Episode 209
Elisha recalled the moment when she first arrived at the ballroom.
A rural monastery. She said that this huge castle was too big for her who lived in that remote place.
The fortress I read about in books, the lost kingdom I read about in fairy tales, and the imperial palace in the capital. It seemed like a combination of all of that.
However, at the time, Elisha was tied up with ropes, her bare feet covered in scars and in skimpy clothing. Elisha is neither her friend nor her neighbor who came to play there. Nothing. She was the lowest prisoner and slave.
The moment I realized that, I couldn't bear being afraid of this great majestic castle. At that moment, her whole body trembled. The tremors did not stop even after years, so Elisha sometimes fell asleep at night shaking in fear.
The space allowed to Elisha in this huge castle is a shabby room in an old, small outbuilding. There was only one small bed in a camp-like space…….
That's how she had her best years, and withered away.
* * *
And now everything has changed. Elisha wore a thin silk dress and diamond earrings. She and she got into an open carriage and she was slowly circling Lucerne and the castle.
“You will have to live here for half a year. Because I have to take care of the duke's estate.”
“I expected it.”
Elisha said calmly.
“If you want, you say that you will abandon this family. Really.”
Lucerne said calmly. Elisha felt like she had heard unexpected words. She looked up and she looked at him. He knew all too well that Elisha had gone through all sorts of hell in this house.
“There is no need for that.”
Elisha shook her head. Elisha hated this family, but its enemies were either dead or destroyed.
If so, even this family was a spoil of war. Elisha was a rationalist who thought she didn't have to hate loot.
“Then would it be all right to live as the hostess of this family?”
“Let's live once.”
Said Elisha.
“There's nothing I can't do, since I've been through all sorts of oddities in this family.”
Lucerne raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.
“The source of the Cartier family's strength is money and huge loans. This time, the royal family's loan was illegally forgiven considerably. So it won't be stronger than before.”
With those words, Elisha understood many situations. It would have taken the power of the imperial family to deal with the suspicious death of the family head. Now, the Cartier family will not be able to wield power close to tyranny like before.
“Then what makes a difference?”
“You should come down from the top of the head of the imperial family. Well if it was before If the princess or the empress did something rude to you, even if it didn't matter if they slapped you on the cheek, now it's the difference that you have to stab them in the back.”
Elisha looked at Lucerne as if it were absurd.
“Fortunately, I am on good terms with the empress and the princess. I don't think that will happen. Besides, I don't want to put myself in such a tiring situation.”
Lucerne nodded his head.
“You don't have to do your duty if you want to.”
“…….”
“Just stay by my side. That's it. Then all rights as my wife are yours.”
Elisha had the idea that she couldn't really know him. He was also absurdly generous in the odd part.
“Not a bad proposition. But your wife is skilled enough to be a moderate hostess.”
Lucerne smiled. Before I knew it, the carriage passed near the duke's forest. Numerous outbuildings stood around it, showing beautiful architectural styles suitable for each era. It was Cartier's mansion, which was gradually enlarged beautifully in line with the times.
“It's a problem because it's so good. But I like you.”
He showed affection without even trying. Elisha's personality did not change overnight. She couldn't calmly respond to Elisha. However, Elisha would make a face she didn't like and remind her slightly of her cheeks whenever she did.
“Therefore.”
Lucerne turned around.
“Should I vent my anger?”
Said Lucerne, slowly stroking her Elisha's thumb with her fingers.
“…… Are you angry?”
“There are many terrible memories my wife has accumulated in this mansion. She took two lives.”
Elisha stared at Lucerne.
“So what are you going to do?”
Lucerne replied calmly.
“From here to there.”
“…….”
“Break it. Everything I don't like. I'll make the mansion into powder. Will you feel better after doing that?”
Elisha was stunned.
“Then where do you send your family members?”
“It must be kind to see that you already care about the people below you.”
He added that Lucerne was fun.
“It's all yours now. So build the buildings you want, and fill them with the people you want.”
“…… Hmm. Aside from the people, the buildings now are a bit tasteless.”
Cellars that no one will know even if one or two people are gone, and an isolated tower that is perfect for exiling someone. A secret passage that makes you wonder if all Elisha knows. And an unnecessarily oversized lot. That was the Duchy that Elisha knew.
“I'll think about it. Where does it bother you?”
Lucerne was dying of love for Elisha, who answered indifferently. But he just looked at Elisha as if he was having fun, as usual.
“Tell me when it's decided. I'll break it down and let you vent your anger.”
“Mmm.”
Elisha grinned.
“The secret room of Yurif where you locked me up. How about breaking it from there?”
“…… Are you going to come out like this?”
The smile disappeared from Lucerne's face.
“To vent your anger, you have to find the number well, right? Maybe that's the first place.”
Lucerne felt as if Elisha was wielding a strange power. She was heartbroken when her eyebrows were raised and when she was angry. Anyway, now he couldn't beat Elisha.
“Yeah, I will.”
Lucerne responded docilely.
“Make it into powder.”
“Well.”
Lucerne said.
“I'll be fine.”
Elisha lowered her raised eyebrows and nodded her head. She liked it very much
“General!”
At that time, someone anxiously called Lucerne. It was Ian, riding in an open carriage from the other side.
The coachman recognized Ian and slowly slowed down the wagon. Lucerne had never been so happy for Ian. Ian got off the wagon and approached.
“General. An envoy from the imperial family has arrived. It seems to be related to military secrets.”
Lucerne naturally looked at Elisha. Elisha nodded her head. Lucerne was about to retire, but he still retained the rank of general. It was also a big deal to give up the rights of many military relations he had.
“You should show your face. Bye.”
“Tell Ian to escort you.”
“No. I can go alone.”
By that time, Lucerne was morbidly obsessed with Elisha's safety. Seeing Lucerne's reluctant expression, Elisha smiled.
“Do not worry. There is nowhere to run from here.”
“You would do anything. If you disappear from my side again, I will go crazy.”
She stroked Elisha's hair as Lucerne spoke like a joke to her. He kissed her lightly on the cheek and fell.
“I don't know, but I am confident of such tenacity. We are similar people, so we can live together for a very long time. Maybe.”
Elisha answered nonchalantly. For a moment Lucerne wondered if he was hearing hallucinations. Lucerne's mouth naturally twitched because it was something he had never expected.
'No, I thought I'd see you at dinner.'
Ian desperately pretended not to see the scene. The two of them, who said they would be separated for a few hours, never got used to it.
Fortunately, Lucerne didn't hold on to Elisha for long. She kissed her on the cheek once more and whispered.
“But look around the lot.”
Lucerne said.
“Why?”
“I don't know. There might be a pretty corner, right?”
Lucerne left behind such strange words.
The coachman started slowly driving the wagon again. Elisha looked around. The duke's grounds were so vast that some were in a state of disrepair and were left untouched.
Fall flowers were blooming sparsely on the uncultivated land. Looking at that wild flower, Elisha suddenly thought of Nora.
Because Nora had blonde hair like that. Her blonde hair, unlike Elisha's, had little luster and was on the rough side. But she got along very well with the swarthy, healthy, feral Nora.
'But what happened to Nora?'
Nora has been strange these days. She said that after Elisha came back injured, she would never leave her side again, she was very…….
'Why do I act like a guilty person?'
Elisha was very puzzled because she could only express it that way. Just as she was thinking of her Nora, Elisha happened to find her.
She was coming out of the duke's little shrine.
“Stop the wagon.”
Said Elisha. The driver slowly stopped her carriage.
“Lady.”
Nora bowed politely.
“If you don't mind, would you like to go for a walk together, Nora?”