“I really don’t care. Even if Revril leaves, anyway…”
“Of course, you say you’re staying for your mother, but I worry that Selena might have a harder time in the mansion without me.”
I said words I didn’t really mean. Cedric’s mother didn’t ask for me anyway, but I felt I had to sound reasonable.
Selena seemed to think for a moment, then looked at me quietly.
“Revril, you seem to worry more than expected.”
I had nothing to say and stayed silent. Selena asked gently,
“But if you leave this mansion, will Cedric leave too?”
“No. Only I will leave.”
“Is it because your health is not good, so you’re leaving first?”
“Yes.”
Saying my health was not good was the most believable lie. And it was true, after all. I said my health had gotten worse than before.
Selena said lightly,
“I understand. Anyway, since you are the lady of this house, I will follow your decision.”
Her clear answer made my stiff face relax naturally.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. I am a guest here anyway, so it is right to follow the lady of the house.”
I was glad she was the only person in this mansion who could talk with me. With a lighter mood, I exchanged a few words with Selena. She spoke with grace, surely well-educated from a good family.
But what still bothered me was that she still could not accept Cedric’s marriage. She also quietly showed interest in Cedric.
“How long will Cedric stay here?”
“Why do you ask?”
“It feels like he hasn’t been here for a long time. Also, since your mother is unwell, I am curious how long he will stay.”
I found it annoying to explain everything to Selena.
“I don’t know well either. Cedric is very busy.”
Despite my subtle refusal, Selena smiled gently and nodded.
“I guess Revril doesn’t tell Cedric such things either.”
“……”
“Well, Cedric was never that warm-hearted anyway.”
Selena smiled faintly and spoke calmly.
“Then, Revril, I will leave now. It seems it will take time to pack.”
I nodded. Selena left with elegant steps. I watched her back for a moment, then went back to my room.
At least, I packed with a lighter heart. I could have asked the maids to pack for me, but somehow I did not want to. My luggage was small anyway, so I put money and important things in my pockets first. Just as I was almost done packing—
Bang, bang. There was a rough knock on the door. It sounded like someone was hitting it hard. Curious, I opened the door myself.
Cedric’s mother stood there, leaning on a cane, looking at me.
“Mother?”
As soon as she saw me, she raised her hand. A strong burst sound rang out. My head turned by itself, my eyes went off focus. My cheek stung so badly I could barely breathe.
“How can you say such things? I called for company because it feels like you are trapped here alone, and you chased Selena away?”
“……”
“You have completely decided to ignore me now.”
I had no words. Then, I heard a dry laugh and my dark vision slowly brightened.
“Well, maybe it’s better. If you leave, Cedric will be free from you and see clearly.”
Bang, the door closed. I stayed dazed for a while, then slowly lifted my head. One side of my cheek still hurt.
‘I didn’t know Selena was that kind of person.’
She spoke nicely in front, but told everything behind my back. Of course, even if she talked to Cedric’s mother, I didn’t expect her to make me look so rude.
I walked near the bed and pulled the bell rope. A maid opened the door after a moment.
“Madam, did you call?”
“Where is Selena?”
My voice trembled. I barely controlled my breath and looked at the maid. She bowed her head and said calmly,
“Miss Selena already left.”
“She already left?”
“Yes.”
It was absurd. If I had told Cedric first, maybe things would not have gotten so ridiculous. Suddenly, I wanted to see Cedric and asked,
“Do you know where Cedric is now?”
“He is having a meeting with the mine officials about the lost mining documents.”
I had nothing to say. In the end, Cedric was suffering more because of me, and no one in this mansion wanted or liked me.
As I stayed silent, the maid bowed her head and left the room. Feeling complicated, I looked out the window. The weather was still bad. It was dark as if it might rain soon.
But feeling heavy inside, I left the room.
I wanted to calm my mind by walking around. Without thinking, I walked past the garden and went deep into the forest of the estate. At least there was a path, so I followed it deeper. As the trees grew thicker, the forest grew darker.
While stepping on some branches without thinking, I heard an unpleasant cry with a thud. It was the creepy animal sound I heard before in the mansion.
“Endevil deer cry like that, especially when wolves or other animals catch them,” Cedric had said. I didn’t think much then, but now it gave me chills. Especially as the trees made many shadows in the dark.
Then, gunshots rang out. I froze and looked around.
Dogs barked loudly and I heard people talking. Feeling uneasy, I hid behind a tree.
Quick footsteps and gunshots came again. Something fell with a thud not far from where I was. I covered my mouth and swallowed hard. Blood flowed to my feet. I stepped back quickly and looked around.
Then I heard people running and someone shouted,
“Here!”
The person pointed to the tree where I hid. I quietly stepped back and hid in the bushes. Then I heard horse hooves, and someone got off nearby.
“So far is the best you can do, even if you run.”
The voice was familiar. Ignoring my fast heartbeat, I peeked ahead. Cedric was stabbing a dead person with a knife. The dead person was none other than the old butler.
I covered my mouth to keep from making a sound.
Then came a chilling scream. The person was still somewhat conscious. But Cedric didn’t care and stabbed the butler again. Blood splattered, but Cedric did not blink. His action seemed to show no feeling at all. That coldness was even more frightening.
Besides, when I asked the maid, I heard Cedric was in a meeting.
My mind was in chaos as I heard voices.
“Where are the other maids?”
“They ran away. I can’t see them around.”
“Find them all and kill them when you see them.”
Killing maids too? I stayed silent, holding my breath. Cedric’s voice from far away didn’t sound like the person I knew.
“Throw the body to the wolves.”
Ignoring the cold words, Cedric rode his horse and left. The servant carried the body somewhere as ordered. Then thunder sounded.
Only then did I realize I was standing dumb in the forest. I hurried back the way I came.
“He has already become a monster. And lately, Cedric’s symptoms have gotten worse.”
Cedric’s mother’s words echoed in my head. I remembered the cruel scene I saw. Cedric stabbing coldly with a knife was so strange.
‘Did the old butler do something wrong?’
But even if he was wrong, killing him like that was cruel. If that was Cedric’s usual self…
Then the rain poured down. I had no choice but to run in the rain. Even though the heavy rain soaked me, I didn’t care. No matter how hard I tried not to think, I clearly remembered Cedric stabbing with the knife.
I exhaled and arrived at the mansion. The servants stood in front. When they saw me, they brought a long cloth and wrapped me up.
“Madam, we found you.”
Surprisingly, the servants treated me kindly and wrapped me warmly. I opened my eyes wide in surprise and saw someone quickly coming toward me. It was Cedric.
He asked as soon as he saw me,
“Revril, where were you?”
His face was stiff. He looked closely at my face. I remembered his cold knife stab and stepped back without meaning to.
Cedric hesitated and looked at me. I didn’t look back and said quickly,
“I went for a long walk and couldn’t avoid the rain.”
“You should have told me before going.”
