Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 209

“Oh, yes. I was actually thinking of inviting you, Miss Cecilia…”

Casey tapped her chin with her finger before smiling warmly at Cecilia’s sudden question.

“But you remembered my birthday first. I’m touched!”

At that moment, Cecilia felt a heavy pang of guilt, though she didn’t let it show.

“Of course, it’s on April 21th.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right!”

Casey’s eyes gleamed with excitement. How would she react if she found out that Cecilia had only learned her birthday by chance while searching for the most suitable time for her plans?

Normally, Cecilia enjoyed watching others’ frustrated expressions twist like a pretzel. But right now, for some reason, she didn’t want to see any disappointment on Casey’s face.

Casey Heens wasn’t like the people Cecilia had wanted to see fall. She was just a young woman unknowingly caught up in Cecilia’s schemes, unaware of it all.

Even though she was using Casey, Cecilia didn’t want her to be hurt by it. This strange new feeling of concern for someone else unsettled her.

“I… uh…”

She was almost mesmerized by Casey’s bright, twinkling eyes and spoke without thinking.

“I… I’ve also prepared a gift.”

There was no way a gift had been part of her original plan. But even without having one ready, it felt like she had to say she did.

The lie worked. Casey’s face lit up, her cheeks flushed like peaches, and her smile broadened.

“Really?”

“Yes, you can look forward to it.”

Cecilia’s words made Casey beam.

“I’m so glad that you share the same purpose as me.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Not wasting time competing over a man, confessing honestly, and uniting together for love. I’ve always wanted to have this kind of connection with someone.”

Casey recalled memories from a few years ago, from her first debutante ball to her early days in high society.

There had been many women her age then, but all of them quietly competed over who would make the best marriage match. Back then, when Casey had already been secretly in love with her tutor, Miguel, she had no desire to interfere with their pursuits.

But to avoid standing out, she had pretended to evaluate men she didn’t care about.

In high society, such conversations were the norm. Men and women were expected to eventually marry and build families. And anyone who didn’t find a good match in time was treated as if they’d fallen behind.

When her engagement to Nigel had been decided, the friend she thought she was closest to had gossiped behind her back.

‘Lady Heens? She’s a fox without loyalty or decency. She snatched away the man I liked and now pretends she doesn’t care about men at all. She’s a hypocrite if I ever saw one.’

Casey hadn’t wanted her engagement to Nigel. Her closest friend should have known that better than anyone.

Despite understanding the truth of her situation, the woman had trampled on their past and slandered Casey behind her back. In a world where such behavior was considered normal, Casey had let go of any hope for genuine relationships.

‘High society doesn’t suit me.’

Casey was like a horse that needed freedom to thrive. The stifling social hierarchy didn’t suit her, and she couldn’t trust it. The only person she trusted was Miguel, a man who didn’t belong to that world, someone who could guide her to a broader horizon.

And now, there was one more person she trusted.

“When it’s your birthday, Cecilia, I’ll send a letter first. Let me know the date.”

Cecilia didn’t remember her exact birthday, which was strange in its own way. She promised to tell Casey later, and Casey nodded eagerly.

The conversation briefly touched on birthdays, and they talked about how Casey would celebrate hers.

“A masquerade ball? That sounds wonderful. Just like something out of a romance novel.”

Casey shook her head weakly at Cecilia’s praise.

“My father just prefers masquerade balls, that’s all. It’s easier when you don’t have to announce the guests’ names one by one.”

Indeed, having a doorman call out the guests’ names would defeat the entire purpose of a masquerade.

In a world full of rumors, masquerade balls were the perfect place to establish secret connections.

Casey lowered her voice conspiratorially, even though they were in the privacy of a secluded room.

“The truth is, my father’s considering an investment. And the partner is…”

Casey hesitated. When Cecilia tilted her head in curiosity, Casey finally gave an answer, though vague.

“Some of those potential partners aren’t nobles.”

“I don’t quite understand. If it’s for investment purposes, couldn’t he meet privately with common businessmen?”

“Maybe he’s aiming for something bigger. My father regrets getting into investments late, and now he’s anxious. Even if they’re commoners, if they’re significant figures, he probably feels they deserve equal treatment.”

But right now, he didn’t have the courage to openly show that to the noble social circles.