“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to leave until the first mission is completely finished. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I will wait forever for you to find Gabrielle Blanchard. If it seems hopeless, I will cancel the mission. Naturally, I will not demand a refund of the advance payment.”
Arthur looked at me sharply, as if trying to read my intentions.
“Are you leaving alone, Duchess?”
"Yes."
“What exactly are you trying to escape from?”
“I'll leave it to your imagination. Not a hard guess.”
“……”
“I'm prepared for it to take a year or two to find Blanchard, so there's no need to rush the arrangements for my departure. Your security should be your top priority.”
Arthur may have been a criminal, but he had his own philosophy and principles.
At the very least, he was not someone to deceive or take advantage of a woman.
Moreover, it was not easy for Ethan to catch him.
If he had been, the Alvini police would have arrested him long ago.
Entrusting him with my escape was, without a doubt, the best choice I made.
I checked the time.
“Five minutes until the appointment. Father Dreyfus will soon enter the confession room. Let us meet here at the same time next week. I will hear your answer then.”
With these words, I rose from my seat.
“Wait a minute”
I turned back to Arthur.
“Who are you really?”
“Wasn't the ring I showed you an answer to that question?”
“In fact, there is only one woman in the world who owns this ring. But what I have heard about her so far does not match the impression you are giving me now.”
I laughed at Arthur's words.
“Funny to hear that from you, Baron. After all, you are someone who hides a completely different identity in the shadows behind your public persona.”
“……”
Arthur's lips twitched.
It was hard to tell if it was a smile or a frown.
I left him there and went into the confession room.
***
The next day, the ready-made dresses I ordered from the store arrived.
“So, which one will you wear to the banquet tomorrow? Cream or purple?” Lola, my maid, asked me as she lifted the two dresses.
“I don't know. Either way is fine,” I answered nonchalantly.
My head was full of thoughts about whether Nicholas would show up tomorrow as expected, whether he would wear his old uniform or something new, and how I would lead the conversation.
The two dresses I ordered were just an excuse.
Honestly, I didn't care which one to wear.
“Come on, it's a rare occasion for you to attend a banquet. Wear the dress that highlights your beauty the most.”
"Not rarely. Besides, I can always wear the other one next time. What's there to worry about?"
“But ma’am...”
Lola's face dropped slightly.
Mary, who was standing nearby, said annoyed: “Well, next time might be different, right? What if you suddenly want a different dress for the next party?”
“Then I will order a new one.”
“Okay, okay. Try them on for us, please. Once we match them with the jewelry and style your hair, I’m sure you’ll choose the most suitable one.”
At Mary's suggestion, I frowned, “Why do we have to go to this extent...”
“Because we want you to look more beautiful than anyone else, anywhere, anytime, ma’am. See? Lola was so excited to do something, but now she looks like she’s about to cry.”
Mary whispered the last part quietly.
Indeed, Lola looked very disappointed.
I sighed softly, “Okay. Do whatever you want. But I won’t move still. I will stand here.”
"Sure, ma'am. Isn't it, Lola?"
“Yes, of course. Just leave it to us, ma’am!” Lola’s eyes sparkled.
True to my previous statement, I stood still in front of the mirror, letting the maids do all the work.
I wore what they dressed me in, and allowed them to add any accessories they wanted.
At the same time, I continued to review my plans in my mind, revising and refining them.
“What do you think, ma’am? Which do you prefer, the first or the current one?”
“I don't know. “I asked you to do whatever you want.”
“But the most important thing is that you like it, ma’am. Are you sure there is nothing you prefer?”
“No, nothing.”
To be honest, I didn't even look properly.
Lola sighed as if she had finally given up. Then she and the other maids got into a heated discussion about whether to use pearls or diamonds for the necklace.
I was deep in thought when I suddenly noticed how quiet I was.
I looked up and realized that the maids, who were right next to me, had stepped back and bowed their heads.
“What are you doing?”
Mary pointed her eyes behind me.
When I turned around, I saw Ethan standing at the door.
I stared at him blankly before my eyes widened in surprise.
“…Ethan? Why are you here...when did you arrive?”
Ethan looked at me silently.
His expression was a mixture of surprise and confusion.
“Ethan?”
It wasn't until I called his name again that he seemed to snap out of it.
He stiffened slightly and shook his head.
“Are you busy?”
“Huh? No, not really...”
The maids, with their heads still bowed and hands folded, quickly left the dressing room, leaving only Ethan and me.
If I think about it, it's been a long time since I've seen him...
This was the first time since I fainted in the riding arena.
I later learned that Ethan carried me home himself in the pouring rain.
I wondered if I had been too cruel that day without knowing what he had done, and I felt a little guilty.
But apologizing after all this time would be embarrassing.
Moreover, I didn't apologize because I didn't want to.
It was a strategic decision.
Ethan was still looking at me silently, more precisely at my reflection in the full-length mirror.
At that moment, I was getting dressed and wearing some accessories, preparing to attend a banquet.
“Tomorrow I will go to a banquet at Count Linucci’s house. I was choosing between two dresses,” I explained, feeling embarrassed for no reason.
“I get it,” Ethan murmured quietly.
“Do you have something to say?”
“……”
Ethan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: “Are you feeling better now?”
“Huh?...Oh, yeah”
He must have been referring to the cold I got after being exposed to the rain.
“I'm fine now. I even went out yesterday.”
“To church?”
“Yes. Viscountess Grandbert has been volunteering at the Jena Church Orphanage for a long time. I thought it was a good cause, so I joined.”
I took the opportunity to mention what I had prepared previously.
“The children were so sweet. They had bright smiles on their faces as they hugged me; it was wonderful.”
“…Is this true?”
Ethan's expression looked strange and surprised.
“Yes. I even thought it would be nice to have a child like this.”
“……”
Ethan, who had been wandering around the room aimlessly, froze in place. He stared at me, as if he doubted he heard me right.
"I'd like to have a girl, if possible. Boys are cute too, of course, but it seems like it would be fun to dress a little girl in pretty clothes."
“……”
Ethan's facial expression became increasingly puzzled as I continued speaking.
"What?"
“No…” He shook his head again before asking, “Did you just say you wanted to have a baby?”
“Yes. Preferably a girl,” I reiterated.
If I suddenly said I wanted to adopt Elodie, it might sound weird, so I need to set it up like that first.
“……”
Ethan's face was complicated, as if he didn't know how to respond.