“…Master.”
“It’s not an excuse. It’s true.”
“Then, it won’t be a problem if there are no people.”
“What?”
“If there are no other spectators besides us, then we can go without any problems. Isn’t that right?”
“……”
Eleanor faintly furrowed her brows. It was an expression that she couldn’t understand what Daryl was saying.
“I’ve been receiving invitations from Scofield every year. I’ve never been there. For my wife who is very shy, if I ask them to open the exhibition hall only for us for a day, they will surely accept it gladly.”
“……”
Daryl looked at the silent Eleanor and chuckled.
“See. Are you still going to say it’s not an excuse?”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
“…What?”
“If you’re going to do so much for me, it wouldn’t be right to refuse. I’ll go.”
Eleanor spoke calmly. Daryl’s eyes, which had been wide open in surprise, slowly narrowed.
“You’re talking as if you’re doing me a favor. As I said before, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“That’s not it. I told you. It’s not because I don’t like it.”
“……”
Daryl stared at Eleanor without a word, then got up from his seat.
“Don’t regret saying that.”
Daryl turned around and left the gazebo. Herbert, who was flustered, alternately looked at Daryl’s retreating figure and Eleanor, then bowed his head and followed Daryl.
****
Daryl really contacted Viscount Scofield through Philip and promised to open the exhibition hall for him and his wife for one evening.
It seems to be true that the older you get, the more worries you have. Herbert struggled to suppress the worries and admonitions that were about to pop out in front of Daryl. And on the day of the outing, just before Daryl was about to leave, he opened his mouth.
“Master. Please make a promise with me. Today, you won’t speak harshly to the Madam as usual.”
Daryl, who was dressing, frowned.
“You’re saying the same thing as Eleanor. Did you two plan this?”
He had even added a new clause to the contract because of that. Come to think of it, he mentioned it on the night of the wedding.
“Did Madam also say that? She, directly to you, Master?”
Herbert asked, his eyes wide open.
“That’s right. I wonder why?”
“……”
Herbert silently stared at Daryl. His gaze seemed to regard him as a very pathetic person. Come to think of it, that was also the same as Eleanor.
“Then please restrain yourself today. I beg you. Even if it’s just for today.”
“Why?”
‘Because if you act so unpleasantly on a rare opportunity, your affection will decrease even more.’
No matter what, he couldn’t say that honestly.
“I noticed that Madam seemed very upset because of your words. It’s been a long time since you’ve been out together, wouldn’t it be nice if both of you had a good time?”
Daryl was silent for a moment, then muttered as if throwing it away.
“Whatever I do, that won’t happen. Because my wife hates me.”
“…..”
Herbert blinked his eyes. For a brief moment, it seemed like he had caught a glimpse of Daryl’s sincerity.
“What are you talking about? That’s a delusion.”
“…A delusion?”
“Yes. The Madam absolutely does not hate you. I can swear on my name.”
“…..”
At those words, Daryl seemed to be slightly shaken.
Of course, Herbert didn’t know Eleanor’s heart. But it wasn’t a completely baseless statement.
The Eleanor that Herbert had seen was an incredibly kind and affectionate woman. She had even embraced Emily, who had always rejected her as a servant, with mercy. The story of Eleanor helping Emily was widely spread among the servants of the Duke’s house. Perhaps because of that, the perception and treatment of other servants, including Matilda, seemed to be changing little by little.
Eleanor, who had even forgiven the servant’s humiliation, wouldn’t help but also forgive Daryl. Herbert believed that if Daryl softened his current attitude and treated Eleanor, she would surely open her heart.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Herbert finished tying the tie for Daryl, who seemed lost in thought.
Despite everything, Daryl trusted Herbert quite a bit. He thought there must be a reason why he was talking with such confidence.
Suddenly, he remembered Eleanor painting his portrait. Surely at that time, she was looking at Daryl in the picture with eyes as if she was seeing something very lovely.
Perhaps all of this was a misunderstanding. Eleanor might also think that he hates her like Daryl, and deliberately maintain such a dull attitude in front of him.
Thinking so, he felt a strange flutter in his chest. Daryl, with his mouth shut, entrusted his body to Herbert, who was dressing him.
“I hope you remember what I told you and have a pleasant day with the Madam.”
Daryl was waiting for Eleanor, who was coming down the stairs, with his back turned. Today, she was wearing a sky-blue satin dress with floral embroidery. Her hair, which was tied up and let down with ribbon decorations, was very elegant.
Seeing Eleanor approaching, Daryl silently reached out his hand. Eleanor also took his hand with her eyes slightly downcast. Herbert, standing next to them, was sending a meaningful look to Daryl.
[You know, Master. When you see Madam today, first compliment her appearance. That alone will make half of the day go well.]
It was what Herbert had made him promise in a rather impudent tone earlier.
‘You look beautiful today.’
But saying that one sentence, which was nothing special, was too awkward and uncomfortable. It might have been better if it was a completely insincere remark. Herbert was signaling with his eyes endlessly as if to say, “Now! Now!” But Daryl completely ignored him.
“…Please be careful.”
There was a deep criticism in Herbert’s eyes as he closed the carriage door.
There was no word from Eleanor in the carriage either. She was looking out the window at an angle with a calm face close to expressionless. He felt twisted inside because she was so blatantly showing that he’s existence was barely there, but he held back from teasing as usual.
In the end, the two arrived at the mansion of Viscount Scofield without exchanging a single word.
“Thank you for coming to this humble place, Duke Griffith.”
Viscount James Scofield was full of smiles. It seemed quite proud that the Duke, who was rumored to be reclusive, had specifically chosen to visit him.
“I should be the one thanking you for graciously accepting such a difficult request.”
“Oh, no. It’s only natural to listen to someone like you.”
Viscount Scofield said with a big smile. Daryl thought that if his lips went up a little more, they might tear.
“Madam, it’s truly an honor to see you. You are as beautiful as the rumors say.”
“Your praise is too much. I also knew of Viscount Scofield’s reputation, and I’m grateful for your consideration of our situation. I’m very excited to see your precious collection today.”
At Eleanor’s words, Viscount Scofield’s mouth widened even more.
‘It doesn’t tear.’
Daryl thought expressionlessly.
“Thank you for your kind words, Duchess. Let’s go. Today, I will personally show and explain my secret collection to you.”
“No, there’s no need for that.”
Daryl interjected in a dry voice.
“I appreciate the thought, but we would like to look around slowly by ourselves. That’s why we asked for others to leave, so don’t take it the wrong way.”
“…Ah, is that so? Well, it’s only right for the two of you to spend some quality time together since you’re out together after a long time. I was thoughtless.”
Viscount Scofield seemed disappointed for a moment, but quickly erased such a look and spoke pleasantly.
“Then, please take your time. I will prepare some refreshments.”
“Thank you.”
Daryl and Eleanor were guided to the exhibition hall. The venue was quite large as it used the entire annex. It seemed to easily accommodate about a hundred people at the same time.
‘It’s certainly a topic of conversation.’
Daryl quickly scanned the inside of the exhibition hall. The hall was filled with various paintings and sculptures. All of them were works by famous artists whose names were well-known just by hearing them.
Eleanor, overwhelmed by its grandeur, was looking around with her eyes slightly wide open. Seeing her hesitate to move, it seemed she was confused about where to start.
