If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Taking Emily doesn’t seem like a good thing for her. The fact that she’ll work at the Townsend Manor doesn’t seem like it will be a positive career move.

 

It was true that Eleanor had solved Emily’s family problems. Considering how much stress and financial burden Emily was feeling because of her brother, it was only natural for her to regard Eleanor as a great benefactor.

 

But Eleanor never bestowed favor on Emily with the intention of erasing her debt. She just couldn’t ignore her dire situation. It was something Emily could never solve on her own, but it was possible for Eleanor. There was no need to go to great lengths. So she helped. She never expected any repayment in the first place.

 

‘…Maybe the late Duke felt the same way.’

 

She wondered if the late Duke felt something similar to what she was feeling now when he looked at her. He might have felt sorry for Eleanor, who lost her parents at a young age, and wanted her to have the same happiness as others….That’s why he went to great lengths to find her an adoptive home, hired a chaperone to her so she could go out into society.

 

Now that time has passed and she’s in this position, she felt like she understood his feelings. But Eleanor only refused all the kindness he offered because she didn’t want to owe him more.

 

‘The Duke just wanted me to be happy… He must have been so sad to think that my life was unhappy because he sponsored us. That’s why he left such a will…’

 

She felt like she understood Emily’s feelings as well. If she refused Emily’s request now, it would be like owing an even bigger debt in her heart to her. She didn’t want Emily to feel the pain she had felt.

 

Besides, Emily’s brother is at the mansion in Loud. If they work in the same house, Emily will feel more at ease.

 

“Okay, Emily. Let’s go to Loud together.”

 

At Eleanor’s words, Emily’s eyes widened. She seemed to have not expected to be accepted so easily even though she asked.

 

“Really, Madam? Can I really do that?”

 

“Yes, sure.”

 

“Thank you, Madam! Thank you so much!”

 

Emily tried to bow down and rub her head on the floor again. Eleanor quickly stopped her.

 

“But there’s one condition.”

 

“Yes? Yes. Please tell me, Madam.”

 

“Never say you’re sorry to me again, or that you have to repay a favor. The moment you leave here and go to Loud, everything that happened between us in the past is gone. So you don’t need to feel sorry or grateful to me anymore. How about it, can you promise?”

 

“……”

 

Emily hesitated and couldn’t answer. Eleanor made a stern face.

 

“If you can’t promise, I’ll cancel taking you with me.”

 

“No, don’t!”

 

Emily cried out in dismay.

 

“…Okay, Madam. I promise.”

 

“Good.”

 

Eleanor smiled and stroked Emily’s head.

 

****

 

Cecilia got off the carriage, leaning on her cane. It had been over a year since Frederick’s death, but she was still dressed in black mourning clothes.

 

“Countess Crawford.”

 

Herbert, who greeted Cecilia, looked greatly flustered.

 

“It’s difficult. If you suddenly visit without notice…”

 

“Since when have you been in a position to criticize my behavior, Stevens?”

 

“……”

 

Herbert looked down in despair. Cecilia furrowed her wrinkled brow even more.

 

A year ago, the day after the wedding, Cecilia had been terribly humiliated by Daryl and had completely cut off her visits to the Duke’s house. At first, she seriously considered cutting ties with Daryl. She was that deeply wounded in her pride.

 

But no matter how much she hated him, Daryl was Frederick’s child. As the only elder left in the Duke of Griffith’s family, Cecilia couldn’t completely ignore Daryl and the Duke’s house.

 

It was clear that Daryl’s contempt for Cecilia was influenced by Eleanor.

 

‘If I back off quietly, it’s just what she wants.’

 

So Cecilia gritted her teeth and waited a year. According to Daryl’s prior announcement, they were planning to divorce after maintaining their marriage for exactly one year. She had to closely monitor and verify whether Eleanor was planning to stay in the Duke’s house now, or if she had any other tricks up her sleeve.

 

Of course, Daryl had been prohibiting Cecilia from entering Chatsworth House since then. That’s why she deliberately visited when she knew Daryl would be away on a business trip for a few days.

 

“I want to see my niece-in-law.”

 

“Countess Crawford. The Duke will be furious. Please reconsider.”

 

“What should I reconsider? Is there a reason I can’t see my niece-in-law?”

 

“Countess.”

 

Cecilia lifted her cane and slammed it hard on the floor. The loud noise echoed in the high-ceilinged hall.

 

“Call my niece-in-law right now.”

 

“……”

 

Herbert bowed his head and said nothing. Cecilia’s eyes flashed with anger.

 

“Herbert Stevens. How dare you treat me like this, even though you’ve served the Duke’s family for three generations? Do you still have the face to see my late father and Frederick?”

 

“…..”

 

Herbert still said nothing. The hand holding the cane tightened. Just as Cecilia was about to lift her cane,

 

“Aunt.”

 

A soft voice came from the top of the stairs. It was Eleanor. Eleanor slowly descended the stairs and stood in front of Cecilia.

 

“You’re here, Aunt.”

 

She was calm as if it was a scheduled visit. Cecilia glared at Eleanor.

 

“I didn’t know it was so hard to see my niece-in-law. I don’t know how precious you are that everyone is huddled around you. Even Herbert, who has been with me for 50 years.”

 

“…Madam.”

 

Herbert seemed to worry only about Eleanor, as if he didn’t hear Cecilia’s sarcasm. It was unbearable to see him like that.

 

“It’s okay, Herbert. You can go.”

 

“……”

 

Herbert bowed his head and stepped back a little. But he didn’t leave the spot. He seemed ready to intervene at any time.

 

“What brings you here today?”

 

Cecilia grimaced at Eleanor’s indifferent question.

 

“…You cheeky thing. How long are you going to keep me standing here? Shouldn’t you guide me to the reception room first?”

 

“I’m sorry, Countess. Please come this way.”

 

Herbert hurriedly intervened. But Eleanor raised her hand to stop him.

 

“No, there’s no need.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I’ll ask again. What brings you here?”

 

Eleanor’s face was still almost expressionless. Cecilia began to tremble her jaw slightly.

 

“Do you dare to insult me, not knowing your place?”

 

“Countess, you are banned from entering Chatsworth House. That fact does not change even if he is not here now. Please state your business and leave.”

 

Cecilia’s face turned red in an instant. Filled with rage, she raised her cane. Herbert, in a panic, grabbed Cecilia’s arm.

 

“Countess. Please calm down!”

 

“Let go! Can’t you let go? This girl, how dare she speak so freely, this wretched girl!”

 

Unlike Cecilia, who was excited as if she was about to foam at the mouth, Eleanor didn’t even blink.

 

“If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as you have no business. Herbert, please escort the Countess.”

 

“Wait! You insolent girl, can’t you stand there? Let go! Let go!”

 

Soon, other servants rushed in and grabbed Cecilia. She was angry and humiliated. She didn’t come back to the Duke’s house to be humiliated like this.

 

“Do you think I don’t know your scheme? You’re probably planning on staying as the Duchess as it is? You shameless girl, do you think I’ll let you have your way?”

 

As Cecilia screamed, Eleanor, who was climbing the stairs, stopped. Eleanor turned around and came closer to Cecilia again.

 

“Madam.”

 

Herbert hurriedly blocked Eleanor’s path.

 

“It’s okay, Herbert. Step aside.”

 

“But…”

 

“Herbert.”

 

“…..”

 

Herbert bowed his head and made way for Eleanor. Eleanor looked at Cecilia, who was firmly restrained by two servants.

 

“I have no intention of doing so.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I said I have no intention of staying in the Duke’s house. Today is my last day at Chatsworth House. I will leave as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow.”

 

Eleanor said with an expressionless face.