Episode 4
As the man’s face became quite distinct, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.
“Huh?”
“Why are you acting like that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Wasn’t Lloydin Blighton supposed to have black hair?
Above all, that man passing before my eyes with the army looked undoubtedly older and had yellow hair.
“Mother, is that person in the front really Duke Lloydin Blighton?”
Although I had already concluded within myself that he couldn’t be, I asked my mother just in case.
“Who are you talking about?”
“The person riding at the very front.”
I pointed at the man with my finger.
“That person is not Duke Blighton; he is Duke Euferon.”
“Duke Euferon? Wasn’t Duke Blighton supposed to lead this subjugation force?”
“Yes, he was. However, Duke Blighton is known not to show his face at such formal events.”
“Oh, I see. Then he won’t be appearing here today either?”
“Probably not.”
It seems that I had quite high expectations of being able to see Lloydin Blighton in person, but a slight sense of disappointment crept into my heart.
“Why are you like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
To avoid showing that I had such thoughts, I smiled and replied to my mother.
“I’m getting a bit hungry. Shall we go back home now?”
“It’s already evening. Let’s go back quickly.”
As the sun was gradually setting, the sky was turning red.
“Yes.”
Since there was no longer a need to stay there, we immediately left the bustling square and headed home.
* * *
“What should I do?”
Although I failed to see Lloydin Blighton in the square, after hearing the news of his return from my brother, I continued to pace around my room with a restless and anxious expression.
His return was faster than I had anticipated, and I hadn’t prepared for it.
How can I meet Lloydin Blighton?
Can I see him if I go to the Duke Blighton’s estate?
No, even before that, how can I find a way to leave this mansion alone?
Based on Luke’s reaction last time, it seems impossible to go with him.
The third brother might be somewhat approachable, but I didn’t need to see the other brothers’ reactions to know they wouldn’t be cooperative.
‘First, I need to confirm if my illness can be cured before I talk to my family’
I didn’t want to cause a fuss over something uncertain, and I didn’t want to give false hope to my family in advance.
If I told them that I found a way to get better, they would undoubtedly be happy. But if, in case, that wasn’t the case, that hope would quickly turn into added despair.
So, talking to my family had to be after everything was confirmed during my meeting with Lloydin Blighton.
However, no matter how much I thought about it, a suitable solution didn’t come to mind.
As I kept restlessly wandering around my room for quite a while, my gaze fell on a single envelope.
‘Ah!’
And in that moment of seeing it, a good idea popped into my mind.
I quickly opened the already torn envelope and read the letter inside.
To my dearest Lady Ayla Anaïs,
It’s the season when the verdant trees sway in the warm and refreshing breeze.
The weather is so lovely that it feels regretful to let time pass by without doing anything.
That’s why this time, we, the Baron House of Baryon, decided to gather only close acquaintances and have a light tea party.
It would bring me great joy if you could attend, my lady.
As I haven’t had the chance to see you for a while, I really wish to spend time together this time.
So, I’ll eagerly await your arrival, my lady.
Due to my worsening condition, I haven’t been able to predict when and how I might fall asleep, so I haven’t attended any parties lately.
Hence, I intended to pass on this invitation as well, but it seemed like a good excuse to go outside for once.
“In two days. I shouldn’t delay and should get permission as soon as possible.”
I immediately went to find my mother and told her that I really wanted to attend this tea party.
At first, my mother refused to allow me to go.
But when I made a pitiful and desperate face, pleading with her that I just wanted to go this one time, she reluctantly granted permission.
On the day of the tea party, I tried my best to conceal my nervousness as I prepared to go out.
As I stepped outside the mansion to go to the Baron House of Baryon where the tea party was being held, my mother came out first, her face full of worry.
“Mother?”
“Ayla.”
My mother called me with a voice filled with concern.
Though she reluctantly allowed me to go, it seemed like she was still worried. Her expression was filled with anxiety.
“I’ll be back.”
Even though I couldn’t help but worry, in the end, I had no choice but to go, so I, too, wasn’t entirely at ease.
Therefore, I purposely smiled more brightly and greeted my mother.
“Sure. If I start feeling unwell, I’ll come back right away. Okay?”
“Yes, I’ll do that. And don’t worry too much. Lia is coming with me, so she’ll be by my side the whole time.”
“Madam, trust me. I won’t let Lady Ayla take a single step away from me; I’ll protect her.”
Lia said to my mother with a determined attitude.
“Alright, have a good time then.”
“Yes. Mother, let’s have dinner together later.”
My mother nodded, and then Lia and I got on the carriage with her farewell.
After the carriage started moving, I organized my thoughts on what to do today.
I couldn’t avoid attending the tea party, so I planned to go and pretend to stay for a short while, using the excuse of not feeling well, and leave quickly.
Since those who were aware of my health condition would know that I might not stay long, it wouldn’t be difficult to leave the Baron House.
“Next is…”
But the next part was the problem.
If I go to Duke Blighton’s estate, can I meet Lloydin Blighton?
What if he’s not at the mansion?
I couldn’t be sure about anything since I was going without any concrete plans.
“Miss?”
At that moment, Lia, who hadn’t said a word throughout the carriage ride, called me, breaking me out of my deep thoughts.
“Yes?”
I looked at Lia and replied.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Oh, I was just thinking about what to talk about at the tea party since it’s been a while since I attended one.”
I quickly came up with some words that came to my mind.
“Well, that’s true. The guests today might be surprised when they find out you’re coming.”
“Probably.”
With my health not being in the best condition, there were so many limitations.
No matter how many belongings I had, what I could do was limited.
While other young ladies attended various parties to build connections, the best I could do was enjoy expensive dresses in luxurious rooms and drink delicious tea and cookies.
That’s why having occasional outings like this was one of the few great joys in my life.
‘I want to become healthy.’
I also want to be as healthy as others so I can do more.
I want to fully enjoy what is given to me and live life to the fullest.
I want to spend a long time with my family.
As these thoughts came to my mind, I suddenly felt emotional, and my eyes became moist.
I quickly lowered my head and blinked to hold back the tears that were about to fall.
‘No, I’ll get better.’
Knowing what illness I have and discovering ways to treat it, I realized that I was incredibly fortunate.
If I could just meet Lloydin Blighton.
I could get what I want.
So, if I could only meet that man and be by his side, I felt like I could do anything right now.
‘So, let’s stop the sad thoughts and instead, imagine what I’ll do when I get better.’
My future will be completely different from now.
As I felt the wind gently blowing through the window, I indulged in hopeful dreams.
* * *
While imagining hopeful scenarios, the carriage arrived at Baron House.
As I stepped out of the carriage and entered the garden filled with various blooming flowers where the tea party was being held, the conversations of the gathered people suddenly ceased.
And I could feel all their eyes on me.
Their expressions were all the same.
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