Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 55
“Ah…!”
Cecilia panicked and wiped the floor with a napkin. It was around that time that Guinevere’s voice rose.
“Can’t you just put that down right away?”
She snatched the napkin from Cecilia’s hand, threw it away as if she had touched something dirty, and dusted off her hands.
Cecilia stared blankly at the older womanās actions.
“Why, why do you do that?”
“If you spill a cup, you call someone.”
Guinevere’s voice was tinged with a hint of disgust.
“Wiping up spilled tea is something a maid should do.”
“Ah, Iām sorā”
“No need to apologize more than once. A high person’s apology is humility, but you just look pitiful.”
Cecilia bowed her head at the direct criticism. The sound of someoneās tongue clicking could be heard overhead.
“To think I have to walk arm in arm with such a pathetic girl…”
Bringing her to the debutante ball in this state would only extend her own embarrassment.
For a debutante, the chaperone accompanying them is as important as the partner for the first dance. How could this girl squander her reputation on something so frivolous?
Guinevere banged on the table as if determined. The sound, meant to refresh the atmosphere, made Cecilia look up at her.
“Even if your father has been indifferent to you, I believe he didnāt raise you without the fundamentals. You’ve learned all the basic manners, haven’t you?”
“Iāve learned walking and greeting etiquette.”
“What about poetry and music?”
“I like poetry personally and know quite a bit. As for instruments, I can play the piano a little… about ten pieces excluding the ones with long movements.”
“And your eloquence?”
“ā¦That, umā¦”
“Yes. Adam wouldnāt have wanted to raise you as a lady with a sharp tongue. What’s the use of a pretty doll learning to speak, just to become another Lilith?”
Cecilia brushed her chest slightly. She looked like she thought sheād be scolded again but was relieved to have passed at least the basic criteria.
Guinevere sneered. This girl thought she could easily escape.
“Do you know any dances?”
“ā¦No.”
“Your mother didnāt teach you that?”
“No, my mother passed away early…”
“Do you want to keep pretending not to understand?”
Cecilia fiddled with the edge of the teacup with her fingertips.
“ā¦When I was young, I wanted to learn to dance. Miss Lilith dancing the waltz was really beautiful. Butā¦ she never taught me.”
Cecilia lowered her head, only her silvery blue eyes sheepishly looking up.
“Miss Lilith wanted to keep me as a child of Lasphilla.”
Guinevere’s eyebrow arched at Ceciliaās crossed arms. Cecilia took a breath and spoke again.
“As long as you are here, not a single speck of my lifeās dust will settle on youāthatās what she said.”
Her voice suddenly lowered, her speech shortened.
Guinevere’s eyes widened as a laugh like falling leaves echoed from the other side.
“That’s what Miss Lilith said when she refused my request.”
Guinevere blinked slowly, surprised. The sun set, casting a tangled shadow of the curtain over her forehead.
“I thought you were your motherās hope.”
Her lips curved slightly, then hardened again.
“But you were her weakness after all?”
The phrase, as sharp as a knife, cut through the air.
“Weakness?”
“If you don’t understand the meaning, don’t even ask. It only makes the one explaining feel pathetic.”
Guinevere shook her head, concluding the conversation.
“Learn to dance separately. If you say you want to dance with your fiancĆ©, Adam will readily assign a teacher for you. And… I’ll personally select and send you a dress.”
“But, you don’t have to…!”
“You still donāt get it? I’m going to be the chaperone for your debutante.”
Guinevere pointed to the corsage on Cecilia’s chest.
“If you come in such a tacky outfit, forget the certificate or anything. If you have even the slightest intention of entering the hall holding my hand, dress appropriately.”
“ā¦Yes, thank you.”
“Good. Send your measurements by this winter… ”
She lightly scanned Cecilia’s body.
“And start by increasing your food intake.”
Cecilia looked at her, puzzled, and Guinevere’s lips formed a wrinkle.
“The era when a woman’s frailty was deemed a virtue is over. Especially if you’re not Evelyn’s but Lilith’s daughter.”
Caroline’s slender figure suited her pure atmosphere well. Knowing this, she often skipped meals. Honestly, it seemed a bit excessive now, but Guinevere didn’t bother to comment.
Living with such a sister every day must have raised her standards.
