“It is not a place or status that binds people. In that sense, I feel true freedom here.”
Ines knew well why he said this.
Here, she regained much of her former bright appearance. The daily meditation, regular life, and feeling that she was under God’s protection made her mind whole.
Now that all the dangers that she believed could harm her were gone, she felt completely safe.
But one day, the seizures suddenly began. There were no nightmares since that day. However, the panic attacks that came without any signs or warnings were accompanied by a fear of imminent death and a physicalization that made it impossible to breathe.
And Marcus watched her symptoms right next to her. And many times.
“I know what those eyes are.”
“...”
“Are you worried about me again? Don’t worry. I’m really okay. My mind is more at ease than ever.”
Here, she regained much of her former bright appearance. The daily meditation, regular life, and feeling that she was under God’s protection made her mind whole.
Now that all the dangers that she believed could harm her were gone, she felt completely safe.
But one day, the seizures suddenly began. There were no nightmares since that day. However, the panic attacks that came without any signs or warnings were accompanied by a fear of imminent death and a physicalization that made it impossible to breathe.
And Marcus watched her symptoms right next to her. And many times.
“I know what those eyes are.”
“...”
“Are you worried about me again? Don’t worry. I’m really okay. My mind is more at ease than ever.”
Even though she spoke lightly, Marcus’s face didn’t lighten. Ines shook her head and entered the training center. She did not want to talk to him about this topic any longer.
It was not that Ines thought the physical pain she was experiencing was trivial. At that moment, it was so painful that she thought it would be better to die. On short days, the attacks lasted for an hour, but most of the time, they lasted much longer.
Feeling like someone was actually strangling her was a great pain that no one who had experienced it could ever understand.
Since this was a place where medicine was taught, there were many medical books.
Although she was a maid, she could borrow books and read them, so she tried to find the cause of her problem.
Why did she continue to have panic attacks and confusion even though she thought she had found peace of mind? There were many reasons, but no book could tell her clearly. She could only guess that it was because of the continuous physical and mental abuse. It was something that Ines had experienced, but it was not something that her body had actually experienced at the time.
Sitting down, Ines looked out the large window and thought of Carson. Just thinking about him made her feel great joy. Now, after two more years, Ines could stay by his side. What a blessed life!
She held the Bible in her arms and prayed for him for a while. In the meantime, an old priest came out from the front and began his lecture, and outside the window, rain began to fall again.
When Noah arrived at the office, Carson was holding a newspaper.
“What is this? These days, newspapers have nothing to do? Is this what you want me to hear?”
“It’s clear because it includes the modifier ‘the most beautiful woman.’”
After Ines left, Carson entered the castle of the lord where Count Graham had been staying.
Louis was worried, but surprisingly, the boy did not show much resistance to going there again. It didn’t take long for Graham’s castle to be changed to the so-called ‘Carson style.’
Landhill, which had been united with Lesonia, was called the capital of the South.
“The name Lesonia disappeared from the map, and yet you still use it?”
“Isn’t that a metaphor?”
“Our aide is very understanding.”
Carson was sick of social circles. When he was young, he thought that social circles were only for the royal family, nobles, and people with titles.
They demanded intellectual and sophisticated conversations and behaviors, but no matter how witty the conversations were, at some point, they all became the same.
Now, Lesonia, which had become Landhill, had a large port and developed a diverse culture compared to other territories.
Nowadays, a middle class has formed here, centered around merchants who trade with large ships. Those who have accumulated a certain amount of wealth are always anxious to enter the proper social circle.
Women in particular imitate the style of nobles and landowners and try to approach the upper-class social circles a little more.
So now, social circles have lost their meaning and original intentions, and to him, they only left him with indifference and coldness.
“Not really.”
Noah always took a step back on this issue. Even if he didn’t emphasize it, he, who had lived his whole life as a royal, would know the importance of social circles.
The newspaper Carson put down had this written in large letters as big as a door:
The most beautiful woman in the empire, the darling of the era, the greatest wanderer in the society of Lesonia.
100 years ago, the Keynes Empire fought a bloody war with a kingdom across the sea. As a result, the temperament of the nobles became rough, so the Emperor of Keynes at the time personally opened a salon in the palace to soften it by socializing with elegant women.
“The greatest wanderer, you have a great talent for naming things.”
“No matter what, it is the most influential newspaper. You can’t completely ignore it.”
Carson squinted his eyes at Noah’s words as if he had a headache. He must have known that he was so angry since he didn’t completely ignore it.
To become a beloved lord of the people of the territory, it was also an important duty to create a place for heated debate and to attend and encourage it.
The social circles dealt with not only academics but also art and philosophy.
This social circle was also the background for the birth of great thinkers. These days, astronomy, physics, and even medicine are discussed in the salons, so it was clear that they had to be encouraged.
Nevertheless, Carson was a vagabond, not setting foot in any of the salons.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I think you should go to the exhibitions and concerts held by the Countess of Land.”
“Concerts and exhibitions are nice words. And how many women do I have to allow to touch my body?”
Noah cleared his throat at the blatant remark. In fact, the biggest issue in the social world these days was Carson von Raymond. The social world of Landhill was currently dominated by the so-called 'Carson style', simple but sophisticated clothing.
The reason the newspapers were pushing him so hard that they wanted him to appear in society was because of their desire.
The women literally drooled at him. So, they would sneak up on him or touch his shoulder with their hands or fans, and so on, throughout the banquet.
"If the meaning has been distorted, is it your role to correct that as well?"
"It would be better to correct this newspaper first."
"You shouldn't touch the press."
"You just copied what the Empress said last time. What did you say...? You said that he was imitating a vulgar merchant who had nothing but rotten money?"
"You remember it exactly, without making a single mistake."
Carson started the railroad construction from the very bottom of the map. This was possible because he had planned it so meticulously. Although it was not yet known to the public, his railroad was supposed to extend to Monstera, the border of the northwestern empire.
Once the entire Landhill land was completed and trains began running, Carson planned to simultaneously begin railroad construction throughout the empire.
The total construction period was 20 years, assuming no problems occurred.
The railroad that started at the port had already laid its foundation and was progressing smoothly up to the third station.
“It seems that the Empress is also very defensive.”
“Everyone who knows will feel the same.”
This time, Noah asked Carson directly, who had slyly changed the subject.
“So, are you going to the salon of the Countess of Land?”
“No. I’m not going. I’m going to the temple today.”
“You don’t mean Edmont in Sanskria by the temple, do you?”
He just laughed without answering.
“Why are you going to the temple?”
“Why would I go there? Of course, I’m going to pray.”
“If there’s a temple worth praying for, there must be plenty of temples here in Landhill.”
He dressed in his outer garments hanging on the hanger as if he hadn’t heard Noah.
“You get ready too. I can’t give you much time.”
“Time... You can’t give me much time.”
“Yes, I’ve finished all the urgent matters, so I’ll go now. Of course, you too.”
It would take five days to get to the Edmont Temple, even at a fast pace. Carson’s urgent matters were all over, but Noah still had a lot of work to do. But who could dare stop him once he made his decision? Why had he been up all night working the past few days?
Noah hurried to carry out his orders. Knowing that he had been patient for a long time, that was all the aide could do now.
Ines’ main duties were preparing meals, cleaning, and doing laundry. Of course, going to fetch water twice a day was also one of the most important duties for Edmont’s maids.
Ines, who had finished cleaning up the priests’ dinner, changed into neat clothes. During the day, she couldn't help it, but after work, she would tidy up her appearance during the night prayer time. When she prayed with Carson's portrait up, she felt like she was with him.
But then she heard several people running down the hallway. They were calling Ines' name even before they reached her room at the end of the hallway.
"Ines, Ines! We're in trouble. Come out."
The voices sounded urgent, and Ines quickly went out the door. Charlotte and several maids' faces turned pale.
"What's going on?"
"Amy's gone."
"Jenny, Karen."
"What do you mean?"
At this hour, the maids were also given freedom. Some left snacks and ended the day by eating and chatting together.
However, Amy did not show up even after the appointed time. The three who disappeared were all maids who went to draw water from the well at about the same time.
“Anna, look for Anna too.”
It was not that Ines thought the physical pain she was experiencing was trivial. At that moment, it was so painful that she thought it would be better to die. On short days, the attacks lasted for an hour, but most of the time, they lasted much longer.
Feeling like someone was actually strangling her was a great pain that no one who had experienced it could ever understand.
Since this was a place where medicine was taught, there were many medical books.
Although she was a maid, she could borrow books and read them, so she tried to find the cause of her problem.
Why did she continue to have panic attacks and confusion even though she thought she had found peace of mind? There were many reasons, but no book could tell her clearly. She could only guess that it was because of the continuous physical and mental abuse. It was something that Ines had experienced, but it was not something that her body had actually experienced at the time.
Sitting down, Ines looked out the large window and thought of Carson. Just thinking about him made her feel great joy. Now, after two more years, Ines could stay by his side. What a blessed life!
She held the Bible in her arms and prayed for him for a while. In the meantime, an old priest came out from the front and began his lecture, and outside the window, rain began to fall again.
***
When Noah arrived at the office, Carson was holding a newspaper.
“What is this? These days, newspapers have nothing to do? Is this what you want me to hear?”
“It’s clear because it includes the modifier ‘the most beautiful woman.’”
After Ines left, Carson entered the castle of the lord where Count Graham had been staying.
Louis was worried, but surprisingly, the boy did not show much resistance to going there again. It didn’t take long for Graham’s castle to be changed to the so-called ‘Carson style.’
Landhill, which had been united with Lesonia, was called the capital of the South.
“The name Lesonia disappeared from the map, and yet you still use it?”
“Isn’t that a metaphor?”
“Our aide is very understanding.”
Carson was sick of social circles. When he was young, he thought that social circles were only for the royal family, nobles, and people with titles.
They demanded intellectual and sophisticated conversations and behaviors, but no matter how witty the conversations were, at some point, they all became the same.
Now, Lesonia, which had become Landhill, had a large port and developed a diverse culture compared to other territories.
Nowadays, a middle class has formed here, centered around merchants who trade with large ships. Those who have accumulated a certain amount of wealth are always anxious to enter the proper social circle.
Women in particular imitate the style of nobles and landowners and try to approach the upper-class social circles a little more.
So now, social circles have lost their meaning and original intentions, and to him, they only left him with indifference and coldness.
“Not really.”
Noah always took a step back on this issue. Even if he didn’t emphasize it, he, who had lived his whole life as a royal, would know the importance of social circles.
The newspaper Carson put down had this written in large letters as big as a door:
The most beautiful woman in the empire, the darling of the era, the greatest wanderer in the society of Lesonia.
100 years ago, the Keynes Empire fought a bloody war with a kingdom across the sea. As a result, the temperament of the nobles became rough, so the Emperor of Keynes at the time personally opened a salon in the palace to soften it by socializing with elegant women.
“The greatest wanderer, you have a great talent for naming things.”
“No matter what, it is the most influential newspaper. You can’t completely ignore it.”
Carson squinted his eyes at Noah’s words as if he had a headache. He must have known that he was so angry since he didn’t completely ignore it.
To become a beloved lord of the people of the territory, it was also an important duty to create a place for heated debate and to attend and encourage it.
The social circles dealt with not only academics but also art and philosophy.
This social circle was also the background for the birth of great thinkers. These days, astronomy, physics, and even medicine are discussed in the salons, so it was clear that they had to be encouraged.
Nevertheless, Carson was a vagabond, not setting foot in any of the salons.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I think you should go to the exhibitions and concerts held by the Countess of Land.”
“Concerts and exhibitions are nice words. And how many women do I have to allow to touch my body?”
Noah cleared his throat at the blatant remark. In fact, the biggest issue in the social world these days was Carson von Raymond. The social world of Landhill was currently dominated by the so-called 'Carson style', simple but sophisticated clothing.
The reason the newspapers were pushing him so hard that they wanted him to appear in society was because of their desire.
The women literally drooled at him. So, they would sneak up on him or touch his shoulder with their hands or fans, and so on, throughout the banquet.
"If the meaning has been distorted, is it your role to correct that as well?"
"It would be better to correct this newspaper first."
"You shouldn't touch the press."
"You just copied what the Empress said last time. What did you say...? You said that he was imitating a vulgar merchant who had nothing but rotten money?"
"You remember it exactly, without making a single mistake."
Carson started the railroad construction from the very bottom of the map. This was possible because he had planned it so meticulously. Although it was not yet known to the public, his railroad was supposed to extend to Monstera, the border of the northwestern empire.
Once the entire Landhill land was completed and trains began running, Carson planned to simultaneously begin railroad construction throughout the empire.
The total construction period was 20 years, assuming no problems occurred.
The railroad that started at the port had already laid its foundation and was progressing smoothly up to the third station.
“It seems that the Empress is also very defensive.”
“Everyone who knows will feel the same.”
This time, Noah asked Carson directly, who had slyly changed the subject.
“So, are you going to the salon of the Countess of Land?”
“No. I’m not going. I’m going to the temple today.”
“You don’t mean Edmont in Sanskria by the temple, do you?”
He just laughed without answering.
“Why are you going to the temple?”
“Why would I go there? Of course, I’m going to pray.”
“If there’s a temple worth praying for, there must be plenty of temples here in Landhill.”
He dressed in his outer garments hanging on the hanger as if he hadn’t heard Noah.
“You get ready too. I can’t give you much time.”
“Time... You can’t give me much time.”
“Yes, I’ve finished all the urgent matters, so I’ll go now. Of course, you too.”
It would take five days to get to the Edmont Temple, even at a fast pace. Carson’s urgent matters were all over, but Noah still had a lot of work to do. But who could dare stop him once he made his decision? Why had he been up all night working the past few days?
Noah hurried to carry out his orders. Knowing that he had been patient for a long time, that was all the aide could do now.
***
Ines’ main duties were preparing meals, cleaning, and doing laundry. Of course, going to fetch water twice a day was also one of the most important duties for Edmont’s maids.
Ines, who had finished cleaning up the priests’ dinner, changed into neat clothes. During the day, she couldn't help it, but after work, she would tidy up her appearance during the night prayer time. When she prayed with Carson's portrait up, she felt like she was with him.
But then she heard several people running down the hallway. They were calling Ines' name even before they reached her room at the end of the hallway.
"Ines, Ines! We're in trouble. Come out."
The voices sounded urgent, and Ines quickly went out the door. Charlotte and several maids' faces turned pale.
"What's going on?"
"Amy's gone."
"Jenny, Karen."
"What do you mean?"
At this hour, the maids were also given freedom. Some left snacks and ended the day by eating and chatting together.
However, Amy did not show up even after the appointed time. The three who disappeared were all maids who went to draw water from the well at about the same time.
“Anna, look for Anna too.”
They went in pairs, and if Anna was not there, it was certain that they had gone to draw water from the well and had not returned. Looking out the window, the rain that had started earlier was falling quite heavily.
While Charlotte went to Anna’s room, Ines told the associate priest about this. Soon, news came that Anna was not in the room either.
While Charlotte went to Anna’s room, Ines told the associate priest about this. Soon, news came that Anna was not in the room either.
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