I heard a faint, suppressed chuckle, but when I quickly looked up toward the door, there was no one standing there.
I glanced sideways at Cecillia, where Duke Emmeline now sat beside her, listening to my family's conversation as if nothing had happened moments ago.
For some reason, I felt a twinge of irritation. Still, I swallowed it down and ignored the strange feeling lingering deep in my heart.
"I heard that Eiser Gwendolyn couldn't return home early like you because he still had to accompany the Crown Prince?" Duke Emmeline began a new topic of conversation as he settled among my family. His gaze flicked to Alger as if the rumor of Alger abandoning his duty out of concern for his younger sister had already circulated among the upper echelons of society.
"Yes, Eiser sent a letter yesterday saying he's still at the eastern border," Marquis Elandro responded, shaking his head slightly.
Alger could only grit his teeth, unable to refute the statement since it was true.
"Maybe I can ask Lord Eiser to bring me some typical Eastern souvenirs later," Cecillia chimed in cheerfully, and Marchioness Alisa nodded in agreement.
"Eiser did mention he would buy matching eastern accessories for both you and Elen," the Marchioness added.
"Wonderful!" Cecillia beamed, her smile bright as she glanced at me, who had remained silent throughout the exchange.
I glanced back at Cecillia, hoping she would speak to me, but her attention quickly shifted to Alger, who had abruptly initiated a new topic.
"The area where I'm stationed has the lowest risk of conflict in the west," Alger remarked nonchalantly as if he wanted Duke Emmeline to overlook his earlier actions. "So, it's perfectly fine for me to take a short break and visit my sick sister."
Duke Emmeline remained silent, seemingly indifferent to Alger's attempt to justify himself, but Marquis Elandro responded with a more serious demeanor, giving the matter the weight it deserved.
"Indeed. The southern forest area remains the most concerning. There have been reports of inland tribes moving secretly, seemingly trying to escape something over the past few years."
"Let's hope nothing untoward happens this year," Marchioness Alisa sighed, squeezing my hand gently as if to offer comfort amidst the troubling discussion.
"That's right... I want this Empire to always remain peaceful," Cecillia said innocently, her words carrying a sincerity that almost made me chuckle at her naivety.
'If only she knew... peace won't last in this Empire for long,' I thought silently, a tinge of regret settling in my heart.
I waited for a few minutes, trying to find the right moment to join the conversation and get closer to the Emmeline family. However my family seemed determined to exclude me, clearly intending to protect me from any strain due to my past head injury.
'Aren't they being overly protective...?'
Grinding my teeth silently, I declined the cookies that Marchioness Alisa tried to feed me since Duke Emmeline arrived.
Finally, I raised my voice for the first time, causing both Cecillia and Duke Emmeline to reflexively turn toward me.
"What were you talking about earlier with, Father?" I asked innocently, wrapping my arms around Marquis Elandro's.
I remembered about the three men who had been conversing earlier in the Marquis's study while we ladies sat in the drawing room, sipping tea and waiting for them to finish their discussion and join us.
The Marquis chuckled softly, a practiced, fatherly smile gracing his lips. "Just some business matters, my dear. Nothing for you to worry about."
Alger, however, responded more curtly. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself with, Elen," he said, his tone firm and dismissive. His eyes flicked briefly toward Cecillia, a subtle gesture that didn't escape my notice. "You should focus on resting. There's no need for you to involve yourself in things that could stress you unnecessarily."
Duke Emmeline, seated beside Cecillia, nodded in agreement. His composed and measured tone carried an air of finality. "Your brother is right, Lady Eleanor. Your health is paramount, and you shouldn't strain yourself by worrying about such matters."
'... No! Didn't Cecillia want to meet me? That's why she also brought Duke here so that Gwendolyn couldn't refuse their sudden visit! Then at least let me stay here so I can listen to your conversation and gather information while relaxing and sipping the tea!'
I desperately wanted to respond, to tell them that I was fine now, but I restrained myself, forcing myself to act like Eleanor—the Eleanor who always held back and avoided drawing attention. Even though I disliked the situation, where I was expected to remain silent, I endured it, especially with Cecillia—Eleanor's childhood friend—sitting right in front of me.
I'm not sure what expression I'm wearing right now, but all I can do is look at Cecillia with a glimmer of hope, wishing that she might say something to let me stay.
"Yes, Elen, you should rest early." Cecillia joined in, looking at me with concern.
'You... Why you too–?'
I feel as though my patience is being stretched to its limit, and I'm on the verge of exploding from the way everyone keeps treating me like this, but Marchioness Alisa chimed in, leaving me no chance to speak. Even the Marquis nodded in agreement with his wife's words while looking at me softly, making me abandon my intention to remain here in resignation.
"That's right. Maid, please escort Eleanor to her room."
And just like that, I had no choice but to comply with my family's wishes.
'I kind of regret trying to join their conversation if I knew I would end up being chased away from this golden opportunity...! I should have just sat still!'
Without a word, I gracefully rose from my seat as Tina appeared at the drawing-room door, ready to accompany me back to my room. However, instead of stepping out immediately, I turned around briefly to take one last look at Cecillia and Duke Emmeline before excusing myself.
Cecillia happened to meet my gaze and smiled brightly, silently mouthing something to me. I sighed after deciphering her lips.
Once Cecillia resumed her usual demeanor, I glanced at Duke Emmeline, who didn't look my way at all.
"..."
Shaking my head slightly, I decided to give a polite farewell by curtseying and lifting the hem of my gown before allowing Tina to escort me out of the drawing room.
As I turned my back to them, I felt an intense gaze following me again, much like before. But I had already left the room without looking back.
Time passed as I lounged on the cozy couch near the large window in my bedroom, which offered a clear view of anyone entering or leaving the Gwendolyn estate. To pass the time, I randomly read a thick book while Tina sat nearby, engrossed in embroidering another handkerchief.
This time, she was stitching a design of trailing vines and roses with my name engraved on it—a hobby she had tried to hide but that I discovered a week ago. I had told her not to hide it and encouraged her to embroider whenever she had free time. Tina, brimming with enthusiasm, had even asked for permission to embroider my name, and I couldn't refuse.
Closing the book, I glanced out the window without moving from my seat, my head visible just above the sill. From this vantage point, I could see Duke Emmeline and Cecillia emerging from the front doors of the estate.
They walked side by side without exchanging a word as they headed toward their luxurious carriage, adorned with the prominent crest of the Emmeline family—a platinum wolf on a shield, elegantly framed by golden laurel leaves.
I watched them silently, observing their distant and stiff demeanor toward one another, which contrasted starkly with the warmth they displayed in the drawing room with my family.
Even so, I didn't dwell on it, resting my chin on my hand as I leaned against the windowsill. I watched until they entered the same carriage, then turned my attention away when Tina suddenly rose from her chair, setting aside her unfinished embroidery.
"Lady Cecillia's maid is at the door, my lady," Tina informed me solemnly.
I nodded, having anticipated this. Cecillia had hinted at it earlier. "Let her in."
"Good day, Lady Eleanor. I've brought a letter from Lady Cecillia," the young maid said without preamble, kneeling before me and handing over an unstamped envelope. Unlike her usual correspondence, this letter bore no family crest, marking it as private.
"Wait here while I write a reply," I said calmly, accepting the envelope and opening it with the letter opener Tina had prepared.
Inside was a sheet of paper faintly scented with lilies.
I read it, my brow furrowing slightly as I absorbed its contents.
[Eleanor, I'm truly happy to see that you're doing well. I understand that your condition doesn't allow us to talk in person yet. In that case, couldn't we exchange letters like this? There's so much I want to share with you since you've been away at the academy. Please...? From your lovely best friend, Cecil.]