3. Love Letter (20)
At the entrance of the forest, I met another villager. She was the old woman's granddaughter. She had matured even more compared to how I remembered her. After thanking me, she left with the old woman. Even as she moved away, the old woman continued to wave at me without stopping.
As I stepped out of the forest, Vincent was waiting.
"What's with your face?"
"Do you love me?"
Vincent, who looked surprised by the sudden question, answered obediently.
"I love you."
I was the one who asked, but I felt a bit flustered when such an honest answer came back. I lowered my head deeply, my face flushing red.
"I've thought this for a while, but you're surprisingly honest when it comes to expressing these kinds of feelings."
Vincent stared at me intently. As if asking what I meant.
"A long time ago, you used to just get angry and grumble all the time. The atmosphere was so sharp that I was careful to even utter a single word, but now you say you missed me, and you even confessed your love first. You've changed a lot."
He wasn't someone who transparently revealed his emotions, but he was surprisingly good at making subtly embarrassing remarks. Because of that unexpected discrepancy, there were many times I didn't know what to do.
"I've realized something during this time."
"What did you realize?"
"Rather than regretting losing something by needlessly protecting my pride, it's better to speak honestly and live without regret."
What a remarkable thought to have.
"What about you? It's your first time back in your hometown in a while."
"It was just okay. It's not a place with good memories."
I looked around once. I didn't feel any particular emotion. But since my siblings were there, I planned to come back again later if I had the time. It would be nice to come with Vincent then too.
"What about you? Weren't you bored?"
"It was bearable. It wasn't bad just being able to see how you lived."
He looked genuinely satisfied. That's fine then. I quietly stared at the sky where the sunset was settling. Before I knew it, a red hue was dyeing the blue sky.
"Honestly, I wasn't confident that I had lived well here."
My world was like my tiny palm. A small, shabby life that could be hidden just by curling my fingers. Could such a life also receive light and sparkle? There was a moment I wondered about that. And now I know. That even in my insignificant life, light was hidden.
There was no such thing as a worthless life.
"There will probably be moments when I regret being alive and struggle with pain."
"Probably. Still, wouldn't it be okay if we lived a life more full of happiness than regret?"
"That sounds nice. A life more full of happiness than regret."
I whispered softly and smiled broadly. I no longer have to kill my emotions. As the day ends, facing tomorrow is no longer scary. I've grown used to a life where smiling is more natural than crying.
Just like the journey there, the way back wasn't easy either. After spending a night in the midway village and running non-stop, dawn was breaking when we arrived at the Christopher estate. Due to sitting for a long time, Vincent turned his stiff neck from side to side as soon as he got out of the carriage. Then, he supported me as I got off.
It wasn't a long time, but it felt like I had been on a trip with just the two of us. My body was tired, but my mind was refreshed. I stood in front of the mansion door and faced him.
"I'm glad I can say, 'See you again.'"
"Me too."
Vincent lifted my hand that he was holding.
"See you again, my love."
Then he affectionately kissed the back of my hand. The hot sensation felt like it was leaving a brand on the back of my hand. I grasped that warmth fully and smiled happier than anyone.
"See you again, my Vincent."
***
"Florence."
"Just a little, just a little more."
I leaned my body against the wall and caught my breath. My body, which had been tense for a while, wouldn't easily calm down. The pain of the corset tightening my waist and my face stiffened by makeup were nothing compared to the discomfort of this very moment. I placed my trembling hand against the wall.
One day, I received a party invitation. Usually, only Ethan's name or the family name was written on it, but this time, two invitations with my and Ethan's names clearly printed arrived. At first, I wondered who sent them. The name was unfamiliar.
'Joelli sent them.'
That was when I first learned Joelli's full name. And it was an invitation from the royal family. Keeping her promise to invite me to a party someday, she sent Ethan and me invitations.
Having received a letter stamped with the royal seal, I had no right to refuse to attend. Even though I prepared for the party without being able to sleep properly for days, I couldn't help but be nervous on the actual day. I somehow made it inside the castle, but unable to enter the party venue, I hid my body behind a pillar on the back terrace.
"You'll be late."
Ethan said, checking his pocket watch. I nodded to show I understood, but for some reason, my legs felt weak. Vincent, who was watching me from beside me, looked at Ethan.
"Go in first. Once she calms down, we'll go in together."
"Understood."
Ethan put his pocket watch into his jacket pocket and entered the party hall first. I watched Ethan walk away with my eyes, then turned back to look at Vincent. Vincent was sitting on the terrace railing, watching me.
"I'm sorry."
"It's nothing."
Vincent looked unbothered. I tried to relax.
"Everyone must be waiting."
Several families were invited to this party. Edria seemed excited to attend the party with me. Because I rarely attended parties, occasions for us to be together were rare.
Recently, I introduced Edria to Violet. From their first meeting, the two had a subtle psychological warfare and seemed awkward with each other, but at some point, they hit it off and became close. I didn't know what brought them together, but regardless, I was just glad they got along well.
After that, I met Robert. It was a very long-awaited reunion since we parted ways at the Bellunita estate a long time ago. Unlike when he used to act up according to his temper, the boy had grown up dignified. He said he was now attending the academy.
Robert didn't remember me properly. He vaguely remembered me as 'a good person I met in the past,' which honestly surprised me a bit. I thought he'd remember me badly. Anyway, the reunion with Robert became another good memory.
Isabella, who was in charge of my education, returned to the Bellunita estate. There was no butler now, and thanks to Vincent persuading her all this time, she decided to go back. Later, when we were alone, she told me she would go ahead and prepare for the day I would arrive. Thinking that Isabella would be waiting for me at the Bellunita estate, which I used to find only terrifying, made me feel reassured already.
During that time, I spent hectic days. First of all, the fact that I had been kidnapped became belatedly known to people, and I received excessive attention. The public praised me as a 'brave lady.' Some said it was an overestimation, but most changed their attitude towards me because of that incident. I don't know how many times the Baron's family sent flowers and gifts to thank me.
A few days ago, I received a dinner invitation from the Deling family. It was my first time at such an event, so I was very worried, but fortunately, the Deling couple treated me kindly, and I was able to have a good time. After that, I was invited to several other occasions. I was just grateful that acting without calculating gains brought about a good result, but I still felt awkward living a life where receiving favor rather than animosity had become the norm.
I had already heard the general aftermath of the kidnapping incident through Edria previously. That all the remnants were caught and sent to prison, that the culprit who ordered the kidnapping was arrested, that they would soon face legal judgment through a trial, and that the Baron family's youngest son had fortunately regained his health and was doing well.
I had met that youngest son last year. He had sent word several times through Ethan that he wanted to meet me, and I accepted his suggestion to meet once.
Meeting the Baron family's youngest son like that, we exchanged proper greetings for the first time. The boy was just as dignified as I had seen him before.
'It is an honor to meet Lady Christopher like this.'
'Not at all. How is your health?'
'I am perfectly fine now.'
The boy said he actually didn't remember much of what happened then. I thought it was a relief. Not remembering anything was better than having a bad memory for no reason. Still, he said he had heard about how I helped him and showed his fondness for me.
'If the opportunity arises, I would love to keep in touch!'
'Sure, if I'm acceptable.'
It was burdensome, but seeing his earnest face begging me to accept, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. When I accepted, the boy was overjoyed. He even blushed and made a promise to meet again later. Edria was also present at that meeting. It seemed they had exchanged letters, as the two quickly engaged in friendly conversation. The boy enrolled in the academy Robert attends this year. And I received a letter saying he would be attending today's party.
"They'll be waiting."
Vincent rested his chin on his hand and watched me glued to the wall. He had a face that said he was seeing how long I was going to stay like that, but when I couldn't stop being tense, he added a word.
"What's making you so anxious?"
"Just……."
I hesitated. Vincent didn't rush me and waited.
"……What if I get caught?"
When I'm anxious, my bad habits come out. I had attended my fair share of parties and salons, but it was my first time at one on such a grand scale, so it couldn't be helped. And a party hosted by the royal family, no less. How many people from various families would be coming? I would receive that much more attention from so many people. I was so terrified of making even a single mistake there. I was anxious about what they would discover from my tiny mistake and what impressions they would form. What if someone realized I was a fake? Furthermore, this time I had to play the role of Vincent's fiancée. I swallowed dry saliva repeatedly.
To me like that, Vincent replied nonchalantly.
"Then we can just think about what to do next together."
'Together.' That word felt overwhelming. I pursed my itching lips. While staring at the white wall and calming my heart that was pounding for a different reason, Vincent leaned in beside me. Then, he tucked my side hair, which I had neatly styled since morning, behind my ear.
"Are you relaxed now?"
"A little."
"Then shall we go?"
Vincent offered his hand. The ring on his ring finger sparkled. I took deep, huffing breaths, and then took his hand with a determined expression.
"Yes, let's go."
Seeing my face, Vincent suddenly burst into laughter.
I opened my eyes wide. Vincent's face, scrunched up at the corners of his eyes as he let out a hearty laugh, looked just like a child's. His face, completely devoid of guard, was revealing his emotions without hiding them. Only then did I realize that his mood had been extremely elated since we met here.
I blankly stared at his face. Vincent smiled and helped me to my feet. Then, holding my hand firmly, he led me into the party hall.
The terrace doors opened. Bright rays of light poured down dazzlingly. People's attention focused on us. Familiar faces greeted me. I exchanged greetings with them. And as I did, I looked at Vincent. He was still smiling. Seeing his purely enjoying expression, it felt as if the tension that had been wrapping my entire body just a moment ago had completely vanished.
The world spread out beneath the gorgeous chandeliers was beautiful enough to steal one's breath away, but on the other hand, it also felt terrifying. But thinking that I was with Vincent within it, walking toward that place no longer felt scary. Before I knew it, I was smiling along with Vincent.
"Are you happy?"
"Yeah. I'm happy."
Vincent said. I also nodded.
Ah, I'm happy.
I am happy right now!
Because I didn't give up on life, because I could be with someone, and because I could stand in this place right now with the people who love me, I was so happy. We never lost our smiles until the party ended. At some point, it was overflowing with joy rather than anxiety.
A life more full of happiness than regret.
As always, it was an ordinary day.
***
It was a party hosted by the royal family. The one who received the most attention was a young lady adopted into the Christopher family. People who saw her for the first time mocked and ridiculed her ugly face, finding it hard to believe she was a relative of Count Christopher. However, everyone was surprised when the man, who was so cold that he carried the terrible rumor of having killed his own blood and survived after a major incident, showed an affectionate face to his sister. Furthermore, the attitude of her fiancé, Count Bellunita, went without saying.
The woman who received the love of two men in one body became the object of jealousy and envy for everyone. The strange rumors that still clung like a tail had completely vanished in the face of their affectionate appearances. It was undeniable that she, surrounded by people, shone brighter than anyone else.
A year later, the Christopher family and the Bellunita family forged ties through marriage. Compared to the overly long engagement period, it was a swift progression.
Many people attended the wedding. It was a place where anyone could attend regardless of status. Under everyone's blessings, the bride facing the man she would spend her life with sparkled so beautifully that her ugly face paled in comparison. No one knew that she was a maid who had disappeared into the darkness.
And just like any fairy tale, they say she lived happily ever after for a long time with the people she loved.
This is the story of a maid who once disappeared leaving behind a secret.
And the story of a noble young lady who went and found her own happiness.
This is my story.
— fin