♡ TL: Khadija SK
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Viola was a fictional persona Theodore used to communicate with Hazel, the name designated for scheduling Friday meetings.
Theodore always sent letters on Wednesdays. Thus, a letter arriving today, Saturday, was unexpected.
Hazel received the letter with a puzzled expression.
“Thank you.”
Anne left, and Hazel hurriedly opened the envelope. She quickly recognized the neat, elegant handwriting.
Theodore requested a meeting, set for tomorrow. Hazel’s pupils trembled slightly.
A sudden meeting wasn’t like him.
Since learning of Viscount Easton’s disapproval, Theodore had been cautious about his encounters with Hazel.
“I want to see you every day, but I can’t leave the impression with Viscount Easton that I’m disregarding him.”
Theodore was making a concerted effort to win over Viscount Easton while continuing to court Hazel.
So, it was curious that he’d request a meeting tomorrow without the usual few days’ buffer.
“Did something happen? Or perhaps… ah!”
Hazel suddenly recalled the papers she’d hidden deep in her wardrobe drawer.
“Maybe he realized he lost the papers and wants me to return them. Or maybe…”
She abruptly remembered that Theodore had visited Fabri and inquired about the translator’s identity.
Hazel’s pupils quivered as she bit her lips anxiously.
Could Theodore have figured it out?
***
Sunday arrived.
Hazel woke in the morning and moved briskly to prepare herself for her sacred duty of attending church.
She ate a light breakfast, donned a gray dress, and retrieved her prayer book for the first time in ages.
Her prayer book looked almost new. She’d barely opened it since receiving it at age ten.
Opening it, Hazel saw her name inscribed inside and let out a faint sigh.
She didn’t like the meeting place Theodore had chosen one bit.
The church…
A church that interpreted everything as God’s will didn’t suit Hazel.
She’d hinted at this indirectly in a past conversation with Theodore.
“The parish priest is a kind man, but he’s not engaging enough for me to invest my Sundays with him. So, I usually read a book on Sundays. I’d rather feed my mind than my heart.”
Yet, it was clear why Theodore picked the church as their meeting spot.
It was one of the few safe places a noblewoman could visit freely without arousing suspicion.
As expected, Viscount Easton didn’t forbid Hazel from going to church.
Having secured permission early that morning, Hazel rose, clutching her prayer book.
When she descended to the first floor, Charlotte’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Sister, where are you going? It can’t be the church, can it?”
“Why not?”
At Hazel’s calm reply, Charlotte’s jaw dropped further until she finally erupted into a loud shriek.
“Mother!!!! Come see! Sister, Sisteeeeer!”
At her scream-like cry, Viscount Easton rushed out, still drying his hair.
“What’s wrong, Charlotte?”
From the second floor, overlooking the first, Lady Easton peered over the railing and asked:
“What’s happening?”
“Sister says she’s going to church!”
“Oh my goodness, Lord!”
Lady Easton clasped her hands and began to pray. Apparently, Viscount Easton hadn’t told her of Hazel’s destination.
Hazel let out a wry chuckle at her family’s exaggerated reactions.
Their over-the-top responses weren’t welcome, but she couldn’t deny she’d given them cause, so she watched Charlotte make a fuss.
“Sister, did the sun rise in the west today?”
“Your expression’s clichéd, Charlotte. Sadly, scientific facts haven’t changed.”
“Then I must be dreaming. You’re going to church? Didn’t you hate it?”
Most nobles were Catholic.
They placed priests on their estates and considered Sunday church attendance a duty.
But over time, that obligation faded, and the number of young people attending church on Sundays dwindled significantly.
Hazel was among those whose numbers had shrunk.
Due to her influence, Charlotte occasionally skipped church too.
André was the only one dragged to church weekly by their parents’ hands, as he wasn’t yet an adult.
“I heard the priest’s sermons this week are good. If you’re not coming with me, could you step aside a bit?”
Hazel requested politely. Charlotte eyed her skeptically, then tilted her body slightly to make way.
Hazel smiled calmly and passed by.
“Why not go with Mother and Father?”
Charlotte pointed to where Lady Easton had stood. But that spot was empty now.
Though the church permitted only muted, similar-toned dresses, noblewomen had much to prepare. Lady Easton had left to complete those arrangements.
“I’m not going to the church our parents attend. I’ll go to one in the suburbs.”
“Sister, are you going to meet Duke Theodore?”
Charlotte scanned the surroundings, then fired her words like rapid bullets.
Hazel raised her prayer book.
“I said I’m going to fulfill my sacred duty.”
She lied without batting an eye.
“I didn’t realize I was so untrustworthy. I’ll bring back the church bulletin when I return.”
Once the bulletin was mentioned, Charlotte had no choice but to believe Hazel.
She stepped back in frustration, her lips pursed with a faint sense of betrayal.
“If you start going to church, I’ll be next.”
Charlotte shuddered as if the idea were horrifying.
Given how precious parent-free time from Sunday morning to afternoon was for the children, her reaction was entirely understandable.
Charlotte’s fears of being dragged to church weren’t mere illusions.
Lord and Lady Easton used Hazel as the standard for raising their children.
If she did something, they had to; if she didn’t, Charlotte and André were given some leniency and choice.
“I hope the priest’s sermons today are terrible.”
Hazel hugged Charlotte tightly.
The embrace seemed like consolation for Charlotte, but in truth, Hazel sought comfort for herself.
How much did Theodore know?
Her expression darkened slightly.
***
Hazel boarded the carriage provided by Viscount Easton and headed to the quiet city outskirts.
The church sat in the middle of a forest.
It was a genuinely small, simple structure, built of red brick with a single chimney.
Thus, the Easton family carriage naturally stood out.
Eyes were inevitably drawn to Hazel.
Fortunately, her thick veil shielded her from meeting others’ gazes, sparing her from meaningless eye contact or unnecessary greetings.
“We’ll meet in two hours.”
“Doesn’t the mass end in an hour?”
“The walk here is nice. I’ll stroll a bit. If I like the priest’s words, I might greet him and chat a little.”
“Very well.”
After ensuring the driver parked the carriage away from the church, Hazel entered just as the mass began.
The tall, narrow Gothic windows on either side, with their stained glass, cast beautiful patterns on the wooden floor in the sunlight.
Though the church appeared small from outside, the worship hall was unexpectedly spacious, its long rows of pews filled to capacity with no seats left.
‘Where could the duke be?’
Hazel was turning her head when she heard:
“Miss Hazel, over here.”
Theodore gently tapped her shoulder.
He stood leaning against the wall near the entrance.
Dressed in a sharp suit with a dark blue tie, Theodore looked calmer than usual.
Hazel stood beside him, holding her prayer book in front of her.
“I was surprised you requested a sudden meeting.”
“Did it bother you? I was excited about seeing you today.”
Hazel rolled her eyes.
His words embarrassed her, especially since talking during mass was awkward enough.
Theodore chuckled softly at Hazel merely blinking, then said:
“It’s time to slip out the back door quietly.”
The mass was about to begin with the priest’s sermon.
Hazel glanced around, grabbed a church bulletin from the table by the entrance, and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
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