027. Still shining like a star
It wasn't long after she returned from the costume shop that Emilia began to feel that Uncle Beppy was not just a puppet, but a real 'guardian'. Suddenly, a stranger showed up. A man at that.
In the past few years, shr could count on one hand the number of people visiting the red brick house.
The only people she knows are the tax collector who takes the taxes twice a year, her stepmother's relative who lives in a distant city, and Emilia's best friend Hayley.
But it was natural to feel uneasy when a strange man suddenly appeared. Besides, the men who had tied Charlotte to a tree while she was playing in the yard a few years ago were the same men who looked fine. If Brave hadn't been barking and Beppy hadn't been blocking the front of the house, Emilia might have been quite scared.
Fortunately, Uncle Beppy quickly shook hands with the man who had blocked her way. Only then was Emilia able to open the door with ease.
“Hello, my lady. I am Grojean Tyure, the assistant to Master Meyer.”
Grojean took off his hat and bowed very politely. Emilia also responded politely.
“Hello, Mr. Tyure. Nice to meet you.”
She thinks he was in his late 40s.
The tall, thin man had a common face that you could see anywhere, but his sunken eyes felt sharp for some reason.
Emilia, who had been blinking at him, realized that he had made a guest stand by and took a step back.
“...Would you like to come in?”
“No. I just need to convey the Master’s words and then go back.”
Hardius, you're going to send someone to tell me?
Why does this person always come by unexpectedly without notice?
“A few days ago, we formally requested the Countess of Luen on behalf of our House of Meyer to allow the young master to attend the ball to be held there as the young lady’s fiancé.”
She was quietly listening when suddenly she felt strange.
“The lady readily agreed and sent me an invitation.”
“Oh, I see...”
Why do I feel so strange? When she thinks about it, it's because she's reminded of when she attended the dinner party at the Meyer family home.
The butler and the chief chamberlain of the mansion at that time always spoke like that. It was an extremely aristocratic way of communicating. It was like making something that could have been said simply, long and difficult, by adding embellishments.
Emilia swallowed her trembling feelings as she faced the man. The words of the young master continued to be conveyed through Grojean’s mouth.
“The Master has also asked the young lady. If you need anything to prepare for the ball, please contact me at any time. He has also said that he is ready to help you wholeheartedly.”
Hardius was saying again that he'd buy her a dress and some jewelry. Strangely enough, she felt a little disappointed.
Despite your plain clothes, everyone was looking at you. Has he changed his mind since then?
Or maybe she was just giving a lot of meaning to a meaningless greeting.
“You are truly a kind person. I am deeply impressed by your kindness. However, I am currently enjoying the joy of being independent and not financially dependent on my fiancé. So please tell him not to worry.”
Emilia deliberately answered in the language of the nobles. Grojean seemed a little surprised, but soon nodded.
“Finally, he asked if you could come visit Nowak tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow...?”
“Yes, if you have a prior engagement, I would like to visit you the day after tomorrow, or if that is not possible, as soon as possible.”
She wants to meet Hardius. And quickly, her heart was pounding again.
“Why?”
“He would like you to sign the divorce papers.”
Emilia was shocked when she realized that what was welling up from the bottom of her heart was disappointment.
No, that won't do.
Emilia held her trembling hands and tried hard to calm her mind.
From now on, everything that happens with Hardius is just a kind of 'play'. To follow His Majesty the King's orders and calm public opinion.
She stared into space, then strained her eyes again.
“Tomorrow is fine. What time and where should I go?”
“5 p.m. This is his private residence. I will send a carriage on time.”
“No, I have a carriage now. I can go with Uncle Beppy.”
Grojean smiled softly.
“No. The Master wants you to come in his carriage. He also wants Beppy Dilson to guard this place if possible while you are with him.”
You're protecting it?
That strange word came out again.
Emilia's gaze lingered on Uncle Beppy, who was feeding Brave, before turning back to the man in front of her.
“There have been rumors going around lately of gypsies and vagabonds in this zelkova forest. If possible, keep Beppy Dilson with you at all times, and if you see any strangers, try to avoid them as much as possible.”
Although it was the first time she had heard of gypsies and vagabonds, Emilia smiled brightly.
“Yes, thank you for your concern.”
“Then I will take my leave now. Goodbye, young lady.”
It was only after the door closed that she realized why that man had been calling her 'young lady' all along.
That too would be a play, a show to show people that the Meyer family's fiancée is being treated as she deserves.
Finally, the next day, 'tomorrow', arrived.
Just as Emilia began to hang out her laundry, the carriage sent by Hardius appeared.
She put down the laundry and shook her hands. She went inside, washed her hands, and prepared to go out. Even though she said she was preparing, she only grabbed her purse, old gloves, and hat.
The gloves are here. Where's the bonnet?
As Emilia was rummaging through the closet, a voice was heard behind her.
“Are you looking for a hat? Here it is. I also put a brooch on it.”
It was Charlotte. The child was sitting on the steps leading to the attic, holding her hat in one hand.
She used her superpowers again.
Emilia thought with a smile. She often talked about this with Mitch. It seemed that Charlotte had some kind of supernatural power. Even though Charlotte couldn't see, she could remember the location of objects so precisely, and she could identify sounds, smells, and textures amazingly well.
“Thank you, Charlotte. I’ll be back soon.”
Emilia smiled and tied her bonnet. As she was about to leave the house, Charlotte spoke to her again.
“You know, Sister, should I tell you a secret?”
"Secret?"
Looking back, Charlotte's unfocused eyes were strangely sparkling.
“What is it?”
“No matter how much I think about it, I think I like you.”
What?
“That’s what Master Meyer said.”
Why is that kid doing this again? She thought he explained the reality very clearly that day.
Emilia swallowed a sigh and opened her mouth.
“No, that’s not true. Charlotte, Master Meyer isn’t doing this because he likes you. He’s just anxious.”
“Is he anxious?”
“He's afraid I won’t break off the engagement easily.”
Charlotte, who was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth, soon shook her head stubbornly.
“No, you’re wrong. Lord Meyer likes you. He does it because he likes you.”
Emilia finally sighed again. After all, it was too much to expect the child to understand the 'political interests' surrounding their engagement. Emilia decided to take a more direct approach.
“That’s what Master Meyer said when he gave me the carriage as a gift. He said he wanted to break off the engagement with me, but he was afraid that I wouldn’t do it.”
Charlotte's face gradually grew sullen, but she did not give up her stubbornness.
“I don’t believe you, Sister. You know, my superpowers. Every monster in the world has at least one special ability, right? And I’m a scary one-eyed monster. Sometimes I can see right through people’s minds. Their hearts talk to me!”
It was only for a moment that she was upset that Charlotte called herself a monster again.
“No, Charlotte. Absolutely not. I’m meeting him today to talk about the breakup.”
“What does that have to do with a broken engagement?”
"What?"
“If you break off the engagement, you don’t like it?”
After saying such shocking words, Charlotte leisurely disappeared into the attic. Emilia couldn't open the door, so she held onto the doorknob and listened to her heartbeat for a long time.
Her heart, which had barely calmed down, turned upside down once again when she left the house. Hardius's groom, who had recognized her, suddenly started laying out the walking carpet.
“Hello, young lady. It’s a nice, clear day.”
Emilia stared at the carpet that had stopped at her feet with astonishment, then slowly walked away. Every time the toes of her worn shoes stepped on the luxurious velvet, she felt an indescribable feeling. The strange feeling reached its peak when she got into the carriage.
Was that something Hardius always rode?
A familiar, moist scent like mist seeped into her entire body. Emilia sat down, unable to shake off the strange trembling.
The carriage ran diligently and arrived at the River Livier, the symbol of Nowak. It was a familiar road since it was taken every year. But at one moment, the carriage suddenly changed direction.
Emilia, who was staring at the slightly unfamiliar street, only then remembered that Grojean had said yesterday that it was 'the master's private residence'.
The destination is not the house where the banquet was held. It is the young master's private residence, namely Hardius's house.
The carriage stopped at a three-story mansion with a small garden. The exterior and interior were not much different from those of the Meyer family.
But when the door opened, everything changed.
“Are you here, young lady?”
As soon as Emilia appeared, the servants parted like the miracle of the Red Sea, and across the middle of it all, there was an old gentleman with white hair.
“Hello, Miss. It is an honor to meet you. I am Tobias Moulton, the butler of Basilion House.”
She checked again as she faced Tobias, who was greeting me politely.
From yesterday's aide to the current butler, Hardius's servants treated her not as 'Emilia' but as 'Miss Emilia'. This was clearly how they treated a noble daughter. Even though she knew it was a play, it felt strange.
Tobias led Emilia, who was too flustered to even greet her properly, into the reception room. The door opened before she could even catch her breath.
Before she could even look around the entrance of this stately mansion called 'Basilion', Hardius appeared. Emilia froze once again in front of her fiancé, who had appeared so suddenly and without warning.
"Hi."
He was in perfect sable attire. In his pitch-black suit and cream bow tie, he was shining like a star.
After a few seconds of silence,
“Hello, Young Master.”
Emilia managed to answer.
It wasn't long after she returned from the costume shop that Emilia began to feel that Uncle Beppy was not just a puppet, but a real 'guardian'. Suddenly, a stranger showed up. A man at that.
In the past few years, shr could count on one hand the number of people visiting the red brick house.
The only people she knows are the tax collector who takes the taxes twice a year, her stepmother's relative who lives in a distant city, and Emilia's best friend Hayley.
But it was natural to feel uneasy when a strange man suddenly appeared. Besides, the men who had tied Charlotte to a tree while she was playing in the yard a few years ago were the same men who looked fine. If Brave hadn't been barking and Beppy hadn't been blocking the front of the house, Emilia might have been quite scared.
Fortunately, Uncle Beppy quickly shook hands with the man who had blocked her way. Only then was Emilia able to open the door with ease.
“Hello, my lady. I am Grojean Tyure, the assistant to Master Meyer.”
Grojean took off his hat and bowed very politely. Emilia also responded politely.
“Hello, Mr. Tyure. Nice to meet you.”
She thinks he was in his late 40s.
The tall, thin man had a common face that you could see anywhere, but his sunken eyes felt sharp for some reason.
Emilia, who had been blinking at him, realized that he had made a guest stand by and took a step back.
“...Would you like to come in?”
“No. I just need to convey the Master’s words and then go back.”
Hardius, you're going to send someone to tell me?
Why does this person always come by unexpectedly without notice?
“A few days ago, we formally requested the Countess of Luen on behalf of our House of Meyer to allow the young master to attend the ball to be held there as the young lady’s fiancé.”
She was quietly listening when suddenly she felt strange.
“The lady readily agreed and sent me an invitation.”
“Oh, I see...”
Why do I feel so strange? When she thinks about it, it's because she's reminded of when she attended the dinner party at the Meyer family home.
The butler and the chief chamberlain of the mansion at that time always spoke like that. It was an extremely aristocratic way of communicating. It was like making something that could have been said simply, long and difficult, by adding embellishments.
Emilia swallowed her trembling feelings as she faced the man. The words of the young master continued to be conveyed through Grojean’s mouth.
“The Master has also asked the young lady. If you need anything to prepare for the ball, please contact me at any time. He has also said that he is ready to help you wholeheartedly.”
Hardius was saying again that he'd buy her a dress and some jewelry. Strangely enough, she felt a little disappointed.
Despite your plain clothes, everyone was looking at you. Has he changed his mind since then?
Or maybe she was just giving a lot of meaning to a meaningless greeting.
“You are truly a kind person. I am deeply impressed by your kindness. However, I am currently enjoying the joy of being independent and not financially dependent on my fiancé. So please tell him not to worry.”
Emilia deliberately answered in the language of the nobles. Grojean seemed a little surprised, but soon nodded.
“Finally, he asked if you could come visit Nowak tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow...?”
“Yes, if you have a prior engagement, I would like to visit you the day after tomorrow, or if that is not possible, as soon as possible.”
She wants to meet Hardius. And quickly, her heart was pounding again.
“Why?”
“He would like you to sign the divorce papers.”
Emilia was shocked when she realized that what was welling up from the bottom of her heart was disappointment.
No, that won't do.
Emilia held her trembling hands and tried hard to calm her mind.
From now on, everything that happens with Hardius is just a kind of 'play'. To follow His Majesty the King's orders and calm public opinion.
She stared into space, then strained her eyes again.
“Tomorrow is fine. What time and where should I go?”
“5 p.m. This is his private residence. I will send a carriage on time.”
“No, I have a carriage now. I can go with Uncle Beppy.”
Grojean smiled softly.
“No. The Master wants you to come in his carriage. He also wants Beppy Dilson to guard this place if possible while you are with him.”
You're protecting it?
That strange word came out again.
Emilia's gaze lingered on Uncle Beppy, who was feeding Brave, before turning back to the man in front of her.
“There have been rumors going around lately of gypsies and vagabonds in this zelkova forest. If possible, keep Beppy Dilson with you at all times, and if you see any strangers, try to avoid them as much as possible.”
Although it was the first time she had heard of gypsies and vagabonds, Emilia smiled brightly.
“Yes, thank you for your concern.”
“Then I will take my leave now. Goodbye, young lady.”
It was only after the door closed that she realized why that man had been calling her 'young lady' all along.
That too would be a play, a show to show people that the Meyer family's fiancée is being treated as she deserves.
***
Finally, the next day, 'tomorrow', arrived.
Just as Emilia began to hang out her laundry, the carriage sent by Hardius appeared.
She put down the laundry and shook her hands. She went inside, washed her hands, and prepared to go out. Even though she said she was preparing, she only grabbed her purse, old gloves, and hat.
The gloves are here. Where's the bonnet?
As Emilia was rummaging through the closet, a voice was heard behind her.
“Are you looking for a hat? Here it is. I also put a brooch on it.”
It was Charlotte. The child was sitting on the steps leading to the attic, holding her hat in one hand.
She used her superpowers again.
Emilia thought with a smile. She often talked about this with Mitch. It seemed that Charlotte had some kind of supernatural power. Even though Charlotte couldn't see, she could remember the location of objects so precisely, and she could identify sounds, smells, and textures amazingly well.
“Thank you, Charlotte. I’ll be back soon.”
Emilia smiled and tied her bonnet. As she was about to leave the house, Charlotte spoke to her again.
“You know, Sister, should I tell you a secret?”
"Secret?"
Looking back, Charlotte's unfocused eyes were strangely sparkling.
“What is it?”
“No matter how much I think about it, I think I like you.”
What?
“That’s what Master Meyer said.”
Why is that kid doing this again? She thought he explained the reality very clearly that day.
Emilia swallowed a sigh and opened her mouth.
“No, that’s not true. Charlotte, Master Meyer isn’t doing this because he likes you. He’s just anxious.”
“Is he anxious?”
“He's afraid I won’t break off the engagement easily.”
Charlotte, who was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth, soon shook her head stubbornly.
“No, you’re wrong. Lord Meyer likes you. He does it because he likes you.”
Emilia finally sighed again. After all, it was too much to expect the child to understand the 'political interests' surrounding their engagement. Emilia decided to take a more direct approach.
“That’s what Master Meyer said when he gave me the carriage as a gift. He said he wanted to break off the engagement with me, but he was afraid that I wouldn’t do it.”
Charlotte's face gradually grew sullen, but she did not give up her stubbornness.
“I don’t believe you, Sister. You know, my superpowers. Every monster in the world has at least one special ability, right? And I’m a scary one-eyed monster. Sometimes I can see right through people’s minds. Their hearts talk to me!”
It was only for a moment that she was upset that Charlotte called herself a monster again.
“No, Charlotte. Absolutely not. I’m meeting him today to talk about the breakup.”
“What does that have to do with a broken engagement?”
"What?"
“If you break off the engagement, you don’t like it?”
After saying such shocking words, Charlotte leisurely disappeared into the attic. Emilia couldn't open the door, so she held onto the doorknob and listened to her heartbeat for a long time.
Her heart, which had barely calmed down, turned upside down once again when she left the house. Hardius's groom, who had recognized her, suddenly started laying out the walking carpet.
“Hello, young lady. It’s a nice, clear day.”
Emilia stared at the carpet that had stopped at her feet with astonishment, then slowly walked away. Every time the toes of her worn shoes stepped on the luxurious velvet, she felt an indescribable feeling. The strange feeling reached its peak when she got into the carriage.
Was that something Hardius always rode?
A familiar, moist scent like mist seeped into her entire body. Emilia sat down, unable to shake off the strange trembling.
The carriage ran diligently and arrived at the River Livier, the symbol of Nowak. It was a familiar road since it was taken every year. But at one moment, the carriage suddenly changed direction.
Emilia, who was staring at the slightly unfamiliar street, only then remembered that Grojean had said yesterday that it was 'the master's private residence'.
The destination is not the house where the banquet was held. It is the young master's private residence, namely Hardius's house.
The carriage stopped at a three-story mansion with a small garden. The exterior and interior were not much different from those of the Meyer family.
But when the door opened, everything changed.
“Are you here, young lady?”
As soon as Emilia appeared, the servants parted like the miracle of the Red Sea, and across the middle of it all, there was an old gentleman with white hair.
“Hello, Miss. It is an honor to meet you. I am Tobias Moulton, the butler of Basilion House.”
She checked again as she faced Tobias, who was greeting me politely.
From yesterday's aide to the current butler, Hardius's servants treated her not as 'Emilia' but as 'Miss Emilia'. This was clearly how they treated a noble daughter. Even though she knew it was a play, it felt strange.
Tobias led Emilia, who was too flustered to even greet her properly, into the reception room. The door opened before she could even catch her breath.
Before she could even look around the entrance of this stately mansion called 'Basilion', Hardius appeared. Emilia froze once again in front of her fiancé, who had appeared so suddenly and without warning.
"Hi."
He was in perfect sable attire. In his pitch-black suit and cream bow tie, he was shining like a star.
After a few seconds of silence,
“Hello, Young Master.”
Emilia managed to answer.
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