NOVEL SIMPLE “Miss Isella Evans.”
Isella turned towards Raymond, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Raymond remembered another girl with such hopeful eyes. But he could not fulfill Isella’s expectations.
“I will not marry you.”
He had to say it.
Raymond looked at Isella silently.
“…Why?”
Isella’s voice cooled significantly. Raymond thought of various reasons he had given before. Another woman, wealth, his injuries—none had helped in breaking off their relationship.
“After my injury, I’ve given it a lot of thought.”
“An injury like yours isn’t serious. It’s very considerate of you to worry about such things—”
But I’ll never let you go.
Isella’s eyes seemed to say that.
“No, this isn’t out of consideration for you. I’ve decided I cannot waste my short life on you.”
“…I, I don’t quite understand…”
“Miss Isella Evans, I dislike you.”
Raymond spoke calmly.
No other excuse had worked. And no matter what he said, Isella interpreted it in a way that suited her.
What exactly was the reason Isella liked him? Raymond thought it was because of his appearance. And his lineage. Those were things that Raymond could not change. But if it involved tarnishing his honor or proper etiquette, that he could do.
Raymond cleared his throat.
“I despise Verdic Evans. Your father is who I consider to be the worst person in this world. He ruined my family.”
“Do not speak ill of my father! Don’t you recognize the favor he’s done for you?”
“Why must I repay Verdic? The outbreak of the plague in the Saytes estate was caused by the land development project of the Evans family.”
“Don’t make baseless accusations!”
But it wasn’t a baseless accusation.
The suspicions that Marquis Penceir had about Verdic Evans’ activities had become more apparent over time. Verdic’s main business was arms dealing, but he dabbled in various fields.
He did not shy away from experiments on human bodies. Even if Verdic had once moved to save Carynne in a previous life, at the core of that man lay evil. He would stop at nothing for the sake of accumulating more and more wealth.
“Soon, Duke Luthella will visit. Mister Verdic Evans had promised him asylum. But isn’t it ironic? The royal family would want Duke Luthella assassinated. They covet the land he owns. The one who started the dispute was your grandfather, and the one who took their land was your father.”
“If you speak ill of my father, even if it’s you, Sir Raymond…”
Please, you are forsaking me.
But Isella took a deep breath again.
“Be serious. You must have heard rumors while meeting people in high society. How can you say such things when you’re not completely certain about them? I didn’t think that you were so narrow-minded.”
“Miss Isella Evans.”
“I told you already! My father did not do those things!”
Isella seemed like she wouldn’t let Raymond go this time either.
“You’ve been in the army for so long—you don’t know any better. Once you marry me and start living as an assemblyman, you’ll understand how the world works.”
“I already understand enough.”
“You don’t!”
Isella Evans shouted irritably. Raymond looked down at her.
Isella must be aware of the various illegal activities that her father, Verdic, was involved in. But stating that reason didn’t work on Isella because Verdic, and the Evans family name, was all she had to stand on.
“What do you know!”
Raymond was at a loss.
But then again, he recalled how he had been called shameless and immoral.
So, perhaps.
“I know that I’m handsome.”
“…What?”
“When I look in the mirror, how can I not know? There has never been anyone as handsome as me in high society. Wherever I go, I receive compliments, so it’s undeniable.”
Isella’s eyes widened as she listened to Raymond’s self-praise. She seemed unable to grasp the situation. It was unclear whether Raymond’s boasting about his beauty was serious or a joke. Then, Raymond concluded.
“And in high society, numerous women have clung onto me. Much more beautiful than you.”
“…Which women? Lady Cecilia? Or Lady Beatrice?”
“Who knows.”
Raymond smiled languidly.
“There were too many to remember.”
Isella’s face gradually turned colder.
Raymond found her expression amusing. For the first time, he thought this might work. So, he added another line, one that even Carynne would find absurd when she heard it.
“Therefore, your face is not enough for me. I’m the kind of man who only looks at faces.”
* * *
Isella was furious. While she had gone red in the face when Raymond had spoken ill of her father, the direct criticism of her appearance almost made her roar in anger.
“What did you just say!”
“Die!”
Raymond rubbed his numb face with something cold. One of the Evans family’s servants had brought him a cold water bag. Isella had maliciously aimed for Raymond’s injured eye. It was the first time the servants had seen Isella get so angry at Raymond.
“Why did you say such a thing?”
Raymond sighed.
What was this servant’s name again? He couldn’t remember.
“Still, you did well. It was quite refreshing. Miss Isella, she… Um, to be frank, her face isn’t that pretty, is it? But seeing how arrogantly she behaved just because of your standing was quite unbearable.”
Raymond smiled bitterly and returned the water bag.
“Thank you for this.”
“Don’t mention it. Then, is Your Lordship leaving without seeing Master Evans?”
“I’m not sure what Miss Isella will think about that.”
Raymond stood up.
He wanted to see Carynne. Indeed, Carynne’s face has been and will always be his preference.
“And you should be careful with your words.”
“…M-Miss?”
Isella Evans was glaring daggers at Raymond from behind a nearby bush. Raymond moved on, silently mourning for the servant.
“Goodbye, Miss Isella Evans.”
“Go and die.”
Isella spat out a curse.
But to Raymond, her words were like a blessing. He moved on.
“I’m sorry.”
For the first time, Raymond apologized to Isella.
But the words were too soft to be heard by anyone.
He had never seen Isella as Isella herself. To him, Isella was always a byproduct of Verdic and a means for his revenge.
For the first time, Raymond truly saw a selfish girl throwing a tantrum. He didn’t like her, but he harbored no hatred towards her either.
Raymond left the greenhouse.
* * *
“…You said that to Isella?”
“Yes.”
Carynne covered her eyes.
She told him to break up with the girl, but she hadn’t expected him to be that harsh. What if Isella would spread rumors in high society?
But Raymond smiled brightly, with a lightness as if he had done his duty.
“Maybe now you can go and comfort Miss Isella.”
“Ha, I hope so. Wish me success.”
“I will. Have you prepared a gift? Are you going to take that necklace back to Miss Isella Evans?”
“…That’s the closed her mouth, unable to look at Raymond. Her behavior was strange. Carynne fumbled with her words, then wrapped her head and groaned.
“Carynne? Are you ill?”
“……”
“You don’t have a fever, what’s wrong?”
As Carynne remained silent, Raymond turned and called for someone.