In Highbell, which she visited for the first time in a long while, not a trace of the harsh winter remained. Lush grass and flowers were in full bloom, and the spirit of spring emanated from the flushed face of a woman in a splendid dress.
"Oh my goodness, to think she's wearing such a short-sleeved dress already..."
Martha clicked her tongue as she watched the outside with her face pressed against the carriage window.
"Miss, look at that. Doesn't it look like you're going to catch a cold just by looking at it?"
"Why does everyone look so good?"
It wasn't a Regbell, so there was no reason to wear a thick, drab dress that didn't even reveal the body. Apart from her unfamiliarity with the place, Shioana liked the light air. Afterwards, Martha's exclamations of admiration continued several times, and in the meantime, the carriage arrived at Count Noah's estate.
"Shioana! I missed you!"
As soon as the carriage door opened, Count Noah greeted her with exaggerated gestures. All the servants lined up on both sides behind the Count bowed politely toward Shioana. Overwhelmed by the hospitality, Shioana lightly bowed her head.
"Count, have you been well? I was very worried when I heard the news about Madame Veil."
"You are so kind. I am the one who should be sorry for not being able to visit you while you were ill. My aunt was not feeling well, so I couldn't leave the house."
Shioana barely managed to suppress the spreading sneer at Count Noah's words.
'It’s not that you didn’t come to see me.'
When she was injured after being pinned by a tree branch, the Count left Shioana behind upon hearing that it might be an infectious disease. It was also extremely rude of him to send the carriage first without even asking for permission.
'But for now, all I have to do is care about saving face for the family.'
Gathering her complex emotions, she opened her mouth, pretending nothing was wrong.
"No, not at all. I got better very quickly."
While chatting softly, they arrived in front of Madame Veil's bedroom.
"Auntie, Miss Evgenia has come to visit."
"...Come in."
With a very soft sound, the bedroom door opened, and the opulent interior draped with lace curtains came into view at a glance.
The spacious interior had a marble floor, and the headboard of the bed extended across an entire wall. The delicate craftsmanship of the armchair and console placed beside the bed was clearly visible even in the dim light.
Shioana walked toward the bed in the center of the room, bowing respectfully.
"Madam Veil, I apologize for the late visit."
"Oh my, look who it is. Isn't this my niece-in-law?"
Lying in bed, Mrs. Veil certainly looked weak, unlike when Shioana saw her a few months ago. However, being called niece-in-law before even being engaged felt somewhat awkward. As Shioana hesitated, Count Noah quickly stepped forward.
"Shioana has brought a gift of Regbell's specialty berry wine for your aunt's recovery."
As Shioana gestured, Martha, who had followed in, placed the gift package on a nearby table.
"It contains medicinal herbs, so it is quite effective if you drink it when you have a cold."
However, no maid or caregiver to attend to Madame Veil was in sight. Noticing the puzzled look, Count Noah spoke gloomily.
"The thing is, a severe epidemic broke out in Highbell, so they couldn't find a caregiver for my aunt."
"...Ah."
When she arrived, smiles were everywhere on the faces of the people she saw on the street, so she couldn't have guessed that such a thing had happened.
"There is no need to worry. The staff takes good care of Auntie from time to time."
Just then, Mrs. Veil, who was trying to get up, coughed violently.
“Cough, cough.”
Her hands trembled as if she didn't even have the strength to hold a handkerchief, but Count Noah just stood there blankly, filled with worry. Frustrated, Shioana approached the bedside and quickly handed her a handkerchief, at which point the wrinkled old lady showed a faint smile.
"Thank you. I think I should get some rest now."
***
Shioana, who had come to the drawing room, remained immersed in an uneasy feeling.
'I felt like she was going to die soon at that rate.'
She could tolerate anything else, but she absolutely detested the sight of someone dying. Recalling Madame Veil's pale complexion, Shioana shook her head with effort.
"Shioana, since you're here, I think it would be good to have your wedding dress fitted in advance."
The wedding was in the fall, so having a dress made in the spring was far too early. To say such a thing when his only other family member, his aunt, was so ill... Shioana frowned slightly at the Count's words.
"Do you know how much I want to take you as my wife as soon as possible?"
"...Ah."
Shioana, who was about to drink her tea that had cooled to a moderate temperature, was left speechless by the sudden confession. She had intended to express to Count Noah that she did not want to marry him this time, but it seemed impossible in this atmosphere.
"Since Aunt is sick right now..."
So, she bought time by using Madame Veil's illness as an excuse.
"You must be an angel sent down by Diana."
Perhaps interpreting Shioana's words slightly differently, Count Noah reacted strangely.
"Have you already accepted Aunt into your family?"
It was not that; she was simply concerned because Madam Veil was ill. As Shioana hesitated, gripping the handle of her teacup, he continued speaking, his blue eyes shining.
"Actually, a caregiver is scheduled to arrive in a week. If I may be presumptuous, could you look after Aunt in the meantime? I have urgent business to attend to in the capital. If it weren't for something important, I wouldn't leave the house at a time like this..."
Shioana was speechless at the unexpected request.
She thought it was okay that she came without even saying goodbye to Etienne, since she would be returning soon. However, if she stayed here for another week, things might go awry.
'I want to meet Etienne right now.'
However, she couldn't let anyone find out how she felt right now.
'It's only a week, so I can endure it.'
Shioana lightly nodded as she put down the teacup.
A week had passed in the blink of an eye since Count Noah left for the capital, but he had not returned. There wasn't even a single letter, so Madame Veil was extremely worried.
It wasn't as if the mansion was empty, so there was no problem even if she returned to Regbell. However, the problem was that Marilyn Vale, whose nerves were severely weakened, kept looking only for Shioana.
"Shioana, our poor Pierre hasn't had an accident, has he? I raised that little one with such care."
As if she had contracted tuberculosis, Marilyn coughed violently and occasionally coughed up blood. Shioana’s heart ached, unable to leave such a sick old woman behind. Fifteen days passed, and a month went by.
'To think you are staying by Madame Veil's side. I am so proud of you.'
That was all the letters she had received from Eli so far.
There was still no contact from Count Noah, and every day Shioana thought of Etienne, whom she had left behind in Regbell.
***
Elizabeth, having held a lonely and shabby wedding without a single guest, arrived at an old two-story building in Highbell instead of going on a honeymoon.
"Get off, Elizabeth."
Eli, who had become strangely cold since the declaration of marriage, grabbed her hand and pulled her along. He was adamant even though she was about to trip over the long wedding dress. When Elizabeth's maid tried to reach out her hand, Eli gave her a cold look.
"You stay in the carriage until called."
“Ah, lady.”
A surprised Lily called out to Elizabeth, and Eli gave a wry smile.
"You should call her Madam Evgenia, not Miss, from now on."
The place they came up to, roughly holding hands, was the room where Elizabeth used to wait for Eli with a pounding heart.
"Elizabeth, why don't you take off that cumbersome outfit?"
Eli, leaning against the window, spoke to her with a smiling face. However, Elizabeth noticed that his eyes were not smiling at all.
“Eli, you..."
He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at her worried face.
"What's the problem? You got married, just as you wanted, and if you want me, I'm right here for you."
Eli threw off his jacket and vest at the same time. The pocket watch fell to the floor with a loud noise from his rough hands. Eli, who had gulped down the alcohol brought by the servant, slowly approached the bed.
"Elizabeth, I think you should have a drink too."
"I... I'm fine."
"Why haven't you been able to break free from the Marquis's teachings yet? Even though he is the kind of father who doesn't even attend his daughter's wedding?"
"...Oh my goodness! Don't insult my father."
Startled, Elizabeth spoke in a trembling voice without even blinking. She could not believe that such words were coming from the mouth of the affectionate and kind Eli.
"Why not? Am I not legally your husband now? Elizabeth, has your love cooled in the meantime?"
As he threw off his shirt and crawled onto the bed, Elizabeth was seized with fear.
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