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Chapter : 39
Those Who Hide Secrets (1)
Do I… maybe have talent for this side of things?
Should I just switch over completely while I’m at it…? No. No! Get a grip!
Is this really the time to be thinking like that? Of course not. I don’t even have time to be standing around like this!
I needed to break free from this frozen situation somehow.
After a moment of agonizing thought, I sprang up from my seat with my arms spread wide like a gliding squirrel.
“Wow! It doesn’t hurt anymore!”
“What…?”
“Lord Bloomhire!”
Shrugging off every bewildered stare following me, I hurried over to kneel beside the physician.
“Doctor, I’m fine now, so please take a look at that person instead.”
“Sorry? Who do you mean?”
“That maid over there. Her face has been looking terrible for a while. I’m worried she’ll collapse any second.”
Only then did the physician notice the maid. He jumped to his feet and rushed toward her.
His expression turned aghast the moment he saw her complexion.
I scurried up to the physician and whispered eagerly.
“She hasn’t been well since this morning. She normally gets headaches, but today she said it felt like her head was splitting—then she started feeling dizzy. Earlier, she said everything went white in front of her eyes.”
The physician’s face turned grave at my tattling.
He immediately turned to Eclipse.
“Your Grace, I deeply apologize for misdiagnosing the patient’s condition. I have no excuse.”
He bowed deeply.
Well… technically it wasn’t a misdiagnosis, since she was faking it…
I wanted to explain, but the mood had gotten serious, so I couldn’t butt in.
Straightening again, he bowed his head slightly.
“However, Your Grace, if you permit it, I would like to examine the maid first. The patient herself has expressed the wish that the other receive treatment before her.”
I stood beside him and looked silently at Eclipse.
I had no intention of persuading him.
The Eclipse I know would absolutely give the same answer I would.
“The order is wrong.”
“…Pardon?”
Huh? That’s not the answer I expected.
Just as I blinked in confusion, Eclipse’s fierce eyes softened.
“You should’ve started examining her before worrying about me.”
“…Your Grace.”
“Go on. And there’s no need for such an apology. If blame is warranted, it’s mine as well for failing to notice the condition of my staff.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Grace!”
A bright smile spread across the physician’s face.
Since the maid was swaying from dizziness, Eclipse and I readily stepped aside.
Silently, we watched the examination from a short distance.
But all my attention was on Eclipse.
My gaze kept drifting to the side of his face.
I knew it. This is Eclipse. Just like I thought.
Feeling pleased that my thoughts aligned with his, I grinned like a fool.
Eclipse continued staring straight ahead—
but only I noticed the tips of his ears turning faintly red.
“You seem to be in a very good mood today, Saintess.”
Ash grinned at Lynette, who was practically humming.
Lessons with Lynette were always pleasant.
He taught etiquette, but he had never once been strict with her.
“Do I?”
“Yes. Did something good happen?”
“Oh, well…”
Classes were always tailored to Lynette’s condition—
which meant Ash’s lessons were practically her break time.
“Look over there. Don’t they look good together?”
Lynette leaned by the window, gazing out at the garden.
Ash followed her line of sight.
A gazebo that was usually empty was—surprisingly—occupied.
“The Duke and Lady Bloomhire?”
“Mhm.”
Lynette giggled.
“Looks like they’re taking a walk together.”
She was downright delighted.
Eclipse and Elsie, walking side by side through the garden.
When she first saw it, she thought her heart would burst.
Noticing the pair heading toward the gazebo, she immediately called a servant and ordered tea and desserts to be served.
“Ash, you know those cookies you mentioned yesterday. Are they really that good?”
“Oh, you mean the special cookies from Butter Snow?”
“Yep.”
The day after Lynette suspected there might be something between Ash and Elsie,
she had marched straight to ask Ash what had happened.
“What, the conversation I had with Lady Bloomhire? You’re curious about that?”
“Well, you seemed pretty friendly. I wondered when you two got close.”
“Haha, I’m afraid we’re not that close. We’ve only met twice.”
His story was the same as Elsie’s.
Thank goodness. I was worried there was some strange tension between them.
Luckily, Ash showed not even a speck of interest beyond courtesy.
It really had been Lynette’s imagination. She finally relaxed.
“Actually, now it’s three times,” Ash added.
“She returned a ring I dropped, so I treated her to a little tea time. Unfortunately, she finished the entire bag of cookies herself, so I didn’t get a single one.”
Lynette had sent servants to town to buy seven bags of those cookies, knowing Elsie liked them.
Ugh, what a shame. Could’ve bought more.
Butter Snow’s special cookies were limited to one pack per person.
So she sent ten servants, each instructed to buy one pack—
Only for them to sell out right before the eighth person.
She rewarded the servants with a gold coin each for their trouble.
Receiving the precious cookies, she ordered the chef to store them carefully.
She intended to collect everything Elsie liked—anything to win her favor.
“Yes, they’re excellent. Hard to get, since the release time and quantity change every day.”
“I see.”
Meaning Lynette was incredibly lucky to get seven bags.
“Good.”
Lynette recalled what had happened earlier.
She’d been enjoying her usual etiquette-class-slash-break,
when she happened to look out the window—
and nearly fainted.
Eclipse was walking in the garden.
I must be seeing things. My brother taking a stroll?
Just as she convinced herself she was imagining it—
another figure came into view.
Wait—behind him—that’s Elsie?!
What on earth?
Those two strolling together?
She had no idea why—but one thing was certain:
Do. Not. Interrupt.
She was witnessing with her own eyes the glorious sight of those two slowly growing closer.
Excited beyond belief, Lynette watched them quietly.
Where are they going?
The moment she realized they were heading toward the gazebo, she called a servant and handed over two notes:
One for the chef—prepare tea and snacks and deliver them to the gazebo.
The other, for Eclipse:
A small gesture of goodwill. Enjoy your time!
Of course, she didn’t sign it.
Eclipse would recognize her handwriting instantly.
Whether he understood the intent was another matter.
He probably won’t. He’s clueless about anything that isn’t work.
He had an uncanny eye for business—
but was hopelessly oblivious otherwise.
“For His Grace to come outside to relax… I’ve never seen such a sight.”
Ash found it baffling too.
The Eclipse he knew only ever worked through the night in his office.
He rarely left the mansion unless it was for Lynette or official duties.
But strolling—with a mere tutor?
Nothing short of extraordinary.
