Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 23
“Oh, one more thing. This is for keeping our matters secret from Margaret earlier.”
Cecilia handed Mary a sachet filled with herbs and fragrances, meant to be worn at the waist. The stitching was exquisitely fine, and the flower embroidery was lavish.
“Can I really have this?”
The fabric and embroidery were of high quality, not something a mere servant would wear.
“Of course. The person who made it added benzoin on a whim. If you don’t like the scent, feel free to replace it with something else.”
“Thank you, Miss!”
It was the first time Mary had received such a precious gift, her eyes sparkling with pure joy.
“I’ve never received anything like this before…”
“Yes, I thought the same when I received it.”
Cecilia smiled softly.
“Do you know who did this embroidery?”
“Who might it be?”
“Guess.”
“Given the affection and dedication in every stitch… perhaps Miss Lilith made it?”
Cecilia laughed as if it was the most absurd idea.
“Miss Lilith is not skilled with her hands.”
“Then who?”
“Mrs. Linfitt.”
An unexpected name came out, and the sachet slipped from Mary’s hands to the floor. Cecilia picked it up and handed it back to her.
“My former nanny, Hannah Linfitt, made this when I was younger.”
It was a memory from Cecilia’s earlier years. The first gift from Hannah, newly appointed as her exclusive nanny, was this rose-embroidered sachet.
A token of her dedication and promise to work hard.
“Why so surprised? People with malice from the start are rare. It’s too exhausting to live like that.”
Cecilia spoke softly, a faint smile on her lips.
“Even beasts don’t hunt just anyone. They show their fangs only when they’re sure that their prey is weaker and vulnerable.”
Mary’s hands trembled, holding the sachet. Noticing this, Cecilia sighed.
“I naively showed my weakness as a child, and my nanny saw me as an easy target.”
“Miss, that’s…”
“You thought the same of me, didn’t you?”
Cecilia’s fair hand gently patted Mary’s hand in a calming gesture.
“I’m not blaming you. I quite like your worldly tendencies, even though you despise and yet long for wealth.”
“Miss…”
“Just be more cautious in your judgments.”
Her voice, always gentle, sharpened for a moment.
“Mrs. Linfitt made a short-sighted decision for her benefit, failing to consider my growth. She didn’t foresee what I would become.”
“…”
“You made a hasty judgment based on public opinion.”
“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”
Mary repeated her apologies, hypnotized. As her biases against Cecilia shattered one by one, fear instilled itself in their place, ever since what happened at the boutique.
“I hope you make the right decision this time. I do like you, after all.”
Mary stole a glance at Cecilia, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
She was amusingly mistaken in her arrogance, thinking Cecilia’s fondness meant she had won favor. Such ignorance was charming.
“You won’t earn much by merely continuing to watch me. My father has countless eyes, and you’re just one of them.”
The truth was, the footman who had reported Cecilia’s unauthorized outing had only received a meager 5-Lis coin as a reward.
“I’m different. I have no one else now. Ever since I sent my nanny away, it’s been like an empty house. In other words, you could be my first.”
“First? …Me?”
“Only now. My mother is searching for a suitable personal maid for me. Otherwise, other junior maids would covet your position.”
Mary suddenly felt anxious. Cecilia nodded, as if she knew everything.
“But I chose you.”
“I deceived you today, Miss…”
“Yes, you did. And I’m not saying I’ll forgive that for free.”
Cecilia’s voice was kind, yet assertive beyond her years.
“I’ve decided to take back the dress I promised you as a way to rectify your mistake. Fair, right?”
Not holding a grudge meant a chance to start anew.
Encountering a master without lingering resentment was a rare stroke of fortune. Margaret was not such a master.
