Chapter 15 – A Tender Lie

“Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

“Sister…”

Eloise involuntarily let her words trail off.

It was understandable, as Sarah, who was looking at her, was also trembling.

Various thoughts flashed through her mind.

Did Mother hint at something? Or was she upset because I’ve been noticeably avoiding her lately?

Or could it be that she already knew the whereabouts of my heart? Just as I had come to know her heart, maybe she too…

Just thinking about it made her heart sink, but whatever it was, it was true that she had something to say. Something that should no longer be delayed.

“Yes.”

Eloise answered in a small voice, gazing up at her sister.

Sarah then placed the candle she was holding on the bedside table and came to sit by her younger sister’s side.

Soft and warm hands gently caressed Eloise’s cheek and then quietly covered the back of her hand.

“It feels strange. It feels like it’s been a long time since I held your hand. I used to hold it several times a day. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

“It makes me sad to think that there will come days when I want to hold this hand but can’t. That we won’t be able to sleep in the same room anymore.”

But sister, you’re not going far. If we want, we can meet anytime. Because I’ll be here.

She wanted to answer that way, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

It was rare for Sarah to talk like this, and it made her feel affectionate… but now she really had to say it.

“…Sister, I’m going to the capital.”

“The capital?”

The clear, lake-like eyes in Sarah’s face widened.

Her pale lips still held a gentle smile. Likely thinking it was just some silly joke or whim.

“I’ve already told Mother, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you…”

“…”

Sarah, who had been silently gazing into Eloise’s eyes, responded, 

“Eloise, you’re serious about this.”

“Yes. It was too sudden, wasn’t it?”

Sarah didn’t ask how she would get to the capital or how she would live there. She simply asked this.

“When were you planning to leave?”

“The day after tomorrow. I’ll take the stagecoach from Longfield in the morning. I’ve arranged to stay with a relative and will find work. But I don’t plan to stay long. This is just…”

“You don’t have to explain it so earnestly, Elsie. I’ve been worried lately because you’ve seemed so listless, but I’m glad you’ve found a solution.”

Sarah smiled faintly. 

Seeing that smile made Eloise’s fingertips tingle. She felt like a child who had stolen candy, filled with a restless unease.

“I’m sorry I won’t be able to be with you until your wedding.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. As your sister, I should have been there for you… I feel ashamed that all the family’s attention has been on my wedding.”

“Well…”

Eloise found herself at a loss for words.

After all, marriage is one of the most important events in a woman’s life. So it was only natural. Seeing her sister apologizing for things like complaining about boredom or missing her childhood, Eloise’s eyes started to sting.

“Oh my, are you crying?”

Eloise shook her head vigorously and instead wrapped her arms tightly around Sarah’s slender neck.

A mix of affection and guilt for her sister seemed to hang over her like a dark cloud. It felt like it could start raining in her heart at any moment.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be alright.” 

Sarah whispered softly. Eloise had always been so lively and brave, so the news of her going to the capital alone wasn’t entirely surprising.

Though she was worried, she knew her sister would do well wherever she went.

Eloise, who was now half a head taller than her sister, was still patted gently on the back by Sarah, just like when they were children.

For Sarah, Eloise would always be her little Elsie.

So the two remained silent for a while.

At that moment, Sarah paused in gently patting Eloise’s back and instead rested her face against Eloise’s neck. Her voice was unusually faint.

“You’ll still come to the wedding, won’t you?”

“…”

No. Even if I wanted to, I won’t go. I can’t ruin your happiness.

“Yes. Of course, I will.”

Eloise answered in a kind voice. But she planned to send a letter saying she had fallen ill on the wedding day.

She couldn’t bless them with a happy face at the wedding, which was less than a month away.

‘It’s sad that I can’t be there for my sister’s important moment…’

But no matter how much she thought about it, not going was still the right decision.

She couldn’t leave a stain on her sister’s most special day, a day that would be a cherished memory.

Even as she thought that, Sarah’s voice lingered in her mind, so Eloise quickly added.

“You know I’m not planning to live in the capital forever, right? I’m just going to get some fresh air. I won’t stay long anyway.”

“Why do you think that? You’ll do well wherever you are.”

Really, it wouldn’t be strange if Sarah were her mother instead of her sister.

Though they were only two years apart, Sarah was so mature.

Sarah’s kindness always made Eloise feel like a child who wanted to be spoiled.

“One day, I might come back crying, saying I shouldn’t have gone, and cling to you. And I’ll visit you often until you get tired of me. So, Sally, you better be prepared.”

Eloise could feel Sarah smiling silently as she hugged her tightly.

“That’s always welcome.”

Sarah gently pulled away and looked at her sister’s face.

She softly brushed Eloise’s cheek with her thumb and carefully tidied the honey-colored hair that had escaped from under her nightcap. Eloise then spoke.

“I love you so much, sister.”

“I love you too, my little Elsie.”

“You’ll be the most loved wife, but I can proudly say I love you more than anyone else.”

Eloise spoke clearly, as if making a vow. It sounded like she was talking to herself.

Sarah laughed softly like a gentle breeze. Her star-like eyes were filled with tender emotions.

“Shall we sleep together tonight like we used to when we were little?”

It was a soft question.

The bed was too small for the two grown sisters to lie side by side, but Eloise smiled brightly as if she had been waiting for this.

“Yes. I want to sleep hugging you.”

* * *

Time flowed like a river, and before long, the morning of Eloise’s departure had arrived.

While the sudden mention of it had caused some concern, fortunately, she did not face any opposition from her family.

‘I thought it would be difficult to convince Mother, but not even Father or Sarah objected.’

Eloise realized anew that she had become an adult.

Of course, it helped that Uncle Simon was a very reliable person and that the family was preoccupied with her sister’s wedding.

“Oh, dear! Is that all your luggage?”

“Yes, ma’am. I don’t plan to stay for long.”

Eloise gave an awkward smile.

Since organizing her thoughts wasn’t something that could be done overnight, she didn’t think she would return soon.

Unable to explain her circumstances honestly, she packed lightly.

Mrs. Hearst, who had been silently gazing at the seemingly more mature Eloise, whose abundant chestnut hair was neatly braided, suddenly placed a hand on her chest and said:

“It saddens me that I won’t see you and your sister coming down the stairs together in the morning anymore.”

“Oh…”

Eloise, who was about to tell the habitual lie that she would be back soon, froze.

She realized that Bailey’s eldest daughter’s wedding was fast approaching.

Once her sister left the house with her marriage, even if Eloise returned, the same scene would never be seen again.

Though it was delightful to think they would all live together in the palace-like Fairmont House, it wasn’t entirely joyful because they had to leave behind the memories embedded in this old two-story house.

Time always moves forward, and life must go on.

Knowing this, Eloise thought it was ironic that sometimes she felt sad that she couldn’t stay in the same place.

“Hello. I’ve come to pick up Eloise.”

A young man’s voice came from outside the wide-open front door.

It was Archibald, the servant from the Earl’s estate, who had agreed to take Eloise to the stagecoach bound for the capital.

“Archie is here. I really have to go now…”

At those words, Mrs. Bailey held her daughter’s hand a little tighter.

Dressed in a dark blue dress with no decorations and a matching hat, Eloise looked every bit the lady.

“Let go of me, Mom. I need to carry my luggage.”

“Just one more hug, Elsie.”

As the lady forcefully embraced Eloise, Mr. Bailey, standing nearby, burst into a heartbreaking cry.

“Oh, our Elsie…!”

Eloise, with tears hanging at the corners of her eyes, couldn’t help but laugh.

Given that he was more sensitive than the women in the house, it wasn’t surprising.

While Mrs. Bailey handed Eloise over to the profusely weeping Mr. Bailey, she muttered questioningly:

“By the way, why isn’t Sarah coming down? Is your sister still sleeping?”

“No way. She’s the one who woke me up…”

Eloise, now with a pensive expression, turned towards the anxious-looking Archibald and said.

“It’s alright. We already said our goodbyes in the room. I have to go now so I don’t miss the carriage. I’ll send a letter as soon as I arrive…”

“…Eloise!”

At that moment, a loud shout and the sound of someone running down the stairs were heard.

The family’s faces all showed surprise at the uncharacteristic behavior of the usually composed Bailey.