Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 66
“Ugh…”
A thick, black liquid seemed about to spurt out from her insides, making her feel nauseous.
‘No.’
She suppressed the rising nausea.
No.Â
I shouldn’t hate Cecilia.Â
She’s my sister.Â
I shouldn’t hate Cecilia. I shouldn’t hate anyone…Â
Because I am the kind and righteous eldest daughter of the Lasphilla family.Â
“Lady Caroline?”
A woman stopped Caroline.
“Where are you rushing to?”
“Madame.”
It was Louise ClĂ©on, Caroline’s governess, known as Madame ClĂ©on.
“Madame, I’m in a hurry.”
“If it’s urgent, let’s deal with it together. What’s the matter?”
Caroline explained the situation. Listening quietly, Louise sighed softly.
“Our dear, naive Lady… Did you really believe that as you were told?”
“Was I not supposed to believe it? Did I misunderstand something?”
“Please try looking at the problem from a different angle. That would make things clear.”
Louise continued.
“If Miss Cecilia’s condition was that serious, the doctor would have informed His Excellency long ago. They would suggest moving her to a hospital in the city.”
“Ah…”
“It’s strange even if she suddenly fell ill. Right after leaving the first-floor drawing room, she came to the central hall. Could there really have been no servant to support the lady?”
Louise pointed out each doubt, her voice as elegant and gentle as befitting a noble lady’s governess.
“…âŠâ
Caroline thought for a moment and then shook her head.
“No. Those two wouldn’t have deceived me. They hardly even talk to each other.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Louise easily agreed. But the words she added made Caroline feel slightly uncomfortable.
“If a man engaged to a lady is seen holding another woman, especially the lady’s sister, in front of others, it’s not a good look, is it?”
It’s not good to appear intimate in front of others.
What if… it’s not in front of others?Â
Caroline’s eyes twisted.
“Madame, that’s taking it too far.”
“Is it?”
Louise was Caroline’s governess, not a member of the Lasphilla family. As an employee, her interference was limited to education and etiquette.
“Well, yes. With your sharpness, Miss, you wouldn’t have seen it wrong. I spoke out of turn.”
“Ah, be careful next time…”
“Yes, Lady Caroline. I apologize.”
Louise apologized politely and added warmly,
“Just know that everything I said came from a sincere place.”
“Madame…”
To Caroline, Louise was like a second mother. It was Louise who fervently educated her in place of her frail biological mother.
It was Louise who first acknowledged her loneliness when her father remarried early.
On the day Bernarda first visited the Coffret Manor, she embraced young Caroline and said,
“The new lady of the house seems clever, but she did not appear to be kind.”Â
“Why do you think so, Madame? Bernarda seems kind. She even prepared a gift for me today.”Â
“Thatâs why she is not kind.”Â
“What? WhyâŠ? I donât understand.”Â
“Did the lady prepare a separate handkerchief for Cecilia or even Margaret?”Â
“Thatâs⊔Â
“If she was truly kind, she wouldnât have discriminated against anyone.”
Louise Cléon whispered to young Caroline from behind, embracing her.
“You might also find yourself not receiving gifts someday. Perhaps that woman is eagerly awaiting the day she can send you to the attic.”Â
“âŠâŠ!”Â
“Imagine being trapped in a dark, damp attic, living like a mouse. That would be dreadful, wouldnât it?”
In the past, when Cecilia, at the age of six, was brought out from among the gypsies by her father, he hid her in the attic. It continued until Lilith, who later entered the Coffret Manor as a guest, made a fuss upon seeing her condition.
Cecilia always smelled musty, and Ulysses would wrinkle his nose whenever Cecilia came close.
She didnât want to be treated like that, not by Ulysses or anyone else.
“Madame… Should I talk to Father about this?”Â
“That would be problematic. It might seem like a foolish daughter blinded by petty jealousy is trying to ruin the marriage.”Â
“Then, what should I doâŠ?”Â
“Itâs okay, miss.”
Louise tightened her grip on Caroline’s hand.
“I will always be by your side. I will protect you for a lifetime.”Â
“Madame⊔Â
“Donât worry. I am⊔Â
“I am forever on your side.”
Louise said, caressing Caroline’s cheek. It was a somewhat odd behavior for dealing with a grown noble lady.
However, Caroline did not mind. To her, Louise was no different from a mother, despite being called a governess.
Caroline placed her hand over the one on her cheek and smiled faintly.
“That’s right. Youâre always on my side, Madame.”
