<13>
Delcia only allowed herself a sigh of relief after turning away from Edwin and seeing the carriage disappear completely from view. Veins stood out on the back of her hand as she grasped Ella’s arm, her pale face tense.
“Miss…”
“Ah, I’m just… not ready yet. That’s why.”
Even as the words slipped out like an excuse, Delcia felt a pang of guilt, but there was nothing to be done. She pressed her lips together and quickened her pace. Ella, noticing this, gave a slight, reassuring smile to the escorting knights following them.
“What else will you give as a gift besides the cufflinks?”
“Well… maybe a quill pen would be nice too.”
“Oh, that sounds like a good gift as well.”
“Right?”
Ella kept up a steady stream of conversation, and Delcia was grateful. If she didn’t speak like this, her mood would sink even further. Not wanting to buy gifts for her family while feeling so low, Delcia tried to respond as fully as she could.
“Miss, before you visit the Duke’s residence… how about spending some time with the Count?”
“Time?”
“Yes. Perhaps a little outing… or, if you have time, a short retreat…”
“…Hmm.”
At Ella’s suggestion, Delcia let out a faint breath and hesitated.
“If I can manage it…”
Ella nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. Even though Delcia’s answer lacked certainty, the very thought that she was willing to consider it was enough.
“I’ve heard Dorothea’s dress shop is quite popular these days. How about taking a look there?”
“Dorothea’s dress shop?”
“Yes. Even the Princess places orders there!”
Delcia frowned slightly, shaking her head.
“It might not match my father’s or brother’s tastes…”
“Pardon?”
“They value practicality… more than fashion.”
“Oh, right. Both the Count and your brother dislike anything too flashy.”
Ella, realizing she had almost forgotten that, muttered a couple of times and followed Delcia’s pace. Delcia walked past the dress shop often visited by Count Ferdo and Arnold, heading toward a more secluded area.
“Miss, aren’t we going a bit too far in?”
“Just a little more… there’s a good place.”
Delcia was thinking of a small dress shop in the capital she had discovered once before. It was where she had bought cufflinks and quill pens for Edwin.
“Do they sell quill pens at a dress shop?”
“Yes.”
“A dress shop selling quill pens… how unusual.”
“They sell quill pens… in the same design as the cufflinks.”
Delcia answered in a scattered manner and turned the corner at the last block. There, she saw a small dress shop with not even a signboard. Ella, surprised that such a shop could exist here, opened the door and let Delcia in.
The jingle of a small bell drew the attention of an elderly man who had been carefully handling fabric.
“Oh, isn’t this Miss Delcianor?”
“Peter.”
“And what brings you here today?”
“I’d like to order some cufflinks and a quill pen.”
Peter had once been a tailor for the royal family. Praised to the point that the emperor could hardly stop singing his praises, Peter retired quietly a few years ago and opened this small shop. Without a sign, few customers found it, but the quality satisfied more than any other store.
Delcia often sought out Peter for his meticulous craftsmanship, and at one time, had even ordered cufflinks and a quill pen for Edwin.
And Edwin…
“Ah, the Duke Adelio isn’t here today. Seems he’s busy.”
Delcia had visited Peter’s shop many times before. She used to marvel at his unique methods and joke about investing in his work… but all that was now the past. A distant past she could never return to.
“Well, let’s not dwell on that. What design shall we make?”
Peter, ever perceptive, clapped his hands lightly, steering the conversation away from Delcia’s downcast expression. Startled, she collected herself and moved to a sofa nearby.
Peter, holding a catalog, walked over and handed it to her with a kind smile.
“You remember the process, right?”
“Yes… I remember.”
“Once you’ve made your choices, let me know. And what about tea?”
“I’m fine. I already had some.”
Carefully declining Peter’s offer, Delcia opened the catalog and began selecting items one by one. Ella stood beside her, peering over the catalog and adding her thoughts.
“Oh my, Miss! This design is so neat and lovely too.”
“Really?”
Ella placed her finger on a drawing of a quill pen in the catalog. Delcia studied the design but shook her head lightly.
“This kind… she already has plenty of.”
Her gaze drifted to a quill drawn at the end of the catalog. The feather seemed to flow gracefully, and the shaft looked sturdy and practical for writing.
“This one will do.”
Delcia showed Peter the design, carefully selecting the type of feather and decorations.
With the order complete, Delcia, helped by Ella, boarded the carriage. Lost in thought, she gazed out the window until the carriage arrived at the Count’s residence.
As she stepped down and entered the mansion, Count Ferdo greeted her warmly.
“Delci, did you enjoy your outing?”
“Yes, it was nice.”
“Nothing dangerous or inconvenient happened?”
“…No. Nothing like that.”
Though he noticed Delcia had hesitated before speaking, Count Ferdo nodded without pressing her further. Watching her go upstairs with Ella’s help, he exhaled heavily and returned to his study.
Inside, Arnold was reviewing documents and asked his father,
“Delcia’s back from her outing?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing happened, I hope?”
“…Hmm.”
Count Ferdo hesitated, unsure if he could confirm that all was well. Delcia seemed to be hiding something.
“When will she leave?”
“No word yet.”
“I hope she doesn’t go just like that.”
Arnold murmured quietly as the scratching of his quill soon filled the study. Count Ferdo, quill in hand, hesitated before returning to his work. The piles of paperwork waiting for approval no longer seemed important.
“I’d like to visit the Duke’s residence the day after tomorrow.”
“…Oh, Delci.”
“I received a letter from Theo… he said it would be fine if I came then.”
Edwin would be away from the Duke’s residence then. Theo suggested that it would be an opportune time. Delcia smiled faintly. Honestly, she didn’t expect much. Even when Edwin had seen her lying in bed or calling her name at the coffee house, he hadn’t remembered.
If, perhaps, by some chance… there was a faint hope, but it was fragile and could vanish at any moment.
“I should prepare quickly if it’s the day after tomorrow. Right?”
“I’m fine. I don’t have… much to pack.”
“Still, Delci, make sure you take enough. Even if it’s a separate residence built for you… you don’t have many belongings there.”
Delcia nodded at his concerned voice. The first place Edwin prepared for their marriage was the separate residence. Insisting on making the empty space hers, Edwin had finally succeeded.
Even in the vast Duke’s mansion, the separate residence tucked away in a corner included a large bedroom, dining room, study, and office. Its size was remarkable.
And since Edwin rarely visited it unless she was there… it would take him some time to realize she was present.
Theo knew this and had urged her to go there quickly.
“Honestly, your father still has his doubts…”
“….”
“But if your happiness is there, how could he stop you?”
Saying this, Count Ferdo embraced Delcia once more. Patting the frail, bony back of his daughter, he added softly,
“My little angel, your father loves you very much, even today.”
Delcia felt a lump in her throat and clutched his coat, trying to control her emotions. But holding back tears was difficult. Trembling, she whispered through her sobs,
“I… I love you too.”
Hearing her voice, full of moisture, Count Ferdo held her tighter. It pained him to think of his daughter leaving his side for the Duke’s residence, still seeming so small and vulnerable.
If she were with him, at least he would feel at ease. Count Ferdo pulled back, gently stroking her soft ivory hair. Feeling the strands tickle his palm, a pang of sorrow welled in him, replacing any smile.
Delcia… could she live well at the Duke’s residence? Could she be happy with Duke Adelio, who had lost his memories? Would she take good care of herself?
These worries left Count Ferdo unable to feel reassured. Anyone seeing Delcia tearfully bowing her head would understand why.
