Chapter 22

Today, I have also posted two episodes.

Thank you for reporting the typos; I have made the corrections.

"Lady Edith!"

Seeing Eugenie waving her hand slightly from a secluded seat in the teahouse, Edith heaved a sigh of relief and waved back. Since Edith had replied to Eugenie's letter, agreeing to her invitation for tea, the place Eugenie had suggested was a popular teahouse in the capital, known for its high-class ambiance.

Guided through the bright, bustling interior of the teahouse, Edith reached the table where Eugenie was seated. The seat was out of sight from other customers but offered a pleasant view of the garden through a large window. Edith had arrived a bit early, but it seemed Eugenie had been waiting for her even longer.

"Thank you very much for your time today, Lady Edith."

Smiling warmly, Eugenie greeted Edith, who returned her smile.

"Lady Eugenie, thank you for inviting me today. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"No, it's fine. I just arrived early. I was really looking forward to talking with you, Lady Edith."

Seeing Eugenie's genuinely happy expression, Edith's smile deepened as she glanced around the teahouse, which was bustling with many people who seemed to be nobles.

"This place is said to be very popular and hard to reserve. Thank you for securing a table. Do you come here often?"

"Yes, quite often. Since I'm a regular, they were able to accommodate me. ... I suggested this place instead of inviting you to my home because I wanted us to have a quiet, private conversation. At home, there are always my parents and the servants around."

Edith nodded, recalling the faces of Eugenie's parents. Just then, after placing their orders for tea and cake with the server, Eugenie lowered her eyes slightly and asked Edith:

"How is Lord Lionel doing? Has his condition improved?"

"Yes, he is recovering well. Although he hasn't fully returned to his usual life, the doctor says there are clear signs of improvement."

"...I see."

Relieved, Eugenie smiled and gazed intently into Edith's eyes.

"Lady Edith, are you aware of the circumstances that led to my engagement to Lord Craig?"

"...Yes."

Edith hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Lord Craig told me that he has always had feelings for you, and that's why you two became engaged."

"Lord Craig said such a thing...?"

Eugenie's large eyes widened in surprise.

"Did he... hear anything about Lord Lionel and me?"

"Well... Initially, it was planned that you and Lord Lionel would be engaged, but after Lord Lionel fell ill and considering Lord Craig's feelings, you ended up becoming engaged to Lord Craig. That's what I've heard."

"Is that all?"

Eugenie, looking anxious and tense, nodded.

"Yes, that's about all I know about the circumstances of your engagement to Lord Craig."

As Edith carefully chose her words, Eugenie's eyes welled up with tears.

"Both Lord Lionel and Lord Craig are truly kind and noble gentlemen. ... Could you tell me exactly what Lord Craig said?"

"Confused, Edith met Eugenie's steady gaze and relented.

"Lord Craig said he had always harbored unrequited love for you. When he saw you grieving over Lord Lionel's illness, he confessed his feelings, which he had kept hidden until then, and said it was all his fault."

"...!"

A tear slipped from Eugenie's eyes, unable to hold it back.

"That is not the truth."

"...What?"

Blinking in surprise, Edith listened as Eugenie gently pressed her eyes with a handkerchief and continued in a whisper.

"After Lord Lionel fell ill, when I visited him, Lord Craig said something different. He said, 'Please, support my brother. He is in a situation he has never experienced before.' ... Lord Craig's words were a lie to protect me."

Edith, speechless, swallowed hard.