Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 244

Her letter was straightforward and brimming with self-importance, revealing her personality in full.

Cecilia rubbed and folded the corner of the letter as she deliberated.

Viscountess Odridge wasn’t crucial to Cecilia’s plans. However, that didn’t change the fact that the Viscountess was a decent person.

Though she was hot-tempered and talkative, she always kept her promises. Cecilia had only approached her to test the waters of her relationship with the Lope Viscounty, but somehow, she had managed to gain the woman’s favor.

“……”

It was simply a matter of personal sentiment.

Even if they couldn’t be friends, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Cecilia carefully folded the letter and placed it in the drawer.

Next, she read Miss Casey’s letter. It bore only the initial ‘C’, but the neat and assertive handwriting was unmistakably hers.

According to the letter, Casey had fought, negotiated, and wept with her parents over several days, finally coming to a decision.

She had chosen to leave the Heens family and live with her lover. It would be a much humbler and poorer life than before, but she seemed prepared for it.

The letter was a mix of anticipation and hope for the future, along with some idealistic, if not slightly naïve, resolve.

[ I probably won’t be able to snack at every meal like before if I live with Miguel. That’s okay. If we’re short on money, I can earn it myself. I’ll make a decent income as a private tutor, just like him. ]

Cecilia knew it wouldn’t be as easy as Casey imagined. But Casey would manage. Her negotiations with her parents might have failed, but they hadn’t completely severed ties.

She was an their only child. If she married and had children, her parents wouldn’t be able to ignore their grandchildren.

Before long, Casey would return to the Heens family with her lover—or rather, her husband.

[ It’s all thanks to you, Cecilia. I truly hope you’ll find happiness. ]

Cecilia smirked bitterly.

She didn’t deserve such generous words from Casey. She had deliberately approached Casey and exploited her feelings.

A good outcome didn’t automatically make her a good person.

The letters from Viscountess Odridge and Casey Heens—so starkly different in tone—were both tucked away into the drawer. Then, Cecilia picked up her pen.

To the Viscountess, she would write a polite and superficial explanation.

To Casey, she would offer a heartfelt congratulations.

And yet—

‘I’m sorry. I used you.’

The words she truly wanted to say remained unwritten.

After sealing the letters, Cecilia returned to her usual cold expression.

She pulled out another sheet of paper. Dipping her pen in ink, she began to write the first line.

[ Dear D,

It’s been a while.

I’m planning to return soon, so I wanted to write a quick note to check in. A lot has changed, but I can’t fit it all here.

I hope you’ve been well. It’s much warmer here now—how is it on your side?

May the spring sunlight here reach you as well. ]

It was written like a casual greeting to an acquaintance. At the end, she added a postscript that contained the real purpose of her letter.

[ Do you still have the tea I sent you last time? With the damp weather, it’s probably losing its quality by now. Why not throw it out and drink something fresh? I’ll bring back something better from Mannheim. ]

***

In the garden of Lope Viscounty, two women were having an intense conversation.

Duchess Pierce, wearing a wide-brimmed hat that concealed her face except for her red lips, scolded Viscountess Lope.

“You sent an invitation to the Lasphilla family? Mother, why on earth would you do such a thing?”

“Oh, haven’t you heard the rumors? That girl isn’t just on friendly terms with Sir Nigel—there’s something more going on. When I first saw her, I thought she was a simpleton, but look at her now. She’s fully adapted to the capital and scheming behind the scenes.”