Previously
Eleanora notices several local noblewomen, including Susan Hamill and Emma, loitering near Killian's villa after Vivian Ashford lied to her rivals about Killian being her suitor.
There was no need to linger on the matter, so Eleanora offered a gentle reply. But the woman offered no response at all, keeping her lips firmly pressed together.
Eleanora offered an awkward smile.
“……”
Not only did the woman refrain from a brief polite farewell, she clicked her tongue in annoyance and dropped the scrap of paper with the address right onto the ground.
Seemingly entirely indifferent to how her rudeness had taken Eleanora aback, she did not spare her so much as a second glance, merely stalking off in the direction indicated.
Eleanora stood staring at her retreating back.
( ‘Why… why is she acting like that?’ )
Was she offended because she thought her handwriting had been insulted?
Eleanora dismounted her horse and picked up the piece of paper.
Hmm… Even looking at it again…
( ‘Her handwriting really is hard to read.’ )
She wondered what had brought the woman to Oakbridge in the first place. It was hardly a tourist destination worth visiting.
Moreover, the extreme care she took to conceal her face was suspicious. It made her look like someone on the run.
‘Perhaps she’s secretly following someone…’
Eleanora indulged the thought for a moment before sighing.
( ‘More likely, she simply came to visit an acquaintance.’ )
In the end, that was hardly her concern right now.
Eleanora headed straight for Thorne Mansion. Upon arriving, she spotted Julian at the entrance bidding farewell to a man. It was someone she knew as well.
The man with the friendly smile was the town’s most prominent real estate broker.
He was known for his honesty and thoroughness, so much so that many people conducted business through him not only in Oakbridge, but in the larger cities as well.
Julian spoke hurriedly as he saw him off.
Once Brad had departed, Eleanora turned to Julian.
Julian rolled his eyes restlessly, answering in a voice that sounded like a groan,
Shock carried Eleanora’s voice higher, prompting Julian to glance around swiftly before raising a finger to his lips.
Julian answered with a conflicted expression. Eleanora’s face paled instantly.
Her drained lips parted, but no words came out.
What had this mansion always represented? It was the living testament to the glory left behind by the ancestor who established their line through art dealing, the pride of the Thorne family passed down for four whole generations.
And now… it was to be sold?
Only then did Eleanora grasp the true gravity of the situation.
She followed Julian into the study, where he shut the door behind them and let out a long sigh.
“……”
Eleanora parted her lips to comfort him, but could find no suitable words.
Guilt settled heavily over her as well. When Julian had first confided in her about their circumstances, she should have inquired into how severe the trouble was.
Instead, she had made assumptions and treated it lightly. She had done nothing but resent his request, thinking he was burdening her with an unreasonable demand.
Drowning in self-reproach, she heard Julian speak,
Eleanora took a seat, blinking in surprise as she noticed the booklets scattered across the table.
There were pamphlets on estate architecture, jewelry catalogs, and various other glossy publications.
Julian spoke as he hurried to gather them up, his face pale as he stumbled over his words,
Julian hesitated, then drew a hand over his mouth.
Eleanora’s eyes widened in shock.
Julian’s father was widely known for his kindness and good character. While he had occasionally lent money that was never repaid, he was hardly the sort to cause a catastrophe of this scale.
It was difficult to believe, but seeing as Julian had put it that way, it would be improper to press him further.
Julian managed a broad smile as he sat across from her.
Yet Eleanora’s expression only darkened further.
Julian’s disappointment was plain to see. Eleanora felt a fluster of confusion; she had never once promised she would definitely meet him.
( ‘…I must understand where he is coming from.’ )
Her concern and pity for Julian outweighed any slight awkwardness.
Eleanora sighed, prompting Julian to ask with concern,
She began to recount everything that had transpired. The further she went, the wider Julian’s mouth fell open in utter shock.
Indeed, it was appalling.
In the end, Eleanora had to take her leave of the mansion and return to her clinic.
Yet her meeting with Julian had left her certain of only one thing: the situation had reached its worst point, and she had to find a resolution no matter what.
( ‘Think carefully, Eleanora Winter.’ )
Her mind—the very same mind that had once devised a scheme to go to the front lines in her father’s place—raced at full throttle.
Should she indirectly hint to Killian how lovely and wonderful Vivian was?
Or should she attempt to persuade him that marriage would bring him a more comfortable, happier life?
( ‘Ah… useless plans, all of them.’ )
Even with an ordinary man, such conversations were hardly simple. How could she possibly broach a personal subject like that with someone who did nothing but bare his quills like a hedgehog?
Turning onto her usual street, Eleanora encountered Susan and Emma outside Killian’s villa.
( ‘Good heavens, have they remained here all this time?’ )
Wondering if they had finally met Killian, she was about to ask casually when Susan spoke first.
She asked, knitting her brows.
Piecing together the situation, Eleanora offered an innocent expression.
Susan tilted her head, but Emma waved her hand in denial.
Only then did Susan and Emma depart, their brisk steps showing not the slightest trace of exhaustion.
( ‘They are returning…?’ )
Eleanora cast a glance over the deserted street.
Just how crowded would this place be tomorrow?
( ‘By the way, did Lord Blackwell truly go out? Or could it be…’ )
She narrowed her eyes, looking up toward the villa. The drawn curtain had flickered for a brief instant just moments ago.
Killian, for his part, had endured a day that felt like an unending state of emergency.
From morning onward, he had been unable to draw an easy breath thanks to the women who had taken over the grounds right outside his window.
On top of that, they had been shouting his name at the top of their lungs and peering over the wall inside!
Owen asked with a resolute look. But Killian shook his head.
He had no desire to come into the slightest contact with them. He had decided that ignoring them was best, and stayed in silent hiding.
Even so, the women had shown no sign of leaving until after the sun had sunk.
Yet after speaking with ‘someone,’ they had vanished as though they had never been there in the first place.
( ‘Eleanora Winter.’ )
Killian’s eyes narrowed.
What on earth had that woman said to make those persistent intruders withdraw so easily?
She certainly knew something. She knew why they had come looking for him.
And if he wanted to rid himself of this nuisance, he first had to understand the cause.
“…Bring that woman to me.”