The Reason Why She Wanted To Leave - Chapter 29
“Madam, an invitation to a banquet has arrived, along with a letter.”
After completing my mana training with Master Cesare, I entered the study to review the mansion’s finances. Rivet handed me the invitation as if she had been waiting for me.
It was the invitation to the Cape Rild Goddess banquet that I had discussed with Master Cesare a few days prior. As usual, the event would take place in the imperial palace garden.
I accepted the invitation with little interest and handed it back to Rivet.
“As you know, I won’t be attending.”
“Of course.”
Rivet took the invitation back with a disappointed expression. After examining it for a moment, she smiled.
“Then I’ll dispose of it.”
“Please do. But what about the letter?”
“Here it is.”
Rivet then handed me a white envelope sealed with blue wax. Upon checking the sender, I recognized the name.
My eyes widened as Rivet noted, “It’s a letter from Viscount Moldovan.”
I turned the envelope over, inspecting it before using a letter knife to open it. Inside was a letter written in elegant script.
The letter, filled with flowery language, invited me to the upcoming banquet and specifically mentioned that he wished to escort me.
“What will you do?” Rivet asked cautiously.
After pondering the letter for a moment, I took out a piece of paper from the drawer and began drafting a reply.
I expressed my gratitude for the invitation but stated that I did not plan to attend. Attending the banquet would only make me feel ostracized, so it was more beneficial to spend that time training to sense mana without Master Cesare’s help.
Additionally, I had recently looked into Cadia after Ains’ warnings. As Ains had suspected, I learned that Cadia and his friends were involved in unsavory activities, prompting me to keep my distance from him.
Once I finished the letter, I sealed it in an envelope and handed it to Rivet. She took it and promptly left the study.
Left alone, I remembered my original task and opened the financial documents of the mansion.
I was meticulously reviewing the figures when I heard a knock at the door.
“Madam! May I come in? It’s Rivet!”
Rivet, who had briefly stepped out to deliver the letter to Viscount Moldovan, was knocking and calling for me. Normally, she would have entered and started chatting about what had happened outside.
“Come in.”
“Yes!”
Rivet quickly entered the room and approached me briskly.
“What is it?”
“There’s a guest outside,” she replied, looking troubled.
“A guest?”
Since no one had announced a visit, I wondered who could have arrived unexpectedly. The first person that came to mind was Ains, given his history of visiting the mansion without notice.
Next, I considered Master Cesare. If he had forgotten something, it would make sense for him to return without notice.
However, the identity of Rivet’s mentioned guest was truly unexpected.
“Viscount Moldovan has arrived. I’ve shown him to the drawing room.”
I paused, momentarily confused. Viscount Moldovan, Cadia, had come without any prior warning?
Unsure of the situation, I decided to meet Cadia first.
As I descended the stairs and reached the first-floor drawing room, I noticed Cadia’s servants waiting by the door. They stepped back and bowed when they saw me approach.
I glanced at them briefly before standing in front of the door. A soft knock echoed, and Rivet announced me.
“Viscountess Marves has arrived.”
As the door opened and I entered, Cadia, sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea, stood up with a bright smile.
“Long time no see, Cecilia.”
Avoiding his attempt to embrace me, I took a small step back, and he awkwardly scratched his cheek, still smiling.
“I’ve missed you too, Cadia. But… why did you come without any notice?”
Considering I had just sent a letter, if he had planned a visit in response, I wouldn’t have been so surprised. Feeling uncomfortable with his unannounced arrival, my tone sharpened.
Although we had met once at a ball and once in the square, we weren’t close enough for him to visit without prior notice.
Cadia, sensing my discomfort, looked apologetic and spoke cautiously.
“Ah… I’m really sorry for coming unannounced, Cecilia. But your letter surprised me, and I couldn’t help but come.”
“Let’s sit down first. I’ll listen to your reasons in more detail while we’re seated.”
If it was about the letter, it likely pertained to the banquet. Curious about what he wanted to discuss, I took a seat.
“So, what brings you here?”
“It’s nothing else. I heard you’re not attending the banquet, Cecilia. Is there a specific reason?”
As I suspected, Cadia had come because of the banquet. Although it was something he could have addressed in a letter, his sudden visit made me uneasy, and I spoke without a smile.
“There’s no particular reason. I just want to rest. Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“Yes. I was worried something serious might have happened, so I rushed over. But… are you upset with me?”
There was a slight tremor in Cadia’s voice. I took a slow, deep breath and nodded.
“I was a bit disappointed. I never expected you to come so rudely without prior notice. Cadia, even though you proposed friendship, I hope you still respect certain boundaries.”
Someone had already visited my mansion without notice—Ains, who had also come without warning. Although he typically didn’t show much courtesy, his unannounced visit had made me feel uncomfortable.
My home should be a place where I could relax completely. With people arriving unannounced, I realized how little respect they had for me.
“Cecilia…”
“It’s not a difficult request. We’re not close enough for such visits without notice.”
Speaking firmly, I noticed Cadia looking at me with a complex expression. While I couldn’t interpret his feelings, they didn’t seem pleasant.
Concerned he might become angry, I glanced at the servants and maids nearby. Thankfully, they were close enough to provide some reassurance.
Cadia opened his mouth as if to speak, took a breath, then fell silent. After a long pause, he nodded and said, “Alright. I understand how it could make you uncomfortable. I was too forward. I apologize. I’m sorry, Cecilia.”
The complex emotions in his eyes faded, replaced with sincerity. While it was hard to gauge his true feelings, I couldn’t stay angry at someone who admitted their mistake.
“No, it’s my fault.”
Cadia smiled awkwardly. I also smiled at him.
“Shall we go now? Should I send a letter and come back?”
I shook my head at Cadia, who was now speaking playfully.
“No need. Since you’re here, have some tea before you go.”
“Then I’ll leave after finishing the tea.”
Finally, Cadia smiled comfortably and took a sip of tea. Then he looked at me again.
“So, you’re really not attending for no particular reason? It’s only once a year…”
I shook my head again at him, who spoke with regret.
“It’s not the only opportunity. I can go next time if I get the chance. At least this year, I want to rest.”
“I see. That’s a pity. I wanted to enjoy the banquet with you, Cecilia. Well, maybe next time.”
Cadia, having convinced himself, finished his tea in one gulp. When Rivet tried to refill his cup, he raised his hand to stop her.
“I think it’s best if I leave now. No need for more tea.”
“Yes, understood.”
Rivet stepped back. Cadia smiled at me.
“I’m really sorry about today. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again, so please forgive my rudeness today.”
Cadia stood up. I also stood to see him off, but he waved his hand to decline.
“When I visit formally next time, you can greet and see me off then. Goodbye.”
With those words, Cadia left the drawing room.