Chapter 20 – Eye

Feeling awkward about becoming a person who disturbed the lady’s work, Eloise headed to the kitchen behind the stairs, fidgeting with her hands.

However, just then, Eloise’s smooth brow crinkled in an instant.

“……Wait. Is this a meal?”

It was disheartening enough to have to eat alone, but what lay on the table was just a shriveled piece of bread, a single apple, some cold tea, and a little milk.

Of course, she didn’t expect the culinary skills of Chef Mitchell, who had been responsible for the family’s meals.

But still, wasn’t this a bit too meager?

‘She said not to expect a great meal, but this is a bit…’

After hesitating for a moment, Eloise pulled out a chair and sat down.

There was no choice. She had no luxury to complain.

If she wanted a warm breakfast filled with love, she shouldn’t have left home in the first place.

She had slept soundly on a soft bed, even if there was a bit of dust, and it was right to be grateful that a meal was prepared, even if it was like this.

This is the capital of a kingdom where she doesn’t know a single soul and which is exceedingly cold-hearted.

‘If I were unlucky, I might not have found a place to stay through the night. If that were the case, I would probably be shivering now, clutching my growling stomach.’

Thinking that way, the food before her didn’t seem so bad after all.

It was indeed lonely not having her mother’s prayer before meals, but Eloise didn’t show it and clasped her hands together.

“I will eat well.”

Wiping the light green apple on the hem of her dress, Eloise bit into it with all her might.

Crisp, with a cheerful sound, the sweet juice burst in her mouth. It was quite tasty.

After finishing the apple, leaving only the core, Eloise poured milk over the cold teacup.

With the barely fragrant milk tea, she chewed and swallowed the dried bread, thus ending her first breakfast in the capital.

Neatly stacking the plate and cup, Eloise placed them in one corner of the kitchen and quietly stepped into the living room.

Mrs. Mullich was still sitting motionlessly, absorbed in her knitting, and the cat on her lap was sleeping, stretched out like butter on a pan.

A strange sound of breathing came out between its sharp teeth.

“Thank you for the meal, Mrs. Mullich.”

The lady glanced at Eloise with a sidelong look.

Her deep wrinkles made her already stern expression look even more severe.

“Are you going out?”

“Yes. I need to find a job right away.”

Although Eloise felt a bit intimidated by the lady’s sharp tone, her heart wasn’t entirely anxious.

Perhaps because it was the first day in a new place, she even felt a bit excited.

Maybe she just wanted to believe that.

“What are you staring at?”

“Huh? Nothing…”

Startled, Eloise shrugged her shoulders. She had just been looking at the unusually shaped cat, but was that rude?

No matter how strange it looked, its fur was cut in such an odd way…

“You’re not expecting me to find you a job too, are you? Isn’t it enough that you got the room cheap!”

“What? Absolutely not!”

Eloise hurriedly waved her hands, and the lady put her crochet hook on the small table.

The cat, waking up from its nap, glared at Eloise with a displeased face and then yawned loudly.

“I never had such thoughts. How could I? I was planning to go outside and ask around here and there.”

“Go to the central square.”

“Pardon?”

The old woman, placing her knitting yarn on the side table, leaned back in her armchair.

“Buy a newspaper there. Look at the job advertisements.”

“Job advertisements…”

Eloise, who hadn’t thought of that, blinked with a blank face.

She had intended to just go outside and ask where the largest factory in the capital was, but now there were advertisements to consider.

‘Well, it was a rather reckless thought. The largest factory? I should know what kind of factory it is.’

At that moment, Mrs. Mullich continued.

“Look at those and apply to places that seem suitable for you. There should be quite a few hiring.”

“I see. That’s very helpful, ma’am. Thank you…”

“By the way, do you know where the central square is?”

“You mean the square with the big clock tower and fountain? I passed by it yesterday. I think I can find it easily.”

At those words, the lady closed her eyes and didn’t respond.

“Ma’am?”

When Eloise cautiously called her, an irritated answer came back.

“I’m going to take a nap, so don’t bother me and go out.”

“Oh…”

How blunt. 

The thought that she might be a kind person who was just bad at expressing herself quickly disappeared.

Tying the ribbon of her bonnet tightly under her chin, Eloise whispered a quiet farewell.

“Then sleep well.”

Worried that she might wake the lady, Eloise carefully went to the front door and quietly opened it.

Immediately, the view brightened, and a fresh breeze brushed her skin.

Facing the sunlit boulevard, Eloise realized that her life in the capital was truly beginning.

She felt anxious and uncertain, but the excitement was much greater.

“I can do this.”

She muttered softly, and a smile spread on her face. Her steps down the stairs felt as light as a feather.

***

“Happy twenty-fourth birthday, Bee.”

The woman who said that rested her chin on her hand with an expectant look on her face.

Her blue eyes were as innocent as a child’s, and her dark brown curly hair, which waved charmingly below her ears, was incredibly lovely.

Her white face, with cheeks as red as apples, along with her extravagant clothes and jewelry, made her look dazzling, as if she gathered all the daylight.

No one in the coffee shop could take their eyes off her.

Of course, for Bianca Talbot, known as the flower of Brightnum society, all of this was as natural as breathing.

“Aren’t you going to do it?”

“I already told you, Bianca.”

However, Ansel, looking annoyed, simply loosened his cravat.

Even while doing so, his posture was impeccably upright, which was something Bianca loved about him.

“You didn’t call me ‘Bee.’”

Bianca pleaded with a sweet voice, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

As the birthday girl, she was more persistent than usual.

But Ansel was already exhausted just by agreeing to spend the day with her, a request she made using her birthday as an excuse.

“Have I ever called you that?”

“Never. Not once since the day we first met at St. Martin’s.”

They had first met at the kingdom’s most prestigious private school when they were thirteen.

Although Ansel had spent two years studying abroad, both had completed the five-year course in the same year and chose the same university.

There was no special reason. Both Ansel and Bianca simply aspired to attend the best educational institution in the kingdom and were qualified to do so.

However, Bianca attached more significance to that obvious fact than anyone else.

Having longed for marriage with Ansel since the moment they first met, everything related to him felt special to her.

“So I want to hear it. Just once.”

“Isn’t it time to give up by now?”

“You’re getting married soon. You said you’re leaving the capital forever.”

Bianca put on a sad expression.

Looking down at her half-cooled teacup, she seemed so pitiful that anyone would want to hug her right away.

Of course, this didn’t apply to her old friend Ansel.

“You don’t look like someone who said it’s all a show. Didn’t you assure everyone I’d call off the engagement and come back soon?”

“Did you meet Haines already?”

Bianca wasn’t flustered; she smiled sweetly. A perfect smile with dimples in the middle of her cheeks.

“But I’m genuinely sad. A second marriage won’t be as beautiful as the first.”

“Haven’t I made it clear? I’ve never thought of you that way.”

“You never know what the future holds, Ansel.”

Her voice was as sweet as sugar.

In fact, she was recalling the moment she danced with Ansel as his partner at their university graduation party.

That night, Ansel had also worn a splendid frock coat like today.

Given the anticipated excitement surrounding the graduation of two famous individuals, it was no surprise that the party atmosphere was overheated, and Ansel, rarely, was drunk.

‘Tell me what you like about me, Ansel. Please?’

For the first time, Ansel, who had always remained indifferent to Bianca’s long-standing affection, spoke his true feelings that night.

‘…Your eyes.’

‘What? Say it again.’

‘Your blue eyes…’

Even in the noisy clamor, his deep whisper sounded like thunder to Bianca.

It was obvious that it was Ansel’s true feeling.

Knowing his nature of not speaking unless he meant it made it even clearer.

That night, Bianca had a premonition.

Though it might take some time for her to become his lover, she would undoubtedly become his wife.

Even if her face and body lost their luster over time, her blue eyes, which Ansel loved, would always shine, looking at him.

However, his indifferent words that followed made Bianca’s hand, which was reaching for her teacup, stop in midair.

“It will never happen. Ever.”

“…”

She had watched him closely for nearly ten years, like family, sometimes even more intimately, but she had never imagined that Ansel would decide to marry overnight.

She had never had even a speck of doubt.

Let alone the idea that he would spend his life in a remote countryside far from the capital—it was absolutely unbelievable.

Concluding so, Bianca, pretending to adjust her hair, asked playfully.

“…Nonsense. Is your wedding really happening?”

“I’ll invite you specially, so come and see for yourself.”

“Does this bride of yours really exist?”

Her voice, unconsciously anxious, lacked any sign of hesitation.

Ansel, without batting an eye, said what he had to say.

“And after the wedding, I hope we never meet again.”