Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 58
As Hildegard suggested, the three headed to a nearby famous restaurant.
[Hmm, I like seafood better. That will do.]
Hildegard knew that the two men wouldn’t be able to refuse it. For Dwight, it was a mission given, and for Kaidel, it was a job that involved the brother of the girl he likes.
Hildegard would have preferred dinner alone with Dwight, but she couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. To think that Kaidel is so desperate and cautious!
[Have you two never eaten together?]
[We have. At Eleanor’s birthday party…]
Kaidel, who had been answering without thinking, stiffened as he looked at Dwight. He kept forgetting that they were twins.
[I mean, at their birthday party, we all gathered and ate together.]
Dwight nodded his head in agreement with Kaidel’s words.
[You two have never seen each other before?]
[Yes.】
Hildegard rested her chin and grinned.
Why?]
Kaidel and Dwight’s eyes widened at the same time. The two people stammered a greeting with a look of confusion on their faces.
[Whenever once…]
“Yes, that’s good.”
Hildegard’s eyes were round. After the food came out, things got a little smoother. At least everyone had something to focus on.
Kaidel suddenly opened his mouth.
“I heard that a date has been set for you to return to Mözen.”
It was a natural and appropriate topic. Yet for some reason, the atmosphere at the table suddenly became heavy.
[Is that so? I haven’t received anything yet.]
Dwight lifted his head and made eye contact with Hildegard. His light green eyes, which always seemed like a spring day, were as cool as late fall.
Hildegard said in confusion.
[I-I’m not sure. Once it’s decided, of course you will know.]
Kaidel’s gaze went back and forth between the two people. Somehow, the temperature around him seemed to have dropped a little.
[I understand.]
Dwight nodded and naturally brought up another topic. A usual soft and warm smile was on his lips.
The meal continued in a strangely lively atmosphere.
While Kaidel and Dwight talked about horseback riding, Hildegard drank lukewarm water in silence. She was an expert at riding, yet somehow she didn’t feel like joining in.
What Kaidel said was true. The day to leave has been set. It was a month earlier than the originally scheduled date.
‘Why am I hiding my departure date from Dwight?’
Hildegard leaned her cheek against her palm, lost in thought.
[Doesn’t suit your taste?]
Dwight looked at Hildegard and asked.
[You’ve been drinking only water since a while ago.]
[Hm? No. I’m enjoying it. It’s just a bit of a hassle.]
Hildegard excused herself and shook her head.
[Ah, then…]
Dwight used clean cutlery to prepare the food on Hildegard’s plate so that they were easy to eat.
[Please eat.]
[Thanks…]
When Hildegard’s fork started moving again, Dwight slowly emptied his plate as well. Kaidel’s eyes narrowed at that extremely natural and intimate action.
The moment Hildegard and Kaidel’s eyes met, she quickly turned her head. Because she felt a slight reprimand in Kaidel’s gaze.
After the meal was over, Kaidel calculated the meal for three people. While Dwight went to call the carriage to the front of the restaurant, Kaidel spoke to Hildegard in a serious voice.
[Do you like Dwight Everett?]
[Of course I like him. Dwight is nice, cute, and sweet…]
Hildegard lowered her long eyelashes in an attempt to ignore him. However, Kaidel wasn’t swayed by it.
[I’m asking whether you consider him a serious partner.]
Hildegard pursed her lips at Kaidel’s words.
It wasn’t like that. In the first place, she was the one to leave, and he was the one to stay. Hildegard liked Dwight and enjoyed every moment she spent with him, but he wasn’t in the future she envisioned.
[You’ve had enough of joking around.]
[It wasn’t a joke.]
[When I say joke, I mean something for which you can’t be held responsible.]
Kaidel sighed softly.
[Your Highness is a quick-witted person. Dwight Everett isn’t a man who is good at hiding his feelings. Don’t you know what I’m talking about?]
She knew.
It was hard not to know his thoughts as she looked at the back of his neck that turned red every time he glanced at her, and his eyes that widened as if he had just heard the funniest story in the world, even at a dull joke. And that feeling pleased her.
[It may be presumptuous to say this, but I hope you don’t hurt him. I’m sincerely asking.]
Kaidel spoke as he looked Hildegard straight in the eyes. Hildegard answered in a creeping voice
[I didn’t mean to.]
[Just because you didn’t mean to doesn’t mean he won’t be hurt.]
Then the door opened and Dwight came in. Kaidel quickly looked at his expression. Considering that it wasn’t much different from before, it seemed like he hadn’t heard the conversation between the two.
[I will go first.]
Hildegard walked out of the restaurant in stride. Dwight naturally tried to follow her out, but he stopped.
“Ah, Your Grace the Duke.”
Kaidel turned his head to face Dwight.
“I gave the music box to Ellen. No matter how I look at it, it seems like it came to the wrong owner.”
“Thanks.”
Kaidel added immediately.
“Tell me whatever you want. I will prepare it right away.”
“I will consider today’s meal as a gift.”
Dwight held up both of his hands as if he was okay.
“Ellen really liked it.”
“The gift?”
Dwight chuckled as he watched the unconcealed joy spread across Kaidel’s face. Although it was still a difficult opponent, at this moment, he felt a strange sense of kinship.
“Next time, let’s have a meal together with Ellen.”
Dwight suggested.
“Alright. I’ll find a nice place.”
***
Eleanor’s waist in the carriage was slimmer and straighter than usual. This was the result of the maids tightening her corset enormously when told she would be attending a tea party at the Duke of Izent’s house.
‘It’s so uncomfortable I’m dying. I will no longer have any appetite.’
Both her mind and body were uncomfortable. Whether in her past or present life, it was the same that the homebody nature was deeply engraved in her DNA. Although she had persevered in the face of her mother’s anger, one promise she made at the banquet put her in the foot.
Watch your mouth whether you sleep or wake up!
While Eleanor was muttering ‘I want to go home’ to herself about a thousand times, the carriage was passing through the main gate of the duchy and heading towards the garden. A strong scent of flowers flowed in through the slightly open window.
she could see colorful, bright dresses in the distance. Eleanor folded her hands over her chest and cast her own spell.
“I can be as elegant as those ladies! I’ll just stay quiet and return home.”
She landed lightly on the perfectly maintained lawn.
“Eleanor! You came. Welcome.”
Anais, spotting Eleanor, smiled broadly and gestured. She introduced the people seated to Eleanor one by one.
“Sit here.”
Anais pointed to the seat next to her and suggested she sit down. Envious gazes tickled Eleanor’s forehead.
Anais, who was looking at Eleanor blankly, spoke.
“You seem a little nervous today.”
“I’m not used to this kind of place. I’m afraid I might make a mistake…”
“It’s a bit like that, isn’t it?”
Anais slightly raised the corners of her lips.
Eleanor felt a little cold at that moment. But when Anais smiled and held her hand tightly, the feeling melted away, as if it had been her own illusion.
“So let us meet often. Everyone is very curious about Eleanor.”
Eleanor laughed awkwardly after her.
As the tea party began in earnest, Eleanor also became a little more relaxed. All she had to do was sip tea and listen to the other ladies’ conversations.
‘The tea is fragrant and the dessert is delicious.’
The conversation between the young ladies was also interesting in its own way. It wasn’t a topic Eleanor was familiar with, but she had a knack for talking to everyone, so she felt like she was watching a talk show.
She also met a familiar face she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was Dahlia Morris, the woman with whom she took the academy entrance exam. It was amazing to see her as a pretty lady before she knew it.
“How have you been, Dahlia?”
She greeted Dahlia with a smile.
“So so.”
Dahlia shrugged her shoulders with a vague smile. She soon turned her head from Eleanor and began talking to the lady sitting next to her.
Eleanor fiddled with the teacup, feeling a little embarrassed. It was nice to see her after a long time, but it must have been too long.
‘That’s possible.’
Eleanor lifted the corners of her lips slightly.
“Oh my, how careless I am.”
Then Anais opened her mouth.
“We only talked about what we always said between ourselves when we had a guest as precious as Eleanor. Eleanor, tell us your story.”
“My story?”
Anais asked, looking at Eleanor.
“How did you start your business?”
Then the lady sitting next to Anais smiled and added her words.
“I was worried that it would be difficult for the county since you run your own business.”
“Although it was a bit of worry.”
The sound of laughter rang out.
Eleanor’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was a clear sense of hostility in the air that swirled around her skin. She wasn’t mistaken this time.
Eleanor’s expression hardened and she was just about to part her lips. Anais quickly folded her soft hand on the back of Eleanor’s hand.
“I was very impressed. I thought you had great courage. How did you come up with that idea? Tell us something.”
Anais smiled prettily. Eleanor slowly nodded her head in a daze.
Eleanor knows what expression she should have, what attitude she should have,
She wondered whether she should deal with people.
They smiled at her affectionately, talked to her, and then subtly belittled her at intervals. Yet when Eleanor’s face hardened, they immediately praised her and changed the subject.
Eleanor was quite used to that type of speech. This is because it was something she had experienced often in her past life. But she still didn’t know how to deal with this situation wisely.
Should I be angry? Should I just smile like I don’t know anything?
It was at a time when Eleanor was worried.
“The tea is all cold. I’ll tell them to bring us a new one.”
Anais frowned at the lukewarm tea water and lightly shook the bell. An elderly maid came over with a tray.
“While you take that away, take this away too. Why is it so dry?”
Anais pushed the plate of half-eaten cake aside with her fingertip.
“I apologize, Miss.”
“Don’t be slow, act quickly. Everyone is waiting.”
“Yes.”
The maid said as she set the teapot down with slightly trembling hands. As she was clearing Anais’ cake plate, the back of her hand touched the still hot teapot.
“My goodness!”