Chapter 91

Eleanor wandered around the guest room before hesitantly opening the closet door. Inside were a few belongings she had brought with her—a modest collection.  

“……”  

However, there were items she shouldn’t have brought along mixed in. A blue dress Logan had commissioned a designer to make for the bazaar and earrings gifted by Logan during an outing to the capital’s jeweler.  

Strictly speaking, neither of these items belonged to Eleanor. Like the necklace she had left behind at the mansion, the dress and earrings were essentially Logan’s gifts.  

“Why did I do that?”  

Eleanor sighed softly, burying her face in her palms. She knew they weren’t hers, yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave them behind. After agonizing until the very last moment, she ended up packing these items in her bag. Of course, Logan’s gifts were all precious treasures, so it would have been a lie to say she didn’t take them because they weren’t valuable.  

“Ha……”  

She simply couldn’t leave them behind. They were gifts Logan had personally given her. To be honest, if she were entirely truthful, she couldn’t even let go of the emerald necklace. But her sense of shame prevented her from taking that particular item.  

Eleanor weakly lifted her gaze and stared at the dress that occupied the closet like an ornament. Her chest prickled uncomfortably, as if she had stolen something.  

“It’s not entirely wrong.”  

Eleanor muttered, laughing faintly. Saying she had stolen wasn’t entirely incorrect. Despite never accepting his heart, she still took the gifts he had given her while fleeing. Considering the memories embedded in each item, what she had done was akin to theft.  

At that moment, a knock on the door broke Eleanor’s descending train of thought. She quickly closed the closet door, secured the latch, and opened the door.  

“Who is it?”  

“It’s me, Eleanor.”  

“……Jane?”  

It was Jane. Eleanor hurriedly unlocked the latch and opened the door.  

“What brings you here?”  

Eleanor slightly stepped aside, inviting Jane into the guest room, but Jane shook her head.  

“The weather is nice. Let’s go to a café. I wanted to talk to you.”  

Eleanor nodded. Draping a light coat over herself, she left the hotel with Jane.  

***

“The weather has improved a lot, hasn’t it? It’s already full-fledged spring.”  

Jane said this while glancing at the wildflowers blooming along the roadside. Only then did Eleanor notice the warm weather that made wearing a coat unnecessary.  

“It really has. I hadn’t realized.”  

Eleanor murmured. She truly hadn’t noticed that spring had arrived—the flowers blooming, the gentle spring breeze softly blowing.  

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”  

Jane glanced at Eleanor and remarked. Eleanor smiled awkwardly instead of responding.  

“When your heart feels tangled, it’s good to look around outside and go for a walk. Staying indoors only leads to negative thoughts.”  

After a short walk, Eleanor and Jane settled at an outdoor café. Many people were already enjoying the sunshine with cheerful expressions.  

“I understand what you mean, Jane.”  

“Really?”  

Eleanor nodded. After news of Usher’s death had spread, Jane had shut herself in her mansion, only attending royal events. Although people said one should forget lost children and continue living, Jane hadn’t followed her own advice.  

However, after Usher’s return, Jane regained her vigor and began engaging in outside activities again. Though she might still be somewhat weary, her complexion was brighter than before.  

“You look much better now.”  

Eleanor commented, observing Jane’s brightened face. Jane chuckled softly.  

“Even if I deny it, the pain of losing a child had embedded itself in my heart like a nail.”  

Jane murmured as she lifted her coffee cup.  

“My world kept moving, but at the same time, it had stopped. I spent more time standing still than walking forward.”  

“……”  

“But when the child I thought I had lost returned, I found I could start running again.”  

Jane smiled as she finished her thought. Her radiant complexion made the middle-aged noblewoman appear even younger.  

“I’ve gained a bit of weight too.”  

“That’s good to hear. I was worried when you lost so much weight so suddenly.”  

After hearing of Usher’s supposed death, Jane had rapidly lost weight to the point where her dresses no longer fit around the waist. She hadn’t regained her weight afterward, even needing to alter all her clothing sizes. It wasn’t just physical weight loss—it was emotional pain manifesting externally.  

“Thank you.”  

“For what?”  

“But Eleanor, why do you still look so troubled?”  

Jane asked after taking a sip of coffee. Eleanor, who had been tracing the handle of her cup with her fingers, froze.  

“The Usher you’ve been waiting for has miraculously returned and even said he wants to marry you again. Why do you look so sad?”  

Jane’s question left Eleanor speechless. Her lips moved slightly, but no answer came out.  

“Do you dislike Usher’s return?”  

“No!”  

Jane calmly asked, observing Eleanor closely. Eleanor immediately denied it.  

“Absolutely not. I’m happier than anything that Usher returned safely. I truly mean it.”  

Jane blinked slowly at Eleanor’s response. Her violet eyes, reminiscent of Usher’s, sparkled gently as they caught the light.  

“Then what’s the reason for your sorrowful expression?”  

Jane’s question made Eleanor lower her trembling gaze to the table.  

“Is it because of Duke Claven?”  

On the surface of the dark liquid, Eleanor’s emotions wavered like ripples.

***

“Miss Hudson!”  

It was just as Eleanor stepped into the hallway. She turned around, clutching a book to her chest, at the sound of someone calling her.  

“Professor?”  

It was Eleanor’s supervising professor, Adlen. He was one of the rare individuals who, like Eleanor, was passionate about the education of special children.  

“Do you have a moment?”  

“Of course.”  

Eleanor nodded readily.  

“Then let’s chat briefly in my office.”  

Professor Adlen turned first. Having completed her classes, Eleanor followed him without hesitation.  

“Take a seat.”  

Professor Adlen gestured toward the sofa. As Eleanor sat down, he prepared a cup of tea and placed it in front of her. It was hastily brewed tea, likely not meant to be drunk, and Eleanor merely touched the handle out of courtesy before letting go.  

“I’ve been thinking since we last spoke about the best way to educate those children.”  

Professor Adlen began, wrinkling his nose slightly.  

“Ultimately, the best thing is to keep those children out of mental institutions.”  

Adlen’s fingers walked across the table before being stopped by his opposite palm. Eleanor nodded.  

“When your facility opens and there’s no mental institution to send the children to, where do you think the parents will send their children?”

“They’ll send them to the facility.”

Eleanor’s response made Adlen smile with satisfaction. The facility Eleanor had planned required no additional costs beyond operational fees, making it cheaper than sending children to mental institutions.  

“Which is why, after talking with a political science professor…”  

Eleanor’s eyes sparkled as she listened attentively to Adlen.  

“It seems the most efficient way is to legislate a law preventing intellectually disabled children from being institutionalized.”  

Adlen nodded as he spoke. Eleanor agreed with him. Waiting for the entire kingdom to change its perspective was unrealistic, but laws could compel people to change.  

Eleanor had considered this before but had abandoned the idea due to significant obstacles. The upper-class nobles who dominated society were indifferent to such issues. They only cared about beauty, luxury, elegance, and refinement.  

“I agree with you. But to do that, we need to influence the political sphere. Is that feasible?”  

Eleanor asked, and Adlen pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.  

“That’s the biggest concern.”  

“……”  

“The political science professor can introduce us to some contacts, but that’s about it.”  

Adlen appeared lost in thought.  

“If the Claven Duchy supported us, everything would become much easier.”  

He glanced at Eleanor as he spoke. It seemed his reason for summoning her today was related to this.  

“Even if Duke Claven isn’t active in the capital’s social circles, his influence is still immense. He knows many politicians, and the family’s wealth is substantial.”  

Adlen cleared his throat, clearly hoping Eleanor would respond. However, despite understanding his intent, Eleanor couldn’t give an immediate answer.  

In the past, she would have readily said she would discuss it with Logan.  

“……”  

But now, acting without consulting Logan might burden him. Since Eleanor had left the Claven Duchy, the foundation’s affairs had continued smoothly.  

“Is it difficult?”  

Adlen cautiously asked. He had expected Eleanor to agree readily, given her passion, determination, and influence, but her hesitation surprised him.  

“Well, you’re not married to Duke Claven yet, so it might be awkward to ask for his help.”  

Indeed, asking for the family’s support before marriage seemed unreasonable. Considering how much the Hudson Viscountcy relied on the Claven Duchy, it wouldn’t be easy for Eleanor to keep requesting Logan’s help.  

Adlen clicked his tongue regretfully.  

“I think your idea is excellent, Professor.”  

“Do you?”  

Eleanor cautiously opened her mouth, and Adlen’s face brightened.  

“However, it’s not something I can decide alone, so please allow me some time.”  

Her response wasn’t an immediate agreement, which disappointed Adlen, but he reluctantly nodded.