Chapter 29: Back at the estate.
Chapter 29: Back at the estate.
"...!!"
And yet, her heart shook when her eyes fell on his body.
Gruesome gashes caused by constantly scratching could be seen, with blood and damaged skin all over and yet, that wasn’t what left her slightly horrified.
It was the multitude of gruesome scars all over his body that did.
’ How could they have Gon so far~’ Natalie bit her lower lip, struggling to keep calm after witnessing such a gruesome scene.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t witnessed far worse, but the fact that such a thing was done to an innocent man like him that left her feeling displeased.
But at the thought of who were the ones behind such a nightmarish work of art, she knew she had to suppress her emotions right now, after all, they were her masters blood.
After calming down. Natalie poured some of the healing potion on her hand before applying them on his body directly.
Now she was glad she had given him the sedative, she couldn’t begin to imagine what she would’ve felt if he was in that much pain while she tried to help him.
********
The remainder of the journey back to the estate was rather tame, well for Osborne it was since he was barely conscious throughout.
Natalie and Clawdeth on the other hand took turns warding off monsters before they got close to the carriage.
In a few more days, They returned to the estate with time to spare.
Which came about unlike their journey to leave because Osbourne was mostly in the carriage throughout, only coming out to excuse himself when needed.
As the carriage pulled past the estates gate, Osborne stared out at the wondrous view with a troubled look on his face.
Not only had he failed to gain the holysword he sought after, but now he was returning with a curse of some kind.
He was troubled about how to bring up the curse since he wasn’t sure the household would be willing to help him in the first place.
Knowing Rebecca and Rachael, they’d probably mock and repuke him without lending him any aid.
In the entire house, he felt like only one person would be willing to help him if he asked, though he wasn’t sure he could since his curse was a very difficult one.
" You may come down now, Young Master." Natalie said after the carriage came to a stop, dragging him out of his thoughts.
Osborne nodded and followed her off the carriage.
" Young master, you’re finally back." Anny rushed forward and hugged him, relieved to see him back.
"...!!"
But the moment she held him tight, his body flinched.
" Get off of me!" Osborne yelled, pushing her away.
Anny stumbled back a few steps, her eyes wide.
" Y-Young Master, I’m sorry... did I do some wrong?" Anny stuttered.
Seeing her trembling gaze, Osborne snapped out of his delusions.
" No...no, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean~" he quickly apologised before pulling her into his embrace. " I’m just a bit on edge from the journey back."
" Did something happen?" Anny asked.
" Nothing you need to be worried about." Osborne gently brushed it off.
" It’s nice to see you again." Osborne raised his head and said to Guinevere, who was a few paces behind Anny.
She nodded her read in kind.
No one else was here to greet him but the both of them, which said more than enough about his current standing in the family.
" I’m happy you’re still as energetic as ever." Osborne said caressing her hair as he held her.
" But young master, what happened to you." Anny looked up at him with worry, seeing his pale complection and dark bags. " You aren’t sick are you?"
" Of course not..." Osborne said, he couldn’t bare to tell her the truth, because knowing Anny, she’d probably end up beating herself up on how to help him, and that wasn’t something he wanted.
" I’m just feeling a bit tired, but all I need is sometime to rest. Visiting the north turned out more unpleasant than I expected."
" You went all the way to the North?" Guinevere spoke up. " Might I ask why?"
" I was hoping to find something but I ended up failing in the end, it’s nothing to worry about."
" I see..." She said. " Well it’s still a pleasure to have you back home Young master. If you need anything, you need only ask and it’ll be brought to your room."
" Is the second Young miss around by any chance?"
" No... She left a few days after you left."
" Left? To where?" Osborne froze, his heart wrenching though her tried his best not to show it.
" The North, Lady Ruby like our Lady Roseline, is also a member of the Kingdoms military."
" But I thought the Kingdom only requested for one candidate per family." Osborne said.
"I’m afraid It’s a decision she made on her own." Guinevere said.
" Is there something you’d like to ask her? I could pass on your words if you’d like." After hearing her words, Osborne turned silent.
" No...it’s nothing." He let out a breath and said.
Guinevere didn’t pry, turning silent instead.
" You should also head back." Osborne turned to Anny and said.
Anny turned silent, a look of worry still on her face.
" I promise it isn’t anything serious, I just need a bit of rest, you’re worrying over nothing, Anny." Osborne smiled and patted her head.
" Alright~" Anny eventually said. " But if something does end up happening, don’t hesitate to call for me, alright."
" Sure." He laughed a bit.
Anny then left and Osborne headed inside the mansion.
But he ended up turning around for a moments to see Natalie and Clawdeth walking off with Guinevere.
" One moment please." Osborne called out to them.
" Is there something else you need, Young master?" Guinevere asked calmly.
Clawdeth grumbled beneath her breath.
" No, it’s..." Osborne paused before looking at Natalie and Clawdeth.
" I just recalled I never got the chance to thank the both of you properly." He said with a smile.
" You don’t need to, Young master, the both of them were simply doing their Job." Guinevere said.