If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Honestly, she had mixed feelings.

 

A year ago, the reason Eleanor couldn’t completely turn away from Daryl was because he looked so precarious, as if he could collapse at any moment.

 

But lately, she’s been thinking that this has resulted in an ambiguous rejection.

 

Of course, Eleanor said from the beginning that she couldn’t accept Daryl’s feelings, and he agreed. But it seemed that Daryl still held feelings for Eleanor even after a year.

 

Honestly, she didn’t mind exchanging letters with Daryl. The deep wounds of the past were slowly healing.

 

But she didn’t want Daryl to go through life without getting married, clinging to a futureless emotion, because of Eleanor.

 

‘…I’m not sure if I should talk to him about it.’

 

Daryl always said he just wanted Eleanor to be happy.

 

Eleanor didn’t want him to be unhappy either. Especially if it was because of her.

 

“Eleanor? Are you listening?”

 

At that moment, Eleanor was awakened from her thoughts by Layla’s voice.

 

“…Ah, I’m sorry, Layla. What did you say?”

 

“I asked if you could attend the wedding.”

 

“Ah, yes. When is it?”

 

“It’s at the end of August, two months from now. I wanted to do it before it gets cold.”

 

The empire is located in the northern part of the continent, so winter is long and comes early. The end of August would be a cool and perfect time.

 

“You don’t have to come if it’s hard. It’s quite far from here to the capital, and Eleanor might have other circumstances…”

 

Before Eleanor could answer, Layla hurriedly added. Eleanor shook her head.

 

“No. I’ll go. I should definitely attend.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yes, of course. It’s Layla’s wedding, after all.”

 

At that, Layla blushed as if she was happy. She carefully held Eleanor’s hand.

 

“Thank you so much, Eleanor.”

 

Eleanor silently smiled in response.

 

****

 

Layla stayed in Wembury for a week. During that time, they walked the trails that Eleanor often took, visited the beach and the village, and even had a birthday party together.

 

“I think I understand why Eleanor came all the way down here. Honestly, I thought it would be uncomfortable and boring because it’s so rural… but it’s really nice to live this leisurely.”

 

“Whenever you miss Wembury, come visit. You’re always welcome.”

 

“Really? Then I’m really going to visit every year during my vacation.”

 

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”

 

Eleanor and Layla smiled at each other.

 

Having never had a close friend to spend time with like this, these moments were very enjoyable and special. Honestly, she never imagined she could have this kind of relationship with Layla.

 

Thinking about it, she felt grateful to Daryl for creating this opportunity.

 

On the day Layla returned to the capital, she held Eleanor’s hand for a long time, seemingly reluctant to let go.

 

“When will we see each other again after we part…”

 

Eleanor couldn’t help but smile at her cute, downcast voice.

 

“We’ll see each other soon at the wedding.”

 

“Ah, right. That’s right. If possible, come early and stay for a while. I want you to see my wedding dress, and help me choose the flowers for the wedding… Of course, I’m not forcing you. Only if it’s okay with you…You know?”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

“Then see you in August, Eleanor.…Ah, right.”

 

Before getting on the carriage, Layla seemed to remember something and took out a bag from her belongings.

 

“What is this…?”

 

Eleanor tilted her head as she took the bag handed to her by Layla.

 

“It’s a birthday present that my brother asked me to give to Eleanor.”

 

“A birthday present…?”

 

The envelope looked like a regular letter envelope. It felt a bit heavy, suggesting that there was something small inside.

 

After Layla left, Eleanor opened the envelope. Inside was a letter and a key.

 

[Miss Townsend,

 

I hope you had a good time with Layla. I hope her visit to Wembury was not a bother. I worry that you, being such a kind person, may have been unable to refuse her against your will.

 

Happy birthday. It’s been quite a long time since we got to know each other, but I think this is the first time I’m properly celebrating your birthday.

 

In the past, I ruined your birthday, which should have been a happy and joyful day, several times because of me. I’m sorry. I want to make it up to you now, as shameless as it may be. Only within the limits allowed to me. So I prepared a gift. Please go to the mansion where Mr. Wilson used to live. The gift is inside.

 

Daryl Allen Lloyd.]

 

Once, Lewis Wilson returned to Wembury and sought out Eleanor. He bowed deeply, saying he wanted to formally apologize for deceiving her.

 

[I’m ashamed to say, but I was in considerable debt due to my business. I accepted a request from Duke Griffith to clear that debt. It was a desperate request, and I was assured that it would not violate the law or harm Miss Townsend… But deceiving Miss Townsend was undoubtedly wrong. I’m truly sorry.]

 

Eleanor accepted Wilson’s apology.

 

He said he would stay in the capital for a while, but planned to travel again soon. Before parting, Wilson smiled warmly when she mentioned sending her regards to Grace and Emma.

 

Since then, the mansion was thought to be vacant.

 

With a curious heart, Eleanor headed to the house where Wilson had lived, taking Emily with her.

 

Upon entering the courtyard, a familiar doghouse came into view. It was the house where Vinnie and the puppies lived.

 

When Daryl cleaned up this mansion, Eleanor took in Vinnie and the four puppies she had named herself. It was something she had asked Daryl directly.

 

The puppies, who used to fit in the palm of Elinor’s hand when they were born, had grown so big that they filled her arms when she held them. They were precious family members, and it was hard to imagine life without them.

 

Eleanor opened the front door with the key and went inside.

 

The house, which had been uninhabited for over a year, did not look like it. The interior was dust-free and well-maintained.

 

“My goodness…”

 

Emily exclaimed in surprise next to her.

 

The mansion was filled with paintings. Not only were they hung at regular intervals on the walls, but there were also paintings displayed on separate stands. It was as if the entire mansion had been rented out and turned into a gallery. All of them were works by famous artists. Bradshaw, Ingram, Rollie. Although the value of a painting cannot be measured in money, it was undoubtedly a considerable amount if valued at market price. Considering Daryl’s character, the likelihood of them being replicas was extremely low.

 

Among them were paintings that Eleanor had seen in the Duke’s gallery. They were undoubtedly moved directly from the Duke’s residence.

 

Eleanor’s steps came to a halt as she slowly looked around at the paintings.

 

The painting she was looking at was Barry Hoff’s “Mother and Daughter”. It was originally a part of Scofield’s collection, and later it was always hung in the Duke’s gallery.

 

[That’s right. I bought it from the Duke. You seemed to like it the most.]

 

She had forgotten about it for a long time. That such a thing had happened.

 

To Eleanor, memories related to Daryl were only terrible things she didn’t want to recall. That’s what she thought.

 

[As I said earlier, it wasn’t a day or two. My brother has liked Elinor for a very long time. Even before the divorce.]

 

So when she first heard that from Layla, she thought it couldn’t be. She couldn’t believe it.

 

Even after realizing that Daryl’s feelings were genuine, she couldn’t quite believe it.

 

But it seems that wasn’t the case. She had just forgotten.

 

Eleanor belatedly noticed a small envelope pinned to the wall where “Mother and Daughter” was hung. Eleanor carefully removed the pin and opened the envelope.

 

[Miss Townsend,

 

I hope you don’t find my gift burdensome.

 

I’ve known for a long time that the two things you love most are books and paintings, so I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to give you the latter as a gift, following the former. Since the time you were staying in Wembury.