Chapter 50: A Small Step Back to the Capital

“Are you going with Miss Macheson?”

Margareta’s eyes grew sharp.

Her displeased gaze swept over the bed where Cecilia was lying.

“I’m not sure yet.”

“She’ll end up following you, you’ll see!”

Margareta snatched up a magazine and flung it aside.

The magazine that had been hanging off the edge of the sofa hit the floor.

‘Margareta… her boiling point is really low.’

She was huffing a little.

She straightened her previously slouched posture, looking just like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Perhaps because of her fierce eyes, just sitting up straight made Margareta look quite scary. To girls our age, she’d be downright intimidating!

When I first met Margareta, I think I was scared of her and uncomfortable, too.

But after getting to know her, hmm, it’s just… that she’s too honest, maybe…

“What if we run into them!”

Margareta suddenly shouted.

Isn’t she going to wake Cecilia up?

Thankfully, the blanket covering Cecilia didn’t budge at all.

Margareta was gripping her fists, trembling with whatever she was imagining.

“That fox…! I’m sure she’ll join us! And this is—this is our first date in forever….”

“Margareta, calm down.”

“I had to beg Grandfather so much for this! And I really tried hard today!”

Every time Margareta shouted, her tightly curled hair bounced.

That moment when Evan took Cecilia’s side in front of everyone must’ve left a mark.

Margareta was fuming at Cecilia as if she’d been slapped.

Her trembling was almost palpable.

“Calm down! You’ll mess up your hair.”

“Ugh… seriously!”

Margareta was about to shake her head furiously, but stopped at my words.

“She might not even come to the capital, and there’s no guarantee you’ll run into her. Besides, Sir Evan might not want to sit together either. Don’t you think?”

“……”

Margareta bit her lip hard.

A mark from her front teeth was left on her thin lips.

“I know. Honestly, I know this isn’t right to say. But if possible, just come alone… or don’t come at all. Please.”

She looked me straight in the eyes as she asked.

It sounded more like a demand than a request, but I could tell now this was the best Margareta could do.

“I’ll try.”

I smiled a little awkwardly.

There was something I wanted to check, after all.

“…Fine. I get it! What are the odds we’ll meet anyway? Hmph.”

Margareta stood up abruptly.

She stomped as she wrapped her long cloak around herself.

“Are you going out? In that outfit—!”

“It’s fine, I’m just going to another room.”

Margareta replied sharply, spun around, and just before heading out, turned back and gave me a look.

Somehow, her eyes seemed to say, Sorry for being so loud.

“It would’ve been nice if you just said it out loud though….”

Seeing Margareta’s messy bedding and the magazine on the floor under the sofa, I felt a bit down.

Still, the tea was excellent.

“Mm.”

I poured myself another cup of tea into the empty teacup.

I drank the now lukewarm tea without sugar.

A slightly bitter taste.

By the time I finished the tea, the sugar I’d dissolved earlier had made it just sweet enough.

I tidied the table and put the teacup and teapot on the tray. If I left them like this, the steward who came twice a day would take them to be washed and return them.

‘Will we really run into each other by chance?’

I did feel a bit sorry for Margareta, but I was curious. After all, last time in the capital, didn’t we run into them too? Evan and Hawkins had said they were out to buy a flowerpot, but even so, what a coincidence!

Even before I returned in time, Cecilia always strangely bumped into those three by chance. I wondered if it was still the same now.

‘Really, what am I hoping to find out? It’s not like anything will change even if I know.’

I gazed quietly at the still-sleeping Cecilia.

Knock knock.

“Yes.”

With my answer, the door opened.

It was the steward, pushing the tray.

“Just leave it there.”

“Yes. Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you.”

The steward set out the utensils and a simple meal on the table, then left.

I bit into the warm bread.

Cecilia usually skipped breakfast, and so did I.

But before entering the Academy, I always made sure to eat. After all, you had to eat well to study all night, and Oliga would watch me with sharp eyes if I tried to skip meals.

Mm.

Now I felt my body fully relax.

After a few sips of hot milk, my whole body felt warm.

Usually, when I was sleepy in the morning, I’d eat something and it would wake me up.

Enjoying the rich, creamy scent of the egg yolk, I took a bite of crème brûlée.

Crispy and soft.

Mm.

I finished the rest in one bite and leaned back on the sofa.

‘From now on, I should eat breakfast, even if it’s just by myself.’

After breakfast, I soaked in the bath.

Today, the bathwater felt especially welcome.

I wondered if Margareta had already gone to the capital. She’d probably stop by the salon and dress up a bit more. Margareta always wore only the latest fashion when she went out.

That place that churned out custom clothes every two weeks was amazing, really.

Ugh.

My body felt like it was melting.

I was half-submerged in the water.

Should I just buy the plants and come right back? Or should I have lunch, too?

I blew bubbles, and the bathwater fizzed up around my mouth.

‘This is the last time I’ll try. Maybe I really can grow something this time!’

At least, I’d give it a shot!

I didn’t want to get my hopes up just to be disappointed again, but honestly, I was a little excited.

I’d nearly failed every time, and compared to Cecilia, or with Benjamin scolding me, I’d gotten sick of botany. But if I could just grow something well… There was no real reason to hate botany. In fact, I hated feeling like I was giving up and running away. Sometimes it’s right to give up quickly if it’s not working out.

Feeling a bit empty after coming back might be because I’d resolved to give up botany.

All through my time at the Academy, for four years straight, I’d wrestled with plants, doing everything I could to keep them alive!

At least I didn’t kill the trees—maybe that’s a relief.

Ugh. Just thinking about it made me dizzy.

Anyway!

If I stopped by  first and then had lunch, I should go somewhere Margareta wouldn’t be. I didn’t want to interrupt her date.

Thinking of Margareta made me laugh.

Given her elegant style, she’d probably choose somewhere high-class with private rooms, so if I wanted to avoid her even in the lobby, I should go somewhere Academy students frequent.

It became popular toward the end of first year, so now it probably doesn’t have many customers.

Hmm… I went there often, so I should be able to find it.

Occaaasionally, veery occasionally, I’d get lost. But I had plenty of time. What did it matter? I’d find it after a lap or two!

Shaking off these thoughts, I finished my bath and got out.

‘Ugh. What’s with my face? It looks awkward.’

I really do look different from when I was eighteen. Much younger… and my eyes seem more alive somehow?

I touched my childish face for no reason, then dried my hair.

While applying cream lightly to my face and leaving my hair to air-dry, I heard the sound of someone stirring. Glancing in the mirror, I saw Cecilia sitting up, pushing her long hair all around her shoulders.

“Uuuugh. Mmm. Liana—what time is it?”

“You’re up? It’s eleven.”

With messy hair, Cecilia brushed her hair back.

“Ah. I overslept. Liana, are you going somewhere?”

Cecilia got down from the bed and approached the dressing table.

“I’m going to the capital.”

“Why? Where?”

Cecilia grabbed my shoulder with her big, round eyes.

Hmm. If she asked to come with me with those eyes, could I say no?

“To buy a flowerpot.”

“A flowerpot?”

Cecilia’s voice rose at the end.

She seemed to be asking, ‘Didn’t you say you hated botany?’

I do! I hate it! But it’s not the subject itself I dislike… I just hated being bad at it! This is the last time I’m checking.

“I thought I’d try raising one. Miss Margareta has one, too.”

Cecilia’s face briefly darkened, then brightened.

“Then, botany…!”

“They say it’s not good to turn a hobby into your major!”

I decline to be a failing student, thank you.

“Tie it up? Or leave it down?”

Changing the subject, Cecilia seemed to forget all about majors and came over to do my hair.

“Half up?”

“Yeah.”

She quickly gathered the outer hair and tied it with a green ribbon.

The tidy young lady stared back with a slightly cold face.

I always thought my face looked kind, but seeing it now… I look pretty cold. Or maybe sullen.

Hmm. Something feels awkward—what is it?

“What are you doing today, Cecilia?”

Ah! She’s not asking to come with me? That’s unusual!

“I’m, uhm, meeting Sir Hawkins.”

“Hawkins?”

As I stood up, Cecilia stepped aside.

When I touched the wardrobe, it recognized me and unlocked with a click.

“He said he wanted to talk for a bit.”

“Really?”

Ooh… confession? The thought popped up unbidden.

Are they having lunch?

Margareta’s worries turned out pointless. Good. If Margareta were here, I probably would’ve laughed.

“Did you eat breakfast, Liana?”

“I did. I ordered yours, too. It should come up around noon.”

“Thank you!”

“Ah.”

Cecilia hugged me.

Could you not? It’s embarrassing.

I gently pushed her away.

“Ah, do you have a letter to send?”

“A letter?”

“I’m going to mail one on the way.”

“To the estate?”

“Yeah.”

Without looking at her behind me, I nodded.

Cecilia didn’t answer.

Well, true. It’s only been a few days since we came to the Academy, so who’d be writing letters already?

But somehow, since coming back, Oliga felt even more precious to me, so I’d already written her a letter.

So embarrassing! But what can I do, I have to send it.

Natura… hm, I was curious about Natura, too.

Thinking of that faded, short blond hair made me smile. I wrote a whole thank you note for the help last time, too.

I chose a thick light-green dress and a glossy navy cloak.

“Cecilia?”

Whoa!

As I picked out my clothes and turned, I almost bumped into Cecilia. She was standing right behind me, and snapped out of it with a laugh and a shake of her head.

“I haven’t written one yet.”

“Really?”

So you will, eventually.

I stepped into the small dressing room in the corner of the room, changed, and came back out.

Empire dresses left the upper chest bare, so it was chilly for the season… but they were the trend, so what could I do?

If I wore a dress up to my neck, people might tease me for dressing like an old lady.

When I finished changing, Cecilia handed me the cloak I’d picked out.

“Thank you.”

“It’s really cold today, wear a scarf too.”

“Huh?”

I imagined wearing a scarf over my cloak for a moment.

“No, I’m fine.”

I remembered being embarrassed after wearing it when Cecilia suggested it last time.

I shivered.

Even if I’m going out alone, no way!

Cecilia’s eyes grew moist at my refusal.

Let’s just pretend I didn’t notice.

“Well, I’ll be off. See you at dinner.”

“Ah! Liana.”

“Yes?”

As I put my things in the inner pocket of my cloak, I looked at Cecilia.

She hesitated for a moment.

What is it?

I waited quietly, and Cecilia finally opened her mouth.