freenovelworld Chapter 166 Brilliant Candlelight
Chapter 166 Brilliant Candlelight
Chapter 166 Brilliant Candlelight
I can no longer recall what the weather was like the day I met Natalie.
Just as when you stare at a flame, everything else in your vision will become a blur.
To Casey, Natalie that day was like a graceful, swaying orange-yellow flame.
Natalie was Cathy's mother, and that was the first time Cathy met her mother.
Even when searching through her memories, Cathy couldn't take her attention away from her mother.
Kathy could vividly describe every action her mother took and every word she said that day.
Natalie told Cathy, "Not everyone will leave you. You will definitely meet someone who will always be with you."
But Natalie is wrong, Cathy thought. Everyone will leave me; no one wants to stay with me.
Natalie left that same day, and later Henry also left in the Two Gold Coins.
Harriet
Cathy initially thought she was the person Natalie was talking about, but she wasn't.
Now, Harriet will also be leaving.
"stare!"
A knock came at the door.
But Cathy didn't open the door. She just leaned against the bookshelf, sat on the floor in the corner, curled up, and hugged her knees tightly.
Everything was dark; Kathy couldn't see anything.
The candles weren't left unlit; Cathy didn't forget, she did it on purpose.
This is good, Cathy thought, out of sight, out of mind.
"Kathy—"
It's best if you don't hear it at all.
This is the basement level of the library.
Mr. Mosley said that this floor was filled with books on magic and witchcraft.
Kathy also asked Mr. Mosley if the books here could give people strength.
Mr. Mosley replied with a smile that power does not come from other people or things.
Kathy didn't understand at the time, but now he does.
What you obtain by relying on someone or something is never truly obtained in the real sense.
"Kathy, let's talk—"
There's nothing to talk about. Kathy rested her chin between her knees. I don't want to rely on her anymore.
Jarl—that brown braid.
Actually, Kathy didn't dislike Jarl before.
Even though Jarl killed many rats that tried to protect Cassie, Cassie could understand from Jarl's perspective that Jarl had no choice but to do so.
However, Kathy now dislikes Jarl, even hates him.
She hated him for finding the library, and she hated him for taking Harriet away.
"Please, Casey, open the door!"
But in reality, there was only one person that Casey truly hated: that liar.
But upon reflection, Cathy couldn't understand why she hated that liar the most.
Is it simply because he's a fraud?
Yes, that's about it.
Kathy hates liars and hates being deceived.
Just now, he was scammed again.
"Cassie! Cassie—."
Her voice was trembling with tears, and Kathy immediately covered her ears.
I'm the one who should be crying! Cathy covered her ears, even though I was the one who was fooled.
Kathy never imagined that Harriet would lie to him.
Harriet had said "from now on," and she had promised Cathy that she would always be with him.
But all of this is a lie; Harriet is about to leave with Jar, so she's a liar too.
I hate liars.
"Kathy..."
His voice was very strained with sobbing.
Kathy released her ears.
He heard sobbing.
Kathy frowned and placed her hand near her heart.
He felt a pang of sadness and a heavy weight in his heart.
Was it because they were deceived, or because they heard crying?
But whether it's bitterness or heaviness, it's all pain from the heart.
Since he felt sorry for him, he couldn't continue sitting in that dark corner.
Kathy got up, touched the bookshelf, and walked towards the door.
Pull out the bolt and open the door.
Harriet stood outside the door, shrugged, head bowed, tears streaming down her face.
She suddenly raised her head and stared straight at Cathy.
The stairwell was still dimly lit, and the candlelight was not bright enough.
Harriet's entire face blended into the darkness, except for the tear tracks on her face, which shimmered and glowed.
Kathy longed to reach out and wipe away her tears.
But I don't want to.
"Kathy..." Harriet's voice was slightly hoarse.
Then, Harriet took a step forward and hugged Cathy.
Harriet gripped her hand tightly, as if afraid that Cathy would run away.
In the past, when Cassie hugged Harriet, she couldn't help but stand on her tiptoes, hook her neck around Harriet's neck, and kiss her lips.
But now, Cathy has absolutely no such impulse.
His hands hung straight down to the ground, without even wrapping around Harriet's waist.
"I'm not lying to you, Cathy," Harriet said. "I'm just worried about you. I really am thinking of you—"
"—Harriet."
"If you really don't want me to do that, then I'll just—"
"...—Harriet!"
Cathy raised her voice and called out loudly once more.
Harriet then stopped talking, and Cassie felt Harriet's body tremble violently.
Kathy said, "Let me go."
"Alas—"
“I said, let me go,” Casey replied. “Mr. Mosley is still waiting upstairs. It’s not very polite.”
Harriet's hand stiffly loosened, and she took two steps back.
Cathy lowered her head slightly, walked past Harriet, and went up the stairs.
He didn't look at Harriet's expression at that moment; he didn't want to look, and he didn't dare to look.
Back in the lobby, only Mr. Mosley remained in the library.
Kathy approached him and asked, "Sir, where are the others?"
Aaron said, "I've already sent him away, but Jar will be coming again tomorrow."
Kathy nodded and heard footsteps behind her.
Harriet came up too, but Cathy didn't go to see her.
Instead, he returned to the table and continued reading.
Harriet followed and stood beside Cassie. After a long while, she finally spoke:
"Cassie, we—"
"...Harriet!" Cathy interrupted her.
"Um?"
"You haven't finished your work for today, have you?"
"Yes."
"Let's get the work done first."
Harriet stood in front of Cathy for a long time, but finally moved on to work.
Kathy read books all day, but didn't absorb a single word.
There were three people in the library, but they didn't exchange a single word afterward.
At dinner, the three of them sat at a table and enjoyed their meal together.
Halfway through the meal, Harriet suddenly spoke up:
"Mr. Mosley, I don't want to go now. Can I change my mind?"
“Of course, Harriet,” Mr. Mosley said gently, “it’s your own business, you have the right to choose.” “Thank you, sir,” Harriet said, her voice slightly weary. “Cassie!”
Upon hearing this, Kathy raised his head, but only stared at Harriet's neck, not daring to raise his gaze any further, afraid to see Harriet's face.
Harriet continued, "Cassie, you heard me? I'm not going. Let's make up."
It's late: "Whatever."
"Kathy, you—.."
Cathy lowered her head and continued eating the food on her plate.
After an unknown amount of time, Harriet suddenly said:
"Mr. Mosley, I'm feeling a little tired. May I go and rest?"
"Of course, please go ahead."
The sound of the chair scraping against the floor was extremely jarring, followed by footsteps gradually fading away, and finally, the sound of a door being carefully closed.
Mr. Mosley suddenly muttered, "Well, looks like I'll have to do the dishes today. I should have let Laura have dinner before I left."
Kay wanted to say to Mr. Mosley, "Sir, please let me do this job."
"Can you wash dishes?"
Cathy shook her head a few times: "But I can learn. This is Harriet's job. Since she's tired, I'll do it for her."
Mr. Mosley smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll leave it to you."
After finishing her meal, Cathy washed the first plate of her life.
After washing, Cathy wiped the sweat from her head with her sleeve.
He looked down at his palms; the skin on his hands had turned white from being soaked in water.
So Harriet's job is this hard! I really don't want her to do it.
Kathy walked back into the hall, where Mr. Mosley was tidying up the counter.
Based on experience, once he has finished these things, he should go to bed.
Therefore, Kathy also lay down on the floor beforehand.
Not long after, Mr. Mosley blew out the candles.
"Are you asleep, Cathy?"
Not long after, Mr. Mosley suddenly spoke.
Mr. Mosley doesn't strike up conversations easily, especially after the lights are turned off.
"Not yet," Cathy replied.
"I want to confirm something with you."
"What's wrong?"
"You really don't want Harriet to leave?"
"Didn't she already say she wasn't leaving?"
"I'm asking for your opinion. She clearly changed her mind because of your attitude."
"Do my thoughts matter?"
"If you're certain you won't let her go, then Harriet's decision won't change again, and that will inevitably lead to a battle with that mercenary."
Mr. Mosley explained slowly, "Although I am confident that I can defeat him head-on, combat always involves risk, so it's best to avoid direct confrontation if possible. Therefore, as long as your mind remains clear, I will kill him now to minimize the risk."
"Now? But Jarl isn't here right now, and you're lying in bed. How are you going to kill him?"
"It's probably a curse on him."
"curse?"
Haha, Mr. Mosley is so funny, talking about curses and stuff!
"Will my curse also come true?"
"Perhaps, sincerity brings results. You also wish to curse Jarl?"
Do I want to? "I don't know."
"So, what's your answer?" Mr. Mosley pressed.
Kathy wanted to look up at the ceiling, but the moonlight was dim tonight, and Kathy could see almost nothing.
He recalled the events of the day and then asked:
"Sir, what is your reason?"
"reason?"
"You said you would protect the safety of your guests, but I'm not the only guest you have. Harriet is too. But instead of directly refusing Jar's request, you asked Harriet for her opinion. I think you must have a reason."
"Ha, I thought you weren't thinking about anything at all."
"I was so anxious at that time."
"But at least you were able to think of something after you calmed down, which means you've made progress. Yes, I do have reasons, and three of them."
"Three?"
"First, I don't think this poses much of a danger to Harriet."
Why?
"Because Harriet's pledgee is Jarl, and he is a member of the Unswearing Knights. He actually did this for you..."
The investigation, which lasted for more than six months, proved that these mercenaries valued contracts more than they had imagined.
"Simply ask him to make it a condition that Harriet's safety be guaranteed and that she be returned unharmed, and Jar will do everything in his power to protect Harriet."
"Oh, I see," Cathy turned her head towards the wooden bed. "And the second one?"
"This is a learning experience for Harriet, both in terms of her abilities and other aspects," Mr. Mosley replied. "Kathy, Harriet is, after all, just a country girl."
"To stay by your side, one may not have a distinguished background, but one must not merely possess limited knowledge. I believe she will gain a lot from this trip."
"As for the third point, this is a good opportunity to establish contact with the plateau. Harriet is absolutely trustworthy, and his status is sufficient—provided, of course, that you give her sufficient status in the future."
"I will!"
Kathy answered immediately and sat up excitedly.
"Hmm," Mr. Mosley responded, "As long as her status is high enough, and if Count Zeman of Moonstone Castle truly still supports the Lanes family, even if we don't respond directly for the time being, we should at least give Harriet some advice."
"What if," Casey asked worriedly, "Moonstone Fortress has also sided with Gray City?"
“At least you have Jarl’s protection,” Mr. Mosley said. “You’ll need to get back in touch with the highlands sooner or later, and I think Harriet will most likely need to make a trip there too. This time, at least Jarl is with you.”
Kathy suddenly realized: "On the surface, you've compromised, but in reality, you've been using him!"
"That's right, so, Casey, remember, other people's desires can sometimes be a resource that can be utilized."
"Hmm—" Casey nodded. "So, sir, do you want me to agree?"
"Don't ask me about this, after all, it involves your relationship," Mr. Mosley said in a languid tone. "Ask your heart how it really wants things to turn out."
"But I don't want her to leave me."
"This is only a temporary separation. In my hometown, there's a saying: 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.'"
But what does it feel like to be newlywed? Cathy thought, I don't know either.
However, Harriet must look absolutely stunning in her wedding dress.
After thinking for a long time, Kathy replied:
"Sir, I've made up my mind. Let Harriet go."
"Are you really sure? Don't force yourself, okay?"
"I've thought it through. I'm still reluctant to let her go, but when I think about it carefully, it doesn't seem very realistic to expect Harriet to stay by my side every step of the way."
"Okay, I understand."
Cathy reflected on her actions that day: "Sir, wasn't I very childish?"
"You are indeed not very old."
That's childish: "But I'm an adult now."
"Psychological maturity is more important than age."
"Sir, I want to become more mature."
"Then we must avoid being willful."
Cathy lowered her head: "Yes, sir, I will reflect on it and correct it."
"These are things for later, but right now, you must understand that your recklessness could hurt many people."
"?"
Mr. Mosley explained, "Harriet is hurt."
Of course I know, Casey, I'm such an idiot.
I will apologize to her tomorrow.
"So you're planning to let her cry alone, buried in her pillow, all night?"
Upon hearing this, Cathy felt a pang in her heart, hurriedly got up, and rushed to Harriet's bedroom.
"Knock knock knock," Cathy knocked quickly on the door.
After waiting for a long time, the door finally opened a crack.
It was too dark for Cathy to see Harriet's face through the crack in the door.
"Kathy?"
"May I come in?"
After a moment of silence, Harriet opened the door a little wider:
"Um."
Kathy went into the room, and Harriet closed the door and then lit the candles.
Harriet asked from a distance, "What is it?"
"Go ahead."
"Where to?"
"Highland," Casey said, "follow that warrior."
In an instant, Harriet burst into tears:
"No, I won't go, Casey, I won't go—"
"...Harriet."
"—Kathy, tell me, what should I do? If I go, you get angry; if I don't go, you ignore me. I—"
I really don't know what to do, but I'm only thinking of you.
"...Harriet."
"...But you called me a liar. I'm sorry, Cathy, but I never meant to lie to you. I don't want to leave you. I want to be by your side forever. I swear I really mean it. I—"
"—Harriet!"
Cathy walked over to Harriet, reached out, and wiped away Harriet's tears.
Harriet's tears continued to flow, trickling down Cathy's fingers and rolling into Cathy's sleeve.
Under the candlelight, the teardrops glistened and shone, as if the emotions within the tears had become even more intense because of the candlelight.
Kathy then noticed that Harriet's eyes were already red and swollen, and her eyes were bloodshot.
He suddenly realized that he hadn't looked at Harriet's face all day, so he hadn't noticed how haggard she looked.
What have I done! Cathy felt incredibly guilty. I'm such a hopeless jerk!
"Harriet, you don't need to apologize. I'm the one who should apologize. I'm sorry, Harriet, I'm sorry."
Upon hearing this, Harriet suddenly went limp, sat down on the ground, and burst into tears.
The cries were heart-wrenching, as if countless grievances accumulated in the heart were being released in an instant.
I really want to cry too.
My heart aches for her.
But all Cathy could do was wipe away Harriet's endless tears and repeat to herself:
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry—"
Harriet mumbled, "I have no family, Hey, I have no family either. If even Li is far away from me..."
I really don't know what to do, Haixi, I'm so scared, so scared—"
"Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid! Harriet! Don't be afraid, I won't distance myself from you."
Oh my god, I really want to cry.
"I cherish you so much, Harriet, I really do. I do that because I'm afraid you'll leave, afraid of losing you."
"Harriet, you know, I've experienced countless partings, each one heartbreaking, and those who left me have never come back to my side."
"So, Harriet, I should be the one who's afraid. I'm afraid that after you leave, you won't be able to come back, and I will lose you completely."
"Harriet, I've lost so much: Pegasus, Reggie, Little Red, Goringburg, Highland—I only met my parents once, and now they're nowhere to be found. I don't know if I'll ever see them again."
"Many people regard me as a duke, and I was indeed a duke of half the plateau for a few years, but now I am just an ordinary person who is wandering around and hiding from being hunted down. I have also lost my identity."
"Harriet, I have nothing left, but I haven't felt the pain of loss for a long time, because of you. I have you by my side."
"I only have you left, only your promise to me, so I care a lot, I care so much, Harriet. You're afraid I'll drift away from you, but I'm definitely more afraid of losing you."
Harriet shook her head vigorously and pulled Cassie to the ground.
Then, she hugged Cathy tightly:
"My promise to you will not break, Cathy. I will be with you. I swear, I will not let you be alone."
Tears dripped onto Cathy's ears.
"Then, Harriet, please don't cry anymore. Seeing you sad makes me sad too."
"I'm not crying for myself, Casey, I'm crying for you."
"Then I want to cry for you, Harriet. You said that when I want to cry, you would shed tears for me."
Kathy tilted her head back forcefully so that her eyes could catch the tears.
"Yes," Harley nodded, "but why are you crying?"
"I want to cry for you too, for your past, for the injustices you suffered, and for the hurt I caused you!"
However, Harriet suddenly laughed.
Harriet rarely smiles, but when she does, she looks really beautiful.
"What are you laughing at?"
"You pouted, but it didn't look like you wanted to cry at all; it looked more like—"
"Like what?"
"behave in a spoiled manner."
Cathy felt his cheeks burning, but at a time like this, he didn't want to care about his damn pride:
"Hmph! I just want to act cute! Harriet, I've never acted cute to anyone before, but—can I act cute to you?"
Harriet laughed even harder:
"You don't need to admit it, but the way you look right now, really—"
Harriet suddenly reached out and pinched Cathy's chin, her rosy lips slowly approaching as well.
"Wait a moment!"
Kathy suddenly spoke up.
Harriet's eyes were fixed on Cathy, just two fingers away, as she stared at her with a puzzled look.
"Um?"
The candlelight shone brightly, illuminating the hearts of the two.
Cathy felt that some things needed to be said by the man first.
"Harriet, remember that!"
My heart is really disobedient; it keeps beating erratically.
"You're my fiancée!"