Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 47
‘This is no longer necessary.’
Cecilia thought, looking at the Palmascus.
Originally, it was reserved as a threat should Guinevere refuse to confess in the face of evidence.
‘Who would have thought she’d actually ingest it?’
Cecilia had considered such a possibility, though she deemed it highly unlikely.
‘How bitter must one’s life be to…’
Even the usually indifferent Cecilia was slightly taken aback this time.
However, she neither hastily sympathized with nor loathed Guinevere’s actions. Had she been in the same situation, with no choice but to consume it, she would have done the same.
Enduring humiliation was worse than death. Life was not to be merely endured, but to be lived.
‘Thanks to Guinevere ingesting the poison, my workload has been reduced. I should be grateful.’
Fortunately, Cecilia had an antidote ready. An expensive elixir capable of either saving or ending Guinevere’s life—
Now, the fate of that venomous woman lay solely in her hands.
***
After leaving the log cabin, Cecilia strolled around the garden, feigning a casual walk. An annoying gust of wind untied her knotted ribbon.
Cecilia ignored the fallen ribbon. Such trivialities were of no importance now.
The end of her first steps towards revenge was in sight. With a somewhat exhilarated mood, she headed to Lilith’s room.
Upon seeing Cecilia, Lilith frowned.
“What a state you are in.”
“I lost my hair tie.”
“Such a careless girl. Come in, I’ll tie it back with mine.”
In the room with red wallpaper, the red-haired woman combed through her daughter’s purple hair with her fingers.
“What kind of oil are you using that your hair feels like a broom?”
“Just whatever’s given…”
“Use mine later. A woman’s worth lies in her adornment. Understand?”
Lilith seized the opportunity to dispense long-held advice to her daughter.
“Actually…”
Cecilia, sitting opposite Lilith, entrusted her hair to her while starting the conversation.
“Yes?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor? What is it?”
Lilith asked nonchalantly, and Cecilia explained her actions so far and what Lilith needed to do next.
A range of emotions flitted across Lilith’s previously indifferent face, with fear being the most prominent.
“Ceci, you… What were you thinking, doing such things?”
To think of putting poison in Ulysses’s sachet and framing Hannah and Lady Rosencrantz! Such an act was beyond her imagination.
“I want to be free.”
Cecilia said.
“But it’s too hard alone. Can you help me?”
“B-But…”
The favor Cecilia asked was for Lilith to act as the mastermind in front of Guinevere, replacing her.
Could she, an illiterate, really accomplish such a thing?
“You can do it, Miss Lilith.”
Cecilia noticed her anxiety and reassured her.
“Father has had more than a handful of children with his mistresses, yet the only one he’s acknowledged and legitimized is me. And the only person holding out in this mansion is you, Miss Lilith.”
“That… is not something I take pride in.”
“Yes.”
Cecilia readily agreed, then added.
“I know it wasn’t easy.”
“……”
“And I know you did all of that for me.”
Lilith bit her lip, then glared at Cecilia with reddening eyes.
“Don’t cry. It’ll ruin your makeup.”
She was willing to do anything for Cecilia. Thus, her hesitation was not from fear of bearing the burden alone.
“What if the Count finds out?”
“Then… I’ll be the one to get whipped.”
“That’s why I can’t do it, you fool, you idiot.”
“I don’t mind.”
Cecilia looked up at her.
“Really, I’m fine. So…”
Cecilia raised her arm and gently touched Lilith’s hand resting on her head. She ran her fingers over the smooth knuckles and firmly grasped her little finger.
“For my sake… Can I please ask you to stop secluding yourself and come outside?”
It had been a week already ever since Lilith had shut herself in Garnet’s room.
To help Cecilia, she would ultimately have to open the door and step out.
Lilith stroked Cecilia’s hair silently for a long while. Cecilia didn’t rush her.
“It’s done.”
After a while, Lilith tightened Cecilia’s hair tie and showed her the mirror.
“I tied it in a butterfly shape. Pretty, isn’t it?”
Cecilia smiled brightly. She didn’t utter a single word of confirmation, but her response was enough.
***
Lilith hesitated for a long time in front of the bedroom door of the annex where Guinevere stayed.
‘It’s all for Cecilia.’
She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
“I’ve brought new bedding, Madam.”
Revealing her true identity would surely not be welcomed, so she had to lie, as Cecilia had instructed.
“Come in.”
Disguising herself as a maid, Lilith was easily allowed in by Guinevere.
“I can’t sleep because of the sweat smell. Hurry up and change it…”
Their eyes met.
“You…”
Guinevere’s face contorted with extreme disgust. However, unlike before, she didn’t scream or throw objects. She seemed to lack the strength to do so.
