Chapter 91
‘Mabel, would you like to join my reading club?’
When Wilhelmina said that, an overwhelming joy burst inside her chest.
Mabel nodded so hard her mask rattled.
In truth, she wanted to express her feelings with many more words.
She wanted to say thank you—for helping her, for discovering the secret of the music box and the painting, for taking her side.
But perhaps because her lips had been sealed for so long, unused to speaking, all she could manage was a clumsy little greeting.
‘Of course… I’ll come.’
And yet, Wilhelmina seemed to read her heart anyway, smiling graciously as she patted Mabel’s head.
After Wilhelmina left, Mabel received a short scolding from the Viscount Metokan.
‘If your “plan” turned out to be a true friend… then I have nothing to say. Building ties with the Grand Duchess is a success beyond compare.’
Mabel wanted to say it wasn’t about that—that it wasn’t success because she befriended the Grand Duchess, but because it was Wilhelmina. That was what mattered. But she lacked the words to express it.
And her mother never asked.
She didn’t ask, “Why did you choose the recital?”
So long as the plan succeeded, that was enough.
No warm admonishment, no proud praise.
‘You’re a child I simply cannot understand.’
All her mother left her with was the impression of observing some unfamiliar creature.
But Mabel did not give up.
She believed if she showed her an invention greater than before, her mother would finally look at her.
‘Mother only has me left.’
I’m the only family she has now.
If it meant becoming her mother’s proud daughter, Mabel was ready to take on any challenge.
‘There’s a society called the Western Sun. We’ve just received an invitation—go and make connections there.’
Making friends.
‘This circuit may be too difficult for you to grasp. Study a little more and try again.’
Becoming smarter. And…
‘From now on, family is just the two of us. Forget that man.’
Becoming her mother’s confidant.
‘If I fulfill all Mother’s wishes, she won’t abandon me.’
Mabel recalled the final moments of the man who had been her father.
The ordinary man, cruel in his mediocrity, who left her mother.
Mabel had asked the reading club members to arrive earlier than usual, so she could explain why a new member would be joining.
This was the first addition to the group since Rohan, so an explanation was due.
Jane and Rohan, the Viscountess, Illina, and Chloe gathered in the study.
Once they were settled, Wilhelmina briefly introduced the circumstances of Mabel’s invitation.
“It happened at Viscount Metokan’s recital.”
Not wanting it to sound like bragging, she kept her words spare and to the point. She explained simply that she had been entrusted with Mabel by the Viscount.
“….”
But their reactions were odd.
Chloe and Illina just exchanged glances, the Viscountess sipped her tea with a pleased look, and Jane gave a faint, unreadable smile.
Wilhelmina had expected at least an “I see” in response, but silence lingered.
“What’s wrong with everyone?”
“No, it’s just…”
Illina let out a sheepish laugh.
“It’s just so very you, Grand Duchess.”
Not sure what “so very you” meant, Wilhelmina narrowed her eyes at her, and Jane chimed in with a nod.
“Well, I can more or less picture the situation.”
“You make it sound like it just happened to fall into place, but, hmm…”
“Didn’t the same thing happen with us too?”
“Exactly, didn’t it?”
Ever since the spring outing, Illina and Jane had grown close. Whenever such topics came up, they would agree instantly, like they shared some private understanding.
‘The way they talk… it’s just like Anna.’
Avoiding Anna’s gaze, Wilhelmina turned away with an awkward cough, not wanting to meet the maid’s eyes in case she was staring at her with that same overwhelming look again.
“Anyway, from now on Mabel will be attending our reading club. We’ll occasionally include children’s stories in our selections, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes—!” Illina answered brightly, but Jane asked in a more cautious tone:
“Will that really be all right? Mabel is so young… she might feel uncomfortable among us.”
It was a fair concern.
Even if Mabel was clever, a circle full of adults might not put her at ease.
“That’s true. Which is why, aside from when we share impressions, I’ll assign her a page to keep her company.”
Fortunately, the household had one page especially gifted at befriending children.
If even the arrogance of a little rascal like Jace could be melted away, then surely Mabel too would enjoy the club more with her around.
“Oh, you mean Mirinae…”
Realizing who she meant, the Viscountess gave a wry smile.
Mirinae, who had utterly captivated Jace, was now to be Mabel’s partner.
‘Besides, I want to hear what really happened at that Western Sun gathering.’
Neither the Viscount nor the servants had shared anything, which suggested it wouldn’t be easy to pry the story from Mabel either. And perhaps she wanted to forget. Wilhelmina had no intention of forcing it.
Illina meanwhile was already discussing how best to welcome Mabel with Chloe.
Watching them, Wilhelmina was reminded of the incident at the recital.
‘So Chloe… still doesn’t want to bring that up.’
There had been something troubling in the air between Chloe and her husband.
She wanted to pull Chloe aside for a private word, but Chloe deliberately kept her distance.
If Chloe didn’t want to talk, Wilhelmina couldn’t press.
‘At least I should let her know—she can always confide in me later.’
It had been over three months since the club began.
From the New Year’s gathering into spring, it was the longest sustained friendship Wilhelmina had known since becoming herself.
As fond as she had grown of these bonds, she wished she could help shoulder their burdens.
‘Once family troubles begin to gnaw, it can feel impossible to find a way out.’
For a fleeting moment, the face of a former student overlapped in her memory.
Just then, Anna approached.
“Milady, Lady Mabel has arrived.”
“Ah, good.”
Wilhelmina instructed Anna to bring Mabel to the study and rose to her feet.
She told the others to remain seated, then went to the door.
“Welcome, dear.”
“Thank you very much for inviting me.”
The door opened, and Mabel entered with a polite bow.
Without her mask, her face was startlingly lovely.
Her light brown hair was braided neatly, framing round cheeks, sparkling eyes, and a small rosy mouth—like a doll brought to life.
From behind, Illina let out an audible gasp.
“My mother… sent this as a token of thanks.”
“A token?”
At her signal, the butler stepped forward with a box and handed it to Wilhelmina.
It was a round wooden case, finely carved.
When Wilhelmina opened it, she understood at once.
“A music box.”
It was the very disc music box Viscount Metokan had presented at the recital, with an intricately crafted disc packed inside.
‘So it’s a gift of thanks for helping that day. I told her it wasn’t necessary…’
True to her logical, calculating nature, the Viscountess had been precise in her gesture.
“Please thank your mother for me.”
“Yes.”
“Now, come this way—I’ll introduce you to the members.”
Mabel took a deep breath, as if bracing herself, then nodded.
“Nice… to meet you. I am Mabel Metokan.”
And so, the reading club began with its newest member.
The meeting proceeded smoothly.
Thanks to Illina’s cheer, Mabel adjusted quickly.
She was still quiet, but didn’t seem unhappy.
At the end, Mabel asked to stay a little longer.
Sensing she had something to say, Wilhelmina dismissed the others and led her for a walk in the garden.
Mirinae tagged along beside Mabel, while her butler followed a few paces behind.
“So then, does that mean you can make music boxes too, Mabel?”
“Yes, but I don’t have the strength for metalwork. I have to use a magical artifact. That’s why it takes a whole month.”
“That’s amazing—!”
Fortunately, Mabel seemed to have no trouble chatting with the page.
The butler looked a little uneasy, but at the sight of Mabel’s bright expression, he kept silent.
‘It’s different from Jace. I told Mirinae to use honorifics with her…’
But Mabel had asked Mirinae to drop the formalities.
‘Because here, I don’t want it that way.’
Mirinae had agreed with a cheerful smile.
Watching the two together, Wilhelmina noticed Mirinae’s free time was nearly up.
“Mirinae, it’s almost five.”
“Yes—! I’ll head back now.”
Mirinae promised Mabel they’d meet again soon, then dashed off toward the annex.
“Where’s she going?”
“Her rest time is over. Mirinae has her duties too.”
Even though Wilhelmina had given her the day off, Mirinae refused, saying it would feel wrong to treat her time with Mabel like work.
“Duties…”
Mabel murmured absently, watching Mirinae leave.
After a long pause, she suddenly raised her wide eyes toward Wilhelmina, as if she’d made up her mind.
“Grand Duchess, I have something… I want to ask.”
“Yes, what is it?”
Mabel had clearly been holding this question in for some time.
Resolved to answer honestly no matter what it was, Wilhelmina braced herself—
But Mabel asked something wholly unexpected.
“How do you… get a boyfriend?”
“…What?”
“How does love even begin?”
It felt like a student suddenly blurting out, ‘Teacher, forget the lesson—tell us about your first love!’
Wilhelmina stumbled a step, caught completely off guard.
