Ch#47
In truth, he had been agonizing over it too. He had no influence in high society himself and didn’t know how to help Linia.
Edel had merely used a tiny fraction of her knowledge to assist, but it had brought tremendous change to Linia.
After Camille’s party, Linia had noticeably brightened and laughed often. In a good mood, she no longer snapped at the servants, and even if something irritated her, she got over it quickly.
Thanks to that, the mansion had been quite peaceful lately.
“Anyway, I came to ask you to keep taking good care of her from now on.”
“It’s only natural for me to do so.”
“That ‘natural’ part often doesn’t happen. Of course, you’ll do your absolute best to the point of foolishness……”
Unlike him, his words trailed off.
He kept his hand on his head after brushing back his hair, avoiding Edel’s eyes as he spoke.
“Linia has nothing to do with the things I’ve done. It wasn’t her choice to be born the sister of someone like me, and even if she hates and resents me, Linia……”
*Spoils of war*
“I don’t hate or resent you, Count! Least of all Linia. I don’t understand why you’d worry about that.”
Edel frantically shook her head in bewilderment.
*Duchess*
As if she’d harm Linia because she hated him!
Only after Edel vehemently denied it did his gaze return to her.
Truly written by Lemon Frog
“That’s a relief then. If you need anything, come tell me anytime. Money or whatever. Not empty words—I mean it.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He nodded lightly, though somewhat anxiously, glanced around Edel’s room once more, and left.
Edel stared quietly at the door he’d exited through, but no matter how she thought about it, one fact didn’t make sense.
*‘Why does he think I’d hate him? I even thanked him properly before for saving me…’*
She tilted her head, gave up thinking about it, and changed into her nightclothes. Well, maybe she’d misunderstood.
.
So even if those who’d approached as ‘friends’ only after weighing the conditions flipped their attitudes like a palm and mocked and pointed fingers, that was their shame, not hers to waver over.
The weekend arrived.
“I thought I’d forgotten something, but I got everything. Let’s go!”
After helping Linia prepare for her outing, Edel quickly changed as soon as she left with Laslo.
Daisy had been ready for a while and waited for Edel on the first floor.
Edel stepped out from the shadows into the sunlight where Daisy stood.
“Sister!”
“Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?”
“No. It’s only been about ten minutes since miss left, so let’s hurry too.”
Before heading to Portrait Street, they shopped for items first.
Edel ordered two outfits suitable for wearing outside the house. One in a low-saturation sky blue and the other in a slightly dark gray.
No lace, but pleats formed in layers on either side of the buttons from neck to chest, sleeves not overly puffed, and a neat design—it appealed to her.
In fact, besides getting portraits, she needed clothes and items. Now that outings were allowed, preparing outerwear, shoes, parasols, or hats made sense.
After ordering, she bought a white bonnet and a plain black parasol.
Daisy had brought her wallet and bag too, saying she’d buy more yarn for knitting shawls.
But as she actually stepped out of House Criserus, Edel felt a slight tremble.
*‘Have I ever shopped this carefree before?’*
*It’s been so long since I went out—I’m nervous.*
She’d thought she’d confined herself to the mansion by delusion, but conversely, the mansion’s walls had protected her from the cold stares outside.
Shopping felt fun for the first time. More enjoyable now than when she’d had plenty of money.
*Before, buying items to earn recognition for taste mattered more than what I liked.*
Especially today’s bustling district, Esgar Street in Baltice where middle-class commoners mainly shopped, had many unique and pretty items, drawing even nobles.
Every moment of living had been a test.
*‘What if I run into someone I know…’*
“Sister? What’s wrong? Forget something?”
With the judges who evaluated her gone, she felt more herself now than ever.
If former friends pointed fingers, could she laugh it off nonchalantly?
“Sister, which one do you like best?”
Daisy, browsing ready-made shoes, turned to ask Edel.
She chose leather boots in a simple, comfortable design.
As Edel hesitated at the entrance, Daisy turned back to ask.
The opposite of the ornate silk shoes she’d worn as a noble, but Edel really liked those boots.
Daisy standing under the bright March sunlight sparkled fresh like new green sprouts.
After shopping, they hurried to Portrait Street.
At that moment, Edel realized. With such a lovable, kind person as a friend, she needn’t cling to past ties.
Though called *Portrait Street*, it was actually atop a bridge crossing the Roben River. On both sides of the wide, long bridge, portrait artists displayed their works, set up easels, and greeted customers.
As Daisy said, it was trending lately—the bridge bustled with people there for portraits.
Yes, it’s fine. I’m Edel, the maid of House Criserus. I’m much more satisfied with my life now.
“For a famous painter, waiting an hour is standard.”
.
