Chapter 2
“Aria, I’m planning to formally propose to Isabella tomorrow.
“Since Isabella and your tastes are quite similar, if you like Aria, Isabella will probably like her too, right?
Edward’s indifferent words faintly echoed in her ears. Cold air seeped into Aria’s lungs. She took a deep breath. Three years ago, after losing my voice, I often felt frustrated with myself for not being able to speak. When I was despised by the servants I lived with. When the Bailey family treated him like a fool. When I couldn’t be there to discuss Edward’s worries and be a companion.
But today, I thought it was a blessing that I couldn’t speak.
If you have to react calmly to the news that the person you loved is proposing to another woman instead of you, what story should you start with? For a brief moment, while being by Edward’s side, Aria had dared to desire him. Sometimes, I foolishly worried alone, thinking he was mine.
The heart he couldn’t have, no, the heart he couldn’t have from the beginning. Aria turned her gaze away, unable to say a word.
Edward quietly asked as he examined her pale face.
“Aria, what’s wrong?
“Are you hurt anywhere?
A heart that doesn’t feel like my own. To quickly hide her foolish self, she had to endure her blurred vision. Aria gently shook her head. As if not in pain, she weakly curled the corners of her mouth.
Edward let out a short breath, seemingly relieved.
“Phew, that’s a relief.
“It seems that the food here doesn’t suit your taste.
Next time, I’ll take you somewhere else instead of here.
Edward’s eyes softened gently.
“Will Isabella like it?”
Such a place, a beautiful ring, a colorful bouquet. What do we need all this for? Other than Edward’s dazzling appearance.
Since it was a proposal that no woman present could refuse, Aria nodded.
Edward, seemingly relieved, gulped down the glass of water in front of him.
Aria wanted to ask. What part of Isabella did you like? No, did you think you couldn’t even sit next to her from the beginning? A heart that hasn’t been permitted. The pain that must be hidden until the end. Aria clenched her hands tightly, trying to hold back her tears.
“That’s a relief.
“Seeing that Aria likes it, Isabella will probably like it too. If Isabella accepts my proposal tomorrow, I’ll be the first to tell you the news. You are my personal maid and my closest friend.
Edward, having said what he needed to say, wore a pleasant smile, whether he knew her feelings or not.
Aria turned her head and looked at the flower shop across the street. The place she visited earlier.
Her gaze lingered there for a moment. Aria, who had been staring at the neatly arranged red roses in front of the store for a long time, smiled bitterly.
‘It wasn’t a love that started because you understood my heart anyway. ‘Don’t cry like an idiot. In front of Edward. You have to bless his happiness. More joyfully than anyone else.
Holding onto the words she couldn’t say, Aria stood up from her seat shortly after Edward.
Aria followed behind Edward, simply gazing at his golden hair fluttering in the wind. This was it. The distance between Edward and myself.
The distance between the master and the maid. Unfortunately, their relationship was just like this. A maid who supports her master from behind for a lifetime, helping him to succeed. Neither more nor less than that.
Aria had crossed too many times to give up on my heart and it was too late to turn back, but she had to realize it. Edward is no longer someone I can dare to have feelings for.
A few days later, the Bailey family’s dinner.
The entire family, including the Earl and Countess Bailey, was sitting together enjoying a meal.
Aria, who was attending to Edward, glanced sideways at him as he tilted his glass.
“Father, Mother, I have something to tell you.”
At the sudden voice that was heard, the family’s gaze all turned to Edward at once.
“I want to marry Lady Cecil of the Cecil family.
“Actually, I have already received her acceptance to my proposal.
“Oh my goodness, honey!”
The countess could not hide her excited heart. Why wouldn’t she be? Isabella was the only daughter of the Earl of Cecil, who was favored by the Emperor.
In high society, the praise for Isabella was immense.
Isabella, the kind-hearted woman who actively engages in volunteer work for the poor. Isabella, the intelligent woman who never loses her dignity at any social party.
Moreover, Isabella’s dazzling beauty made her character stand out even more.
She was not only beautiful but also had a gentle and pleasant personality, so noble young men lined up just to meet her once.
That she accepted my son’s proposal. From now on, the reputation of the Bailey family would surely rise significantly.
“First, we decided to have the engagement ceremony.”
“I want to go through the formal procedures and receive blessings from everyone.”
The impatient countess wanted to have the wedding immediately, even if it was tomorrow, but she barely managed to suppress her impatience.
Is that wedding really that important? In the future, having a daughter-in-law with a strong backing to protect my son will be the important thing.
The countess smiled brightly as she looked at the count’s indifferent expression.
“Honey, we should invite Lord and Lady Cecil soon.
“No, wait, shouldn’t we inform His Majesty the Emperor of this joyous news first?
The eldest son of the Bailey family is getting engaged!
“It’s only been a short while since the war ended, and you’re still in such a daze. Why bother with something so personal?”
At the count’s indifferent expression, the countess’s green pupils trembled slightly. She made an effort to soften her expression and spoke again.
“It’s not like we lost the war, and you brought back such triumphant news that the whole empire is buzzing. Who would have thought you’d take it so well?”
“That’s why it’s even more impossible.
“The news of a wedding for someone who didn’t even participate in this war. What would His Majesty think!
As the count’s firm voice echoed through the air, not only did the countess’s expression darken, but Edward’s complexion also instantly soured.
“Are you, by any chance….
“Are you still resentful about sending Eric to war instead of Edward?
Under the Countess’s urgent questioning, the Count silently picked up the wine glass in front of him and emptied it in one go.
Count Denis Bailey. A loyal knight who was awarded the title of Count for his merits in defending the eastern frontier of the empire from the border states.
While he was out in the capital, he made a one-night mistake with the maid who had been attending to him. And as a result of that scandalous affair, a baby boy was born.
Eric Bailey. He was brought into the Bailey household at the age of 10 after his mother died of an unknown illness and he was taken in by the count.
No, to be precise, I stayed here until five years ago. Until that incident happened.
Edward changed the subject to shift the suddenly somber atmosphere.
“Lord Cecil was pleased to have formed a connection with the valiant Bailey family, who defended the border.”
The wife’s dark expression barely lifted as she looked at Edward.
“Then where do you want to have the engagement ceremony?”
“I discussed it with Isabella, and we are thinking of having the engagement ceremony at St. Martin’s Church and the reception in the garden of our mansion.
“Isabella said that the Bailey family’s garden is more beautifully maintained than any place she has ever seen.
The beauty of the garden meant that the hostess had taken good care of the interior landscaping. The countess’s shoulders lifted proudly.
“Oh dear. “What are you going to do if Sir Cecil feels hurt?
“Fortunately, the count also readily gave his permission.”
“Everything is going smoothly.”
The lady smiled gently and took a sip from the wine glass in front of her.
The malicious gaze hidden behind that smile soon began to search for an outlet for its anger, and as always, the target was Aria.
She scanned Aria from top to bottom.
“This place will be taken care of by the other maids, so you can go now.”
“What are you dawdling for?
Aria, glancing around at the disapproving looks, fidgeted nervously before soon bowing her head and stepping outside. As she left, the countess let out a short sigh and quickly spoke to Edward.
“How long do you plan to keep that child by your side?
“Because of that mute maid, your authority will eventually suffer a small blemish. If a scandalous rumor spreads in high society…Now, just change the dedicated maid already.
The lady, with a flexible expression, sought Edward’s consent.
But within it, there was a thorn aimed at my husband.
Edward’s face crumpled at his mother’s words, which she had decided without consulting him even once.
“She is my personal maid.
“I will decide whether to keep Aria by my side.
Edward’s firm voice resonated loudly in the dining room. The complexion of the countess sitting across from him changed dramatically.
“Raising your voice in front of your father.
“That’s not like you.
“But having my parents interfere in such a deeply personal matter…”
“Don’t ruin the mood with stories about your performance at a good place, Edward.”
The countess immediately urged her husband.
“Honey, you’re watching but not saying anything, please say something.”
“Edward, stop it. There’s no need to ruin the mood by talking about the performance at a good gathering. I should send Cecil an invitation soon.
“Yes, that would be good.”
Edward closed his mouth with a displeased expression. He kept gulping down the water in front of him.
As soon as Aria entered the room, she collapsed onto the floor, completely drained.
“Because of that mute maid, someday your authority will suffer a small blemish.”
As soon as he stepped out, he heard his wife’s voice from the dining room. As a result, I ended up stopping in my tracks for a while. According to the procedure, the couple who will soon have their wedding will move to their newly prepared mansion. To move there, she needed the mansion owner’s consent, but it seemed the count and countess wouldn’t easily send her there.
Well, a user with many defects was useless here and there.
Aria thought it was for the best. Love shouldn’t let my wicked heart interfere with the future of the newlyweds, even a little. The Count, who had no one to rely on, found it difficult to endure.
But she must stay here. That much, Aria had nowhere to go.
Aria bit her lower lip tightly to hold back the tears that were pouring down. Sorrowful tears continuously streamed down her cheeks.
