Chapter 49: Thank you for Stopping By
Two days before I left for Arch Hill, I left the house after a long time. It rained all day yesterday, and I was going to spend the whole day with my family tomorrow, so today was the perfect day.
Oh, I’m not going to Piccom. After much deliberation, I decided to greet Viola through a letter.
Just because we didn’t see each other for two years didn’t mean we’d become distant, and I didn’t want our hearts to weaken before studying abroad. The moment we meet face to face, it is sure to become a sea of tears.
But there was a real reason why I decided not to go to Piccom was because of the crazy Alan Leopold. I was afraid because I wasn’t sure that he wouldn’t touch Viola, who had harmed Tobias relentlessly.
Viola is probably having a tough daily life. She will still miss everything about Florin, and even if she loves Jacob’s child, she couldn’t be comfortable taking care of him.
Maybe I’m looking at it too negatively, but…….
“It’s been a while since you came, Miss.”
“Oh, hello.”
The place I visited was none other than the Antris coffee shop.
“It’s been a while.”
Regardless of who purchased Antris, one fact remains unchanged, that this is one of my favourite places and a special place that inspire me to write my novel
And I wanted to say hello to the server, who has always been polite and kind.
As a busy service employee it is not easy to show sincerity to others. I didn’t want to be a mysterious guest who didn’t show up for two years without saying anything to him, who always treated me with sincerity.
“It’s espresso without sugar, right? If your preference hasn’t changed yet.”
The server leaned a bit and asked with a polite smile. His soft blonde hair was neatly combed today as well. Somehow, I felt at ease.
“Yes, it’s still the same.”
The server that received the order politely withdrew.
It’s kind of quiet today. I took a deep breath as I listened to the soft piano playing.
As if celebrating the end of winter, the interior of the Antris was again decorated with various flowers. Nevertheless, there was no smell of him. At one point because he was always so close I confused his scent with the scent of this place itself.
I don’t know if it’s true that he is not going to chase me, but at least I’m relieved that I can’t smell that misty scent.
Come to think of it, there was a day when I was mesmerized by the thick snow falling over the window from here.
It was already spring outside. Sitting in the same seat as that day and looking out the window with the same expression, nothing has changed, but the season has already passed this much. What a strange thing.
At that time, the server approached and put down a white cup in front of me.
“Oh, thank you.”
I was thinking about how to start the conversation, but the server talked to me first.
“Are you okay now?”
“What?”
When asked again, the server lowered his voice and added.
“What you said last time……. I’ve been worried because you haven’t been here for months.”
“Oh…”
He is asking about the stalking commotion. A clear concern was visible in his eyes. I repeatedly thought that I was glad to come to see him after hearing those kind words.
“Well, I know who he is.”
“……What do you mean? Did he appear in person or something like that?”
“Sort of. Because he made it impossible not to know who he is.”
“…….”
“Maybe I just found out too late.”
As I added in a small voice, his neat golden eyebrows faltered in doubt. This may be because I am passing this off as not a big deal when the contents were grave
“But it’s okay. I’m leaving for a far away place.…. Actually, I came here to say this.”
“If you say it’s far away..….”
“Did you know that I sometimes write here?”
The server just stood silently with the tray behind his back, but his eyes sent a silent affirmation.
“Well, thanks to the novel, I will be able to study abroad. With the support of the royal family.”
“That was the case…. Congratulations, Miss.”
His pale gray eyes gleamed in surprise. He added implicitly.
“If it’s a novel, will you go to Lunoa?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
It is a country of great writers. I smiled faintly. Then he opened his eyes.
“As expected, I see. I’m from the Principality”
“Ah!”
No wonder he was strangely exotic! Was that why he was looking closely at what I was writing? The people of Lunoa are well versed in literature.
The server continued as I naturally made a face of expectation.
“Ah, I’m a Lunoan, but I don’t know much about literature. Although my father was a poet. Anyways, it’s a pity that you’re leaving.”
“It’s only two years, right? Won’t it pass soon?”
“Even after your studies are over, you will want to stay at Lunoa, Miss.”
I laughed out loud at his proud face.
“When are you leaving?”
“It will take a month to get on the ship to the Principality. But the day I leave Florin……… Ah.”
I suddenly stopped talking.
“The owner of this place..… is he here again today?”
“Are you talking about Sir Alan?”
The server could have been embarrassed by the sudden change of subject, but perhaps he was use to people asking and he gently shook his head.
“He seems to be very busy these days. It’s already been a while since he stopped by.”
“…Is that so?”
I continued to speak in an indescribable tone of relief that I couldn’t hide.
“I’m leaving for another region soon. So that I can get used to staying alone in the Principality.”
“Indeed.”
Instead of asking which area I was leaving for and when it was, he looked down. The golden eyelashes fell neatly.
“Thank you for coming to say hello. If I hadn’t heard from you today, I would have been worried.”
“I-it was no bother. Of course.”
“I wish you all the best for your mini trip and starting your life in the Principality, Miss.”
You’ll do well. His small whisper made me blush and lower my head at the same time.
“The coffee is cold. I’ll bring back—”
“Oh, no! It’s okay. Thank you for your kind words.”
The server smiled at me with a gentle smile.
“If you come back in two years, I’ll greet you in Lunoar language.”
* * *
My luggage was simple. The suitcase was filled with simple clothes, two books, a notebook, and writing equipment, so it was no big deal. Of course, it wouldn’t change much even if the bag was bigger.
For me who was leaving early in the morning, breakfast was prepared a little earlier than usual.
“Lady, lady.”
Thanks to Julia’s efforts the Collins’ breakfast table was graced by beautiful blooming flowers.
“Isn’t it amazing that you don’t get tired of eating potatoes every day?”
“…..I know.”
As usual, there were small conversations, and the meal tasted nostalgic. When I opened my eyes in the morning, I thought I couldn’t believe I was leaving the house, but I think I was already missing everything in the red two-story house.
When the carriage arrived soon after, I put down my luggage for a moment and hugged Julia and Mrs. Kerney in turn. The two burst into tears like children, while I playful scolded as the tip of my nose soured.
(T/N: meaning she was about to cry too)
“Melissa.”
Soon after, my mother, who approached me with a pale face, caressed my shoulder.
“Be careful, Melissa. Always be careful…….”
“Yes, mom. I will.”
“If your life is difficult or you have a problem, don’t get sick and contact me anytime. Did you get it?
“…….”
“We don’t have enough money, but if it’s for the sake of our one and only daughter—”
I hugged my mother tightly. I promised not to shed tears, but if this continues, all the plans will be ruined.
“I’ll write to you, mom.”
“Yes. To your great-aunt..… Say thank you.”
I parted ways with my family like this. It felt surreal our parting was calmer than expected. When I got on the carriage, I was overcome with all kinds of emotions along with the tears I had been holding back.
I am well aware that these years are not very long. If I study my favourite subjects, I will pass in a blink of an eye.
But why do I feel like I can’t come back home again for some reason? Because it’s my first time leaving the kingdom?
“…….”
I was very tired from staying up all night with my eyes open, but I tried hard not to fall asleep, wiping away the tears that were coming out of my eyelashes.
I had to pull myself together. It’s none other than me who chose a difficult journey of changing carriages three times out of anxiety.
* * *
The carriage ran fast on the rough dirt road.
How long did I endure the times when my eyes were stiff and my hips hurt? It was almost midnight, when I arrived at Arch Hill, covered in darkness.
When I got off the carriage with the horseman’s escort, the mansion overlooking me in the bluish darkness looked much bigger and colder than what I remembered.
A middle-aged woman with a lamp was clearly seen approaching this way despite the extreme fatigue. It was my first time seeing this face.
“H-hello, I was looking for Melly, ah, my great-aunt……
“The Viscountess is already in bed. I have prepared your room, so please come with me.”
The maid took the lead with a face of dissatisfaction due to my late visit, and I followed with an impeccable body. The bag felt heavy like a rock. If I had brought a few more books, I would have collapsed even before entering the mansion.
The room I was guided to was very large, it had an antique bed and an old desk.
“It’s late at night, so please greet her tomorrow morning. Then.”
“Excuse me…..!”
Bang, the door closed and I was left alone in the pitch darkness. It felt absurd. I had to unpack, but I couldn’t decide what to do in this darkness.
“Don’t I have to change these dirty clothes….”
I was tired as if I was going to faint, and this situation was just awkward but I relied on the afterimage in the room and fumbled carefully on the desk. When I managed to find matches and candles and light them, a weak light burned.
The moment I opened the bag with great relief, as if all my troubles were blown away. It was too clear to say I was hallucinating because of my exhaustion.
The scent that wafted in the room is definitely Alan Leopold’s…….
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“How…..?”
An uncontrollable fear quickly hit me as if tens of thousands of bugs were crawling on my skin and attacking me
When I was frozen without even screaming in a feeling of losing my mind, a small note on the pile of clothes caught my eye.
“Oh…”
I had a hunch. I’m going to suffer from a terrible nightmare tonight.