❦❦❦
THIS was only the second time Yuuri had been to the count’s estate. The servants were kind and treated her with respect. Along with Ernest, they showed her into a parlor on the ground floor overlooking the stunning flower garden. It was a hot day with the intense sunlight tempered by fancy lace curtains that were occasionally swept about by the wind.
At twenty-seven, Ernest had attained the rank of count. Yuuri realized that was all she knew about him. Did nobility run in the family? Were his parents alive? Would she get to meet them? What did they think of the unmarried couple visiting each other’s homes at all times of the day? Her worries swelled to such great proportions that Yuuri could not keep them to herself.
“Lord Ernest, may I ask you something?”
“What would that be?”
“Well, uhm, are your parents…?” She couldn’t find the right word to finish her question. Dead? Alive? Around?
If Ernest had reached the rank of count, it was possible that they were dead, but Yuuri had no clue how to broach the topic.
“You never ask me personal questions.” Ernest’s eyes widened.
“I’m so sorry,” Yuuri said, instantly regretting her query. He knew a lot about her, but it was all things she wanted him to know. She wasn’t sure if it was really all right to ask him about his family.
“It’s all right. I’m glad you asked. My parents are well. They retired early and mainly spend their days lounging about. I have two older sisters, but both married into other noble families. Nothing special to hide, it’s just never come up in conversation.”
“So that’s all…” Yuuri breathed a sigh of relief. At least now she knew she hadn’t been rude by not greeting his family upon entering his home.
“My parents and sisters stop by occasionally. Next time they do, I’ll introduce you.”
She had no idea what she would say if she did meet them, so she could only nod and hope that it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
“The summers are cool and the winters frigid back at our family estate; it would suit you perfectly. Next time I go home, I’ll take you along!” he exclaimed like it was a done deal.
“No, thank you! There’s no reason for me to go.”
“Really?” Did she imagine the hint of disappointment in his voice? “…Ah yes, we have some time before we meet Leonard. What should we do? The library and rose garden are about the only parts of this estate that are noteworthy.”
“Rose garden?” The rose garden at his estate was so renowned that even Yuuri had heard of it. Ernest told her it was the perfect time of year to see the large-blossom roses in bloom.
“You can see it from here in the parlor.”
He glanced over at the large windows. Yuuri approached and gently parted the lace curtains. It was just after noon and the sun’s light was intense, blurring her vision.
The sight of the rose garden, a sea of large red, gold, and white roses in full bloom, would have been breathtaking for just about anyone. And Yuuri loved flowers. But it was so bright out, her eyes couldn’t truly take it in.
“What do you think?”
“It is a lovely garden.” Yuuri’s words were wholly out of politeness.
Times like this made her painfully aware of how much she and Ernest could never share. They wouldn’t be able to look at the flowers Ernest held so dear together. And the things she found beautiful were so dark, he wouldn’t be able to see.
She forced a smile and he grabbed her cheeks, stretching them out to agitate her.
“Sorry, but I can see right through your lies,” Ernest said, even though all Yuuri wanted was for him to smile and let it go. He could be so cruel. But she could see the concern in his eyes.
“I’m n-not…” she stammered.
His fingers should have still been pinching and pulling at Yuuri’s cheeks. But instead, they were sliding down the contours of her face, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to look Ernest right in the eye.
Yuuri felt a strange sensation, one she had never experienced before with either alcohol or blood.
“Shall we visit the library?” he asked, releasing her face and grabbing her hand instead.
The library held ten times the amount of shelves Yuuri’s shop did and was a tremendous sight. She was so taken with it, she stayed there voraciously reading the rare tomes until early evening.
✦ ✦ ✦
❦❦❦
YUURI had completely forgotten the real reason for her visit by the time Ernest led her into another room. The shadows cast by nearby buildings and trees had grown long during her visit to the library.
“Could you wait here for a moment?”
It was one of the manor’s guest rooms. Ernest escorted her into the room, but he lingered in the hallway.
“Why?”
“Well, I didn’t think you’d want a man in here with you while you were getting dressed,” Ernest explained with a wink.
“Excuse me…?”
Yuuri couldn’t figure out just what she would be getting dressed up for. But judging from his playful attitude, this certainly didn’t bode well for her.
“We’re to meet Leonard at a dinner party this evening. And the timing couldn’t be better, since you’re already with me. But you’ll need a dress for the occasion, so go ahead and change in here! Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Ernest said so quickly, Yuuri couldn’t get a word in edgewise, and closed the door behind himself before shuffling away.
Yuuri stood there dumbfounded, only fully understanding what he said once his footsteps had receded down the hall. “W-Wait…!” Pulling herself together, she rushed toward the door and yanked it open. But where Ernest had stood before was now a plump, elderly woman.
“Is something the matter? I have been sent to attend to your preparations for the dinner party, m’lady. My name is Tarrah. We have drawn a hot bath for you, so follow me, if you please.”
Tarrah was surrounded by four women all wearing the same standard maid uniform for Ernest’s manor. Despite her confusion, Yuuri was led to the bathroom, stripped, and bathed. The scent of roses filled the bath, but in her anxious state, she couldn’t manage to enjoy it.
“Ah, wait a second, please! I want to speak with Lord Ernest—”
“Please do not fret. You will have all the time in the world to speak with him after you have changed. You two must be very close, teehee.”
“No, we’re not!”
This woman made it sound as if Yuuri were so in love with Ernest that she couldn’t bear to be apart for even a second. The unthinkable insinuation had Yuuri shaking her head furiously, her cheeks bright red.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Now, please hurry.”
The four maids blotted off excess moisture and rubbed cream in its place. Their hands were so deft that Yuuri couldn’t even remember how to refuse. After her torso was dry, they wrapped it tight in a corset.
“Lady Yuuri, you’re so slender, we really needn’t pull the corset too tight. The bigger issue will certainly be…” Tarrah’s eyes drifted straight to Yuuri’s breasts.
“Let’s try to pad those out just a bit, shall we? Just the slightest bit. Don’t fret, my dear, every young lady does it for occasions such as this,” Tarrah said, stuffing something into Yuuri’s corset as she stressed the “every young lady” part in hopes of not hurting Yuuri’s feelings. “Now then, let’s pull it all together.”
Yuuri’s eyes seized upon a shiny blue dress one of the maids was carrying. It wasn’t overly ornate or gaudy, merely draped in a second layer of lacy fabric of the same shade of blue. It was a lovely dress, accented with a flower motif.
“Will this do, m’lady?”
She nodded silently. Whether it was suitable or not was irrelevant; Yuuri could tell that she wouldn’t be able to leave this room if it wasn’t in that dress.
Compared to a normal Hylantian woman, Yuuri was petite with smaller feet. And yet the dress and matching shoes fit her perfectly.
“Our Master truly is a man of taste! He knew your size and what would look most stunning on you.”
The design aside, how was it that Ernest knew her exact height and hip circumference? The more she thought about it, the worse her ruminations became, and she realized that was one rabbit hole she was better off not tumbling down.