Chapter 68

Between fits of laughter, Carina managed to make Thomas frustrated, tears still glossing over his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just haven't laughed in a long while."

"You always make me feel like an idiot." Thomas sniffled, ears red.

"If you weren't an idiot, you wouldn't be crying right now." She leaned closer to him. "What you've achieved in this life, you deserve it. Every man deserves a chance at happiness. As for me, it's not your fault. It's nobody's fault to be honest. I just.. happened to get into a series of unfortunate events." Thomas narrowed his eyes.

"Still.. It hurts seeing you like this."

"I'm glad to hear that you care."

He gave her a mean glance. "When did you see me not caring?" Carina let out a chuckle.

A comfortable silence enveloped them. Thomas heaved a sigh, feeling relaxed after all those nightmares.

"But why are you here?" Carina's question hung in the air for a bit.

"I had a...nightmare." Thomas sat in a comfortable position, wrapping his arms around his knees. He placed his chin on his palm. A few drops of dew fell on his Raven hair. "I've been having those for a while."

Carina looked taken aback. "Are they.. bad?"

"Not really violent or something. But there's always dead people showing up." Thomas mentally debated if he should tell her about his very recent nightmare. "And they say strange things."

"Why do you think they're happening?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe it's all the talk about murder that's getting to my head."

Carina narrowed her eyes. "And you were thinking to get away with murdering Charles alongside my mother.. You'd probably end up in an asylum, had you been successful." Thomas gave an apologetic smile.

"Now that I've had fresh air and mindless conversation, I feel better. I should thank you and your Strawberry craze." Carina blushed and elbowed him. Thomas let out a chuckle and grunt of feigned pain.

A sudden chill ran down her spine as Carina stiffed. She could feel eyes on her back. It was a reflex she had since childhood. She whipped her head around to search for any potential danger. Her eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of a Black skirt. A maid? Her mind began to panic. If it was a maid, she'd probably just assumed the worst. Thomas on the other hand hadn't realised anything and remained busy in humming an old song. Carina carefully kicked his knee, earning an 'ow!' and a scowl from the man.

"Someone is watching us!" She hissed. Thomas's eyes widened as he slapped a hand on his mouth, panic settling in. Carina put on a brave facade. If the person had plans of telling her misunderstanding to the Belles, she'd just have to knock her out. For survival. Her mother would then deal with it.

"Who's there?" Thomas's heart almost stopped. Was she crazy?! Before he could utter a word, the bushes shifted a bit. Both held their breaths as a shadowy figure stepped out to them.

"You..." Carina instantly recognised her. It was the young maid from the other day.