Chapter 46 - Even One Worthy Friend Can Be Enough (2/2)
A smile spread across my lips when I recalled my memory.
“Can you bring me my sewing box, Florinda?”
***
“Marie, why don’t you go to the boutique with me the day after tomorrow?” Countess Bellafleur said at dinner.
“When?” I asked.
“After breakfast. Madame Lovoire made a new dress, and I thought it would look beautiful on you.”
“Ah…”
I was supposed to meet Odeletta then. A troubled expression crossed my face, and Countess Bellafleur looked at me in puzzlement.
“Is there something going on?” she asked.
“Actually, I was supposed to visit the Trakos mansion then.”
“The Trakos mansion?” Countess Bellafleur said in mild surprise. “What brings you there?”
“Lady Trakos invited me to have a cup of tea with her. I already said I would go. What should I do?” I asked.
“Oh, your promise with Lady Trakos is more important, Marie. We can go to the boutique tomorrow instead.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’d rather it be two days from tomorrow.”
“Are you doing anything in the meanwhile?”
“I’ve been embroidering a handkerchief. Lady Trakos’ favorite flowers are violets. I can’t go empty-handed—”
“Oh, splendid. A gift like that should be perfect if it’s filled with sincerity.”
Was it just me, or did Countess Bellafleur’s voice sound strangely excited when she heard that I would visit Lady Trakos? Even her mood seemed buoyant.
Martina seemed to notice it earlier than I did. “Mother, do you think it’s good that Sister and Lady Trakos are close?”
“Yes. The more friends, the better,” Countess Bellafleur said with a smile. “Of course, even one worthy friend can be enough.”
That was the least applicable to Dorothea. I smiled lightly and gave a word of praise to Odeletta. “Lady Trakos is a good person. She’s kind and elegant in every way.”
“I haven’t seen her that much, but she seems like a nice young lady from what I did see. If you’re close to her, then she must be a good person. Our Marie has an eye for people.”
“…”
Countess Bellafleur seemed to be ignoring the big loophole that was Dorothea. I gave an awkward smile.
“Then let’s go to the boutique two days after tomorrow, Mother,” I said.
“That’s fine. There is no need to rush. The party will be held next month.”
“Party?”
“Do you not know?” Countess Bellafleur said with a startled expression. “Next month is Duke Escliffe’s birthday. I thought you knew, since you’re close to the Duke…”
“Oh.” I did hear about that, but I forgot. I gave a nod. “Right. I heard from the Duke.”
“I wanted to get you a new dress for the occasion. The invitation came from the Duke while you were at the Imperial Palace.”
“I see.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t have a partner since he’s not courting anyone yet… I wonder who will be his dance partner that day.”
“…”
It’s…it’s going to be me, Mother.
Martina suddenly looked keen-eyed. “What about you, sister? You’re friendly with the Duke these days.” Martina, the most perceptive member of the family, guessed correctly. She was right. I have been close to Claude lately. Enough for him to ask me out as his partner.
Countess Bellafleur stared at Martina with a look of doubt. “That’s…that’s not really true, is it?”
“Martina’s perception is on the level of a national treasure,” I answered deftly. Countess Bellafleur, who had been waiting for an answer, as well as Count Bellafleur, who so far had little interest in this conversation, suddenly looked surprised.
Martina’s face lit up with pride at having guessed correctly. “Sister is the only one that Duke could ask that kind of favor.”
“Even so…is he interested in you, perhaps?” Countess Bellafleur asked curiously.
“No way,” I said, laughing as if the idea were ridiculous. “I’m sure it’s because he had no one else to ask. It’s not something you can do unless you’re friendly with someone.”
“That’s true, but…it’s interesting that it’s you.”
“Hm…is that so?”
Countess Bellafleur’s words kind of made sense. I felt a slight shudder in the foundation of my beliefs. I was certain that Xavier had no interest in me, since he had shown great interest between Dorothea and Odeletta in the novel. In Claude’s case, it was difficult to be sure because he was a supporting character.
After a moment of hard thinking, I concluded, ‘If that’s the case, then I can just ask.’
That wasn’t too hard, right? I could just ask him out of the blue, but I didn’t want to damage a relationship. It wasn’t good to muddy the atmosphere unnecessarily.
“Anyway, the Duke is a good man,” I said.
“Yes, he is a good man,” Countess Bellafleur agreed with a small smile. “Forget what I said Marie. Your mother is only complicating your mind by saying useless things.”
“It’s alright, Mother,” I replied with a smile back. “I’ll keep it in mind anyway.”