Tom had to try harder to open his parched lips. His tongue was getting more numb. But he had to speak. The mont he stopped speaking, that was the mont he would die.
I want to live longer.
The fire continued to burn. Carynne shook her head, picked up Thomas dismbered head and threw it into the fireplace. The flas grew wild as the corpses flesh lted off.
She clicked her tongue and turned the head upside down. Fortunately, this fire wouldnt grow as big as a kitchens. Fire was difficult to handle after all.
Ah, Tom. How about dying through fire? Ive experienced it before. The pain is excruciating, but it ends faster than being stabbed by a knife.
I I wont say anything! Really! Please!
Youre still going on about that?
Carynne sighed as she pulled Tom through his clothes. The child tried to rebel, but his numb body wouldnt listen.
Dont you have anything else to say?
I really wont say Huh?
Carynne closed her eyes. She was like this, too. But in the end, its all the sa. And it was obvious that it would be more difficult to keep this child alive now. Youll be saved next ti. But not now.
If I cant say anything, isnt that okay?
Chiiiiiik. At the terrible sound, Carynne took her hand off him.
P-Pease saf , I wont sfeak.
Tom put a burning piece of lumber into his mouth. He showed how he wouldnt speak. The fire burned his mouth in an instant, and now, Tom could no longer make use of his tongue.
Slap
Carynne hit Tom hard on the back of his head. The black piece of wood popped out. However, the sll of burning flesh was already strong.
She frowned. How futile.
Youre going to die anyway. In a month. Like an insect, worse off than your father. Thats why I have to kill you now. Killing you is an act of kindness. And I can do that for you.
Carynne picked up the syringe. Tom couldnt talk anymore, only gasping moans continued.
If I let you live, Im sure sothing annoying is going to happen.
She knew. Its the truth. Carynne did not trust anyone. This boy could take advantage of any chance to kill Carynne at any ti. Even dogs on the street could kill Carynne.
However, Carynne realized that she was just trying to find enough of a justification to kill this child. She shouldnt be the one to pass judgnt. But she was trying to rationalize her decision by saying that it would be better to kill him now, that it was her obligation to kill him now, that it would be more inconvenient if she did not kill him now.
And she realized that fact. Its botherso. Inconvenient. Uncomfortable. Because she couldnt understand herself.
Carynne delayed her judgnt.
Fine. In the end, you will.
Die.
Or, harbor a grudge towards her for this.
Carynne was convinced of Toms death just as she was certain of her own. He was going to die anyway. Just like her.
She closed her eyes. There was a slight urge to shed tears.
This ti again, she would die.
* * *
Um, Miss Carynne Hare. I dont quite understand.
Amidst that prolonged silence, it was Raymond who first found his voice. Even if breakfast had co to a halt due to Carynnes proclamation. Isella looked at Carynnes confident appearance. Everyone else had been rendered speechless.
Carynne closed her eyes and continued to speak.
As this territorys lord, you have a duty to the orphans, Father.
That kid You cant.
The fief lord replied as though struggling through his words. His daughter had dropped a bomb here at this breakfast table, and the fief lord looked as though he wanted to fling his spoon. In fact, considering how he practically slamd the spoon back on the table, it seed as though he really would have thrown it if there were no other eyes watching.
Please uphold your duty, Father. Youre the fief lord.
Dont start with , Carynne.
This is crazy.
Even Dullan spoke up. Vedic shook his head as well.
Carynne had just now declared that she would like to take in the child of that rapist.
His face is cute, so I think its fine to make him a carriage footman. Ive also thought about making him a dishwasher or
Carynne, Ill say this as a fellow woman. Are you insane?
Even Isella couldnt hold it in. Isellas emotions were close to anger right now. There was only so much she could tolerate. This was all so ridiculous that she wanted to grab her by the collar and scream at her to wake up. Hes not a criminal, but he was the son of the man who stabbed her and attempted to rape her.
This child is not guilty.
Gracious, this child is also guilty, Carynne. Everyone gets influenced by their parents. They give their child a na, a legacy, so why do you think that hes not guilty? Its obvious when you think that hes been brought up by such a person. This boy is going to be a criminal, too.
As he stroked his jaw, Verdic supported his daughters statents.
And, Miss Hare. Pursuing a relationship where a grudge could be ford wouldnt be wise. This is my advice as an elder. This isnt a good idea.
Carynne raised her chin firmly.
What I believe is thisI can overco it all through my love.
* * *
What do you think?
About what.
About taking in this child.
Its crazy.
Oh, what a confident answer.
This isnt a joke.
Hm.
Toms mouth was badly injured. There was a limit to the first aid she could give him when she didnt know much. Eventually, she had to take Tom to Dullan.
Dullan refused and said he was busy but, in the end, he started examining the child due to Carynnes persistent coercion.
With a frown, he looked inside Toms mouth. He pushed in so injections, gave a few dicines, and cut off so of the affected areas. The child did not feel any pain even when the blackened flesh was cut off. Rather, there was sothing else Tom was more afraid of.
So, whats the verdict?
I, I cant say just yet. And from n-now on, go to Milton for this.
Milton was a doctor who regularly assisted Dullan. He was older than Dullan, but his skills were definitely lacking compared to the younger mans. At the obvious rejection, Carynne felt slightly offended.
Why not you?
Busy.
Whos the one who postponed a mass just because of a scratch?
She didnt point this out aloud. Although Dullan was incompetent when it ca to territorial managent, he was still the next fief lord, a priest and a doctor. Even if he did just one of those, thats going to be a lot of work. Really, not only work, but that noble pride in him wouldnt allow him to look after a single footman.
Dullan wasnt the only one who felt uncomfortable seeing Tom. Carynne had to hold back her laughter as she recalled those other peoples faces from yesterday.
Everyones expressions changed the mont they saw him, as though they had bitten sothing filthy inside their mouths. Then, the next reactions were a mix of a little sympathy and so evident loathing. Even so, it was clear from their expressions that theyre keeping their mouths shut, so the only thing that happened was that the atmosphere got cold.
In the end, it was Carynne who lifted the atmosphere once more.
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