Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 148
“I don’t want to.”
“Oh, really? Alright.”
Cecilia accepted it smoothly.
‘I wasn’t expecting much anyway.’
Indeed, Ulysses Rosencrantz wouldn’t introduce her to his acquaintances. Didn’t he find her embarrassing?
‘He didn’t even like playing together. Why would he introduce me?’
It was the expected answer. Therefore, she wasn’t disappointed.
…Bang!
Cecilia closed the door and went inside.
Their reunion ended in a cold war.
As always.
* * *
Ulysses looked at the tightly closed door and pondered.
Should he regret this now?
Does he regret it?
‘Not at all.’
He had no intention whatsoever of introducing his friends to Cecilia. Since that was his genuine feeling, he couldn’t lie just to continue a brief conversation.
‘Friends…’
They weren’t very close, but fairly familiar. However,
‘They’re all men.’
Introduce her? Absolutely not.
He had no regrets.
* * *
Caroline did not particularly like her family’s townhouse. While she enjoyed the bustling and glamorous atmosphere of the capital, she disliked the townhouse’s cramped and noisy feel.
Due to the one-way corridors, she constantly ran into Bernarda, her guardian and housekeeper.
Moreover, this time Margaret had come along as well. Upon hearing that the Pierce Duchy’s ball allowed children over ten, she had insisted on coming.
“Margaret! Please, stop running around!”
In the Lasphilla townhouse, there were no separate quarters for children. Caroline felt like she was developing a neurosis because Margaret, in the room next to hers, would constantly jump around.
“Why are you so boisterous for a lady?”
“……”
Margaret held a paper airplane in her hand and pouted. Seeing the airplane, Caroline rubbed her forehead.
“For heaven’s sake, that’s something boys play with! Why don’t you play with dolls instead?”
“If I play with dolls, will you play with me?”
“Sorry, but I’m too old for that.”
“I’m bored…”
“Why did you insist on coming here then? Even if you can attend the ball, you’ll have to stay in the children’s room all day.”
“……”
“You insisted on coming, so at least don’t be a nuisance.”
Caroline had become particularly irritable lately. She had always been somewhat nagging, but her tone had grown harsher and sharper over time.
“If you’re so bored, play with your friends. There must be other children from the central region who came here like you.”
Caroline shook her head as she passed by her sister. She was dressed in her outing clothes.
“Are you going out? Where to? The boutique?”
Margaret’s eyes sparkled.
“That’s tomorrow.”
“Then for a walk? Can I come too…”
“Margaret.”
Caroline forced a smile and looked back at her sister.
“If you ask that one more time, I’ll send you back in a night carriage.”
“……”
Caroline linked arms with Louise, who was waiting outside with a parasol, and left.
Margaret plopped down in the hallway and muttered.
“Why is it always me?”
* * *
As she stepped outside, the sunlight broke beautifully over her wide-brimmed hat. The open air made her feel much better.
But soon her expression hardened.
“Madame, is this the right decision?”
She was heading to see Ulysses. She thought she had completely given up on him, but hearing that he was in the capital made her feet move on their own.
“Your feelings are more important than the decision, Miss.”
“I… I’m not sure.”
Her cheeks flushed, but hesitation clouded her eyes.
“If you’re that unsure, shall we go back?”
“……”
Caroline hesitated before shaking her head.
“No. I’ll at least have a conversation.”
She hadn’t had the chance to speak openly with Ulysses yet. There had been no opportunity.
She believed that the end to their engagement was against their wishes. Now that some time had passed, maybe it could be reversed.
If she had considered Nathan even a little, she wouldn’t have thought this way. But from her perspective, considering the interests of both families, there was still hope.
* * *
The townhouse of the Rosencrantz Marquisate was larger than that of Lasphilla.
Caroline entered, thinking that she would like to live in such a townhouse someday.
Guinevere, always a social butterfly, was out, leaving only Ulysses and Cecilia.
Caroline’s face unintentionally stiffened at the sight of Cecilia, but she smiled at Ulysses.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
