GAVAF 19

Chapter 19

“Is that a letter from my brother?”

I murmured as I saw Vera coming in holding an envelope.

After visiting the orphanage, I had spent peaceful days tending the garden, eating with Father, or having tea time with Vera. Occasionally, Haren-oppa sent me letters, and replying to them was a small joy.

“Young Lady, Miss Seaira has sent you a letter.”

“What? Seaira did?”

I jumped to my feet in surprise, and Vera hurried over to hand me the letter.

In the original story, Harna and Seaira stuck together like twins. But ever since the tea party, Seaira had completely stopped contacting me, which had been strange. Worried that something might have happened to her, I had sent a letter—but no reply had come.

So my heart fluttered as I opened the long-awaited letter from my friend.

[Lady Harna Jurun,
Have you been well? I have been ill and away resting. I received your letter late, so please understand my delayed response.
I have recovered greatly and now wish to visit the March estate because I miss you.
Would you be so kind as to invite me?
Awaiting your reply.
Seaira Poron]

“So she didn’t contact me because she was sick… I knew it.”

I murmured as I finished reading.

“Shall I prepare writing materials?”

“Yes.”

Vera set paper and a quill on the desk.

I sat down happily. Of course I would welcome her visit. I picked up the quill and wrote a reply, choosing a date for her to come.

“Let’s send the letter right away and prepare to welcome her.”

“Yes, my lady.”

I thought about buying fragrant tea, snacks to pair with it, and a prettier tablecloth. There wasn’t much time.

Organizing the shopping list in my head, I headed to the shopping district with a lively step I hadn’t felt in a while.

Folding Harna’s letter—the one filled with a cheerful welcome—Seaira muttered,

“Is she clueless, or pretending to be?”

She held the letter delicately between her thumb and index finger, as though touching something filthy.

“No… she probably isn’t thinking at all.”

Holding the letter to a flickering candle flame, she set it alight and tossed it aside. Watching it burn into ash, her expression was unreadable.

A week later, at the appointed time of Seaira’s arrival, I went out to greet her.

Soon a carriage bearing the Poron family crest stopped before the manor, and with the escort of a knight, Seaira alighted.

Seeing her slightly pale complexion, I rushed over.

“Lady Poron, it’s been a while! Are you feeling well?”

“I am well. Thank you for allowing my visit.”

Her gentle bow made my heart ache a little.

“You’re my friend—you’re always welcome. Come in.”

I guided her inside, worried her fragile frame might collapse.

Matching her careful, delicate steps, we walked through the garden when she smiled softly.

“The garden is beautiful.”

“Really? I’m so happy you think so. Actually, I decorated it after being inspired by the Poron estate’s garden.”

I replied bashfully.

We passed through the garden to the tea room where the maids and I had prepared a tea table.

“I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste. I ordered this tea and these cookies especially because you were visiting.”

Seaira lifted the teacup, recognizing the fashionable design. She smelled the aroma, then took a sip, and smiled.

“The fragrance is wonderful.”

“I’m glad.”

Relieved, I smiled and lifted my own cup.

“Oh my, what’s that sparkling on your wrist?”

Just then, I noticed something faintly shining on her slender arm. Seeing where I was looking, she pulled up her sleeve to show me the bracelet.

“How pretty!”

A blue gem matching her eye color glimmered with a soft magical light. Even after the bracelet moved, faint afterimages of light lingered around her wrist.

“My father made it for me. He gifted it to me because I was unwell. It holds healing power. Would you like to see it?”

“Is it alright for me to look at something so precious?”

“Of course. We’re dear friends, aren’t we?”

She handed it to me, and I carefully placed it on my palm. Tiny beads of light flowed from the gem and scattered over my hand.

I stared at the warm, mystical bracelet for a long moment before returning it.

“Thank you. It was beautiful.”

Seaira smiled as she slipped it back on and took another sip of tea.

Magic was truly amazing.

After her tea party, I’d looked into her background a bit.

Her father, Count Poron, was said to be a 5-class mage skilled in crafting magical artifacts. To someone like me, who only had a knightly father and brother, he was shrouded in wonder. To think he could infuse magic into gemstones…

Seeing it in person felt even more mystical. I thought about buying a magic item for myself next time I went to town, and continued chatting with Seaira.

She shared gossip she’d heard even during her convalescence, and I listened cheerfully.

“So… you haven’t received a single invitation since my tea party?”

“Yes. Well… it can’t be helped.”

Whether it was because the old Harna had such a violent reputation, or because I’d made an unknown mistake at the tea party, I couldn’t be sure.

Still, I had regained trust and spent more time with my family, so it wasn’t so bad.

But Seaira looked at me with pity, then placed her hand over mine.

“I should’ve cared more about you… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that. I’m just glad you came.”

When I squeezed her kind hand, she smiled.

“Forgive me for interrupting, but may I check my dress for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Saying one needed to “check a dress” was the noble way of saying they were going to the restroom. I nodded and signaled to Vera.

“Vera, would you escort Lady Poron to the powder room?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Vera bowed and approached. Seaira smiled at me and left with her maid.

A little while later, she returned. Since no one else was around, I was munching on cookies, but quickly swallowed when she came in.

We resumed chatting. But mid-conversation, I noticed something missing from her wrist.

“Lady Poron, did you take off your bracelet?”

“Oh! I must have forgotten it when I washed my hands. I’ll go get it.”

“You’re going yourself?”

“Yes. It’s precious—I should retrieve it personally.”

‘She showed me that precious thing so trustingly?’

Feeling touched, I rose from my seat.

“I’ll come with yo—”

“It’s alright. But may I take your maid with me? It’ll be easier to find if someone helps.”

“Really? Then… Vera, could you go with her?”

Vera bowed and followed Seaira and her maid back toward the powder room.

I remained alone, nibbling cookies as I waited, though worry flickered in my mind* * *

The three walked in silence.

Leading them, Seaira’s expression was utterly blank—so unlike the one she showed Harna. Behind her walked her maid, Aline, and a short distance back, Vera.

When they reached the powder room, Seaira went inside to look for the bracelet. A moment later, she came out frowning.

“I thought I set it down while washing my hands, but I don’t see it. Could you both help search?”

“Yes.”

Both maids replied simultaneously and began searching.

Watching them, Seaira’s lips curled into a long smirk.

‘Vera, was it? Whatever happens next… it’s all because of your mistress.’

Smack!

Exactly the sound she’d been waiting for.

Hearing skin hitting skin, Seaira altered her expression and stepped into the restroom.

Vera was on the floor clutching her cheek, and Aline, face red with anger, was towering over her.

“What’s going on? Aline, why are you—attacking Lady Jurun’s maid?”

Seaira asked, feigning innocent shock.

Aline pointed furiously at Vera.

“That lowly girl dared to steal your bracelet, my lady!”

“What?”

“I suspected her and questioned her, but she denied it, so a small scuffle happened. And then—your bracelet came out of her pocket!”

Vera, startled into clarity, turned to Seaira, knelt, and pleaded.

“That’s not true, my lady! I never stole your bracelet. There must be some mistake—ah!”

Before she could finish, her head slammed onto the floor—Aline had kicked her.

Looking proud, Aline said,

“Please don’t worry, Lady Seaira. This girl will pay dearly for stealing something so precious from you.”

“Aline.”

Their eyes met.

Then, like a perfect reflection, identical smiles formed on the faces of the mistress and her maid.

“Why are they taking so long?”

It felt like ages. Just as I set down my cookie and was about to stand—

“Young Lady!”

The door burst open without a knock, and a maid around Vera’s age ran in.

“What is the meaning of this? Such manners!”

Even if I’d mellowed, I wouldn’t tolerate rudeness. I raised my voice. But the maid ignored it, dropped to her knees, and bowed deeply.

“I will accept any punishment. Please—please save Vera! Right now Vera… Vera is—!”

“Speak clearly. What happened to her?”

What situation could possibly require saving Vera—who had only gone to help look for a bracelet?

“H-hic! Vera… Lady Seaira’s maid is beating her. If it keeps going… she might die—”