🌻 🌻 🌻
AFTER Lucas dropped by Coldola’s childhood home, we visited the residence of Count Garner. Tonight, we’d enjoy an evening party at the manor and stay a night before visiting the convent the following day. Count Garner and his wife greeted us warmly. After our stiff pleasantries ended, the countess hurried to Lucas’s side.
“We haven’t met since your wedding, Lucas,” she said. “It was absolutely lovely.”
Lucas gave a troubled smile at the countess’s embrace, and I curtsied deeply to the count beside him.
“I’m glad you seem to be doing well,” I said.
“…And I, you,” the count replied.
We were guided to the guest room, where Kiki and the other maids of House Stock were busily preparing our things. While Lucas and I were at Westmierden, the ladies had reached Count Garner’s residence first and were ensuring that we could spend the night there comfortably. After a short break, I prepared myself for the evening dinner.
I chose a modest yet elegant dress, being extra careful to pay my utmost respect to those who held to old traditions. It was a calm, silvery color made of fine silk. While I was being dressed, I told Kiki about what happened during the day. She paused for a moment before she looked up at me.
“May I say something?” she requested.
“Of course,” I replied.
“Thank you.” She arranged the detailed lace on my dress while selecting her words carefully. “It’s not unusual for people like us—of the lower class—to not know their parents or origin. In fact, it’s rather common for us to know nothing of our relatives, have our friends pass away, or get caught by those with nefarious intentions.”
I gasped as Kiki continued, “We find that to be rather embarrassing, you see. And so, we impulsively hide our past. We act as though we’ve lived normal lives, lest we won’t be hired as maids. Ah, um, I’ve got a reason for telling you this! Um…”
She must’ve seen me look rather grief-stricken and hastily tried to explain herself, but I shook my head, told her that I was fine, and calmed her down. “Don’t worry,” I assured her. “You can take as much time as you need. Calm down. I want you to tell me your story, with your own words.”
“Th-Thank you, my lady,” Kiki replied. “Um, so, even Lord Lucas won’t tell others about his past and how he truly lived as a child. He’ll never say it. Those above him will treat him with scorn, and the same goes for me—we’re embarrassed. We’re embarrassed about our past.”
“Kiki…”
“The fact that he went out of his way to show you where he once lived and how he was raised must’ve taken far, far more courage than you think, Lady Iris. I’m sure of that. So… I beg of you…” She trailed off, and I gently petted her head. I smiled, hoping to offer a sense of relief.
“No matter Lucas’s past, I’ll never change how I view him,” I said. “You can be assured of that. And, of course, the same goes for you, too, Kiki.”
“*Sniff*… Lady Iris!”
“But had you not told me the resolve that one needs to divulge their past, I would’ve never known. Thank you for telling me, Kiki.”
When I offered her my words of gratitude, she smiled with relief. Her words made me realize the harsh truth of this world. Some people had an inferiority complex when it came to their birth. It was thus imperative for me to thank Kiki, who told me about it.
As night fell, a traditional dinner party at Count Garner’s residence was well underway. Tonight’s dinner was a place for old friends and nobility managing nearby lands to gather and socialize; Lucas was well-acquainted with most of them. The light emanating from the beautifully polished chandelier cast an elegant glow over the room, the richly colored furniture implying their deep history within the manor.
The food that lined the long table prioritized elegance over luxury, and everyone was smiling while chattering away with their meal. Lucas snuck in the fact that he was chasing after traces of his mother to the count and countess. The elderly couple was silent for a few moments before they agreed with his decision.
“But…there’s one thing you must be prepared for, Lucas,” the countess warned with a kind gaze. “A cold, harsh truth might be awaiting you. Indeed, you might wish that you had never learned some sides of your mother. You don’t have to force yourself to face the past. You can still treasure your wife, who’s right in front of your eyes.”
Lucas gave a deep nod, expressing his respect and gratitude for her kindness. “Thank you for your kind words, Countess. Ever since I was still just a commoner, you were always worried about me. I’ll take your warnings to heart.”
“Oh, don’t act so reserved, Lucas!” the countess replied. “You’ll always be my precious former servant!”
Beside his talkative wife, the count was silent as a tomb, as usual. His sunken, elderly gaze was fixated right on me. “Have you made your resolve, Baroness Stock?” his eyes seemed to silently imply.