I’d somehow survived my surprise visit from the final boss, but it had taken a massive psychological toll on me. As Eberhart cheerfully stepped into his carriage with a smile and a “see you again soon,” I smiled noncommittally back at him while screaming internally. I stood there watching until the carriage finally disappeared into the distance, then let my shoulders slump in utter defeat. Why were all of these mental gut punches coming one after another today?
Karl had been standing there with me to see Eberhart off. As I cracked my neck, still stiff from being used as a footrest, he spoke up from behind me.
“Well done, Your Grace.”
Listen, you...
I turned to glare at him with a little hatred in my gaze, but he calmly rebuffed it with the serene expression of someone who couldn’t possibly imagine why I would be upset with him.
Well, none of this was actually his fault. If my head had been even slightly clear as I’d returned to the manor, there was no way I would’ve missed the fancy carriage parked outside. And anyway, Karl had done his best to let me know we had company. This was all on me for blowing him off. If I tried to make that his problem, I’d just be a wimp, or a coward, or... I sighed in frustration as I immediately went from reflecting on my mistakes to wallowing in self-hatred.
As my spirits sank, I clutched a hand to my temple warningly, urging myself to keep moving. Eberhart’s visit had left me with a new issue to worry about, but before I could start addressing any of it, I needed to get myself centered again or else I’d blow a gasket. There was only one thing for it.
I turned sharply around and let Karl know where I was headed.
“I’m going to the garden.”
Karl wasn’t thrown off in the slightest by the complete non sequitur. He calmly took in my words and responded accordingly.
“Yes, Your Grace. But where might the guard captain be? I met him upon his return earlier; is he not accompanying you?”
I hadn’t wanted to think about him at all if I could avoid it. My brand-new shameful past was already coming back to haunt me. After giving Craig those cruel orders and then letting him see that, I definitely didn’t have the nerve to casually say “Hey, c’mon, we’re going for a walk.”
That said, I also couldn’t explain the situation to Karl, so I just played dumb.
“Who knows? I haven’t seen him.”
“Shall I call for him?”
He must’ve been concerned about my safety. Incidents like Carlos’s assassination attempt were few and far between, so I’d probably be fine. But as my butler, Karl had to at least ask.
Still, no matter how concerned he is, he’s sure not offering to come along instead. Not that I mind—he’s staying perfectly on top of all his other jobs, and I don’t really want him hanging around anyway.
I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. “I can’t be bothered to wait. No need to call another guard either. I’ll be fine.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
When all was said and done, he heeded my words without question, and he never disobeyed my orders. Karl was a perfect butler, as always.