Chapter 25
Late summer had arrived before anyone noticed, and the Claven ducal residence was in an uproar from the morning. Olivia had burst into Eleanor’s bedroom early at dawn, demanding they go out and paint, causing the maids who rushed in to panic.
“It’s fine. Everyone, please leave.”
Eleanor briefly glanced out the window at the rising sun, then dismissed the staff with a gentle smile. The half-naked thunderbolt sprawled across the bed just giggled brightly.
“Do you want to go out, Olivia?”
“Yes!”
Olivia nodded enthusiastically. Instead of scolding the child who had rushed to her with excitement at dawn, Eleanor pulled her up onto the warm bed. Olivia was still in her pajamas anyway.
“Shall we go outside then?”
When Eleanor asked, Olivia widened her eyes and hesitated. Unlike her usual self, she didn’t give a direct answer.
“You don’t want to?”
At Eleanor’s question, Olivia shook her head silently. Eleanor guessed the hesitation was rooted in fear.
In truth, Eleanor also felt a bit anxious about leaving the estate again. It hadn’t been long since she’d almost lost Olivia and everything descended into chaos. Even though Olivia had promised to be careful, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.
“Then let’s ask the Duke.”
Still, Eleanor wanted to help Olivia overcome her fear. Olivia still shrank back in front of anyone except Logan, Usher, and herself. Eleanor wanted to free her from the pain of having her very existence denied.
Besides, near Southern Station, with its large square, there was a park. The shade of old trees there would be perfect for a picnic.
“But next time, you shouldn’t barge in like this.”
“I shouldn’t?”
Olivia tilted her head, puzzled. Of course, Eleanor couldn’t neglect teaching manners either.
“Olivia, what am I wearing right now?”
“Pajamas.”
A proud answer. Eleanor chuckled at the complete lack of embarrassment.
“Pajamas aren’t for going outside.”
“But this is home?”
Whether it was a bedroom or the mansion, it was all the same living space to a child. Olivia furrowed her brow in confusion.
“There are lots of guests at the mansion, right?”
Eleanor adjusted Olivia’s slipping pajamas and asked. Olivia didn’t respond aloud, but her nod confirmed it.
“Right now, it’s okay because you’re a child. But one day, Olivia, you’ll grow up to be an adult like me.”
Olivia’s gaze slowly ran over Eleanor’s body beneath her pajamas. The early morning sun made the thin fabric slightly transparent, revealing her softly curved chest, slender waist, and the shape of her hips. Olivia, who had always accepted the human body as natural, seemed to be seeing it with new eyes.
“By then, people will be surprised. A woman’s body changes a lot. Remember how surprised Sir Usher was?”
At that, Olivia nodded. She seemed to recall the chaos when Eleanor screamed, Usher apologized, and Logan nearly turned the house upside down.
“So it’s rude to suddenly show up early in the morning while wearing pajamas—both you and I. Do you understand what I mean?”
Olivia didn’t fully understand, but she seemed to grasp it somewhat and nodded slowly. Eleanor gently patted her head with affection. Cindy had mocked Olivia as an idiot, but she just needed more time than others to understand things.
Not everyone learns at the same speed or sees the world through the same lens. That wasn’t Olivia’s fault.
“Shall we both wash up and meet again later?”
If only Father had understood that. Eleanor gave a faint, bittersweet smile.
‘Let’s go together.’
‘No, that’s not necessary…’
‘I have errands to run too. I’ll be out anyway.’
Logan, whom they met after breakfast, readily agreed to Eleanor and Olivia’s outing. He even had a servant prepare a simple picnic basket and drove them to the park himself.
“How long do you plan to stay at the park?”
“About two to three hours.”
Logan, neatly dressed, looked at his watch at Eleanor’s reply.
“I’ll come back on time, then.”
“Alright.”
Having already accepted his kindness, refusing now would only seem ungracious. Eleanor accepted Logan’s offer without protest.
“This time, listen to Miss Hudson well.”
As Eleanor obediently accepted his help, Logan’s gaze naturally turned to the little rascal. Olivia blinked up at him like a doll.
“Logan, are you coming to pick us up?”
“Probably.”
Olivia frowned at the vague answer. Without a word, just that scowl—she clearly had the Claven blood.
“If I can’t come myself, I’ll send someone.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
Logan ruffled Olivia’s hair with his large hand as he spoke to Eleanor.
“Don’t do that!”
Olivia shrieked and slapped his hand away irritably. She was clearly annoyed that he had messed up her carefully arranged hair. Logan just laughed and turned away.
“Shall we head to the park, Olivia?”
Once Logan’s car disappeared from sight, Eleanor offered her hand to Olivia. Olivia, who had just finished tidying her hair, nodded and took her hand.
“This looks like a good spot.”
A breeze carrying the lake’s cool scent rustled the shade. Eleanor laid out the picnic mat and placed the small basket beside it, then sat down. Olivia, already barefoot, joined her and started unpacking her drawing supplies.
…
Under the bright, cloudless sky, by the willow-draped lakeside where birds circled and sunlight sparkled on the water, noblewomen strolled with parasols.
All the colors seemed to stimulate Olivia’s creativity. She soon forgot Eleanor was beside her and immersed herself in drawing.
“Olivia, aren’t you going to eat a sandwich?”
“I’m okay.”
Olivia ignored the food and swung her legs as she drew. Eleanor also relaxed, finally feeling some peace after a long time.
“Elly.”
“Hm?”
“I think a man is coming over there.”
It was while Eleanor was gazing out at the lake. Olivia stopped drawing and pointed out someone approaching.
“Who?”
Eleanor tilted her head and followed Olivia’s gesture. A middle-aged man was striding toward them. Always immaculately dressed to avoid looking shabby in public—Eleanor knew this man very well.
“…Father?”
It was Charles. Eleanor looked at him in disbelief. Just as Olivia had said, he was coming directly toward her without hesitation.
“How did you…”
When he finally stood before her, Eleanor barely managed to ask.
“You planning to talk to your father while sitting?”
Eleanor slowly stood up. Olivia, looking startled, also rose from her seat.
“Elly…”
“Olivia, I’ll be right back. Stay here and don’t go anywhere, okay?”
Knowing how uneasy Olivia already felt about going out, Eleanor smiled to reassure her. She didn’t want this to become a traumatic memory. Olivia nodded with worried eyes.
“I really will be back soon.”
Eleanor gently patted her hand, then signaled Charles. He glanced disapprovingly at Olivia, then followed Eleanor to a more secluded area.
“Why did you come here?”
“You stopped sending money—I thought you might have died somewhere, but you’re really working as a governess!”
Charles scoffed in disbelief. His voice full of contempt for Eleanor who had gone against his wishes.
“And that girl, she’s just like Juliet, isn’t she? A moron.”
“Father!”
Perhaps because he had a child like that himself, Charles quickly saw through Olivia’s condition.
“You’re obsessed with playing teacher, but what kids like that need is an asylum, not a tutor.”
His voice was cold and cruel. He didn’t care that Eleanor was trembling with rage.
“Stop wasting time and pack up now. Quit bringing shame to the family.”
“No.”
Eleanor refused firmly. Charles’ brow twitched at her defiance.
“Get married before you’re too old. I’ve found someone who’ll benefit our family.”
“I said no.”
She glared at him as she repeated her refusal.
“Olivia is not a moron. And I won’t let her end up locked in a mental hospital like Juliet.”
“…”
“You think a daughter working to support herself is shameful? No, it’s more disgraceful for a father to call his dead child a lunatic and a parasite.”
Grinding his teeth, Charles raised his hand and struck her hard across the cheek.
“How dare you talk back to your father? Have you ever sent a single coin home from this stupid job? All you care about is yourself—you’ve done nothing for this family!”
“You should be ashamed.”
“You little—!”
Eleanor reeled from the slap, barely staying upright. Charles grabbed her by the hair and raised his hand again.
But just then, a strong hand gripped Charles’ thick wrist from behind Eleanor.
Her tear-filled eyes, glistening from the pain, turned to see who it was—
Yes!