Chapter Four
_ Ian's Wish
* * *
"My Lady, everything is ready, and Miss Stanley will arrive within the hour."
I smiled at the maid and motioned for her to leave. The rest of the maids were helping me get ready; usually, I don't need all this time, but today is a special day. I must be ready and leave a good impression on the new Countess...
It is true that Baron Stanley has not given his approval yet, but I am excited to meet her; she is a good person...
After the maids finished preparing me, I liked my elegant and calm appearance. Usually, I wear dull colors, so my look in a light sky-blue high-necked dress with a white waist ribbon was a bit bright...
With a pair of white diamond earrings, I put all my hair up with a white diamond hairpin. The makeup was calm too; the appearance was elegant and dignified...
After the maids finished, I ordered them to leave. After they went out, Rose came forward with Ian, making my smile widen. After Rose finished her mission, the results were still pending, but immediately upon her return, I officially declared her Ian's nanny. It was shocking news for everyone. As for Celine, I appointed her as the head of services; it was only a temporary measure until I find a suitable person...
I looked at Ian and Rose, then spoke to my child in a gentle and flirtatious way:
"How does Mama look, my little one?!"
The little one laughed, so Rose spoke with a smile:
"It seems the young Duke thinks my Lady is beautiful."
I stepped forward and nodded for her to give me my little one...
"It seems my child is growing fast."
I carried him and started walking with him in the room while Rose followed me.
"Rose, have you received the reply?"
My voice was cold despite my smile, but Rose, who had grown accustomed to it, said:
"The messenger told me that the information about the list you sent will be prepared within two weeks, because the list is long."
I laughed cheerfully; I had forgotten that I had put the longest list ever..
"It's fine. You will go at the scheduled time to receive the list with the information. It will appear to everyone that you have gone on vacation... Alright?"
Rose nodded in agreement, then I ordered her to leave so I could stay for a bit with my child...
"You know, Ian, your mother this time decided to grant you many wishes, and here she has started doing so..."
I hugged my child tighter to smell as much of his sweet scent as possible. Ian let out a sweet note that warmed my heart...
"Ian, my child, I am truly happy, but I am still afraid. I don't want to hurt you again. I will protect you fiercely and will never let anything hurt you, even if it is me."
I looked at the clock and found that it was time. I rang the bell for the maids to enter, along with Rose..
I gave Ian to Rose, kissed my child several times, and left him.
* * *
The garden was beautiful with white carnations, lavender, and many flowers that filled the beautiful garden at the end of summer...
She was a beautiful young woman with light blonde braided hair decorated with pink peonies, her emerald green eyes sparkling. Wearing a pink dress studded with green emeralds, she sat upright at the tea table despite her nervousness, maintaining her noble appearance..
She was moving her gaze all around the garden, admiring the flowers...
"It seems my garden has pleased Miss Stanley."
She looked at the source of the voice and found the Duchess in an elegant appearance, followed by a group of maids. Aldora became nervous and stood up with embarrassment. After regaining her composure, she bowed gracefully:
"Aldora Stanley greets Her Excellency Duchess Elite de Altan."
"Happy to meet you, Miss Stanley, and I apologize for the delay."
"No, no, Your Highness, you are not late. I truly enjoyed the garden."
Elite laughed softly at Aldora's attempts to hide her embarrassment, then said:
"Well, let us sit first, then we shall wander here and there."
She guided her to the chair, and after Elite sat down, Aldora sat in front of her..
Elite signaled the maids to pour the tea. After they poured the tea and served the refreshments, she signaled them to move away..
"It is jasmine tea with cloves; I heard you are a fan of it.."
"I thank Your Excellency for paying attention to my taste, but..."
"You feel exhausted, right?!"
Aldora startled and made eye contact with Elite, who smiled brightly and said:
"Well, I will not act formally, and you may act comfortably; I will not be annoyed."
"But Your Excellency..."
Elite understood Aldora's tension and fears, so she spoke in a gentle and cheerful way:
"I know, it is somewhat embarrassing to speak face-to-face with the sister of the potential groom, but do not worry. Let us drink tea and eat sweets, let us talk a lot, and then let us think about the matter."
Aldora, who was amazed by the personality of the Duchess—whom she had always heard was arrogant and a very harsh person—smiled and tried to go along with the situation. She nodded yes and then said:
"What does my Lady like to do?"
Elite laughed softly and said:
"Ummm, not much. Working on the affairs of the Duchy and a lot, a lot of time with Ian."
It was a sincere smile reflecting a mother's love for her child. Aldora admired that and said gently:
"It seems the Duchess loves the little Duke very much."
There was a complex smile on Elite's face that she could not hide, so she resorted to asking:
"What does the Miss like to do?!"
Aldora smiled and said shyly:
"Embroidery sometimes, and I often play the piano and some instruments."
"It seems the Miss loves music."
"Very much. I find my soul singing with the music on a quiet night, the sound of music echoing in the dead of night..."
Elite looked at the refreshed Aldora, so different from the pale, tired, and gloomy girl she had seen in her previous life. Before her was a beautiful child full of life, talking about her dreams in a poetic way...
'Perhaps my brother really needs a lady to move the iceberg that has solidified in his heart.'
Elite smiled and said:
"Do you like sweets?!"
Aldora laughed softly and said:
"A looooot. I love the spread of sugar in the mouth and the stimulation of all senses. And does my Lady like sweets?"
Elite laughed and said:
"To some extent, but I like salty foods more."
Aldora spoke with a kind of enthusiasm:
"And spicy foods?!"
"No, I think I prefer moderate foods... "
Aldora spoke with a bit of disappointment and said:
"I thought I was going to suggest a restaurant specialized in seasoned foods full of flavors."
Elite laughed cheerfully:
"It seems you are the one who likes foods with strong flavors."
Aldora felt a bit embarrassed and said in a low voice:
"I am a food lover, but my nanny tells me to eat in moderation so I don't gain weight.... It's really hard."
She made a pathetic expression. Elite watched her actions calmly and then said thoughtfully:
"Your nanny is right, but do not neglect eating what you love."
Aldora laughed sincerely and said:
"It seems my Lady loves moderation not just in food, but in life in general."
Elite was surprised. She never thought of someone evaluating her based on a small remark. She wasn't upset, but rather liked it and said:
"It seems so, very much. But I am very harsh."
Aldora stopped laughing and smiled gently, saying:
"My Lady, harshness does not come from nothing; everything has a reason."
Elite admired her words and replied:
"Then kindness also does not come from nothing."
"True, comfortable people deserve for us to be extremely kind to them."
"And am I a comfortable person?"
"Yes, even though I was afra—"
Aldora closed her mouth and said with embarrassment:
"I am a bit impulsive in speech, I apologize."
Elite laughed cheerfully; she had been drawing her out in conversation:
"It's fine. I like you being honest with me, but you must be able to control your expressions more, because there are monsters who like to prey on kind ones like the Miss... It's fine to act naturally in front of the people you love and who love you, and I have liked you... So I would like us to be friends."
Aldora was moved by Elite's words and said in a sad and sincere tone:
"My Lady! How much has your heart endured?!"
Aldora's kindness shook Elite's heart, and she tried to pull herself together, but Aldora realized the situation and spoke in a cheerful tone, having taken a piece of candy:
"It seems the Duchy's chefs make raspberry sweets in a gentle way that melts on the tongue... Mmmm... It's delicious."
Elite looked at Aldora's actions, which might contradict etiquette, but she didn't care. 'She appreciates the feelings of others.'
[ "My mother did not love me, she never touched me, she never even looked at me. Why does she hate me?! "]
[ "Sometimes hearts stained with pain go blind to love; they encase their hearts in harshness and show only harshness, because they think love will break them. "]
["..."]
[ "Maybe one day, when they forget their old sorrow, they will leave the fortresses of their hearts and begin to love. We must do our best to give love to those whose hearts are tinted with grief." ]
The memories that appeared in Elite's head from her past life were like a flash, making her smile warmly:
"My heart was stained with a lot of pain, but now I desire to live happily and leave the sorrow, to love life and my child."
Aldora's expression brightened, and she held Elite's hands which were on the table and said:
"What my Lady said is beautiful. We must be happy. I don't know what you've been through, and I apologize for reminding you of things that caused you sadness, but I want to become a person capable of making the Lady happy."
Not everyone knew what had happened to Elite and the harsh treatment she lived with in the palace, except that part of her pain was clear to the palace folk, and Martin was one of them. Thus, Martin happened to speak about it to his sister in a passing manner, so Aldora knew well what Elite had gone through...
Elite laughed to change the subject and said:
"Ummm, what do you think of wandering here and there?"
"That would be wonderful."
Elite stood gracefully, followed by Aldora, and began telling her about the garden and the flowers. Elite spoke when she pointed to the Cosmos flower; there were many of them in several colors, arranged beautifully in the garden:
"Cosmos flowers are among the flowers my mother preferred, especially the white ones."
Aldora stepped forward and smelled them gently, then straightened up:
"Cosmos flowers are beautiful and symbolize forgiveness and love. They are lovely... It seems the late Countess loved flowers very much and had a pure heart."
"Yes, my mother loved flowers. Perhaps we inherited the love of flowers from her?!"
"..."
"My mother was the kindest person in the world, but she was strong, protecting what she loved fiercely and not tolerating those who hurt her loved ones."
"It seems the Duchess inherited that too."
Elite, who was talking about her mother with a smile mixed with love, nostalgia, and sadness, looked at Aldora with a sincere smile, then turned and said:
"Perhaps, I think so."
She returned her gaze to Aldora then said:
"Miss Stanley, I want to ask you about our topic that we postponed. What do you think, as Aldora..."
Elite knew Aldora's feelings and her great gratitude to her brother, so she wouldn't look at the matter except in the way that benefits her brother, but Elite wanted Aldora to live as she liked, because she felt that this girl deserves it. Despite her feeling of loss if she rejected her brother, this girl is also good in her view for Lewis...
Aldora looked at Elite's face and her sincere words and lowered her head:
"My Lady, the matter is strange. I never thought about it..."
"..."
"My brother will not force me, but I never expected one day that he would ask me for my opinion. This is the first time I feel confused. I have no reason to refuse and no reason to accept.. I don't know what is right."
Aldora looked at Elite sincerely:
"It is a big decision concerning my future in my coming life. I don't want to be reckless. My Lady, tell me, perhaps you will ease this for me."
Elite smiled at Aldora's request and said:
"Why don't you meet Lewis? Perhaps you will have the ability to make the appropriate decision."
"The Count?!"
"Yes."
"Isn't it embarrassing?!"
"Certainly! But when you two meet, there will be a chance to make a somewhat correct decision."
Aldora hesitated then said nervously:
"Alright, i—..."
"I told my brother to come today so you could meet and talk a little."
"Today?!"
"Yes."
"..."
"Because if I waited for the Baron, he would procrastinate. He is good at everything, even when it comes to protecting his sister, he is unparalleled."
Aldora felt the praise and smiled, but she spoke with embarrassment:
"Duchess? Well... it's fine, but isn't it embarrassing?"
"It's fine. I have informed Lewis and he will come within half an hour at most."
Aldora swallowed her embarrassment and nodded shyly...
"..."
"Rest assured, I will be with you.."
Elite tried to reassure her, but hesitation still loomed over Aldora's heart. Elite tried to resume the tour, but...
"My Lady, the little Duke is crying without stopping. The nanny has tried to calm him down, but he is crying."
The maid came in a panic, her body trembling. Elite looked at the maid and then said:
"What happened to him?! Have you called the doctor?! Since when has he been crying?!"
Elite's voice was trembling and her body was barely holding together.
"Yes, Your Excellency, we have done everything..."
Elite moved forcefully towards the palace, and out of panic, she completely forgot about Aldora. Aldora looked at Elite's back with concern..
"My Lady, you can rest. The Duchess will check on the little Duke and return.."
"It's fine. Let her take her time, but I hope you will inform me about the little Duke's condition."
The maid nodded in agreement, bowed, and left Aldora with her worry...
* * *
He arrived fifteen minutes before the appointment. He was nervous, remembering the message he received from his sister:
[ My brother...
I have invited her to drink tea and she accepted the invitation. I want you to attend. Rest assured, I will inform her of your arrival and I will be with you both. Do not be nervous, my brother. What I want is for you to be happy. Do not force yourself into anything...
Your sister Elite ]
The message was simple, short, and informal, but it was precious to Lewis. His sister cared for him in every word she said in the letter, which made his heart swell with happiness...
And when he reached the palace, he found that he had hurried a little..
The Duchy's servants treated Lewis with genuine respect, unlike the previous Count. He reached the garden and was still nervous, hoping his sister had prepared things in a good and non-embarrassing way. When he entered the garden, there was a girl with light blonde hair in a pink dress walking back and forth in the garden. Anxiety was clear on her face....
"Hello?"
Lewis hesitated but spoke to the girl, who was startled and looked at him. Aldora took a deep breath and bowed:
"Aldora Stanley greets Count Bryant."
Lewis felt a little embarrassed. 'She is truly beautiful.' Lewis was sincere in his thoughts...
'Not because I don't know beauty; my mother and sisters are beautiful, but this girl is particularly beautiful... Ahem.'
Lewis composed himself, returned the greeting in an elegant manner, and held her hand:
"Happy to meet the Lady."
He printed a light kiss on the back of her hand as a matter of courtesy, but Aldora felt extreme embarrassment..
'It's strange, why am I embarrassed?! He is a handsome Lord, perhaps because the subject of marriage between us was opened before... It's an embarrassing matter. Maybe if I met him in other circumstances, I wouldn't feel embarrassed.. '
"..."
"..."
There was an embarrassing silence between them. After silence for minutes, Aldora broke the silence:
"The Duchess went for the young Duke. I don't know what happened to the young Duke, so I am waiting..."
There was real concern in Aldora's voice as she spoke. Lewis took a deep breath then said:
"What do you think if we go inside to check?!"
Aldora nodded yes, for Lewis to move with her...
"Ah! Lord Count! Young Miss! ... Ah, you are here?! ... "
The head of servants, Lux, was embarrassed to allow anyone to enter, and there were no separate orders regarding the Count's entry or lack thereof into the inner palace with ease. So he did not know what the best action was..
Aldora felt the matter to some extent:
"If it is possible, I will leave. The Count may move forward.."
The servant became more nervous and felt he might make a mistake, but he hesitated a little then said:
"No, no, my Lady... Please, enter."
Lux moved, for Lewis to guide Aldora inside.
Lewis knew the structure of the palace well; in periods of the past, he tried to smuggle his sister out without her knowledge, but as soon as he entered the palace, it would fail..
Lewis contemplated the palace until they reached the stairs leading to the third floor.
"My Lord, isn't it a rude behavior to intrude on the Duchess?"
"A marriage letter has been sent, so will you not become a member of the family?"
"..."
Lewis uttered those words casually, but he felt extreme embarrassment. He was cursing himself for uttering the stupid words, and he was fortunate that from a young age he was able to manage his facial expressions, so the embarrassment did not show on him...
Aldora looked at Lewis with extreme embarrassment, she almost tripped but she was strong enough that no one noticed. Aldora was not such a shy person to this degree, but she felt embarrassed by a man who talks without blinking an eye. She swallowed her words several times to tell him that the matter has not been decided yet, but she found herself unable to move her mouth...
They continued walking in an embarrassing silence until they reached the door of the room..
The two knights responsible for the guard looked at Lewis and Aldora; they did not know what to do..
"The doctor is inside, it is not allowed.."
"It is fine. When Elite comes out, tell her we are waiting."
Lewis interrupted him coldly. The knight startled; for a moment he felt he was standing before the Duchess.
"I should not have come forward this far."
Lewis stood and looked at the embarrassed Aldora who was muttering sadly. Lewis sighed and said:
"I apologize, I am the one who brought you here.. I am sorry."
"No, the Count should not apologize. I was worried about the little Duke and perhaps I also acted impulsively out of my concern."
Lewis smiled and said with embarrassment:
"Elite is a very anxious person; perhaps matters are not that serious."
"I hope so.."
And they stood waiting. The first knight hesitated and said:
"My Lord, my Lady, shall I bring a chair for you two?!"
Both nodded in refusal at the same time. The knight stepped back..
And after waiting for more than half an hour...
...... To be continued ......