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Chapter 36
Nicholaus, feeling cold sweat run down his back, hurriedly set the ice cream on the table.
“Here, this is a new product—just give it a try.”
“Mr. Nicholaus, if you keep giving me things like this, I’ll feel too burdened to come back.”
“How could you say something so disappointing? You fixed my prosthetic hand, after all. I also owe the Captain a debt.”
Nicholaus intentionally brought up Viktor in front of Liv, partly to remind her to be cautious despite their friendship. But as soon as Liv heard the topic she’d been curious about, her excitement only grew.
“The owner was on the Rubid too?”
“Of course. I injured both of these hands while serving on the Rubid, miss. I wasn’t just on board—I was an officer. The only one without noble blood. I’m a man of talent, through and through!”
Nicholaus let out a hearty laugh, boasting. Liv’s eyes sparkled as she asked,
“Then you must have seen the Captain too?”
“Well, yes… though I’m sure you saw him far more often, miss.”
Nicholaus glanced at Scarlett as he said it, and Liv followed his gaze, pouting at her.
“Scarlett never tells me anything about it.”
Scarlett, looking both exasperated and indignant, replied,
“Would you really want to talk about your ex-husband?”
“Why not? Mrs. Elizabeth, the owner of the Snowball shop, talks about her ex-husband every single day.”
“But her ex-husband deserved it—he was running two households at once! Mine was different. If anything, my divorce was practically because I criticized him. What’s there to badmouth?”
Her tone made it clear she truly didn’t want to talk about Viktor, and Liv flinched before nodding.
“I suppose you’re right.”
Every time Viktor came up, Scarlett felt her insides burning. She quickly scooped up a big spoonful of the ice cream Nicholaus had given her and put it in her mouth—only for her eyes to widen in surprise.
“My goodness, this is delicious! What is it?”
Nicholaus, instantly puffing up with pride, answered,
“Ah, I added just a pinch of salt. Behold—the Navy man’s Salt Ice Cream!”
“Liv, hurry and try it.”
At Scarlett’s urging, Liv took a bite as well. Her eyes went wide.
“Wow, this could sell like crazy!”
“Truly? Ha! Well, I’m flattered.”
Nicholaus laughed heartily, beaming at their praise.
Liv, still regretting she couldn’t finish their chat, eventually returned to help at the bakery. Scarlett bought ice cream in several flavors from the shop, packed them into a picnic basket, and strapped it to her bicycle. The basket was so stuffed with bread from Liv’s bakery that one lid wouldn’t even close properly.
As she pedaled, the icy wind bit at her face. By the time she reached the lake where Isaac worked, her cheeks and nose were red, as if frostbitten.
Perhaps expecting her, Isaac was waiting by the pier in a tent. The raft owner, pleased with the profits Isaac brought in, had set up the tent and even provided a table inside. With a brazier warming the space, the tent was cozy.
Seeing Isaac reading with a magnifying glass, the book nearly pressed to his face, Scarlett asked in surprise,
“Isaac, you can read?”
Isaac gave a sheepish grin.
“Yes. I have to read one letter at a time, so it’s slow…”
“But still!”
Scarlett sat beside him, her face alight. She studied his eyes closely.
“How are your eyes? Do they hurt?”
“Not at all. I think they’re really healing now.”
Isaac grinned again, making Scarlett almost giddy with joy. She pulled ice cream from the basket.
“I wondered if bringing ice cream in winter was silly, but it’s warm enough here.”
“Mmm, looks delicious.”
“Try this one—it’s got salt in it.”
“Salt? In ice cream?”
Isaac marveled as he took a bite of the ice cream Scarlett offered. He kept exclaiming over the taste.
Watching him eat so happily, Scarlett couldn’t stop smiling. For once, everything felt peaceful.
But as they chatted and enjoyed the ice cream, noises rose outside the tent.
“What’s going on?”
Scarlett muttered, standing up. Before she could act, someone else opened the tent flap.
It was Arnold Crimson, flanked by his gang.
“Ah… Arnold?”
Scarlett’s voice trembled. Isaac fumbled for his black-painted glasses, but before he could put them on, Arnold limped over, knocked them to the ground, and crushed them underfoot.
Unaware that Isaac had regained some vision, Arnold sneered at his eyes, still clouded with filmy worms.
“Scarlett, you’ve got a strong stomach. How can you eat ice cream while staring at that?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Scarlett’s firm reply made Arnold scoff.
“You don’t mind? Then Isaac hid it all for nothing. I worked pretty hard to make sure he suffered, you know. Isn’t that right, Isaac?”
Not wanting Arnold to say more, Isaac rose, walking toward the voice. But before he could reach him, a scream rang from outside the tent.
“Th-that man’s eyes!”
Then came the thud of someone collapsing. Isaac hurriedly covered his eyes with both hands.
Arnold snickered at the sight and turned back to Scarlett.
“Scarlett Crimson. Your father’s going to sue you, with the family and their lawyers behind him. You know that, right?”
“Sue… me?”
“Did you really think they’d let you spread such vicious rumors?”
Arnold’s face twisted with malicious pleasure as he went on.
“You’re not the only one in trouble. The elders are even plotting how to strip Isaac of his title.”
“Don’t threaten us like that. You can’t take his title.”
“Not if the crown, the nobles, and parliament all agree. Tell me—has there ever been anyone in Crimson family history who’s disgraced the name like you?”
“It’s not disgrace. I’m right. Uncle’s way was wrong!”
“And what of it? Who’ll listen to some uneducated girl over the family?”
Scarlett faltered at that.
Arnold seized her chin.
“First, they’ll disown you. Then, since you spread lies, they’ll demand compensation. You’re ruining everything. Understand?”
Seeing the fear spread in her clear eyes, Arnold grew more excited.
“Go begging to the Dumfelt family again—it’s pocket change to them. Viktor Dumfelt still seems to want something from you. And we both know exactly what that is.”
He shook her face as he sneered.
“Do you have anything else of value besides this?”
“Stop it.”
Scarlett, trembling, managed to shove him away. Perhaps wary of Viktor, Arnold didn’t hit her this time but backed off.
“You’ll see me soon—in court.”
Satisfied, Arnold left with his men.
Before Scarlett and Isaac could recover, they heard another argument outside. It was Karel, the raft worker, and Patterson, the state-licensed pier owner.
Karel pleaded,
“It just startled a few customers, that’s all! You know how much revenue the young master brings in!”
“That was before I knew about his grotesque disease! Fire him immediately!”
“Boss!”
“Why defend him? Do you want to lose your job too?”
Patterson’s shout made Karel sigh heavily.
Moments later, Karel entered the tent, his face full of guilt.
“Sir…”
Isaac, still covering his eyes, replied quietly,
“I’ll leave soon, Karel. Just give me a little time.”
“Of course! And I’ll find you another job somehow, I swear it.”
Isaac only managed a weary smile, which brought Karel close to tears.
“I mean it, sir.”
“You’ve done more than enough for me.”
Reluctant to part, Karel lingered for a while before leaving.
When he was gone, Isaac reached out toward Scarlett. She quickly came to him, speaking with worry.
“Are you alright? I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have meddled when I barely know anything…”
As she spoke, Isaac carefully wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.
“Scarlett. You’re the one who’s shaken.”
“Huh?”
“I should be asking if you’re okay, not the other way around.”
His voice softened.
“Scarlett, my sight is getting clearer every day. You don’t need to treat me like a child. And you’re right. Just like always, you’re the one who’s right. Why blame yourself?”
At that, Scarlett let out her familiar little laugh and nodded.
“You’re right. Why am I blaming myself?”
“Let’s go home.”
With gentle words, Isaac once again covered his eyes with his hands. Brother and sister each blamed themselves inside, their hearts heavy, but outwardly they forced practiced smiles.
