The Predator’s Contract Partner

“Mimosa. Is that all you have to say?”

Mimosa calmed down.

“I think Carola gave Pansy a treasure.”

“What do you mean?”

“The ring that Carola always wore. I don’t know how the ring was handed to her, but one day she started wearing it. I’m sure Carola has used everything she has and bribed Pansy.”

Elisha’s movements stopped. The corners of her mouth slowly drew an arc.

‘Oh my, Carola. You never betray my expectations.’

The actions of the Cartier family were truly trustworthy. To Elisha, it seemed like a bit of a boring tale, full of cruel clichés.

“Mimosa, you’ve been working hard, haven’t you?”

“Ah, yes… … ?”

“Rose tea is famous in the area around here. Among them, the tea made from the Duke’s roses is the finest product. The roses that grow in the Duke’s home are special.”

“… … Yes, that’s right.”

Families of very high status—Prestigious families, including the royal family, have their own unique family flowers. The Duke’s flower was a rose.

The Duke’s rose was the pride of the family. The rose, which grows in a greenhouse all year round, blooms with larger buds than other roses.

Moreover, it was delicious when made into tea or jam. However, tea made from those roses was so rare that only family members and distinguished guests could drink it.

“I’ll treat you to a cup of tea today to thank you for your hard work. Go ahead and drink it, Mimosa.”

Elisha served Mimosas with her tea. Mimosa took the tea with trembling hands. She didn’t know whether she was embarrassed or afraid. Because she was of such a class that did not dare to dream of drinking this tea.

“Mimosa, if you see Pansy today, tell her I summoned you.”

“Yes? Ah, I understand.”

“And Pansy will ask what I eat. They she will ask what kind of tea I drink. Then you must answer ‘rose tea.’ I drink tea with fresh roses, understood?”

Mimosa flinched. Then she quickly nodded.

“… … yes. All right. But are you going to leave Carola alone?”

Mimosa abandoned Carola. She seemed worried about retaliation. Elisha could clearly see what she was thinking.

“No, I should go see how she’s doing. Carola will be curious about my well-being.”

“… … .”

“But what should I do? Because I’m doing too well. If Carola sees me, she might get angry. Sick people need to be treated with care, don’t you agree?”

Elisha spoke softly. Mimosa shivered once through her body.

Because Elisha’s invariably calm face was the scariest.

***

“Are you sure the High General really gave you permission to meet Carola?”

Nora looked anxious until the end. Elisha nodded.

“Why? Is there any reason for you to meet that woman?”

“Why not? What a deep connection between Carola and I. Moreover, if she is a fellow granddaughter-in-law of the same family.”

Elisha was slowly walking through the forest. When she told Lucerne about her desire to meet Carola, he said it was okay as she brought Nora with her. Elisha loved moments like this with Lucerne. He clearly knows the heart of an avenger.

Observing the face of the foe one has ruined. Staring into lifeless eyes. Wanting to enjoy the sight of their miserable appearance just before their breath stops as if it were a dinner party.

This was a feeling that only those who have been dragged to the floor know. Lucerne and Elisha were similar in that respect.

The difference was that Elisha was struggling to survive like an herbivore. Whereas Lucerne was like a crocodile sticking its eyes out on the surface of the water. The point was that she lived to suffocate those who had trampled on her. Even though their backgrounds were the same, their origins were different. However, there was a point of reference where they could sufficiently understand each other.

Elisha arrived in front of the decaying shrine. Nora gestured. They removed the wooden planks blocking the window. Inside was a small window with iron bars. Elisha bent her body towards the window.

“Long time no see, Carola. How have you been? You’ve become really frugal while I haven’t seen you. I can’t believe you’re staying in a room like this.”

Soon, there was a rustling sound, and Carola appeared through the window. Elisha wanted to laugh.

Her condition was beyond imagination. Her hair was matted, her clothes were in tatters, and her bones poked out through her skin. Originally with Carola’s cute face and her religiously maintaining her beauty, she had been gorgeous. But now, she was not beautiful at all; in fact, she looked rather shabby. Her wide-open eyes were staring, without blinking, that she looked crazied and bizarre.

“I guess you’re not eating well. What’s wrong?”

“You—you— Elisha—Bitch!”

said Carola. Elisha thought that she might be a little upset about this. It was to be expected, as the patriarch entrusted the disposal of Carola and her maids entirely to Elisha.

Elisha asked Lucerne to bring in a mania treatment expert. The expert treated people very harshly, and his primary treatment was to keep the patient’s mind clear by giving them a minimal amount of food.

In other words, Carola was in a situation where she couldn’t even eat properly. The head of the family was satisfied with Elisha’s actions. Soon, he even seemed to think that Carola was really insane.

“Oh my, it seems you’ve lost your manners during my absence. The lord considers manners important. He will be disappointed to see you like this.”

Carola glared at Elisha with bloodshot eyes.

“Where did you crawl in from? You fucking, vile.”

“You’re struggling to even swear.”

Elisha clicked her tongue; she seemed to have picked up Lucerne’s habit.

“Where is this? It’s a place where crazy people are confined. Well, it’s a very desolate place.”

“Yo—you bitch! You ruined Carola’s life. What did Carola do wrong?”

Elisha donned a thin, cold smile on her lips.

“Well, there’s so many.”

Elisha recalled her many humiliating moments. Although Jacob was the one who sent her to hell in her previous life. The owner of that hell was Carola. Every hell hurt in its own way. Most of her memories were of Carola.

“We have such a deep relationship and profound fate.”

“… … .”

“To the point where I ruin your life. Aren’t we connected to that extent?”

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