KFBRV Ch 79

Odette perched on the flat rock at the very edge of the pond's shallow end. A single step backward led to a sudden, treacherous drop into the depths. She slumped her shoulders, feigning a total loss of motor control from the sleeping incense.

[Paula] "Miss, do you remember? This is your reserved seat."

She unbuckled the leather belt from her waist.

[Paula] "You've been acting quite bold lately. It seems I've been neglectful with your education, and you've grown arrogant as a result."

Arrogant?

Odette suppressed a scoff. Since the Countess' house arrest, Paula's status had plummeted below that of a common maid. She was hardly in a position to "educate" anyone.

However, Odette remained silent, maintaining her drunken facade. The coachman, who had pretended to leave, had stopped the carriage and was watching from a distance.

[Paula] "Puhaha! Why don't you try showing off like you did last time, Miss? You were so quick to snatch that whip. Why not try taking this belt, too?"

Unaware of the coachman's lingering gaze, she cackled, her mouth stretching into a wide, ugly grin.

[Paula] "What's wrong? Can't pull off those little tricks today? Of course not. That's why I made sure you drank in that incense."

She reached out and jabbed Odette's forehead repeatedly with her finger.

[Paula] "You acted so nobly last time. Let's see if you can maintain that act today. That pathetic, high-and-mighty noble act."

Odette glanced toward the coachman. He was close enough to hear every word. His face had turned a pale, sickly shade of grey, clearly terrified of the impending disaster.

[Paula] "You remember this pond, don't you? One step off this rock and the water swallows you whole. And over there, beside the rock, is the marsh. The moment you fall, the mud grabs your ankles and never lets go."

Yes, I remember. How could I ever forget?

[Paula] "Now. There is nowhere to hide. Every time I strike you with this belt, you will count the lashes out loud."

Only last winter, she would have begged for mercy just as Paula demanded. Back then, the fear of the deep water and the suffocating marsh had paralyzed her. She couldn't even flinch. Paula relished that—the sight of her victim unable to even tremble despite the agony.

[Paula] "So don't you dare move a single inch."

Whish! Snap!

The belt grazed her cheek like a threat. A small, thin piece of iron hung from the tip of the leather. It looked awkward and out of place against the design; Courtney must have sewn it on.

First sewing pins in her chemises, then tacks in her shoes, and now an iron weight attached to Paula's belt.

That wretched housekeeper.

Crack! Lash!

[Paula] "That sleeping incense is quite effective, isn't it?"

Ugh—.

A sharp, searing pain erupted as the iron tore through her skin. Had she not been so accustomed to enduring pain, a plea for mercy would have escaped her lips.

Paula struck three times, hitting the shoulder, the arm, and the cheek—the most visible spots. She wore a look of immense relief, as if the violence had washed away all her stress.

Enjoy that feeling while it lasts.

Odette focused entirely on the coachman. He finally seemed to have reached a decision. Pale and trembling, he snapped his whip and began to drive the carriage away from the scene.

Seeing the crimson droplets bloom across the white fabric of the gown, Paula threw her head back and laughed until her throat was raw.

[Paula] "Look at this! Hahaha! Ah, all my pent-up anger is finally gone."

[Odette] "......"

[Paula] "Why don't you try lecturing me now? You were so loud last time."

The sight the coachman carried away in his mind would be spectacular. On a white dress, blood appeared vivid and grotesque. Even the minor cut on her shoulder looked like a horrific wound as the red stain spread across the fabric.

Odette hadn't stayed still out of fear. If she was going to fall into the water, she had to wait for the perfect moment.

Whish!

Paula swung the leather belt again, but this time, Odette's hand shot out and seized the end of it.

[Paula] "......!"

She offered a thin, chilling smile to the startled girl.

[Odette] "The one 'acting out' here isn't me, Paula. It's you."

Paula gripped the belt tighter, terrified of losing her weapon again.

[Odette] "Remember this, Paula. Whatever happens today, it is entirely your fault."

She stood up. Still gripping one end of the belt, she took a deliberate step backward into the void.

[Paula] "What do you—Aaaaagh!"

Splash!

Odette seemed destined to fall into things today—first the fountain, now the pond.

Paula, who had been holding on so tightly, didn't let go until it was too late. While she managed to avoid the deep water, the momentum pulled her face-first into the thick, cloying mud of the marsh.

[Paula] "Gah! H-Help me!"

The sticky, sludge-like mud swallowed her greedily. The more she thrashed, the deeper the mire gripped her.

Odette surfaced for a brief moment, her head bobbing above the water.

She screamed in the direction of the retreating carriage.

[Odette] "Aaaaah! Help me! I can't swim!"

The coachman didn't look back. Instead, he spurred the horses even faster. His refusal to acknowledge the cry was the ultimate proof that he had heard it.

The man was silent to a fault, prioritizing his life and his livelihood above all else.

In an extreme situation where his life and livelihood are threatened, he will have no choice but to speak.

She watched with inward derision as Paula struggled in the marsh. The mud wasn't particularly deep, but once a person fell flat into it, escaping was nearly impossible. Paula was gasping, her mouth and nose clogged with silt.

After enjoying the spectacle, Odette unpinned her hair ribbons and floral ornaments, leaving them to float on the surface of the pond. She then swam gracefully toward the cover of the tall irises and reeds.

From where Paula is lying, I'm invisible.

After minutes of desperate thrashing, Paula finally dragged herself out of the mire. Having heard the scream and seen only the ribbons and flowers drifting on the water, she reached the inevitable conclusion: Odette, who couldn't swim, had drowned.

Now, try to find me.

Paula paced the edge of the pond, her body trembling with shock.

[Paula] "I... Oh, no. Wh-What do I do!"

[Paula] "Are you there? Odette, come out. Come out right now! Wh-What do I do? Hey! You aren't dead, are you? No way."

She muttered like a fool, her voice rising into a panic-stricken shriek.

[Paula] "Come out, Odette! Aaaagh! Miss, come out! I said come out!"

After stomping her feet in a frantic, useless circle, she turned and bolted toward the main building. She wasn't running for help; she was running to hide.

Splash, splash.

Once she vanished, Odette emerged from the reeds. She began to swim toward the bank, but just as she prepared to climb out—

[Odette] "Cough......!"

A sudden heat surged in her chest, followed by a violent cough.

Not now—dammit!

It was blood again. Why did her body have to fail her at this exact moment? The strength drained from her limbs with terrifying speed.

Curse it...... Why......

Her consciousness blurred, and the world faded to black.

The timing is the worst.

As she sank, water rushed into her nose and throat. The thought flickered through her mind:

Is this really how I die?

Splash!

The sound echoed in her fading ears, followed by the sensation of a solid, powerful arm hoisting her up.

[Karl] "Are you alright?"

The voice was dry and devoid of emotion. It was Karl.

[Odette] "Cough, hack!"

As she spat out the mixture of lake water and blood, his steady, calm voice reached her again.

[Karl] "It would be problematic if the master who took my Imprint died like this."

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