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THAT night, I immediately got to work. I wrote a letter of apology to Erika. Though her servants were in the wrong, it was proper to apologize anyway. She replied, asking to meet me for tea.
Before you get married in a faraway place, I’d love to chat with you over tea tomorrow. If you don’t mind, please stop by my inn at noon.
-Erika
It was perfect timing. We needed time to polish the carriage before heading over the ridge. The next day, I met Erika at the tearoom of her lodging for afternoon tea.
“I apologize for the rudeness of my servants yesterday. Please forgive me.” She sipped from her white porcelain teacup. Her dress was as pretty as always, decorated with trendy frills. Her long, blonde hair was beautifully woven, fitting for an aristocrat, and it was easy to tell that she’d been treated preciously.
“I apologize for stepping in as well. Do forgive me. However, I’m relieved that I could talk with you again, Erika,” I said.
“But of course. We were classmates, were we not?”
We smiled at each other and had some sweet cake. I wouldn’t have much time to talk with a classmate and friend like this in the future, and I was enjoying this moment. Erika was on her way to introduce her fiancé to her great-uncle, Marquess Tillobrady, who was recuperating at his residence. The fact that she was headed toward her country house out of season meant that she was most likely trying to gain the approval of the marquess as soon as possible.
“It seems rest has done my great-uncle well. He’s getting better, and I can finally wed my husband,” she said.
“That’s wonderful to hear,” I replied.
“After much time, we’re both off to marry.”
When we were eighteen, Erika and I were late bloomers compared to our peers. I’d held off on my marriage, waiting until the Karelia household had stabilized, and she held off on hers because she couldn’t gain approval regarding the succession of aristocratic titles due to her great-uncle’s health. We were both finally ready to bloom.
“However…” she trailed off, looking down. Her neatly trimmed eyebrows furrowed slightly. She glanced at my servants and the carriage, provided by Lord Stock, stationed beyond the terrace. It lacked a crest—barons weren’t permitted to use them. She stared at the spot where the crest would’ve been placed. “It’ll get lonely, Iris.”
“I know.”
She didn’t need to voice her thoughts for me to understand. Daughters of aristocrats weren’t given a title. Their husband’s rank determined their standing. Since I’d be going from the daughter of a marquess to the wife of a baron, we would drift further apart. In our aristocratic society, even close relationships would crumble with the change of status, and one’s societal circle would transform accordingly as well. Erika smiled and changed the topic.
“Have you met the baron yet?” she asked.
“Never. Our first meeting will be at his residence.”
“Goodness!” Her eyes widened. “You’ve never even met him at a party, yet you’re leaving the royal capital to marry this unknown man? Oh, I do feel sorry for you. Will you be able to receive letters?”
“They’ll take time to arrive, but letters should come just fine. Thank you for your concern. My maid is mindful, and my coachman is loyal and trustworthy.”
“I see. That’s wonderful to hear. I’d thought you’d be lonely, so that’s a little reassuring.”
“I’m happy to hear that I’m in your thoughts, even though we’ve been apart.”
She looked down and murmured, “I could never. I couldn’t smile so bravely if I were off to marry a new aristocrat whom I’d never met before.”
“Erika…”
“I respect your resolve from the bottom of my heart, Iris. It takes a lot to marry for your household.” Her sympathetic words sounded genuine. “I’ll beg my father and husband to allow us to exchange letters. If Baron Stock gains a connection to the royal capital, we may be able to talk like this again. Whenever you feel down or lonely, please don’t hesitate to write to me, even if I can’t do much for you.”
“Thank you.”
She firmly gripped both of my hands to offer encouragement. I squeezed back with a smile. Naturally, the daughter of a traditional aristocrat would act like this.
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TESOUVIUS was blessed with longer days than the royal capital—I’d returned to my lodging after tea, and it was still bright outside. We didn’t need the streetlights to turn on just yet.
Before sunset, I headed to the area where carriages were parked with Kiki. Dazzle was eating a sandwich next to Lord Stock’s carriage. He noticed me before I could call out to him and hastily put his sandwich down, stood up, and raised his hat.
“My lady, you’ll dirty your clothes out here,” he said.
“I appreciate your concern. I’m sorry to barge in while you’re eating, but may I have a word with you later?” I asked.
“We can talk right now. I’ve only got a bite left. Please give me a moment.” He took a big bite, polishing off the last of his sandwich, and wiped his hands clean before readjusting his hat.
“I was just about to return to my room, so you’ve got excellent timing,” he said, putting his tools away. He picked up his toolbox and headed away from the carriages toward a bench. “Over there, my lady.” He gestured toward the seat.
I looked up at him. “Why don’t you sit with me? Kiki, come sit with us as well.”
“But…” he started.
“I’m the one that imposed on you. I’m here to express my gratitude, so it’d be odd if I were the only one seated.”
“Gratitude?”
Kiki and I sat next to each other. Dazzle hesitantly sat down as well, keeping some distance between us. When he was seated, I had a better view of his eyes. His amber-colored pupils were as striking as ever. His features were well-defined, and his jawline was strong; his masculine looks only accentuated his eyes, which were glittering like the sun.
“Is there something on my face?” he asked.
“Oh, pardon me.” I glanced away before looking at him again. “Thank you for saving us yesterday. I feel like I had only fanned the flames of the argument.”
“Oh, is that all?” He wiped his dirty cheek and smiled. “That’s nothing to worry about. It’s thanks to you that the incident ended without anything else happening. Things would’ve gotten more complicated had I just stepped in. Besides, I should be the one thanking you, my lady. Thank you for helping Kiki.”
Next to me, Kiki struggled to find the right words. She’d truly been treated well at the manor.
“There’s no need for you to apologize or thank me. But…” he paused, fingers interlaced on his lap. He carefully chose his words, speaking as though to warn me. “The town we’ll be heading to is a lot more dangerous. You should be more careful, my lady. You’ll be marrying a former commoner who happened to make it big.”
I was silent for a moment. “I’ll be more mindful of my position.”
He smiled and flashed his teeth as he waved his hand. “Ah, no, I didn’t say that to make you look so sad. It’s just that you’ll need to be firm. You’re diving into a completely different world. You won’t be treated like a princess anymore—you’ll be the wife of a new aristocrat.”
His demeanor shifted again. Dazzle was usually cheery and carefree. The man in front of me didn’t seem like a normal coachman anymore.
“You can still go back. What would you like to do?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” I answered. His pointed words stabbed at my chest.
“My lord told me that should you prefer to head back home, you may.”
Dazzle seemed serious. I was grateful for their concerns, but I shook my head. “I won’t go back. As planned, I’ll become Lord Lucas’s wife.”
“Are you certain? I’m sure you’ve heard nasty rumors about us at the royal capital.”
“The same could be said for me. I’m plain, and I’m often told that I’m like air. Some people even think I’m an evil woman who bullies my beautiful younger sister. Rumors are just rumors. Besides…”
“Besides?”
“I’ve grown rather fond of Kiki. You’re a lovely person as well, Dazzle. I’m interested in Lord Lucas, the man who hired you.”
“I see.”
“Of course, should Lord Lucas be dissatisfied with me and request a divorce, I will comply. I’m aware of my appearance, after all.”
“Appearance?” He shrugged and laughed. “I’m sure my lord won’t send you back just for that.”
Next to him, I realized how long his arms and legs were. Underneath his coat, which he’d removed, he wore well-sewn, old clothes. It was common practice for servants to receive their master’s old clothes, more so if they were sent away from the manor. I wondered if Dazzle’s shirt was his master’s old clothes.
“I’m so sorry, but may I leave? I’m filthy, and I’d love to wash off before preparing for tomorrow,” Dazzle said.
“I’m sorry for taking your time. I’ll be in your care tomorrow as well.” I turned toward him. “I’d like to thank you for your kind consideration. Please take good care of me in Solalitika, too.”