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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: A Mother's Gratitude
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Evanjeline, holding a drink, stepped out onto the balcony with light steps.
The cool night breeze pleasantly caressed her flushed cheeks.
“Ugh, I'm bored to death.”
Leaning against the balcony railing, Evanjeline muttered sullenly.
Duchess Claudius.
The name inevitably drew the attention of countless people.
But there were no young lords of high enough standing to dare ask Evanjeline for a dance.
In the end, Evanjeline found herself surrounded by longing gazes from those who couldn't bring themselves to speak to her.
“Ugh.”
Evanjeline, disgusted, took a sip of her drink.
As the cold liquid trickled down her throat, the stuffy feeling in her chest seemed to ease a little.
Evanjeline stared blankly up at the sky.
The pitch-black night sky was studded with stars like glittering shards.
Looking at that night sky, she was suddenly reminded of her friend's jet-black hair.
Even the pearl ornament she had personally chosen and placed in Lalitt's upswept hair.
‘Come to think of it, my brother and Lady Ansi.’
A slight smile touched her lips.
‘They look quite good together.’
Evanjeline recalled the scene she had witnessed earlier.
Beneath the chandelier's light, the two people she cherished most twirled as they danced.
Honestly, the banquet was rather dull, and the insignificant men fawning over Lalitt were annoying.
Still, it was a pleasure to watch the two of them dance.
Just then.
“Duchess Claudius?”
Someone called out to Evanjeline cautiously.
‘Hm?’
Turning around, Evanjeline's eyes widened like a startled rabbit's.
“Viscountess Ansi?”
It was Lalitt's mother, Viscountess Ansi.
Evanjeline offered the warmest smile she could manage.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
Viscountess Ansi approached Evanjeline with cautious steps.
“I heard you'll be returning to the capital tomorrow?”
“Ah, yes. That's right.”
Evanjeline nodded.
It was because Dietrich had bombarded her with nagging letters.
[You mustn't impose on the Viscounty of Ansi any longer.
When I return to the capital, you are coming with me, no exceptions. Got it?]
For that reason, Evanjeline had decided to return to the capital first with Dietrich.
Lalitt, on the other hand, planned to stay in her hometown for a few more days to spend time with her parents.
However.
‘Is there something you wish to say?’
Evanjeline glanced sideways at Viscountess Ansi.
The hesitating Viscountess flinched and stiffened the moment their eyes met.
Then, in a tiny voice, she spoke again.
“Forgive my presumption, but may I say something?”
“Of course. Please, speak freely.”
Evanjeline readily nodded.
Even so, she inwardly found the situation a bit awkward.
‘Was there… something about me that made you uncomfortable?’
The truth was, Evanjeline wasn't the type to be loved by adults.
Her status as one of the most noble in the empire created a barrier that adults found difficult to approach.
Her characteristically blunt way of speaking and uninhibited personality were also among the things adults found unsettling.
‘Since they're Lady Ansi's parents, I wanted to make a good impression somehow…’
Still, judging by what she'd said to Lady Ansi in the drawing room the other day, she thought she hadn't completely ruined her image.
‘Guess I completely failed.’
Just as Evanjeline was suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape.
“Thank you so much, Your Grace.”
Viscountess Ansi suddenly bowed her head deeply.
Startled, Evanjeline jumped in place like a frightened cat.
“What?!”
“It's just that… it's been so long since I've seen our Lari smile so brightly.”
A faint smile spread across the face of the Viscountess, who had been tense all this time.
“…I always felt sorry for that child, who was always so disheartened.”
“That's…”
“In my eyes, she's a child with so many strengths, but Lari always put herself down.”
Evanjeline immediately understood what Viscountess Ansi was saying.
Lalitt Ansi.
In truth, high society perceived Lalitt as little more than Serapina's handmaiden.
Evanjeline's own perception hadn't been much different.
Serapina, who was irritating at every turn.
And Lalitt, who always took the blame for Serapina's mistakes and bowed her head in her stead.
Therefore, the first feeling Evanjeline had for Lalitt was a faint curiosity.
‘Why is she so devoted to Lady Lopes?’
As Evanjeline saw it, the only reason Serapina could be so successful in high society was thanks to Lalitt.
Because Lalitt was by Serapina's side.
Serapina, a minor noble with not even a fiefdom to her name, had used her friend as a connection to first enter the capital's social circles.
She bought and wore countless fancy dresses with her friend's money.
She unhesitatingly used her friend as the butt of her jokes, earning a reputation as a cheerful and amusing lady.
The more Serapina was beloved everywhere she went, the more Lalitt had to sacrifice.
And yet, Lalitt would smile at Serapina.
“Sera is my friend, after all.”
…That affectionate gaze she had for Serapina.
From a certain point on, Evanjeline began to think that Lalitt was too good for Serapina.
‘A friend.’
She came to… admire that relationship a little.
To be able to care for someone so sincerely without being related by blood.
‘Will someone like that ever come into my life?’
That was why, when Lalitt first came to her, she had honestly held a small bit of hope.
She thought that perhaps Lalitt might share a small fraction of the friendship she'd shown Serapina with her.
And Lalitt…
Since signing the friendship contract, she had never once disappointed Evanjeline.
“This is the first time she's ever danced like that, too.”
Lost in thought, Evanjeline was snapped back to reality by the Viscountess's voice.
“Lord Gusto always asked only Lady Lopes to dance… As a parent, it broke my heart.”
Viscountess Ansi straightened her back and gazed at Evanjeline.
Was it just her imagination?
Reflecting the brilliant lights from the ballroom, the corners of the Viscountess's eyes seemed to faintly shimmer with moisture.
“The reason Lari was able to change like this is all thanks to you, Your Grace, for becoming her friend.”
The Viscountess's smile deepened slightly.
“Though our Lari may have many shortcomings, I ask that you please continue to look after our daughter.”
“…”
Facing the brightly smiling Viscountess Ansi.
Evanjeline somehow felt she understood how Lalitt could have grown into such a warm person.
…And she found herself a little envious of Lalitt.
For she had lost the warmth of her parents forever when she was very young.
“Not at all.”
To hide the lump forming in her throat, Evanjeline forced a smile and shook her head.
“Lady Ansi is my one and only friend. If anything, she's the one who helps me a great deal.”
“For you to say that, Your Grace… you are truly kind.”
Kind.
It was a word she had never heard directed at her in her entire life.
But Viscountess Ansi was simply looking at her with benevolent eyes.
A clear gaze, just like Lalitt's.
“Please be sure to visit again. We will do our utmost to host you, Your Grace.”
“Oh no, your hospitality has been more than enough. But…”
Waving her hands in dismissal, Evanjeline's eyes crinkled into a lovely crescent.
“Since you insist, I suppose I will have to visit again sometime.”
“Oh my, we'll have to put in some effort to meet Your Grace's expectations.”
After her lighthearted joke, Viscountess Ansi continued in a serious tone.
“Though it cannot compare to the magnificent scenery of the duchy, there are some places with beautiful landscapes around here. We will be sure to guide you when you next visit.”
“Oh, now you've made me curious.”
As she chuckled, Evanjeline had a sudden thought.
‘If my mother were still alive and by my side… would it feel like this?’
It had been a very long time since she had felt this at ease.
