2. Christopher Yang's Daily Life (10)
"Alright. I'll allow it."
Ethan, having endured for two days after that, eventually declared his surrender. He had realized that continuing like this would only make things harder for himself. Moreover, knowing that Vincent's intention in staying here for several days included trying to comfort me, Ethan seemed to think this was enough.
"Then, since I've gotten what I wanted, shall I head back now."
Vincent, who had been sharing teatime with me, set down his empty cup and rose briskly. Having obtained what he desired, he wore a thoroughly relieved expression. Conversely, Ethan kept gulping down tea with a very reluctant look on his face.
"I'll send a letter regarding the engagement soon."
"No. The social debut comes first."
Ethan firmly shook his head, saying he couldn't accept that. His stance was that they couldn't hold an engagement ceremony before even introducing me to others. When Vincent asked when that would be, Ethan prattled on about taking things slowly, deliberately testing his patience. Naturally, Vincent made his dissatisfaction evident. I, who had no opinion to speak of from the start, quietly sipped my tea between the two of them.
That day, Vincent prepared to leave immediately. He couldn't keep leaving his estate unattended, and it seemed he wanted to depart before Ethan changed his mind.
As I saw Vincent off, we shared a light embrace.
"Don't push yourself too hard. I'm not doing this to make things difficult for you."
"I won't."
"Don't just say that."
"I understand."
I nodded deeply so he could feel reassured. I could hear Ethan clicking his tongue beside us as he listened to our conversation, but I pretended not to notice.
After seeing Vincent off like that, I returned to my previous daily routine. Ethan, who had lived exhaustedly while staying on guard against Vincent for several days, now focused on his duties with a lighter heart. I also immersed myself in my lessons again. But I decided not to rush like before.
Ethan said he would give me enough time, and I just needed to prepare calmly during the time he had bought for me. I believe that as time passes, I too will become proficient at this life. Having people who worry about me and take my side made the future feel less daunting. And with that, a sense of ease gradually bloomed in my heart.
"You seem to be doing better than I expected."
Isabella said during a break while I was picking out a book to read in the library. I took my eyes off the book and looked at her.
Isabella had been selecting books that would be good for me to read.
"You're doing better than expected, even exceeding expectations."
"Exceeding expectations?"
Isabella was someone stingy with praise. Surprised, I accidentally used the honorific form she had frequently pointed out to me.
"Honestly, yes. I thought you would struggle much more."
It was true that I had struggled a lot. Even now, this life that didn't quite fit me was sometimes overwhelming. I scratched the back of my neck with a sheepish smile.
"If others heard this, they'd say you're speaking beyond your station."
"Well, that's because they're others."
Right, because they're others, they might easily evaluate while admiring a life they haven't experienced. If the former me had seen myself complaining while living this luxurious life, I would have certainly chastised it as "whining about being too comfortable." But the current me empathized with her words. The aristocratic life I experienced firsthand was not as easy as I had imagined. There were many things to know and many things to be careful about. It was a life where people's gazes naturally followed me.
Isabella pulled a book from the shelf and continued speaking.
"When I met the Master—Lord Belunita, that is—again and received his offer to introduce me to a position, I initially refused."
My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
"Why?"
"Because it was a connection I had already severed on my end, I didn't want to get entangled again. There were times I felt a sense of fulfillment, but that didn't mean I lived a happy life. So I refused, but the Count told me to come here and see if my mind would change. And when I met you again here, I had that thought."
She held the books she had selected in one hand and turned to look at me.
"Perhaps I made that choice for this very moment."
I had always been curious. Why did she help me? Why did she let me escape even though it would clearly put her in danger? Now it seemed I had finally heard the answer to that question. In truth, there might not have been a clear "reason." People sometimes make choices in life whose reasons even they themselves cannot understand.
I took in Isabella's figure. Compared to when we met long ago in the days when I knew nothing, her face looked a bit thinner and older. Nevertheless, her appearance without a single hair out of place was the same as back then.
"Young Miss. Will you hire me?"
"I've already hired you."
"Please hire me as your person later."
Does that mean... she's asking to be hired as my personal servant? As I blinked in surprise, Isabella smiled just like she did back then. Yes, at the moment of parting, she smiled at me for the first time.
"As I age, finding a new place to settle isn't easy either. Rather than working every day with an anxious heart, returning to a position I previously held might not be so bad."
"...Is it really alright for you to stay by my side?"
"Yes. It's fine."
"I'm... a very clumsy person. It will take a lot of looking after."
"Even so, you'll guarantee my safety, won't you."
Isabella spoke as if joking, but knowing what she had been through, I knew those words were never a joke. If she stayed by my side, I would actually feel reassured. Perhaps it was because it was her. Because it was Isabella, who had helped the old me—foolish, immature, and therefore clumsy.
"Please think of it as repaying a debt from the past."
Perhaps thinking I was feeling awkward, Isabella added one more remark and held out the books she had selected. I looked at the books thrust before my eyes, then reached out and received them. Having finished her task, Isabella bowed politely to me as always and turned around. Watching her slip away between the bookshelves, I gladly welcomed the swelling emotion blooming in my chest.
I had an unexpected ally on my side.