1. The Meaning of the Name (6)
"Oh my!"
I could sense panic on his side profile, but he didn't seem startled. Rather, his complexion darkened as if something he had anticipated had finally happened. John, who had been fidgeting nervously, glanced at me. He seemed torn, wanting to rush to the commotion but unable to leave a guest alone.
Just then, another loud noise rang out. This time, it was a crashing sound. I sprang up from my seat. I had no idea what was going on, but the noise sounded serious. Just as I moved toward the door, before I could even grab the handle, John blocked my path.
"It's alright. I'll go check, so please sit and finish your meal."
"But..."
"I don't wish to inconvenience my guest. Please."
When John bowed politely and asked me, I couldn't bring myself to push past him. I returned to my seat. John picked up the large mop and bucket set off to the side, holding one in each hand, and left the dining room. The noisy sounds from outside continued. I forced myself to pick up my spoon, but ultimately, I couldn't eat any more soup.
Not long after breakfast, Ethan sent someone. A sharply dressed man offered me a polite bow and handed over a letter.
[I'm sorry for breaking my promise. Something came up, and it seems I won't be able to bring you to the main house for a while.]
It seemed some trouble had arisen with the guests who had arrived at the main house. Then what was I supposed to do? As I folded the letter neatly and pondered this, the man took a step forward and politely handed another letter to Emma. Emma, who had been watching the situation unfold beside me, accepted the letter with a puzzled look.
"He asked me to deliver this to Mr. Daniel Christopher."
"For the master?"
"Yes, he said he would give his reply immediately."
At those words, Emma told him to wait a moment and left. I stood quietly by the door alongside the man, waiting for her.
A short while later, Emma returned. However, there was no reply letter in her hand. Stepping up to the man, Emma spoke.
"He says it's fine. To be exact, he said, 'Let's see how far she goes,' but."
"I will relay that."
After bowing politely to Emma, the man also bowed to me before leaving the mansion. I bowed back, still feeling bewildered.
"Um, is it really okay for me to stay here longer?"
"Yes. The master told me so as well."
Hearing it directly from Emma made me even more surprised. Judging by the situation, it seemed Ethan had asked the elder to let me stay here longer. I thought he might let me stay for a night, but anything beyond that would be rejected. After all, the elder didn't like me. If he refused, I had planned to spend the night somewhere near the mansion, worrying about whether there would be a suitable spot.
"Really?"
When I asked out of lingering doubt, Emma smiled warmly.
"He is not that cold of a person."
"Ah, I didn't ask with any bad intentions. I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize."
Emma waved her hand and turned around, saying she was going to prepare the next meal. The fact that I could really stay here longer still felt a bit surreal. Regardless, it was a relief that I wouldn't have to crouch outside and spend the night in the cold.
***
This place was truly secluded. Thick bushes surrounded the mansion, and it was situated far from other buildings, making human presence rare. *It would be a good place for recuperation.* I looked around outside the mansion and had that thought. The outside, without a single trace of human presence, was just as quiet as the inside of the mansion.
I aimlessly looked around the area, where there was nothing to see, and then moved toward the back of the mansion. I was walking leisurely to get some fresh air when I spotted a small mound of sand in the distance.
It was a small space enclosed by a square fence. Inside, dry leaves were scattered about in the sand. No, wait—there was a single yellow flower blooming in one corner. Was it a flowerbed? I knelt down in front of it. The flower swayed in the wind. As if bewitched, I reached out toward the yellow flower.
"Do you like that?"
Startled by the sudden voice, I turned around and saw the elder sitting on a long bench placed behind me. He was leaning his weight on a cane held in both hands. Since when...? Judging by the looks of it, he must have been sitting there from the start.
"Ah, Elder."
Belatedly, I stood up and offered him a bow. The elder glanced at me once, then cast his gaze behind my back. No further words came. Standing vacantly in front of the elder, who had no interest in me, made me feel definitely awkward. Would it be too rude to just leave without a word? Hesitating, I carefully moved my steps toward where the elder was sitting.
I gently sat down in the seat next to him. Thankfully, he didn't yell at me for sitting down. Feeling slightly relieved, I glanced at the elder. He hadn't spared me a single glance.
I sat down, but I had no idea what to say. Even the passing breeze felt uncomfortable. After a moment of agonizing, I gathered my courage and parted my lips.
"Elder, why are you out here?"
Did he come out for a walk like me? There was only empty land around, so the wind was strong. Furthermore, he had said his health wasn't good, so I asked out of concern whether he should be out here. But the elder easily ignored my words. I didn't expect an answer, but him genuinely not replying made me feel a bit sulky.
"Elder."
I called out, but there was still no reply. He was the one who initiated the conversation just a moment ago. Unknowingly, I pouted and tapped the ground with the tip of my foot.
"How is your forehead?"
My eyes widened. The elder was still looking straight ahead. For a moment, I thought I was hearing things. As I stared intently at him, only then did the elder shoot me a glance. I hadn't heard wrong. I was glad that the elder showed interest in me for the first time, but I also felt inexplicably embarrassed, awkwardly touching my forehead hidden by my bangs.
"It's fine."
It was slightly bruised and hurt when touched, but it wasn't severe. As I smiled to show that I was perfectly fine, the elder immediately turned his head away. After that, he was silent again. I couldn't figure out whether the elder was worried about my forehead or just curious.
"And I want to apologize for being rude last time. I'm sorry."
Since the topic came up, I wanted to apologize for my disrespectful words during our first meeting.
"Still, thank you for letting me stay here."
Despite everything, he had provided me with a room. I should have offered my thanks first, but my gratitude was a bit late. I slightly raised my body and bowed, but the elder had no particular response. He seemed to have little interest.
"Thank you very much."
"……"
I said it once more, but again, there was no reply. I let out a groan and scratched the back of my neck. Turning my head straight ahead, I saw the flowerbed at a close distance. It was located right in front. It was a sand mound with only leaves, hardly a flowerbed, but the yellow flower was quite pretty.
"It's pretty."
The way the yellow petals swayed in the wind looked like a dance. If more flowers were planted, it might become a much nicer flowerbed. Winter hasn't even arrived yet; did all the flowers already die? Thinking like that, the flowerbed with only a single flower left felt just like Florence's room.
"...It also looks lonely."
As I muttered softly, I suddenly felt a gaze. Turning my head, I saw the elder's side profile. I thought I felt his gaze, but was it an illusion?
"It was best seen from here."
It was a cryptic remark. I was about to ask what he meant, but the elder's side profile as he looked at the flowerbed seemed pained. No, his complexion was truly bad.
"Elder?"
The elder hunched over and clutched his chest.
"Elder? Elder!"
"Quiet down. It's nothing."
"But your complexion..."
His face was pale. He slapped away my hand that reached out in surprise and forced himself up. However, he couldn't take more than a few steps before collapsing. As I rushed over in shock, cold sweat was already streaming down the elder's face. Panic-stricken, I grabbed the elder's arm.
"Elder, lean on me!"
"Let go."
"Quickly!"
I紧紧 grabbed the arm he tried to shake off and draped it over my shoulder. Supporting the elder as I walked, it seemed his legs gave out, and he slumped down again. Was it too hard for him to walk? I looked around, but not a single person was in sight. Continually panicking, I ultimately hoisted the elder onto my back and stood up. I felt the elder startle and struggle.
"What are you doing! Let go!"
"Stay still! If you keep squirming, it's hard for me!"
I yelled back at the elder's words, gripping his flailing arms tightly with both hands. But even in his pain, the elder didn't give in and kept struggling. As a result, every step I took was an arduous struggle. Even walking a short distance became a wrestling match.
The breathing coming from behind me was rough. As if it would cut off at any moment. Old memories weighed heavily down on my entire body. I was suddenly terrified.
"You can't die. You must never die."
I muttered desperately as I headed toward the mansion. Coincidentally, John was standing in front of the main gate. Discovering me and the elder, he approached in dismay.
"What in the world is going on?"
"The elder suddenly seems unwell."
At that, John checked the elder's condition and reached out, saying he would support him. The elder leaned his unsteady body against John. Emma, who came out after hearing the commotion, asked what happened, and I explained that the elder had suddenly clutched his chest and struggled.
Emma scanned my appearance and then fixed my skirt. Without realizing it, the hem of my skirt had flipped up and my clothes were disheveled. While I hastily straightened myself out, Emma left to call the doctor. I stared blankly as the elder walked away with John.
The doctor who examined the elder said something to Emma and John. I stood far away, watching them and pricking my ears. From what I could vaguely hear, it sounded like his inability to eat properly had severely weakened him. Still, since they said it wasn't a major emergency, I couldn't help but feel relieved. I secretly let out a sigh of relief.
However, during dinner, a commotion was heard outside the dining room. Naturally, John went outside. It was a familiar situation. The elder struggling during the day came to mind. At that thought, I could no longer just sit still. I also immediately got up from my seat and rushed out of the dining room.