Chapter 31 – Something Unchanging

As the clear sun gently peeked over the ridge, Eloise washed herself with the help of Mrs. Hearst, who had come to her room early in the morning.

When she was very young, Mrs. Hearst used to help her bathe like this.

The warm and chatty woman was always a wonderful conversational partner, and Eloise would chatter away about everything that had happened that day.

The fascinating things, the joyful things, and even the disappointing ones.

Because she was so sensitive, there were times when she would suddenly burst into tears while talking.

‘Ansel returned to the capital today, ma’am. I already miss him…’

‘It’s okay, Elsie. Summer will come back soon.’

‘But I don’t think I can endure the season without him.’

She had completely forgotten that she had said such things to the woman.

Fortunately, as she grew up, she no longer shared such embarrassing stories, but the two of them still had many conversations.

Sometimes even the smallest things became excellent topics for discussion.

However, for some reason, at this moment, Eloise couldn’t utter a single word.

It felt as if a large thorn was stuck in her throat.

Mrs. Hearst was unusually quiet as well. Her usual talkative demeanor was nowhere to be found.

Eloise could only guess that she was thinking just as much as she was.

Thus, aside from the sound of splashing water in the bathroom, no other words were exchanged, yet Eloise felt as if she had received enough comfort.

Perhaps it was because the words Mrs. Hearst had told her in her childhood still clearly remained in a corner of her heart.

‘What are you worried about with your sister around? Sally will never leave you in any season.’

Yes. There was no doubt about that. Sarah insisted on staying close to home even after the proposal. It was Eloise who had left her.

Even so, her sister had carefully wiped her tear-streaked face.

Eloise couldn’t dare to fathom the depth of her sister’s heart. She must have been carrying wounds and despair like a tidal wave, yet she showed no ripples of it outward.

Last night, she had cried out that she would live for her sister and family, but now Eloise had no idea what she needed to do to keep that promise.

She wondered if she should, as the second daughter, now find a suitable marriage partner to support the family in place of the eldest daughter who had borne all the burdens alone. Or should stay by her family’s side for the rest of her life without meeting any man.

Whatever it was, she would have to live as her family wished. Even though she was afraid of what her parents might say…

‘If they get angry and ask for an explanation, I should tell them the truth.’

The truth that she had harbored feelings for him for a long time, not knowing her place, and that she couldn’t stay composed by his side, so she left home.

The fact that he had gone to the capital during the wedding was also something she couldn’t deny was due to her wrong choice.

At that moment, Mrs. Hearst opened her mouth for the first time on a topic other than bathing.

“It seems a lot has happened.”

Should I be relieved that it wasn’t a question?

Eloise didn’t know how to respond and just stared at the rippling water.

“Your eyes are swollen, your face is gaunt, and your ankles and heels are a mess.”

“…….”

“If the visible parts are like this, how must your unseen heart be?”

Mrs. Hearst’s voice was calm enough that it wouldn’t be strange if it belonged to someone else.

“……I’m sorry.”

Eloise replied in a tightly locked voice.

“For causing you worry… and for returning like this…”

“You have nothing to apologize for, dear.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”

Then Mrs. Hearst gently rubbed Eloise’s wet shoulder and said,

“You’ll have many conversations with your family soon, so there’s no need to exhaust yourself now, is there?”

“……Ma’am, are my parents very angry?”

“Well, I think they might not have even had the time to be angry.”

“Ah…”

Eloise lowered her head weakly.

If their anger could be soothed by scolding her and saying harsh words, it would be better. If she could be forgiven that way.

“There is one thing I must tell you, dear.”

At that moment, Mrs. Hearst continued.

“There are things in this world that never change, and that is the bond of family. In life, even worse things can happen. But no matter what happens, the fact that you are the daughter of the Baileys and the one and only sister of Sarah will never change. Do you understand?”

“…Yes. I understand.”

As she answered in a watery voice, Mrs. Hearst smiled gently.

“Good. Remember that well.”

* * *

Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were not greatly surprised to see Eloise waiting for them at the breakfast table early in the morning.

After the commotion of the previous night, it was hard not to know that their second daughter had returned.

Eventually, Eloise sat opposite her parents, her face clearly showing signs of tension.

Just meeting their gaze made her eyes well up, which was quite embarrassing, but she didn’t want to show any childishness at that moment, so she clenched her fists and held back her tears.

The first to speak was Mr. Bailey.

He asked Eloise if she had known this would happen. Eloise answered that she hadn’t.

Next, Mrs. Bailey asked if she had met Ansel in the capital, and Eloise said that while he had indeed come, she had left immediately upon learning that the wedding was off and hadn’t had any special conversation with him.

Of course, she added that she didn’t know where he was now, that she would do anything for her sister, and that she hoped all of this would pass quickly.

That was all. Although she did shed a few tears, through this breakfast, Eloise finally felt that she had returned home.

Everything that had happened in the capital and her sister’s marriage felt like a dream she had experienced alone.

Going to the factory every day and working until she was exhausted, trying to sleep despite the cat’s interference, all felt like distant memories.

Strangely enough, that was how it felt. Perhaps it was because this home retained the same appearance in her memories.

The only difference was that Sarah’s ex-fiancé no longer came to this old and cozy place.

And the conversations about marriage that had once adorned the dining table had vanished like a lie.

Sarah was unusually quiet, and so was Mrs. Bailey.

It wasn’t surprising since neither of them were particularly talkative by nature.

After all, it was usually Mr. Bailey who initiated conversations.

“…By the way, Mrs. Fulham is having a tea party this weekend.”

“Again? Goodness!”

Mrs. Bailey, displeased by her husband’s words, stabbed a piece of bacon with her fork. It was a sunny afternoon a few days later.

“Anyone would think something good had happened at that house.”

To her mother’s annoyed grumbling, Eloise quietly ate her boiled beans, trying not to show any reaction.

There was no one here who didn’t understand why Mrs. Fulham was acting so pompously.

If it had been before, Eloise would have slammed her glass down and criticized Mrs. Fulham, but for some reason, she felt shy and concentrated silently on her meal.

However, it was rare for Mrs. Bailey to show her anger.

“She’s been going around saying that the dress she spent over a month making is now useless, and she can’t even show it off. That woman should be ashamed of herself. And so should the people who associate with her.”

“……What? She said that?”

Eloise finally couldn’t hold back and spoke up. The hand holding her fork was trembling slightly.

“Yes! Our Sarah is so bright and beautiful, and what nonsense is that? It should be kept safely until the right time, so why should it be given away?”

As the topic of marriage, which had been an unspoken taboo, came up, everyone naturally fell silent. Mr. Bailey broke the silence with an awkward clap.

“Well said, my dear! That woman is just jealous of us. There’s never a day without fighting in that house, so there’s probably nothing interesting happening except gathering people all the time. But we are… happy, aren’t we?”

At those words, silence fell once more. Mrs. Bailey even sighed.

While Mr. Bailey was at a loss for what to say next, Sarah, who had quietly put down her utensils, spoke up.

“That’s right, Father.”

“R-Right?”

“Yes. Eloise has returned safely, and we’re all together again. I can’t express how grateful I am for our ordinary family meal. The simple happiness I feel in every moment is more precious to me than anything else.”

Sarah’s kind confession naturally quelled the midday commotion. Of course, it was only a temporary calm.

Due to the unexpected summer storm, the Bailey household had been creaking here and there lately.

But Eloise still felt the enduring love and warmth within this home.

As Mrs. Hearst had said, the bond of family would never change. Even if a storm greater than this were to come, these loving people would embrace each other and grow even stronger.

After that, Eloise made continuous efforts to return to the self that everyone remembered.

She mediated her parents’ arguments, enthusiastically praised delicious meals, and caused a commotion feeding the ducks. She believed such trivial tasks were her most important role.

Thus, laughter gradually returned to the household.

Though her family never spoke the word “forgiveness,” Eloise knew that they had already forgiven all her shortcomings.

And so, the remaining summer quietly faded away.

The Bailey family was undoubtedly happy. Therefore, Eloise was happy too.

Even though at night, she could occasionally hear her mother sobbing, and each time, her sister’s comforting smile bore a sad light, they still had each other…