There Is No Paradise Where I Ran Away To (14 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 84

Rottermond, which they had visited at the tail end of summer, had already welcomed winter.

As soon as they stepped down from the carriage, an oddly cozy warmth lingered in the air. The sky above was thick with dark storm clouds—it seemed snow would fall before the day was out.

Susanna, delighted by the lord’s return, opened her arms wide to greet Edwin. The two other women, however, found it difficult to receive Susanna’s warm welcome. Still, Susanna did not forget to exchange polite greetings.

Ever since the incident in Perrington this past autumn, Susanna had become thoroughly estranged from them, and now they could only hope for a chance to reconcile.

Bianian was glad to hear they would visit Rottermond again this winter. It practically guaranteed her time alone with Susanna—though there was no assurance things would go as she wished.

“It looks like it’ll snow tomorrow, so you arrived just in time. You almost had a rough journey. By the way, I’ve also invited Baron Zimmermann. Since snow is expected any moment, I’m not sure exactly when he’ll arrive, but wouldn’t it be nice to see him here too?”

Susanna, walking ahead, turned back toward Charlotte, who flinched in surprise and clutched Bianian’s sleeve. When Bianian tightly grasped Charlotte’s trembling hand, Susanna, witnessing this, tilted her lips in a crooked smile.

Charlotte gave a small, quiet reply, and Susanna once again wore a formal smile.

“How fortunate. The manor will finally feel lively again after so long. It’s rare for Rottermond to come alive like this in winter, Miss Ebelline. You’ll have to thank Windler—for arranging such a lovely gathering.”

Susanna laughed brightly, though malice lurked beneath her smile. Only Bianian and Charlotte noticed the thorns hidden within it. Bianian could feel Charlotte’s grip tighten sharply in her hand.

When Susanna turned her head away, Charlotte’s stiff little hand visibly relaxed, tension melting away.

Though the thought occurred to her only now, Bianian wondered just why Susanna hated Charlotte so intensely. Hatred and resentment usually fade with time—that’s simply how time works. Yet if Susanna still harbored enough strength to hate after all this time, there must have been a grave incident behind it.

Bianian took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Charlotte’s damp nape. Though terrified enough to sweat even in winter, Charlotte smiled brightly and thanked her.

***

As the sun set, large, heavy snowflakes began to fall. Bianian, who hadn’t seen falling snow in so long, threw the window wide open and reached out her hand.

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