Chapter 76

As an unusual guest appeared, Mary's eyes widened slightly.

But since she was a classmate, it wasn't particularly surprising; it was just unexpected that she had come alone.

—And the politeness of apologizing for the sudden visit was also unusual. After all, when Mary had guests, they either burst in energetically or came in tears; in either case, they paid no attention to Mary's convenience—

Such a rare proper visit, and with a look that suggested something was amiss, Mary ordered a maid nearby to prepare tea and led her to the courtyard.

Sitting in the courtyard chair where a pleasant breeze blew, she sipped the fragrant steaming tea. Glancing sideways, she noticed the young lady sitting across the table was unusually fidgety.

The beauty that had always remained unshaken, no matter what, seemed to be absent, and Mary wondered if there was a significant reason.

Well, what could it be...?

But like Mary, she also possessed an unusual memory. It might be pointless to think, so Mary decided to ask her directly.

"So, what brings you here today? Carina."

At her voice, the young lady in front of her, unusually fidgety, finally looked at Mary with a pleading gaze.

"Um... I'm sorry for barging in so suddenly. I know you're busy."

"It's fine, everyone usually comes suddenly."

"...Is that so?"

"Some country girl even had tea with my mother when I woke up the other day. I screamed in surprise."

"That... that's..."

"Anyway, don't worry about it. Just tell me what's on your mind."

Encouraged by Mary, Carina hesitated for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.

"Um... It's about Randall..."

"Oh, what about him?"

At the name Carina mentioned, Mary tilted her head.

Randall was one of the targets in "DraDra" and Carina's ex-fiancé.

He had received a harsh comeuppance and even tried to interfere with Parfait and Gyanus's relationship. However, he was now trembling in fear, as Mary had often heard from a certain young lady at the Dice family.

"Did he run away again?"

"Yes, again... or rather, he runs away regularly. Of course, I catch him each time, scold him, and punish him... but... um..."

"What's wrong?"

At Carina's unusually hesitant tone, Mary looked at her curiously.

Her enchanting eyes now showed confusion, and a frown of bewilderment appeared between her eyebrows. Moreover, she would look away whenever their eyes met.

This must be something serious... Mary prompted her again, "What's wrong?"

"What about Randall?"

"Yes, um... recently, when I scold him harshly..."

"Scold him harshly...?"

"He seems... happy..."

Carina said, slightly pale, and a pleasant breeze blew, rustling their hair.

"...Take responsibility for him."

This was the response Mary gave after being speechless for a few seconds upon hearing Carina's story.

Hearing this, Carina turned to Mary in a panic and called her name.

"Mary, that means...!"

"How terrifying. You've awakened something in him...!"

"That's not true! Randall is—!"

The two young ladies began to argue, which might look like they were having fun from the outside, but the content of their conversation was quite serious.

Anyway, Mary, who insisted on "taking responsibility," seemed to have hit a nerve, as Carina, looking pale, said, "But..."

"But, Randall wasn't like that before..."

Indeed, in "DraDra," Randall was a so-called "Sadist," often giving the heroine impossible tasks and forcing her into difficult situations, making his route more intense. The real Randall was also sadistic, attracting the fervent attention of some women with his sadistic nature.

Mary, Carina, and even Lillian, had often wondered, "What's so good about a man who isn't kind to you?"

In any case, Randall was truly sadistic. His personality was twisted, and he took pleasure in seeing others in distress, always looking down on others with a high sense of pride...

"Yes! That's right!"

Seemingly in a desperate situation, Carina stood up, and Mary, with a strained smile, said hesitantly,

"...So, you must have broken his pride and planted something new in its place, right?"

"Don't say such scary things!"

Carina, uncharacteristically flustered, cried out, and Mary, unable to bear it, turned away.

But in the end, it was probably because he was originally sadistic that something new had sprouted from Carina's scolding and had swung to the opposite extreme.

Thinking it was terrifying, Mary cast a cold glance, and Carina, sensing her intention, turned even paler.

At that moment, a voice called out to them.

Looking up, they saw Addy, a maid, approaching with a tray of tea and cake, which was unusual for the Albert household but fitting for a servant...

"Miss, Miss Carina. The cake is ready, please enjoy."

"Addy, don't come here! This woman is dangerous!"

"Miss Mary, that's mean!"

"...What?"

"Addy, let's go back to the room! This woman opens doors that should remain closed!"

"Miss Mary, don't abandon me!"

Screaming and warning Mary, Carina clung to her, crying out.

Addy, looking confused, tilted her head and asked, "...Door?"

With Addy added, Carina explained again.

The content was the same as before, and she even added, "Sometimes he looks at me with eyes full of expectation when I scold him."

Addy's response to this—rather, being forced to listen—was,

"...You should take responsibility for him."

Mary nodded in agreement, while Carina screamed again.

In the midst of this, Mary suddenly noticed something and called Carina's name.

"Hey, did Randall run away again today?"

"Yes, but I know where he'll go anyway."

"Then catch him and, this time, crush what has sprouted so he never runs away again, what do you think?"

Mary suggested, slightly strained, and Carina's face lit up.

Then, with a surprisingly cold smile, she said, "That's right." Her smile was so beautiful, and this smile was the most Carina-like expression Mary knew.

"Sorry for barging in, Miss Mary. I have a very important matter to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

"Yes, of course. Next time, please come when you have time with a better reason. Let's have a normal, peaceful, and warm meal together."

"Yes, I'd be delighted."

Smiling, Carina bowed gracefully and left.

Watching her go, Mary sighed deeply.

But, Carina, you...

She almost said it but swallowed the words and sipped the warm tea that had been freshly brewed.

A little earlier, in a different place, at the Eldland family mansion.

After finishing his daily run, Gyanus was reading a book elegantly when a maid called, "You have a visitor."

He couldn't recall any appointments, and it was too early for Parfait to visit. Who could it be...? Trying not to think of a certain person who came to mind, he followed the maid to the entrance...

"Gyanus! Hide me!"

Seeing Randall's pleading face, Gyanus sighed in exasperation.

"Randall, how many times do I have to tell you not to come here?"

"Gyanus, are you going to abandon me!"

"Yes, I am. In fact, I already have. Go home, bringing you in will upset Parfait."

"You heartless man!"

"Who's the heartless one here!"

Randall's near-screaming voice made Gyanus raise his voice in response.

But in the end, he compromised and led him to the garden, as they were in the same boat. Both had been exposed by Lillian and had their engagements broken. Gyanus had been able to reclaim the Eldland name thanks to Parfait's strength and affection, but he could have ended up like Randall if things had gone wrong.

Thinking about this, Gyanus couldn't bring himself to abandon Randall. Besides, he thought, it would be fine eventually...

Listening to Randall's complaints for a while.

A loud voice echoed in the Eldland garden, "There he is, over there!"

At that moment, Randall's shoulders twitched, but Gyanus remained calm, even starting to clear the table.

Several footsteps approached, and strong men captured and bound Randall. Gyanus, with practiced hands, finished clearing the table and handed the dishes to a maid just as the voice's owner appeared.

"Good afternoon, Master Gyanus. I'm sorry for the commotion."

"Don't worry about it. I was just listening to his rambling and daydreaming, expecting you to come and capture him."

"Oh, that's good."

Smiling gracefully, the person who ordered the bound and gagged Randall to be thrown into a carriage was, of course, Carina.

She was as beautiful as ever, but her elegance and beauty were now terrifying to Gyanus, making him avert his eyes.

"I brought cake as an apology, please enjoy it with Miss Parfait."

"Thank you..."

Accepting the box of cake, he inadvertently used polite language.

Watching Carina leave gracefully, Gyanus sighed, and a carriage pulled up as if in exchange.

A familiar carriage, from the Marquis family, of course, Parfait.

Seeing her beloved figure step out of the carriage, the warmth in Gyanus's heart, which had been chilled by dealing with Randall and Carina, warmed up.

"Master Gyanus, what happened?"

"Nothing, just Randall came by."

"Oh! He came again!"

Puffing her cheeks, Parfait, Gyanus quickly reassured her.

He hadn't let him in, had just listened to his rambling, and "Miss Carina came and took him away." Hearing her name, Parfait's face brightened, and Gyanus, sensing her mood improving, felt relieved, holding up the cake box.

"Miss Carina gave us cake. Let's eat it together."

"Yes!"

Her eyes shining, Parfait ran to a nearby maid, saying, "Let's have tea." Watching her, Gyanus sighed softly.

The last time he saw Randall, he was pitiful, bound and dragged away, with no trace of his former glory. As a man, he felt only pity.

And of course, he knew that Carina was thoroughly scolding Randall, which had led to his downfall. ...He knew, but...

Gyanus imagined his friend being trampled by Carina in the carriage.

Mary and Gyanus, in different places, sighed in unison.

But, Carina, you...

But, Randall, you...

Seeing such a happy expression, what are you supposed to do...

Deciding it was best to leave it alone, both Mary and Gyanus turned their thoughts to their beloved ones who were calling them.

※The story of the country girl※

"Oh, good morning, Mary."

"Good morning, Mother."

"Good morning, Miss Mary!"

"Good morning, Alicia... Why are you in my house!?"

"Hehe, I came early to go on a picnic with you!"

"How many times do I have to tell you not to come when people are sleeping! Get rid of that 'rooster crows, it's morning' country mindset!"

"I waited a bit after the rooster crowed. Right, Miss Caila, I wasn't that early, was I?"

"Mary, thank Addy later. He was desperately trying to hold her back in front of your room. It was a fierce battle."

"I feel the love of my husband..."

"Anyway, Miss Mary, let's go on a picnic!"

"No way. Go by yourself. I'm having breakfast. Someone, prepare it."

"Thank you, Miss Mary!"

"You ate it!?"

"Hehe, it was delicious! Come on, Miss Mary, let's go!"

"Why do I have to go on a picnic with a country girl who barges into my house in the morning and eats my breakfast!"

"But I made lots of croquettes!"

"......Hmm"

Thus,

"You still need to improve your tea-making, but your croquettes are getting better."

"I'm glad Miss Mary is satisfied."

"I'll add them to the menu at the Migratory Bird Rice Bowl Shop."