[TIDK] 7 – Devilish Creature

Even if she had the blueprint in her head, it was the first time Scarlett ever attempted a repair. Due to her lack of proficiency, night had fallen when the clock was ready to be hung back on the wall.

“Wow, it’s completed,” Scarlett exclaimed happily. 

From the outside, it looked untouched. But the clock, which had been running slow, had regained its speed and the weird noise it once made, had disappeared. 

Hanging it back up, Candice compared it to her watch and uttered:

“Oh my, you really did it…”

As they marvelled, the door swung open and Scarlett’s father-in-law, Gregory Dumfelt, entered. Scarlett’s expression darkened immediately. 

Gregory strode over and glared at them with the same blue eyes that Viktor had inherited.

“I don’t understand how you can be laughing.”

Scarlett stood up hurriedly.

Furious, he pointed at the window:

“Did you know that the gas light on the front porch hasn’t been turned on yet?”

At that, one of her maids, looked at her watch, exclaimed:

“Sir, I’m sorry! I forgot…”

“It is part of the Madame’s duties to manage the staff. Even bedridden, suffering from mental illness, my wife didn’t shy from hers, and you can’t do them simply because Viktor confined you to your room? It’s laughable!”

‘The man responsible for the Princess’s downfall’ was the label that had followed him ever since he married Marina in his youth. The newspapers had been strife with gossip and implications of various drugs, supposedly used to seduce the elegant Princess Marina at the time.  

Scarlett had surmised that Gregory was using her as an outlet for his bruised ego; the projection of his own insecurities onto her made his cruel remarks increasingly brutal. He vented his frustrations for hours on end until she, and all those in the vicinity, felt exhausted.

Coincidentally, Pallin returned to see Scarlett, the late luncheon finally over.

As he was about to knock on the door, he heard Gregory’s angry voice from inside.

“How could you forget what you have done and laugh like this? Are you so dull that you don’t even understand the seriousness of your actions?

Guilt stricken, Scarlett wrought her hands and lowered her head.

Seeing her fully chastised, Gregory showed his true colours.

“So please stop being so stubborn and get a divorce.”

“Sorry.” Scarlett replied calmly. 

“Why won’t you agree? Even Viktor thinks you are lacking. After what you’ve done, shouldn’t you atone by divorcing and letting him meet the daughter of a good family?

“If you want me to divorce....”

She said in a blunt voice, recalling Viktor’s orders to forgo the party.

“Then give me some property.”

“What did you just say?” Gregory exclaimed dumbfounded.

“My brother needs a live-in caregiver. Our living expenses are high. Just a small part of the properties....”

“How dare you, who came with no dowry and only your body to offer, ask for some property?”

“Then a divorce is out of the question.”

Head still bowed, Scarlett frowned upon hearing Gregory’s true motive.

Unrelenting, he continued his rant.

“You devilish creature! Do you intend to ruin this family? I won’t allow this! Go to the monastery immediately! Don’t come back until all your sins have been forgiven.”

Pallin, startled by his contempt, hurriedly opened the door.

“Pardon my intrusion. I’m here to speak to Scarlett.”

Displeased by the interruption, Gregory begrudgingly stopped. He couldn’t continue humiliating Scarlett in front of Pallin, a descendant of the prestigious Redford family like he did in front of the servants.

After Pallin greeted Gregory, he continued.

“You wish to send the captain’s wife to the monastery?”

“Sir Pallin, my son suffered defamation. If it were up to me, I would have her kicked out right away.”

“However, answering questions isn’t a crime.” Pallin countered.

His retort fuelled Gregory’s anger.

Scarlett’s hands trembled as the subject of the monastery was brought up again. Marina Dumfelt had been in and out of the psychiatric ward for nearly a decade and now she was confined to a monastery for the rest of her life. Scarlett was afraid she would suffer the same fate.

“The captain will not condone this. I will go now and let him know.” Pallin spoke hurriedly. 

Pallin left as soon as he finished his sentence, followed by a very displeased Gregory. 

Gasping for breath as anxiety struck her, Scarlett quickly forced a smile under the maids’ inquisitive gazes. 

“Oh, if you ever get a broken watch, please let me know. I want to practise. I’ll do my best to fix it.”

After everyone noticed her words, Polly, the kitchen maid, gently raised her hand.

“I have one of those broken watches, Madame.”

“Really?”

“The watch store said it couldn’t be fixed, so I just kept it. Because it’s a Crimson watch.”

“May I have a look?”

“Sure!”

Polly felt touched by Scarlett’s enthusiasm.

Even after all the servants withdrew, Scarlett’s guilt and shame kept her motionless. As she finally heard the sound of her clock through the daze, she slowly turned her head.

“At least I didn’t spend the day in vain,” she mumbled.

Frustrated and upset, she stared at the clock for a long time, the soft ticking a balm to her bruised heart; as if her parents were gently comforting her.

♔♔♔

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