If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

It was when she had packed her luggage and stepped out of the station. While walking towards the carriage, Eleanor unknowingly stopped and widened her eyes.

 

“…Duke?”

 

It was Daryl. He took off his hat and approached Eleanor.

 

“It’s been a while, Miss Townsend.”

 

He looked much better than the last time she saw him. He was still a bit thinner compared to before the divorce, but the deep shadows under his eyes were gone, and his cheekbones no longer looked prominent. And now, there was a light back in his eyes, which had been as dark as despair.

 

“How did you…You didn’t wait for me, did you?”

 

“I heard from Layla that Miss Townsend would be arriving by train this afternoon. I happened to be in the area, so I thought it would be nice to say hello…”

 

Daryl stopped mid-sentence.

 

Eleanor tilted her head at the abrupt end of his words. Soon, Daryl continued in a low voice.

 

“…No. I promised not to lie anymore. I’ll tell the truth. There was no such thing as work. I just…wanted to see Miss Townsend.”

 

“…..”

 

“After hearing that Miss Townsend was coming, I couldn’t concentrate on anything. Thinking that I could see you soon, I couldn’t wait until the wedding day. I thought about hiding and watching, but since I decided not to do that…I’m sorry. I apologize if I startled you.”

 

“…..”

 

Daryl looked down silently, then put his hat back on.

 

“I’ve seen your face, so I’m satisfied. I’ll excuse myself now. I’ll see you on the wedding day.”

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

She spoke without realizing it.

 

Daryl turned around and looked at Eleanor with surprised eyes. Eleanor hesitated, pulling back her outstretched hand. She didn’t know why she had called Daryl. It had been a long two-day journey. She was tired, and there were a lot of luggage and servants accompanying her. She couldn’t invite Daryl to the mansion in Loud in this situation, and she couldn’t go anywhere else either…

 

In the midst of her embarrassment, a thought suddenly came to her.

 

“…Ah, right. The picture…The picture you asked for, I drew it.”

 

At her words, Daryl’s face lit up.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Since we met, I can give it to you now. Ah, if it’s inconvenient for you to carry it now, next time…”

 

“No. I came by carriage, so I can take it. I’ll take it now.”

 

Daryl hurriedly said. His expression was quite desperate.

 

“…Ah, okay. Then…”

 

Eleanor approached the servant standing behind her and took the picture wrapped in thick paper. Daryl quickly followed.

 

“It might be heavy, so I’ll carry it.”

 

“Huh? No, it’s not that heavy…”

 

Eleanor mumbled awkwardly. But since it was a picture to be given to Daryl anyway, it was strange to insist on carrying it. Daryl was holding the picture as if it was a very precious item.

 

“…Don’t open it here. Please open it when you get home.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Don’t expect too much. It’s my first self-portrait…I don’t think it’s worn out much, and I don’t know. So…”

 

“I understand. Don’t worry.”

 

Eleanor thought it had been a long time since she saw Daryl with such a happy expression. No, she might not have seen it before.

 

Eleanor awkwardly stood still, then nodded to Daryl.

 

“Then, please go carefully.”

 

“You too, Miss Townsend.”

 

Eleanor parted with Daryl and went to the carriage. Before getting on the carriage, she looked back and saw Daryl standing there with the picture. The sight of him holding the picture, which was full in his arms, made her feel a little funny and somehow sad.

 

When their eyes met, Daryl took off his hat again and bowed his head.

 

The carriage was silent on the way to Loud. Eleanor was lost in thought with a strange expression, and Peggy and Emily kept exchanging glances, watching their master.

 

****

 

“Now, you know today is the day Eleanor is coming, right? Make sure everything is prepared without any problems. Treat her as if she were royalty. Make her so comfortable and happy that she doesn’t want to go home. Got it?”

 

“Yes, Miss.”

 

The servants lined up in the hall answered in unison and bowed their heads. It was quite a sight to see all the servants of the mansion gathered in one place. Usually, Layla would give instructions through the head maid or the butler, so this was the first time she had gathered all the servants like this. Even after dismissing the servants, Layla personally checked the preparations around the mansion. That was also something she usually left to the head maid.

 

“It seems like you’re more excited than preparing for the wedding.”

 

Joshua said, resting his chin on the armrest of the sofa.

 

“Did you actually want to marry Miss Townsend more than me?”

 

“Stop talking nonsense. I’m tired as it is.”

 

She had walked around the mansion twice with head maid Matilda and her legs were sore. She was taking a break now.

 

“Eleanor is coming to the capital for the first time in almost a year. And that’s because she’s coming for my wedding, so who knows when he’ll have another chance.”

 

“What chance?”

 

“…”

 

Layla pursed her lips and said nothing. Yesterday, Daryl received a picture from Eleanor. It turned out that he had gone to meet her at the train station in time for her arrival. The picture Eleanor gave to Daryl was none other than a self-portrait she had drawn. As expected of a famous painter, it was a very detailed and well-drawn picture.

 

In her personal opinion, the slightly awkward smile was a bit disappointing. Eleanor usually smiles much prettier. But perhaps that’s what made it feel like Eleanor. She liked that. Anyway, Daryl was so absorbed in that picture that he spent all day looking at it. He had clung to the portrait of Daryl that Eleanor had drawn a long time ago, but the feeling was different this time. The look in Daryl’s eyes as he looked at Eleanor’s self-portrait was not the empty obsession of before, but a warm and passionate affection.

 

Anyway, the fact that Eleanor drew a self-portrait for Daryl was something that could not have been imagined a year ago.

 

‘…It’s clear that their relationship has improved a lot.’ 

 

A while ago when she went down to Wembury, Eleanor had asked about Daryl first. She even wondered if he had no thoughts of remarrying.

 

‘Well, considering that I’m getting married before my big brother, it’s understandable that she would be curious. But still…’

 

Daryl was still deeply in love with Eleanor. Surely his consistent feelings had gradually opened Eleanor’s heart. Of course, it was still too early to jump to conclusions. But there was no doubt that now, with Eleanor coming up to attend Layla’s wedding, was an invaluable opportunity. Layla was still hoping to become a family with Eleanor again.

 

“Why, what’s wrong?”

 

Joshua asked again, frustrated.

 

“…It’s a secret. I don’t want to mess things up by getting ahead of myself.”

 

“Do you have secrets you can’t tell me?”

 

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

 

“Weren’t we supposed to share everything?”

 

“Maybe we were until now, but not anymore. It’s common for wives to have a secret or two that they can’t tell their husbands.”

 

“What, where did you hear that?”

 

Joshua frowned and grumbled. Layla giggled softly.

 

“When the time comes, I’ll tell you everything, so don’t get ahead of yourself and stay quiet.”

 

“What do I need to know to get ahead or not…”

 

Joshua’s complaints were no longer reaching Layla’s ears. Layla’s mind was busy thinking about the plans ahead.