Maylily - Chapter 75

Last week, ever since she’d started practicing again, Maylily had seemed to brighten little by little, but for some reason, she’d grown gloomy once more. At times, she even looked as if she were spacing out entirely. Since David’s visit to the annex yesterday afternoon, her condition hadn’t been good at all.

Sitting in a chair placed in the corner of the drawing room, sewing as she watched Maylily’s expression, Alice broke the silence with playful ease.

“Isn’t it suffocating to stay inside on such a lovely day? Should we pack some snacks and go out somewhere scenic?”

Maylily, who’d been staring blankly at the documents David had dropped off, slowly lifted her gaze toward Alice. As if thinking something over, she closed her eyes briefly before opening them again.

“Is there anywhere around here where I can buy opera scores?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure. There’s only a small bookstore in Everscourt town….”

The House of Everscourt was famous for the vast wealth it had accumulated through business, but the small coastal town of Everscourt, where their estate lay, had never been a particularly developed commercial center.

After a moment’s thought, Alice came up with an alternative that might satisfy Maylily.

“Shall we go to Lurollei? There’s a big bookstore in the city there.”

“Lurollei? Would it be alright to go that far?”

“It’s not like the master put you under confinement. There’s no reason we can’t. The days are longer now too, so even if we leave now, traveling won’t be difficult.”

The round trip to Lurollei by carriage took two hours. But because Alice suggested it as casually as if recommending a simple stroll through the garden, Maylily made her decision without hesitation.

“Alright. I want to go.”

Seeing the rare spark of determination in Maylily’s blue eyes, Alice grinned.

“It’s a lively resort city. You’ll enjoy it. I’ll go to the main house right away to check if a carriage is available. I’ll also inform Lady Deborah.”

“Yes, thank you, Miss Curren.”

Excited by the prospect of an outing after so long, Alice practically ran to the main house. After handling all the tasks necessary for the trip, she finally sent word to the Skaard Hotel in Lurollei, informing them that Maylily would be visiting.

***

Located on the southern coast of the Riverton Empire, Lurollei had originally been a popular winter retreat thanks to its mild climate year‑round. But with the advancement of railway travel and the invention of the swimsuit, travelers seeking to enjoy the sea began gathering throughout the year. It soon became one of the continent’s most renowned resort destinations.

Hugh had drawn the blueprint for the landmark hotel at the city’s center during his university days. Back then, he’d worked with his father to bring the plan to life, and after his father’s passing, he had led the project alone.

Hugh usually visited the hotel for important meetings or official receptions, but with the grand opening approaching, he’d been appearing there far more frequently. The Lurollei branch, destined to become the first major achievement he would claim as head of Skaard Enterprises, had to be perfect from the very beginning.

Final preparations for guest service were underway in every department. Everything was proceeding according to plan. After a guided inspection with support from senior executives, Hugh returned to his office, where David entered wearing a deeply troubled expression.

“A telegram has arrived from the Roden Police Authority. Victor Heywood is dead.”

Hugh, who had been signing documents, paused and slowly lifted his head. The same gentle smile he’d worn upon entering the office remained on his face, but the eyes within it glinted without warmth.

“The cause.”

“He was struck by a carriage while fleeing from the police and died instantly.”

“The investigation ends there?”

“Yes. However, they’ll continue investigating Pamela Stein for aiding in Miss Aile’s kidnapping and confinement. If you’d prefer the case to be closed….”

“Have them continue.”

“Yes, understood.”

Hugh’s reaction was excessively calm, like someone hearing the obituary of a person he’d never known. Watching him lower his eyes back to the documents, David studied him for a moment before asking cautiously.

“Are you alright?”

“What about it?”

“I thought perhaps this wasn’t the ending you wanted.”

Hugh paused once more, the hand that had been signing stopping mid‑stroke, and twirled the pen slowly between his fingers with a pensive look.

It was certainly an ending he’d never imagined. But looking back now, facing judgment in court and paying for his crimes in prison would’ve been too dignified a conclusion for that piece of human trash.

“This miserable death suits Victor Heywood far better.”

David responded to the cynical remark with a bitter smile, letting a heavy silence pass. Then, as if switching tracks deliberately, he put on a bright expression and delivered the next piece of news.

“Miss Aile is in Lurollei right now.”

***

After leaving the bookstore in the heart of Lurollei’s busy district, Alice and Maylily next arrived at a nearby tearoom. Judging by the lavish interior and exterior decor and the guests’ attire, it appeared to be a place for the upper class.

“Did we come somewhere too expensive?”

As they stepped inside, Maylily whispered nervously. After buying an armful of scores at the bookstore, she’d begun to worry about her thinning purse.

“Don’t worry. Miss Aile, you won’t have to open her wallet here. Since we came all the way to Lurollei, we should enjoy a cup of tea somewhere with atmosphere.”

Even if Alice said she would pay, Maylily still felt uneasy. A maid’s wages couldn’t possibly be generous…. Should she suggest they go somewhere else instead?

While she hesitated, Alice led her out to the terrace and took a small table near the street. With no choice, Maylily sat opposite her, prepared to empty what little money remained in her purse if necessary. She placed the stack of scorebooks she held onto the chair beside her.

Before long, an employee dressed in a black uniform brought the menus. As Maylily tried to remain calm while staring at the unfamiliar names and the numbers written beside them, Alice fanned herself lightly.

“Let’s catch our breath before we order.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Setting down the menu, Maylily looked around with curious eyes. The southern city lined with ivory‑colored buildings bustled with summer vacationers, yet still held an air of leisure and romance. She felt genuinely glad she’d agreed to Alice’s suggestion.

Maylily had been watching a man making giant soap bubbles in front of the fountain in the square when she casually turned her head.

“What’s wrong, Miss Curren? Are you looking for someone?”

Alice, lifting herself halfway out of her seat and glancing around restlessly, caught her attention.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

She straightened her posture right away but soon scanned the surroundings again with a nervous look.

“Ah!”

Then, peering past Maylily’s shoulder into the distance, she let out a small exclamation. When Maylily tilted her head in confusion, Alice gave her a stiff smile.

“I’ll just go to the restroom for a moment.”

Maybe she really was in a hurry. Watching her hurry away, Maylily let out a small laugh. Then she suddenly noticed several people glancing her way.

She’d put effort into choosing her clothes for the trip to Lurollei. Was she still too underdressed for a place like this?

Trying to chase away the sudden rush of embarrassment, she opened the score resting beside her. Before she knew it, she was absorbed in the music and humming softly when she sensed someone sit across from her.

“You came back quickly.”

As she lowered the score, a pair of men’s gloves placed on the table and a strong, well‑shaped hand entered her view.

“I think you’re at the wrong—”

Maylily lifted her gaze the rest of the way and her eyes flew wide.

“Count?”

How are you here…? Muttering in a daze, Maylily swallowed the rest of her words as Alice’s suspicious behavior flashed through her mind.

The Count of Everscourt, his black hair neatly swept back to reveal his forehead and eyebrows clearly, greeted her with a smile marked by a distinct dimple. The intense sunlight pouring over his face made her eyes sting.

“Have you not ordered yet?”

“…No.”

Glancing lightly over the menu on the table, the Count signaled to the employee waiting nearby. His words and manner as he spoke to the server who came to take their order were elegant and practiced.

Only after the employee left did Maylily realize that the Count had ordered for her entirely on his own.

“Why did you order my food without asking me?”

“You’ll definitely like it. Trust me.”

Seeing Maylily puff out her cheeks in irritation, the Count let out a low laugh. As if bewitched by that sound, everyone around them turned to look. The people in the tearoom, and even those out on the street.

His face often appeared in newspapers, so many probably recognized him. But even if that weren’t the case, the sight of the Count sitting with his long legs crossed and smiling was handsome enough that anyone would turn to look at least once.

He himself seemed completely indifferent to the attention.

Though he received everyone’s gaze, he remained free from all of them. That effortless, detached ease made him seem like a ruler who placed everyone in the space beneath his feet.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Oh, no.”

Maylily, who had been casting a fresh glance at the face she’d seen every day since arriving in Prowden, suddenly came to her senses at the sound of his gentle voice. She quickly lowered her head.

Her cheeks, heated by the blazing sunlight, burned even hotter. Just then, the items they’d ordered were brought out.