Chapter 22

“Herietta! Welcome!”

Lilian ran out of the mansion with arms wide open and greeted Herietta who had just arrived. Herietta, who got off the carriage with the help of the coachman, was held in her aunt’s arms. The hug was so intense that she couldn’t even breathe properly. Lilian did not let her go until Herietta struggled with the pain.

“The last time I saw you was two years ago… Time flies so fast. Right. How have you been?”

“I’ve been doing fine. What about you, Aunt Lilian?”

“I’m fine too. Nothing special happened.”

Lilian shrugged her shoulders and frowned.

“I’ve been inviting you to come and play, but you only came now. If you were doing it intentionally, then that’s really heartless.”

Lilian made a face look of disappointment and clicked her tongue. Herietta smiled softly at the exaggerated expression and took her hand.

“What are you saying? According to the original plan, you were supposed to come to Philioche to see me.”

“Haah. Oh, you. Can’t I make empty promises? Why would I crawl to the valley where I have nothing to do? It’s really a matter of life and death.”

She had a very dignified attitude for admitting that she had lied. However, because the figure was so Lilian, Herietta just smiled.

“By the way, is that all your luggage?”

Lilian looked at the cart that had arrived in front of her mansion and asked. At a glance, Herietta didn’t have much luggage with her. She nodded, indicating that it was right.

“It’s useless if you don’t like it if I bring this and that. I only brought the things I would need.”

“Yes. Well thought. Rose has a good sense of fashion by the way, but she must have lost her senses by now since she’s been living in Philiore for the past two decades.”

“Philioche.”

“Yes, Philioche.”

Lilian waved her hand in annoyance.

“Your room is already prepared. It is a place with a very good view of the garden. You will like it.”

At Lilian’s beckoning, the butler, who was waiting behind them, approached. He looked quite old for his age and Herietta had already met him once when she had stayed here before. He bowed his head towards her and greeted her.

“Take the luggage from that carriage to the room where Herietta is staying. Then show her where the room is.”

“I will do as you have ordered, Lady Jenner.”

The butler, who responded politely, immediately moved to the cart. Then he started talking to the two men who were standing next to it. By pointing his fingers at the luggage, he seemed to be giving instructions on how and where to move them.

“But are they staying here too?”

Lilian, who was watching the butler’s actions, asked. Herietta noticed that the “they” she meant were the coachman and porters who came with her.

If the staff belonged to the family household, it would only be natural for them to stay together with Herietta even after the journey, but if they were only under a temporary contract, then it was correct to say that they would be leaving after they send Herietta to her destination. The coachman and the porter were hired by Baodor, so it was expected that they would now go on their way.

Except for one.

Herietta’s eyes found him involuntarily.

“Just one person. He’s a Mackenzie person.”

“Really? Who?”

“… That blond-haired guy over there.”

Herietta pointed to Edwin with a reluctant expression on her face. She was nervous, wondering if Lilian would recognize him. Fortunately, however, he had half turned away from them. Lilian glanced at him with uninterested eyes and then looked back.

“Then I’ll have to tell the butler to provide a place for him to stay. There are a few vacant rooms in the employee’s residence, so he can use one of them.”

“Thank you, auntie.”

“You’re thankful for everything.”

“If I dare, I hope you don’t change, Miss Herietta. For a long time to come, I want you to be just like you are now.”

“…”

“But it’s impossible, isn’t it?”

He looked very serious and did not seem like he was joking. His appearance was somewhat tragic, and at the same time, it seemed unfair. It’s like someone who has to stand still and watch someone take their things right in front of their eyes.

Herietta stared blankly at Edwin. Outwardly, he looked as calm as the surface of a lake, as usual. But when she looked closely, something seemed unstable. If anything, did something happen?

Edwin let out a long breath when Herrietta, who was at a loss for words, said nothing. Then he asked softly,

“… Please pretend you didn’t hear the last thing I said.”

Edwin raised his gaze and met Herrietta’s eyes. There was a longing in his eyes that he couldn’t express. He was considered to have a very cold impression if he did not smile, but she felt a strange heat from him.

Without knowing why, her heart sank.