Chapter 111: Single, 21 years old, and very influential (6)

༺ Single, 21 years old, and very influential (6) ༻

It was the first time I had seen the head maid run.

‘She could run, after all.’

It was already expected, but it was still surprising. The head maid was always so reserved and quiet that I had never even seen her walk briskly, let alone run. I had even wondered if she was somehow unable to run.

Of course, as the Countess’s closest aide and a noble in her own right, it was only natural for the head maid to maintain her dignity. However, the head maid was meticulous to a fault. If you dressed her in a gown instead of a maid’s uniform, she could easily pass for the lady of a distinguished house.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so, because the maids who returned with her looked flustered. Even I would be flustered if the head maid, who was always so poised, came running and was gasping for air as she urged me to go somewhere.

“I’m sorry, Young Lady. This may take a while.”

After the maids brought in the tea, Mother turned her gaze to Marghetta. Brewing a new pot would indeed take some time.

“No need to mention it. Rather, I’m the one who should be thankful for being so warmly welcomed despite my sudden visit.”

However, Marghetta bowed her head in reply. Since her visit was unannounced, it was understandable if Mother didn’t treat her with full hospitality. After all, one needed a heads-up to prepare something.

The fact that Mother called back the maids she had sent away seemed to indicate that she was quite pleased with Marghetta’s greetings.

“It’s only right to welcome a friend of my son. Don’t fret over it.”

Our eyes met as I nodded slightly, and Mother smiled faintly.

A friend... From Mother’s perspective, Marghetta was probably the first friend I’d brought home, right? It might not be as significant as bringing a marriage prospect, but it was still a happy occasion.

Strictly speaking, Marghetta was invited by Mother, but let’s not dwell on that. After all, I was the one who brought her.

“Thank you, madam.”

Marghetta seemed pleased by Mother’s hospitality and let out a small smile.

***

Was this a dream? Or was I so overwhelmed that I was finally starting to see hallucinations of the things I wanted to see?

If it’s a dream or an illusion, then I wish it would continue. I’d like to be happy for a moment, even if it’s going to be shattered.

“The front garden was beautiful, but the rear garden is also lovely.”

“It’s the pride of our territory. The gardeners have poured their hearts into it.”

“It doesn’t feel right to hear that from someone who hasn’t been to the territory for a long time.”

“Be quiet.”

However, it wasn’t just my eyes that were receiving signals. My ears were also insisting that this was real and that the moment I longed for was actually unfolding before me.

The two brothers were sitting together amicably, along with the lady Carl brought along. I was there too, not as an intruder but as someone who was rightfully part of the gathering. Just moments ago, such a scene was beyond my wildest dreams.

I looked over at Laura, and she seemed just as stunned. But her smile soon reassured me. Yes, what I was seeing was real.

“Have we been talking amongst ourselves too much? I’m sorry, madam.”

It seemed that Lady Marghetta took it the wrong way as I continued to stare at them. She’s sorry? On the contrary, I was the one who should be the most grateful.

“It’s nice to hear the conversation of the young people these days.”

I shook my head slightly. Indeed, it was nice. It was nice to hear Carl’s voice and to hear Erich’s stories.

Though they weren’t speaking to me directly, the fact that they didn’t mind my presence and freely carried on with their own conversations was so heartwarming.

Lady Marghetta smiled brightly at my response. How could someone be so lovely?

‘Thank you, Young Lady.’

I wanted to take her hands and bow several times to express my gratitude, but doing so might make her uncomfortable.

My sadness vanished instantly. How could I not be pleased at the thought that my benefactor might return? Apart from that, a faint hope arose that Carl might accompany her again if she came.

With that hopeful thought, I casually looked toward Carl and caught his eye as he was whispering something to Erich.

“I’ll see you at dinner.”

Carl’s words left me momentarily stunned before I hastily nodded in agreement. Right, it was normal for the family to gather at mealtime. That was how it should be.

“Yes. Let’s see each other then.”

Of course. It was only normal.

I bit my lip hard to stop the tears. If I let my guard down, I might cry like how I did in front of Laura.

With that, Carl and Erich left, saying we would see each other at dinner. Then, I briefly held back Lady Marghetta as she was about to leave.

“Madam?”

She blinked as if asking what the matter was, and I cautiously began to speak.

“I was worried about Carl living alone in the capital, but I’m glad that he met someone like the lady at the Academy.”

“You’re being too kind. I’m the lucky one to have met Carl.”

“I feel reassured knowing that you’re by his side.”

And then, I let out a small sigh.

It was funny that I was saying this now.

Ideally, I should have met Lady Marghetta last year when the rumors in society began to spread.

“Spreading that rumor in the social circles must have taken courage, and I’m sorry for ignoring you for a whole year.”

“Oh, yes, yes...”

“I’m not against the Young Lady. I just want you to know that.”

Lady Marghetta bowed several times with a dazed look and then left.

Seeing her like that, I realized that she wasn’t just a deeply mature person. She was also quite cute for her age.

***

Starting today, I’m going to pray three times a day to Enen.

“I feel reassured knowing that you’re by his side.”

“I’m not against the Young Lady. I just want you to know that.”

It was clear that Enen favored me. I could be sure of it. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be happening.

‘Hehe, fufufufu...’

I desperately held back the laughter that threatened to leak out since I was still in the rear garden. I couldn’t let Mother hear such frivolous laughter.

However, something felt off.

‘The social circles?’

And a year? What did she mean? I do remember something about last year, but she said she heard it from the social circles. So, it wasn’t something she had heard from Carl?

‘Why...?’

Why would Mother hear about me through the social circles? If it’s that kind of news, then it could hardly be called good news.

Could it have spread? That Carl rejected me? Was it all over the social circles?

...For real?

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