episode_0035

The weather had become quite warm, but the season was still spring.

So, though it was a bit early to call it night, the surroundings were already quite dark-

“Darling. It’s dark around here, isn’t it? Plus, we’re hidden in this thicket, so no one will pay attention.”

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s embarrassing.”

-From the mountains enveloping the mansion far away, the spring breeze blowing down felt a bit chilly rather than cool.

“Yeongae, the night breeze can be quite chilly. Here, put on my coat.”

“Oh… Thank you for caring.”

And.

On the balcony of the annex, Eleanor looked down at the scandalous sight of the burning figures of men and women below, her head shaking in disapproval.

#.

From the afternoon, numerous carriages had been bustling in and out of the entrance to the Bearen family’s townhouse.

Naturally, in front of the annex where the farewell ball was being held by the Baek family, the large garden was filled with men and women dressed in formal attire.

Judging by the number of people who had come, it resembled the grand palace banquet during the Debutante Ball.

However, unlike back then, the age range of the people gathered here was quite diverse.

From elderly gentlemen with graying hair to middle-aged couples exuding mature charm. There were even tiny young ladies who couldn’t reach Eleanor’s knees.

So, over there behind the thicket! Please lower your voices!

There are children present. Do you really want to do that?

Despite such thoughts, those sky-blue eyes were fixed on the tangled couple behind the bushes for quite some time.

“Excuse me, miss!”

Finally, a familiar voice came from behind the tightly drawn curtain. Eleanor quickly shifted her gaze from the flesh-colored bushes to the sky-blue eyes.

“Oh! Yes, please come in.”

“Miss, are you still feeling dizzy?”

Weijeni approached Eleanor gently, looking concerned, holding the hem of her dress as he softly moved closer to her on the balcony beyond the curtains.

“Haha. Thanks. I feel better now after resting a bit.”

Eleanor smiled faintly and offered her seat to Weijeni who had just approached her. She had been exchanging greetings with guests coming to the Baek family’s side until now. Somewhere along the way, amidst the gazes of the many people surrounding her and the mingled scent of perfume, Eleanor had felt dizzy and hurriedly sought refuge on the balcony of the second floor.

Now that it’s my own body, why am I feeling so shaky like this?

She could only sigh.

At the slight sound of her breath, Weijeni gently took Eleanor’s hand. Through the stiff silk gloves, he could feel her warm hand.

“It’s okay. Your hand is so cold.”

Weijeni held the lady’s hand and repeatedly caressed her small, white hand. It was as if a child playing with mud, wiping the palm, and slipping his fingers between hers.

With that gentle touch,

Eleanor’s crimson blush spread to the corners of her lips.

“Miss… You were so healthy when you were in the West…”

But unlike Eleanor, Weijeni’s voice was still full of concern.

“I’m sorry for worrying you in various ways, Weijeni.”

“No, no. It’s not that. Sigh.”

A long sigh followed under the neat ivory bangs.

Quietly sitting there, Weijeni, who had been looking at their intertwined hands, now gazed at Eleanor with a slightly different expression than before.

“Ellie, are you really okay?”

Thump.

At the changed attitude of her.

And the large purple eyes she faced.

Eleanor’s heart throbbed heavily.

…Could it be that she’s been found out?

That I am not Eleanor.

Thanks to that thought, the voice that flowed beyond her lips was trembling slightly.

“Ah, um…. Yeah?”

“Ellie, are you really okay? Your body is so weak, and you keep feeling dizzy like this.”

The purple eyes she faced kept widening. The sound of breathing drew closer, and soon, the warm embrace of Euginy, her friend, enveloped Eleanor’s body.

“A little more. I should have called you a little sooner, you fool.”

In response to the resolute voice, Eleanor unknowingly offered words of apology.

“Sorry, Euginy. I’ve been distracted in many ways.”

However, her childhood friend who embraced her in that warm embrace seemed unaffected by Eleanor’s excuses.

“Really…. You almost slipped away again this time…. Why am I so…”

Euginy’s whispering voice in her ear was so soft.

And so tender.

Not catching her whisper properly, Eleanor’s platinum blonde hair swayed from side to side.

But even as she cutely nodded her head, what returned to Eleanor’s ear was Euginy’s usual polite voice.

“Miss, if you’re not feeling well, shall I inform the mistress? You seem to need rest at the mansion.”

She, who had distanced herself from the embrace, was once again Euginy Roelsear, Eleanor’s maid, rather than her friend Euginy Roelsear.

“Oh, no. Really, I’m fine.”

The gap was so wide that Eleanor awkwardly gestured with her hands.

“Are you sure?”

“I am. And Euginy, if you bring up that topic in front of Father, he might make a scene right there, don’t you think?”

“Oh. Surely not. Even so…. Hm…. Indeed.”

Gradually reducing her words, Euginy gently nodded her head up and down.

It had been a week since she started her maid life under Eleanor in the townhouse of Beaurn Ga.

That is to say.

There was still time left after experiencing enough of Overtla’s original appearance, not the father of her friend and nobleman Beaurn.

#.

Today’s ball was, after all, a farewell ball for the Beaurn couple.

Therefore, naturally, the protagonists who should enter last were Overt de Beaurn Beaurn and his wife, Countess Ethie de Beaurn.

However, like the rural bumpkins from the West who always cause a commotion when they gather, the Beaurn couple, the protagonists of today, entered separately as if they were fighting or separated.

First, Countess Ethie de Beaurn entered while receiving an escort from her eldest son, Albris.

Of course, although Ethie is from the Beaurn family and has lived in the West for nearly 30 years, her roots were noble in the capital. Judging by her unhappy expression, it was clear that the cause of this behavior was at least not Ethie.

After the somewhat stern entrance of the lady in the hat ended.

Another protagonist remaining, Overt de Beaurn Beaurn, escorted his youngest daughter, Eleanor de Beaurn, to the center of the stage.

However, onlookers observing the couple’s entrance merely whispered among themselves, showing no particular reaction.

Perhaps it was undoubtedly because if they were ordinary nobles.

Their relationship must not be good, or

They will probably cause a ruckus over property division soon.

That’s what they might have thought.

But considering the numerous exploits of Beaurn Beaurn and the fact that his affection for his youngest daughter was widely known in the capital, there was no overt display of concern.

And so, today’s scene was merely meant to impress upon the people the reality once again.

Listening to the murmurs of the crowd, Eleonore subtly lifted her head and examined her father’s face.

Seemingly oblivious to the surrounding buzz, a satisfied smile crept steadily through the creases around his tired eyes.

As the two final heroines took their place at the center of the stage, the conductor cautiously signaled the musicians.

Just before the first dance melody began.

In a momentary lull in the surroundings, Eleonore gently spoke to the still smiling Obert.

“Father. Are you truly happy like this?”

Obert chuckled in response to Eleonore’s voice.

“Of course. Elli, your old man has been waiting for this moment since you were just a little babe in my arms.”

The strings of the musicians began to move smoothly.

Following the sight that entered their surroundings, Minuet’s lively melody started filling the grand hall.

Obert gingerly took his daughter’s hand, leading her to step onto the dance floor.

“Truly… I am so grateful for you growing up so beautifully.”

His deep, intense blue eyes began to glisten slightly against the lively rhythm.

Looking at Obert’s face, even though Eleonore had only portrayed her daughter for about a month, she couldn’t help but feel something stirring within her.

Whether it was due to the overwhelming rush of female hormones or the guilt of stealing away her precious daughter’s body, as an actress, she couldn’t discern the exact cause.

One thing was certain: the following words indicated that she would never do it again, even if she woke up from death.

“No, no. I’m the one who should be thankful. For treating me so beautifully.”

“No, that’s not-”

“And I apologize for forgetting all those precious memories.”

Amidst the elegant and beautiful melody of the Minuet, a touching conversation unfolded between the emotional women.

A step behind, Etienne, matching his son’s steps, could only shake his head at his husband’s moistened eyes.

“Albrice. Your father is really… Oh. Getting older, what’s with him. Silly old man, silly old man.”