All of a sudden, I remembered what was going on today. My conversation with Lady Ladia had been so full of unexpected revelations that I’d gotten completely distracted.
“Speaking of Lord Borden, I think he might be here now.”
“What?! Wh-Wh-What do you mean?”
Lady Ladia looked so flustered, it was like seeing a whole new side to her.
“Lord Viol wanted to discuss something with him, and they made plans for him to visit our house this afternoon.”
“Oh no, oh no, what should I do?! Lord Borden is really here?!”
She went red, then deathly pale. I’d never seen Lady Ladia so discombobulated.
“I’m sorry. I was having such a good time talking with you, Lady Ladia, that I completely forgot. But I don’t think they agreed on a time… He might not even be here yet. Shall I check and see if he is?”
“No, no! I’m going home now…!” Lady Ladia shook her head so hard that it seemed in danger of falling off. “If I run into him without preparing myself first… I think I’ll have a heart attack. Usually, I make sure to fully prepare myself if I think there’s a chance I might encounter him.”
Lady Ladia rose to her feet and hurried towards the door. Perhaps she was even more in love with Lord Borden than I’d thought.
“Wait, Lady Ladia.”
Lady Ladia fled through the door, ignoring my attempts to stop her.
“Lady Ladia, calm down…! We haven’t even called for your carriage home yet!”
“I can’t stay calm!”
I leaped up and chased after her as she dashed towards the entry hall, but she ignored everything I said and kept yelping in a panicked voice.
“I think… After having confessed everything to you, Lady Seren, if I were to run into Lord Borden now, I would simply die of embarrassment and wouldn’t be able to face either one of you…!” Still wailing, Lady Ladia emerged from the corridor into the spacious entrance hall, where she skidded to a halt. “Oh…!”
I caught up with her as she stood frozen, and I gasped as well.
What bad timing. Standing there was Lord Borden, getting ready to leave, Lord Viol, who seemed to have come to see him off, the butler Albert, and the footman, Greer.
I saw Lady Ladia’s face turn pale, and I hurriedly stepped in front of her.
“Oh, Lord Borden, I didn’t know you were here already… It’s been too long since I last saw you!” I greeted him with a curtsy.
“Yes, it has been a while. My mother gave me a gift for you as thanks for helping her tend to our territory. I came to deliver it today. My mother was very pleased. Thank you so much.”
“Oh, we didn’t do anything important.”
“That’s what Viol said. You truly are a pair of High Mages, aren’t you?” Lord Borden narrowed his eyes in amusement. “You and Viol might lack a little in the thoughtfulness department, but your average mage can’t do things like fell forest trees in one swoop or dig up roots and cultivate vast swathes of land.”
“Well, it was mostly Lord Viol who did that. But I’m glad if we were able to be of assistance.” I smiled, and for some reason, Lord Borden made an exasperated sort of face… Then he shifted his gaze from me to Lady Ladia.
“Hello, Lady Ladia. What a surprise to bump into you here. It’s nice to see you again today. Have you come to visit Lady Seren?”
“Oh… Well, I’m delighted to have run into you as well…” Lady Ladia blushed and greeted Lord Borden with a soft sort of smile.
A perfectly normal exchange… But I had to wonder if Lord Borden had heard Ladia’s wailed lament just before. I doubt he’d have admitted to it if asked. But no doubt a hint of irony in his words would let us know if he’d actually heard.
I’d love to know, but I couldn’t read his poker face.
“You’re dressed very nicely today. You look quite lovely. It’s a refreshing change from how you look when you’re in ‘work mode.’”
“Th…Thank you…”
Lady Ladia blushed and beamed over what Borden said. Hmm, come to think of it… Ladia did say she’d been switching up her appearance to change her public image a bit. Maybe she was trying to become the sort of woman who’d suit a more mature man like Lord Borden?
Lord Borden looked at Lord Viol, then at me. “I wondered what was going to happen once Lady Seren became a High Mage and left the salon. But Lady Ladia and the other ladies have been doing a wonderful job. Thanks to them, things are running smoothly. I can rely on them for anything.”
Lady Ladia’s head whipped up.
“I see… Wow, for you to say that without any prompt, Borden, Lady Ladia must be a capable woman indeed,” Lord Viol chimed in.
“Hahaha, you’re strangely perceptive.” Lord Borden laughed in amusement over his friend’s words.
“I was fascinated to hear that the daughter of the Hapisery family wanted to work in shipping… but I must confess, I am impressed,” Lord Viol said.
“Yes, I thought the same, but she has certainly exceeded my expectations.” After answering Lord Viol, Lord Borden smiled at Lady Ladia. “You’ve got the strength of your convictions and the courage to speak up, Lady Ladia. That is your greatest strength and virtue. I hope you’ll continue to demonstrate your abilities in the workplace to the fullest.”
“Y-Yes…! I’ll… I’ll do my best…!” Lady Ladia became emotional upon hearing those words from someone she not only respected but had strong feelings for.
The familiar emotion made my heart feel fuzzy and warm.
Lord Borden seemed to really appreciate Lady Ladia’s strengths and was able to articulate them fully. I couldn’t help hoping he would go beyond being just a great boss to become someone very special in Lady Ladia’s life.