"Then let's call it a day."
"Viscountess Mancini."
I heard a soft voice calling Madam from behind.
As I turned my head, I saw a familiar face walking towards us.
So many eyes were focused on this that it couldn't be compared to the whispers when Eric first appeared.
As if someone had urged them to do so, the people in front of the man split to both sides and made way for him.
Black hair and golden eyes.
A man with a soft expression came up and politely kissed the back of Madam Mancini's hand.
“Sir Daniel.”
Yeah, that was the name.
I tried to take a cautious step back, but now I realized that taking a step back might seem too strange.
'Was this guy the annoying person Eric mentioned?'
I unconsciously played with the hem of my dress, but soon calmed down my expression.
As long as I don't look like I'm confused, it's probably okay. Because the man in front of me doesn't know 'Isabella's face.
The one who robbed him and sent him flying away was Rebecca, who disappeared overnight.
Daniel spoke kindly to Madam Mancini.
"I didn't know you would come to a place like this, Madam."
"After watching the stage, the kids who came with us seemed excited and wanted to go to the banquet, so we just stopped by. I didn't know that Sir Daniel would come to a place like this."
He smiled brightly at the Viscountess, who responded to his greeting with a light sigh.
"Please speak less, Ma'am. Since my godmother cares for you like a sister, I should also treat you as a high-ranking adult."
Daniel's eyes naturally turned to me, who was standing next to Madam.
The moment the soft, golden eyes turned towards me, I lightly lowered my gaze.
"If you don't mind, could you introduce me to the Lady next to you?"
"Isabella, Aileen. Both of you, come here."
Madam Mancini called the two of us with a resigned attitude.
Aileen couldn't take her eyes off Daniel with a somewhat blank expression.
Judging from the moderate blush on her cheeks, she seemed to think Daniel was a more attractive person than Eric.
Well, even though Eric is smiling, he has a unique cool vibe.
It was understandable that Daniel, with his relatively gentle aura, was more attracted to her.
"This is Aileen. She is a distant relative of mine and the youngest son of Baron Vernon. And this is Isabella, who is staying at our mansion for some reason."
"Nice to see you."
"Nice to meet you, Sir Daniel."
As soon as I finished my greeting, I heard Aileen's shy voice.
"It's an honor to meet these beautiful ladies."
He greeted me politely, made eye contact with Aileen, and then turned his gaze to me.
He grinned and suddenly held out his hand to me.
"If you don't mind, may I ask Lady to dance?"
"..."
I glanced down at the outstretched hand and glanced to the side.
Aileen's face couldn't have been paler.
"This wasn't what I expected."
The stimulation was too much.
Knowing that everything should be done 'in moderation', I took a step back and politely declined.
"I'm sorry, Sir Daniel. I'm sorry, but my dancing skills aren't that good, and I was about to leave the banquet hall because I was tired, so I think I'll have to decline this long-awaited invitation."
Aileen's eyes filled with tears as she listened to my answer.
I tried to look resolute and held my head up, but I couldn't hide my hands shaking from agitation.
There was no way Madam Mancini could not have felt this trend, so she intervened appropriately and brought the situation to a close.
"Both children were tired today from their unplanned schedule. I think I should go now."
"If Madam says so."
Daniel nodded obediently, pulled my hand towards him, and lightly kissed the back of my hand.
It happened so quickly that there was no time to stop it.
"It was an honor to say hello to the most brilliant Lady here."
There was a hint of playfulness in his friendly voice.
When I raised my head, I saw a man walking away with a smiling face.
There's no way he couldn't have observed Aileen's blatant expression or attitude right next to him.
'Are you troubling me?'
You probably didn't even know who I was, why?
I saw Eric, who had been looking this way from afar, turning around without any expression.
***
When Aileen returned, she went straight up to the room she was staying in with a gloomy face.
Madam Mancini looked up at her as if she felt sorry for her and then offered to me.
"Would you like to stop by my room and have some tea?"
She must have already guessed that Aileen was keeping me in check, but when something as blatant as today happened, I couldn't have pretended not to know any longer.
I smiled and nodded.
"I am really happy when you say that. I'll just change my clothes and come down."
After changing into comfortable clothes, I went into her room full of curiosity.
Madam Mancini poured tea herself and opened her mouth.
"I have often noticed that Aileen often behaves mischievously towards you."
"..."
"That child is not easily satisfied with what she has and has a lot of spirit. I sent her your story several times through letters, thinking that we could become good friends, and it actually stimulated Aileen."
I couldn't answer yes or no, so I took the teacup and smiled.
Madam Mancini sighed.
"I know you must have had quite a bit of trouble in the middle. I think that kid..."
Madam Mancini, who hesitated, spoke softly.
"I wish she realized that. Acting like an immature child in front of me and receiving favors is not helpful for your future."
She eventually put down the teacup and admitted it obediently.
"I should have stopped her from doing that a long time ago. But when she acts in front of me in a way that reminds me of Flora, I don't say anything."
There must have been an awareness that it was being soft.
Nevertheless, she just couldn't help herself.
Even though Madam knew it was wrong, she was so consumed with longing that she couldn't stop it.
Of course, she wasn't selfish enough to just keep me by her side and use me as a substitute for her young daughter, so the situation ended up being as awkward as it is now.
"I'm fine, Ma'am."
Madam Mancini smiled bitterly at my words of comfort to her.
"You are too mature, Isabella. Seeing as you become calmer as you adapt, you must have been a virtuous child even before you lost your memory."
She was about to add a few words, but she changed the subject because she thought she was making me feel uneasy.
Various stories came and went.
Things like the families of the ladies we met at the banquet, or the etiquette that a lady should show when meeting noble children.
It was all great information that could be useful in the social world. Perhaps Madam Mancini wanted to take care of me as well as Aileen so that I wouldn't be upset.
Eventually, as I was leaving the room after saying good night to her who started blinking tiredly, I spotted Alfred standing far away at the end of the dark hallway.
"Alfred."
"I'll show you to your room."
When I bowed my head in response to the polite greeting, he unexpectedly offered to show me to the room.
"It's okay if you don't do that."
"Ma'am doesn't like bright lights, so the lights in the hallway aren't bright. It will be easier if you have a guide."
I thought he might have been waiting because he had something to say.
He guided me silently, and as soon as we arrived in front of the door, he turned around without any hesitation, as if his work was done.
So the next morning, when I opened my eyes, what greeted me was not Annie, but an unfamiliar maid.
I stared blankly at the maid who bowed her head politely.
"Good morning, Miss."
Calm demeanor and greeting.
Looking at her demeanor and how she handled her work, she was clearly a high-ranking maid in the mansion.
"What about Annie?"
"I heard that the child is planning to go back to his parent's home for a while due to family circumstances. I heard there was an urgent telegram from her family yesterday."
Annie, who served me, was an apprentice maid in the midst of her education, so although she was relatively clumsy and immature, she served me with all her heart.
This was not a child who would disappear without saying goodbye.
"A telegram from her family?"
"Yes."
The maid answered briefly and skillfully brought water for washing.
The water temperature was lukewarm, neither too hot nor too cold. This is a very appropriate temperature for washing.
"Ah, Lady! sorry. I think the water is too hot. Yesterday, it seemed like it was too cold outside, so I intentionally warmed it up more than usual..."
There were no loud apples handed out every morning and no overflowing water that soaked the carpet without fail.
Time passed quietly and calmly.
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