Chapter 14
“I didn’t have much social experience, so I mistook you for someone else. I was really grateful back then.”
Idel’s greeting quickly thawed the awkward atmosphere, and soon the mood became warm and friendly. Even if they didn’t know, people remembered Barbara’s kindness rather than the sound of her leg.
Lady Radrick’s plan to mock and isolate Barbara had been thwarted.
Barbara, subtly smiling in agreement with Idel’s lie, noticed why Idel had done it.
“You’re quite understanding, miss.”
“If I offended you, I apologize.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
Barbara didn’t directly offer her thanks or act warmly, but young Idel felt proud and relieved to have helped a lady in distress.
However, as the tea party progressed, Idel realized just how wide her naivety was.
“Did you hear the news? Lady Oberon has finally filed for divorce from her husband!”
“Really?”
What had started as polite conversation at the tea party quickly turned into gossip about recent scandals in society.
Having been cheated out of her fortune, Lord Oberon faced bankruptcy, but due to his noble pride, he refused to work for money. Not that he was capable of earning any, it seemed.
But with three children and servants to support, the expenses were staggering.
Eventually, when all the servants were dismissed except for one maid, Lady Oberon, against her husband’s wishes, began working as an interpreter for the Mylgar language. She had learned Mylgar from her foster mother when she was young.
“The lady was saying that despite Lady Oberon’s successful employment, she still had the audacity to ask for a divorce first.”
“That’s right. It seems like she’s thrown away all the virtues of a lady.”
“She’s working and earning money. What’s wrong with that?”
As the conversation turned more and more derogatory, Barbara, who had been quietly sipping her tea, interjected with a comment.
“I heard that Lord Oberon opposed the offer for Lady Oberon to work as an exclusive interpreter. Apparently, he found it embarrassing for others to see her working.”
Upon hearing this, Lady Radrick chuckled and countered.
“Of course, Lord Oberon would be ashamed. It’s a matter of pride to him. His wife abandoning household responsibilities and going out to earn money.”
“Then why doesn’t he go earn the money himself? Why drag down his successful wife?”
“Well, it’s not quite that simple. A wife working outside is also a blow to her husband’s authority. If Lady Oberon signs an exclusive contract, it means she’ll neglect household chores even more in the future.”
In response, Barbara snorted and gave a piercing stare as she criticized.
“Why should being recognized for one’s abilities be condemned? Men receive praise for the same thing when they do it, don’t they?”
“Well, that’s because they’re men. Men handle outside work, while women take care of household chores.”
“So did Lord Oberon take on outside work? Working hard to save a sinking ship of a household, trying to make ends meet? And then wanting to do even better, to be recognized for his abilities, what’s wrong with that?”
Her sharp retort made people uncomfortable, and they quietly changed the subject.
Barbara threw one final jab at those trying to divert the conversation.
“Somehow, it seems like my thoughts have become more fixed than before. Fighting to reclaim women’s rights, yet tearing down progressive women like this, ridiculous.”
Lady Radrick’s upset demeanor was evident, and while people glanced at her, pretending not to hear Barbara’s biting remarks, Idel was shocked by each word Barbara uttered.
It felt like hearing the words she had longed to hear from someone else, but it seemed different for others.
“Honestly, I feel like people see me as a woman who has devoured her husband. From Lady Celestine’s perspective, Lady Oberon’s story probably felt like her own.”
“That’s right. She’s been criticizing her husband’s work since she was young, right? No wonder she doesn’t receive love.”
Listening to Lady Radrick’s companions gossiping about Barbara, Idel felt a pang in her heart.
Later, she learned that like other noble couples, Celestine Forester and Barbara had an indifferent relationship, not particularly bad. Moreover, when Celestine Forester was unwell, Barbara took on the responsibilities of the household, which actually elevated their status.
Knowing from her own experience the potential of being a ‘woman’, Barbara supported Lady Oberon for that reason.
‘She’s quite a strong person.’
Idel admired Barbara’s unwavering demeanor in the face of gossip directed at her. She even wished she could age as gracefully as Barbara.
Summoning her courage, Idel asked Barbara to meet.
—
“That’s when it began. That’s when Barbara and I started addressing each other by name and sharing our friendship.”
Despite the thirty-six-year age difference, Barbara asked to be called by her name. She argued that friendship could only blossom if they discarded titles like family names or backgrounds.
It was admirable and charming.
“And she sincerely cared for me.”
When Lord Cranmore brought up the proposal for Idel to marry the Duke of Lancaster, Barbara vehemently opposed it.
“Idel. Women are too accustomed to sacrifice. But it’s all just brainwashing by men to dominate women. You need to break free!”
“But if I don’t obey my father’s orders, my only path is death.”
“Why die! Run away, Idel. If you decide to, I’ll support you with everything. Don’t worry about things like livelihood or a place to live.”
However, Idel politely declined her sincere advice, adhering to her father’s wishes and marrying the Duke of Lancaster.
It was a naive misconception to think that if she endured a few more years until the Duke of Lancaster died, she would be free from any harm to anyone.
‘Even then, Barbara was right. If only I had listened to her and escaped, by now…’
Idel chuckled as she imagined herself leisurely sipping tea and reading books in some provincial town. ‘The road not taken always seems more beautiful than reality, doesn’t it? Well, it’s just a pointless thought.’
She focused on walking the path laid out before her. ‘I’m not a duchess; I’m just a new maid.’
Idel only hoped Barbara received her letter, even if it might be their last contact.
‘To think she’d show such consideration, Lord Crecy may be unexpectedly decent.’
With that thought, Idel fell asleep.
—
“Madam, a letter has arrived.”
As the chilly wind began to sweep, caressing her left leg where it ached the most, Barbara, who had been dozing off, perked up as the steward brought in a letter.
“Laslo Crecy.”
The sender’s name caught her attention.
After hearing the news that Idel had been handed over to him like a slave, Barbara couldn’t bear to stay still and immediately sent a letter.
She was worried that Laslo might find the letter unpleasant and scold Idel, so she was anxious as she opened the letter.
However, as she unfolded the letter inside the envelope, what she faced was the neat handwriting of her beloved friend.
“To my dear Lady Celestine Forester,
I don’t know how to express my gratitude to the lady who hasn’t forgotten and worries about this sinner.”
As Barbara read the first line, her heart felt heavy.
“Oh, Idel….”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she imagined the heart of her friend, no longer calling her ‘Barbara, the beloved and respected’.
Holding the letter close to her chest like a comforting embrace, Barbara closed her eyes. If only she could meet Idel now, she would hug her tightly and offer solace.
Idel was the one who reminded her that ‘the depth of mutual affection determines the weight of friendship’.
Even at a young age, she was mature, cautious, sincere, and firm enough not to hesitate to stand by the weak and not to be swayed by the slander of others.
‘Why was such a person born into the Crecy family? Truly inscrutable.’
It was unbelievable how perfect Idel seemed, except for her lineage. Barbara had been shocked by the dreadful environment she found herself in.
