Chapter 56 – Surely a Gentleman Wouldn’t Do Such a Thing

“You’re driving me crazy, right now.”

“…I just want to be diligent in the new job I found. When did I ever…”

“Why would you voluntarily take on such a menial job? After bringing you into my home, am I supposed to just watch you be driven into such a situation?”

“…”

At his sharp words, Eloise felt an uncontrollable sense of devastation.

So, it seemed he simply couldn’t bear the fact that someone staying in his house was doing a ‘menial’ job.

But in the eyes of the heir to a noble military family, how many jobs would not seem menial, aside from the grand military duties?

Eloise took a deep breath quietly, straightened her hunched shoulders, and lifted her small chin.

Though she hadn’t learned the etiquette of the nobility, within the cozy confines of the Bailey family, there was a gracious queen, and she always told her daughters this:

‘Don’t ever let anyone look down on you for any reason. You are my treasures. If you meet someone who disrespects you, stand tall and hold your head high.’

Having gathered her thoughts, Eloise spoke with composure.

“You’re mistaken about something. Unlike you, I have no reason to live nobly. Because my life has never been that way, not even for a moment. And it won’t be in the future.”

“…”

“Perhaps the day I swam in the lake, unaware that my clothes were getting wet, was a single act of deviation for you. But for me, that was life. Running through fields and rolling with ducks on the mud. Do you understand? We live in different worlds. So why do you expect me to adhere to your standards?”

Only after she finished speaking did Ansel inhale the breath he had been holding.

Her eyes, catching the light from the table, had deepened into a flickering blue flame.

It wasn’t the sorrow of someone who had never experienced a grand and dignified life. It was outright resentment.

Eloise loved the world she belonged to.

Ansel also loved the unspoiled world and perspective she had. So criticizing the work she chose herself would be contradictory.

It was easy to think that no matter what job she took, he wouldn’t stop loving her.

So, in the end, he was just angry about the fact that she was willing to endure harsh work to leave this place as soon as possible.

Even a dog that lost a fight wouldn’t feel as shabby and miserable as this.

“…I apologize if I offended you.”

Eloise’s eyes widened at the unexpected, straightforward apology.

After all, she had worried that she might have been too rude to someone who had shown her kindness and was a noble.

Of course, Ansel still didn’t look comfortable, but Eloise decided not to mind.

“It’s okay. If you’re finally ready to respect me, please support me. It’s true that I’m nervous about starting a new job.”

“Huh.”

Ansel exhaled a breath that seemed heavy with mixed feelings.

Why can’t this woman just stay comfortably under my protection? Why can’t I help but love her?

Cutting a wild rose and putting it in a vase doesn’t stop it from being a wildflower…

‘Most workers in the factory are men.’

He felt a burning inside. Naturally, the meal was already forgotten. Ansel, who had not even brought the cutlery to his lips, continued speaking.

“If you’re working in a meat factory, what will you be doing there?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to go and see.”

“If they tell you to kill a living cow and turn it into meat, can you do it?”

“…That…”

She didn’t want to appear weak or be underestimated, but she couldn’t lie casually either.

Slaughtering. No matter how brave Eloise was, she didn’t have the courage for that. It wasn’t something she could affirm even with a lie.

“I’m not sure about that, but perhaps I’ll be assigned a different job? I’ve heard that the female workers there do separate tasks.”

“If it’s not slaughter, what, can you at least chop up an animal that was alive until just now? Because it’s become a piece of meat?”

“That…”

“Slaughtered meat retains its warmth for a while. Can you really handle that?”

Surprised by Ansel’s words yet also strangely defiant at his attitude as if he were hearing her resignation, Eloise responded.

“What choice do I have but to try? Someone has to do it anyway. If I really can’t, I’ll ask the factory for understanding and get reassigned, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to find another job.”

“Ha…”

Ansel would rather send her to work as a maid in a place he knew.

However, he doubted she would welcome such a job, and in any case, the maids in the capital’s noble houses were usually from certain backgrounds and had a basic level of education.

Even if he recommended her for a job, there was no guarantee that other maids wouldn’t harass Eloise, who came from a small village in the southern part of the kingdom.

Lost in these thoughts, she added one more thing.

“I’ll find out what kind of work I’ll be doing tomorrow since I’m visiting the place then.”

“…What’s the rush?”

“Because I can’t stay here forever.”

Again, that stubborn look that she would not back down on this matter.

How many more times would he have to hear such cruel words right in front of him?

Ansel, with a tired face, finally closed his eyes. A low voice followed.

“So where exactly is this great factory located?”

Eloise’s eyes narrowed.

After showing such displeasure, now he wants to know the factory address? 

There was no guarantee he wouldn’t come to the factory and take actions that would force her to quit.

He had the power and reputation to do so.

“I have no intention of telling you.”

“Ha, do you think I asked because I couldn’t find out myself?”

Ansel retorted with a tone that seemed almost neurotic.

“…Still, I have no intention of telling you through my own words. If you plan to follow me, that would be unbecoming of a noble and downright sinister. Surely a gentleman wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Is there really a need to bare claws like this? He didn’t want to harm her; he just wanted to offer his love.

A sigh of defeat escaped him.

Ansel ruffled his neatly combed hair and spoke.

“I was planning to pick you up in the evenings. The way back could be dangerous.”

“What? That’s ridiculous!”

As Eloise was shocked, he calmly added,

“Why not? If I can’t go, I can send a subordinate.”

“That’s not the point!”

Eloise clenched her fists on the table, causing the cutlery on the plates to clatter.

“I don’t want to stand out. In a collective place like a factory, rumors shouldn’t spread.”

“What rumors?”

“It would be strange for a man in a military uniform to come pick me up every day. There might be people who recognize you on the way home…. I have no intention of going home with you, nor do I intend to acknowledge you outside the mansion. If it becomes known that a man and a woman who aren’t married are living together, then I—”

“Then let’s get married. Forget about the family as it is.”

Ansel uttered words he couldn’t believe himself, very calmly and with a clear mind.

“…If you say that one more time, I’ll leave this place immediately, job or no job.”

“Ha, why on earth…”

Why is she being so defensive? Does she think I’m not serious? That because of our status difference, marriage is just talk?

Even if she thought so, Ansel couldn’t help but feel unjustly treated.

He had imagined countless times, now daring to say it constituted most of his life, the moment he would take Eloise as his wife.

But before he could add another word, Eloise dismissed his thoughts.

“I think we’ve talked enough for today. I’m tired, but I’ll go up after finishing the meal.”

With that, Eloise finally picked up the silverware.

The roasted veal, now cold, was covered in white, hardened fat.

‘Slaughtered meat retains its warmth for a while. Can you really handle that?’

Normally, the cooled meat dish would have been regrettable, but now it was almost a relief. Ridiculously so.

“I’ll enjoy the meal.”

Eloise put strength into her knife.

What could she do even if she was afraid of tomorrow? For her, it was a life she was willing to endure.

* * *

[Dear Mom, Dad, and Sally,

Have the trees started changing their colors yet? There aren’t as many maple trees here as in Maybury. Surely it must be much more beautiful there?

Since arriving in the capital, I’ve been so busy that I’m only writing now. It seems it’s always like this. I guess this clumsy nature won’t change even when I become a grandmother.

By the way, I have good news. Thanks to the factory manager’s recommendation, I’ve found a better job. Mrs. Mullich was also happy for me.

She prepared a wonderful dinner and offered a surprisingly pretty and sweet dessert. It was really intricate and beautiful. At first, I didn’t even realize it was food.

I’ve decided to visit the new workplace tomorrow. I’m so curious I can’t stand it. I’ll hear the details then, so I’ll write about it in my next letter.

In short, everything is smooth and comfortable. Is this what it means when they say heaven is smiling at you? Perhaps I’m meant for the capital. Thinking about how I couldn’t sleep in the carriage from worry now just makes me laugh.

I wish peace upon everyone in the beloved Bailey family.

With everlasting affection,

Eloise.

P.S. You don’t need to reply! I’ll be writing another letter soon anyway.]