Chapter 69. At Least One Thing

Felix told me his story step by step. He had gone abroad for the family business and stayed there for a long time, but recently returned to Freuden. His younger sister got engaged to a foreign noble, he still plays the violin, but not as passionately as before…….

“I really liked your violin playing. Do you remember?”

“Yes……. I remember.”

“Your playing always felt like it was comforting my heart. If I ask to hear it again, will you play for me?”

“Of course.”

Felix smiled broadly. Although his smile was the same as before, throughout our conversation, I noticed that his personality had darkened somewhat compared to when he was younger.

Well, a lot of time has passed, and just as the mountains change, so do people. Nothing in the world remains unchanged in the face of time that never stops.

That fact made me feel a bit sad, but on the other hand, it was endearing. A life that is shaped and completed through the storms, like a rock being weathered.

“……Actually, the high-ranking Katarian noble who invested in the Marquisate of Philoan’s business. It was our Werner family that made the connection.”

“What……? Really?”

Surprised by the unexpected confession, I asked with wide eyes, and Felix gave a sheepish smile.

“Yes. It wasn’t reported in the media, but…….”

“I see……. The Werner family’s skills are impressive. I only knew from the article that a high-ranking Katarian noble invested in Marquis Philoan’s business.”

The Werner family, a gentry family, was steadily accumulating wealth through various businesses. They started with a small coffee house but had grown significantly, now focusing on an insurance company as their main enterprise.

“To be honest, Ellen, I was a bit surprised when you brought it up. Do you usually read such news?”

“Did you forget that my hobby is practically living in the library? You can read all sorts of newspapers and magazines for free there. It’s a habit I picked up.”

“I see. You still love reading, that’s just like you.”

Felix smiled faintly, and I smiled back. I suddenly realized that my friendship for him was still strong in my heart. There was at least one thing that time hadn’t touched. That realization was enough to fill me with emotion.

“Um……. By the way, how did you end up getting engaged to Grand Duke Bayern? I was wondering if there was a reason.”

Felix, who had been hesitating for a moment, cautiously asked. Was he also one of those who doubted the lie that Enoch and I fell in love at first sight?

It pained me to have to deceive my long-lost best friend, but I couldn’t be the one to break the contract first, so I gave the standard answer.

“His Highness the Grand Duke and I fell in love with each other.”

“……Really? You had a romance with His Highness the Grand Duke?”

“Yes.”

As I answered nonchalantly while sipping my tea, Felix’s expression became somewhat complicated. Soon, he spoke in a strangely subdued voice.

“I see……. That’s good, Ellen. If it’s Grand Duke Bayern, he will surely make you happy.”

Indeed. I smiled softly, thinking of my secret that no one else knew. Perhaps it was self-mockery. The future I ran away from and the price I paid for it.

Can I say I’m happy now? Comparatively, it seems so. What I told Enoch about not planning to live long was true. Half of it, probably.

The other half was buried in an unspoken concept.

“……Anyway, I’m just happy to see you again, Elle.”

Felix spoke as if he had given up. Or as if he were convincing himself. And I responded with genuine sincerity.

“I’m also very happy to see you again, Fel.”

We were still friends. Even though we were no longer the innocent boy dreaming of being a violinist and the peculiar girl who was always an outcast.

Felix and I left the drawing room and headed back to the garden party. A waiting servant of the Haywood family informed us, “The mistress is handling the situation,” and I responded with a nod.

Had it been about 35 minutes since I fell into the water? I wondered what Iris was doing, having run off about 15 minutes ago. She probably went back to her family.

“……Come to think of it, Ellen. That Lady Philoan…….”

Felix whispered to me as he walked close. I slowed my pace to listen to him. Although the Haywood family’s servant was nearby, it didn’t seem like he could hear us.

“……Is it okay not to worry about her? You seemed to push her quite hard…….”

“Ah…….”

Hmm……. Did I go too far? Now that I think about it…….

I naturally recalled what Enoch had said. He had told me that acting freely might change my thoughts. And he was right. Acting freely was much more refreshing than I had imagined.

But like earlier…… hmm, I should probably restrain myself in the future. I did seem quite crazy. It was fun, though.

“Don’t worry about Miss Philoan. She seemed genuinely scared of being accused of attempted m*rder…… She’ll probably just tell people that I seem out of my mind.”

“Hmm, I see…….”

His gaze seemed to ask if that was really okay, but I showed a relieved smile. I had always wanted to make Iris cry at least once. Considering I found such thoughts enjoyable, I was indeed the daughter of a wicked witch.

When we returned to the garden party from the guest annex, the atmosphere was a bit chaotic, but not too bad.

Of course, some people were still heatedly debating whether Miss Philoan had pushed Miss Lopez or not.

They fell silent when they saw me. It was evident they wanted to ask me what really happened, but they couldn’t muster the courage and just watched.

The person they were wary of wasn’t me but Enoch Bayern. This must be what having a powerful backer feels like……. I realized anew as Felix and I went to find Countess Haywood.

Just then, it seemed Countess Haywood had also spotted us and began approaching from the other side. I gave her a picture-perfect smile.

“Miss Lopez! Your hair is still damp…… Are you alright? Are you cold?”

When she reached us, Countess Haywood examined me carefully and asked worriedly. Although my hair was still a bit damp, it wasn’t cold enough to bother me. I smiled and answered nonchalantly.

“The weather is warm. I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t in a condition to enjoy the party, so…… it would be better to leave now. As I subtly conveyed my intention, Countess Haywood seemed a bit troubled and spoke.

“Well, actually…… Miss Lopez’s maid and knight insisted on informing His Highness the Grand Duke, so we had no choice but to send someone from our family to the Winter Palace. But it seems His Highness the Grand Duke isn’t at home, as they are delayed…….”

I blinked in surprise. So―

“You informed Enoch about what happened with Miss Philoan?”

“Yes……. It was a serious incident where Miss Lopez’s life was in danger……. Ah, Miss Philoan has returned home…….”

“…….”

This was…… a sign that the situation might become more serious than I thought. Not good.

‘If Enoch makes an issue of this…… it will depend on how Marquis Philoan reacts.’

As I pondered, rubbing my throbbing forehead, Felix gently patted my shoulder. His kindness felt like it melted away my worries. Even if they didn’t actually disappear.

“Come to think of it…….”

Countess Haywood, looking back and forth between us with curiosity she couldn’t hide, began to speak.

“How do you two know each other? I overheard earlier that you’re childhood friends…… Is that right?”

Just as I was about to smile and answer her question, a commotion spread through the party, and a servant of the Haywood family rushed over, bowing deeply.

“Madam, His Highness the Grand Duke Bayern has just arrived……!”

As soon as he finished speaking, I saw a black-clad figure approaching from a distance.

Today, he was dressed entirely in black, with only his cravat and cuff buttons in gold. ……No, on closer inspection, he had decorated his jacket lapel with the pin I had given him.

For some reason, that fact made my heart flutter. Before I could even process my body’s reaction, Enoch was already close, lifting one corner of his mouth in a crooked smile.

That smile, those eyes, I couldn’t look away, and it made me feel anxious to death.

“Ellen.”

He called my name in a low, calm voice. His strong-looking hand slowly reached out and grabbed a handful of my hair. His gentle, scolding words followed.

“Your hair is wet. And…….”

His gaze landed on my shoulder. Blinking in confusion, I realized I was still wearing Felix’s jacket. I had returned it to Felix before entering the powder room, but he had draped it over my shoulders again after Iris left and we were alone.

Enoch’s fingers lightly touched the collar of the jacket.

“Whose clothes are these?”