Chapter 086. An Unexpected Invitation
“Good heavens…….”
Olivia’s golden eyes began to shake widely.
From behind her, the maid Lucy, who had been combed down Olivia’s hair, tilted her head with a puzzled look.
“What’s wrong, Miss?”
In Olivia’s trembling hands was the letter that a servant had just brought into the room a moment ago.
Lucy’s brow slowly narrowed with curiosity as she alternated her gaze between Olivia’s face and the letter, wondering whose letter could possibly make her react like this.
“Lady Cheister says she wants to invite me to Elphengreen this coming weekend when she returns! And only me!”
The way she poured out the words rapidly with slightly flushed cheeks made it clear just how excited she was right now.
Well, if it was Lady Cheister, she was the one and only younger sister of Raymond von Cheister, the very person Olivia admired so much.
For such a lady to send a personal invitation rather than a tea party inviting many people, it was only natural that she would be happy.
Moreover—
—Lucy, I was truly shocked that someone like Lady Cheister actually exists. She was so beautiful… she really looked just like a princess of the kingdom.
Ever since attending the Cheister family’s ball a while ago, Olivia had reached the point of practically worshipping Lady Cheister.
She even casually uttered words that could borderline be considered lèse-majesté.
So receiving an invitation she never even dreamed of from such a person would naturally make her even happier.
Lucy smiled softly as she watched her young lady beaming with joy.
“That’s really wonderful, Miss.”
—I did say she should stop by sometime… but I thought it was just a polite small talk, you know?
Remembering how Olivia’s sparkling eyes had quickly dimmed as she trailed off, Lucy couldn’t help but feel how fortunate it was that Lady Cheister hadn’t forgotten and actually sent an invitation.
“Oh, that’s right, what should I bring as a gift?”
Only after her excitement subsided did Olivia suddenly remember, and her eyes instantly widened like a rabbit’s.
It was common etiquette among the upper class to bring a small token of appreciation when invited.
The type and price of gifts varied greatly depending on the status and position of the host.
Expensive tea imported from abroad, perfume, chocolates, high-quality wine, and so on.
Olivia’s expression turned unusually serious as she pondered which of the countless options would perfectly suit Lady Cheister’s taste.
“There’s still time until the weekend, so think about it slowly. By the way, it might be nice to go shopping at Charlotte Square for the first time in a while.”
At the gentle, smiling advice, a short “Ah” of realization escaped Olivia’s lips.
Charlotte Square!
Her face said she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it sooner.
If it was that place overflowing with all sorts of rare treasures, she would surely be able to pick a gift that perfectly matched Lady Chayster.
“Thank you, Lucy.”
Olivia turned to Lucy and smiled brightly.
* * *
“…What on earth.”
Madame Charlotte’s face instantly hardened.
Her lips, which had been trembling in disbelief as if to confirm whether she had heard correctly, finally closed.
It was just past noon.
She had been summoned by the Duke and headed to the study on the second floor.
Having been startled so many times lately, she had steeled herself the entire way there, yet she still ended up speechless.
Raymond glanced at the speechless Charlotte and kindly repeated what he had just said.
“I’ll take her out this afternoon, so be prepared for that.”
“…….”
Though the subject was omitted, there was no need to ask who “her” was.
After a moment of silence at the repeated words, Madame Charlotte took a deep breath.
“There is one thing I would like to ask.”
A calm but low voice.
Raymond’s gaze, which had been on the documents on the desk, moved left again following that voice.
After staring at her for a long while with an unreadable expression, he finally nodded.
At the permission that barely came, Charlotte spoke without delay.
“May I ask what you plan to do from now on?”
It was something she had never dared to ask before, thinking it would be overstepping.
But now it felt like she had to ask.
Even if it meant being scolded, she strongly felt that this time she absolutely had to clarify it.
Just how far did he intend to take this precarious relationship?
Silence flowed through the study for a moment after the question.
The expression staring straight at Charlotte’s face was so calm that it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Just as she waited tensely for what would come out of his mouth,
“Well—”
“…….”
The low reply that came was not directed at her.
It felt as if he were asking himself.
Because he was someone who always conveyed his intentions clearly, that appearance felt extremely unfamiliar.
“I know very well what you’re worried about.”
“…….”
“Whichever way it goes, once my thoughts are sorted—I’ll answer then.”
In other words, wait until then.
That meant that even he himself had not yet clearly defined the relationship between the two of them.
What more could she ask of such a person?
Only a corner of her heart sank heavily with complicated feelings.
From the moment she bowed and left the study, her worries only deepened further.
* * *
Knock knock—
The moment the persistent coughing finally subsided a little, a knock sounded as if it had been waiting.
“…….”
Deborah wiped the tears that had welled up in her eyes and put down the pillow she had been holding onto the bed.
Who is it? Just as she was about to walk to the door, the door opened first from the outside.
The person standing outside was none other than Robin.
As if even he was surprised that he had opened it himself, Robin’s body flinched the moment their eyes met.
“…….”
“…….”
An awkward silence passed for a moment, and only after a long while did Robin step into the guest room.
He stopped a step or two away, not meeting her eyes, and opened his mouth.
“Come out to the inner courtyard in about ten minutes.”
“The inner courtyard……?”
Bewildered, Deborah unconsciously frowned.
He suddenly appeared and told her to come to the inner courtyard out of nowhere.
And without any explanation whatsoever.
At the question asking what he meant, the gaze that had been slightly averted finally turned to Deborah’s face.
“Ask him directly.”
“…….”
“I’m only relaying what I was ordered to relay.”
Only then did Deborah vaguely understand the whole sequence of events.
And who it was that had ordered Robin to deliver those words to her.
No, more than that.
She was momentarily speechless at the heavily twisted tone that didn’t even try to hide anything.
She had thought it was unavoidable since Robin was his aide, but that didn’t mean it was okay for him to react this sharply.
At first she had just let it go because she didn’t know what to do, but now this discomfort was gradually becoming unbearable.
“Robin, wait a moment.”
Deborah called out to Robin, who was about to turn away as if he had finished his task.
Looking straight at the startled Robin, Deborah continued calmly.
“Let’s talk for a second.”
“…….”
“I don’t know what you think, but I…… find this situation really uncomfortable.”
At the words delivered without beating around the bush, Robin’s eyebrows twitched for a moment.
“I know why you are …… acting like this, but if we keep—”
“Ah, I was short-sighted.”
“…….”
“I should have treated you with utmost respect on my own, but I ended up thinking the old way.”
“…….”
“I’ll be especially careful from now on.”
“Robin.”
She could no longer bear the words and actions that were not just twisted but now seemed downright malicious.
“You know very well that’s not what I mean.”
“…….”
“This situation right now…… yes. I understand that from Robin’s perspective it’s absurd and ridiculous.”
A woman who comes and goes from the Duke’s bedroom while avoiding people’s eyes.
She was not unaware of how she appeared in others’ eyes.
She couldn’t help how each person thought of her, but she wanted to end this situation where every time they ran into each other they had to be on edge with one another.
Especially because, apart from Hanna, he was the only person here who had ever shown her kindness.
“Like before— no, it doesn’t have to be exactly like before…… Just, when we see each other’s faces, if only it doesn’t have to be this uncomfortable…… Is even that difficult?”
“…….”
At the words delivered earnestly, almost pleadingly, Robin remained silent for a long time.
Only after a long while did his tightly closed mouth finally open.
“……I’ll try.”
It meant he would try, but don’t expect much—yet that was still okay.
Because she had thought he might flatly refuse, a sigh of relief escaped without her realizing.
Deborah looked at his still stiff face and smiled softly.
“Thank you, Robin…….”
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