If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Anthony entered Chatsworth House with a leisurely stride. The passing maids noticed him and quickly bowed their heads. Soon, the butler Herbert approached with a brisk walk.

 

“Master Anthony.”

 

“Yes, Herbert. Is my sister-in-law at home today?”

 

“Ah, yes. She is here, but…”

 

Herbert trailed off, seeming uncomfortable.

 

“It seems she’s not feeling well since this morning, so she’s been resting in her room.”

 

“Again today?”

 

Anthony frowned.

 

“Why does she always seem to be unwell when I visit? Is she very uncomfortable? Maybe she’s getting sicker because she stays at home all day. I wanted to take her for a walk in the garden on this occasion.”

 

“I understand your intentions, Master Anthony, but the Madam has already said not to disturb her today…I’m sorry to say this, but could you come back next time?”

 

“Next time? When will I know when Layla will leave the house…”

 

As he grumbled, Herbert repeatedly apologized. Since the day earlier this year when Anthony was having tea with Eleanor and Layla barged in, it had become very difficult to meet Eleanor. As soon as Anthony set foot in the Duke’s house, Layla would be on edge.

 

He had returned several times without even seeing Eleanor’s face. Anthony began to visit when he knew Layla was not at home. But now, Herbert was blocking Anthony, saying, ‘The Duchess is unwell and cannot meet.’

 

It seemed that Eleanor’s health was indeed a problem. She had collapsed several times after going out, and it seemed that she was not going out at all because of that. Even the Duke’s personal doctor was said to be regularly examining the Duchess.

 

Anyway, he was getting impatient as he kept hitting a wall. There were less than two months left until the one-year contract between Daryl and Eleanor.

 

‘I thought she would come over as soon as I made up my mind, but at this rate…’

 

In the end, he couldn’t break through Herbert’s defense today either. Anthony was sitting on a bench in the garden, scratching his head. Then he saw a maid walking by with a laundry basket. Anthony called her over, struck by a sudden thought.

 

“There, come here for a moment.”

 

The maid was startled by Anthony, but she came as he commanded.

 

“I haven’t seen your face before, what’s your name?”

 

Anthony asked with a friendly smile. The maid, who had a braided brown hair over her chest, blinked in surprise.

 

“I, I’m Jessica.”

 

“Okay, Jessica. Do you know who I am?”

 

“Yes. I know. You’re Master Anthony.”

 

“So you’ve seen me before? That’s strange. If I had seen such a pretty girl, I wouldn’t forget.”

 

Anthony put his arm around Jessica’s shoulder and stroked her hair. Jessica, blushing, rolled her eyes in confusion.

 

“Do you do the laundry?”

 

“Yes, yes, Master. That’s right.”

 

“Do you ever go into the Duchess’s room?”

 

“No, no. The Madam’s laundry is directly managed by her personal maid…”

 

“Really? Do you know that maid well? Or is there any other maid who goes into the Duchess’s room that you’re personally close to?”

 

“No, I haven’t been here long enough…”

 

Jessica murmured in a mosquito-like voice, shrinking her head. Anthony’s friendly smile turned cold in an instant.

 

Recently, even trying to dig up information by grabbing a maid like this has not been fruitful. It felt like there was a gag order from above. If even a newcomer he had never seen before was like this, it meant they were being trained quite strictly.

 

“So you never see the Duchess?”

 

“Yes. Unless I happen to pass by…”

 

Anthony let go of Jessica’s shoulder.

 

“I see. You can go now.”

 

“Yes? Yes, I understand. Master.”

 

Jessica, surprised by Anthony’s sudden change of attitude, quickly bowed her head and went back to her laundry.

 

But, she didn’t leave right away and hesitated for a moment.

 

“Ah, I… Master.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Is there something wrong?”

 

At Jessica’s question, Anthony narrowed his eyes and then smiled again.

 

“I just heard that the Duchess is uncomfortable and locked in her room every day, so I was worried and asked. Why? Do you know something?”

 

“Yes? No, it’s not that…”

 

“Don’t worry and tell me. I’ll keep it a secret from others.”

 

“It’s really not that. Just…If you’re looking for the Madam, she’s probably in the library now…”

 

“…Library? The one in the north garden?”

 

“Yes. I saw her going there earlier.”

 

Anthony’s eyes changed. He smiled, pulled Jessica back, and kissed her forehead.

 

“Ma, Master.”

 

Jessica’s face turned red again.

 

“Thank you.”

 

After tapping Jessica’s nose with his finger, Anthony headed for the library.

 

****

 

Eleanor was choosing a book in the library. She was counting the days until she could return to Loud, but there were things she would miss about Chatsworth House. The library was a prime example.

 

She had read many books diligently, but that was just a fraction of the entire library. She felt a certain regret thinking that she would never be able to set foot in this library again soon.

 

Recently, she had stopped reading books in the rest area altogether, so she felt even more so. She had been extremely reluctant to leave her room because she didn’t want to run into Daryl. So every time she made up her mind to go out, she came back with a pile of books with Emily. Then she could read enough for about a week.

 

Then Emily, who was holding the books Eleanor had chosen, suddenly sneezed.

 

“Are you cold?”

 

“No, Madam. I’m fine.”

 

Contrary to her words, Emily was shivering. The temperature has been dropping day by day since the season changed. It was fine until they entered the library, but it felt chilly inside because no sunlight came in.

 

“Take these books and go to the rest area for a while. I’ll pick a few more books and be right there.”

 

“It’s okay, Madam. You don’t have to.”

 

“Listen to me. If you catch a cold, I’m the one who’ll suffer the most.”

 

At Eleanor’s teasing words, Emily looked puzzled.

 

“I understand. Then I’ll wait outside.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Emily exited towards the rest area. Eleanor continued to choose books while slowly walking in front of the bookshelf.

 

In the midst of this, she heard the sound of a door creaking open. It was not the door to the rest area where Emily was, but the door connecting to the outside of the library. Eleanor was startled and turned to look in that direction.

 

“…Herbert? Is that you, Herbert?”

 

Even when she asked, there was no answer. She was scared and was about to go to the rest area when someone suddenly poked their head out from behind the bookshelf.

 

“Sister-in-law. You’re here.”

 

It was none other than Anthony. It was a face she hadn’t seen in at least half a year. She thought he had lost interest in her since his visits had abruptly stopped at some point.

 

“…LordJericho.”

 

“I knew you’d like it here. It’s quite decent, isn’t it?”

 

Anthony approached with his arms spread wide. His face, faintly illuminated in the dim light, seemed scary and oppressive even though he was clearly smiling. Whether it was because of the shadows or not, he looked bigger than usual. Eleanor, holding the candlestick, unconsciously stepped back.

 

“Don’t come any closer.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“You can’t come in here. I’m the only one here. Please leave immediately.”

 

At her stern attitude, Anthony chuckled.

 

“Why are you saying that? It’s not like I’m going to do anything bad to you.”

 

“If you don’t leave, I will.”

 

Eleanor turned her back on Anthony and turned around. Anthony clicked his tongue and followed her.

 

“Wait a minute, sister-in-law. That’s too much. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, and you’re treating me like this?”

 

As Anthony approached, Eleanor quickened her pace. Naturally, Anthony also hurried his steps, and in the end, it looked as if Eleanor was running away from Anthony.

 

Then, Eleanor seemed to trip and momentarily lost her balance. Anthony reflexively wrapped his arm around Eleanor’s waist.

 

“Whoa, are you okay?”

 

“Let go!”

 

Eleanor pushed Anthony away and shouted. Eleanor’s eyes were wide open and her lips were trembling faintly as if she was terrified. Anthony’s face, which had been blank for a moment, soon twisted in displeasure.

 

“I was just trying to help you because you seemed to be falling. What are you treating me like a criminal…”

 

Before Anthony could finish his sentence, Eleanor turned her head to run away again. Seeing her like that, Anthony suddenly got angry. He grabbed Eleanor’s wrist and roughly pulled her towards him.