BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Part 35 ~ 2
Chloe made her way toward the manor, her hand gripping her cane tightly. Her steps were unsteady as she traversed the garden, but she did not pause. She wished to distance herself from him as swiftly as possible.
"Claire!" Stella cried out, rushing over to her side. She gasped for air, her face etched with regret.
"I cannot fathom how such a savage spectacle can be deemed a gentleman's sport. You must have been quite shocked," said Stella.
"Yes, a little," Chloe replied. Stella had assumed she was unsettled from witnessing the brutal fight, not knowing that the reason lay elsewhere.
"The missionary left immediately after you. After his display in the ring, one might question if he is a man of God or a prize-fighter."
The look of anguish on Chloes face grew, her heart twisting at the thought that she had been the reason why Gilles had taken up the fight.
"I shall retire to my room now, Lady Stella."
"Yes, it would be wise to save your strength if you intend to venture out this evening."
Chloe bit her lip, the image of Gilles and Damien trading blows seared into her mind.
At first, when Gilles had taken a punch from Damien, she had been filled with unbearable pity for him. Yet she had not been able to intervene, for she understood Gilles's sentiments all too well. He had essentially stepped into the ring in her stead; she had no choice but to take his side.
However, when the tables turned and Damien began to bear the brunt of Gilles's blows, Chloe found herself unable to watch the scene, and she had nearly cried out upon seeing Damien's fair face streaked with crimson.
Please, stop. For the love of God, stop!
Why had she felt that way?
Suddenly feeling lightheaded, she steadied herself against a pillar in the drawing room. As she pressed her palm against her feverish eyes, she heard Sofies voice.
"Miss?" Sofie looked at her with wide eyes, donning her favorite red shoes and ready for an outing.
"Where are you going, Sofie?"
"I'm going to give this to Marius, that scaredy cat. He won't be scared even at night if he has this."
"But this is your favorite doll, Sofie."
"That's why I'm giving it to him."
Seeing Sofie grinning widely as she clutched a large bear doll wearing a ribbon, Chloe smiled, her eyes welling with tears.
She could see the change that had overcome Sofie, who used to turn her head and act out whenever she was with Marius.
"That's very kind of you, Sofie."
Being honest about one's feelings is much harder than concealing them, Sofie. Not all honest people are brave, but all brave people are honest about their feelings.
Could she consider herself a good teacher if her actions did not align with her words? Realizing she was acting more childishly than the girl before her, she felt the urge to hide in shame, but she knew that evasion was not the solution.
Sofie stood with the doll firmly held in her arms. Observing Chloe gently bite her lip, she hesitated before asking, "Would you like me to give this to you instead?"
Seeing the apprehension in Sofie's blue eyes, which were as clear as the morning star, Chloe embraced her tightly. She whispered as if making a promise to herself, "Give it to Marius.
