IGRA Extra 5

“….That’s right.”

 

Philip said. It was a short but very solemn and meaningful word.

 

“But…Butler, you called it an important matter. Isn’t this a tea gathering?”

 

Philip said, his voice filled with curiosity. On the table inside the gazebo, a set of teacups and teapots were prepared according to the number of people.

 

Herbert had been pouring the tea himself since earlier. Although Peggy and Emily offered to do it, Herbert shook his head, refusing.

 

“The people here have suffered more than anyone else until today. Think of it as a comforting and celebratory gathering.”

 

Herbert’s words brought a bitter smile to everyone’s face.

 

Soon, Herbert poured tea into everyone’s cups. As he did, a fresh tea fragrance filled the gazebo.

 

“Now, please have a taste.”

 

“It’s delicious!”

 

“The aroma is excellent. As expected, your skills are superb.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

As everyone complimented him, Herbert nodded his head in response.

 

He briefly looked at the Duke and Duchess, then turned his gaze to the sky.

 

“That being said, the weather is quite nice….”

 

The sky was wide open, with not a single cloud in sight. It was the sunniest Imperial summer day ever.

 

****

 

Eleanor looked down at her sleeping nephew in the cradle, holding her breath. The sight of him sleeping so peacefully was indescribably adorable.

 

“How can a baby be so cute…with those soft-looking cheeks and chubby arms and legs…”

 

Filled with sincerity, Layla burst into a small laugh.

 

“You can touch if you want.”

 

“What if the baby wakes up?”

 

“They always wake up and cry anyway.”

 

“Still…”

 

As Eleanor spoke in a shrinking voice, Layla chuckled.

 

Maybe it’s because she became a mother of a child. It might just be her feeling, but Layla felt much more grown-up than before. Even though her expression and tone had hardly changed, there was an atmosphere unique to someone who had accomplished something big.

 

“You’ve really been through a lot. Take good care of yourself. People say that after giving birth is the bigger challenge.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’m resting well every day. Joshua makes more of a fuss now than when I was pregnant. I need some exercise too.”

 

“It seems like Joshua really loves you, Layla.”

 

“Do those words only mean me, sister-in-law?”

 

Layla said incredulously, and Eleanor’s cheeks flushed slightly.

 

“I heard that you two are very affectionate.”

 

“Who, who said that?”

 

“Who else? It’s the talk in the duke’s residence.”

 

“……”

 

Eleanore looked down, embarrassed.

 

“It’s been over half a year since you got married. Don’t you have any good news?”

 

“Well, I don’t know…”

 

Eleanor smiled ambiguously, fumbling with her words.

 

Layla blinked with a slight realization.

 

“…Ah, you know I’m not trying to rush you, right? I was just curious…If it’s burdensome for Eleanor, I won’t talk about it anymore.”

 

“Huh? No, why would you say that all of a sudden?”

 

“Well, just bringing it up could be enough pressure for you. I heard a lot of comments myself before I had Liam…”

 

Layla trailed off in a soft voice.

 

Apart from the matter with the Daily Post, it seemed that Layla’s life living with her in-laws wasn’t easy. Fortunately, it seemed that her husband Joshua took good care of her.

 

“In that case, Eleanor might feel a bit more at ease. Now that Aunt is no longer here…”

 

Cecilia had collapsed from shock right after Frederick’s letter was made public, resulting in paralysis throughout her body. She had been bedridden ever since and had passed away a few months ago.

 

Although Eleanor and Cecilia were never on good terms, Cecilia was still Daryl’s closest relative. There was concern that Daryl, who had already lost his parents, would feel a sense of loss, but he remained composed throughout the funeral.

 

In fact, after the wedding date was set, Eleanor had offered to visit Cecilia first. But Daryl had cut her off, saying there was no need.

 

[Aunt’s condition is very bad. She surely won’t recognize you even if you go.]

 

[Still……]

 

[Thank you, Eleanor. I know you’re compassionate and kind. But there’s no need to cherish others’ feelings at the expense of your own heart. Let’s think only of good things and be completely happy. I brought you back here with that promise.]

 

[……]

 

Eleanore felt a sudden warmth in her heart at Daryl’s words and leaned against him without a word.

 

“If we were to have a baby…would Daryl be happy?”

 

At that, Layla looked stunned.

 

“Of course. How could he not be happy about having his own child? Not to brag, but Joshua was over the moon.”

 

“Really…?”

 

“Of course. Why? Did my brother say he doesn’t want children? Did he say something like that?”

 

Layla asked with a scrunched-up face, looking ready to run to the duke’s residence and confront Daryl. Eleanor laughed and waved her hand dismissively.

 

****

 

“Welcome back, Madam. The Master is in his office. It seems he came home early today.”

 

As Eleanor returned to Chatsworth House, Herbert spoke with a meaningful look on his face. A radiant smile bloomed on Eleanor’s face.

 

“Thank you, Herbert.”

 

Eleanor quickened her pace and went to the office.

 

“Honey.”

 

As Eleanore entered the office, Daryl immediately rose from his desk. He moved much faster than her and swept her up into his arms.

 

“My love.”

 

“Eek! Be careful.”

 

“Don’t worry. I won’t drop you.”

 

“That’s not it…”

 

Daryl hesitated and then set Eleanor down.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Where does it hurt?”

 

Daryl asked with a serious expression. Eleanor shook her head and gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen.

 

Daryl’s eyes slowly widened.

 

“Could it be…”

 

He swallowed hard. Eleanor smiled faintly.

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Really… really? You’re…..pregnant?”

 

“Yes. I heard it from Dr. Hardy this morning. In fact, I just met Layla…I wanted to tell you first, so I held back without saying anything.”

 

“This…If this was the case…you should have just sent someone to tell me right away. I would have rushed over here immediately, whether I’m working or anything else. No, that’s not what I mean…”

 

Daryl hesitated to embrace Eleanore again, pacing back and forth in front of her, unsure of what to do. Eleanor looked at him with wide eyes and then burst into laughter.

 

“Calm down, honey.”

 

“How can I calm down? You’re pregnant. You’re carrying my child…!”

 

Eventually, Daryl knelt in front of Eleanor and gently wrapped his arms around her waist. He carefully placed his ear against Eleanor’s belly.

 

“…You won’t be able to tell anyway. My belly hasn’t even started showing signs yet…”

 

Eleanor spoke in a slightly choked voice, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

 

“I know. It’s just…I’m so grateful.”

 

“For what?”

 

“For everything… Thank you, Eleanor. For marrying me. For loving me…”

 

“……”

 

Eleanor wiped away the faint tears that had formed with her fingers and then embraced Daryl’s head.

 

“I’m thankful too. For being so happy about it…”

 

Daryl slowly stood up and then kissed Eleanor.

 

It was not as intense as usual, but it was a kiss filled with affection.

 

****

 

“Sylvia, John! Don’t go too far!”

 

Eleanore shouted with cupped hands. The siblings, born a year apart, seemed excited by the sight of the sea they were seeing for the first time, running barefoot on the sandy beach.

 

“Don’t worry, Madam! I’ll keep a close eye on them!”

 

Emily shouted back, standing next to Sylvia and John. Eleanor waved her hand in thanks.

 

Eleanor sat in front of the canvas, pencil in hand, intending to capture the image of the frolicking children.

 

Then, from behind, Daryl embraced Eleanor tightly. Eleanor gasped in surprise and grabbed his arms.

 

“Daryl, what, this is outside…!”

 

“Don’t worry, no one is watching.”

 

Daryl whispered tenderly and kissed Eleanor’s cheek.

 

He turned forty this year, but her husband was still incredibly handsome. There were times when she would still stare at his face as if enchanted, so there was no need to say more.

 

Their children, taking after their father, were already angelically beautiful from the start. Of course, it could be the parents’ biased view, but Eleanor was confident it wasn’t. It was a cold assessment with the eyes of a painter. Both were bound to become great beauties as they grew up.

 

This year, at Daryl’s suggestion, she started her artistic activities again. This time, it was under the name Eleanor Townsend, not Marcus Miller. Although she was now Eleanor Lloyd, she wanted to keep the Townsend name alive, even if only as a pen name.

 

It had been a few years since she released a work, and she was honestly a bit worried, but the critics’ praise made such concerns seem unfounded. The lonely and desolate sentiment of the past was gone, but in its place, unrestrained rich emotions and a warm perspective opened new horizons.

 

Wealthy individuals were eager to purchase her works, but Eleanor publicly declared that she would not sell any future works. Instead, she planned to hold free exhibitions regularly.

 

This time, she took a rare vacation and came down to Wembury with the children for the first time in a while.

 

The person Eleanor had painted the most during that time was not her children. It was her husband. She never exhibited the paintings of her husband. It wasn’t because she was dissatisfied with the quality of the work. She simply wanted to keep them entirely to herself.

 

“I regret telling you to start painting again. If I knew you’d put me on the back burner like this.”

 

At Daryl’s words, Eleanor gave a bitter smile.

 

“That’s ridiculous. How could that be?”

 

The idea of putting Daryl on the back burner, even if Eleanor wanted to, was impossible.

 

Not just now, but surely, for the rest of her life.

 

“What would I do if I didn’t paint?”

 

Daryl whispered softly into Eleanor’s ear, a sound only she could hear. Eleanor’s eyes widened, and she slapped Daryl’s arm.

 

“How indecent!”

 

Daryl chuckled, and Eleanor ended up laughing along with him.

 

Daryl took off the straw hat Eleanor was wearing and covered their faces with it. Behind the hat, the two shared a long kiss.

 

 -Fin.