~Chapter 63~
Eileen observed Chester from a distance, watching as he conversed with Lady Ribbonshire. Their conversation seemed calm and unhurried, without any signs of agitation. However, Eileen could tell from the way Lady Ribbonshire pursed her lips that she wasn’t entirely happy about having to ask for such significant “help.”
‘Sarah has always had a strong sense of pride, even more than me, despite being from the royal family. It’s typical for noble families, though,’ Eileen thought.
Lady Ribbonshire’s family had never been one to ask for help. Even when Eileen’s grandmother, Rowina, was unaware that the former Duke had retired from the position of Chancellor, Lady Ribbonshire never mentioned it. Rowina would have probably appealed to her brother if she had known.
‘I should have been more cautious about her,’ Eileen thought, studying Lady Ribbonshire carefully. She noticed how the shadows under her eyes were more pronounced in the bright sunlight, and how tightly she gripped her cane, not as an ornament but as something she truly relied on. Her wrist, exposed as her sleeves shifted, looked unnaturally thin.
‘This feels familiar,’ Eileen realized. The frailness reminded her of the last months before her grandmother passed. The trembling hands had been an all-too-familiar sight.
“…We’ve finished talking. The herbs will keep coming, and the payment will come later,” Cedric’s voice broke into her thoughts.
She hadn’t even realized he’d come back until he spoke.
“Cedric, I’ll talk to her for a bit,” Eileen said.
“Do you have to?” he asked, a little exasperated.
“She’s someone I’ve known for a long time. She was my grandmother’s close friend,” Eileen explained.
Cedric sighed. “I’ve been pretty lenient considering how she tried to take you away.”
“I appreciate it. There was no need to go that far, though,” Eileen said, feeling somewhat guilty that Lady Ribbonshire had made such an effort on her behalf.
“Enough with the talk about what’s already done. Lowell isn’t exactly poor, you know,” Cedric muttered, clearly impatient to move on from the subject. He just wanted to get Lady Ribbonshire out of the way as quickly as possible, deal with the situation, and be done with it.
“Lady Ribbonshire is not the type to push through with something like this just for her own benefit,” Eileen continued, thinking back to how her grandmother had once used a letter to push for her engagement to Zeon, even when it wasn’t a preferred choice.
“She really wanted you to marry Zeon?” Cedric asked, his arms crossed. He had met Zeon before, at a meeting of great families, and though he was a bit younger then, he had been weak and timid, not at all someone Eileen seemed to match well with.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Eileen replied, trying to downplay the question. But Cedric didn’t let it go.
“What do you think about Zeon?” Cedric asked.
Eileen didn’t hesitate. “Zeon is a good boy.”
Cedric had asked her these questions for a reason, because when he talked to Lady Ribbonshire, he had felt like the atmosphere of her family was similar to Eileen’s. It felt unnerving, and he wanted to distance himself from it quickly.
“Zeon is like Diana to you,” Cedric said, thoughtfully.
“I don’t plan on marrying Diana,” Eileen responded bluntly.
“Exactly,” Cedric said, his tone softening a little.
But before Eileen could react, she noticed Cedric had spaced out for a moment, and she took the opportunity to slip past him. “You’re talking to your uncle. He looks like he’s waiting for you,” she said, her voice unusually subdued.
“Did something happen?” Cedric asked, noticing the change in her tone.
“No, nothing’s happened,” Eileen replied, trying to reassure him. “But your uncle can be a bit cold in his manner, though he’s a good man. He’s better at swordsmanship than I am.”
That was an important point. Chester Lowell was the only one Cedric truly respected. As a warrior, Cedric had always acknowledged Chester’s strength, despite his personal feelings.
“Of course, I’ll surpass him soon,” Cedric added, not fully realizing the weight of his words.
“Of course,” Eileen responded, a small smile forming as she raised an eyebrow, almost as if she were testing him.
But Cedric wasn’t quite finished. “Anyway, when I’m not around, someone has to protect you,” he said seriously.
Through this situation, he had realized that he couldn’t be in two places at once. And when it came to strength, he knew he was the only one Eileen could fully rely on. Sure, he had Cashel, but Cashel usually operated separately from him, and he wasn’t in a position to truly take his place.
“So, you asked your uncle to hold onto me for you?” Eileen asked, sensing where this was going.
“Yes. If there’s any bloodshed, I trust he’ll keep you safe,” Cedric replied firmly.
It was a pure, clean trust, and it was something Cedric couldn’t imagine anyone else offering.
Eileen watched him for a moment, then suddenly spoke.
“I trust you, Cedric,” she said quietly.
Her hand briefly touched his chest, just for a moment, before it fell away. But the heat spread through her body as if a fire had ignited within her.
“Did you hurt yourself?” Eileen asked, noticing him rubbing his chest as he approached his uncle.
“No, I’m fine,” Cedric replied, though his tone was hesitant.
Eileen could tell something was off, but she didn’t press him. Instead, she took a deep breath, willing herself to relax.
***
“How’s your health?” Eileen asked as she approached Lady Ribbonshire, who was preparing to board her carriage.
Lady Ribbonshire sighed deeply and sat down, adjusting her dress.
“You’re observant. I can’t hide anything from you,” she said.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Eileen asked, her concern showing in her voice.
“I can still hold on for a while. I’m not that easy to break,” Lady Ribbonshire replied, trying to sound firm, though it was clear from her appearance that she was struggling.
“If you were truly fine, you wouldn’t have rushed to take me,” Eileen said softly, noticing the frailty in Lady Ribbonshire’s actions.
“I need someone who can support Zeon. He can’t manage alone. I’m sorry, but after thinking it through, I realized you were my best option,” Lady Ribbonshire confessed.
“But my grandmother wouldn’t have wanted me to take on such a huge responsibility,” Eileen replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
“You’re right. She understood,” Lady Ribbonshire said. “She knew what I was going through.”
Eileen knew the reason for their strained relationship. Her grandmother had been sharp and perceptive, and now, it seemed Lady Ribbonshire was looking for someone to fill a role that Eileen wasn’t sure she was ready for.
Lady Ribbonshire paused, then said, “You’re capable. You’ll be able to help him.”
Eileen wasn’t sure what to say. She hadn’t planned to take on such a responsibility. But she nodded slowly, understanding that her role in all this might be unavoidable.
“I’ll make sure Zeon is well taken care of,” Eileen said, feeling a burden settle in her chest.
“Just one more thing. Please show some compassion toward Zeon. He’s a good boy,” Lady Ribbonshire added.
Eileen hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. But in the end, she nodded. “I will. I promise.”
Lady Ribbonshire smiled faintly and then gestured for the carriage to start.
“Tell Cedric I appreciate his care. He looks just like my late husband when he was young. He’ll be a great Duke,” Lady Ribbonshire said as the carriage door closed.
Eileen stood there for a moment, feeling like she had just said her final goodbye. She tried to push away the unsettling feeling, but it lingered.
The future of Zeon—and her role in it—now seemed even more uncertain than before.
