Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 30
‘When will I ever get to eat that turkey leg?’
The roasted turkey on the table had completely captured her attention.
The turkey dish was one of the few specialties of the Lasphilla estate’s chef. It must have tasted fantastic, but in her previous life, Cecilia never dared to enjoy it properly.
āIf only I could tear off that huge leg with one hand.ā
As Cecilia pondered this, Guinevere quickly lost interest.
“Todayās dinner seems a tad dull.”
“Are you bored, Sister? Shall we go inside and play chess together?”
“Hmm, that’s a nice idea, but…”
Guinevere poked Adam’s shoulder with her forefinger as she spoke.
“I’m craving a bath in a tub tonight.”
Coffret Manor, unlike other outdated country manors, had well-developed plumbing, thanks to Adamās business acumen and sensitivity to modern conveniences. He had upgraded the water facilities of his mansion to the latest standards early on.
“The bathtubs at the Rosencrantz estate are all just the mere portable kind. The maids heat the water and bring it, but, you know, last time they spilled it and ruined the carpet.”
Surely Guinevere had orchestrated the incident to replace the expensive carpet. The poor maid who got blamed and dismissed was the only one who should be pitied.
Cecilia quietly sipped her tea, keeping her thoughts to herself.
“It’s so nice here, with instant hot water. No worries about it getting cold… feels like it washes away all the fatigue.”
“I’m glad you like it here, Sister. Let’s finish dinner quickly so you can relax in the bath.”
“Thank you, dear.”
With Guinevere’s whims, dinner ended much earlier than usual. Cecilia sighed, eyeing the almost untouched turkey.
‘I knew this would happen.’
How come she never had the chance to enjoy the turkey leisurely?
While Cecilia gazed forlornly at the turkey, Margaret sneered.
“Just like someone, obsessed with men.”
“No, that one’s a female.”
“Wh… what?”
Margaret looked disgusted.
“Are you talking about Sir Nigel?”
“…Ah.”
Behind the turkey, Nigel, sipping coffee, caught Cecilia’s eye. His eyes, which momentarily widened at seeing her, quickly contorted with disdain.
Cecilia immediately turned to Margaret, whispering quietly.
“Man? That’s absurd.”
“…?”
“Iād call it a c**k.”
(T/N: Not sure how to translate it, but Cecilia used the term for āmale animalā here)
Nigel slammed his coffee cup down, glaring at Cecilia.
‘Heard that?’
What would he do, even if he had heard? He’s just a guest from the Rosencrantz family, here for a short vacation.
Cecilia had no reason to fear Nigel anymore.
“Letās go, girls. It’s time to leave the men to their conversation.”
Caroline gestured towards the exit, pushing them out.
After dinner, men typically stayed in the dining room for political discussions, while women moved to the parlor or their bedrooms.
“I’m going to bed.”
Margaret spoke first. It was indeed late for the young girl.
“Shall we head in too, Cecilia?”
Caroline asked, to which Cecilia shook her head.
“I’m not sleepy yet.”
Unusual for her to stay up after Margaret, but Caroline didnāt think much of it.
“Shall we play chess in the upstairs parlor, then?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
Caroline tugged at Cecilia’s hand.
“Have you learned chess? Without a governess, you might not know.”
Cecilia smiled faintly.
“Fortunately, I know the rules a bit. Letās go. It’s better to do something if I can’t sleep.”
Tonight seemed like it would be a long one.
***
Guinevere didn’t fancy the main guest rooms of Coffret Manor, despite having spent a long time there.
Therefore, her accommodation during the holiday was always a bedroom in the attached annex.
“Dana! Dana!”
A senior footman rushed into the annex to instruct Dana, the senior maid in charge of the annex, to heat water for Guinevere’s bath.
“Daina, why arenāt you answering?”
Surprisingly quiet for a time when it should be bustling in preparation for the fussy Rosencrantz lady.
“Where’s everyone slacking off? Right at a moment like this…”
Just then, a young maid, clutching her stomach, dashed past. The footman quickly grabbed her sleeve.
“Hey, could you call Dana for me?”
“I’m, Iām busy!”
The maid wriggled free and disappeared, clutching a bunch of tissues.
“What in the world…”
While the footman stood puzzled, Daina approached him, looking visibly pale and strained.
“You’re here from the main house…”
Her tone was that of someone barely holding back something.
