Chapter 6: The Eve

The sun’s heat had reached its peak. Even with all windows open for ventilation, the hot air hung heavy inside.

Despite wearing a thin sleeveless dress that almost completely exposed her shoulders and arms, sweat still trickled down Lyra’s face and neck.

As she was dabbing her face with a handkerchief, there came a soft knock and Letty poked her head through the opening door.

“My lady, could you come out for a moment?”

She tilted her head at Letty’s beckoning gesture before quickly rising. Given Letty’s careful expression, she worried she might have made another mistake.

‘Hopefully it’s nothing serious…’

As Lyra approached, Letty took her hand and led her outside.

“Where are we going?”

Lyra was puzzled, having expected Letty to go alone as a servant would. But Letty, who had looked so serious moments ago, just chuckled without answering.

Only when they passed the garden’s outdoor tables and reached the entrance did Lyra finally understand.

“This is…”

In the center of the garden, vibrant gladiolus flowers and bright yellow marigolds spread their lush petals.

Before a small sculptured fountain, a checkered cloth was spread wide, with baskets of cookies and fruit arranged attractively on top.

The maids, who had been chatting comfortably, hurriedly stood when they spotted Lyra.

“You’re here, my lady?”

“…Yes.”

Confused, Lyra looked at Hannah smiling among the maids before turning to Letty.

“What’s going on?”

“Mrs. Beightle is out today. You should rest a bit too, my lady. Would you like to join our tea time?”

“What?”

“Ah, I’m sorry we should have asked permission to use the garden first.”

“No, that’s fine…”

It wasn’t really her land anyway, and she’d already told the maids they could have tea time here whenever they wanted. So their using it wasn’t a problem.

She just noticed the desserts and drinks were more elaborate than usual, and pretty ribbons were tied between the decorative flowers and shrubs.

As Lyra stood still, Letty gently pushed her back.

“Your seat is over there, my lady. The best spot.”

Though nothing marked it as the place of honor, Lyra found herself pushed to the spot before the fountain. Hannah placed a hat on her head.

“The sun is strong, you should wear this.”

“Yes.”

It was the straw hat Kaylon had given her. Lyra fiddled with the ribbon Hannah had tied prettily as she somewhat awkwardly took her seat.

Soon a tempting mont blanc and iced lemon tea appeared before her. Lyra tried to understand the situation while listening to the chatter of Letty, Hannah, and the other maids who had been waiting for her arrival.

After a moment, Letty quietly stood and tapped a glass of yellow iced tea with a teaspoon.

“Ahem! May I have your attention? You all know it’s been well over three months since Lady Lyra came to this mansion? So despite being the youngest, I’ve arranged this special occasion. Senior sisters and fellow colleagues! Though late, please give a round of applause to welcome our lady!”

As Letty opened with exaggerated gestures, the dozen or so tea time members applauded on cue.

“Congratulations, my lady.”

“Congratulations.”

“Welcome to this place, my lady.”

From senior maids to new ones, all joined in welcoming Lyra.

“Um… yes. Thank you…”

Her lips felt shy forming the startled response. Having never expected a celebration in her honor, Lyra touched her flushed face self-consciously.

The maids smiled at this and turned to address Letty.

“Good job, Letty.”

“Oh, it wasn’t just me.”

“Still, we’d never have thought of it without you.”

“That’s true.”

As Letty giggled, playful criticisms about her lack of modesty came from all directions.

The lazy afternoon, happy expressions, casual conversation—something swelled in Lyra’s chest as she gazed at the gathered faces.

How could she have ever imagined such a touching moment would come in her life?

Lyra had always been the unwanted one, pushed aside wherever she went. Yet now she was being naturally welcomed and included by others.

Her eyes grew hot. The humid heat rose and tears quickly welled up.

Hannah, who had been quietly watching Lyra, silently offered a handkerchief. Only then did Lyra notice the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Lowering her hat brim to hide her face, Lyra quickly wiped away her tears while the maids laughed and chatted.

That’s when Letty addressed her:

“Ah, right. You should say something too, my lady.”

“Me… really?”

Lyra stared at Letty with wide eyes.

Letty smiled brightly and handed her teaspoon to Lyra.

“Of course. This gathering is for you, after all.”

“But… I don’t know what to say.”

“Anything is fine. Don’t feel pressured. You can talk about what you’ve felt so far, or even today’s food. This is that kind of place. No need for formality.”

Though five years younger than Lyra, Letty seemed quite mature. Lyra gazed into her warm brown eyes before gently lowering her head. Then, taking a deep breath, she raised her eyes again.

“Thank you… everyone. I’ll remember how you all look today, for a long time.”

Tears welled up again. Lyra forced her eyes to stay dry. Though there was no need to hide her emotions even now, she knew crying openly would make uncomfortable those who had gathered to celebrate her.

“And…”

Her trembling lips couldn’t form the rest of the words, even knowing this gathering was meant to comfort her.

A moment of silence passed. Letty, seeming to understand Lyra’s feelings, smiled slightly and gestured to the maids sneaking up from behind.

With a pop, champagne burst and flower petals flew. Though it was cheap champagne and crudely made paper petals, the smiles of the maids throwing them into the air were as precious as the finest jewels.

Lyra watched the paper petals spiral down and smiled softly.

* * *

Tap. Tap.

The intermittent sound of fingers drumming on the desk echoed through the room.

A smirk crossed Kaylon’s face, which had been so expressionless it was hard to guess his thoughts.

He tossed the official document he’d been reading onto the desk and leaned back in his chair.

“Either stupid or gutsy.”

Though the courage was admirable, this was nothing but a sideshow to him. It was clear that Baron Norris’s lawsuit wouldn’t leave a scratch on him.

Even so, wasn’t this going too far?

“Stockholm Syndrome, is it…”

The Baron showed no hesitation in portraying his daughter as mentally incompetent or deranged, even making the absurd claim that she had lost her faculties and fallen in love with her kidnapper, Duke Lianton.

For these reasons, a summons from the court had arrived this morning. Though he understood the desire to recover Lyra, the Baron had chosen the wrong approach.

“What does he expect me to say?”

His hand stroking his chin showed mild amusement. Should he play along with this foolishness, or drive a wedge between the Baron and the Count who had obviously helped with this?

Since either choice would work fine, his pleasant deliberation stretched as long as the ticking clock.

Just then, he noticed the sounds of chatter from outside. Though he’d been hearing it for a while, only now did the voices become clear.

Kaylon went to the window and looked down at the garden. In one corner visible from his study, he saw a woman laughing, surrounded by maids.

“Lyra Norris.”

The shadows that had once enveloped her seemed to have disappeared. His fingers in his pocket continued tapping rhythmically, as if measuring something. His gaze at the woman grew intense.

“Which do you want?”

To be mistress of a barony she’d never desired? Eternal separation from parents worse than none at all?

He waited quietly, as if actually offering Lyra these choices. Yet his gaze never left her.

Her golden hair shimmering in the sunlight was dazzling. Even her still-unripe smile, like a flower bud tightly closed before blooming, caught his eye.

Without realizing it, Kaylon’s lips curved gently.

“Thank you for your answer, Lyra.”

It was quite a refreshing statement to make to a woman who knew nothing of it.

Kaylon promptly called Isaac and ordered him to find a struggling hotel chain. He also told him to arrange a meeting with Baron Norris.

Isaac, guessing the general situation, quietly left the office while saying a prayer for the Baron’s soul.