Chapter 7: 7

7 – Devilish Creature

Even if she had the blueprint in her head, it was the first time Scarlett ever attempted a repair. Due to her lack of proficiency, night had fallen when the clock was ready to be hung back on the wall.

“Wow, it’s completed,” Scarlett exclaimed happily. 

From the outside, it looked untouched. But the clock, which had been running slow, had regained its speed and the weird noise it once made, had disappeared. 

Hanging it back up, Candice compared it to her watch and uttered:

“Oh my, you really did it…”

As they marvelled, the door swung open and Scarlett’s father-in-law, Gregory Dumfelt, entered. Scarlett’s expression darkened immediately. 

Gregory strode over and glared at them with the same blue eyes that Viktor had inherited.

“I don’t understand how you can be laughing.”

Scarlett stood up hurriedly.

Furious, he pointed at the window:

“Did you know that the gas light on the front porch hasn’t been turned on yet?”

At that, one of her maids, looked at her watch, exclaimed:

“Sir, I’m sorry! I forgot…”

“It is part of the Madame’s duties to manage the staff. Even bedridden, suffering from mental illness, my wife didn’t shy from hers, and you can’t do them simply because Viktor confined you to your room? It’s laughable!”

‘The man responsible for the Princess’s downfall’ was the label that had followed him ever since he married Marina in his youth. The newspapers had been strife with gossip and implications of various drugs, supposedly used to seduce the elegant Princess Marina at the time.  

Scarlett had surmised that Gregory was using her as an outlet for his bruised ego; the projection of his own insecurities onto her made his cruel remarks increasingly brutal. He vented his frustrations for hours on end until she, and all those in the vicinity, felt exhausted.

Coincidentally, Pallin returned to see Scarlett, the late luncheon finally over.

As he was about to knock on the door, he heard Gregory’s angry voice from inside.

“How could you forget what you have done and laugh like this? Are you so dull that you don’t even understand the seriousness of your actions?

Guilt stricken, Scarlett wrought her hands and lowered her head.

Seeing her fully chastised, Gregory showed his true colours.

“So please stop being so stubborn and get a divorce.”

“Sorry.” Scarlett replied calmly. 

“Why won’t you agree? Even Viktor thinks you are lacking. After what you’ve done, shouldn’t you atone by divorcing and letting him meet the daughter of a good family?

“If you want me to divorce....”

She said in a blunt voice, recalling Viktor’s orders to forgo the party.

“Then give me some property.”

“What did you just say?” Gregory exclaimed dumbfounded.

“My brother needs a live-in caregiver. Our living expenses are high. Just a small part of the properties....”

“How dare you, who came with no dowry and only your body to offer, ask for some property?”

“Then a divorce is out of the question.”

Head still bowed, Scarlett frowned upon hearing Gregory’s true motive.

Unrelenting, he continued his rant.

“You devilish creature! Do you intend to ruin this family? I won’t allow this! Go to the monastery immediately! Don’t come back until all your sins have been forgiven.”

Pallin, startled by his contempt, hurriedly opened the door.

“Pardon my intrusion. I’m here to speak to Scarlett.”

Displeased by the interruption, Gregory begrudgingly stopped. He couldn’t continue humiliating Scarlett in front of Pallin, a descendant of the prestigious Redford family like he did in front of the servants.

After Pallin greeted Gregory, he continued.

“You wish to send the captain’s wife to the monastery?”

“Sir Pallin, my son suffered defamation. If it were up to me, I would have her kicked out right away.”

“However, answering questions isn’t a crime.” Pallin countered.

His retort fuelled Gregory’s anger.

Scarlett’s hands trembled as the subject of the monastery was brought up again. Marina Dumfelt had been in and out of the psychiatric ward for nearly a decade and now she was confined to a monastery for the rest of her life. Scarlett was afraid she would suffer the same fate.

“The captain will not condone this. I will go now and let him know.” Pallin spoke hurriedly. 

Pallin left as soon as he finished his sentence, followed by a very displeased Gregory. 

Gasping for breath as anxiety struck her, Scarlett quickly forced a smile under the maids’ inquisitive gazes. 

“Oh, if you ever get a broken watch, please let me know. I want to practise. I’ll do my best to fix it.”

After everyone noticed her words, Polly, the kitchen maid, gently raised her hand.

“I have one of those broken watches, Madame.”

“Really?”

“The watch store said it couldn’t be fixed, so I just kept it. Because it’s a Crimson watch.”

“May I have a look?”

“Sure!”

Polly felt touched by Scarlett’s enthusiasm.

Even after all the servants withdrew, Scarlett’s guilt and shame kept her motionless. As she finally heard the sound of her clock through the daze, she slowly turned her head.

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“At least I didn’t spend the day in vain,” she mumbled.

Frustrated and upset, she stared at the clock for a long time, the soft ticking a balm to her bruised heart; as if her parents were gently comforting her.

♔♔♔

8 – A Monastery Is Not A Prison

After being disowned by the Royal Family, Princess Marina Irene received the title of Duchess of Dumfelt. It was also the name of a forsaken land outside the capital.

Nestled in the Wasteland Hills, the Dumfelt family used Marina Dumfelt’s vast fortune to level the land and repair the mansion on it.

Viktor increased the family’s wealth with the spoils from the pirates’ ships that were lawfully his after taxes were paid.

On a hill overlooking the sea, in the Dumfelt family’s forest, the naval staff was in full training. They practised with rifles, but Viktor was concentrated on getting used to the silver and diamond pistols with embossed royal emblems he had been gifted.

“It’s for decoration,” Viktor muttered as he rubbed his face with his left hand.

Viktor had always achieved overwhelming results in all disciplines; relentless training enhanced his natural talents.

Vice-captain Evan smiled cheerfully at the rare sight of his superior’s difficulties.

“What do you mean decoration? It’s but a sacred relic full of history and tradition.”

Both ‘sacred’ and ‘decoration’ were quite accurate descriptions.

Viktor raised his pistol trying to refocus on his task but saw Pallin approaching from afar.

He then looked at the target and shot his pistol. Contrary to his denigrations and the heavy decoration, the bullet hit the centre and pierced right through the target.

“Captain, Sir Gregory ordered Scarlett to go to the monastery!” Pallin approached.

Gregory was a second son, so he hadn’t inherited nor had he been given any titles because of his unsanctioned marriage. He wasn’t supposed to be called Sir, but the title of Lord was commonly used to designate Naval or Police officers. 

After listening to a somewhat excited Pallin, Viktor spoke as he loaded his pistol with bullets.

“A monastery is not a prison.”

“Is that really so?”

“Why? Are you afraid that I will lock her up for the rest of her life like my mother?”

“...I didn’t say that.”

“You’re implying it.”

While speaking, Viktor, who was aiming at the target with ease, quickly changed his aim.

After he fired two shots in a row, a deer fell. Indifferent to the animal’s death, Viktor continued.

“It won’t happen. My wife betrayed me, she isn’t crazy.”

After Viktor shot the last bullet, at the target this time, the groundskeepers retrieved the deer.

Seeing the blood pouring out, Pallin shut his eyes tightly. When he reopened them, Viktor had left, and Evan was right behind him.

“It’s not a good idea to meddle in their affairs. You should leave it alone.”

“I know that, but it’s true that the Captain doesn’t take Duchess Marina out of the monastery.”

“Well, there must be a reason for that.”

“Even if it is your own mother?”

Pallin took a deep breath and ruffled his red hair. Even though Evan might think it’s meddling, he couldn’t help feeling very concerned.

♔♔♔

At dinner that night, Scarlett quietly observed Viktor, who sat opposite her. He was eating in a suit, just like on the first day of their marriage.

In the early days, she would stare at him while he dined elegantly.

He hadn’t changed in the past two years. Whether she laughed or cried at the table, he continued to eat in a dignified manner. Scarlett, who now could keep her composure as well as he did, asked:

“Viktor, did you hear about the monastery from Sir Pallin?”

“Go.”

At his indifferent words, Scarlett accidentally dropped the spoon on the plate.

Ignoring the spoon, she continued,“...for how long?”

“Well.”

“It can’t be too long. I might run away because I miss you.”

She said laughing.

Viktor didn’t answer immediately, furrowing his brow.

“Is a month long enough?” she asked

“Do whatever you feel like.”

“It can’t be any longer. Come pick me up, in a month.”

“Okay.”

“Viktor.”

She called him, waiting for him to look at her.

As Viktor shifted her gaze towards her, she uttered sweetly.

“I love you.”

“Me too.”

Except when Viktor needed something, it was usually Scarlett who said she loved him first, and Viktor would only occasionally add that he loved her as well, always in the same tone. It left Scarlett with mixed feelings of joy and loneliness.

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