“Did you wait long?”

“No. I just arrived too. But…”

Cordelia let go of Beluce’s arm and quickly limped over to Lydia. Seeing this, Lydia’s face changed to one of concern.

“Oh my. Your leg hasn’t fully healed yet. We could have met another time.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m really okay.”

At that, Beluce snapped:

“As if. If you keep wandering around like a runaway dog, even a healing leg will get worse.”

“Ah, Lord Ingrion came along too. It’s been a while, Lord Ingrion.”

Lydia gracefully greeted Beluce, who was sauntering behind. Beluce bowed his head to her in greeting, but it seemed to lack both sincerity and courtesy.

“Don’t mind him. Just think of him as, um, my crutch.”

“Ha, crutch?”

“The crutch is rather talkative. Crutch, would you mind stepping back a bit?”

Beluce was clearly irritated, but when Cordelia gave a very strong signal for him to go back, he grumbled and stood two or three steps behind.

“I was very worried that day.”

“That day? Ah, that. Um. Maybe because it was my first ball, I was a bit too nervous. Suddenly I felt dizzy and stumbled and fell…”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“I’m really fine. The problem is my master giving me too much homework.”

Fortunately, Lydia didn’t find Cordelia’s clumsy excuse strange. Instead, she showed concern for her well-being with kind eyes.

“Leonard is too much. Not letting a sick person rest.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. My cruel master even prevents me from going outside, so today I secretly…”

“Secretly? You came out without telling Leonard?”

“Yes. He foams at the mouth in opposition even when I go out to walk in the garden. You don’t know how much he nags me to do homework during that time instead.”

Cordelia seized the opportunity to earnestly badmouth Leonard. Lydia listened to her words and then quietly said:

“I really envy Cordelia.”

“Why me?”

“You’re talented enough in magic to be Leonard’s disciple.”

“I envy Lydia more.”

Cordelia spoke with sincerity.

If God were to give her the choice between the life of Lydia Elfenbaum and that of Cordelia Vasquez overflowing with magical talent, she would choose Lydia’s life without a second thought.

“You’re so beautiful, from a wealthy family, and you even have a caring brother who looks after his younger sister. Aren’t you the most ideal woman that everyone in Ershe dreams of?”

“Thank you for saying that. But I…”

Lydia smiled awkwardly and trailed off. To lift the sunken mood, Cordelia deliberately spoke more energetically.

“Oh right, shall we go to that dessert shop you told me about in your letter before?”

“Sure. It’s not far from here, so we only need to walk a little.”

This time, with Lydia’s support, they headed towards the dessert shop. Beluce quietly followed behind them.

As Lydia said, it wasn’t far and they soon arrived at the café. The café owner recognized Lydia’s face and gave them the best seats.

“The tarte tatin is the most delicious here.”

“Tarte what?”

“Tarte tatin. It’s an apple pie baked upside down.”

Even though they hadn’t ordered yet, tea and warm tarte tatin naturally appeared.

“Try it quickly. It’s the most delicious tarte tatin in Yebo Dellim.”

At Lydia’s urging, Cordelia cut a small piece and put it in her mouth. As soon as she did, fragrant apple melted softly in her mouth.

“It’s delicious!”

“Hehe, isn’t it nice?”

Thankfully, Lydia’s face softened again as they ate the dessert. The two chatted about trivial matters while eating their tea and desserts.

Cordelia suddenly felt that this moment was happy. It was a life she couldn’t have imagined just a few months ago when she was at the Abrams’.

Then Lydia put down her teacup and said:

“You said there were many places you wanted to see in the capital, right?”

“Yes. I’d like to see the Angel’s Fountain, and I heard it would be good to visit Emmanuel Square too.”

“Shall we go together? I’ll guide you.”

“Oh, really? But I feel like I might be imposing too much…”

“What imposition? We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Fr-friends?”

“Oh my, was it too soon to define our relationship with that word?”

“No. It’s just the first time I’ve used that word. Friends, friends… I’m really happy.”

Cordelia’s cheeks kept rising just from pronouncing the word ‘friend’.

Although she had attended a few social gatherings, there was no one close enough to be called a friend.

“So please don’t feel burdened. Being with Cordelia is my pleasure.”

“I’d love to go with Lydia, but during the social season, being seen with me might be disadvantageous… Oh, do you perhaps already have a fiancé?”

“No, not yet.”

“Goodness. Someone so pretty and kind-hearted? It seems all the men in the capital must have eye problems, right?”

“No, it’s not like that. I…”

Lydia hesitated to speak, unable to hide her flushed cheeks. Anyone could see that she looked like someone in love.

“It seems you have someone in mind?”

“…Yes.”

Talking about love with a peer. All of this conversation was so enjoyable for Cordelia, who had never had a girlfriend.

Cordelia asked with an intrigued face:

“Who is it? Who’s the lucky man who has captured Lydia’s heart?”

“It’s someone Cordelia knows well too.”

“Me? I don’t know many people… Could it be.”

The only people they both knew in common were Rosenblur and Leonard. If it wasn’t Rosenblur, then…

Lydia took a long breath and slowly exhaled.

“That’s right. Actually, I’ve been secretly in love with Leonard for a very long time.”

“Um… With my master?”

“So, Cordelia. I was wondering if you could help me?”

* * *

“Where’s Rosaline?”

“I-I’m sorry. She only had a sip of water this morning and nothing else…”

“Nothing else? You useless thing. Can’t even properly attend to your mistress.”

The nursemaid who had raised Rosaline since she was an infant bowed her head low. Anton glared at her head for a moment before heading to his daughter’s room.

The door was half open. Anton gave a light knock before entering.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

“…Father.”

Rosaline, who had been lying in bed, raised herself up with a pale complexion. Anton pulled up a chair and sat at the head of the bed.

“I hear you’ve only had water for two days. Is the food not to your liking? Should I call for the chef from the main house?”

“It’s not the chef’s fault. It’s just, I just…”

Rosaline trailed off and began to shed tears. Unable to control her sudden change in emotions, she covered her face with both hands and sobbed.

Anton silently stroked his daughter’s back.

“…Hic, I miss Maximilian.”

“How many times have I told you it’s not possible?”

“I miss him so much, Father. If I go to Ancen like this, I’ll never see him again, right? I don’t even remember how I sent him off at the end…”

It was a repetition of the same conversation.

Since that day, Rosaline had used every method to plead with Anton for Maximilian’s life. Of course, Anton firmly refused. That snake-like man was of no help to his daughter’s life.

“Please forget about that bastard and live for yourself and your child. Rosie. Dad will find you a much better person. Okay?”

“I don’t need anyone but Maximilian.”

“That bastard just played with you. He only used you, used Embly, for his own greed. Why don’t you understand that? Why?”

“That’s not true!”

Anton clutched his chest in frustration.

From her emaciated body, where such strength came from was unknown, but Rosaline pushed away her father’s arm and shouted with all her might.

“Maximilian isn’t that kind of person. He definitely promised me. He said we’d get married and raise our child together. He said he loved me, that’s what he said, hic, haa, haa.”

“Rosie!”

She began to hyperventilate. Rosaline’s breathing became very rapid as if she lacked air. Anton was startled and pulled the bell rope.

The resident physician quickly rushed in and examined Rosaline’s condition. Fortunately, her breathing returned to normal, but the physician’s face remained dark.

After leaving Rosaline’s room, the physician bowed his head before Anton and said:

“I heard that the young miss didn’t eat again today, Lord.”

“Yes. She doesn’t even know her father’s heart is burning black with worry.”

“She’s always been weak. In fact, it’s a miracle she’s held on this long. Moreover, with the pregnancy…”

“You think I don’t know that?”

Anton staggered and sat down in a chair in the reception room. His vision darkened. If he were to lose his daughter too, he had no confidence in living in this world.

“If I may be so bold, wouldn’t it be better to grant the young miss what she wishes?”

“What?”

“My Lord. I’m very hesitant to say this, but… The young miss’s heart has now reached its limit.”

“…I’ve been hearing that since Rosie was five years old.”

“She has fainted five times this month alone. Among my patients who showed similar symptoms to the young miss, they died within three months of that.”

“So? So what are you trying to say?”

Anton glared at the physician with bloodshot eyes. The old physician, who had served the Embly family for a long time, was not afraid of him.

“It’s time to prepare yourself.”

“What preparation? What are you telling me to prepare for!”

He snarled. Anton gripped the armrest of the chair and glared fiercely at the old physician.

He wanted to deny it. To shout that you’re wrong. That his daughter, Rosaline, would live happily until she gave birth to her child and died of old age.

But all that came out of his mouth were unintelligible groans.