Chapter 41
Anne made up her mind. Life here had truly been happy. The little hardship she had experienced had been because of herself, and all the happiness had been thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Avery.
Besides, whatever the reason, hadn’t Logan’s attitude changed a little as well? At this point, she had no reason to complain.
“I’m really fine. His Highness has been treating me better than before too…”
Catherine narrowed her eyes as if measuring her. Slightly flushed cheeks. Lips puffed in a faint pout. Anne avoided her gaze, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.
A smile formed at the corners of Catherine’s mouth. Wanting more had simply been a mother’s greed. Only now did she realize that it was time to let her youngest daughter leave her embrace.
“Yes. Our youngest really has grown up.”
Anne lowered her eyes awkwardly. It seemed her mother had misunderstood something, but it was probably better to let her misunderstand. Anne didn’t bother to deny it.
Whatever her mother was thinking, it was absolutely, absolutely a misunderstanding. For some reason, her face felt hot. Anne fanned herself for no reason.
* * *
Tea parties, music gatherings, reading circles, even balls. Every week, the Avery household received a large number of invitations. In the past, half were addressed to Duchess Avery and half to Lady Avery. But recently, far more had been arriving for Anne Agnes. There wasn’t a noble who didn’t know that her marriage to the prince was just around the corner.
But Anne declined every invitation. She had only shown her face occasionally before as a sort of proof of being alive, and now she sent refusal letters across the board. Duke Avery had advised that it would be best to refrain from outside activities until the wedding date was officially set.
Still, wouldn’t it be fine to have tea with close friends at least? Just as she, growing bored, was about to write a letter, a guest arrived without notice. Anne hurried downstairs to the drawing room.
“Marilyn!”
Anne called out brightly the moment she opened the door. Marilyn, who was sitting on the sofa, gave an awkward smile. Beaming, Anne quickly sat down across from her.
“How have you been? What brings you here all of a sudden? Did you come alone?”
“Yeah…”
“I’m glad you came. We just got some good tea, let’s drink it together.”
Anne was simply happy to see her friend after so long. The maids hurried to serve tea. At the Young Miss’s eager insistence, a full spread of sweets was brought out as well.
Unlike Anne’s warm welcome, Marilyn’s complexion seemed somewhat dark. Did she have something on her mind? As soon as the maids withdrew, Anne spoke carefully.
“Is something wrong?”
If there was a problem, she wanted to help. It wasn’t only because of the guilt of having taken the male lead. Whatever the reason she had approached her at first, Anne and Marilyn had grown close over a long time. Just as the people of the Avery family were her real family, Marilyn was her real friend.
Even at Anne’s kindness, Marilyn hesitated for a long time before speaking. At last, she opened her mouth.
“Anne, you know…”
“Yeah, tell me.”
Anne quickly straightened her posture. She even leaned forward, as if listening intently. Marilyn lowered her head and continued.
“A while ago… I saw you and His Highness in the shopping district.”
“I saw you too! You should’ve said hello.”
Anne’s eyes lit up with delight. She hadn’t been mistaken after all. But Marilyn still couldn’t meet her gaze. Tilting her head to the side in confusion, Anne asked,
“What is it…?”
What could it be. Had something happened that day? She couldn’t think of anything.
Marilyn suddenly raised her head. Her eyes were resolute, as if she had made up her mind. Startled, Anne flinched. She had never seen Marilyn like this before. At last, Marilyn spoke in a trembling voice.
“Anne… do you love him?”
“Huh?”
Caught completely off guard, Anne’s eyes widened. Him… she must be talking about Logan. Love, huh. She had never even thought about something like that. But for some reason, she couldn’t answer easily. Strangely, either answer felt like a lie.
Marilyn gave a bitter smile.
“His Highness couldn’t answer either.”
Anne’s eyes shook violently. When had they had a conversation like that? Probably on the day of Anne Agnes’s coming-of-age ceremony. A surge of betrayal rose inside her. Not toward Marilyn for asking her fiancé behind her back, but toward Logan, who had never shown any sign of it.
Leaving the confused Anne behind, Marilyn continued calmly.
“I know this is presumptuous… but can two people like that really be happy if they marry?”
“No, it’s not presumptuous. I don’t think that.”
Anne waved her hands. If someone else had said it, it might have sounded different. But Marilyn would never say something like that with ill intent. Even in this twisted world, she alone had always remained the same.
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