Chapter 105
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105
Suddenly, the Marchioness’s excessive kindness made sense. A young lady of the House of Somerset. Even after living away from Ingram for so long, the name still carried the weight of a respectable, prestigious family to Vanessa.
Though it hadn't been her intention, she felt flustered, as if she had deceived the Marchioness. Her cheeks flushing, she quickly replied, “In Ingram, I… I wasn’t in a very good position.”
“Still, working as a governess can’t be easy to endure.”
Just as Alice worried, a quiet contempt for governesses pervaded high society. Their social standing was poor, and to make matters worse, Vanessa was unmarried and pregnant. She tightly clenched her hands in her lap, bracing herself for the disdainful looks that were sure to follow.
“I want to save what money I can. We never know what the future holds.”
Alice gazed at Vanessa for a moment before asking smoothly in Lantian, “You must have been a good student?”
“It’s embarrassing to say, but I did well enough,” Vanessa answered humbly. She opened her bag and pulled out her academic transcripts and the small boxes containing the medals awarded to top students. When she had resolved to leave Gloucester, these were the first things she had packed. It had been the same when she decided to leave the Duke.
This, at least, was an achievement earned through her own strength—something no one could take away or belittle.
“I thought they might be useful if I worked as a governess, so I brought my transcripts from the last three years. My Lantian is a bit rusty, though, since I haven't used it much lately.”
“Oh my! St. Louis! And top of your class in every subject?”
A bright spark lit up Alice’s warm brown eyes. She clapped her hands with childlike delight.
“Then let’s do this.”
The enthusiasm in her eyes was so intense it seemed to radiate warmth.
“I have a son who will be eleven next year. He’s fine with everything else, but he’s absolutely hopeless at math and science. And his Ingramian isn’t improving as much as I’d like, either. Goodness, he’s so stubborn, insisting on speaking only Lantian.”
Alice unclasped the locket around her neck, showing Vanessa the photograph of a young boy inside. The lively boy’s smile somehow reminded her of Rosalyn. As Vanessa smiled at the image, Alice continued.
“How about you come over five times a week to tutor my son? You wouldn't have to live in the mansion. Two hours of math in the morning, lunch with our staff, and two hours of science in the afternoon. It would be perfect.”
“Of course, it’s a wonderful offer, and I’m incredibly grateful, but…” Vanessa trailed off, her expression troubled.
Was it wise to maintain regular contact with a high-ranking local noble? She had only accepted Blair’s suggestion to visit his aunt because of Lant’s unique culture. Here, one couldn’t secure property without a trustworthy guarantor. She had intended to cut all ties the moment she had the apartment keys in her hand.
“Please don’t refuse. You have no idea how hard it is to find a well-educated governess these days. I won’t ask for anything else. Though I will look after you if you face any trouble while living in Amiens.”
“…”
“Allow me to do at least this much for Blair’s friend.”
*
Stepping out of the car behind Alice, Vanessa slowly took in her surroundings. The street was clean, lined with buildings with neat facades. While it wasn't a luxury complex for the upper class, it had an air of modest respectability.
They opened the iron gate and climbed the clean stairs. On the upper floor were three wooden doors with number plates. With Alice watching, Vanessa carefully signed the purchase documents and paid the remaining balance. Afterward, the building manager handed her a key with the number 301 engraved on it.
“It was completely empty, so I had some old furniture our servants used to use brought over. You’ll still need to buy a few things, though. It looks like you don’t even have a blanket to sleep under.”
“Thank you so much, my lady.”
“Just call me Alice. And I shall call you Miss Liber from now on.”
Miss Liber. Vanessa hesitated for a moment at the unfamiliar name. Noticing her reaction, Alice smiled knowingly.
“You must adapt to your new name as quickly as possible. That way, you’ll react naturally no matter when or how someone calls for you, as if it’s always been yours. Lantians can be quite wary of foreigners.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Unpack and get some rest today. We’ll start the lessons next Monday.”
After one last look around, Alice patted Vanessa on the shoulder, told her not to bother seeing her out, and headed down the stairs. Vanessa picked up her leather bag from the floor and inserted the key into the lock.
The moment the door swung open, the first thing she saw was a bright balcony. Warm autumn sunlight poured into the living room through wide-open glass doors, making the white curtains flutter in the breeze. The room was furnished with a simple cupboard and chest of drawers, a sturdy rocking chair, and a wide desk that could double as a dining table. The fireplace was neatly swept and clean.
Opening a door she’d mistaken for a closet, she found a cozy bedroom, cramped with just a single bed. Vanessa placed her bag on it and stepped out onto the balcony. Leaning against the railing, she gazed at the distant scenery.
A beautiful street lined with evergreens, a tall white bell tower, the faint sound of children’s laughter echoing from the alleys, men riding bicycles, and a girl carrying a paper grocery bag. In the distance, a tram slowly pulled into a station as a flock of white doves took flight all at once. The peaceful scene settled over her, bringing a profound sense of tranquility.
“It’s so nice…” she murmured, the words slipping out before she realized it.
The anxiety that had gripped her since leaving Ingram was gone. It felt as if she had finally found a safe room of her own—a dream she had cherished since childhood. A deep sense of relief washed over her, and she smiled. For the first time, she felt confident she could handle whatever came next.
I’m so glad I left.
*
He felt like he was going to die.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a full night’s sleep. Three days? A week? It might have been more than ten. A crushing fatigue weighed down his entire body, refusing to lift, and his senses were growing dull.
Theodore swept back his disheveled hair with wet hands. Droplets of water slid down his rough skin, gathering along his sharp jawline before dripping into the basin below. His reflection’s cold, sharp eyes stared back, and his expression twisted.
Slowly, he raised his head to face the mirror. The man looking back was a stranger—at least, a version of himself he had never seen before. Impatient, anxious, and as desperate as a starving beast… There was only one reason he had been driven to this point.
That wicked, horrific dream had begun to plague him day and night.
It always started the same way: with the sight of her back. Golden hair cascading like a veil, a beautiful garden, her gentle hands scooping up a puppy. Then, sensing his presence, she would turn, a bright, radiant smile on her face.
“Theodore.”
Hearing her voice was the most miserable part. In that instant, he knew it was a dream. A hallucination. A wretched swamp he was sinking into. Once he woke, sleep would not come again. It was a quagmire with no escape, and though he knew something was terribly wrong, he had no idea how to fix it.
Lady Vanessa should mean nothing to him now. He had been drawn to her when she promised not to run away, his eyes following her diligent efforts to protect her place by his side. Her upright nature, her constant consideration for others… it had been lovely.
But in the end, she had vanished, betraying every sweet promise that had fallen from her lips. There was no reason to remember such a woman. No reason to miss her.
And yet, on very rare occasions…
“…”
He slowly steadied his ragged breathing, consciously forcing himself. Inhale, exhale, inhale… Perhaps this torment was born from his inability to understand.
Why did she sever things this way? How long had she been planning it? Was there truly no other way but to leave? When did you give up on talking to me?
Sometimes, he still found it hard to believe.
That between them, there was absolutely nothing left.