Chapter 16 –  I Will Wait

Sarah’s flushed face, panting heavily, was quite unfamiliar.

Even when embarrassed or rarely angry, her cheeks would only blush a faint color.

Sarah, who had come close, handed a small velvet bundle to Eloise.

“Eloise, have a safe trip. Be careful…”

The faces of those watching the sisters showed puzzled expressions, but only Eloise knew well what was inside.

Her straight, honey-colored eyebrows drooped weakly.

“No, sister. I can’t accept this.”

“You’ll need it. So please take it.”

“……”

Her heart felt like it was about to burst, as if she had tripped over a stone.

But unable to turn away from her beloved sister’s feelings, Eloise hesitated before finally accepting the small bundle.

Her hands trembled as she took it.

Seeing Archibald standing at the door, Sarah quietly nodded to him, and he spoke with a regretful tone.

“Miss Bailey, I’m sorry, but we’ll be in trouble if we miss the carriage. The next one won’t be for a while…”

“Yes, I understand.”

Sarah answered kindly and looked around at her family.

Her parents, the housekeeper, the cook, and the coachman. All of Bailey’s simple and kind people had red-rimmed eyes.

Their teary eyes were telling her that it was now her turn.

With a tender smile, Sarah hugged her precious sister tightly.

In her sister’s fragrant embrace, Eloise whispered.

“Take care, Sally.”

A two-wheeled carriage pulled by a single horse hurriedly ran along the path through the grass.

As Eloise watched Archibald skillfully drive the carriage, she spoke.

“Thank you for seeing me off, Archie.”

“Thank the Earl. He generously lent us the horse and carriage.”

“…”

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m just doing what I should.”

The carriage carrying the two of them soon entered a path lined with tall trees on both sides. The fresh scent of the trees was strong.

“I should be the one to thank you, Elsie. Thank you for letting me know you’re going to the capital.”

“You’re my friend.”

There were quite a few people from Maybury, Longfield, and Fairmont House who met at church every week and exchanged greetings.

But Archibald was the only one Eloise had told about going to the capital.

She decided to keep quiet to avoid unnecessary gossip amidst the ongoing talk about the Earl’s grandson’s wedding in the village, but she felt bad about leaving him alone.

With Ansel and Sarah becoming a couple, and herself leaving for the capital, there would be no one left to share silly old stories with occasionally.

“And it’s not a big deal. I won’t be staying long anyway.”

Saying that, Eloise closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh forest air.

“Are you leaving because of the young master and Miss Bailey’s wedding?”

“……”

“You’re not thinking of skipping the wedding, are you?”

At the serious voice, Eloise opened her closed eyes. In the shade, two wall-like eyes shone with a hazy color.

“How could I? I’ll leave home eventually anyway. It’s just happening a bit sooner.”

“Then you’ll be back before the wedding?”

It was a question with an underlying assumption that she wouldn’t return.

“Of course, Archie. How long could I stay in the capital alone?”

“I’m worried.”

A breeze filled with the scent of the forest blew in. Archibald’s brick-colored hair fluttered lightly.

“If I weren’t a servant at the mansion, I would have gone with you.”

“……What? Look ahead, Archibald!”

As she flustered with a startled voice, her long-time friend quickly turned his gaze forward.

Phew, with a sigh of relief, Eloise covered her flushed face with her gloved hand.

“Why would you follow me that far?”

The veins on the back of Archibald’s hand holding the reins bulged. His voice that followed was strangely subdued.

“Because we’re friends.”

“Friends don’t go that far.”

Though she scolded him, Eloise suddenly thought.

Is he lonely? Even if he has colleagues, I’m probably his only friend. 

Thinking that way made her feel somewhat guilty.

“Thank you, anyway.”

“…….”

After that, there was no further conversation.

Though Eloise usually felt comfortable without speaking when with Archibald, it was the first time his presence beside her felt so awkward.

It was a relief that the sound of the wind rustling the trees and the horse’s hooves filled the silence.

It was also fortunate that the Earl’s horse brought them to the stagecoach stop earlier than expected.

Of course, the silence after getting off the carriage was something they had to endure.

“…Ah! It’s coming.”

Eloise, who had been sitting under the shade of a tree, stood up. Archibald also stood up and dusted off his clothes.

The stagecoach stopped a bit past them.

A tired-looking man, presumably the coachman, got off.

“Are you the two heading to Brightnum?”

“No, it’s just me.”

“I see, one lady.”

Eloise took money from her handbag and handed it to the coachman.

She knew there was money in the bundle Sarah had given her, but she didn’t reach for it.

She couldn’t spend her sister’s carefully saved emergency fund right away.

While Eloise paid, Archibald silently waited, holding her luggage.

“We’re departing!”

At the driver’s shout, the coachman reached out his hand, urging her to board.

“Aren’t you getting on?”

“Sorry, I’m getting on now.”

As Eloise reached for his hand, Archibald handed over her luggage. While the man loaded the bag, Archibald approached.

“Take my hand, Elsie.”

“Thank you.”

Her gloved hand gently rested on his rough, tanned palm.

Though they were still friends, it felt strange that their hands, once similar, had changed so much.

She realized it had been a long time since they last held hands.

As children, it was nothing to hold hands and walk.

What does it mean for time to pass, what does it mean to be ladylike… 

As her thoughts reached that point, Eloise felt a bit dizzy.

“Archie, now…”

But Archibald didn’t let go of her hand. It was an awkward situation. The carriage wouldn’t leave until she sat down…

Hearing the passengers behind her start to murmur, she began to sweat nervously.

Her confused gaze met her old friend’s face.

“…Why are you doing this? Let go.”

Archibald’s face, looking down at her, was slightly flushed.

His sun-kissed face was as usual, but it felt oddly unfamiliar.

‘Ah, surely not long ago…’

Wasn’t it the same eyes that made my heart sink when he asked if I liked the young master?

“Eloise, you’ll come back, right?”

At that moment, Archibald asked. Behind him, the coachman stood with folded arms.

Eloise twisted her hand, trying to free it, and answered.

“Of course! How could I not come back with my family here?”

“…”

“Archibald, let go of my hand.”

“Alright.”

Finally, her gripped hand was freed.

The warmth of his hand left a slight chill where it had been.

“Alright, let’s go!”

As the coachman jumped onto the carriage, Eloise stumbled slightly.

When the coachman reached out to close the door, Eloise hurriedly shouted.

“Goodbye, Archie! Thank you!”

I’ll wait. He mouthed through the closing door.

Just as Eloise was about to respond, bang, the door shut.

“……”

The stagecoach, which could hold at least twelve people, had only an elderly couple and two young men as passengers, leaving many empty seats.

Though more passengers would likely board as they got closer to Brightnum, it was a relief that the ride wouldn’t be uncomfortable for now.

The musty smell in the coach was unfortunate, though…

“Sorry.”

Eloise awkwardly apologized to the passengers and took a seat in the back corner.

The passengers glanced at the young woman traveling alone to the capital, then quickly lost interest and closed their eyes to sleep.

As the coach began to move, Eloise felt a bit queasy.

She couldn’t believe she was on a coach to the capital, not for worship or an outing, but for real.

And with strangers whose names she didn’t even know…

At that moment, she heard the rustling of what seemed to be a map and the voices of the men.

“It’ll take more than a day and a half, right? The next stop is…”

“Stop exaggerating. Anyone would think you’ve never been to the capital.”

Eloise, startled by the words, held her breath with wide eyes.

She was certainly aware that the distance from Maybury to the capital was quite far, but now that it had become a reality before her eyes, it felt overwhelmingly distant.

She had pretended to be indifferent to persuade her family, but Eloise, who had never left her family’s side, felt a late fear in the swaying coach.

Can I do this? Was I too reckless?

Though known as the brave Eloise at home, she was just a 22-year-old country woman.

With a fragile heart like a glass bead and little knowledge of the world.

 She had never imagined herself suddenly leaving for the kingdom’s capital.

Everything started with that proposal. So she couldn’t help but think of him again.

“Ha…”

Looking at the familiar scenery fading through the small window, Eloise sighed deeply, thinking of him again.

‘Don’t think about it. I’m leaving to forget him.’

Eloise tightly gripped her dark blue dress. As if making a vow, she repeated to herself.

It’s okay. I’m going to a big, dazzling, unknown world unlike anything before. So once I reach the capital, I won’t have time to think about you.

Once my heart settles, I’ll return to my family with confidence. I’ll live happily, even with you nearby.

As she thought that far, the tension eased, and fatigue set in.

She hadn’t slept well, worrying all night.

“It’ll be alright…”

Eloise whispered faintly like mist, sinking into the seat and closing her eyes.