The servants prepared tea for us and laid out a selection of baked goods on the table. As we sipped the fragrant tea, we listened to Jeff’s account of what happened in Subartu.
When his tale reached a natural pause, Lady Blythe turned to me with a warm smile and spoke. “By the way, Anna, what sort of work kept you away for two whole months?”
“I was assisting Princess Delphine with her studies in Randallish. I’m proficient in Randallish, you see.”
“Oh my, you were tutoring Her Highness in languages? That’s quite impressive!”
“Yes, it was an honor.”
I’d anticipated this question would come up eventually, so I’d come up with an explanation in advance. I thought this was the safest way to be truthful without giving too much away, considering I didn’t know how much Lady Blythe knew of my background.
I felt Lord Edward’s gaze on me but made a conscious effort not to meet it.
I had no intention of revealing his position to Jeff. There was no need for me to disrupt the bond between brothers, which they had forged through supporting each other and enduring their father’s abuse. There was no reason to tell Jeff the truth. Of course, if there came a time when it absolutely had to be said, then I would do so.
Lady Blythe had a gentle demeanor and upbringing, and she seemed satisfied with my explanation without probing further. I was relieved when she didn’t ask why I had stayed at the castle instead of coming back home every night.
“So has the commotion at the palace been resolved?” Jeff asked.
“Ah, it’s best not to talk about that yet. There are still some complications,” Lord Edward replied.
“I see. Understood. You look a bit tired, so we’ll excuse ourselves.” It seemed like Jeff sensed there were things Lord Edward couldn’t even tell Lady Blythe.
After exchanging farewells, we left the estate.
“Please visit again, Anna,” Lady Blythe had said.
“And please bring Nonna again next time,” my mother-in-law said with a smile.
Next up was the Anderson household, and Nonna fidgeted restlessly in the carriage.
Since all the nobles lived in the eastern quarter, the Anderson estate wasn’t far. As soon as the carriage arrived, Nonna opened the door herself, leaped out, and dashed off at an incredible speed.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Nonna! Wait a minute!” I called.
“Leave her be. She’s been so worried about Clark this whole time,” Jeff said.
“I’m sure, but you’re always so lenient with her…,” I said.
The door opened in front of us, and Master Clark came out.
Nonna charged forward and ran into Master Clark, throwing her arms around him.
“Oh!” Jeff let out a startled shout.
To little surprise, Master Clark couldn’t withstand a full-force tackle from Nonna and was sent crashing into the door behind him.
Even from where we stood, I heard the loud thud. That would definitely leave a bump.
I’m sorry, Master Clark.
Despite the pain he was likely experiencing, Master Clark looked down at Nonna clinging to him with a mixture of joy and surprise on his face. The sight was so endearing that I felt a bittersweet ache in my heart.
He was hovering his arms around her awkwardly, unsure if it was all right for him to embrace her in return. He ended up resting them lightly on her back, being sure not to touch her inappropriately.
“Congratulations on your safe return, Master Clark,” I said.
“I’ve made it home without incident, Miss Victoria,” he responded.
“Clark, is your head okay?” Jeff asked.
“My head? Oh, right. I did bump it. I’m fine, Uncle Jeff. Nonna? Nonna… If you block the doorway like this, Miss Victoria and Uncle Jeff won’t be able to come inside.”
Master Clark gently took hold of Nonna’s shoulders and slowly pulled away from her. But when he did, he saw that she was crying, and his eyes went wide.
“Nonna, I’m all right. I’m not hurt, see? I’ve come back safe and sound.”
“Sniffle… I’m so glad…there won’t be a war… I’m so glad… Waaaaaah!”
Though she’d already been pulled away from him once, Nonna pressed her face against Master Clark’s chest again and started sobbing uncontrollably.
I thought perhaps we should wait a moment, but Jeff chuckled wryly as he spoke to her.
“Nonna, you’re bothering Clark. A proper young lady doesn’t sob against a man’s chest so hard that she gets snot on his clothes.”
“Oh, no!” Nonna stepped away from Master Clark with a start, although it was a bit too late. “I’m so sorry I got snot on you, Master Clark!”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Please, come inside.”
I quickly handed her a handkerchief when I saw her about to wipe her tears and nose with her sleeve. She sheepishly wiped them away, pressing the handkerchief against her nose.
“Heh-heh…”
“I’ve told you many times to use a handkerchief and not your sleeve, Nonna. Honestly,” I said.
“I slipped up just this once!”
“Be a proper young lady.”
“All right. Leave it to me!”
Nonna took a deep breath, her eyes still red. Meanwhile, Lady Eva greeted us with a radiant smile.
“Welcome back, Jeffrey. It’s good to see you, too, Victoria. Please, come in. I have some big news. You’ll be shocked when you hear it.”
Lady Eva was so eager to share her “big news” that she was fidgeting restlessly the entire time the maid served tea, waiting for her to leave. If Lady Eva’s husband, Earl Michael Anderson, hadn’t given her a warning glance, she might’ve started talking while the maid was still there.