episode_0090

The Beauren family’s townhouse, renowned for its grandeur and elegance, was also famous for its sheer size that matched its lack of refinement. Naturally, the vastness of the building couldn’t be filled with just a mansion. The expanse of the surrounding garden was equally vast, in proportion to the estate’s size.

The pace of the two women walking significantly slowed down from their initial start. The culprit was none other than Eleanor. Sensing Eleanor’s steps growing heavier, Eugenie slowed her pace to accommodate her.

It seemed attempting to briskly circle the garden in one go with her meager stamina was proving too much for her.

“Sorry, Eugenie.”

Eleanor cautiously stopped in her tracks, offering an awkward smile. There was a hint of embarrassment mixed into her expression. Clearly, she had given up first after initially suggesting they go for a walk.

“Oh, what are you apologizing for now?”

Eugenie halted beside Eleanor, looking back over her shoulder. Gesturing towards Sophie, who was trailing behind them at a distance where she was barely visible, Eugenie called out to her.

“Since Miss seems tired, go fetch some cold tea.”

Although they were walking at the same pace, Eugenie’s voice was remarkably composed and dignified, unlike anyone else. Sophie bowed slightly at her words and hurried off towards the mansion.

Realizing her stamina was not up to par, Eleanor, trying to catch her breath, could only watch Sophie’s retreating figure.

Subsequently, the two women moved to a bench under a large poplar tree nearby.

Eugenie wiped the beads of sweat on Eleanor’s forehead with a handkerchief. Eventually, she turned her head to survey the surroundings.

The garden was already vast, and with a third of the estate staff on vacation, confirming there was no one around, Eugenie carefully enunciated the name she was about to mention.

“Elli.”

Her voice carried a slightly different tone than before. Eleanor, feeling a slight sense of doubt, turned her head to look at Eugenie.

“Yes, Eugenie?”

“Why did you invite Valati and Gonza to this party?”

At the unexpected names, Eleanor was momentarily taken aback. Looking at her, Eugenie continued speaking.

“Elli, you didn’t like Duke Dmitri, did you?”

“Wait, wait! Eugenie! What are you talking about now? How can you say such things!”

Not understanding her words, Eleanor exclaimed in frustration. She wanted to brush off the conversation casually. However, seeing Eugenie’s resolute gaze fixed on her, she realized Eugenie wasn’t going to let it slide easily.

“Do you know what it means to call a man on the night of the Foundation Day? You know, right.”

Eleanor let out a small sigh at Eugenie’s words.

On the last day of the Foundation Day, an evening ball was to be held at the palace.

Albrice, their uncle, had mentioned hosting a small party during the festival period for his precious younger sister, who should have been confined to the mansion throughout. However, Eleanor knew that not all of Albrice’s words about the party were entirely true.

Using her as an excuse, Albrice was planning some sort of political maneuver. Whether it was calling allies to the mansion to discuss matters away from the eyes of the capital’s residents or formally introducing Eleanor, his sister, to his faction, it was all part of his plan.

Despite knowing this fact, Eleanor did not outright refuse.

She knew that Albrice was genuinely concerned about his younger sister being cooped up in the mansion throughout the festival period.

Regardless of the party’s actual purpose.

When sending out invitations to the party, Yulrian’s name was not on Albriss’s carefully curated list. It was a natural outcome since he had no connection with the West or Albriss.

Eleanor had written “Yulrian de la Vallière” in beautiful script on the list. Being always by her side, she was aware of this fact.

“Still, he saved our lives.”

Dispelling her bewildered expression, Eleanor responded to Yulrian with a bright smile. Whether he didn’t like her answer or not, Eleanor continued speaking, overlapping her hand over his clenched fist holding a handkerchief.

“Yulrian… Don’t be so uptight. You always act this way whenever the Vallière name comes up.”

“No, but… I’m just worried that His Grace might misunderstand…”

Unlike when he first brought it up, Yulrian’s voice had noticeably softened.

Despite Eleanor’s insistence to treat him comfortably, they were still master and servant. Eleanor’s cheerful smile now indicated that his words and actions had crossed that line.

Eleanor silently observed the subdued Yulrian, then a sudden thought made her widen her eyes as she faced him.

“Just a moment… Yulrian, do you perhaps…?”

In response to the unusual lady’s voice, Yulrian cautiously met her gaze.

“Do you happen to like His Grace of Vallière?”

Yulrian’s face turning pale with shock was quite a sight to behold. Sophie, who had come carrying cold tea from a distance, thought so.

As Eleanor had said, it was undoubtedly Yulrian who had rescued both herself and Eleanor from danger. Yulrian was their savior, and without him, Eleanor would have surely faced a dire situation with the red-haired Louis Edmond.

Even after turning back time to save Eleanor, Yulrian could only watch as Yulrian rescued her in a disdainful manner.

Yet, Yulrian still did not like that man.

“Do you happen to like His Grace of Vallière?”

His purple eyes widened in shock. Yulrian immediately yelled towards his mistress.

“Eli! Are you crazy? Me? Why would I…”

Yulrian managed to push back the harsh words trying to escape beyond his lips.

No matter if this was a townhouse in Beaurne. One must be cautious, that was certain.

Moreover, in the distance, Sophie’s figure with a silver teapot, ice basket, and glass cups on a tray could be vaguely seen.

Yulrian composed himself after Eleanor’s stern words.

Perhaps it was just a jest. Eleanor was looking at him with a mischievous smile.

“Sigh… Please don’t joke like that.”

Exhaling deeply, Yulrian glanced slightly suspiciously at the smiling Eleanor.

In truth, Yulrian had been feeling suffocated lately, as if he were going mad. He felt like his head would explode wanting to convey to the precious Eleanor how much she meant to him.

That man, Yulrian de la Vallière, would take your life. That was what was said. Yet, in reality, he would live carefreely with other women.

So, one should not keep such a snake-like man close by.

However, he couldn’t bring himself to verbalize these thoughts to Eleanor. No, it wouldn’t be right.

If he were to convey those memories to Eleanor, he would have to pay the full price for turning back time.

Of course, as long as he paid the price himself, Oejeni could pay any amount. Whether it was an arm, a leg, or even his own life.

However, he couldn’t involve Eleonore. The price should not be shared with Eleonore. Otherwise, there would be no reason to turn back time.

“So, why do you dislike Valatie Gongja so much?”

Straightening her refreshing smile, Eleonore tilted her head. Watching the neat platinum hair swaying to the side, Oejeni made excuses, unable to resist.

“Uh… I just don’t like him… for some reason…”

Thus, Oejeni could only hide and continue to hide that fact. He could only attribute his dislike for Yulrian to differences in taste.

Like Eli’s sister, like Alenia de Beaurn, he had no intention of escaping from Eleonore for the rest of his life.

“Where? Why do you dislike him so much?”

Unaware of his own feelings, Eleonore persistently delved with a curious face.

Certainly, it was an incredibly strange sight for Eleonore, so it couldn’t be helped. This clear expression of preference was something Eleonore had never seen before, at least since Sejuha entered that body.

“Oh, I don’t know! It’s just his appearance and all. His unkempt look doesn’t sit well with me.”

“If that’s the case, he’s quite handsome. The ladies of the court are following him around like puppies.”

Even though today’s story was about a man, Eleonore annoyingly stuck around. Normally, if it were such a story, she would have been startled and turned away. Is this current situation really that interesting?

“Well, to be honest, I’m not particularly fond of that guy either.”

Sticking out her tongue, Eleonore cutely replied.

“Uh-huh?”

“Oh, what’s with the surprise and all?”

Oejeni couldn’t hide his astonishment at Eleonore’s confession. Just a while ago, at the farewell ball of the Byeonchangbaek couple, he had faced him with such heavy emotions.

Even stepping aside, it was clear that he could tell. Definitely.

“Really?”

Surprised, Oejeni calmly inquired. His voice was as cautious as a girl cautiously treading on ice-covered pond.

“That’s right! I just sent him a thank-you note for helping out this time, nothing more.”

Saying so, Eleonore stretched lazily, pretending not to care. Lifting her shoes high under the white skirt and raising her arms high under the shortened blouse sleeves.

“I like Dmitry.”

So Eleonore confessed her feelings matter-of-factly, as if it were nothing special.

Though she hid her emotions, her face unavoidably blushed beyond her control as a woman.

A brief silence followed.

Finally, at a convenient moment, Sophie’s voice approached them, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

“Miss, here’s your cold tea.”

Smiling broadly at Sophie, the two women carefully received the glass from her.