Tears, thick as raindrops, spilled from Eleanor Everett's large eyes, and Kaidel's face immediately turned stricken with panic. He shifted uneasily and asked,"Were you scared?"
Eleanor shook her head."No, I wasn't scared."
But once the dam had burst, the tears would not stop. They flowed endlessly as she stood before Kaidel and wept.
Kaidel patted his pockets and chest, searching for a handkerchief. He wore only a light outfit for exercise—of course, he hadn't brought one.Damn it. Of all days…
After a moment's hesitation, he began unbuttoning his shirt. Eleanor's sobs halted in surprise.Why is he… taking off his clothes?
Kaidel thrust his shirt toward her. Eleanor looked up at him with tear-filled eyes."I don't have a handkerchief."
With the clean sleeve, he gently dabbed her tears away. Eleanor sniffled, her cheeks flushed."You don't just hand someone your clothes like that.""Blow your nose.""That's… strange…"
Still sniffling, Eleanor obeyed and blew into his shirt. Kaidel patted her head as if to say she'd done well.
Does he think I'm a child?
Perhaps because of how absurd it was, her tears soon dried up. She turned to face the glittering lake. The mirrored surface reflected the surrounding forest like glass.
The scenery was so unreal, so beautiful, that the shock of her dream slowly faded. The cool air brushing her damp cheeks cleared her head.I really did die there…
The realization struck anew. She had known it, but never dwelled on it so deeply before. When she recalled her parents' faces in that dream, her vision blurred with tears again.
If only I could tell them…That she forgave them, and begged them to forgive her too.That their wishes had all come true. That she was living in peace, loved more than anyone.That they could finally rest easy.That she had loved them, and still loved them.
Eleanor gazed at the lake for a long while before turning back. Kaidel asked softly,"Shall we head back?"
Drained from so much crying, Eleanor nodded. It was time to return to her life again."Let's go, then."
With practiced ease, he lifted her onto his horse, then mounted behind her."This time we'll go slowly."
Kaidel urged the horse forward at a gentle pace. Exhausted, Eleanor leaned against him. His warmth, and the pounding beat of his heart, pressed into her back.
She gripped his tear- and snot-stained shirt a little tighter, the cool softness tickling her palm."Kaidel.""Mm.""…Thank you. For everything."
Above her head, his quiet laugh rumbled."I know."
She thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but perhaps the horse ride lulled her. Eleanor lay down on freshly made sheets and soon fell into a deep slumber.
When she awoke, it was well past noon. The maids had set out a light meal in her room. As Eleanor stirred her soup, she cautiously asked,"Where is the Duke?"
"He took the young masters and young lady to tour the city center. Lady Siena begged to visit the market."
Handling three children alone couldn't have been easy. Eleanor tilted her head, and the maid smiled warmly."Shall I tell him you asked for him when he returns?""No need… I wouldn't want to trouble him—"
Eleanor started to refuse out of habit, then changed her mind and nodded."Actually, yes. Please tell him."
Today, she didn't feel like being alone. It was embarrassing, showing such weakness to Kaidel that morning… but she still wanted to see him.
She passed the time reading on the sofa while waiting for Kaidel and the children to return. Her posture slowly relaxed until she was lying lengthwise, as though in her own home.When will they come back?
Her eyes were growing heavy when—knock knock.
Hearing the cheerful knock, Eleanor leapt up, expecting word of the four travelers."Come in."
She assumed it was a maid. Instead, Kaidel entered, carrying a plate piled high with treats."Kaidel?"
Surprised, she stared. He answered with a faint smile."I heard you were looking for me.""Well, yes… but I was going to come to you.""Whether you come to me or I come to you, the result's the same."
Eleanor started to rise, but Kaidel shook his head."Just stay comfortable.""But—""That way, I can relax too."
At his words, Eleanor leaned back against the cushion again. Though he told her to be comfortable, Kaidel himself merely perched on the edge of the side table.
Well, it's not like he hasn't seen me in worse states before…
Still, she was a little self-conscious about her bare feet poking out from under her skirt. As she curled them in, Kaidel chuckled softly.
"What's that?" Eleanor pointed at the plate he held."Bought it at the market. They say sweets are the best cure for a bad mood."
He handed her a cookie studded thick with chocolate chunks. Eleanor accepted it without hesitation and took a large bite. The rich sweetness filled her mouth."It's delicious."
Relief washed over Kaidel's face. He had worried himself sick about her all day.
Eleanor turned to him."Did the children behave? Were you able to manage on your own?""Of course not. Halfway through, I just carried Siena and Lucas. If I put them down, who knows where they'd run off to.""That must have been tough. You should've woken me—I could've helped.""I wanted you to rest. You traveled so far at dawn, and with your poor stamina, it would've been too much."
Poor stamina. Eleanor pressed her lips together, unable to argue. She had, after all, collapsed into hours of sleep.
"You're leaving tomorrow. Best to rest today.""I can't believe a whole week has passed already.""Nor can I."
Tomorrow, Eleanor, Siena, and Lucas would return to the capital. A week had felt long, but in the blink of an eye, it was over. She hid her faint disappointment by staring off.
"Eat."
Sensing the air growing heavy, Kaidel quickly handed her another cookie. Eleanor accepted it."When will you and Damian return?""Perhaps in two weeks. His exam is soon, so we'll hurry as much as possible."
Munching on her cookie, Eleanor nodded."In the meantime, I thought I might paint Damian's portrait."
Her eyes lit up."I'd love to see it when it's done. How long does it usually take to finish a portrait?""You've never painted one?"She shook her head."Neither Dwight nor I are very fond of such things.""It would be nice to have at least one.""Oh—though, come to think of it, I do have one. When I was little, I sat for a portrait at the Blake Marquisate."
Kaidel's brows furrowed."At the Marquisate?""Yes. I don't remember well, but I think I tagged along on a visit and ended up included."
Kaidel muttered, handing her a small pastry."You must be very close to the young marquis.""I suppose so.""Enviable."
There was a trace of jealousy and wistfulness in his voice. Eleanor hastily added,"I think you and I have become quite close too."A faint smile tugged at Kaidel's lips."Do you?""Aren't we?""We are."
He studied her intently—her mouth chewing nonstop, the book she clutched though she wasn't reading. Everything about her seemed dear."But I'd like us to grow even closer."
He noticed a crumb at the corner of her mouth."Hold still a moment.""What?"
He leaned forward and gently brushed the crumb away. His touch was careful, tender, almost like caring for a child.
Eleanor's face burned. She stammered excuses, unable to meet his gaze."I don't usually eat so messily.""Mm.""I'm not spoiled, either. I wasn't like that as a child.""Is that so?"
He responded indulgently, as if simply charmed."I'm usually well-mannered. I don't laze around greeting guests like this.""I know. I told you to rest."
His ready acknowledgment gave her confidence."The only reason I'm acting spoiled is because of you, Kaidel.""My fault?""You've been far too indulgent. You should've drawn the line. If you accept everything, I'll only grow spoiled.""That sounds promising."
Eleanor whispered, her face aflame,"…So don't take it the wrong way."
Kaidel's heart dropped with a thud. Her flushed cheeks were unbearably lovely."I won't. Quite the opposite—I'm glad. It makes me feel like I've become someone you can trust."
She met his gaze. His once-cold blue eyes now held only her."When it's hard, you can lean on me. In fact, with just a few letters, I could line up plenty of people eager to support you."
Eleanor gave a small laugh."What kind of talk is that?""It means you don't have to bear everything alone."
He set the half-empty plate on the table beside them and added, almost casually,"But if you must lean on someone, I'd prefer it be me.""…Just eat your cookie."
Flustered, Eleanor pushed a cookie against his lips. But as her fingers brushed, she felt the warmth of his mouth. His lips lightly caught her fingertips.
!
Their eyes met. Kaidel's mouth curved in a mischievous smile. Eleanor jerked her hand back, blushing from head to toe."Thanks for the treat."
His voice was thick with laughter."…Do as you like."
She pretended composure, reopening her book. But not a single word would sink in.Not one.
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