Chapter 65…
Cynthia blinked in surprise as Dale suddenly appeared right in front of her.
What are you… doing right now?
Before she could say anything, Dale covered her mouth, speaking in a voice so low that only she could hear.
“I have something to tell you regarding that matter. May I come to your room for a moment?”
Still with his hand over her mouth, Cynthia could only nod dumbly. Once she gave permission, Dale removed his hand and turned away as if nothing had happened.
Cynthia stood frozen for a moment, then quietly followed after him.
“You didn’t have to cover my mouth like that.”
“I admit that was an overreaction. But I couldn’t take any chances.”
His expression remained unreadable.
“After all, this is the Bailey estate.”
“Ah…”
At his words, a chill ran through Cynthia’s chest.
Right. This was the Bailey mansion—the place Dale himself didn’t fully trust. A place where she couldn’t let her guard down, not even after the contract with the Duke of Castleton had been so suspiciously and easily annulled.
Still, she forced away the uneasy feeling rising inside her. If there was nothing she could do about it now, all she wanted was to leave this place as quickly as possible.
“I don’t have as much luggage as I thought.”
Cynthia muttered while stuffing her belongings into a bag in the room she had been using at the Bailey estate.
A few changes of clothes, toiletries, and a single pair of shoes—that was all she owned.
The rest belonged to Elizabeth, or had been purchased by the Bailey family. She didn’t want to take any of those things with her.
“All right, please have a seat.”
Dale, who had been helping her pack, motioned to the bed.
When Cynthia sat down, he pulled up a chair to sit near her and began to speak.
“Tomorrow morning, when you take the carriage, get off near the edge of the Bailey estate. Then immediately transfer to another carriage.”
“Huh? Why? The Bailey carriage is really comfortable! I was planning to enjoy it one last time—eat a big breakfast too since it’ll be my final meal here.”
Dale’s face showed clear exasperation, but Cynthia ignored it.
“I haven’t heard any official notice about your return.”
“What do you mean? Do you need to know everything?”
“Normally, yes. Matters concerning you have always fallen under my supervision.”
Cynthia recalled the burned-down thatched cottage and the new brick house Dale had arranged for her. Come to think of it, he had also handled her contract and training.
“Hmm… So you’re saying you haven’t been informed only about my return?”
“Correct. Which is why I’m… a little uneasy.”
Normally, she would have joked—something like, What’s the big deal about my return? Don’t tell me you’ve lost the Duke’s trust?
But his serious expression made anxiety stir within her instead.
It was the same suspicion she had felt when they’d signed the dissolution papers with the Duke of Castleton.
“Don’t tell me… you think the Duke of Castleton is plotting something?”
“You’ve grown quite a bit during your time here, it seems. No longer the naive, gullible girl you once were.”
“…Are you insulting me right now?”
“Anyway, we should get you out of the Baileys’ reach as soon as possible.”
Wow, nice subject change.
Cynthia shot him a small glare before relaxing again.
“I get it. You think it’s suspicious how easily the Duke let me go, right? Maybe it’s nothing, but it’s better to be careful.”
“That’s more or less correct.”
“More or less”? What kind of answer is that…
Suppressing a grumble, Cynthia nodded.
“All right. I’ll get off the carriage as soon as we leave the estate. I won’t tell anyone where I’m going. I’ll live quietly for a few years, staying out of sight from the Baileys. Satisfied?”
“…”
Dale didn’t reply—he just stared at her silently.
“W-What?”
She frowned.
Dale only shook his head and stood.
“It’s nothing. You’ve been through a lot. Pretending to be Lady Elizabeth, and… spending time with me.”
“Oh, no, I—”
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll be assisting the Duke at the monthly council meeting. I won’t have time to see you off, so… consider this my farewell.”
Farewell? Cynthia’s expression fell.
As annoying as Dale could be, they had spent a long time together—long enough to build both fondness and irritation. He had quietly helped her in many ways, even arranging a house for her to live in after she left.
She really was grateful.
“Dale… I never said this before, but thank you for everything.”
Cynthia’s voice was sincere.
It was hard not to feel emotional now that this was truly goodbye.
“It wasn’t always easy, but because of you, I managed to survive in the Bailey mansion. That’s the truth.”
“Well, I found your stay… refreshingly entertaining.”
“Maybe… once the Baileys forget about me someday—could we meet again?”
Her voice trembled with emotion, but Dale immediately shook his head.
“No. I have no desire to earn the Baileys’ disfavor. I plan to work here for a long time. So stop being sentimental and just go.”
“Ah… okay.”
Ugh…
Her warmth toward him evaporated instantly.
What a talent he has—snapping me out of my emotions in seconds!
Feeling awkward, Cynthia strode across the room and opened the door wide.
“Well then, thank you for everything, Dale!”
“I wish you safety until the end, Cynthia.”
With a simple farewell, Dale gave her one last glance. His lips moved as if to say something more—but he stopped himself and left without looking back.
Silence quickly filled the room.
Cynthia sighed.
“Hmm…”
Goodbyes always carried a certain weight of sadness.
She shook her head briskly.
“No time to get sentimental! I need to plan what to do next!”
Just as she turned to look for paper to jot down her plans, a sudden thought struck her.
“Oh right! I forgot to say goodbye to Violet! It’s too late now… maybe I can catch her tomorrow morning?”
Looking around the large, ornate room, she suddenly realized—
This was her last night in the grand Bailey mansion.
“Maybe I should take one last luxurious bath… It’s not like I’ll see a bathtub again anytime soon…”
Her gaze swept over the sculptures and paintings decorating the walls.
When would she ever see such beauty again?
“Maybe I shouldn’t sleep at all tonight and just explore the mansion one last time…”
As her mind wandered through silly, impossible thoughts, her steps gradually slowed.
And then—she stopped completely.
Her gaze landed on a tightly closed door.
Then… maybe… I could take one last look at Elizabeth’s room…?
Creak…
Cynthia slowly pushed open the door.
Peering inside, she saw the room exactly as she remembered from the time she’d gotten lost and wandered in by mistake.
The soft rug, the tall bookshelves, the grand bed, and that subtle, luxurious fragrance that filled the air.
Moving carefully, like a thief, she slipped inside and quietly closed the door behind her. Then she looked up toward the ceiling.
It was somewhere around here…
Between the wooden beams supporting the ceiling—something had glimmered.
“Could it be some jewelry Elizabeth hid when she was alive…?”
Cynthia murmured under her breath as she scanned the ceiling.
If it’s a jewel… maybe I can take it and use it as my starting capital?
“Ah!”
Her quiet search was rewarded.
“There it is!”
As sunlight streamed in through the large window, something between the beams caught the light—
and shimmered brilliantly.
