Eleanor was drinking tea alone with Baron Pomfry in his room. Vanessa politely excused herself, saying she had some work, and left.
The fragrant scent of chamomile tea slowly melted away the unease from breakfast.
Baron Pomfry, after wetting his lips with tea, put down his cup with a proper gesture. He was gentle yet strict.
That was the aunt Eleanor knew.
In that regard, it was quite surprising that she would dine with a commoner child she supported. But Eleanor didn’t consider it her business and didn’t pay much attention.
“It’s been twenty years since I became Baron Pomfry.”
Stephanie gazed out the window, lost in memories. Birds were perched on the branches of the deciduous tree swaying in front of the window.
Tilting their heads and fluttering their wings, they looked adorable, and a smile crept onto her lips.
The clear blue sky shone through the leaves without a single cloud.
“It’s been twenty-two years since I came here.”
Stephanie Stikov had married Gael Pomfry twenty-two years ago, when she was eighteen.
At that time, it was common for both men and women to marry as soon as they became adults.
She married Gael Pomfry a month after her coming-of-age ceremony, an arranged marriage between their families.
It took only two years for the baroness, who came down to Oklama following her husband, to become the baron.
Gael Pomfry was quite a decent man for an arranged marriage. Gentle and family-oriented, he always respected Stephanie. He slowly won her heart, like being soaked by a drizzle.
The fluttering feeling that began when he slipped a ring onto her left ring finger was still vivid. What started as friendship grew into genuine affection and then into love.
But before that love could fully blossom, Gael died of illness. He complained of stomach pains for days, which was thought to be indigestion, but suddenly he collapsed after vomiting blood. He passed away the next dawn.
Stephanie inherited the title and the land in place of her deceased husband. Since they had no children, all his property automatically passed to her.
She poured her deep grief over her husband’s death into Oklama. Rejecting the sweet call of remarriage, she devoted herself to the estate.
Without looking back, she had run forward, and before she knew it, she was forty.
“Eleanor, I really love Oklama. I fell in love the moment I came here—before my husband even.”
Baron Pomfry chuckled softly. Gael’s words, saying she would love this place, had hit her heart.
Flowers bloomed brightly along every path, the warm sun bathed the land all year round, and simple, honest tenants lived together in harmony. At the sight of Oklama, Stephanie had fallen in love.
That was why she could willingly leave behind Bayrne, which was splendid and beautiful but cold and distant.
“I’ve never once regretted moving here from Bayrne. Oklama is like the child Gael left me, and at the same time, my sanctuary. It’s where I healed all the wounds left by his death.”
Eleanor listened quietly, wrapping her hands around the teacup. It was the first time her aunt had spoken about her late husband.
Gael Pomfry, who died before Eleanor could even meet him, was a forbidden name before her aunt—just mentioning it pained her deeply.
“Of course, running Oklama alone hasn’t been easy. Gael died only two years after our marriage. Though small, the land of Oklama is fertile and the climate is good, so farming thrives. The harvest is large for such a small estate, which made it coveted by many.”
Had it not been for Gael’s carefully prepared will, the estate and barony would have gone to Gael’s younger brother.
His brother had long eyed Oklama greedily. Stephanie might have had to leave with only her remaining property and return to Bayrne.
But Gael was always thorough and prepared; half a year after marriage, he secretly drafted a will.
It stated that upon his death, the title and estate would pass to Stephanie Pomfry.
Some days she felt grateful for that, others bitter—because it seemed like he had prepared for his own death.
Now, she was just thankful. Without his meticulousness, Stephanie would have returned to being Stephanie Stikov and abandoned Pomfry and Oklama.
“If it weren’t for the tenants, Pomfry’s people, and Oklama itself helping me, I wouldn’t have survived these twenty years.”
The baron smiled faintly, compressing the twenty years she had lived alone.
Eleanor couldn’t fully grasp the emotions contained in those words, as some things were experiences she had never encountered.
Still, she clearly recognized the pride of a baron and the deep affection for the estate. Among the many feelings, those two stood out strongly.
“Pomfry and Oklama mean a lot to me. They’re my family, husband, child, and friend all at once. It might be hard for you to understand now, but it’s true for me.”
The baron looked calmly at her niece. The clear eyes, free of their old shadows, and the face focused on her words.
Once assured that the child’s childhood was truly gone, Stephanie finally began to speak her main point.
“But I’m not immortal. I will die someday. For that time, I need a successor to inherit the title and estate after me.”
Stephanie Pomfry had neither husband nor children. She had no intention of remarrying until death, so she had to find a successor another way.
And choosing a niece was the most common way in noble society.
Her nieces were only her older brother Sean Stikov’s two daughters and the children of her deceased husband’s younger brother, Christopher Pomfry.
She had long decided Christopher couldn’t be entrusted with the estate, so naturally, the choice was limited to her two nieces.
To be honest, the baron wasn’t fully confident in her own words. But she was sure only her eldest niece could succeed her.
Only Eleanor possessed the vague certainty that convinced the baron.
“And I hope that’s you, Eleanor.”
Eleanor’s eyes and mouth slowly opened. She doubted if she had heard her aunt correctly or if her understanding was faulty.
Maybe her fatigue from the previous day had distorted what she heard. Was she really saying she wanted to leave Oklama and the Pomfry barony to her…?
Eleanor looked at her aunt with a mixture of confusion, embarrassment, anticipation, and some undefinable feeling.
The faint wrinkles beginning to form on her aunt’s stern yet delicate face showed firmness that woke her up.
‘I heard it right.’
Swallowing dryly, Eleanor set the teacup down on the table.
“You’re saying… you want to pass your position to me…?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s a proposal. Since you’re the eldest daughter of the Stikov family, you’re most likely to inherit your father’s title. I’m not asking you to refuse that good position and take mine instead.”
She was ready to step back if Eleanor refused. She wasn’t so old, and there were many ways to find a successor.
Though it might be harder than bringing in a blood relative, the baron could find another successor if needed.
Eleanor felt a strange curiosity as she listened to her aunt’s considerate words telling her not to feel burdened.
If she refused here, would the opportunity go to Lydia next?
Though she knew she had to hold back her curiosity, her lips moved hastily.
“If I refuse, will Lydia get the chance?”
“No. If you refuse, I plan to choose someone from outside.”
“Lydia is…”
“She is also a niece I love dearly, but from the beginning, this position was only for you. I considered it your place. So even if you refuse, I won’t offer it to Lydia.”
The baron emphasized firmly. Eleanor’s heart pounded. When her aunt said there was something she wanted to say in the letter, Eleanor never imagined it would lead to this.
Her pounding heart seemed to spread to her fingertips.
Her aunt’s words, seemingly meant only for Eleanor, were sweeter than wild raspberries.
Since coming to this world and becoming Eleanor, this was the first time she’d heard words meant only for her. It was different from the small talk Stella or Lisa offered.
Her aunt’s words gave her the qualifications to be the “owner.” For Eleanor, who had always had to yield to Lydia, it was something her aunt gave her directly—her own.
‘If I become the baron…’
Inheritance of the title.
She recalled one of the independent ways she had once thought about but discarded as impossible.
If she succeeded to the barony of Pomfry, she could officially become independent—without anyone’s interference.
She had avoided this method before, fearing she’d end up exactly like the original story’s countess.
But inheriting her aunt’s title would not only grant independence but also allow her to walk a path different from the original story.
“I…”
But Eleanor couldn’t accept it right away. She was surprised at herself. It was a good opportunity to accept without hesitation.
Perhaps because it was sudden, her mind froze and couldn’t turn over. The life that would change if she became the successor was daunting. She wasn’t sure if it was the right path.
Seeing Eleanor hesitate slightly, Baron Pomfry smiled lightly.
“Eleanor, I’m not asking you to decide immediately. I haven’t fully decided on you either. I just hope it’s you. Besides, you don’t know much about Oklama yet.”
“Ah…”
“Maybe life in Oklama isn’t right for you. Or maybe you’re not qualified. So while you’re here, think it over slowly and carefully. Then decide. Without any regrets.”
Her aunt’s words were gentle but clear-headed. Eleanor felt reassured.
Not a rash decision, and also a way to prevent Eleanor from making a hasty judgment.
“Look around Oklama and see how the tenants live, what kind of life they have, and what a lord’s role is. See and experience it with your own eyes. Then, surely, someday, a conclusion will come within you.”
The baron said something very wise. Eleanor’s face completely relaxed.
Freed from the flood of thoughts that had overwhelmed her moments ago, she smiled lighter.
“Yes, I will.”
The chamomile tea had cooled to lukewarm, but Eleanor’s hands were still warm.
Oklama and Baron Pomfry.
For the first time in her life, which had always followed a set path, a crossroads had appeared.
Leaving the baron’s room and returning to her own, Eleanor felt as if she were walking in a dream.
An unexpected proposal had brought an unexpected excitement. Her aunt’s words laid clouds beneath her feet.
Feeling like walking on something soft, she smiled unconsciously.
Nothing was decided yet, but she was glad that her future now had options.
Eleanor, cheeks flushed, headed to the central staircase. As she was about to go up, she stopped and looked down. It was the second time she noticed the sunset-tinted hair. Vanessa was coming up the stairs.
Sensing her presence, Vanessa also stopped at the landing and looked up at Eleanor.
The uneasy feeling from Vanessa’s behavior at breakfast flooded back.
But remembering her aunt’s words to get along with Vanessa, Eleanor fluttered down to the landing.
“Vanessa, where are you headed?”
“I’m going to get something I left in my room.”
“Where’s your room?”
“At the end of the third floor.”
“Same floor as me, then.”
Eleanor smiled gently, a friendly smile that would easily win anyone’s favor, but Vanessa didn’t blink.
If it had been like breakfast, Eleanor wouldn’t have welcomed that, but now her heart was swollen like a balloon.
“Ah! After lunch, I’m thinking of going to Lake Nifla with some light snacks. Where should we meet?”
Recalling their conversation from breakfast, Eleanor asked. Though the promise had been made awkwardly in front of her aunt, they had agreed to go together, so it was a natural question.
There was no longer any reason not to reach out, since there was no hostility or malice on Vanessa’s part.
Vanessa said nothing and just stared silently at Eleanor. Below her smooth, pale forehead and tidy brows were deep blue eyes like the ocean, gazing blankly.
At that moment, Eleanor saw Leopold reflected in Vanessa. Even though Leopold’s violet eyes and Vanessa’s sunset-colored eyes had no similarity, the way they looked at her was exactly the same.
“……”
Since it was their first meeting today, Eleanor thought Vanessa wouldn’t hate her. But she realized this was a hasty assumption.
Vanessa twisted her lips into a slight smile, similar to the one at breakfast.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not a leisurely person like you, Miss. I don’t have time to idle around.”
“……”
“If I ever have free time like you and come to visit, I’ll go with you then.”
That was it.
Vanessa lifted her dress politely and said goodbye. Eleanor stood dumbfounded, unable to stop Vanessa, who brushed past her coldly.
Eleanor recalled where she had seen Vanessa’s smile before.
It was a smile Vincent often gave Eleanor.
When he was with Lydia or angry at Eleanor because of Lydia.
Vincent was the male lead who liked Lydia very much, so it made sense.
His character was to be sharp against everyone except the female lead.
But Vanessa was…
‘What did I do to deserve that expression already?’
Eleanor turned and looked up in the direction Vanessa had disappeared.
Even Vincent hadn’t treated her like that at their first meeting. His hostility toward Eleanor became clear only as his male lead nature grew stronger.
Honestly, Eleanor didn’t know exactly why Vincent acted that way, but at least not without reason on first meeting.
So she couldn’t understand why Vanessa acted that way toward her on their very first meeting.
Why does she hate me? Why is she like that to me…?
Left alone on the landing, Eleanor was engulfed in bewilderment.
She came seeking peace, but she had a premonition it might be as difficult here as in Bayrne.
Waiting for the update.
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