Resetting Lady

The last stop was the jewelry store.

Perhaps this would be something Isella might like. Moreover, this jewelry store did business with Verdic. Carynne had seen Isella conversing with the jeweler occasionally in the past.

As Carynne, with Nancy in tow, approached the door, an employee opened it and bowed politely.

“What brings you here today?”

“I’m looking for a gift for a lady of my age, something suitable for a woman before her marriage.”

An elderly gentleman adjusted his glasses and examined Carynne.

“For someone young like you, Miss, a light ornament should suffice.”

“I’m looking for something for Isella Evans.”

“Oh, my apologies.”

As soon as Isella’s name was mentioned, the man’s expression changed to one of understanding. He went inside the display and returned with several boxes.

“For Miss Evans, most items are chosen in advance. However, these items have not been seen by her yet.”

He opened each box one by one.

“Emerald is one of Miss Evans’s frequently chosen stones. Its green hue matches well with blond hair.”

It was a box containing emerald earrings and a necklace. Despite being minerals, the emeralds appeared vibrant with life. They were adorned with gold and silver, but the cutting specific to emeralds seemed somewhat dull to Carynne. She hadn’t seen Isella wear emeralds much when they were together. Had Isella’s tastes changed after meeting Carynne?

“What else do you have besides emerald?”

“She also greatly appreciates sapphires. And rubies as well.”

“She liked rubies?”

“Rubies are her favorite.”

“…She liked rubies, huh.”

Carynne held a ruby ring extended by the merchant. It was red, clear, and beautiful. A top-quality pigeon’s blood ruby. The gemstone, as radiant as the sun, was large and brilliant, with the small, clear diamonds on the side enhancing its red glow.

“Would you like to try it on?”

“Yes.”

It fit perfectly on Carynne’s finger as if made for her. She thought it suited her very well as she looked down at the ring. However, what she was buying wasn’t for herself. Although Isella might have liked rubies before, the Isella that Carynne knew did not.

And Carynne felt odd as she surmised the reason. Isella really disliked her. So much that even her favorite red gems became detestable to her.

“What else is there?”

“We have a new diamond necklace that just came in.”

“Show me, please.”

The necklace the merchant presented was familiar to Carynne.

“This…”

“It’s made entirely of top-quality diamonds. It’s overly luxurious, but there’s nothing better for a gift.”

It was familiar.

It was a gift from Raymond to Isella.

Carynne lifted the necklace adorned with dazzling small diamonds. Nancy’s eyes widened beside her. Carynne remembered the state in which Nancy had worn this necklace before and laughed.

“Don’t covet it. You might die.”

“Yes, but… it’s incredible.”

“As luxurious as the previous one was.”

“But such an item would be good for cashing in later…”

“Our goods are not mere commodities. Each piece is infused with the artisan’s soul. This will surely create a special bond with Miss Isella.”

The owner curtly interrupted Nancy’s words and placed the necklace around Carynne’s neck. Then he held a mirror up for her. The necklace was still beautiful, seemingly perfect for hanging around one’s neck. Carynne thought about the countless times through the ages as she looked at herself wearing the necklace.

And then another hand appeared in the mirror. Someone had placed their hand on her shoulder.

“That necklace doesn’t suit you.”

A familiar voice, a familiar shape of the hand, and a familiar scent—gunpowder.

Carynne didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. And the person behind her could recognize Carynne without even seeing her face, too.

“It’s not for me. I plan to give it as a gift.”

Familiar voice. Familiar scent. But an unfamiliar place for their meeting. It was slightly surprising but also welcome. Carynne looked up to see the man’s face.

Her golden knight, her leading man.

“Has it been very long?”

“Yes. But I’d be more than happy to say, ‘It’s been a while’.”

It was an unexpected meeting, but not an unforeseen one. Hence, the joy and happiness preceded the surprise. Carynne locked eyes with Raymond, and his gaze in his one eye softened as well.

“It’s been a while, Sir Raymond.”

“It has been, Carynne.”

Raymond’s hand caressed Carynne’s face.

And then he embraced her from behind.

It was a new beginning for their meeting in a new place.

It felt as if the fragrance of flowers was vibrating.

“…But, Sir Raymond.”

After a brief hug, Carynne detached herself from Raymond, noticing Nancy and the jeweler staring wide-eyed, and scolded Raymond. She had no choice but to scold him.

“What happened to your eye?”

The initial meeting required no words due to the joy, but what followed was Raymond’s face. Raymond’s eye was covered with an eye patch.

“I made a mistake.”

Raymond avoided Carynne’s gaze as he spoke. The black eye patch covered Raymond’s right eye, and a long scar was visible where the patch didn’t fully cover. Carynne whispered quickly upon seeing his appearance.

“Should we commit suicide and start over?”

“It’s not so inconvenient to necessitate that.”

“It seems too inconvenient if it’s permanent.”

It might be better for her to die quickly and restart rather than starting with Raymond injured. And since they met quite early this time, it would be easy to set up the next promise. However, Raymond didn’t take up Carynne’s suggestion.

“We need to observe the situation a bit longer. And Carynne, as I said before, all of my efforts are for you… you should try a bit as well.”

Suggesting another death would be somewhat disheartening for him. Raymond scratched beside his eye patch as he spoke. Carynne sighed involuntarily. He kept telling her not to die, yet here he was, getting injured so early on, and not just anywhere but in his eye.

“How can you get injured at your age…! Where exactly is your mind wandering?”

As Carynne’s voice grew loud with anger, Raymond whispered softly, aware of their surroundings.

“Let’s go outside to talk. It’s not good to speak too long in the store.”

“…Alright. I’ll come back for the items later.”

Carynne and Raymond exited the shop, feeling the jeweler’s sharp gaze. And Carynne told Nancy, who was following them,

“I have something to discuss with Raymond, so Nancy, let’s meet at the inn later. I’ll return before nightfall.”

“Ah, the gentleman next to you…?”

“Long time no see, Nancy.”

“Raymond, it’s useless. Nancy doesn’t remember.”

“Ah, I see. Well, take good care of her in the future.”

Raymond awkwardly turned away after trying to acknowledge Nancy. Clearly, Raymond had been a bit off since his memories returned all at once. Carynne whispered quickly to Nancy as they headed to the door.

“This is the man I told you about.”

“My goodness… you must be kidding…”

She really didn’t believe Carynne till the end.

Carynne shook her head once and then placed her hand on Raymond’s arm. They stepped out into the midday street.

***

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