Misfortune 88

Chapter 88

***

Sponsored by Virginie. Thank you ❤️ (1/10)

****

Strangely enough, after being thrown into the bedroom, he realized that this was the first time he had really seen this woman. Even though she had never left his arms.

As he realized this, the fog that had been blurring his vision slowly began to clear.

The murky liquid, clinging here and there like territorial markings, the pale, slender wrists bruised by the restraints.

And the swollen, reddened corners of her eyes, constantly wet with tears.

By the time all of these details came into focus, it was already too late.

Roan stood there motionless, unable to touch her even with a fingertip even the day had fully broken. Then he turned and left the room.

Everything unfolded seamlessly until the order was given to investigate Marian.

But his mind was still in a complete jumble. He couldn't even begin to figure out what it had originally been.

Roan roughly rubbed his face. Yet the numb feeling didn’t improve at all. It was as if he were firmly spellbound by something.

There was no way to explain why he was once again engaging in behavior he couldn't even understand himself.

He had crushed it thoroughly to avoid being deceived. He had vowed never to be deceived again.

Yet, why, when he came to his senses, was he once again listening to that worthless voice?

Why did that foolish thought keep creeping into the back of his mind, telling him she’s not that kind of woman?

"Ro…an…"

His name, which hadn't been called in a long time, echoed not only in his ears but also in his mind. The voice, like smoke seeping into the deepest parts of his soul that no one had ever seen, made him clench his teeth and fist.

"No, I don't believe it."

It was all lies anyway.

Sending someone to the Beauvais Convent was simply to clarify the fact, leaving no room for doubt.

Yes. That was all.

He wouldn't be foolish anymore.

***

In the bright sunlight, Delnia lifted her heavy eyelids.

The man who should have been there immediately was nowhere to be seen.

She looked around with a dazed expression. But he was nowhere to be found.

Was she dreaming again?

She couldn't help but think so. Since she had been trapped here, the curtains on the window had never been drawn, and he had never left her side.

As if savoring the freedom of her body in a dream, she slowly raised her hands. The wide sleeves of her robe flowed down her arms.

The sensation of her body not feeling empty felt somehow unfamiliar, and she realized she was wearing clothes.

Even her once sticky body was now clean and fresh, and instead of a leather belt around her wrists, there was a bandage.

It must be a dream, after all.

Thinking that, Delnia slowly closed her eyes again, hoping to stay in this sweet dream for as long as possible.

"Delnia!"

At that moment, a familiar voice intruded into the quiet dream. Delnia's previously calm expression cracked slightly.

The voice was somehow familiar, but she couldn't quite place who it belonged to. She felt like she could figure it out if she thought about it a little more, but she didn't feel the need to find out.

It didn't matter anyway, so she hoped it wouldn't disturb her rare sweet dream.

Just as Delnia was about to burrow deeper into the blankets with her eyes tightly closed,

“Delnia, get up quickly. We have to go to your mother!”

Mother?

Delnia’s eyes snapped open. Before she could fully regain her senses, she sat up abruptly, causing the world to spin before her eyes.

Dizzy, she hurriedly pressed her hand to her forehead. Even so, she opened her eyes as wide as possible, her expression unchanged, and looked at the woman who had called her.

“Leticia….?”

"Yes! Are you coming to your senses now? Huh?"

Leticia gently stroked Delnia's back and arms with a sympathetic expression.

Delnia, still unable to shake off her dazed expression, spoke haltingly.

“What is this…………….”

“This isn’t the time for this. The Colonel ordered that you be sent to the Beauvais Convent as soon as possible. The preparations are almost complete, so all you need to do is get ready.”

"......What?"

Delnia, who had no idea what was going on, asked again, and a bitter smile appeared on Leticia's lips.

“Actually, a few days ago, the Colonel sent someone to the Beauvais Convent to check on your mother’s condition. Then this morning, we received word that she was in critical condition………………”

“….”

“I understand. You must be overwhelmed.”

Leticia took Delnia's hand, which was still clenched tightly, and gently stroked her thin, bony wrist with her fingers.

“But, Delnia. This is not the time to linger. We must act swiftly to visit your mother.”

Delnia’s mind was still foggy, like someone who hadn’t fully woken up, but even in that state, she knew Leticia was right. So she willingly followed her and stood up.

With Leticia’s help, Delnia quickly finished getting ready and soon left the mansion.

As she had said, the carriage, ready for departure, was waiting at the gate.

And in front of it stood Margaret, alone and motionless.

Delnia finally realized that Margaret, who had been constantly by Leticia’s side, had been absent the entire time.

“Margaret agreed to accompany you.”

As if to assure Delnia of Margaret's harmlessness, Leticia added in a gentle tone.

Delnia stared at Margaret, who had been keeping her eyes down since earlier, and then nodded.

Margaret was a decent companion. She hadn’t felt any discomfort when she first came down to Blois either.

Even if she said she didn't want to, there wouldn't be any other options for her anyway.

“Alright, then, we should get going.”

At Leticia’s urging, Margaret opened the door first and climbed into the carriage.

However, instead of following immediately, Delnia looked around nervously.

The fact that she hadn’t seen Roan even once after regaining her senses was weighing heavily on her mind.

Was it really okay to leave like this?

Leticia said it would be fine, but what if he suddenly changed his mind...

"The Colonel is currently at the Navy headquarters."

Noticing that Delnia's pale eyes were searching for someone, Leticia quickly reassured her.

“As soon as the Colonel heard the news about your mother, he sent a messenger to the residence. He asked me to prepare everything so you could leave immediately. So he knows better than anyone that you’ll have to leave without seeing him.”

Despite the kind explanation, Delnia’s anxiety did not completely subside.

Still, one thing was clear: Marian must be in critical condition for him to have suddenly changed his mind.

Perhaps her mother’s condition was far worse than she had vaguely imagined.

If that was the case, meeting her mother was the most urgent matter for Delnia. Even if it meant facing terrible revenge from Roan in the future.

With a pale face, Delnia finally made her decision and boarded the carriage.

As soon as the door closed, a strong command was heard. And the driving was much faster and rougher than usual.

It was unlike the coachmen of the Barthez mansion, who prioritized safety, but she had no energy to think deeply about it.

Delnia leaned her weak body against the backrest. Every time the wheels jolted, a heavy impact was transmitted to her back, but she felt she couldn't endure it without leaning on something.

To distract herself, she cast her gaze out the small window of the carriage. The desolate and tranquil landscape vividly reminded her of the flow of time she had overlooked.

" “………………Delnia……………….”

At that moment, Margaret, who had avoided making eye contact with Delnia the entire time, cautiously called out her name.

The voice was slightly hoarse, so Delnia couldn’t help but be startled.

When she turned her gaze, Margaret slowly raised her head. She wasn’t crying, but her eyes were moist.

“I’m sorry……………… I said something unnecessary to the Colonel……”

Before she could finish, Margaret took a deep breath as a hot wave of emotion welled up inside her.

At least in front of Delnia, she had decided not to cry in an unseemly manner. Showing tears was enough in front of Leticia.

“I never thought the Colonel would react like that. I only asked him to check it once….”

Margaret couldn’t finish her sentence and lowered her head again. She felt ashamed for making excuses.

In truth, it wasn’t entirely Roan’s fault. After all, Margaret hadn’t trusted Delnia either.

Margaret felt most sorry about that. Even though she was the one who had betrayed her, it was Delnia who was paying the price for it.

Because of that, Margaret couldn't sleep for the few days she was locked up. She just waited with bated breath for Roan's bedroom door to open.

She had to swallow her tears because she felt guilty that all she could do was that.

“I’m sorry…”

Just as she was about to continue her apology, a hand suddenly appeared and gently wrapped around Margaret's wrist.

***