When Allen's gaze met Hilda's, at some point Philip had already lowered his head to look at her again.
The gentle smile on Hilda's face and the genuine happiness in her expression were reflected in his eyes.
He fell silent for a moment, then turned his head to glance at Allen.
For an instant, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.
Philip blinked, and the confusion was gone—almost as if it had been an illusion.
He raised his hand and rubbed his temples with a tired gesture.
"Since you're already awake, I'll take my leave. There are still some municipal affairs to handle. Should I call Lier back for you?"
"No need~ Arifa can do it. Dear, are you going to work on official matters now, or will you rest a bit first?"
"Mhm, I understand."
His voice was gentle. Philip tilted his head once more to look at Allen, then turned to nod at Arifa, who was bowing respectfully behind him.
He walked through the living room, reached the door, leaned out slightly, then turned back to grasp the handle.
The door slowly closed, the view narrowing through the shrinking gap until it was just a thin slit.
In that slit—only two figures remained.
Hilda.
And Allen.
The soft sound of the door shutting echoed faintly.
Philip stared at the closed door that now cut off his sight, stood still for a moment, then made his way toward the reception room he often used as his office.
——
"Mother, I've already mastered the foxtrot! I'm still improving!"
As soon as Philip left, Eris spoke up—not in her usual loud, boisterous tone. Her smile was bright, but her demeanor wasn't quite natural.
In fact, it was slightly tense. She was trying, in her own clumsy way, to cheer up Hilda.
Edna had been on paid leave at home for quite some time.
Since late October, after Hilda had given a single etiquette lesson, she seemed to have fallen in love with this 'novelty' of being a teacher. Every evening, often even before dinner, she would arrive early in the classroom to wait for the students.
In the first few weeks after becoming their etiquette teacher, Hilda's expression was always serious, sometimes even frowning, as if she had fully taken on the role of an instructor.
But as time passed, her smile became more frequent.
And ever since she'd fallen ill, their etiquette classes naturally moved into Hilda's bedroom.
Why continue teaching while sick?
According to her—
"With a little over a month until Eris's tenth birthday banquet, and for her to have mastered the foxtrot in just two weeks—wonderful. I'm not worried anymore, but make sure to keep practicing every day."
Her tone carried a hint of fatigue as she tried to push herself up. Eris's eyes widened, and she quickly stepped forward to gently help her mother sit upright.
"Okay~"
Then, without missing a beat, Eris grabbed Allen's hand, lifting it high in a victory pose.
"Then, does Mother want to see the results today? I've been practicing every night!"
Hilda smiled and glanced at Allen.
He was looking down at the sofa.
The thick blanket that had been covering Hilda had shifted when she sat up, revealing scraps of fabric and a sewing kit beneath.
Seeing this, Hilda smiled again.
"Today we won't review your dance steps. Yesterday was already perfect."
Eris froze, suddenly unsure how to cheer her mother up next.
But then Hilda looked at Allen, her eyes curved in a smile.
"I was worried there wouldn't be enough time, so I started making your banquet outfits long ago. I finally finished them last night. Today's etiquette lesson will be trying them on instead."
"This way, if the sizes aren't right, there will be more than enough time to alter them."
Just as she finished speaking, the sound of rolling wheels reached them.
Everyone turned to see Arifa pushing a wheeled coat rack into the room. It was covered with a white dust cloth.
The rabbit-eared maid bowed and slowly pulled the cloth away.
Four garments hung neatly on the rack:
A pure white gown like clouds, adorned with a silver pendant choker, cut in a low neckline.
A bright red tasseled dress like the morning sun, with a floral collar, lively yet dignified.
A deep navy short suit jacket in a fine herringbone stitch, with an academic style.
A jet-black long formal coat with a silver chain at the breast pocket, sharp and elegant.
Eris's mouth fell slightly open, her earlier uncertainty gone.
Without hesitation, she skipped right past the low-cut gown, grabbed the red tasseled dress, and held it up in front of herself.
"Is this for me?! Mother, you're amazing!"
She wasn't interested in clothes—this was purely to please her mother.
As for the low-cut gown? Eris decided to graciously let Sylphy have it.
If she chose quickly enough, that constricting gown wouldn't have a chance to "catch" her.
A lady like her had no interest in something so hard to walk in!
Sylphy, who had been unusually tense for days, widened her eyes.
Two weeks ago, Hilda had already told her she would be wearing a specially altered white gown, so she was mentally prepared—but to try it on here and now?
Beside the rack, Rudy naturally picked up the navy short suit—Allen's build was far too different from his own for there to be any confusion.
Feeling the fine weave of the fabric, he looked genuinely impressed.
"So detailed… is this your own handiwork, Madam? Amazing."
Hilda nodded with a smile, then glanced at Sylphy.
"I was going to make Eris a white dress, but since Sylphy already had one, I made the tasseled dress for Eris instead. I imagine you're not fond of the restrictive feel of gowns either, are you?"
"Thank you, Mother!"
Sylphy stiffened further, glancing instinctively at Allen.
He was gently running his hand over the black double-breasted formal coat clearly meant for him.
His gaze was lowered.
No one had ever made him clothes before.
Let alone something this finely crafted—just feeling the stitching told him it had taken a long time to make.
How long had she worked on it?
And when?
She had never even taken his measurements.
Yet somehow… it seemed perfectly tailored to him.
(End of Chapter)
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