Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 233

When Cecilia stepped out into the garden of the Heens estate, it was completely empty.

Bernarda, who had been muttering complaints like “How am I supposed to explain this to His Excellency?”, had gone quiet at some point.

She climbed into the carriage with a pensive expression. Caroline followed after her, but as Cecilia approached the carriage, Bernarda, who had been feigning distraction, shut the carriage door.

“Mother? Ceci hasn’t gotten in yet.”

Caroline, bewildered, pointed out the obvious fact to Bernarda.

Instead of opening the door, Bernarda slid open a small window.

“Ceci, this isn’t where you’re supposed to stay,” Bernarda said, effectively dismissing Cecilia and telling her to return to the Rosencrantz estate.

Caroline looked at Bernarda with puzzled eyes. There was no way Cecilia could go back to the Rosencrantz estate now. Not only would she be unwelcome, but it was blatantly clear she’d be turned away at the door.

Even so, Bernarda refused to let Cecilia into her carriage.

“Go back and at least pack your belongings.”

Caroline reconsidered. If Cecilia went under the pretext of retrieving her belongings, it would at least provide a plausible reason. Of course, it would earn her additional scorn for shamelessness, but…

‘Why bother? She could just send a porter to handle her things later. Isn’t this only going to escalate matters unnecessarily?’

Caroline worried that this incident might cause harm to herself or the Lasphilla family. While it was satisfying to watch Cecilia bear the consequences of her foolish actions, she had no desire for the fallout to reach her.

“Just let her in,” Caroline urged.

“No. Ceci, go back to the Rosencrantz estate and pack your things.”

Bernarda insisted stubbornly, isolating Cecilia despite Caroline’s attempt to mediate.

Cecilia gazed at Bernarda silently before responding,

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Caroline watched as Cecilia’s maid, on the verge of tears, approached the Heens estate steward to request another carriage. With a troubled expression, she addressed Bernarda.

“I understand that you want to punish Ceci, but… is this really necessary? This is too harsh for young Ceci.”

Feigning the concern of an older sister worried about her younger sibling, Caroline spoke as if her words were genuine. Bernarda, however, simply shut the window and drew the curtain.

“No, she needs to be punished,” Bernarda declared firmly.

“Isn’t discipline at home enough?”

“Do you really think that’s sufficient?”

“Well, I…”

“Don’t worry. This won’t cause too much of a stir. The Rosencrantz family isn’t particularly sensitive to gossip, but they’re still a marquisate. They won’t want to create a bigger scandal while settling matters with the Heens family.”

Bernarda had correctly identified Caroline’s underlying concern, and Caroline’s face flushed red.

“I was only worried about Cecilia!” Caroline insisted.

Bernarda smiled faintly.

“Of course, I don’t doubt your kind heart. I’m just explaining my actions.”

With a sigh, Bernarda added,

“Caroline, you’re a wise girl—you know how to protect yourself. But Cecilia isn’t like that. She’s foolish and likely hasn’t fully grasped the situation yet. That’s why she needs to face the consequences directly and understand the magnitude of her mistake.”

Caroline still didn’t understand. A strict father would ensure Cecilia realized her error. Wasn’t family discipline sufficient?

‘What is this? Is Bernarda trying to use Cecilia’s situation to block my marriage prospects along with Margaret’s?’

Caroline distrusted Bernarda. That distrust had been planted by Louise, and it wasn’t without reason. A stepmother could never love a child who wasn’t even her own flesh and blood.

Still, outwardly, they pretended to be a harmonious mother and daughter.

“Do you understand, Caroline? You and Cecilia are different.”

Of all the things Bernarda had said, this was the only one Caroline could truly agree with.

Without thinking, Caroline let her true feelings slip.

“Yes, I suppose it’s because of our birth.”

She flinched at her own words but didn’t feel too shaken. After all, she wasn’t speaking in front of Lilith or her father but Bernarda.

Even if Bernarda was a mere baron’s daughter by birth, she was still a noble, so she would likely overlook such a remark.

Indeed, Bernarda didn’t chastise her for her words.

“……”

In fact, she said nothing at all.