Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 29
“Ulysses, come over here.”
Guinevere called Ulysses with one arm around Adam and the other extended to him.
“Mother, no lady receives escorts from two men just to go to the dining room.”
“Oh my!”
Guinevere covered her mouth and laughed exaggeratedly.
“Then take Caroline with you.”
After Guinevere and Adam left for the dining room, Caroline approached Ulysses.
“Could you offer your arm for me?”
She asked shyly, and Ulysses gazed down at her with piercing blue eyes. Any other woman might have felt a bit uncomfortable with the silence, but Caroline remained composed.
“Ulysses, can you hear me?”
“Yes.”
He slowly offered his arm, and Caroline gently placed her hand on it.
“Oh, and here.”
Caroline handed over a blue fabric sachet.
“I made it myself.”
Her eyes were full of expectation, clearly seeking a particular response.
“Thank you.”
But her hopes were soon dashed by his straightforwardness.
“How is it?”
“It’s great.”
“Really…”
Caroline couldn’t probe further, seemingly realizing that begging for emotions only deepened her misery.
She wasn’t entirely devoid of hope in him. Was he being cold now?
It’s alright. Soon he would be hers anyway.
Their infrequent meetings were just a bit awkward. Once married, sharing the same bed and life, surely he would grow fond of her.
She comforted herself and smiled brightly. After all, Madame Cléon, her governess, said no man could dislike a woman with a beautiful smile.
“Let’s go in! The chef must have put a lot of effort into tonight’s meal. I’m so excited!”
Ulysses didn’t respond but glanced back briefly.
Cecilia slowly descended the stairs, but from behind, her shoulder was swiftly bumped by Nigel.
“Oh, you were there?”
“…”
Cecilia stared at her shoulder, still tingling from Nigel’s touch.
She thought he would have matured by now. Maybe her memories of him had been sweetened over time?
No, perhaps he just didn’t bother to remember such trifles.
“Watch where you’re going, Sir Nigel.”
She casually admonished Nigel and continued down the stairs. Nigel’s curses echoed down from above, which she ignored.
“Ulysses?”
Caroline gently tugged on Ulysses’ sleeve.
“…Ah, my apologies.”
The young man, who had briefly halted his steps upon observing them, soon turned his back.
“Could you loosen your grip a bit? It hurts.”
At Caroline’s request, Ulysses relaxed his arm and apologized again.
“I’m sorry.”
***
The dinner was largely dominated by Guinevere. She switched between critiquing the meal and gossiping negatively against Marquis Rosencrantz to praising Caroline.
“My husband is mostly fine, but he’s so stingy. Can you believe he trembled over a mere 10-carat diamond last time?”
“Haha, that must have upset you. I’ll gift you that diamond, Sister.”
“Oh really?”
“Of course, Sister.”
“Thank you. What about you, dear? Don’t you want something?”
Guinevere abruptly included Bernarda in the conversation.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Don’t be like that, okay? If I ask, Adam will get it for you. This opportunity isn’t common, you know?”
Her tone suggested she might as well have been the lady of House Lasphilla. Despite the situation being enough to provoke anger, Bernarda merely smiled.
“Really, nothing comes to mind.”
“Well then, if you think of something later, let me know.”
Guinevere lost interest after a few probes and snorted. Cecilia was her next target.
“What’s with that dress?”
Cecilia was wearing a teal dress suitable for the evening. While it was slightly duller than usual, it shouldn’t be a problem.
But in Guinevere’s fashion-conscious eyes, it looked hopelessly dowdy.
“Always like you, dressing as gloomy as your personality.”
She clucked her tongue while looking at Cecilia.
“Your only redeeming feature is your looks, and even that you fail to enhance.”
Cecilia kept her mouth firmly shut, knowing any response would only provoke further malice.
