53.
Ercella stared blankly at the empty seat. She then looked at the table. Nothing had changed on it. The freshly baked scones still smelled fragrant, the tea in the cup was steaming, and the dried plums on the plate looked delicious.
The only thing that had changed was the empty seat in front of her. She sat in place for a while. Lianne, who couldn’t bear to watch, approached her. “Madam…”
“Lianne.”
“Yes?”
Ercella asked the maid, hesitating, “When is the knight exam?”
“I think it’s two weeks before the eve of Helios.”
“In winter.” It was a strangely calm voice.
“Yes, around the end of winter.”
“Okay.”
“Um… How about going inside? It’s cold here, you might catch a cold.”
In fact, it was warm rather than cold, but she just wanted to get Ercella inside first. At Lianne’s words, Ercella nodded and stood up, “Yes, it’s cold.”
Ercella walked ahead with Lianne quietly following her. Lianne glanced at her frequently, checking the look in her eyes.
“Would you like a warm bath?”
“I guess.”
“I’ll get it ready.”
Lianne sent Ercella to her bedroom and immediately went to prepare for a bath. After completing the preparations, Lianne attended Ercella. Ercella soaked herself in the warm water, relaxed her body, and held her chin.
“How’s the temperature?”
“Appropriate.”
“I’ll add…some more roses.”
Suddenly, seeing the scarlet marks all over her white body, embarrassed, Lianne poured rose petals into the bathtub. Ercella smiled dryly when she saw that. Lianne’s face stiffened with a wooden smile.
“Aren’t you going to get married?”
“Ma-married?” The sudden question made Lianne stutter.
“For some reason, Lianne, I feel like you’ll be next to me until I die.”
“No way.” Lianne narrowed her eyes and lengthened her words.
Ercella smiled at her again, “Are you seeing a man?”
“Oh, Madam, you know that’s a very rude question to ask.”
“If you aren’t, should I introduce you to one?”
“Are you firing me?”
“I’ll find you a good guy.”
“Oh, I’m slightly tempted.”
“Only slightly? I’ll give you gifts, jewelry, a wedding dress, a house, and dowry.”
Lianne opened her mouth wide in surprise at the luxury Ercella was offering.
Ercella’s look showed that it was a natural thing. “How long have you been with me, I can’t just let you go.”
“Madam, of course I’d—”
“I’m worried. Beth got married, but you didn’t. Later on, when I die, you’ll be all alone.”
“…”
“I don’t want that.”
“Why…” Lianne’s lips quivered, “Why do you keep saying you’re going to die?”
At Lianne’s trembling voice, Ercella unknowingly lowered the hand holding her chin. “I didn’t say I was going to die.”
“’If I die, when I die.’ You keep saying you’re going to die…”
“A-are you crying?”
“I…” Lianne’s eyes were wet with tears.
Ercella quickly reached out and wiped away Lianne’s tears.
“What are you crying about? And I never said I’m dying.”
“That’s what I heard.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It does if that’s what it sounds like.”
She’s as sassy even when crying. Ercella grumbled that she’d stayed with her for too long and pressed down on Lianne’s eyes. “Why would you think that? And I really didn’t mean that. Anyway, please stop crying.”
“Madam keeps rubbing them with wet hands. Stop it, please. My eyes are hurting.”
At Lianne’s words, Ercella stopped.
“…Why didn’t you tell me, if you had stopped?”
As soon as Ercella’s hand moved away, Lianne wiped her face with both hands. She whined a lot, “What’s this? It’s all wet.”
“Wipe… I was trying to wipe it.”
“My clothes are all wet.”
“…”
When Ercella saw Lianne’s clothes, she had nothing to say. When she reached out to wipe off her tears, some water splashed on Lianne’s clothes.
“You ripped my clothes like that in the morning.”
“I didn’t… Let’s not talk.” Ercella gave up. It was a lost battle anyway, so she decided to rather give up.
“So, when are you getting married?”
“Why are you so obsessed with my marriage?” Lianne narrowed her eyes, as if suspicious.
“Obsessed…” Ercella murmured, immersing herself deeper in the bathtub.
“No reason. You can’t follow me forever. You should be happy by marrying a good man.”
“…”
“You’ll have your own family. Don’t you like it?”
Lianne pouted, “I don’t know. Do you like it?”
Ercella laughed, “Of course.”
She felt Lianne’s answer was strangely late.
“…But I don’t have a man to marry, and I’m 26 years old now… It’s late for me,” as if lamenting, Lianne evasively passed it over.
“Don’t worry about that and tell me if you like someone. I’ll marry you off unconditionally.”
“I feel reassured.”
“Look at you! I’m serious.”
Lianne didn’t seem to believe her.
“Anyway, get married as soon as you can.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll take care of my marriage, so you don’t have to worry.”
Ercella felt frustrated at her obstinate attitude. It was all the more so because she didn’t know what would happen to Lianne after her death.
Did Harsen let her stay in Bernhardt? Or was she sent back to Visaride? It’d be a relief if it’s one of the two, but if it isn’t either…
Ercella wanted Lianne to be happy. It’s late at 26, but she’s still in her prime. She didn’t want Lianne to spend that time devoting herself to her.
When she sees Lianne, she’s reminded of that time.
‘Madam, there are a lot of hydrangeas that you like outside. I wanted to pluck some, but the gardener said if I wait a little longer, they’ll be in full bloom. They’ll look splendid. The weather is especially warm this summer, so they’ll bloom more beautifully than last year. Aren’t you curious? But what to do when the gardener says that? You’ll have to wait a little longer. Can you wait?’
Lianne kept telling her to wait, but she couldn’t see the hydrangeas from her story.
‘You just have to wait a little longer. So please…’
She realized that her tears were about to fall. The hydrangeas she waited for had long since bloomed. It was a lie she told to keep her breath connected. And I found out that I wasn’t actually waiting for hydrangeas.
She knowingly kept her mouth shut and pretended to wait for the hydrangeas she would never see. Lianne must’ve known that, too.
Like that, they each deceived the other and endured the time that was about to come. Even with less than a handful of hope left, the story that Lianne told seemed like a beautiful fairy tale.
“Madam?”
The reddish-brown eyes blinked once at Ercella. Tears felt like they were stuck in her throat. Ercella closed her eyes and pleaded with Lianne, “They weren’t empty words. Be sure to tell me when you want to get married.”
I’ll spare nothing for Lianne.
* * *
Early in the morning, a letter arrived from the marquisate.
[Dear Ercella,
To my sister who must’ve been anxious from waiting for the news that arrived late.
First of all, forgive me for sending you a letter only now. I’ve been a little occupied. That doesn’t mean I ignored your request. The person suitable for your request is in Garrid at the moment. He shall visit Bernhardt in a week, so please wait a bit longer. You’ll be pleased to see him, so you can look forward to it.
From your loving brother.]
A fortnight had passed since she visited the marquisate. She was wondering why Caron was taking so long, but it seemed that the errand runner was in Garrid. It was understandable because it was relatively far from the capital. But…
[You’ll be pleased to see him, so you can look forward to it.]
‘Someone I’ll be pleased to meet?’
Who is it? Is it a friend of the marquis from before his marriage? Ercella tried to guess, but soon quit because there were many such people. And it didn’t matter who it was because anyone close to him would be nice.
She sat in front of the dressing table, feeling a little excited. Looking at Ercella’s smiling face, Lianne brushed her hair. “Is it the Marquis?”
“Yes. The person my brother sent is supposed to arrive in a week. Tell that to Clifton.”
“I understand.”
“Tell him to serve him well.”
“How could the butler neglect the Marquis’ precious guests? You can let go of your worries.”
“That’s true.”
Certainly, Clifton would serve his guests with all sincerity. Ercella was relieved and recalled the letter she received from Countess Zardea the other day.
“They didn’t forget that Count Zardea’s Young Lady is coming here in three days, right?”
“Of course. The butler and maids all know.”
“Good.”
Perhaps because of Lianne’s gentle touch, Ercella yawned slightly.
Lianne giggled, “Madam, at this rate you’ll doze off in front of the Baroness.”
“Geez, just imagining it is a pain.”
She glanced at Lianne in the mirror, despite that, Lianne did not hide her playful smile.
“Is the work difficult?”
It’s been two weeks since Ercella learned how to manage the duchy’s internal affairs with the Baroness’s help. It was things the duchess deserved to do, but also things she had never done before.
“…It’s doable,” Ercella replied coyly..
“I heard that the Madam seemed to be confused. And that you leave the office often sighing.”
“What? How do you know that?!”
When Ercella jerked her neck around to look at Lianne, Lianne responded naturally, “Someone passing by told me.”
“Who?”
“Oh, dear. Of course it’s a secret. How can I snitch on them with my own mouth? And your hair was almost done… Now, I’ll have to start all over again.”
At Lianne’s smug expression, Ercella silently turned her head back. Lianne began doing her hair again.
“Madam… It’s creepy if you keep staring at me like that through the mirror. And it’s natural that you can’t do it on the first try. How can a person excel in a single try?”
“I just want to do well.”
“You’re doing well starting over like this.”
“Come on…”
Despite her shrill voice, Lianne smiled, “What’s the problem? I heard the Baroness teaches you well. So, if you follow her lead, my clever Madam, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
Obviously, she’s teasing her while pretending to cheer her up.
“Stop making fun of your mistress.”
“Yes, Madam,” Lianne replied in a light tone, but her playful expression remained the same, so Ercella sighed. Lianne seemed quite excited seeing Ercella being like that ever since she started learning work.
But she wasn’t so good at her job to be happy. Lianne said it’s natural that she’s unable to do it in just two weeks, and Ercella knew that as well, but she couldn’t help her impatient heart.
Whenever the Baroness smiled at her mistake, her impatience grew further. Baron Wendelman Contar said that the baroness was already busy, and I’m taking up more of her time…
‘I wish I had done it from the beginning.’
Ercella felt sorry for the Baroness for being in charge of her duties. She must be busy taking care of the Barony, but to manage the duchy on top…
“All the while, I was the only one so comfortable.”
“That’s right,” Lianne jokingly responded to Ercella’s lament. “But don’t worry too much. I heard the Baroness had no complaints.”
“But…”
“She was even given a fief. Isn’t that enough compensation?”
As Lianne said, the small, but never small for them, estate of Bernhardt that was given to Baron Contar, in exchange for the baroness’s management services, was quite the reward.
Lianne envied her, saying, “If it were me, I’d stay loyal to Bernhardt even if I had to burn myself.”
Looking at this, she could see why the vassals were so loyal to Harsen. While clearly dividing the work, he neither denies rewards nor punishes excessively.
She was amazed by him who had properly compromised with her situation for such a long time. Ercella was ashamed of herself. Looking back, he never avoided his responsibilities, doing his job silently. Was he born with the talent? He was indeed a man worthy of the position of monarch.
“Still, I feel awful for leaving my responsibilities.”
First of all, it’s true that she had forsaken her duties as the duchess regardless of the compensation, so she felt uncomfortable in her heart. Even more so when comparing herself to Harsen. Ercella vowed to fix the situation even now.
Lianne was slightly relieved when she saw her mistress, who seemed to be getting depressed any time now, look surprisingly fine. “You’ll do well.”
“I should,” even as she said so, Ercella’s confidence shrank. It would’ve been better if the Baroness scolded her, but she only showed a benevolent smile consistently, whether she did well or not. Ercella was even more puzzled because she didn’t know why the Baroness favored her.
“Well… Are you not eating with the Young Master today, too?”
It’s been 15 days since she ate with Vicente. They’d have dinner together with Harsen, otherwise, they’d eat separately.
Ercella smiled, “The knight exam is coming up soon. He’s been training for that day only, I shouldn’t ruin it for him. He’ll waste his time if he eats with me.”
Lianne bobbed her head without replying.
Next is the last chapter of this volume.
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