As Carson was almost through the door, Andrew came to his senses and quickly walked over to pick him up.
“Oh, I wish you would see him off.”
“Yes? Oh, yes. Ines!”
The corners of his father’s lips trembled with nervousness as he said, “See the lord off. ”
Ines’s garden was covered in thick greenery.
It wasn’t a large and fancy garden, but as it was an old family, there were many thick and solid trees for a garden. Looking around, he saw a swing that a small child could ride on. What was this woman thinking while she was riding on that swing?
He looked at the head of the woman walking quietly beside him and thought about her childhood for a moment.
“Have you ever been outside the estate?”
Ines shook her head.
“Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“Have you experienced many places, my lord?”
She answered the question with a question. She had never really thought about such a thing.
“I’ve been to countless countries. And I’ve realized something.”
“What is it?”
“I need someone.”
Ines looked up at him. She suddenly wondered what kind of expression he had on his face when he said he needed someone.
“Do you mean you need someone to go with?”
“No, I mean I need someone to think about, whether or not we’re together. Someone who will eventually become a reason for me to return.”
He was shining even close to her. Ines was standing in the mud, and he kept talking about the glorious, shining heavens. She lowered her head, feeling a little sad.
“I see.”
“The trial of Count Graham will be coming soon.”
Ines stopped dead in her tracks. Carson smirked as he watched Ines, who seemed interested only in the story of Count Graham.
“Isn’t he the one who tried to murder the royal family? Thanks to you, I’ve secured a witness, and I have something to receive from the Empress for this. Now is the perfect time.”
If he had brought this case to trial immediately after Louis’s incident, the Empress would have easily made it seem like Graham had done it alone. And after some time had passed, she would have certainly persuaded him to return to his original position.
The Empress certainly could save even the instigator of the royal family’s murder.
But Graham had now lost the Empress’s trust.
This was evident from the fact that the Empress had not responded to the letters he had been sending so enthusiastically. The gold mines had been taken away, and with money running out, the railroad rights had become uncertain. It was obvious that Graham’s anxiety had reached its peak.
If Louis’s issue was brought up now, he would easily betray the Empress, consumed by fear.
“Besides, there are many witnesses who will testify that he attacked Viscount Swenden.”
If that issue was brought up, the nobles of the lands would turn their backs on him. Since he dared to manipulate the committee, no one would come forward to protect him. He was truly on the edge of a cliff.
“What will happen?”
“Hanging.”
Ines’s words were cut short by the firm yet light tone. He smiled faintly upon seeing her expression.
“Anyone who attempts to assassinate the royal family in the Keynes Empire will be hanged without question.”
“...”
“There will be no forgiveness.”
He walked again and entered the path made of short trees on both sides.
“After Count Graham’s trial is over, I will temporarily vacate the estate.”
Walking ahead, he realized that Ines was no longer following him and turned to face her.
When their eyes met, she closed her open mouth once and opened it again. The time Ines took to catch her breath felt awfully long.
“How long...?”
“Maybe three months...?”
“Three months?”
Her pupils shook as if there had been an earthquake. At first, he thought he had seen something wrong, but he was not mistaken. Her face had turned pale, almost blue. Carson, surprised by the sight, reached her in two strides. He then held Ines’ arms tightly with both hands.
“Oh, no, two months.”
Carson thought he was crazy as he spoke. If he were to accomplish what he had planned in two months, he would have to give up either sleeping or breathing.
But he couldn’t help but say that. Seeing the woman in front of him anxious made him hold his breath.
“Two months?”
“Yes, two months. So just wait a little bit. Don’t cause trouble.”
But Ines’ condition did not improve quickly. She seemed to be literally in a state of panic. What was making her so anxious? Was it just because he was not there?
“I’m... fine.”
She said out of habit, but he didn’t believe her.
“No, you’re not fine.”
But he couldn’t keep her by his side without leaving her for a while.
“I’ll do my best.”
Carson said to himself as if he was making a promise to himself as he watched her gradually regain her composure.
“So you have nothing to worry about from now on.”
Carson stayed by Ines’ side for a long time until her eyes regained their original color and she could barely make a smile.
As he had said, soon the rumor of Count Graham’s trial heated up the entire estate. Ines sat in the garden, drinking tea, and rubbed the cover of the Bible out of habit.
“Lady, Sir Joseph came to see you again today.”
Joseph, who had been wanting to see Ines every day, came to see her every morning and evening after the news of Count Graham’s trial spread.
“Tell him I can’t meet him.”
Naturally, Ines refused his request every time. After being rejected repeatedly, he started sending her letters together. The first letter he sent contained his desperate longing. After some time had passed, he began to plead that he would die if she didn’t meet him.
And today’s letter contained a threat that if she refused to meet him again, he would spread the news of their relationship throughout the entire territory.
“Burn this.”
Susan took the letter and made a worried face.
“When I saw him earlier, his eyes looked completely different. Is it okay if I just send him back?”
“Yeah, it’s okay.”
Ines absentmindedly turned her gaze back to the book she was reading.
“Not yet, not yet. Joseph, you have to be more venomous.”
When Count Graham’s fate was decided and there was really nothing left for him to hope for, the Count’s neck was hung in the air and everything he had dreamed of disappeared into thin air.
Then, even if Ines didn’t allow it, he would come to see her.
Ines woke up at dawn almost every day and climbed the mountain. And she was ready to perform her own ritual. The end of her suffering was not far off.
“Susan, I’m going out today. Get ready.”
“Where are you going? Wouldn’t it be better to just stay at the mansion today?”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to see Charlotte. I can bring an escort.”
Susan was visibly relieved when she heard that she would bring an escort, and she went into the mansion to prepare.
It was unclear how Carson had intervened, but Charlotte said that the case would be resolved without a trial. This was possible because her husband had not pressed charges against her.
Considering what the man had done to his wife, she didn’t think he would have tried to cover up the case so gently. So Ines could only assume that Carson had exerted his power.
Charlotte was treated at Carson’s mansion for a week and then immediately handed over to the police. However, she said that she was still in solitary confinement because she was a patient. So Ines was able to visit her. It was clear that Carson had also had a hand in this.
After riding along a quiet road for about an hour by carriage, they arrived at Charlotte’s temporary residence. It was a four-story building with a large gray stone exterior. It was said that high-ranking nobles would stay there until their trial if they committed a crime.
When they went inside, the atmosphere was less bleak than it looked from the outside. Charlotte had been informed in advance and was waiting for Ines in the first-floor meeting room.
When Charlotte saw Ines, she ran over and hugged her. Fortunately, her complexion did not look too bad. The two sat across from each other at a plain wooden table.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m feeling much better.”
Ines wanted to ask her how she felt about losing her baby, but the words did not come out easily.
“I heard that they won’t be holding a trial.”
“Yes. A police officer came just now and gave me a hint of what kind of sentence my husband would be given.”
“I see.”
“The people here treat me specially. I think it’s probably because of the lord.”
Ines nodded, thinking the same thing.
“My husband told me he wanted to see me, but I refused. I didn’t have the confidence to see him again.”
“Don’t see him. He’s not worth it.”
“That’s right. Now, there’s no baby between him and me. There’s no reason to endure him.”
Charlotte looked into the distance for a moment. A deep expression unlike before appeared on the face of a woman who had lost her child in a few days and whose life had been turned upside down.
“Every day was different. There was a reason at the beginning of our marriage, but later there was no reason.”
Even as she spoke calmly, Charlotte shed tears. The tears that flowed without sobbing somehow gave off a more desperate feeling.
“I held it in. Because I thought that was the way it had to be. Now I think it was fortunate. If this hadn’t happened, I would never have been able to get away from him.”
“...”
“Ines, I praise myself for going to the hunting festival that day every day. What would have happened to my life if I hadn’t met you there?”
No, Charlotte didn’t need to think about it. That fate had already passed her by. It was right not to torment herself by giving meaning to each and every one of her past actions.
“If my husband had died on the spot and if Ines and the lord hadn’t testified, I would have gone to Romfield.”
Even knowing that humans inevitably continue to recall the worst mistakes they could have made.
Huhu, Charlotte finally started sobbing loudly. Carson went to the police station alone and testified about the incident.
Of course, he said that there were no problems.
“Yes? Oh, yes. Ines!”
The corners of his father’s lips trembled with nervousness as he said, “See the lord off. ”
Ines’s garden was covered in thick greenery.
It wasn’t a large and fancy garden, but as it was an old family, there were many thick and solid trees for a garden. Looking around, he saw a swing that a small child could ride on. What was this woman thinking while she was riding on that swing?
He looked at the head of the woman walking quietly beside him and thought about her childhood for a moment.
“Have you ever been outside the estate?”
Ines shook her head.
“Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“Have you experienced many places, my lord?”
She answered the question with a question. She had never really thought about such a thing.
“I’ve been to countless countries. And I’ve realized something.”
“What is it?”
“I need someone.”
Ines looked up at him. She suddenly wondered what kind of expression he had on his face when he said he needed someone.
“Do you mean you need someone to go with?”
“No, I mean I need someone to think about, whether or not we’re together. Someone who will eventually become a reason for me to return.”
He was shining even close to her. Ines was standing in the mud, and he kept talking about the glorious, shining heavens. She lowered her head, feeling a little sad.
“I see.”
“The trial of Count Graham will be coming soon.”
Ines stopped dead in her tracks. Carson smirked as he watched Ines, who seemed interested only in the story of Count Graham.
“Isn’t he the one who tried to murder the royal family? Thanks to you, I’ve secured a witness, and I have something to receive from the Empress for this. Now is the perfect time.”
If he had brought this case to trial immediately after Louis’s incident, the Empress would have easily made it seem like Graham had done it alone. And after some time had passed, she would have certainly persuaded him to return to his original position.
The Empress certainly could save even the instigator of the royal family’s murder.
But Graham had now lost the Empress’s trust.
This was evident from the fact that the Empress had not responded to the letters he had been sending so enthusiastically. The gold mines had been taken away, and with money running out, the railroad rights had become uncertain. It was obvious that Graham’s anxiety had reached its peak.
If Louis’s issue was brought up now, he would easily betray the Empress, consumed by fear.
“Besides, there are many witnesses who will testify that he attacked Viscount Swenden.”
If that issue was brought up, the nobles of the lands would turn their backs on him. Since he dared to manipulate the committee, no one would come forward to protect him. He was truly on the edge of a cliff.
“What will happen?”
“Hanging.”
Ines’s words were cut short by the firm yet light tone. He smiled faintly upon seeing her expression.
“Anyone who attempts to assassinate the royal family in the Keynes Empire will be hanged without question.”
“...”
“There will be no forgiveness.”
He walked again and entered the path made of short trees on both sides.
“After Count Graham’s trial is over, I will temporarily vacate the estate.”
Walking ahead, he realized that Ines was no longer following him and turned to face her.
When their eyes met, she closed her open mouth once and opened it again. The time Ines took to catch her breath felt awfully long.
“How long...?”
“Maybe three months...?”
“Three months?”
Her pupils shook as if there had been an earthquake. At first, he thought he had seen something wrong, but he was not mistaken. Her face had turned pale, almost blue. Carson, surprised by the sight, reached her in two strides. He then held Ines’ arms tightly with both hands.
“Oh, no, two months.”
Carson thought he was crazy as he spoke. If he were to accomplish what he had planned in two months, he would have to give up either sleeping or breathing.
But he couldn’t help but say that. Seeing the woman in front of him anxious made him hold his breath.
“Two months?”
“Yes, two months. So just wait a little bit. Don’t cause trouble.”
But Ines’ condition did not improve quickly. She seemed to be literally in a state of panic. What was making her so anxious? Was it just because he was not there?
“I’m... fine.”
She said out of habit, but he didn’t believe her.
“No, you’re not fine.”
But he couldn’t keep her by his side without leaving her for a while.
“I’ll do my best.”
Carson said to himself as if he was making a promise to himself as he watched her gradually regain her composure.
“So you have nothing to worry about from now on.”
Carson stayed by Ines’ side for a long time until her eyes regained their original color and she could barely make a smile.
***
As he had said, soon the rumor of Count Graham’s trial heated up the entire estate. Ines sat in the garden, drinking tea, and rubbed the cover of the Bible out of habit.
“Lady, Sir Joseph came to see you again today.”
Joseph, who had been wanting to see Ines every day, came to see her every morning and evening after the news of Count Graham’s trial spread.
“Tell him I can’t meet him.”
Naturally, Ines refused his request every time. After being rejected repeatedly, he started sending her letters together. The first letter he sent contained his desperate longing. After some time had passed, he began to plead that he would die if she didn’t meet him.
And today’s letter contained a threat that if she refused to meet him again, he would spread the news of their relationship throughout the entire territory.
“Burn this.”
Susan took the letter and made a worried face.
“When I saw him earlier, his eyes looked completely different. Is it okay if I just send him back?”
“Yeah, it’s okay.”
Ines absentmindedly turned her gaze back to the book she was reading.
“Not yet, not yet. Joseph, you have to be more venomous.”
When Count Graham’s fate was decided and there was really nothing left for him to hope for, the Count’s neck was hung in the air and everything he had dreamed of disappeared into thin air.
Then, even if Ines didn’t allow it, he would come to see her.
Ines woke up at dawn almost every day and climbed the mountain. And she was ready to perform her own ritual. The end of her suffering was not far off.
“Susan, I’m going out today. Get ready.”
“Where are you going? Wouldn’t it be better to just stay at the mansion today?”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to see Charlotte. I can bring an escort.”
Susan was visibly relieved when she heard that she would bring an escort, and she went into the mansion to prepare.
It was unclear how Carson had intervened, but Charlotte said that the case would be resolved without a trial. This was possible because her husband had not pressed charges against her.
Considering what the man had done to his wife, she didn’t think he would have tried to cover up the case so gently. So Ines could only assume that Carson had exerted his power.
Charlotte was treated at Carson’s mansion for a week and then immediately handed over to the police. However, she said that she was still in solitary confinement because she was a patient. So Ines was able to visit her. It was clear that Carson had also had a hand in this.
After riding along a quiet road for about an hour by carriage, they arrived at Charlotte’s temporary residence. It was a four-story building with a large gray stone exterior. It was said that high-ranking nobles would stay there until their trial if they committed a crime.
When they went inside, the atmosphere was less bleak than it looked from the outside. Charlotte had been informed in advance and was waiting for Ines in the first-floor meeting room.
When Charlotte saw Ines, she ran over and hugged her. Fortunately, her complexion did not look too bad. The two sat across from each other at a plain wooden table.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m feeling much better.”
Ines wanted to ask her how she felt about losing her baby, but the words did not come out easily.
“I heard that they won’t be holding a trial.”
“Yes. A police officer came just now and gave me a hint of what kind of sentence my husband would be given.”
“I see.”
“The people here treat me specially. I think it’s probably because of the lord.”
Ines nodded, thinking the same thing.
“My husband told me he wanted to see me, but I refused. I didn’t have the confidence to see him again.”
“Don’t see him. He’s not worth it.”
“That’s right. Now, there’s no baby between him and me. There’s no reason to endure him.”
Charlotte looked into the distance for a moment. A deep expression unlike before appeared on the face of a woman who had lost her child in a few days and whose life had been turned upside down.
“Every day was different. There was a reason at the beginning of our marriage, but later there was no reason.”
Even as she spoke calmly, Charlotte shed tears. The tears that flowed without sobbing somehow gave off a more desperate feeling.
“I held it in. Because I thought that was the way it had to be. Now I think it was fortunate. If this hadn’t happened, I would never have been able to get away from him.”
“...”
“Ines, I praise myself for going to the hunting festival that day every day. What would have happened to my life if I hadn’t met you there?”
No, Charlotte didn’t need to think about it. That fate had already passed her by. It was right not to torment herself by giving meaning to each and every one of her past actions.
“If my husband had died on the spot and if Ines and the lord hadn’t testified, I would have gone to Romfield.”
Even knowing that humans inevitably continue to recall the worst mistakes they could have made.
Huhu, Charlotte finally started sobbing loudly. Carson went to the police station alone and testified about the incident.
Of course, he said that there were no problems.
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