Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 210
‘It’s understandable.’
Cecilia thought of her own father. Adam might have been despicable, but he wasn’t timid. To him, no matter how wealthy or influential a commoner might be, they were always beneath him.
In contrast, Count Heens was extremely timid. A timid man with such a narrow-minded outlook would struggle to achieve much success in investments.
Casey, being no fool, likely already anticipated her father’s futile efforts. Yet, the fact that she followed his wishes without complaint clearly showed that she had no desire or lingering attachments to the aristocratic world.
“I don’t have a choice,” she said, her smile weary.
Cecilia thought otherwise. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a choice, but rather, she didn’t see any value in organizing a party according to her own tastes for mere self-satisfaction.
‘If a party is meaningless anyway, it’s better for at least one person to benefit from it.’
It was easy to read Casey’s disdain for the world of high society.
However, the birthday party born out of Count Heens’ selfish ambitions would ultimately become a stepping stone for Casey’s love. Cecilia would ensure that.
“A masquerade ball… Casey, I just had a great idea.”
Cecilia spoke as if the thought had just come to her.
“About that ball. Your fiancé, Sir Nigel, will be invited, won’t he?”
“Cecilia, you can’t mean…?”
“If it were any other party, he might not even bother to open the invitation, but a birthday party for his fiancée is a different matter. He’ll have to attend. And by coincidence, thanks to our friendship, I’ve also been fortunate enough to receive an invitation to your party.”
“…”
Casey, realizing how her birthday could serve a new purpose, fell into thought. Cecilia, sensing the moment, added,
“If it bothers you to have such an event occur on your birthday, feel free to say so. We can reconsider the timing.”
Casey, who had been lost in thought, shook her head.
“No. That day will be perfect.”
She looked up at Cecilia.
“After all, it’s my special day, isn’t it?”
Cecilia smiled.
“Yes, it’s a day just for you, Casey.”
“So, what should I do to prepare?”
“Your lover.”
“Lover? You mean… Miguel?”
“Yes. Once Sir Nigel and I stir things up, rumors will spread quickly. The longer rumors circulate, the more distorted they become, so it’s best to execute everything swiftly, on the same day.”
Since Casey hadn’t immediately grasped her full meaning, Cecilia laid out the details of her plan.
Casey clasped her hands together in admiration.
“You’re so clever. It’s strange that I didn’t see it sooner.”
Cecilia felt a slight pang of guilt but chose to ignore it.
* * *
That night, Cecilia wrote a letter to Nigel.
The envelope, adorned with pressed flowers and scented with an herb-based perfume, looked every bit like a love letter.
But the contents were as cold and dry as ever.
[April 21th. Casey Heens’ birthday; masquerade ball. Attendance mandatory.]
She no longer bothered with polite phrases. At this point, they both knew each other too well, and such words would only irritate them further.
After carefully sealing the short letter, Cecilia handed it to Mary.
As usual, she instructed her to deliver it directly to the postman without passing through any intermediaries. Mary quickly tucked the letter into her apron pocket.
She handed the perfume she had used for Nigel’s letter to Mary as a token of appreciation.
“Here, you can keep this. If you don’t like it, feel free to throw it away.”
“Oh no, I’d never!”
Mary gratefully accepted the perfume, clutching it with both hands. Cecilia watched her with curiosity.
“…Do most women like perfume?”
“Of course! I’ve never met a woman who didn’t appreciate a gift like this.”
“As I thought.”
Perfume… Would perfume make a good gift?
“Is something wrong, Miss?”
“No, nothing important.”
What would make a good birthday gift for an unmarried woman? What would be appropriate?
Cecilia found herself consumed by thoughts she had never entertained before. Gift-giving for a female friend? She had never imagined herself in such a situation.
Seeing Cecilia so lost in serious contemplation, Mary mischievously offered a suggestion.
“If it’s a gift for a lover, showing up wearing perfume might be more effective than just giving it.”
“…Mary, have you prepared the bathwater yet?”
“Oh, um…”
“Go draw the bath now.”
As Mary slinked off with her head down, Cecilia couldn’t help but reconsider her thoughts.
‘Maybe it would’ve been better just to ask outright?’
No matter what she prepared, it felt like nothing would be satisfying.
For the first time in her two lives, Cecilia found herself lacking confidence in this area.
