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“THIS is the second time you’re escorting me home, literally the day after the first, no less… Thank you very much.”
Once they settled who would take Emma home, Glen took her hand and led her to his coach. Inside, she bowed her head respectfully and thanked him for his kindness. She wouldn’t have been able to stand not doing so.
“It’s fine. I’m just acting as Ian’s replacement today.”
“I… I’ve always taken it for granted that Ian would do whatever he could for me. Even in the future.”
“Hm.”
“Of course, I can only speak up until four years from now, but… I need to set my eyes on the future to have any hope of becoming an independent person. I can’t always be bothering those around me, especially the ones I care about.”
This was her way of agreeing with and understanding Ian’s insistence on Glen taking her home. She felt like he had given her a glimpse into his always kind heart with his implicit encouragement to cut the apron strings tying her to him.
“I think you’re misunderstanding his intentions. Actually, I’m positive you are.”
“You don’t have to cheer me up…”
Emma’s gaze was distant as she mired herself in her own thoughts. The air around her quivered. Thinking Glen had huffed a laugh, she turned to look at him seated next to her but found he had closed his eyes. The moonlight illuminated his eyelashes, casting long shadows on his cheeks. Looking at his profile like this, she thought he was truly magnificent.
The carriage didn’t rock. She had been worried about riding in it in her drunken state when motion sickness usually assailed her sober. The journey was surprisingly smooth, even pleasant.
“…Are you feeling all right?”
She thought he had fallen asleep. Though his eyes remained closed, Emma hurriedly turned her gaze away from his form when she heard his question. She didn’t want him to sense her scrutiny of him.
“Yes, I’m fine now. I’m still amazed that this carriage has such an even rhythm.”
“Would you like to know my secret someday?”
The ambiguity in his answer gave her pause. Deciding it would be best not to delve deeper into it in her current condition, she instead thought of it as confirmation of him having cast some sort of magic to control the coach’s rhythm. When she wondered if he had learned this level of consideration because of the person she’d sensed him thinking of yesterday, she felt herself on the brink of depression.
The next instant, she remembered what Ian had mumbled on the ride to Duke Eslan’s residence: “In any case… Glen is taking all this seriously, isn’t he? I am surprised by his level of commitment to you.” Trying to banish her friend’s words and the ensuing reaction they engendered in her, Emma vigorously shook her head from side to side.
“Glen… In contrast to your appearance, you’re quite solicitous of others, aren’t you? You should consider showing that side of yourself to other young ladies. Your fan club might lose some of its members if you do, granting you the peace and quiet you likely seek.”
“Bah. What a waste of time and energy. I only do what I deem necessary.”
“I beg your pardon?”
She tried to make conversation to hide her embarrassment, but nerves and tension tinged his voice when he responded. It startled her to hear it. Wanting to know what his expression looked like, Emma turned to gaze at him but found his face already turned away toward the window.
“You know… It takes great effort to maintain a carriage that doesn’t rock?” The hint of roguishness in his voice, combined with his blunt words, confused her enough that she wasn’t sure what to do.
“Then… I thank you.”
“Hm. You can sleep if you want. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Though he had been calm and collected until a few moments ago, she sensed his shyness oozing out after her foray into conversation struck a chord. She blushed in response.
As the scenery passing by through the window became more and more familiar, Emma realized it wouldn’t be long before they reached Seagrove Manor. If only it had been farther away. Whether it was because of the alcohol or Glen, Emma felt weightless, like she was drifting. For some strange reason, she never wanted the sensation to disappear. When she thought about it ending, she wanted to cry.
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EMMA welcomed the new term for the second time in her second life. Like the other students, she arrived at school on the first day directly from her home.
“Emma, it’s been too long! How are you?!”
“Rashida! Thank you so much for inviting me over the summer. I had so much fun!”
“I wanted you to visit a few times after, but… My parents decided to go on holiday to a faraway place, so I couldn’t. Forgive me, won’t you?”
Rashida didn’t sound energetic. Emma cocked her head, puzzled by her friend’s attitude.
“Rashida… Did something happen over summer recess?”
“Yes, actually. Eugene was suddenly summoned back home.”
“What…?”
Caught off guard, Emma couldn’t think of anything else to say. But why… We should have changed the future. Seeing her friend frozen, Rashida drummed up a bright smile and tried to alleviate her concern.
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine. He’s been betrothed for some time, and I knew it long ago. But his intended’s family had a sudden change in their circumstances, so the marriage is happening earlier than expected. They need an heir, you see. Which is why he resigned from his post.”
“Rashida…”
“In any case, I still enjoyed summer vacation a great deal. The day you all visited me, I finally felt like I had gotten through to my father about how serious I was about my dream to become a lady’s maid. All of the documents from the special vocational school in Ulster also gave me the push I needed to continue on my chosen path. I feel like I’ve cut myself free of many shackles. So, Emma… Thank you for coming to see me.”
Rashida smiled at her, but Emma couldn’t find the right words. Does this mean that…Eugene’s separation from Rashida had nothing to do with her dream in the first place? It was always bound to happen because of external factors?
The hustle and bustle in the lecture hall sounded faint to Emma. All she could see was Rashida’s expression as she stared single-mindedly at Eugene while he watched Glen and Ian sparring.
“Emma. I trust you are no longer intoxicated?”
“Of course not.”
Submerged in her sentimental memory, Emma returned to reality as Glen’s words broke her self-imposed trance. Rashida looked at each of them in turn, then smiled meaningfully. She gave him a shallow curtsy before leaving them behind.
“Rashida…”
Though she acted cheerful, the fact that she wasn’t responding to Emma’s call conveyed her desire to be left alone. Yet Rashida’s spine never wavered as she walked away. Her friend kept her head high, no matter the circumstance. To Emma, her departing figure looked radiant and heartbreaking.