Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 145
The relationship between House Rosencrantz and House Lope became more solidified due to the rampant monsters in the western regions.
The Sutton Archipelago, located on the western coast, was a major source of income for House Lope. The special industry of this archipelago thrived alongside the history of the Lope family, which prospered through the management of western colonies.
However, the western seas were currently blocked by the monster-infested island of Gatpolla.
Therefore, there were only two ports that House Lope could use as a stopping point: the Rosencrantz Port and the Odridge Port.
The Odridge Port in the north, governed by House Odridge, could not be freely used by House Lope due to a debt owed by Viscountess Lope to Viscountess Odridge.
Naturally, House Lope became dependent on House Rosencrantz. In fact, they were more desperate for a close relationship with House Rosencrantz than with Lasphilla.
‘Although Viscountess Lope is close with Guinevere, Nigel—the heir apparent—is not very close to House Lope. Considering the future, it’s understandable they want to establish a connection there.’
Even if it means approaching his lover.
Cecilia raised an eyebrow as she turned away. Soon, Mary returned, and she boarded the carriage.
* * *
As soon as Cecilia returned, Guinevere took out her pocket watch. After checking the time, she asked Cecilia,
“Did you enter the mansion?”
“Yes.”
“Did you secure the place?”
“Yes.”
“What did Viscountess Lope say to you?”
“She said this would be the last invitation.”
“Alright.”
Cecilia thought Guinevere would sneer and mock her. But Guinevere remained expressionless.
She instructed her maid to bring tea and sat by the drawing room window. With a gesture, she indicated for Cecilia to sit opposite her.
As they waited for the tea, Guinevere began to speak, looking out at the undimming landscape through the window.
“The world is harsh, and your birth is a weakness, so no one will like you at first sight.”
“……”
“Therefore, you must constantly create reasons why even those who don’t like you can’t discard you.”
Just then, the maid brought the tea. Cecilia sipped the slightly cooled tea to soothe her parched throat.
“Yes,” she answered briefly.
Guinevere sighed, fiddling with the chain of her spectacles.
“You don’t even know how to be charming.”
“……”
“Ulysses is so cold that I wanted to have a daughter at least once, but looking at you, I’m glad I didn’t.”
Cecilia took another sip of her tea awkwardly. After a long pause, Guinevere glanced at her.
“Don’t be moved. I’m one of those who don’t like you.”
Cecilia pondered for a moment before replying.
“Yes.”
At her concise answer, Guinevere’s eyes widened.
“No, I actually dislike you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“I said I dislike you.”
“I know.”
Cecilia added with a bright smile,
“But you have reasons why you can’t discard me.”
Guinevere stared at her in silence for a moment before pointing to the door with her index finger.
Cecilia was dismissed. She thought it was a perfectly timed command since she was getting tired of this little teatime.
As she walked to the room at the end of the corridor, it would have been a perfect timing if she hadn’t met a displeased face.
“……”
“……”
A man, bringing the outdoor air with him, stood in front of Cecilia. He neither passed her nor stepped aside.
He stared at her with a face that had slightly more prominent cheekbones than before. His usually calm eyes were wide with surprise, as if he hadn’t expected her to be there.
Cecilia, finding it hard to ignore him standing there blankly, raised one corner of her mouth and greeted him.
“It’s been a while, Ulysses.”
* * *
The spring social season was a meeting place for young men and women of marriageable age who gathered in the capital from all over the country.
So it was natural for Ulysses, who was nineteen this year, to come to the capital instead of staying in the Rosencrantz territory.
However, his attire was a bit different from before. Instead of the frock coat symbolizing gentlemen, he wore a duffle coat that reached his knees and a cape-like shawl that ended at his elbows.
It was the symbol of a Mannheim Academy student.
‘Guinevere wasn’t just blindly trying to elevate her son.’
Mannheim Academy wasn’t a place where anyone could enter just because they were a noble, nor was it a place that any commoner could easily access. It was the very opposite of an elitist institution.
