Episode 157

“Ah…….”

Elisha found the object she was looking for easily in her desk drawer. It was in a small box. He didn't even think about hiding it.

'Hydrangeas of the imperial family.'

The royal family grew uniquely shaped hydrangeas. It was a well-known fact, and all the aristocrats in the capital knew about it. The hydrangea was an intermediate color between red and pink, and the petals were studded with silver and gold stripes like patterns.

So, when the cool breeze blew, golden and silver hydrangeas would sway in the garden.

'Why did he do this…….'

Lapis also said that he cherished the hydrangea. I thought thank you.

However……. Knowing that Lucerne kept it, I felt something indescribable.

It was as if a small whirlpool had formed in my heart. Feelings too great to contain right now, Elisha paused for a moment.

Elisha bit her lip.

She recalled the inside of her dress. There was a small pocket on the inside of the dress. She took it out of her pocket.

A blue kingfisher feather wrapped in a ribbon.

Elisha carried the kingfisher feather in her silk pouch ever since her hunting ritual.

'Lucerne is also the milestone of the day…….'

I couldn't help imagining why the man might have this. It was like sadistic force majeure.

It was the first hope that Elisha had found throughout her two lives.

Thinking of him all her past life, wishing to be noticed by him. Thinking of and imagining Lucerne alone. And she was the hope she had searched for a thousand times.

It was impossible not to savor this feeling at that moment. Elisha closed her eyes.

Her heart started beating calmly. It was a painful yet ecstatic feeling.

*​ *​ *​

The next day, Elisha received her unexpected visitor. She was the head of the household.

“My lord.”

Elisha rose from her seat and greeted him. The main building of the Duke's Castle was wide and large, and the family head used a completely different floor. Lucerne said she didn't like meeting other people when she wasn't confident. So she had little to do with Elisha and Gazoo alone.

“Sit down, I just passed by and heard it.”

“Yes.”

When Elisha tried to prepare her tea, Gazoo dissuaded her.

“Don't stay long. If you use an excuse and have a long conversation with just the two of us, he will get angry later.”

Of course, that guy meant Lucerne, so Elisha smiled awkwardly. The family head laid out superficial matters. He said he would make more rooms for Lucerne and Elisha since they would visit often. Even those rooms were the spaces Carola used to use.

'Oh, they're great people.'

Elisha clicked her tongue inside her.

“Yes, my lord. Thank you very much.”

Elisha answered without showing off. The patriarch nodded his head. And then the gaju brought out the main story.

“Elisha, does Lucerne not want to have children yet?”

It was as if Elisha had been attacked unexpectedly. She paused. Also, the head of the household was not normal.

“Why do you say that?”

Elisha hid her embarrassment and spoke softly.

“Do you think I don't even know what Lucerne is thinking? Elisha. You don't have to follow Lucerne's advice in that respect. After the baby is born, he won't be able to help it either. If you look closely, he is the most important master in our family.”

Ga-joo laughed as if it was absurd and continued.

“Many things will change if you give birth to grandchildren. Lucerne's mother is a lowly citizen. As long as it is written……. He won't be able to put him on the enemy no matter how much I cherish him. But will your child be different? As you choose.”

“…….”

“The fate of this duke might be different.”

“You're talking about things I can't handle. Your husband will not like it.”

Elisha lowered her eyes and said.

“I'll pretend I didn't hear it, Headmistress.”

“Don't pretend to be foolish. You are a smart kid.”

The housekeeper said quietly.

“People who can't even calculate their own profit or loss are fools. You are already a member of this family. Cartier is the richest family in the world. After all, it is money, wealth, and power that bind a person's life and destiny. In the end, the only way to change your destiny is to have a child with Lucerne's precious blood. Think carefully.”

The head of the gear said.

“I don't know what Lucerne said to you. I'm not saying that when a grandson is born, he will take it away. It could be a way for Lucerne to inherit the family. However, Jacob is there too, so you have to be very careful. Of the two grandsons, you will have to choose the boulder. But depending on what you do, your husband could get a great opportunity.”

“…….”

“Don't forget my words. Even if Lucerne doesn't allow it, you can find ways to have children.”

Elisha bit her lip. She nodded her head slightly.

“I will engrave the words of the head of the household.”

“I'm going to ask what Lucerne was talking to you about. It is common even in an ordinary family for a grandfather to want to see his grandson.”

“…….”

“I trust that you will convey your words in a sensible line. Don't you instinctively know which path is good for you?”

Elisha was no fool. There was a flip side to the family head's words. If Elisha gives birth to Lucerne's child. If that child were to challenge her family head, Elisha would have a shelter force besides Lucerne.

She is Mijual Gojual. When she moves the words, she incurs Lucerne's suspicion.

'I heard something troubling. Gaju is right. If Lucerne finds out about this conversation, it won't do me any good.'

Suspicion of others is a chronic symptom of the Cartier family. It was just like a chronic illness you got right after you were born. Unfortunately, the same was true of Lucerne.

The patriarch did not stay long and stood up. Elisha stood up after him.

“Then, don't go away.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Elisha hesitated before opening her mouth.

“Come on, my lord. About the laundry I used to work in……. Thank you. The collateral from working at the laundry belongs to Mr. Jacob. So I know it wasn't easy to convince them to sort it out.”

“Ah, is that what you mean?”

The housekeeper continued.

“Say thank you to your wife.”

“…… Yes?”

“The last time I visited the mansion. Lucerne spoke first. Please get the women who work at the laundry out of the mansion so that no one will dispute your origins in the future. Besides, don't you have a lot of bad memories about that place?”

“…….”

“They say that if such a place continues to exist, you won't be able to visit the duchy often.”

Elisha was surprised inside.

'Lucerne……. Did you do something that didn't benefit you at all?'

If you hadn't noticed the flower a few days ago. Elisha would not have had such hopeful doubts. However……. It was amazing. There has been a lot of that about Lucerne lately.

*​ *​ *​

Dinner is Lucerne and Elisha in the absence of the housekeeper. I did it alone. Lucerne did not like having servants standing in groups during meals.

So, on days like today, when the head of household was away, the duke's large restaurant would be occupied only by the two of them.

“I heard that the housekeeper came and went.”

“Yes, they said they made a new room.”

Elisha calmly reported the news.

“Is that all?”

“…… That's an excuse, and in fact, the main point is that he came to urge his grandson. Do you wonder if you are intentionally not having children?”

Elisha did not hide from him. It was not wrong. Although the head of the house showed more than that, it was only the inner meaning. He had no intention of fueling Lucerne's suspicions by telling him that.

“It's the old man's plan, it's obvious.”

“I just turned around and answered.”

“Well done.”

Lucerne went over insignificantly. Elisha felt her tension melt away.

'I don't even ask anymore. Is this person really…….'

I stared at Lucerne unconsciously.

“What's the matter?”

“No. Just……. I get full soon after today.”

“Eat properly. You are too weak.”

Lucerne said bluntly.

“Lucerne, there…….”

Elisha quietly opened her mouth.

“I cleaned out your drawers a few days ago. But I saw a flower by chance. The royal family's hydrangea.”

“…….”

“I had no intention of seeing it. You said I could pack your things.”

“It's okay.”

Lucerne was only slightly agitated for a moment, but she soon calmed down.

“The hydrangea I gave during the hunting festival……. Did you have it?”

Lucerne didn't seem to notice at all how shy Elisha's questions were, how cautious she was. He replied calmly enough to be a little cold as usual.

“Yes.”

At Lucerne's answer, Elisha felt the back of her neck heat up. Her eyes twitched.

“Why……. Did you keep it without throwing it away?”

Elisha asked quietly.

“The shadows liked it.”

“…… Are you a shadow?”

Elisha felt a strange feeling.

“Shadows often swallow flowers and play with them. A hobby that doesn't suit a monster, right? The shadow wanted it, so I gave it to play with.”

“…… Ah.”

Come to think of it, she heard that from Nora.

“…… That's right. The shadows like it.”

Elisha's cheeks seemed to heat up. She didn't know what the hell she was imagining or expecting.

And Lucerne said nonchalantly.

“Yes, and I like it too.”

“…….”

“Who gave it to you, should you like it?”

Lucerne smiled.

Elisha suddenly felt a surge in her mind. Her limbs tingled. Again and again she remembered her fantasies.

The moment she was infatuated with him in her previous life. Memories like scattered stars at that time. Many nights in the past life.

It was then. Lucerne could live Elisha's life with just a handful of attention. And he played with Elisha in her hand, and she could throw it at any moment.

And in an instant, the composition between Elisha and Lucerne became unfair again.

It always has been. He could buy everything about Elisha just by keeping a single flower.