◯◯◯
Since I’d come all the way back to the capital, I decided to pay a quick visit to the Gustelanola estate, bringing Lord Felix with me.
The house felt rather vacant. My mother and elder brother lived in the Gustelanolas’ territory, so it had only been my father, me, and our servants living in our residence in the capital. With my absence, it must’ve become even emptier.
Perhaps adding to the feeling was the fact that I had changed a lot since leaving. Back when I’d lived in this house, I’d been Prince Bernard’s fiancée, and since I hadn’t yet regained Lilybell’s memories, I’d been desperate to be loved. Now that I had a happy life, this manor felt even more desolate in comparison.
“Lucille, is that you?”
Much to my surprise, my father came out to greet me.
“I’m sorry for coming without advance notice,” I said, bowing.
I heard a sigh above my head. He really does hate me, I thought, only to be caught off guard by his next words.
“This is your house. Why would you need to notify me that you’re coming home?”
I blinked.
Ignoring my confusion, my father shifted his gaze behind me, to Lord Felix. “Lucille looks healthier now. You must be treating her well.”
Goodness, my father is commenting on my health?! And he makes it sound as if he’d been paying attention before too!
“No, if anything, Miss Lucille’s presence has made my humble territory of Leeuwenhoek a much brighter place,” Lord Felix replied, speaking more formally than usual. “I am grateful that you accepted that unfair royal decree and sent her to my land, Lord Gustelanola.” He bowed to my father.
My father looked away and said listlessly, “It wasn’t the first time the prince played a cruel prank, and it wouldn’t have been the last. Even if my daughter had stayed in the capital, she wouldn’t have had a future here. I figured the cursed marquess was the better choice, that’s all.”
I was lost for words. I’d always thought that my father saw no worth in me aside from my position as a future princess. As proof, he’d ordered me to win the prince’s heart, and when my engagement had been called off, he’d sent me away, saying that it’d been my own fault for lacking charm. Even when I left for Leeuwenhoek, he’d angrily ordered me not to bring a single attendant with me.
So why was he saying this now? Had I been sorely mistaken about something this entire time? In my Lilybell days, I’d learned that expressions of love came in various forms that weren’t always obvious...
Before I could finish sorting out my thoughts, my father said, “I heard Prince Edgar gave you an assignment. Don’t waste too much time dillydallying here.” He then turned his back to us and left.
“Oh...”
He had a point—we were short on time. I had numerous burning questions on my mind, but these next few days would be simply too hectic to find time to ask them.
As if sensing my inner plight, Lord Felix gently laid a hand on my back and said, “We’ll arrange to have a chat with Lord Gustelanola at a later date.”
“Thank you, Lord Felix!”
“I have quite a few things I’d like to discuss with him as well.”
Unfortunately, as we spoke, the disease was still spreading through the capital. While it wasn’t as severe as it had been in Leeuwenhoek, that didn’t change the fact that people were suffering, so we were only able to spare a little bit of time for this visit.
My beloved personal attendant, Lacia, came to see us off.
“Lady Lucille! Oh, it’s been so long! I’ve been dying to see you again!”
“Lacia! I missed you too! I wish I could stay longer, but...”
“I, too, would love to spend more time with you, my lady. Unfortunately, it seems that won’t be possible due to the circumstances...”
Seeing her gloomy expression, I hurriedly added, “Oh, but I’ll be back before long. I have some questions for my father.”
“Really?! I’ll be waiting!” Lacia approached me and whispered her next words so that Lord Felix couldn’t hear. “I heard Lord Leeuwenhoek was a scary man, so I was afraid that your new life was even more miserable. But the gentle regard in his eyes when he looks at you makes me feel relieved.”
“Tee hee! Thanks for the concern, Lacia! Don’t worry, Lord Felix is very kind, even if it isn’t always obvious. Not to mention, he’s also...extremely handsome!”
“Yes! Prince Bernard is no match for him!”
Oh my, I can’t believe Lacia said something so disrespectful, even if no one could hear it but me!
Still, I couldn’t help but feel delighted. It’d been so long since we’d been able to have one of our secret candid conversations.
As Lord Felix and I left in the carriage, Lacia continued to wave goodbye until she shrank into the distance.
“Wait for me, my lady. I, Lacia, will surely return to your side soon!”