Chapter 150
After finishing her meal with Alfred, Eugenie headed to the next room, where she found Elaine devouring her share of the meat with gusto. The window was open, so there was no doubt Elaine had overheard their conversation.
“How about it? After observing Percival and Alfred, did you get the sense either of them was lying?”
“Neither of them gave off any sense of deceit. I don’t think you need to doubt those two.”
“Hm.”
That meant only Cassius, Carter, and Napier remained. As she left with Elaine into the hallway, Eugenie mentally ticked off the remaining schedule on her fingers.
‘I’m having dinner with Cassius tonight…’
Carter’s got the entire morning tomorrow reserved, and after that, Napier…
“Norton. Why are you wandering around so much?”
“Oh, Napier.”
Eugenie stammered awkwardly as she spotted her husband approaching from the other end of the hall. It might be considered casual attire for him, but compared to his perfectly tailored suit, what about her…?
‘Ah, crap. I did it again and wore this.’
She was suddenly self-conscious about the daisy-embroidered blouse she had on beneath her lab coat. She found herself glancing at the clock tower outside, pretending to be interested in anything but her outfit.
“Napier, isn’t it not your scheduled time yet?”
“Factoring in the time you spend wandering around instead of just heading to your room, it makes sense to come out to meet you about now.”
“…”
Eugenie pouted at his pointed remark about her lack of punctuality. For a brief moment, she even wondered, ‘Did he come early just to see me?’ But she brushed the thought aside.
‘No way. And there’s no need to say I’d change just for him.’
She’d met Percival just fine, and Alfred hadn’t said a word about her outfit. That was good enough.
“Fine, Napier. Escort me then.”
Eugenie lifted her chin with pride.
She had spent the morning with Percival, lunch with Alfred, and now had her afternoon with Napier. Because she was so busy, their outing wasn’t anything grand—just a walk around the Ducal estate’s gardens.
Eugenie placed her hand on Napier’s arm, glancing around somewhat awkwardly.
She’d walked here with Percival, but somehow, with Napier, the scenery felt more noticeable. Even though it wasn’t her own estate (even if Percival claimed it was, with a whimper), she worried Napier might find it lacking compared to the latest styles in the capital.
‘If he starts comparing this place to capital estates, I won’t have a clue what to say…’
Maybe she should have planned a different activity instead of a walk?
Meanwhile, Magnus looked down at her, quirking his lips. Maybe he’d had too much coffee today, as he seemed restless.
Eugenie’s messy hair bounced with each step; it had probably been neatly styled by the servants in the morning, only for her to redo it herself while working.
‘She’s got no talent with her hands. Or with her feet, judging by how she dances…’
But that was what made her ‘her’. Trying to force Eugenie into a set mold would make her someone else entirely.
Naturally, Eugenie noticed his lingering gaze. She puckered her lips, duck-like, and asked,
“What? Do you hate the view so much, Count Napier? Is it so beneath your standards you can’t even look?”
“Hah. If it was to meet my standards, this place has a long way to go.”
“Sorry I couldn’t take you somewhere prettier.”
“I never said this place wasn’t beautiful.”
Magnus closed his eyes with a sigh.
“If something else catches my eye, I tend to focus on that first.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.