I assure you. But if word got out… it would be uncomfortable, so please keep it a secret. I wish to remain unnoticed.”

Dullan didn’t appreciate the way the vicar looked at him, as though he were some poor man who had been jilted. He hadn’t seen Carynne since they were children. Was it four years ago when he last saw her? Back then, Carynne had been nothing more than a mad, raging child.

He wouldn’t suddenly see her as a woman just because she’d grown older. More than anything, Dullan had no desire for that.

“I am simply… doing my duty as a servant of God.”

Dullan found the vicar’s sympathetic gaze uncomfortable. The vicar seemed to think Dullan was a foolish man who couldn’t forget Carynne, chasing after her even after she had rejected him. Dullan knew how the situation looked, but he couldn’t deny it, so he remained silent.

Once he confirmed who Carynne’s partner was and administered the medicine at the right time, his task would be over.

All he wanted was to satisfy his curiosity.

Nothing more.

***

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