After returning to Bellafleur mansion late in the evening, I went straight to bed after finishing my bath. I didn't know why, but I felt exhausted by tonight's party. Perhaps it was because of the big break up with Dorothea.
'I should have done that a long time ago.'
I dragged out the situation all the way until now, but I was finally done with it. However, because of my delay, the conflict had grown deeper, as well as the resulting wound. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing.
The next morning, after I opened my eyes and got out of bed, the first thing I did was send a letter to Cornohen mansion. I stated that I would like to visit as soon as possible. Maristella—no, I—had to cut off Dorothea.
As time went on, it became increasingly apparent that there was no good in staying close to Dorothea. Aside from the other problems, I found it unforgivable that she would gossip about me as a promiscuous, ill-mannered woman behind my back. I didn't want to be her maid, especially after something like that.
I didn't care about the debt between families—I couldn't stand it anymore. I was going to tell the adults to solve their problems and then get out of this relationship.
My family had to know about what happened last night. They didn't know about my deal with Countess Cornohen, of course, but there was no way they didn't know about the blowup at Duke Escliffes' party. There had been such a fuss afterwards that it would be strange if it didn't reach my family's ears. However, everyone seemed hesitant to ask me about the situation, as if to spare me from the wounds the incident may have caused.
No, technically it wasn't 'everyone'.
"I can't stand her! Does that woman think or not?"
Martina openly fumed about Dorothea in front of me, and I didn't bother to stop her. There was no need to argue about a relationship that was already over.
"Sister, you're not going to stay with her after all that, are you?" Martina demanded.
"Your sister is not a pushover, Martina." My face remained expressionless. "I'm tired. I don't have the ability to endure anymore."
"Why do you have to endure? Please don't hang out with her when you have Odel. I'm really sick of it now!"
I agreed. "It's really over now, Martina. Let's not talk about this anymore."
"…"
Martina remained in thoughtful silence for a moment. "But…it's a good thing that it's over now."
I agreed with that, too.
***
Regrettably, Countess Cornohen's reply did not arrive early. It arrived in the evening, so the earliest possible time we could meet was tomorrow. I sent the Countess another letter stating that I had something to say about our deal, and a simpler reply came back. It said that we would talk over lunch tomorrow.
Lunch with Countess Cornohen. My first thought was that I would have to sit through an upset stomach, but I had no choice. I wanted this over as soon as possible. I sent a letter to Cornohen mansion saying I would be there.
The next day, I arrived in time at Cornohen mansion. When the carriage stopped, I took a deep breath and disembarked from the vehicle.
"Welcome, Lady Maristella."
The butler greeted me, and I answered back and quietly followed his footsteps. When I arrived in front of the dining room, I saw Countess Cornohen through the transparent glass-paned doors. She was sitting down and waiting for me over tea, and it was then that I realized that I was nervous over meeting her. It was more because I would finally bring a clean break to this tedious relationship, than actual fear towards the Countess.
Two servants opened the glass-paned double doors from either side, and I walked through the threshold without a sound. Countess Cornohen turned her head, and with her heavy gaze on me, I bowed politely.
"It's been a long time, Lady Cornohen," I said.
"Sit down, please. You came early." She greeted me in a calm manner. I gave a small nod and sat opposite of her.
"I'm sorry to visit you all of a sudden, Countess Cornohen."
"You have something to say about our deal," she began primly.
"Yes."
At the same time, the appetizer was served. I continued to speak without touching the salmon canape placed in front of me.
"I'm sorry, but I'd like you to pretend that there was no deal."
"…Out of the blue?"
"It's not 'out of the blue'. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time." I calmly laid out what I wanted to say to her. At least Countess Cornohen was a more rational woman than Dorothea. By a hair.
"It was my fault for accepting the deal hastily. I admit it and I am reflecting on it. We can talk about this to my parents, then pretend the deal never happened."
"What is the reason for this?" Countess Cornohen said, her brows furrowing in displeasure. "I said that cancelling the interest was easy on my side, but it's never actually easy. Do you know that?"
"I know. Anyway, I appreciate your suggestion. But now I can't endure it."
"Is this because of what happened at the Escliffe Mansion party the other night?"
"…You know."
It wouldn't be strange if she didn't know it. My family knew it after all. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Then this will be easier."
"You're not giving up the interest write-off over that sort of thing, are you?" she challenged.
"I'm too tired. I tried to do my filial duty, but it's too much."
After reaching this point, I didn't even want to think. I just wanted to get this over with already.
"I'd like you to speak to my parents and act like this never happened. Please, I don't want to be involved with your daughter anymore."
"Are you really going to step forward like this?"
"I'm sorry, but Lady Dorothea's behavior isn't something I can tolerate. Nothing is more miserable than being with someone who gossips about me as if I'm a two-timer or a promiscuous woman. I think you can understand."
"…"
Countess Cornohen didn't answer, but her face was pale and she pursed her lips. It was only natural that she didn't have anything to say. Unless she might say the same nonsense as last time.
"If you don't have anything else to say, then I'll take it you understand," I finally said.
"So you are going to cut off the relationship that has gone back four generations."
"I bear no ill feelings towards the Cornohen family itself. But this is a matter concerning your daughter. No matter who you ask in the entire world, it's difficult for me to be with someone who talks badly about you. Even if I wanted to be a 'maid'."
"…"
"I'll take my leave. You should eat the meal with your daughter."
I rose up from my seat. It was around that time that a buttered lobster was placed on the table. That was my favorite dish, but I didn't want to eat it here. Nothing was more ridiculous than sharing a meal after closing a relationship.
I gave a polite bow and left. I worried briefly that Countess Cornohen would try to hold me back but, fortunately, it didn't happen.
And so, I ended my relationship with Dorothea.