Resetting Lady

“That woman. Is she not Carynne?”

“That’s right. This is Carrie, not Carynne. I met her by chance in the forest, and we’ve been cohabiting ever since.”

“And you’re saying there’s no one to prove Carrie’s past as she has no family.”

“Her family has departed from the world, so what can we do?”

They were in front of the dinner table, having a meal, yet for everyone around them it felt like they’re about to choke from this intense pressure.

Verdic and Raymond’s voices were firm, unrelenting.

Carynne watched them while sipping her water. The cold water infused with floating lemon slices was refreshing.

Verdic’s voice had remarkable projection. It didn’t tire easily.

“Look at the portrait! That woman has the exact same appearance!”

Verdic pointed accusingly at Carynne, his voice even rougher compared to when he was addressing Raymond.

“Are you still going to deny it despite that woman being exactly identical to Carynne? And can you prove that this woman existed before the day Carynne went missing?”

“Why should I prove anything to you?”

Carynne watched Verdic’s face contorting as Raymond replied as such. It seemed like Raymond was also sticking with the Carrie pseudonym.

“And to add, this meal is fine. However, Mister Verdic, judging by the freshness of the meat, it seems you’ve used my hunting grounds. That’s quite troubling.”

“The food you’re eating right now has been prepared by my chef. What are you trying to say?”

“Then I shall stop eating, and you may leave.”

‘So immature…’

However, Raymond’s petty and illogical sarcasm seemed to have affected Verdic greatly. The man’s face went completely red with anger.

Breathing heavily, he struggled to respond.

Then, Raymond added something unexpected.

“…Fine.”

“What?”

“Mister Verdic Evans. I will grant you permission to investigate my domain’s postal service.”

Now, of all times?

Carynne’s eyes went wide. The permission Raymond was granting was clearly just bait. There was no real intel to find there.

By now, Verdic should know that he wouldn’t be able to glean anything from it.

“But this house, I still—”

“Still what?”

When Raymond nonchalantly replied, Carynne realized what he was purposely doing.

He was saying, ‘You’ve already illegally searched through everything yet found nothing. Might as well let you finish your quaint little investigation, yes?’

Verdic could not object to Raymond granting him permission to investigate.

“No. It’s nothing. Thank you.”

Verdic had no choice but to say that. He wanted to say ‘I still haven’t thoroughly searched this house yet’, but that’s not something you say in front of the house owner—especially towards a nobleman.

Verdic swallowed his curses.

Seeing Raymond so readily agree to investigate the cargo, it was clear that any and all clues had likely vanished. Verdic had already covertly investigated using bribes through Lind, but no substantial clues were found.

The only thing known was the area from which his daughter’s hair was sent, but that was insufficient to link to Raymond.

Verdic needed to search this house more than he needed the investigation rights for the postal service.

And he needed information from that woman.

But Raymond had already returned.

Verdic swallowed a groan. Clues seemed to tantalizingly appear, only to vanish. He couldn’t cleanly forget about it all, even if he tried.

Verdic felt tortured by hope.

The well-cooked meal before him was going cold. Verdic realized he was exhausted from grief and fatigue.

Wrestling with Raymond and Carynne for answers was draining, and the situation with Crown Prince Gueuze had grown increasingly complex. Moreover, the business matters he had put off were now relentlessly demanding his attention.

Regardless, Raymond casually tapped his fingers on the table, addressing Verdic.

“Please, finish your meal.”

“……”

Verdic lowered his head to his plate. Carynne and Raymond slowly finished their meal, watching the anguished man.

And in the end, Carynne had a stomachache.

* * *

“Mister Verdic.”

“What is it?”

Verdic looked at the subordinate of Crown Prince Gueuze who had come to him. They were useless, only squandering money. Verdic disliked both the crown prince and his men—but the crown prince was the future king.

“You must be aware that Prince Lewis recently passed away.”

“…I am well aware.”

Prince Lewis died young. Verdic had anticipated the boy’s death.

While the current king and young nobles bet on Prince Lewis surpassing Crown Prince Gueuze to become king, Verdic saw it as an impossible feat.

Crown Prince Gueuze had perverse tendencies and didn’t shy away from gambling or drugs, but such traits were common among the nobility and royalty. Many who came to Verdic shamelessly exposed their dark sides. Dealing with them, Verdic often felt like he was facing monsters.

He was just another piece in their games, a mere bag of money. That’s how they treated him.

This made Verdic cautious in dealing with people. Many nobles who despised him in public would send letters asking for loans. And despite being drug-addled, Crown Prince Gueuze was surprisingly healthy.

He was in his prime, virile, and the laws regarding royal succession were extremely hard to change. It was unrealistic for the current, ailing king to amend them.

That old king clung to power with a near-delusional stubbornness, but changing the future set for Crown Prince Gueuze was impossible.

Verdic had thus bet on Crown Prince Gueuze.

He provided women, money, and services to the crown prince, occasionally making deliberate requests. More often than not, these efforts were of little help, but it was necessary to create opportunities for the crown prince to flaunt his superiority.

Crown Prince Gueuze was young, healthy, and killed only those whose deaths wouldn’t cause much trouble.

His cruel and bizarre tendencies didn’t significantly concern Verdic. The crown prince was the most likely candidate for the future king, and it made sense to align with that future. Taking unnecessary risks was out of the question.

And his choices proved to be right.

In the end, the crown prince killed his own son.

“Should I offer my condolences or congratulations to him?”

“Tears by day, congratulations by night, please.”

Verdic snorted in derision.

“As the funeral is likely to be a simple affair, I presume there’s no need to attend?”

“Yes, but he has sent a messenger desiring a congratulatory gift.”

“…Tell him I’ll sponsor the exhibition he plans to organize.”

“Understood.”

As someone who deeply loved his child, Verdic couldn’t comprehend Crown Prince Gueuze. But then, understanding the crown prince was likely impossible for most people.

Verdic sighed, penning a letter to his estate.

The crown prince planned to inaugurate a world exhibition immediately after the funeral. Naturally, a significant portion of the funding was expected to come from Verdic. He felt a headache coming on, thinking of ways to minimize losses.

“And one more thing.”

“……”

Whenever those words were spoken, it rarely boded well. Verdic looked at the messenger.

“His Highness wishes to see the woman presumed to be Carynne Hare.”

“…This isn’t the time for that.”

He had just killed his son, yet Marquis Penceir remained a formidable adversary. The marquis had defended the borders for many years, commanding a substantial military force.

“He believes it might assist in your confirmation.”

“But that woman is currently with Baron Raymond Saytes. And since he’s formally retired from the military, extracting her from him won’t be easy.”

“His Highness isn’t demanding immediate action. He mentioned that things might be settled by next spring.”

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