Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 201

On the same morning, men dressed in formal suits lined up outside the Rosencrantz townhouse. Each held a seasonal bouquet—tulips, begonias, roses.

Those who arrived by family carriage found no place to park, leaving their coachmen behind as they approached on foot.

Occasionally, someone with a modern vehicle strutted around the townhouse, only to realize there was no parking space for them either, so they joined the long line on foot.

Guinevere, observing this scene with her one good eye, drew the curtains. The sunlight that had been sparkling on the dust particles inside the room was blocked, casting a shadow.

“You’ve really outdone yourself.”

She offered this cold compliment to her niece, who was seated across from her at the tea table.

Cecilia, who had been sitting with her head down like a criminal, pressed her lips with the back of her hand.

“Is something happening outside?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

Guinevere sneered, her upper lip curling.

“It seems that every gentleman you danced with at the party has shown up.”

She opened and closed the curtain again.

“Oh, but Young Duke Pierce hasn’t come. Well, of course, you wouldn’t be to his liking.”

“I didn’t expect him to. Such attention is far too much for me…”

“Really? I thought, as your first dance partner, you’d be lost in some foolish fantasy. But it’s good to see you’re aware of your place.”

She haughtily adjusted the lens of her monocle.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Once they learn your origins, they’ll look down on you, and if they don’t know, they’ll turn on you once they find out. You’re still at a disadvantage in every situation.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Cecilia obediently nodded her head.

But despite her niece’s docile response, Guinevere didn’t seem pleased.

It wasn’t because Cecilia had left early on her important debut night. Nor was it because she had secretly gone out afterward.

In truth, Guinevere didn’t care what foolishness Cecilia got herself into when she wasn’t under her watch. As long as there was no mistake at the event where she had served as chaperone, that was all that mattered.

Thus, her displeasure appeared directed at Cecilia, though in reality, it had little to do with her.

‘Christian and Caroline’s rumored affair must have stirred some unease within me.’

Although the busiest morning was at the Rosencrantz estate, the social circles were buzzing even more with rumors surrounding the Pierce family.

People in the capital reacted with, ‘Lord Christian again?’ while those in the countryside wondered, ‘Could someone like Caroline Lasphilla actually succeed?’

And Cecilia silently scoffed at their union.

‘They both have consistent tastes.’

With Caroline now fixated on Christian, Guinevere had lost her excuse to link her to Ulysses.

No matter how brazen she was, there was no way she could compare the heir of the ducal family with her own son.

Her irritation left traces like footprints wherever she went. Ulysses had already taken a hard hit once, and now it seemed Guinevere was next in line to be the scapegoat.

She sighed deeply, folding and unfolding her arms, before suddenly glaring at Cecilia.

“A woman walking the streets alone at night with no fear—are you out of your mind?”

Guinevere knew that Cecilia had rented a carriage after the party. Mary had let it slip in her chatter.

It probably wasn’t intentional. That girl’s thoughtless behavior was nothing new.

Cecilia had vaguely explained that she hadn’t mentioned a specific destination and was merely curious about the capital’s vibrant streets at night.

Guinevere hadn’t pressed further. By the time she returned from the party in the early morning, she had been too drained from humoring the noblewomen.

“Isn’t the capital safe during social season?”

“That’s only because reckless young people like you are always out and about. The authorities have no choice but to be vigilant.”

Guinevere snapped irritably.

“Do you realize how much more work Nigel has to do day and night because of thoughtless girls like you?”

“Khm… Ahem! Yes, that’s true. I’ve heard the knights have been quite busy lately.”

Cecilia stifled a laugh with a cough, covering her mouth as she agreed.

Living under the same roof, she had seen it all. Who would have thought the day would come when she’d hear Guinevere, of all people, expressing concern for Nigel?

Not that it was genuine concern. Nigel was simply being used to justify Guinevere’s annoyance, dressed up as adult-like reproach.

Her frustration, born from wasted youth, had long turned into a simmering anger that sometimes exploded like a volcano.

This behavior wasn’t new. Whenever Guinevere was in a foul mood, she would bring up Caroline, Bernarda, Adam, and even her estranged son.

‘When I think of your pathetic origins, I can only imagine how much dear Caroline must have suffered.’

‘What deep sin must Countess Lasphilla have committed to deal with not only a former wife but a mistress as well?’

‘Judging by your clumsy mannerisms, it’s no wonder Adam didn’t hire a private tutor for you. With how slow you learn, it’d be a waste of money.’

…Occasionally, when Guinevere would cross paths with Ulysses, she would use Cecilia’s name in the same way.

‘Cecilia’s an outsider! Couldn’t you at least pretend to be a warm family so she doesn’t feel out of place?’

Yet it was always Guinevere who glared daggers at Ulysses whenever she saw him. To her, Ulysses was just a cold, unfeeling son.

Guinevere, despite her usual cold and sharp judgment, often succumbed to her emotions, lashing out at those around her as a way to vent her anger. Her past fickleness wasn’t entirely an act.