Chapter 18
They stayed like that for a while.
At some point, her sobbing subsided, replaced by the occasional sniffle.
“…Sniff. I’m okay now.”
With an embarrassed expression, Adelaide gently pushed Killian away. As the warmth of her body left his arms, Killian felt a faint sense of regret.
“Really? You can stay like this a little longer if you want.”
“No.”
Rubbing her swollen, reddened eyes, Adelaide forced a small smile.
“It can’t be helped. Rose can’t live alone in an empty house, after all. But before she left, she sent me a letter. I’m going to treasure it forever.”
“…A letter.”
Killian repeated the word under his breath. His gaze flicked briefly toward the jewelry box on her vanity.
“You know, Killi. I’m really going to study hard. I’ll become a proper lady that Madame Shirley recognizes, and then I’ll go see Rose. Father said if I earn Madame Shirley’s approval, I’ll be allowed to go anywhere.”
“I see. I hope that day comes soon.”
Killian nodded lightly as he watched her, full of determination.
When Adelaide stepped out of the room for a moment, Killian moved. Quietly, he approached the vanity.
The antique jewelry box sitting atop it had been a gift from the countess.
Since Adelaide was still young and owned no truly valuable jewelry, the box had instead become a place for the things she treasured most.
Inside, the hairpins, necklaces, and earrings Killian had given her were neatly arranged, not a speck of dust upon them.
But there were other things too.
A pressed-flower bookmark Roem had made for her. A ribbon from the count. And, the letter and sash from that girl.
Rose.
“…This won’t do.”
He murmured softly. He had overlooked it once. But twice? That was different.
A place meant to hold what was precious, should not contain anything given by others. The gifts from Roem and the count bothered him, but he ignored them.
Instead, he picked up the most irritating item. The pale blue sash.
Without hesitation, he tossed it into the fireplace. It caught almost instantly, crackling softly before losing its shape, vanishing into ash.
The letter would be dealt with through the count. With that thought, Killian closed the jewelry box as though nothing had happened.
In the quiet room, he glanced around once more. Then clicked his tongue.
“…Who exactly gave her permission to go looking for that girl?”
To grow so attached after meeting only once, what a shameless little pet. Truly troublesome.
“This just means I’ll have to pay more attention.”
If she picked up something carelessly and it harmed her, that would be unacceptable. Adelaide should live on nothing but what he gave her.
At least, until he grew bored of her.
If he wanted to prevent her from forming connections on her own, calling them ‘friends’, then it was best to cut it off at the root.
From that day on, Adelaide’s already small world shrank further. Until it consisted of nothing but the Eport estate.
No matter how hard she studied, Madame Shirley was never satisfied. If anything, she grew harsher.
“Honestly, you are quite a slow learner. At this rate, you will only bring disgrace upon the honorable House of Eport. Perhaps you should try taking this more seriously, Lady Eport.”
“…I’m sorry, Madame Shirley.”
“Let me be frank. This house was never meant for someone like you. Born a commoner, becoming a count’s daughter? It’s absurd. You would do well to be content with living in luxury, rather than pretending to be a true noble lady.”
“…Yes. You’re right, Madame Shirley. I’m sorry. I’ll try harder.”
“Do not think ill of me. What is wrong is your birth, not my teaching. I am merely fulfilling my duty. Surely the count shares my thoughts. Otherwise, he would have dismissed me long ago.”
She asked for little. Only that Adelaide refrain from going out, until she learned to behave like a proper noble lady.
No one stood on Adelaide’s side. No one, except Roem.
And that truth slowly wore her down. No matter how hard she tried, it felt as though there was something she could never overcome.
Something she had been born with.
Time piled upon time. Seasons passed over her like layers.
Autumn’s golden leaves gave way to falling snow, which melted into blooming flowers, again, and again.
Six years passed like that.
And still, Adelaide remained as ‘Killi’s’ friend.
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