I’m Trying to End This Possession Chapter 175

* * *

Fortunately, the rain stopped quickly. But unfortunately, the blanket was already soaked and would have to be washed again.

 

“I’ll do it.”

 

“Huh? But…”

 

“You know. Laundry is my hobby.”

 

Dana hesitated for a moment before nodding.

 

After finishing the blanket laundry, Carl asked, “Can I sweep the floor this time?”

 

“I can do it.”

 

“No, please let me. I love cleaning.”

 

Carl loved housework. Laundry, cleaning, cooking—he liked it all so much that he’d often look for chores to do at her house. Did he find something? He suddenly stopped sweeping, bent down, and picked something up. Dana couldn’t quite see what it was.

 

“Huh?” He tilted his head in puzzlement.

 

“Hmm?”

 

What’s wrong with him?

 

“Lord Carl? Is something wrong?”

 

“Huh? No, nothing.” Carl soon smiled and continued sweeping. After he finished cleaning, he naturally started cooking. Chop, chop—the rhythmic sound of a knife echoed over the cutting board.

 

Dana watched Carl’s back absentmindedly. How could even his back look so cool? His strong back muscles, subtly visible under the thin fabric, were impressive…

 

“Ah, Dana.”  As if he suddenly remembered, Carl spoke up. “Have you made any friends lately?” He asked while dumping meat into a pot.

 

“Huh?”

 

“I was wondering if there’s anyone you might want to invite over,” said Carl casually, tasting the stew. “I bought a lot of ingredients. If you ever have someone close enough to invite over, I’d love to cook for you both.”

 

Ah, I see. As expected, Carl was someone who enjoyed being generous.

 

“No one in particular yet.”

 

“There’s no one you’d like to invite over?”

 

“No. Madam Liz stopped by a while ago, but we’re not that close…”

 

“Ah, it was Madam Liz.”

 

“Yes. She came to borrow some weed killer.”

 

“I see.”

 

Dana looked at Carl’s back. She couldn’t see his face, but from the conversation they just had, it seemed like his mood had noticeably improved.

 

“Ouch.”

 

Carl suddenly let out a small groan. That prompted Dana to go over him.

 

“Lord Carl? Are you okay?”

 

Blood was flowing from his finger, as he had been cut by a knife.

 

“You should have been more careful.” Dana pulled him by the arm and sat him down in a chair. She brought the first-aid kit and carefully applied medicine to his finger.

 

Carl stared at her for a moment, then asked, “Are you worried about me?”

 

“Yes, of course I’m worried.”

 

Carl’s eyes then narrowed into a smile. “How cute.”

 

“…”

 

“Dana is the cutest in the world.”

 

All of a sudden? The conversation had taken an odd turn, but this happened often. Carl often did this, saying she was cute, calling her lovely.

 

Every time Dana heard those compliments, she felt strange. It was only natural. Who wouldn’t feel something when praised by such a handsome man?

 

“What’s wrong?” When she pursed her lips, Carl tilted his head. “Do you have something to say?”

 

“…”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Dana didn’t answer. She was just thinking how much she liked him. The man who gave everything to someone like her, who had nothing. The same man who was so kind to a stranger.

 

I really like Lord Carl. Dana liked his gentle features. His kind voice and his warm gaze. All of it, every single bit, she liked everything. Hiding those feelings, Dana casually asked, “Lord Carl, will you be able to go to work today?”

 

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll just wear gloves.”

 

Carl worked at a bakery. And Dana worked at the flower shop right next to the bakery.

 

“There, all done.”

 

He brought the stew to the table with a smile. “Let’s eat and go to work together.”

 

“Yes.”

 

They eat together, go to work together, and then return to their own homes together. That was their daily routine. And Danaena Rolland loved that daily life.

 

* * *

“Welcome, Miss Dana.” The flower shop owner, Madam Liz, greeted her. “Did you go to work with the bakery guy again today?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

“Fufufu. Be honest. Are you two living together?”

 

“It’s not like that,” Dana replied with a serious tone. She didn’t like Carl’s goodwill being misunderstood.

 

“Don’t be shy, just get married already. In my day, everyone married at eighteen. The temple priest even picked out your spouse for you, you know?”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Even though those customs have been abolished, traditions are important.”

 

“I see,” Dana repeated her empty, automatic answers. It was the usual nagging she’d always heard.

 

To think there was a tradition where you had to get married as soon as you became an adult. Although the former leader of the church, Demian Windsor, had abolished it, most people in small villages like this still followed the custom.

 

“So many traditions have disappeared. Daiana might be angry.”

 

“Right. That would be a big problem.” Responding insincerely, Dana started working. She watered the plants and organized the pots. Then she thought about it. If I ever have to get married, it would be nice to do it with Lord Carl.

 

In truth, living together now wasn’t much different from being married. The only thing they did separately was sleep; almost everything else they did together—cleaning, eating, commuting, and spending free time.

 

Dana liked being with him. She even thought she’d like him beside her when she slept. Since Carl’s chest was so broad, she felt like she could curl right up in it. Even she had imagined it would feel good to be held by him. Moreover, there were times when she thought his lips looked soft. The fact that she imagined such things meant she saw him differently from others.

 

I wonder how Lord Carl feels about me.

 

Carl looked after her, called her lovely and cute all the time, but it felt no different than if he were dealing with a child. He had never approached her in a romantic way. Not even for a moment, not even for a single second.

 

Does he even see me as a woman? While she was lost in that thought, the bell on the door jingled and a customer entered.

 

“Welcome.”

 

An outsider? It was a face she had never seen before. In this tiny, remote village, Dana knew most people. The man had such a striking appearance that she felt she’d never forget him even after seeing him just once.

 

“I’d like a bouquet, please.”

 

“Yes, Customer.” A short while later, Dana handed him the bouquet. “Here you go, Customer.”

 

“Thank you.” As he took the bouquet—

 

Huh?

 

The customer slipped something secretly into her hand. “Well then.” He then left, making Dana tilt her head.

 

What was that? A note? Dana unfolded the note with a puzzled look.

 

[You have been kidnapped.]

 

Hastily scribbled words were written on it.

 

[Carl Windsor has kidnapped you. He’s using you as a means to pressure the leader of Daiana Church. You’re someone very important to the leader of Daiana Church. If you want to hear more, come to the mill at dawn tomorrow. The leader of Daiana Church is looking for you. I’ll help you escape.]