WBESFL 51

Chapter 51

Eleanor was bewildered by Ernst’s sudden change in attitude.

She had thought he might end up being even more persistent than Sinclair. At least Sinclair argued with words, but Ernst had always slipped away with the same evasive response: “Think about it again.”

For the man who never bothered to waste words to suddenly change his stance was suspicious.

“…All of a sudden?”

At her doubtful tone, Ernst gave a faint smile.

Considering how insistently he had urged her to come to the capital, it was only natural that she found this hard to believe.

After his private conversation with the Baron, Ernst had been mulling things over until now.

He had repeated Eleanor’s words in his head several times, recalled Lydia’s countless times as well, and again and again turned Eleanor’s words over in his mind.

Originally, his goal was to bring Eleanor to the capital.

That was the reason he had come down to Oklahoma with Sinclair in the first place.

Because Lydia wanted it.

And what Lydia wanted was, of course, what he wanted.

He also found it hard to accept that Eleanor intended to leave them behind and live here in Oklahoma.

That was why he had been determined, even more so than Sinclair, to take her back to the capital.

But the more he thought about it, the further his mind drifted into the past, until the haze in his thoughts gradually lifted.

And with a clearer mind, for the first time, he truly thought of Eleanor.

He placed her at the center, looking from her position, her point of view.

And then, the answer became plain.

‘She’ll be happier staying here in Oklahoma.’

Sinclair would probably never accept that, but Ernst did.

Lydia, too, would likely accept it—because she adored her sister.

“When I thought about what would truly be best for you, the answer became very clear.”

“…You thought about me?”

“Yes.”

Eleanor looked at Ernst with unfamiliar eyes.

Of the four male leads, he was the one she had known the longest. And yet, for just as long, he had moved only for Lydia’s sake.

When it was the three of them together—him, Lydia, and Eleanor—she often felt like a sack of rice plopped uselessly in the corner.

It was better when it was one-on-one, but with Lydia around, Eleanor was inevitably pushed into the background.

So much so that she had grown accustomed to it, almost numb, knowing Ernst was devoted to Lydia.

He was Lydia’s childhood friend, the one who had watched over her most closely.

“That’s why… you’re strange right now.”

At her frank remark, Ernst gave a bitter smile.

Even that smile was unfamiliar and strange, leaving Eleanor confused.

Was he drunk? Had he had too much to drink?

Ernst Lerner wasn’t supposed to be this kind of character.

“Living as a person is better than living like a doll, don’t you think?”

He murmured quietly, then turned his gaze back to Eleanor, his gentle eyes curving softly.

“But not everyone thinks like me. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know. You all only ever think about Lydia.”

Her honest words slipped out, and Ernst chuckled quietly.

So she really had changed.

In the past, she would have worn a picture-perfect smile and only nodded obediently.

Only ever speaking the words they wanted to hear.

He stood, still holding his crystal glass. The chair screeched against the floor as it slid back.

“Everyone lives only for their own thoughts.”

Moonlight shining through the drizzling rain cast a pale glow across Ernst’s face.

“Lydia will accept it if you explain it gently to her.”

“Ah… right.”

“Then, good night.”

This time, may you have a pleasant dream.

He whispered softly, then turned and walked away.

Eleanor soon rose as well and returned to her room.

This time, she was able to fall asleep without dreaming.

When the monsoon ended, the guests of Oklahoma Castle departed.

Ernst left with a gentle smile and a polite farewell, while Sinclair climbed abruptly into the carriage, leaving only a cold glance behind.

The carriage that had brought the capital’s guests thundered down the cypress-lined road and disappeared with them.

With those guests—who had unsettled her heart the entire time—finally gone, Eleanor felt much lighter.

The shadow of the heroine’s older sister, who had dogged her all the way to Oklahoma, vanished. As the dark clouds parted, a bright sun rose overhead.

The long rainy season was over, and life in Oklahoma bustled again. Where the storm had washed away old life, new sprouts drank deeply of the lingering moisture and grew strong.

Eleanor wrote a long letter to Lydia.

She coaxed and pleaded with her, explained her circumstances, and sincerely begged for understanding.

Before other male leads could appear, or before Lydia came herself, Eleanor had to reach an agreement with her.

At the end of the letter, she added that if Lydia truly wished it, she would accept a countship instead of a barony.

That much alone would stir guilt in kindhearted, gentle Lydia, and keep her from pressing further.

Sure enough, the reply that came back a few days later was sulky but compliant: if that was truly what her sister wanted, she would accept it.

Eleanor sent back another reply, inviting her to visit in autumn.

As she wrote the usual “I miss you”, Sinclair’s harsh words on the plains pricked sharply at her chest.

The memory of his rebuke made her bite her lip—but only briefly. Then she shook her head, deciding to forget it.

Unless Sinclair married Lydia, Eleanor had no reason to see him again.

And the most likely candidate for Lydia’s hand was Crown Prince Leopold.

Once Lydia was engaged to Leopold, Eleanor would have no dealings with Sinclair at all.

Though judging by his words on the plains, it seemed he intended to pursue Lydia more actively…

Still, for the time being, Eleanor was free from the main cast of the original story.

‘I won’t need to go to the capital anytime soon.’

Unless it was for a family birthday, there would be no reason.

And the only one left this year was her own birthday—most likely her family would come down to Oklahoma for it.

Feeling refreshed, Eleanor returned to her routine.

She studied under Kenneth, and each day took charge of part of the estate’s affairs.

“Was it resolved?”

As they reviewed some organized documents together, Vanessa slipped in a question.

Eleanor, understanding at once, smiled brightly and nodded.

“Of course. No one will bother me again.”

With Lydia having given up, the interference of male leads was cut off as well.

Count Stikov and his wife also consented to their eldest daughter becoming her aunt’s heir.

Her aunt herself formally accepted her as successor.

The people of Oklahoma, the castle staff, even Vanessa—all acknowledged Eleanor.

“Congratulations.”

Vanessa smiled softly, then returned her attention to the papers.

Eleanor gazed intently at the girl’s small, round face.

The reason she was accepted as heir was largely thanks to how she had handled the relief efforts during the monsoon.

And the reason those efforts had succeeded was, in no small part, because of Vanessa.

Vanessa had gone out in Eleanor’s stead, gathered information firsthand, organized reports, and worked with her to draft aid proposals.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Vanessa tilted her head, puzzled by Eleanor’s burning stare.

Propping her chin in her hand, Eleanor recalled a past conversation with Kenneth.

“Kenneth, how did you become Aunt’s secretary?”

“I was originally just a low-ranking staffer at the lord’s castle. But I happened to assist the Baron with the capital’s reconstruction project, and he valued my abilities highly. Thanks to him, I became his secretary.”

“So Aunt personally suggested it?”

“Yes.”

“Is that how secretaries are usually chosen?”

“Usually there’s an open announcement, applications, and an interview process. My case was unusual.”

“I see. Is it difficult to become one?”

“I started with no experience, so no—it’s not hard to become one. But why do you ask?”

“Because I already know who I want to choose as my secretary.”

“Really? Who is it?”

“Vanessa.”

Kenneth had been surprised, then smiled as though the joy were his own.

“She’ll be delighted when she hears that.”

Would he be right? Would Vanessa truly be happy to hear such an offer from her—the mere heir to a barony?

Straightening her posture, Eleanor cleared her throat.

Vanessa’s round, rabbit-like eyes watched her curiously.

“Vanessa, I have something to say to you.”

Her tone carried a weight of dignity.

Vanessa, still wide-eyed like a rabbit, stared at her.

“What is it?”

“Would you… become my secretary?”

The words came out in a nervous, careful voice.

Vanessa’s eyes widened like fists, and she froze in place.

“I may not have inherited my title yet. But if you’re willing, I’d like you to be my secretary.”

Eleanor wondered if this was how a poor man felt when proposing marriage.

Of course, she wasn’t penniless, but as things stood, she was still nothing more than a minor noble’s daughter.

Once she became a baroness, things would change.

So it wasn’t too early to choose her secretary now.

She already had her aunt’s permission.

If Vanessa accepted, she would become Eleanor’s secretary.

“My lady, I…”

Vanessa dropped her pen with a clatter.

She clapped her hands over her mouth, speechless, then lowered them slightly and asked in a trembling voice:

“Are you truly… okay with me?”

“You’re the only one I want.”

Eleanor spoke with firm conviction.

The more she saw of Vanessa, the more certain she felt that stopping her from leaving after the mountain trip had been the right decision.

It wasn’t just because she had never truly hated her; reviewing the relief documents she had worked on proved Vanessa’s worth.

There was no way she could willingly drive out such talent from Oklahoma.

And so Vanessa had remained by her side, proving to be an invaluable strength.

“You know how I treated you in the past…”

Vanessa lowered her eyes, hesitant.

Eleanor had never punished her for it, choosing instead to forgive generously.

That gratitude had spurred Vanessa to work hard for her—but becoming her secretary, a position of such trust, still felt too much.

Surely someone better, wiser, could serve Eleanor in that role.

Was it really right for me to take that place?

“You’re right—we were at odds back then.”

“….”

“But if we had truly hated each other, we wouldn’t be sitting here face-to-face right now.”

Vanessa slowly raised her sunset-colored eyes to meet Eleanor’s.

Eleanor’s smile shone warmer and brighter than the sunlight pouring in through the window behind her.

“I think what matters is that we never really hated each other.”

“My lady…”

“Let’s take this moment as the beginning of our relationship.”

Tears welled in Vanessa’s eyes.

Fighting to hold them back, she suddenly rose and stepped toward Eleanor.

Startled by the scrape of the chair, Eleanor looked up at her resolute face.

“I still lack much, but from now on, I’ll work with all my heart for you.”

At Vanessa’s acceptance, Eleanor’s smile blossomed like spring flowers.

“Please take care of me, my lady.”

“Take care of me, Vanessa.”

Their hands clasped tightly together.

The shards of their broken past—when they had turned their backs on one another—lay scattered at their feet.

Here was the beginning of something new.