Chapter 4 – Part 19

“What’s wrong with you?”

As soon as they reached the second floor, Eve spoke to Emily.

“Why ask such a question when Mother seems to be in a good mood these days?”

Whether it was the wrong question or not, Emily, who acknowledged that it was a question that touched on Marie’s emotions, did not respond.

“Why are you acting like a child? Conflicts in the family happen from time to time, don’t they?”

Eve, who thought it was a sign of remorse, pressed on.

“Just live pretending you don’t know, like you’ve done so far. Why are you trying to intervene? You want to be a good person all of a sudden?”

“….A good person?”

“You’ve been living well so far. Are you suddenly feeling guilty and want to repent now?”

But Eve clicked her tongue and went into the room.

Unexpectedly hearing complaints from an unexpected place, Emily stood there alone.

***

Life in Zenfield was peaceful and monotonous.

On days when Ruby wouldn’t have lessons with the children, she would have private lessons with Aaron, and on days without, she would help Dominic with simple household chores. They would occasionally make winter clothes or scarves, and some days were spent picking flowers to dry for tea.

Once every few months, Ruby rents a carriage by herself and goes out alone.

On the day she went to Capel, Ruby woke up early and took a carriage.

The carriage Ruby rode stopped in front of a cafe in Capel.

The first floor was like any other café, with an open space. However, there was a separate space on the second floor designed for private and discreet conversations.

Compared to the first floor, it was a more expensive place.

“Welcome, madam. Your party has arrived in advance.”

The manager, who recognized Ruby as a regular visitor, guided her to the second floor.

As Ruby entered, the group already present quickly stood up from their seats.

“Have you been waiting long? I apologize.”

“No, we just arrived.”

“I appreciate your efforts in coming here every time, Sorvan.”

Ruby apologized with a grateful expression, and Sorvan gestured for her to sit. Then, he requested the tea they had pre-ordered from the manager.

“Don’t worry about it. Visiting here regularly is not a bother. Meeting Ruby is one of the few joys in my life.”

Sorvan pulled out Ruby’s chair. As soon as he sat on the opposite side, the manager brought the tea to the table and left.

“Is there anything inconvenient? Please feel free to tell me if you need anything. I want to do it for you.”

“Thank you for finding me a good house. I’ve already received a lot of help.”

“My help is minor compared to what Ruby has done.”

Sorvan’s consistent response made Ruby smile.

“By any chance, if you’re curious about the news in the capital, feel free to ask. I can tell you every time I come by, or I can get you a newspaper.”

However, Ruby shook her head.

“I prefer not to know the news, and the days pass quickly in Zenfield. Cleaning and teaching make the days go by quickly.”

Ruby’s face, taking a sip of tea, looked genuinely relaxed. It seemed as if her worries had disappeared.

“That’s fortunate, then.”

Only then did Sorvan take a sip of his tea.

“But why did you leave? Can you tell me?”

It was a question he had wanted to ask all along.

“To wish for happiness.”

It was a vague answer about who she wished happiness for.

“I hope Ruby’s wishes come true.”

Although Sorvan didn’t know who Ruby’s wishes were directed toward, he agreed with what her words meant.

Even if the happiness she wished for wasn’t directed towards herself, at least for now, she seemed comfortable in front of him.

That was enough to comfort him.

* * *

As Ruby rode the carriage back to Zenfield, she remembered Sorvan, who had come to find her.

Although she had decided to leave Devens without anyone knowing, she was uncertain about how to find a house or where to go. So she decided to go wherever her feet took her, making it impossible to pinpoint a specific area. She even considered hiring a carriage to avoid drawing attention. It was a reckless and impulsive plan.

In the midst of her confusion, Dominic brought her a letter from Sorvan.

The expression “letter” was somewhat grandiose; it was a small note.

Later, with Dominic’s help, she was able to leave the mansion temporarily and have a conversation with Sorvan.

“Sorvan, how did you find me here?”

“I came to meet you. I have something important to say.”

He didn’t come with his usual flashy attire.

“Ruby, if you want to leave Maquis Grit, I can help you.”

“What do you mean?”

Although Ruby had been preparing to leave, Sorvan’s offer, without any further explanation, sounded suspicious.

Ruby unconsciously took a step back.

“I don’t mean leaving together.”

Sorvan quickly clarified.

“Then… what?”

“If you’re too scared to leave because you don’t know how or where to go, I can help.”

“Sorvan… Why?”

“I just hope for you to be happy.”

“….”

“It’s not for anyone else but you. If you know what Marquis Grit is doing while you’re here…”

He abruptly closed his mouth, refraining from mentioning anything about Eli.

“Bringing a woman into a mansion?”

Ruby, who already knew, asked.

“Did you know?”

With his reaction, Ruby answered with a faint smile.

“I don’t know Lord Grit well. He claims it’s for your sake, but I’m not sure if it’s genuinely for your benefit. That’s why I came to ask you directly.”

Not knowing what the expression meant, Sorvan brought up what he thought first.

“Are you truly happy continuing to stay at his place? Don’t you have anything you want to do? If you wish, I can help, even financially.”

When Ruby stared at him intently, Sorvan playfully answered, “I have plenty of money,” just like the first time they met.

If it were the usual Ruby, she might have laughed along with Sorvan’s joke. However, given the circumstances, she couldn’t bring herself to smile. Instead, she pondered his proposal.

“There is no need for financial help. Can you help me find a house instead? It would be better if it’s a place where nobody can easily find me.”

Not knowing when she would meet Sorvan again or whether it would be safe to do so, Ruby quickly made up her mind.

“A place where people don’t know…?”

After briefly contemplating her words, Sorvan responded without further delay.

“That’s my specialty. I have a place in mind. The rest, I’ll discuss through the maid.”

Later on, Ruby found out that she had secured a mansion in Zenfield, a small village at the edge of the Luben Empire, which she had never heard of before.

She could only speculate that Sorvan, before becoming a noble, had some connections due to his past as a merchant. Whatever the reason, thanks to Sorvan, Ruby could leave Deven’s as she desired.

***

“Did you call for me, my lady?”

Damon entered Marie’s sitting room.

“I’m planning to debut Eve and Emily in the social scene.”

Marie uttered these words and took a sip of her tea.

“I’ll inquire with the master.”

Damon quickly understood, knowing that Marie still hadn’t fully accepted her position of needing explicit permission from Eli.

“Now is the best time for useless rumors to disappear.”

“… … .”

“You can’t ruin your sisters’ future, can you?”

Knowing that Damon would understand on his own, Marie asked as if Eli were in front of her.

“…I’ll tell him.”

Damon greeted him and left the drawing room.

When Marie heard the faint sound of the carriage as he stepped out, she slightly removed the curtain with her fingertips and looked out the window.

Eli’s secretary, Leton, was seen getting out of the carriage. With only Leton off, the coachman headed to the carriage storage.

That meant Eli didn’t come to the mansion again today.

Eli’s once-vibrant activities, organizing parties and spreading rumors, had diminished since a year ago. After focusing on searching for his wife, he refrained from going to the mansion, the Grit mansion, or even the Shuban mansion.

Marie was relieved not to see him, but she still wondered if he was up to some strange antics outside. A nervous twitch in her hand, recalling those days, led her to reluctantly lower the curtain.