Chapter 1 – Windberg (Part 8)

Even after tasting more than twenty dishes, the socializing did not end. After dinner, the gentlemen moved to the smoking room, and the ladies moved to the drawing room, where they had to engage with each other more closely. The conversation continued endlessly, but it was all superficial. Empty conversations that were akin to small talk, revealing nothing deep about each other.

Victoria mainly took on the role of leading the conversation. When post-dinner tea was served, she talked about the tea leaves’ place of cultivation and the climate there. Once the tea had gone cold, the conversation shifted to the current affairs of famous people they all knew in common, and when those topics ran out, trivial anecdotes about the Earl’s three siblings came up. Stories about Veronia’s young daughter and the orphanage Diane sponsored followed.

However, nothing about Evelyn became a topic of conversation.

No one asked her anything. No one was curious about how she spent her time, the content of the three novels she had published, or what she was currently writing.

There was also no mention of the diamond glittering on her hand. None of the three women acknowledged it. They couldn’t have missed the unusually sparkling jewel.

The ladies were very skilled at pretending not to know obvious facts. In that thorough disregard, Evelyn felt like she was slowly melting away. It felt as if her body was gradually shrinking and would soon disappear completely, like a snowman left alone in the rain.

Then, when the clock’s hands had just passed nine o’clock, she reached a point where she could no longer endure it.

“Miss Dale. You don’t look well, are you feeling unwell?”

When Veronia asked, the three women’s gazes focused on her. Evelyn forced a slight smile on her pale face.

“Yes, I feel a bit… I know it’s rude, but I think I should rest now.”

After barely finishing her words, she held her breath. The food she had forced down earlier was clawing at her insides. Now she could barely breathe properly, feeling like she might vomit at any moment.

“Oh dear. The gentlemen will be returning soon.”

Victoria murmured regretfully, glancing at the closed entrance of the drawing room. Diane stared at an unrelated spot and said nothing. She wondered if she should seek permission from the highest-ranking lady, if she should express her gratitude for the excellent dinner. But she didn’t even have the luxury to think about such etiquette now.

“Please excuse me first. …Please convey my apologies to the Duke for not being able to stay.”

“Don’t worry and go rest. Klaus, please escort her to her room and send in a maid.”

“Thank you, Madame.”

When Evelyn expressed her gratitude, Diane nodded in acknowledgment. As she passed through the door opened by the butler, a silent hallway immediately appeared. The elderly butler quickly led her to her room. After closing the curtains wide open at each window, he turned to Evelyn.

“I’ll call the doctor.”

“It’s okay.”

Evelyn met the man’s eyes, who instantly recognized her condition. Klaus’s face, with its graying hair, was expressionless. He wasn’t rushing to escort Evelyn to her room and call the doctor out of concern for her. It was because it was his role to take care of the mansion’s guests. It was duty, not kindness. Realizing this, Evelyn felt, oddly enough, a little more sorrowful.

“You don’t need to call the doctor. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

“……”

“I’d prefer if no one came. I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Evelyn barely managed to stand straight as she spoke. Klaus quietly looked at her face, then,

“I understand.”

He didn’t insist further and turned to leave.

Evelyn immediately locked the door. She ran to the bathroom, clutching her stomach. She clung to the toilet and vomited everything inside her. She tried to suppress the sound as much as possible, fearing it might be heard outside. Until her throat burned and all strength left her limbs.

Only after she had no strength left to squeeze her stomach did she collapse onto the marble floor of the bathroom.

“Haa…”

Tears welled up on her eyelashes. Guilt surged into the space where the indigestion had receded. She felt pathetic, embarrassed, and disappointed. She felt so dreadful she wanted to discard herself. A desperate desire to disappear. Evelyn didn’t know how to vomit out those dark emotions.

She felt ashamed. Ashamed of the clothes she had bought by saving her living expenses, the dress she had awkwardly squeezed into that didn’t fit her circumstances. Ashamed of trying so hard to blend in with people she didn’t belong with. Ashamed of having vomited up all the food she had forced down, of still clinging to a diamond that was beyond her means. 

How could I be so pathetic?

For a while after that, Evelyn sat there blankly. Crouched on the bathroom floor, trying to lick her wounds. But she didn’t know exactly where or how she was hurt. Her heart had turned to ashes, but she couldn’t identify the flames’ origin.

‘Miss Dale. Thank you for coming.’

What on earth did I expect to achieve by coming here?

Only after a long time did Evelyn manage to stand up. She leaned against the sink and washed her face. The water pouring out of the tap was extremely cold. She washed her face with that cold water once, twice, three times. The woman reflected in the mirror was pale and wet.

“Haa.”

The tightly cinched corset felt suffocating. It was clothing that didn’t even allow her to breathe freely. Her insides were burning, and she felt like she would go mad if she couldn’t take a deep breath. She felt an impulse to tear this dress to shreds with her savage hands. Evelyn was surprised by her own violent impulse.

Then someone knocked on the door from outside.

“…Ha.”

She had said not to send anyone. She had said she didn’t need a doctor or a maid. While standing and holding onto the sink, she let out a light sigh,

“Evelyn.”

A low voice called from outside the door.

“It’s me.”

It was Jared.

Her heart raced instantly. Evelyn couldn’t distinguish whether it was tension or surprise. She was just astonished by her own indiscriminate heartbeat.

“Just a moment, just a moment.”

She raised her voice toward the door. Her flustered voice came out slightly trembling, contrary to her intention.

As she picked up the towel from the sink and wiped her face, Evelyn looked in the mirror. Her lips were pale, but there was no time to apply makeup. At this moment, tidying up her clothes was the best she could do. She hurriedly adjusted the hem of her dress and left the bathroom. As she walked toward the door, she bit her lips several times. Hoping for a bit of color to return, she stood in front of the door. Exhaling a short breath, she unlocked the door.

And then her eyes met his.

The light in the room illuminated his face. His green eyes, brightened by the light, looked warmer than they had in the dining room. A faint smell of tobacco and a familiar scent emanated from him. The perfume Jared used. The scent mixed with his body odor. A scent Evelyn knew well.

Suddenly, tears welled up, and she inhaled sharply.

Jared remained silent for a moment. Standing at the door, he examined the woman’s face. His calm gaze. In front of that calmness, Evelyn felt small again. Then unbearably disgusted. Disgusted with herself for not letting go of hope until the end. For still hovering between resignation and expectation.

“Can we come in for a moment?”

Jared asked. We. Only then did Evelyn realize he wasn’t alone. She unconsciously stepped back and adjusted her view. The elderly gentleman standing behind Jared nodded to her. 

Who is he? A doctor?

She felt a reflexive wariness, but Evelyn had no choice.

“…Please come in.”

The two men standing at the entrance followed the woman inside. As she led them to the well-decorated drawing room, Evelyn felt self-deprecating. 

Isn’t that man the owner of this place? Isn’t the man acting like a guest the owner of all this? The only thing here that belongs to me is that old trunk.

“I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

Jared asked as soon as he sat in the armchair in the drawing room. He suited the leather-covered armchair well. It was only natural. Naturally, it was his chair.

“I’m fine.”

“Shall I call a doctor?”

“No.”

Evelyn shook her head. She pulled up the corners of her mouth to show a slight smile.

“I’m just a bit tired. I’m really fine.”

Jared remained silent, gazing at her. He took his time, seemingly trying to assess her condition. When Evelyn smiled a little more, he finally nodded and turned his gaze to the unfamiliar man.

“This is Mr. Milton, the legal advisor for Maxville.”

Evelyn looked at the man sitting on the couch across the tea table from her. The elderly gentleman, appearing to be in his mid-60s, nodded to her. He had a serious demeanor. A black leather binder rested on his lap.

A lawyer. She averted her gaze, lowering her eyes.

“I’d like you to listen to this matter first.”

Jared’s voice was composed when speaking about serious topics. It was neither warm nor cold. Evelyn had liked the intelligence in his calm tone. But at this moment, she wished he would speak a little more warmly.