"I wish I could meet Count Noah before I go to the capital. After all, we are going to become family."
"I think Count Noah would welcome it as well."
Eli and the Viscount began discussing business in the capital again, but Shioana felt as if she were sitting on a bed of thorns.
'It's not even a confirmed story...'
It was before she had even received a proposal from Count Noah. Yet, her brother and father acted as if she were getting married tomorrow.
'I don't even know how I feel yet.'
She even spoke of Martha, whom she cherished, as if it were only natural.
'What an honor it is to become a Countess.'
Mrs. Hooper said the same thing, and Shioana had no intention of denying it. Getting married and starting a family was a perfectly natural thing, like a calf grazing on grass becoming a mother cow.
'But why am I so anxious?'
In her nervousness, she frantically crumpled the hem of her dress above jer knees when she met Etienne's eyes. He didn't say anything to her, but she just felt uncomfortable.
'I don't want him to hear this.'
It was truly a contradictory emotion.
She made up her mind to ignore it; it was a relationship she had to distance herself from. No, she should have done this from the very beginning.
Even so, Shioana still could not take her eyes off the man, just as she had on the day he first appeared here.
***
Upon hearing the news that Viscount Evgenia had returned, Count Noah invited Shioana and her entire family to his castle. While traveling to Highbell in the splendid carriage sent for them, Shioana groaned with a headache of unknown origin.
"Shioana. What on earth is wrong with you?"
Eli, sitting across from her in the carriage, pointed out her sunken eyes and dull face that even makeup could not hide.
"I'm, I'm sorry. I think it's because I didn't get enough sleep last night.'
"Of all days, to look like that on the very day the Count invited us..."
Shioana ran her hand across her face at Eli's disapproving gaze.
"I think I'll be fine soon if I rest a little."
"It's going to be a problem if you act so half-heartedly, even after you arrive. Understand?"
Eli growled as he roughly ran his hand through his blonde hair.
If it weren't for his Father, there would have been more than a few things he would have had to firmly tell his younger sister.
The most important factor in making this marriage happen was Shioana's attitude.
Even with the courtship of Count Noah, who possessed conditions everyone coveted, the younger sibling did not show a single sign of joy.
"Given your status, how could I possibly meet a man like that...?'
Thinking about all the trouble he had gone through to set up Count Noah and his younger sibling made Eli grind his teeth in frustration. That is why he felt like his insides were going to explode because of Shioana acting so cluelessly.
"Eli, let's just let such a trivial matter slide on such a beautiful day. By the way, this carriage has a really nice ride."
At Viscount Evgenia's words, Eli stopped glaring at Shioana and began to list how wealthy Count Noah was.
Even though she was naive about the ways of the world, she wasn't a complete fool.
She was not unaware of Count Noah's frequent visits to Regbell and the meaning behind the gaze he cast.
'Are we really going to get married like this?'
Of course, putting Shioana's worries to shame, it didn't seem likely that her father and brother would respect her wishes.
The carriage soon passed through the gate of Count Noah's mansion.
It was a place distinctly different from the desolate landscape of Regbell. A huge fountain spouting water, intricately carved stone statues, brightly colored flowers, and well-tended landscaping blended together harmoniously.
She was overwhelmed by the magnificent scenery outside the window when the carriage soon stopped.
As they stepped out of the carriage, the Count's servants, maids, and butler all came out to greet Evgenia's family respectfully. Count Noah also came out in person to offer his greetings.
"Thank you for your long journey."
"Thanks to the carriage you sent, I came safely and comfortably."
Eli smiled warmly and expressed his gratitude, followed by Viscount Evgenia's greeting.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Evgenia. I have always wanted to see you, and I am only now able to greet you."
"Count Noah, I am overwhelmed by your hospitality."
Count Noah naturally reached out his hand to Shioana. Then, startled by her pale face, he shouted loudly.
"Oh dear, it looks like you got motion sickness. Sarah! Hurry up and clean the guest room!"
"Count, I'm fine."
However, despite her objections, Count Noah insisted on having Shioana lie down in the guest room.
Lying on the corner of the bed, Shioana repeatedly opened and closed her eyes. It was true that she had a severe headache and felt nauseous, but being in an unfamiliar place, she felt she couldn't possibly fall asleep.
"Miss, shall I go get some juice?"
Martha placed her hand on Shioana's forehead and let out a sigh.
"It's okay, I think I just need to rest for a while."
"I think I'll have to go out and get some medicine."
Martha, who had been looking at Shioana's serious face, hurriedly headed outside.
Shioana, finally alone, let out a long sigh.
"...Ha."
She was busy getting dressed up since the morning in preparation for today's outing, and she was tense the whole time in the carriage because she was with her older brother and father.
Shioana, having straightened her body from lying on her side, quietly looked up at the ceiling. The ceiling frame, adorned with a painting of the goddess Diana, was lavishly decorated with gold molding.
'So this is what my brother kept talking about.'
In the guest room, which was larger than her bedroom, there was not a single piece of furniture, wallpaper, or bedding that was not of the highest quality.
"The Count seems to be quite considerate."
Judging by the fact that he didn't show any sign of it despite Regbell's squalid environment. As she calmed down a bit, a thought came to mind.
"So this is my first trip."
After all, this was the first time she had come all the way to Highbell. Because she had stayed in Regbell all this time, she had never even considered the possibility of leaving. Covering her eyes with one hand, Shioana clicked her tongue.
"No wonder I get treated like a bush."
Because she is a useless and stupid girl, just like Eli said.
"If it weren't for you, your mother wouldn't have died."
It was whenever Shioana did something wrong that her brother would say. They say their mother, whose health had deteriorated after having her, passed away after suffering from puerperal fever.
"I simply cannot understand why God took Mother instead of you."
Shioana was distressed every time she heard her brother say those words.
But since that was the truth, she couldn't resent Eli either.
As Shioana grew older, she resembled her mother in the portrait, and the more she did, the deeper her guilt grew. She felt sorry and upset that she was so insignificant and unattractive, considering she was the one who had caused her mother's death.
"So I shouldn't be doing this."
Since she had brought her father along today, she had to muster a little more strength. Just then, Martha returned and placed what she had brought on the table.
"Why didn't you get some sleep?"
Shioana, lifting her heavy body from bed, sat in front of the dressing table.
"Martha, make my makeup a little heavier."
So she wanted to completely cover up this complicated feeling she has right now.
"Dress me up like the lady I saw at the ball."
Not this gloomy face
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