"What? When did I get back to my room?"
When Shioana snapped back to reality after staring blankly, she found herself sitting in the bedroom rocking chair, clutching a single crocus tightly.
Shioana let out a deep sigh and quietly gazed at the flower.
'This suits you better, young lady.'
She muttered, muttering the words Etienne had said.
"What do you know, a mere slave..."
The dressing table was decorated with an abundance of elegant flowers given by Count Noah.
'It is a flower grown in Highbell's glass garden.'
They said it was hard to find, even with money. However, her gaze was directed not at the dazzling crimson flowers, but at the golden crocuses.
"It's just because I like this color."
Although no one asked, she rambled on to herself like an excuse.
Etienne handed this to her and disappeared.
'...He never looked back even once.'
Even while knowing that Shioana was standing there.
She doesn't know why that is so upsetting.
Then she started wondering what to do with the flowers.
Should I throw it away or put it in a vase?
Neither of them was willing.
Etienne was annoyed, but she quite liked this flower. Shioana carefully plucked off a petal and tucked it between the pages of a book.
"This way, I'll be able to look at it again and again."
As she held the remaining flower stem and twirled it around, Etienne came to mind again. What flickered in his red eyes as he gazed at Shioana was a flame.
It feels like she would get burned if she touched it.
Etienne's heart was pounding as he hugged her from behind. Strongly, like a downpour pouring down on the fields of Regbell.
As she replayed the wounded voice in her mind, a strange thought suddenly occurred to her.
What if his feelings are not merely longing for his master?
"Oh my god! Etienne loves me-"
Shioana, who had opened her mouth, immediately covered it with her hand. It was a story that no one, including herself, was supposed to hear.
'No, it can't be.'
Shioana, feeling dizzy because of Etienne, felt severely tired.
"I think I need to take a break."
***
Elizabeth was the only daughter of Marquis Demory. As the Marquis possessed both power and wealth in the Empire, she was raised with great care from a young age. She was also a renowned beauty in the Empire, with silver hair and blue eyes that bore the exact same resemblance as the Marchioness who had passed away early.
'How kind-hearted Lady Elizabeth must be.'
She was the empire's top candidate for a bride, possessing both beauty and a kind heart, but she had not received any proper marriage proposals even after turning twenty.
'An ordinary man has no chance of becoming the Marquis Demory's son-in-law.'
The number of marriage proposals the Marquis had rejected over the past few years alone was as high as the castle wall.
"Elizabeth, you don't want to leave your father's side so quickly, do you?"
"How could you say such a thing, Father?"
Elizabeth's eyes were moist as she held the Marquis tightly. Although she had grown up without a mother, she took pride in having received overflowing love.
Eli Evgenia, before she knew him.
The two people ran into each other on the walking path due to a minor accident.
There was an incident where Timothy, the Spaniel puppy she was raising, suddenly unleashed himself and ran out, biting the ankle of a gentleman standing in front of him.
She was at a loss for what to do at the sudden turn of events. She conveyed her message to the gentleman through a maid, stating that she would apologize and compensate him.
'The gentleman says it's fine and tells you not to worry.'
'Weren't you hurt?'
'His pants were slightly torn, and he did bleed.'
The maid acting as the messenger looked quite troubled.
'I can't let the Demory family's honor be tarnished.'
Elizabeth, accompanied by a maid, approached the gentleman and apologized politely.
'I am sorry. It is clearly our fault, so I will take responsibility for the medical expenses and clothing repair costs.'
At her words, the gentleman slowly turned his back, and Elizabeth was momentarily speechless.
His flowing blonde hair fluttered naturally, and the delicate features etched onto his white face instantly captivated her gaze.
She has attended balls held in the capital until she was sick of them, and she has exchanged greetings with countless gentlemen.
'...I've never seen anyone that handsome.'
A gentleman approached her, who was blushing in embarrassment, and bowed respectfully.
'My name is Eli Evgenia.'
He, who lives in Regbell, said he stopped by briefly to visit his father, who runs a business in the capital.
'This is nothing, so let's leave the matter of the example aside.'
'I cannot pretend not to notice when you're hurt.'
As they talked, the two found themselves strolling along the path together. Every passing lady glanced at Elizabeth and Eli, casting a longing gaze at the rare handsome man. However, he acted as if Elizabeth were the only person in the world.
'Then, can I get your handkerchief?'
'...Ah.'
Elizabeth hesitated slightly as she looked at the ankle, which was still bleeding. For there was a deep meaning hidden in a lady offering a handkerchief.
‘Here it is.'
'...Thank you for your kindness.'
Eli, with a handkerchief embroidered with Elizabeth's name tightly tied around his ankle, smiled sweetly at her.
It was the moment Elizabeth's first love began.
***
Shioana, who hadn't shown her face for half a day, even skipped dinner. Martha, having roughly finished her work, went to Shioana's bedroom on the second floor.
"Are you feeling unwell? I heard Nancy made the meat dish you like today."
"No, Martha. I'm not sick, it's just that I don't have an appetite."
Shioana, peeking out from under the covers with only her eyes, mumbled weakly. She didn't really feel any pain, but she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.
"It is truly a matter of the sun rising in the west."
Shioana rarely got sick since childhood, and her appetite wasn't bad either.
Martha tilted her head and placed the tray on the table.
"I brought some tea and biscuits, so please have some if you're hungry."
"Thank you, Martha."
"Get some good rest, young lady."
It was just as Martha was about to leave the bedroom.
"...Nanny."
"Why is my young lady acting like this?"
At some point, Shioana stopped calling her by that title.
Because it was Shioana who had said, 'That’s childish, because only babies use that.' Martha, sitting in the rocking chair beside the bed, straightened Shioana’s bedding again.
"Miss, is something bothering you?"
She had a rough idea, but she pretended not to know and subtly brought up the topic. Then, Shioana whispered softly while fiddling with the edge of the blanket.
"You know what? Martha, liking someone isn't wrong, right?"
Martha, who had almost let out a scream of delight, barely managed to calm herself down. It was obvious that if she did, the young lady would hide back under the covers.
'Good heavens, it looks like our young lady has finally fallen in love.'
To think that the young lady she had raised since she was a baby has reached the age of love... Martha's heart swelled with emotion.
'The opponent is undoubtedly Count Noah,'
To think that they have good feelings for each other—could there be anything better than this?
Arranged marriages often began without affection.
However, Count Noah appeared to be interested in the young lady to anyone who saw him. From frequently visiting Regbell to showering her with all sorts of precious gifts.
As Martha imagined Shioana, who would one day become the Countess, her eyes welled up with tears.
'The late mistress must have looked down upon our poor young lady.'
Martha, who was lost in emotion all by herself, gripped the armrest of the chair tightly and let out a loud cry.
"Miss, there is no greater blessing than liking someone."
"..."
Shioana replied from under the covers, but she spoke so quietly that it couldn't be heard clearly.
"Miss, are you shy?"
"No, that's not it. You know the story I told you last time? The servant and the noble lady."
Before the words were even finished, Martha's expression hardened.
"Good heavens! Why is that story coming up now?"
As if the mere thought of it was terrifying, Martha ran her hand down her arm.
"No, I was just curious. Martha said it. That all people are noble."
"It is noble, though."
Martha, who had answered firmly, remained silent for a moment.
"...That’s right, right?”
Shioana really wanted to know.
It is said that all love is precious, so why is the love between a servant and a noble lady so condemned?
She knew that didn't make sense, but she wanted to know a little more clearly.
"Even if you ask me that, how would I know something that complicated? It just doesn't work, so it doesn't work."
Shioana's face darkened as she watched Martha repeat over and over that it was not allowed. Even though it had nothing to do with her, her heart ached strangely.
'Why do you keep saying it can't be done?'
Martha waved her hands in all directions as if she had witnessed something evil. Seeing this, Shioana gave up on asking further questions and cautiously opened her mouth.
"Has Martha never liked anyone?"
At Shioana's question, Martha spoke up while smoothing out the folds of her apron.
"I may not know much, but one thing is certain: there is nothing as difficult yet rewarding as building an ordinary family."
"...Hmm."
"There is the path of marrying a fine man like Count Noah and starting a family, so why would you even imagine a thorny path? Besides, you should be thinking of the Viscount and the Count as well."
There wasn't a single flaw to be found in Martha's story today.
It was a sinful story.
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