My Bratty Wife
Chapter 184 - Hundred And Eighty Four

Chapter 184: Chapter Hundred And Eighty Four

A gentle knock sounded on the door, interrupting Suzy’s thoughts. "Enter," she called out, her voice soft.

The door opened, and Mrs. Agnes entered, carrying a small tray. On the tray was a jar of ointment and a steaming cup of tea. "Good morning, Your Grace," Mrs. Agnes greeted, her voice warm and cheerful.

Suzy instinctively reached up to cover the faint love bites that decorated her neck, her cheeks flushing slightly. Mrs. Agnes chuckled softly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "What haven’t I seen, dear?" she said, her voice laced with amusement. "I believe I’ve seen it all."

Suzy lowered her hand, her blush deepening, a shy smile gracing her lips. She was still getting used to Mrs. Agnes’s candidness, her open acceptance of their relationship.

Mrs. Agnes placed the tray on the bedside table. "This ointment will help soothe any lingering soreness," she said, gesturing to the jar. "And this tea will help you relax."

Suzy nodded, her expression grateful. "Thank you, Mrs. Agnes," she replied.

"You’re welcome, dear," Mrs. Agnes said. She paused, her gaze lingering on Suzy for a moment. Her hair was disheveled, her curls knotted and her face looked tired but happy. "I’ll go and call Irene to help you get ready," she said, before turning and leaving the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Suzy watched her go as she sighed. She picked up the jar of ointment, her fingers tracing the smooth glass. She knew she would need to cover the marks, if only to avoid unnecessary questions and curious glances.

She looked at the steaming tea, the fragrant aroma filling the air. She picked up the cup, bringing it to her lips, and took a sip.

A few moments later, another knock sounded on the door. "Enter," Suzy called out, her voice slightly louder this time.

The door opened, and Irene entered, her movements slow and efficient. She carried a tray laden with bath essentials and a selection of elegant clothing. "Good morning, Your Grace," she said, her voice respectful. "I’m here to prepare your bath, and I’ve brought some clothes for you to choose from. Breakfast will be here shortly."

Suzy smiled, appreciating Irene’s attentiveness. "Thank you, Irene," she replied. "You’re always so efficient."

As Irene began to prepare the bath, Suzy asked, "When did my husband leave?"

"Before the break of dawn, Your Grace," Irene replied, her voice soft. "He seemed very eager to return to Carleton."

Suzy smiled, a mixture of understanding and longing in her eyes. She knew Ryan had important matters to attend to, but she still missed his presence. "I see," she murmured. "Well, please ask Noah to come to my study as soon as he’s available."

Irene nodded, her expression attentive. "Of course, Your Grace," she replied. She continued to prepare the bath, adding fragrant oils and adjusting the temperature of the water. She then laid out the chosen clothing, her movements precise and careful.

Suzy watched her, her mind already turning to the day ahead. She had several tasks to complete, including finalizing the arrangements for the jubilee and reviewing the reports from her informants. She also needed to find a way to discreetly investigate Evan’s activities, to understand the true nature of his intentions.

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A loud, sharp bang disrupted the peace and tranquility of the forest,the sound echoing through the trees, startling the birds. "That was an impeccable aim. You hit a deer, my lord," Brook informed Evan, his voice calm but laced with a hint of unease.

Evan, however, wasn’t listening. He raised his rifle and fired again, the shot tearing through the deer’s already wounded body. Brook’s eyes widened, a flicker of horror crossing his face. "My lord?" he repeated, his voice slightly louder this time, trying to get Evan’s attention.

But Evan continued to fire, again and again, the sound of the gunshots ripping through the quiet forest. He emptied his rifle, the deer’s body becoming a mangled, unrecognizable mess. Brook stared at the scene horrified, his expression a mixture of shock and apprehension.

"He didn’t come here to hunt," Brook thought to himself, his mind racing. "He came here to vent his anger." He had seen Evan angry before, but never like this. The sheer brutality of the act sent a chill down his spine.

Evan finally lowered his rifle, his chest heaving slightly, his hair disheveled. "I want to kill Ryan" He paused "And Cassandra," he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. He looked at the mangled carcass of the deer from afar, his eyes filled with a dark, brooding intensity. "I don’t know if I should have or kill that woman. How dare she ignore me?"

Brook hesitated, unsure how to respond. He knew Evan’s obsession with Cassandra and his hatred for Ryan was dangerous. He chose his words carefully. "You have a meeting with the king, my lord," he said, his voice calm and measured. "He expects to see us before dusk."

Evan smoothed his disheveled hair, his movements abrupt and agitated. He tossed his rifle to Brook. "Clean up this mess," he ordered, his voice sharp.

Brook nodded, his expression grim, and went to retrieve the rifle, walking towards the scene of Evan’s brutality, his gaze lingering on the ruined carcass. Evan brought a cigar to his lips, lighting it with a flick of his wrist. He looked up at the clear blue sky, the fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across the expanse. "Very soon, Ryan," he murmured, his voice laced with a cruel satisfaction, "I will have my duchy back. And I’ll kill you. And what better way to punish you in the afterlife than to marry your wife? I bet you would flip in your grave." He let out a harsh, cruel laugh, the sound echoing through the silent forest.

His laughter was abruptly cut short by the sound of rustling shrubs from the opposite direction. He turned, his eyes narrowing, and saw Eleanor emerging from the thick foliage.