CHAPTER 10

[Inside his nameless carriage. Passing through a quiet arboretum in the suburbs of Sienne, along a secluded walking path. Beneath a linden tree whose leaves trembled whenever the wind blew.]

A pleasant scratching sound of a fountain pen spread across the small notebook.

A smile bloomed on Elaine’s face as she recalled that day with Dominic.

“Elaine. My name is Elaine, not the young lady of Aiola.”

“Yes, Elaine.”

His voice, sweet as it curved his eyes while he whispered those words. She never imagined that hearing her name from his lips would feel so beautiful.

And beneath a linden tree, they shared their third kiss. That day, bravely, Elaine had even been the first to approach him on tiptoe, shy but determined.

[Dominic. She had called his name for the first time.]

“May I call you Dominic too?”

“It would be an honor, Lady of Aiola… no, Elaine.”

The way he smiled softly after returning her name completely, his low, deep laughter following—it made her heart tremble.

Dominic, Dominic, Dominic… my beloved Dominic, even your name is lovely…

Unfortunately, there had been no fields of bright yellow daffodils in that quiet arboretum outside Sienne that day. But they had promised to return next spring, hand in hand, when the flowers were in full bloom.

“Aah… I miss you, Dominic…”

Elaine dropped her notebook and flopped onto the bed. A helpless groan escaped her lips. She missed Dominic so much she didn’t know what to do. And then, when she remembered that kiss—

“Keuk… kukukuk…”

An uncontrollable, strange laugh slipped out.

Rolling around on the bed, Elaine buried her face in a pillow and began pounding the white sheets with her fists.

“My goodness, she’s finally gone mad.”

Anna, who had been watching from the side, clicked her tongue at the love-struck young lady.

“They say love turns sane people into lunatics… I suppose it must be true. Seeing you like this, I can’t possibly doubt that old philosopher’s words.”

“Oh yes, Anna! I am mad! Completely mad! I’ve gone mad for Dominic!”

Instead of scolding her usual cheeky maid, Elaine burst into loud laughter.

“My mind is full of nothing but Dominic! When I close my eyes, I see Dominic. When I cover my ears, I hear Dominic’s voice. You don’t understand, do you, Anna? How wonderful his voice is.”

“You’ve said that more than a dozen times already. Listening to him, it’s like…”

“Like a lonely star falling across the dark night sky. Like being blinded by a faint ray of sunlight breaking through the dawn.”

“Yes, yes! Our young lady of Aiola has gone blind with love! Lord Fernando would be so heartbroken if he saw you!”

“Oh my goodness! Anna! Do you know what I feel now? Even when I cover my nose, I feel like I can smell Dominic!”

In the end, Elaine dropped onto all fours like a dog and began sniffing around the bed.

“She’s truly gone mad.”

Watching her, Anna silently vowed never to fall in love. One lovesick woman in the Aiola estate was more than enough.

“Why did no one ever tell me love was this dreadful?”

“When will I see Dominic again? Ah, I can’t bear it!”

Ignoring Anna’s complaints, Elaine suddenly stood up. With perfect composure, she sat at her desk and gestured elegantly.

“I’m going to write a letter, Anna. Bring me paper and a fountain pen.”

“Yes, yes, right away.”

As if she had never been rolling around like a wild foal moments ago, Elaine straightened her posture and smiled gracefully. With every movement of her hand, elegant handwriting flowed across the page. Anyone would have thought she was the perfect noble lady of Aiola.

But that only lasted a moment.

Her lips twitched again, and soon she broke into laughter once more. While Anna sighed and straightened the messy bedding,—

“Eek!”

Elaine suddenly threw her pen down and screamed.

“My writing smudged! It smudged! Bring me a new sheet of paper, Anna!”

She shook the poor maid by the collar as if it were the greatest tragedy in the world.

“Haah.”

Anna could only sigh at the dramatic transformation of a girl in love.

Later…

Dominic came to visit. That day, the master and mistress of Aiola were away. And sharp-witted Anna immediately realized it was all part of her young lady’s mischievous scheme.

“You shameless girl!”

Anna shouted while standing by the dressing table where Elaine was choosing between two pairs of earrings.

“How can you be so reckless? Inviting a man into the house while the masters are away! I’ll report this to Lord Fernando!”

“Go ahead. I’ll throw you out of the estate that very day.”

Elaine quickly chose one pair, put on her earrings, and draped a white lace shawl over her shoulders. Without even looking at Anna, she hurried downstairs where Dominic waited.

“That spoiled young lady! You’ll get in trouble and finally learn your lesson!”

Anna cursed her, but it had no effect. Elaine was already lost in the joy that Dominic had personally come to escort her.

Gripping the railing, she spotted him and stopped on the stairs.

“Dominic!”

Her voice rang like a singing canary. The tall man standing in the reception room slowly turned around. His dark hair, like the night sky, swayed softly before settling again.

“…Elaine.”

From between his red lips came a gentle voice, and Elaine smiled brighter than anyone in the world.

“I missed you, Dominic!”

She ran down the stairs in a rush, almost jumping. So careless it seemed she might fall at any moment.

And as expected—

Her foot slipped on the last step.

“Ah—!”

Both their eyes widened in shock at the same time.

“Elaine!”

Dominic rushed forward and caught her waist before she fell. Her small body sank into his chest.

“Are you alright?!”

For the first time, his calm voice like a quiet sea broke into urgency. In his arms, Elaine let out a soft laugh.

“Thank you.”

“….”

Dominic frowned, unable to understand why she was laughing.

“Don’t frown, Dominic.”

Her soft fingers touched his face, brushing away his frown.

“I’m sorry. I just startled you, didn’t I?”

“…Are you scolding me now, Dominic?”

At her tilted question, he realized belatedly that he was indeed scolding her and fell silent. Elaine laughed again.

“Why aren’t you lecturing me more?”

“…I apologize. That was improper of me.”

“What’s improper about it? I liked it. That you were truly worried about me.”

Then she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, pressing her face into his chest like a small animal, sniffing him gently.

Ah… Dominic’s scent.

Just like this. Like the cold morning air after a long nightmare.

She noticed he was still stiff and slowly lifted her head. His face, slightly flushed, was half-covered by his hand.

“Dominic?”

“…Ah.”

He responded a beat late. Elaine narrowed her eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m… fine.”

His voice said otherwise, but by the end he had already returned to his composed self.

“I’m sorry, Elaine. I was too surprised thinking you might be hurt.”

A warm sigh brushed over her head.

“I spoke too harshly to you.”

As if to say “a lowly Chester like me…,” he trailed off.

Elaine poked his chest with her finger.

“Don’t talk like that.”

At her playful tone, Dominic smiled quietly.

“You are the only one who makes me feel special.”

Looking up at him, she spoke clearly, word by word. Dominic slowly tilted his head.

“And you are my only joy.”