082. Should I just leave?
Now that the vacation was over, there was no reason to look for a villa. He was too busy trying to keep up with his busy schedule.
Nevertheless, Hardius instructed his butler, Tobias, to prepare to go to Sitmer. Tobias's mouth could not help but drop open, as he had a very important appointment in just an hour.
“Margrave Arthuscher is a long-time friend of Duke Meyer and also an important investor. I may be presumptuous, but I believe this is an important position that I must attend.”
Hardius didn't even pretend to listen. He simply ordered Grojean to be sent instead, and then patted the fidgety butler's shoulder soothingly.
When he arrived at the villa, he headed straight to the garden.
When he passed Metasequoia Road, he had no expectations. He just wanted to grab Pip, Laura, or whoever and check on the cats to see if they were doing well.
But as he got closer to the pond and the pavilion, he couldn't do anything about his heart that kept pounding. Hardius couldn't let go of his hopes and walked slowly along the bushes.
In a short reed forest, above a marble statue, next to an iron ornament, beneath a railing, beneath a pillar...
He soon found himself busily looking for somewhere else where the cat might be.
For a moment, he felt ridiculous. It was the most foolish thing he had done since his childhood, when he had dared to escape from class to catch a bird with his brother Elliot.
Hardius smiled bitterly, but he still managed to climb the stairs and climb up to the pavilion.
The rustling sound of the reeds swaying in the wind was very sad. His head, which had been staring into the empty space, dropped down, and a dejected self-mockery hung on his lips.
Hardius soon turned towards the villa.
The caretaker of the villa, who recognized him, came running out of the entrance. Thinking that the owner was going to rest for a few days, the caretaker hurriedly gathered firewood.
“Where is Pip?”
“He went to the farm to get some cheese. After I light the fire, I’ll go and get him right away. Just wait a moment...”
Hardius stopped the flustered lodge keeper.
“It’s okay. I plan to go back to Nowak right now.”
“Yes? But...”
The villa keeper's eyes naturally turned to the sky. The slanting afternoon sun was dyeing the entire sky orange.
It must have taken half a day just to get there, but it seemed so strange that the owner would be back on the long road in less than an hour.
The owner's strange words and actions continued.
“Have you seen that cat?”
The villa keeper barely managed to hold back his desire to ask, “Yes?” because it was so obvious that the “cat” he was asking about out of the blue was none other than “that cat.”
“Yes, of course I saw it.”
"...When?"
“I see it almost every day these days.”
Young Master Meyer had a surprised expression on his face, and then a barrage of questions began to pour in.
Where did you see him, what was he doing, was he hurt anywhere, did he gain some weight...?
The caretaker, who had been absentmindedly answering “Yes, yes,” realized that the cat story was quite entertaining for the owner.
It is natural to want to look good to the next Duke of Meyer, so the villa keeper takes on the great adventure of telling his master something he did not ask for the first time in his life.
“Not only is it healthy, but it has grown so much in just a few days. It is also so agile. A few days ago, he caught a moth this big and spent the whole day biting it.”
For a moment, the corners of the owner's mouth curled up. The villa keeper continued speaking with excitement.
“It looks like he really likes it here. Everyone, including me and the farm workers, likes it, so you don’t have to worry.”
The owner's lips, which had been stiff, had now softened.
“When and where can you usually see it?”
“Ah, that’s it...”
The villa keeper, who was searching for memories, snapped his fingers and said, “Ah!”
“Around this time of the year, they hang around the pavilion. In the morning, they run around the vineyard and sometimes show up at the winery to surprise people.”
Hardius looked around the pond where the pavilion was. He crossed his arms and seemed to be thinking deeply about something. After a while, he looked back at the villa keeper.
“I have some things to do.”
He instructed the caretaker to build a fence several yards in radius around the pavilion.
“Build a house that is nice to look at and has lamps spaced out at appropriate intervals.”
The villa keeper couldn't believe his ears.
What about a stray cat? On the lamp, in the house, and even on the fence...?!
He just blinked his eyes and quickly said, “Yes,” to hide his embarrassment.
Hardius passed the villa keeper and headed back to the garden. His eyes, unable to let go of his ignorance, looked around again. Unlike before, a strange sense of impatience was squeezing him tightly.
Just then, someone appeared to be approaching the cloud bridge. To his surprise, it was Grojean.
“Why are you here?”
"Master."
The aide's eyes, as he approaches, look strangely anxious.
“We’ve received a call from the Hilden Farm. It looks like Miss Bern is out working.”
For a moment, memories of the barn flashed through Hardius's mind.
'I'm going to get a job. Don't stop me from doing that.'
“Mercenary Captain Maesen came to see me urgently. He asked me urgently whether I should leave her alone or I should strengthen my security. Since it is a matter related to Miss Bern’s safety, I also had no choice but to come here urgently.”
Hardius thought as he walked.
The Meyer family's fiancée was now completely out of the enemy's sight. The allies were openly urging him to meet Bianca Leichnen, and his mother had long since stopped mentioning the 'country girl'.
“...Tell them not to get involved.”
“Yes, I understand. And Your Excellency,”
Grojean continued speaking until he was out of breath.
“There is also important news that you should know. It is a message from the lumber merchant posted in Grossen. It appears that Young Master Malvin... will be leaving for the New World soon.”
The graceful steps that had been moving silently created a loud squeak for the first time.
“...New World?”
“Yes, it seems that Sir Malvin has instructed his son, Young Master Malvin, to come learn business in the Trans Federation for a year or two.”
After finishing speaking, Grojean carefully examined his master's face.
When he heard that Nathan might be leaving, he felt relieved first. He had thought that Malvin had a big role to play in the master's obsession with his fiancée. However, contrary to Grojean's expectations, there was no sign of relief on Hardius' face.
Nathan Malvin leaves.
To the New World...
Hardius felt a fire rising from deep within his chest. He was clearly looking ahead, but he could not see anything.
Will he just leave quietly?
Just leave the woman he loves behind?
The budding doubts spread uncontrollably like a fire spreading through dry grass.
A destructive urge welled up in his head to find that bastard and strangle him right then and there.
Hardius clutched the railing of the pavilion as if he were going to break it. The rage boiling up to the point of explosion was uncontrollable and causing extreme pain.
Suddenly, a rustling sound was heard from somewhere. His unfocused eyes turned towards the thick bushes. Something jumped out onto the gilded iron decoration.
...It was Moriah.
"It's okay."
Emilia muttered without realizing it. There were dark shadows under her eyes, and her body was limp, but her mouth was smiling brightly for the first time in a while.
She finally got around to plucking chicken feathers perfectly. The first time was a failure, but the second time was a complete success.
Emilia looked down proudly at the clean raw chicken without a single torn piece of flesh.
She thought it was the most trivial and easy thing in the world, but it was one of the most difficult and challenging things she's ever done in her life.
“What?! Did I do something wrong again?!”
The chef shouted without even looking properly. Then he flinched when he discovered the clean raw chicken.
When the fierce eyes that had been moving between the two chickens turned back to Emilia.
She lowered her head and prepared herself mentally. She thought that he could not help but feel angry since she had done well in one case and failed in the other.
But the chef didn't say anything. He just stretched out his thick hands and snatched up two chickens.
Emilia, who had been waiting for a thick barrage of insults starting with 'bitch', couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
“Hey! Why are you standing there blankly?!”
Emilia came to her senses at the sound of the staff's shout.
Emilia quickly started washing the dishes. The pile of dishes was still hard and tiring.
Today, she was rinsing the plate that had been soaked in lye water with clean water, and something strange happened.
She had a strange feeling, so she raised her head and saw the chef staring at her with his hands behind his back.
When their eyes met, he coughed, “Ahem,” and disappeared into the kitchen.
Emilia, who had been tilting her head, soon continued what she was doing.
As always, she stayed until the very end to finish the dishes and clean up perfectly.
As she was hanging the clean, boiled dish towels on the clothesline, someone approached her. It was the chef again.
He looked around the clean and unblemished Scully, then looked at Emilia with an unreadable gaze. Then he suddenly asked.
"You..."
Emilia flinched in surprise.
“What is your name?”
“...This is Elaine Mob.”
Emilia recited the prepared pseudonym.
“Elaine Mob.”
The chef, who had been repeating the name, blinked his eyes several times and then threw something on the cutting board.
“You ruined the meat. We won’t be able to sell it anyway. Go and share it with your family.”
Her surprised eyes stared blankly at the pile of papers before turning back to the chef.
"What are you doing?"
The chef pushed the chicken again towards her, who had no intention of accepting it.
Emilia bowed her head and said, “Thank you.”
When she raised her head again, the chef had already walked away. Her heart started to flutter strangely.
Emilia packed her bags, opened the back door of the restaurant, and went out.
In the middle of the square where Beppy was waiting, there was a small mailbox. Emilia stopped walking in front of it.
A moment later, she was holding a small piece of paper in her hand.
It was a letter. Addressed to Nathan Malvin.
Just before she pushed it into the tight opening, her body trembled slightly. But only for a moment.
Emilia released her grip without hesitation, and the letter fell down with a thud.
She felt relieved, as if she had a tooth pulled out.
Emilia continued walking lightly. As she turned the corner, Beppy’s carriage appeared as expected. The old man was dozing off again today.
When she started working, Beppy became very busy. It was a routine to take her mother to the factory at dawn, and on days when Emilia went to work, he had to drive the carriage all the way here without even sitting down for a moment.
It was no use even if Emilia said she could ride the circular carriage. The old man stuck to her side as if he were some kind of magnet.
Her heart aches as she looks at the old man curled up like a child with his hat pulled down low.
Emilia blinked, trying hard to shake off the clots that kept rising. And then she made up her mind.
She decided to keep the box of gold coins hidden in the stable and not use it for vain venting.
It will not return to Hardius Meyer, but will end up in the arms of her uncle.
It will be a farewell gift.
The word farewell blew through her body like a cold wind. Emilia's hand caressed the velvet-covered carriage door as if seeking warmth.
What would life be like without carriages?
The circular carriage doesn't even go into the forest. He'll have to walk to the entrance for over 30 minutes, sit on a hard wooden bench, and go to work for a few hours.
It's tiring just thinking about it. She felt like it was impossible.
But Emilia reminded herself that this was the original life given to them and the path they had chosen for themselves.
Everyone lives so fiercely.
Don't think about anything else.
It was the moment when Emilia pulled herself together and reached out to the old man.
“He just fell asleep. Let him rest for a bit.”
A low, familiar whisper ran down her spine.
Now that the vacation was over, there was no reason to look for a villa. He was too busy trying to keep up with his busy schedule.
Nevertheless, Hardius instructed his butler, Tobias, to prepare to go to Sitmer. Tobias's mouth could not help but drop open, as he had a very important appointment in just an hour.
“Margrave Arthuscher is a long-time friend of Duke Meyer and also an important investor. I may be presumptuous, but I believe this is an important position that I must attend.”
Hardius didn't even pretend to listen. He simply ordered Grojean to be sent instead, and then patted the fidgety butler's shoulder soothingly.
When he arrived at the villa, he headed straight to the garden.
When he passed Metasequoia Road, he had no expectations. He just wanted to grab Pip, Laura, or whoever and check on the cats to see if they were doing well.
But as he got closer to the pond and the pavilion, he couldn't do anything about his heart that kept pounding. Hardius couldn't let go of his hopes and walked slowly along the bushes.
In a short reed forest, above a marble statue, next to an iron ornament, beneath a railing, beneath a pillar...
He soon found himself busily looking for somewhere else where the cat might be.
For a moment, he felt ridiculous. It was the most foolish thing he had done since his childhood, when he had dared to escape from class to catch a bird with his brother Elliot.
Hardius smiled bitterly, but he still managed to climb the stairs and climb up to the pavilion.
The rustling sound of the reeds swaying in the wind was very sad. His head, which had been staring into the empty space, dropped down, and a dejected self-mockery hung on his lips.
Hardius soon turned towards the villa.
The caretaker of the villa, who recognized him, came running out of the entrance. Thinking that the owner was going to rest for a few days, the caretaker hurriedly gathered firewood.
“Where is Pip?”
“He went to the farm to get some cheese. After I light the fire, I’ll go and get him right away. Just wait a moment...”
Hardius stopped the flustered lodge keeper.
“It’s okay. I plan to go back to Nowak right now.”
“Yes? But...”
The villa keeper's eyes naturally turned to the sky. The slanting afternoon sun was dyeing the entire sky orange.
It must have taken half a day just to get there, but it seemed so strange that the owner would be back on the long road in less than an hour.
The owner's strange words and actions continued.
“Have you seen that cat?”
The villa keeper barely managed to hold back his desire to ask, “Yes?” because it was so obvious that the “cat” he was asking about out of the blue was none other than “that cat.”
“Yes, of course I saw it.”
"...When?"
“I see it almost every day these days.”
Young Master Meyer had a surprised expression on his face, and then a barrage of questions began to pour in.
Where did you see him, what was he doing, was he hurt anywhere, did he gain some weight...?
The caretaker, who had been absentmindedly answering “Yes, yes,” realized that the cat story was quite entertaining for the owner.
It is natural to want to look good to the next Duke of Meyer, so the villa keeper takes on the great adventure of telling his master something he did not ask for the first time in his life.
“Not only is it healthy, but it has grown so much in just a few days. It is also so agile. A few days ago, he caught a moth this big and spent the whole day biting it.”
For a moment, the corners of the owner's mouth curled up. The villa keeper continued speaking with excitement.
“It looks like he really likes it here. Everyone, including me and the farm workers, likes it, so you don’t have to worry.”
The owner's lips, which had been stiff, had now softened.
“When and where can you usually see it?”
“Ah, that’s it...”
The villa keeper, who was searching for memories, snapped his fingers and said, “Ah!”
“Around this time of the year, they hang around the pavilion. In the morning, they run around the vineyard and sometimes show up at the winery to surprise people.”
Hardius looked around the pond where the pavilion was. He crossed his arms and seemed to be thinking deeply about something. After a while, he looked back at the villa keeper.
“I have some things to do.”
He instructed the caretaker to build a fence several yards in radius around the pavilion.
“Build a house that is nice to look at and has lamps spaced out at appropriate intervals.”
The villa keeper couldn't believe his ears.
What about a stray cat? On the lamp, in the house, and even on the fence...?!
He just blinked his eyes and quickly said, “Yes,” to hide his embarrassment.
Hardius passed the villa keeper and headed back to the garden. His eyes, unable to let go of his ignorance, looked around again. Unlike before, a strange sense of impatience was squeezing him tightly.
Just then, someone appeared to be approaching the cloud bridge. To his surprise, it was Grojean.
“Why are you here?”
"Master."
The aide's eyes, as he approaches, look strangely anxious.
“We’ve received a call from the Hilden Farm. It looks like Miss Bern is out working.”
For a moment, memories of the barn flashed through Hardius's mind.
'I'm going to get a job. Don't stop me from doing that.'
“Mercenary Captain Maesen came to see me urgently. He asked me urgently whether I should leave her alone or I should strengthen my security. Since it is a matter related to Miss Bern’s safety, I also had no choice but to come here urgently.”
Hardius thought as he walked.
The Meyer family's fiancée was now completely out of the enemy's sight. The allies were openly urging him to meet Bianca Leichnen, and his mother had long since stopped mentioning the 'country girl'.
“...Tell them not to get involved.”
“Yes, I understand. And Your Excellency,”
Grojean continued speaking until he was out of breath.
“There is also important news that you should know. It is a message from the lumber merchant posted in Grossen. It appears that Young Master Malvin... will be leaving for the New World soon.”
The graceful steps that had been moving silently created a loud squeak for the first time.
“...New World?”
“Yes, it seems that Sir Malvin has instructed his son, Young Master Malvin, to come learn business in the Trans Federation for a year or two.”
After finishing speaking, Grojean carefully examined his master's face.
When he heard that Nathan might be leaving, he felt relieved first. He had thought that Malvin had a big role to play in the master's obsession with his fiancée. However, contrary to Grojean's expectations, there was no sign of relief on Hardius' face.
Nathan Malvin leaves.
To the New World...
Hardius felt a fire rising from deep within his chest. He was clearly looking ahead, but he could not see anything.
Will he just leave quietly?
Just leave the woman he loves behind?
The budding doubts spread uncontrollably like a fire spreading through dry grass.
A destructive urge welled up in his head to find that bastard and strangle him right then and there.
Hardius clutched the railing of the pavilion as if he were going to break it. The rage boiling up to the point of explosion was uncontrollable and causing extreme pain.
Suddenly, a rustling sound was heard from somewhere. His unfocused eyes turned towards the thick bushes. Something jumped out onto the gilded iron decoration.
...It was Moriah.
***
"It's okay."
Emilia muttered without realizing it. There were dark shadows under her eyes, and her body was limp, but her mouth was smiling brightly for the first time in a while.
She finally got around to plucking chicken feathers perfectly. The first time was a failure, but the second time was a complete success.
Emilia looked down proudly at the clean raw chicken without a single torn piece of flesh.
She thought it was the most trivial and easy thing in the world, but it was one of the most difficult and challenging things she's ever done in her life.
“What?! Did I do something wrong again?!”
The chef shouted without even looking properly. Then he flinched when he discovered the clean raw chicken.
When the fierce eyes that had been moving between the two chickens turned back to Emilia.
She lowered her head and prepared herself mentally. She thought that he could not help but feel angry since she had done well in one case and failed in the other.
But the chef didn't say anything. He just stretched out his thick hands and snatched up two chickens.
Emilia, who had been waiting for a thick barrage of insults starting with 'bitch', couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
“Hey! Why are you standing there blankly?!”
Emilia came to her senses at the sound of the staff's shout.
Emilia quickly started washing the dishes. The pile of dishes was still hard and tiring.
Today, she was rinsing the plate that had been soaked in lye water with clean water, and something strange happened.
She had a strange feeling, so she raised her head and saw the chef staring at her with his hands behind his back.
When their eyes met, he coughed, “Ahem,” and disappeared into the kitchen.
Emilia, who had been tilting her head, soon continued what she was doing.
As always, she stayed until the very end to finish the dishes and clean up perfectly.
As she was hanging the clean, boiled dish towels on the clothesline, someone approached her. It was the chef again.
He looked around the clean and unblemished Scully, then looked at Emilia with an unreadable gaze. Then he suddenly asked.
"You..."
Emilia flinched in surprise.
“What is your name?”
“...This is Elaine Mob.”
Emilia recited the prepared pseudonym.
“Elaine Mob.”
The chef, who had been repeating the name, blinked his eyes several times and then threw something on the cutting board.
“You ruined the meat. We won’t be able to sell it anyway. Go and share it with your family.”
Her surprised eyes stared blankly at the pile of papers before turning back to the chef.
"What are you doing?"
The chef pushed the chicken again towards her, who had no intention of accepting it.
Emilia bowed her head and said, “Thank you.”
When she raised her head again, the chef had already walked away. Her heart started to flutter strangely.
Emilia packed her bags, opened the back door of the restaurant, and went out.
In the middle of the square where Beppy was waiting, there was a small mailbox. Emilia stopped walking in front of it.
A moment later, she was holding a small piece of paper in her hand.
It was a letter. Addressed to Nathan Malvin.
Just before she pushed it into the tight opening, her body trembled slightly. But only for a moment.
Emilia released her grip without hesitation, and the letter fell down with a thud.
She felt relieved, as if she had a tooth pulled out.
Emilia continued walking lightly. As she turned the corner, Beppy’s carriage appeared as expected. The old man was dozing off again today.
When she started working, Beppy became very busy. It was a routine to take her mother to the factory at dawn, and on days when Emilia went to work, he had to drive the carriage all the way here without even sitting down for a moment.
It was no use even if Emilia said she could ride the circular carriage. The old man stuck to her side as if he were some kind of magnet.
Her heart aches as she looks at the old man curled up like a child with his hat pulled down low.
Emilia blinked, trying hard to shake off the clots that kept rising. And then she made up her mind.
She decided to keep the box of gold coins hidden in the stable and not use it for vain venting.
It will not return to Hardius Meyer, but will end up in the arms of her uncle.
It will be a farewell gift.
The word farewell blew through her body like a cold wind. Emilia's hand caressed the velvet-covered carriage door as if seeking warmth.
What would life be like without carriages?
The circular carriage doesn't even go into the forest. He'll have to walk to the entrance for over 30 minutes, sit on a hard wooden bench, and go to work for a few hours.
It's tiring just thinking about it. She felt like it was impossible.
But Emilia reminded herself that this was the original life given to them and the path they had chosen for themselves.
Everyone lives so fiercely.
Don't think about anything else.
It was the moment when Emilia pulled herself together and reached out to the old man.
“He just fell asleep. Let him rest for a bit.”
A low, familiar whisper ran down her spine.
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