Blue's Memories
There was no Duke in the seat called by the Duke, only Gilbert the butler was sitting.
"The Butler?"
"Five. Welcome, Isabella.
The butler led Elizabeth to her seat with a warm smile.
When he remembered that Stella was close to the head butler, he felt bitter at the thought that he must already know about the relationship between the duke and Stella.
What did Gilbert think when he saw our mother and daughter? They must have considered me stupid for not knowing anything as an idiot.
Maybe she already knew about her mother's infidelity and thought she was a shameless woman.
Either way, knowing the truth was the worst for Elizabeth.
No, the worst was her own situation where she could no longer see the people around her as they really were.
All relationships are confusing. It felt like the world of yesterday and the world of today were completely reversed. Maybe tomorrow's world will be so muddy that today will be better.
As she hurriedly sat down, the images on the table caught her attention.
And Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, noting that the photos were all male and of marriageable age.
Unaware of this, Gilbert said, holding the photo up in front of her.
"How are you? Is there someone you like?"
"What is this, butler?"
“What? They are the wives that came before you. Since we pick and choose the good ones, it would be nice to choose any one of them.”
"Butler, I have no intention of getting married."
Elizabeth handed the photo back to Gilbert and said firmly. She did not want to be associated with the duke until marriage.
Elizabeth wanted to break all ties with Agafel.
And anyway, this was the place to go. While leaving for a faraway kingdom, I had no intention of stigmatizing the breakdown of a worthless person's marriage.
When he turned his head completely away from the image, Gilbert let out a big laugh.
"Oh dear. There are no fools yet."
"I'm not stupid. Please tell the duke that I will take care of my marriage.
"Nonsense. If it wasn't the duke, where else would you find a good marriage like this? The duke must be disappointed."
"Anyway, I'm not getting married."
“Yeki! How long will a grown virgin remain in her mother's arms? You should also prepare to start a family now. Such important matters are usually discussed with an adult."
"but… … ."
"Dont be rude. They are all from a wealthy family. Although family can be a bit distant, you will not lack it to live the rest of your life. Stella said it was fine.
"Are you mom?"
"Yes. These are all places that Stella picked and picked."
Elizabeth was speechless and kept her mouth shut. Think of marrying me after asking for a period of one month.
Elizabeth wanted to go ask him right away. He spoke quietly to Gilbert, who had the impulse not to send it unless he wanted to.
“Then I'll take a closer look and tell you. Marriage is an important part, so I don't want to choose it on the fly."
"Yeah. Good thinking. If you think about it and let me know, I'll fix it right away."
"thank you."
Elizabeth took photos and documents and nodded. He then headed straight for Stella's room.
Just in time, I ran into Stella, who had just finished getting ready to leave. Looking at the outfit, it looked like she was going to see an opera again.
"Where?"
"Yeah? I was feeling down, so I thought I'd go to the opera."
"Explain this before you go."
Stella's eyes narrowed shallowly as Elizabeth handed her the stack of photos. He dragged Elizabeth into the room and silenced her voice.
“For now, I am doing what the Duke tells me to do. I mean, mom has thoughts too."
"I'm not getting married. You won't be here for a month anyway, so why would you do such a thing?
"Yuck! Inflexible girl. Even if you go when you go, you mustn't show off. Is it because you don't know how resourceful the duke is?"
Stella whispered, lowering her voice even more.
“You can pretend to find yourself and then run away. After all, you only have to seal the engagement papers, right?
"That's just deceiving the opponent."
“What is agriculture? Do young men and women have to commit just because they've dated a few times? You just have to match the beat a couple of times. I gave birth with a stomach ache, why are you so naive?
Stella clucked and looked at her watch before continuing.
“Mom, don't try too hard. I mean, it's still very difficult. If you keep doing that, you'll get nervous and it won't work."
Then it just left. Elizabeth looked at Stella, who was walking away.
Rather, it was Elizabeth, not Stella, who was nervous. He wanted to get out of this castle as soon as possible.
Before Kiern was engaged, before the duke realized it and tightened the noose.
Exactly before she herself did not want to leave.
* * *
Unlike going to the opera, Stella headed to the cafe in the lobby of the Line Hotel.
After ordering a cup of coffee and waiting, a customer who was supposed to meet arrived. Stella got up from her seat and waved.
"Welcome back, Lady Prairie."
As Stella greeted her with a fresh smile, Abigail raised her hat veil and said calmly.
I didn't know you'd ask to see me.
Then, naturally, when I ordered a cup of black tea, Stella trembled and said:
"The coffee here is much better than black tea."
"Is that so?"
“How about switching to coffee?”
"It's okay. I only drink black tea.
Aristocrats used to prefer black tea to coffee. It was their culture that persisted even after coffee was discovered.
Stella huffed inwardly and took a sip from her portion of coffee.
The fact that the acidity of the coffee was bought correctly was also suitable for my taste. Stella especially liked the coffee from this house.
So it was. It was because of this cafe that he intentionally approached Duke Agafel, the owner of the Line Hotel. It was very simple, but it was a part that showed Stella's vanity well.
As the server who took the order left, Abigail asked directly.
"So what are you going to tell me?"
"The car hasn't left yet. Is there something urgent?"
“We were sitting across from each other and drinking tea like this? Originally, I would have refused."
Abigail kept a smile on her face and shot him coldly. He said this because even if he hadn't stayed in Agafel's castle, or if he hadn't been friends with the late duchess, he wouldn't even have a face-to-face conversation like this.
Stella laughed over and over at what was good. He seems to have no respect for himself.
Abigail frowned at the doubtful attitude. In fact, since the last flower arranging meeting, your planting has been very bad.
My heart sank because Kiern had discovered the scene where Elizabeth was being stalked.
I must have heard from Austin that their meeting place was somewhere else. It seemed to change in the middle.
And knowing who had done it made Abigail even angrier.
Fortunately, Kiern didn't retaliate. Kiern didn't say anything even though it was a scene where everyone was harassing Elizabeth.
Knowing that he cared about Elizabeth, Abigail was suspicious of his tepid attitude.
However, when I thought that he was also the same type as me, I also felt that Elizabeth was just playing with it.
Kierne Argafell was Abigail's future fiancée, but she wasn't really comfortable.
As with arranged marriages, Abigail loved the seat next to him more than she loved him. Because the position of duchess is not allowed to just anyone.
There was nothing to blame for his prominent face, chivalrous demeanor, and future duke title.
It was a nice ornament to have by her side.
It was some kind of trophy. A most valuable trophy that no one else can have.
