Chapter 224: Chapter 224

In the end, Raymond could not bring himself to say those words and could only continuously ask for the same favor while patting Zion’s shoulder.

“Anyway, I entrust their safety to you, from you too.”

Zion responded to Raymond, who kept making anxious expressions.

“Don’t worry too much, Sir Raymond. I assure you, I won’t cause any trouble.”

“You’d make a move on even ninety-year-old grandmothers as long as they’re wearing skirts, wouldn’t you?”

The problem was Zion’s notoriously messy relationships with women. Zion had no backing. Even though they seemed similar in situation, Zion’s status was worlds apart from Raymond because he was a noble. That’s why Zion wanted to be protected, wrapped in the skirts of various noblewomen.

Raymond was worried about Carynne and Isella. He had never seen Zion involved with them over the many years he had lived through, so he couldn’t be sure of their safety.

Seeing Raymond’s serious expression, Zion pouted unhappily and said,

“Are you not seeing me in a strange light?”

“Wasn’t your last lover Countess Elizabeth? A noblewoman in her eighties?”

“She was a truly beautiful person. If only her darling children hadn’t switched the will at the end, by now I…”

Zion gritted his teeth as he reminisced about his deceased former lover.

“And before her, Baroness Sheila was ninety.”

“She was eighty-seven. Do not casually judge a lady’s age, Sir Raymond.”

“I also know that you dated both at the same time.”

“There were three of them. Do not casually judge the number of a man’s lovers, Sir Raymond.”

“……”

Raymond felt sick thinking of the many noblewomen Zion had been involved with.

Raymond was certain of Carynne’s love for him, but he was not happy about the famously charming socialite Zion being by her side. Zion was like a walking time bomb.

There were younger ladies as well as older ones. Zion did not discriminate when it came to women.

But now, Zion was the only person Raymond could entrust them to, as he also had his own tasks to handle. Raymond thought of his older brother, who was likely abusing the servants in his house at that moment.

Since Carynne had chosen the path of love and forgiveness, shouldn’t he also try? Resigned, Raymond shook hands with Zion Electra and made a vow.

“…I’ll trust you.”

“Yes, please trust me. There’s no need to worry. And one more thing,”

Zion flicked his finger as he spoke to Raymond.

“I don’t deal with women without money. Thinking I’d go for a country lord’s daughter—you’re underestimating my taste. I don’t just look at age, alright? My standards are high.”

Zion grumbled as if his pride were hurt.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I only love women who have lots of money.”

“That’s the problem.”

Raymond sighed, and Zion lightly punched his shoulder with a smile.

“Don’t take my love lightly, Sir Raymond. I’m always serious in the face of money, and my love is pure too.”

* * *

Carynne looked up at the Grand Cathedral.

They had finally arrived.

* * *

After Isella had spent a long time arguing with the officiating priest in his room, she came out with a relieved expression. Carynne knew she had succeeded.

“Huu, that old man made such a fuss even though it’s clear he wouldn’t refuse.”

“I-I-Isella… they’ll hear.”

“Ah.”

Isella covered her mouth, but it was already too late.

“Ahem, ahem.”

The priest glared at Isella from the slightly opened door, but that was the end of it. As Isella firmly closed the door, she said to Carynne,

“Well, anyway, it’s settled. I’ll be staying here for a while. I’d appreciate it if you could help me while I’m here. In the meantime, I’ll write to my father to ask him to halt our business—I’ll tell him I’m more interested in other places than the Hare domain. This settles it, right?”

“Yes…”

In fact, Carynne had set her eyes on becoming friends with Isella as a bigger goal than saving her family’s lands. Carynne tried to continue the conversation with Isella by expressing her gratitude, but Isella turned and started walking away.

Despite it being night, the faint sound of hymns being practiced could be heard in the corridor. Isella continued to explain what’s to be done from now on as she dragged her bag along.

Since Zion, who wasn’t officially staying, couldn’t come in at night, Isella had to carry her bag herself. In the past, she would have naturally thrown it to Carynne, but now the situation was different.

“I’ve paid enough money, so it’s okay to stay here for more than a year. Food included.”

“One year?”

“I don’t want to stay that long, but you know.”

It isn’t likely that they’d refund it, huh?

Carynne became really curious about how much had been paid as she could sense a hint of regret in Isella’s voice.

‘She must have paid a ton.’

Temples do take in fugitives and travelers, but they usually demand some amount of money in return. Otherwise, all temples would swarm with homeless people trying to use them as shelters.

At a large establishment like the Grand Cathedral, money was always welcome. Carynne couldn’t know exactly how much Isella had given, but she guessed it must have been at least a lump of gold.

‘Maybe she gave even more?’

Carynne followed Isella through the corridor to a separate building where their accommodations were. It was time to sleep again. Isella handed Carynne a large key.

“I’ve donated enough, so we can have separate rooms. It’s better for you to have your own room too, right?”

“Is my room next to yours?”

“Are you dissatisfied?”

Carynne quickly added, seeing Isella starting to frown.

“No, not at all. Why would I be? I’m very happy about it! Really! Have a good night, Miss Isella.”

* * *

Carynne unpacked her belongings.

The room wasn’t very large, but it was tidy. A bed, a desk, a wardrobe. The only difference from an ordinary room was that this one contained sacred objects and scriptures.

‘Maybe I should study theology in this life.’

She had thought about that in the past.

It’s worth considering positively.

‘…It’s cold.’

However, due to the chill climbing the stone walls, Carynne couldn’t undress and had to wrap herself in more blankets instead. Her positive thoughts quickly vanished.

Carynne felt a sense of déjà vu.

‘…This reminds me of when I was a maid before.’

But that shouldn’t have been the case. This wasn’t Isella’s mansion—it’s a cathedral. And this time, she was clearly not a maid but an ally accompanying Isella. Surely she would become friends with her this time. And so far, it wasn’t too bad.

Besides, Isella had broken ties with Raymond and had left home. And they had overcome hardships together.

She could surely become Isella’s friend. She wouldn’t be treated like a maid.

Maybe their life together would be like that of students at a girls’ school. Girls’ schools were usually attended by middle-class women who wished to pursue a career.

Women from families like Carynne’s or with assets like Isella’s usually hired private tutors at home. Still, Carynne sometimes wondered what it would be like to live independently at a girls’ school, away from home for years, living only with peers.

‘But the temple will be different from Evans’ mansion, right? It might even be similar to a school.’

Even though the Grand Cathedral charged money, it was bound to differ in nature from ordinary accommodations. Visitors were expected to live as devotees to some extent. This included attending mass twice a day, being satisfied with provided meals, and doing various odd jobs at the temple under the guise of volunteering.

This time, Carynne wouldn’t just be serving Isella unilaterally. They could spend time together and establish a relationship where they’re on equal standing.