âIt seems my brother was really worried after Eleanor revealed to the world that she was Marcus Miller. He was worried that bad people would approach her for her wealth⊠because this mansion is located far from the capital and there are few people around. He said he had dispatched the Dukeâs soldiers as guards. He pretended not to have ordered it to Eleanor, butâŠâ
ââŠDid you know all this from the beginning, Layla?â
âNo, no.â Layla hurriedly waved her hands.
âActually, I heard it from my brotherâs secretary, Mr. Howarth, yesterday.â
[When I heard that you were going to visit the Townsend manor, I wondered if it was because of the Dukeâs business.]Â
This was the first time Philip had asked Layla for a meeting. They had never had a personal conversation before.
[âŠYes. I thought I couldnât leave it like this.]
At Laylaâs answer, Philip hesitated for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind and spoke.
[Then I have something to tell you.]Â
Philip told her everything that Daryl had done for about three years after divorcing Eleanor. The circumstances that led him to follow Eleanor to Wembury this time, and everything he did there. She was surprised, but more than that, she felt sorry. He was so foolish to be alone, doing things that Eleanor wouldnât even know about.
[These are facts that no one knows except the Duke. Originally, I shouldnât have told you, Layla, butâŠ]Â
Philip trailed off with a troubled expression. She fully understood his feelings. It was frustrating and infuriating to hear, let alone having to keep that secret alone for all those years.
[After the divorce, I thought it was a problem that would be solved over time. In fact, about a year after the divorce, it seemed to return to normal to some extent. But now⊠itâs worse than right after the divorce.]
[âŠ..]
[When the Duke said he would take a vacation for the first time in his life and follow Miss Townsend all the way to Wembury, I honestly thought it was a stupid thing to do. It would have been a hundred times better to cling to her openly. So if it doesnât work, give up. Thereâs no future in hovering around Miss Townsend in a place she doesnât know, is there?]Â
[âŠâŠ]
[ButâŠit seems it wasnât for the Duke. Even those days without a future seemed to be a precious comfort to him. Thatâs why heâs like thisâŠlike a man who has given up everything in despair.]
[..âŠ]
Philip bowed deeply in front of Layla.
[Please. Please tell Miss Townsend. To save the DukeâŠIt has to be Miss Townsend.]
It was the first time Philip had shown such an emotional side. She had thought he was as insensitive and blunt as Daryl.
âMr. Howarth is also very worried about my brother. Just as muchâŠmy brotherâs condition is really bad now.â
ââŠ..â
Eleanor remained silent, her eyebrows faintly furrowed. Layla chose her words carefully, considering Eleanorâs mood.
âMy brother didnât deceive Eleanor with bad intentions. The same goes for him following Eleanor all the way to Wembury. It was all because he thought Eleanor shouldnât go through any hardships. Of course, that doesnât make it okay. Itâs definitely wrong to lie to Eleanor. ButâŠIâm saying this because I hope Eleanor wonât misunderstand.â
ââŠ..â
Eleanor was silent for a long time, then suddenly opened her mouth.
âIf what youâre saying is trueâŠwhy didnât he tell me himself?â
[Why do you keep hanging around me? Why are you obsessed with me?]Â
[Because I, youâŠ]Â
Looking back, it seemed like Daryl was trying to confess his love to Eleanor at that moment. But he didnât finish his sentence. Instead, he shed tears.
ââŠMy brotherâŠseems to think he doesnât have the right to tell Eleanor he loves her. Because heâs done so much wrong to EleanorâŠâ
âIf itâs a feeling that canât even be mentioned, isnât it just that much of a feeling?â
âNo, itâs not. Really. Please believe me.â
Layla spoke urgently.
âI understand why Eleanor finds it hard to believe. But my brotherâs feelings are sincere. I can even swear on it.â
ââŠ..â
Eleanor looked down at her teacup in silence for a while, then quietly spoke.
ââŠOkay.â
âExcuse me?â
âWhat do you want me to do?â
Eleanorâs expression seemed calm at first glance, but there was a bitter and empty look in her eyes.
ââŠPlease meet my brother one more time.â
âAnd then?â
âJust meet him. I donât ask for anything else.â
That was it. She had no right to ask for more. She had explained as much as she could, and some misunderstandings must have been cleared up. The rest was up to Daryl.
Eleanor looked down at her teacup for a long time, then finally spoke.
ââŠOkay.â
***
Daryl was sitting anxiously in the parlor of the Lilac Room. It was the day Eleanor was to come to the Dukeâs residence to meet him.
A few days ago, Layla had said she had arranged a meeting with Eleanor again.
[Iâve told her everything. About my brotherâs feelings, about what my brother has been doing behind Eleanorâs back, everything. So think of this as your last chance, and honestly express your feelings.]Â
After hearing those words, he didnât know what to do. Even now, it was the same. He was happy that he could see Eleanor again. But he wasnât sure if he could confess his feelings to her.
Originally, it was a feeling he never intended to reveal in his lifetime. But Layla had already told Eleanor that Daryl loved her. Daryl swallowed a silent groan.
Then there was a knock.
âMiss Townsend is here.â
Daryl quickly got up from his seat. Soon, Eleanor entered the room.
She was as dazzlingly beautiful as the last time he saw her. She sat across from him, not trying to meet Darylâs eyes, with a calm face.
âIâll prepare the tea.â
Herbert left the room after saying that.
Only Daryl and Eleanor were left in the room, and an awkward silence flowed. Even after the maids came in and poured the tea, and left, it was the same.
âI heard youâre not feeling well.â
Suddenly, Eleanor opened her mouth.
Daryl swallowed and moistened his dry throat.
ââŠNo, Iâm fine.â
âI heard youâre not fine at all. They said you even collapsed.â
âI just confused the dosage of the medicine. Iâve been resting since then, so Iâm fine now.â
ââŠâ
Eleanor sighed softly.
âIs it because of me?â
ââŠ..â
âLeila said that youâŠ..collapsed and are in such a state, all because of me.â
ââŠThatâs not true. Itâs a misunderstanding.â
âReally?â
â..âŠâ
Eleanor looked at him with questioning eyes, and Daryl instinctively avoided her gaze.
âLayla said youâŠâ
Eleanor paused for a moment, as if choosing her words.
ââŠYou think of me as special. Is that also a misunderstanding?â
ââŠ..â
The moment he heard those words, he felt a lump in his chest. His hands were sweaty and his body started to tremble slightly.
âI thought there was no way. I still think the same. So if itâs a misunderstanding, please make it clear. Then Layla wonât be mistaken anymore.â
ââŠâ
He certainly had no right to tell her that he loved her. But he couldnât lie anymore.
ââŠItâs not⊠a misunderstanding.â
Daryl spoke with gritted teeth.
âI love you. I have loved you. From a long time agoâŠcontinuously.â
Daryl couldnât muster the courage to look up, his head bowed. Then he heard a cold voice above his head.
âSo what?â
“So what” aaaaggh BURY HIM GUUUURRRLL !! 6 FEET UNDER !
right!!!she is not his servant that she ha to accept all is demands. the gaslighting here is insane. wish she just married the viscount like remarried empress
Gurlll đ€ that’s wifey right there back off Daryl I’ll marry her instead
A resposta dela foi tĂŁo suave quanto um coice de mula!!!!
đł Vergonha alheia