Chapter 33 – After This Season Passes

Robert stared intently at Sasha.

“What was it like, going to Laurent?”

At the sudden question, Sasha lifted her head, bewildered.

“Do you want to build a reputation as a painter in Laurent?”

He asked again in a calm voice.

“No. I still like Manolie better.”

After hesitating a little, Sasha answered in an uncertain tone. She was trapped within the large shadow he cast. The black cat that had been keeping beside them quietly got up and disappeared into the bushes.

“All right. Then that’s enough.”

The garden he had cultivated. The girl he had found. The fact that the girl would remain in his garden forever satisfied Robert. He did not know why, of all people, it had to be Sasha Vinoche who made him feel this way. But one thing was certain: while Eleonore and Christopher stayed in Manolie, after today he would make sure there would be no further occasion for Sasha to run into them again.

“Sasha.”

At Robert’s call, Sasha raised her head. The wind passed by, scattering the woman’s bangs that had fallen over her forehead.

“When you go back today, don’t come here again until I call for you.”

Before the light green eyes disappeared beneath lowered lids, Robert saw the faint sadness that had settled where her puzzlement had faded. A little resentment, a little sorrow, a little gloom, and absinthe-colored light. The luminous color of the liquor bottle Sasha had boldly hidden in his mansion revealed itself.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Sasha smiled. The sadness that had brushed past in an instant did not linger long enough to be stared at.

“Oh my, Leroy has fallen asleep again already. I suppose he must have slept poorly the whole time we were traveling. What were you two talking about?”

Breaking the now awkward atmosphere, a clear voice came from behind. It was Eleonore, who had returned to the mansion early, ignoring Robert’s warning.

“Madame Eleonore was so worried, saying her son’s temperament is difficult.”

When Robert looked at him, Christopher shrugged as if to say it could not be helped. Still, since he had been the one to bring up tennis, he had meant to spend a little more time there, but because Eleonore hurried him along, they had barely sent the ball across the net a few times before coming right back.

“It seems it was needless worry. Miss Sasha, you seem to be good with children. Thank you for looking after Leroy.”

After checking on her son, sleeping with rough little breaths, Eleonore turned to Sasha with a gentle smile.

“Wouldn’t it be good to make use of your aptitude and come up to Laurent to work as a governess? If it’s you, Miss Sasha, I feel I could trust Leroy to you. There are many excellent painters in Laurent, so it would surely help with your painting studies as well.”

As though she wished to give financial help to a painter who could not sell her work, Eleonore made the suggestion kindly. Looking into her beautiful blue eyes full of goodwill, Sasha shook her head.

“Thank you for the offer, but as a student I received failing grades in every subject except art. If you are taking the child’s grades into consideration, I would not be a very good choice.”

Heh. Christopher, who had been listening, failed to hold back his burst of laughter. He clamped his lips shut too late, but by then everyone’s gaze had already turned entirely toward him.

“Eleonore, when are you going back to Laurent?”

After a short silence, Robert turned his gaze away as if he had heard nothing at all and asked.

“At the very least, not today. It’s already too late by now. You’re not about to drive me out to the train station at this hour, are you?”

Eleonore, too, answered elegantly as though nothing had happened.

* * *

On the way to the only cafe in Manolie for dinner, Christopher stayed close at Sasha’s side, unlike before.

“Did you really receive failing grades in every subject except art?”

Bending down regardless of Sasha’s discomfort, Christopher lowered his voice and asked in a secretive tone by her ear, as if they were in a very intimate relationship.

“No. I did dislike mathematics a little, but except for that I ranked around the middle of the class.”

“Then why did you tell a lie earlier?”

“Because I don’t think being a governess would suit me very well.”

Christopher, now amused, chuckled this time without even trying to hide it. Sasha glanced at him and said,

“The gentlemen who come from Laurent seem to laugh a lot.”

“Oh, then Robert must laugh often when he’s with you too?”

Sasha did not answer. She was thinking that this man was a little frivolous. Unable to hold back, Christopher asked again.

“Have you never thought it might be because you’re interesting?”

“That could be true.”

Sasha answered while staring straight at Christopher, who kept swaying and lolling about as if he could not keep himself upright. In truth, she was not in a very good mood, but the man walking beside her seemed to find everything amusing, toppling backward at every little thing anyone said.

“The two of them seem very close. It looks as though Viscount Langviet has taken a liking to Miss Sasha.”

Watching the group walking ahead from behind, Eleonore said to Robert in an exceedingly affectionate voice.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you say Lafayette Castle is near here? Since Viscount Langviet could visit often, the two of them might become good friends. They suit each other.”

Christopher, who had inherited one of the titles held by his father, Earl Lafayette, at an early age, moved in Laurent society, but each summer he tended to stay at Lafayette Castle to visit his younger sister. Of course Robert knew that as well. Even this time, using his holiday as an excuse, he had probably intended to stay in Manolie for a few days and then go to Lafayette Castle nearby.

Yet Robert never once gave her the reaction she wanted in earnest. He was indifferent to Eleonore and observed only the proper degree of courtesy. It was the kind of courtesy so impeccable that it only made the distance between them feel all the more real.

Eleonore felt her pride being chipped away. No man had ever been able to ignore her this openly. Even Deborah, the most noble unmarried woman in Brissen, could not compare with Madame Eleonore when it came to handling the male mind. Eleonore had, time and again, turned the men courting the Princess into followers of her own. That was why she had also been so confident in her relationship with the Duke of Guienne.

And yet the Duke, the very man of the Princess, was showing interest in a provincial painter living in a remote country place……. Stung by it, Eleonore quietly made an embarrassed expression.

“Though I suppose I said something very rude, didn’t I? Miss Sasha is certainly a charming woman, but her background cannot be helped. No matter how informal Viscount Langviet’s nature may be, he may keep her company in the countryside, but once he returns to Laurent, it will be difficult for him to remain close to her like that.”

“There’s no reason it can’t be done. Eleonore, you too are speaking with me like this right now.”

Robert replied as though puzzled. But Eleonore knew well enough that he was not truly puzzled. That was probably why it was so irritating. Of course, that did not mean she could become angry. The Duke of Guienne was not her man, and Eleonore knew that fact better than anyone.

“Yes. But to me, those two look excessively intimate, and it worries me. At best, she could only become a hidden woman like me. And if she’s lucky, she’ll give birth to an illegitimate child like Leroy. Isn’t that so?”

“You’re going too far ahead. Don’t take an interest in things that have nothing to do with you.”

Robert gave a scornful laugh, as though he had heard a ridiculous joke. A hidden mistress. Was there any phrase less suited to that woman than that? Sasha’s life, which he had once heard about from Benoit Vinoche, came to Robert’s mind. The dull but peaceful life Sasha was meant to live. Paradoxically, a life that would therefore be happy.

The guests from Laurent were merely disturbances in her life. Robert understood to some degree that he himself stood at the very center of that. Even so, was it because of an improper desire that he kept returning here from time to time like a migratory bird that had lost its way.

Robert never promised the next year. Just as always, each time he left this place. Once the sweltering summer passed and he returned to Laurent, he would climb back onto the course of life from which he had briefly stepped down. He would, and Sasha Vinoche would as well. So perhaps there might be no after this. He would hold a wedding with Princess Deborah at a hotel, and Sasha too, when she came of age, would have a husband. Perfect parallel lines that would never meet. Perfect lives suited to each of their positions.

Therefore, even after this summer passed, nothing would change. There would be nothing.

While Robert turned over that premise, so clear there was no room for his hand to alter it, they arrived at the cafe.

“What would you like? For reference, the crepes here are good. The lady who owns the place is very good at making the batter.”

“Then that.”

Robert’s party gladly left the ordering to Sasha. Sasha asked the cafe server who approached wearing an apron for crepes filled with ham and cheese, and a salad with boiled eggs. Even Eleonore, who had been particular and demanding, asking separately for warm towels, cold champagne, apricot jam, and butter, ate well once the food came out. They were hungry after the vigorous exercise during the day.

After finishing their meal and coming out, Sasha packed food for Leroy, who remained at the mansion, and for the coachman’s errand boy who had looked after him.

“I had a lovely time today, Miss Sasha. If you ever come to Laurent, I hope we can meet again. If you wish to see me, come find me at the Corbisier Theater.”

Parting from Sasha in front of the mansion, Eleonore embraced her and gave a light greeting that brushed against her cheek. It felt as though the sweet scent of crepes were drifting in the air. After saying goodbye in turn to Eleonore and Christopher, Sasha hesitated, then said goodbye to Robert as well and withdrew. Beyond the darkened hill after sunset, the woman pushed her bicycle and returned to her own house.

“Robert, what wine do you have in the house? I think one more drink before sleep would do nicely.”

Apparently the champagne they had drunk at the cafe had not been enough, for Christopher asked. Only then did Robert turn and step inside the gate.