This kind of courtship is Complicated - Chapter 14
#014 I’ve Been Waiting
Why. To that question, Helios could arrive at the simplest conclusion as he recalled Velia Devereux, whom he had encountered in the past.
“It’s genuine.”
“Is that all?”
Contrary to his expectations, Deon couldn’t hide his disappointment at the mundane answer.
If there was one more reason, it was because of his amicable relationship with Viscount Devereux. That was all. Deon had no interesting stories he wanted to hear.
“It’s boring. What’s so great about Miss Velia? It’s not just about appearance. Of course, it’s not about status or money either.”
“What’s left if you take those away?”
“Personality, for example, and...”
Helios, checking the stack of papers on the desk, picked up the documents describing the investment proposal for the professional breeding facility and the documents calculating last year’s fire income.
As if he had no intention of speaking any further, his gaze remained fixed on the documents in front of him.
While Deon, grumbling as he lit his cigarette and looked out the window, shifted his gaze to the carriage bearing the Devereux crest, appearing in his view.
It was then, as the carriage passed through the wooded hill, slowing down on the road lined with acacia trees like a tunnel, and circled half of the garden to stop around the plaster statue.
Soon, the door opened, and Evan Arcas and Velia Devereux descended one after the other.
Evan, excitedly looking around while carefully taking care of Velia, who was delightedly looking around, handed her the gloves he had taken off and adjusted her muffler.
As Deon, with his dry attitude, leaned against the window frame, blowing out white cigarette smoke, he heard a familiar laughter that seemed out of place in the comfortable silence.
Helios, about to turn the page of the document, slowly looked up.
The bright light, not like winter at all, shone directly into his black eyes. With the bright voice, a gust of wind carried a sheet of paper over.
“Velia!”
As if she didn’t hear Evan’s call, Velia, who had gotten off the carriage, ran excitedly across the main garden.
Cheeks flushed pink, her dimples appeared, and her braided hair swayed cheerfully like the end of a red muffler.
Velia’s panting breath turned into soft puffs of white mist as it dispersed gently.
The excitement that had been felt since entering the forest of yew trees of Winstle continued to be as beautiful as it would be ecstatic when spring came, passing through the acacia path and reaching the front porch of the mansion.
“Hurry!”
Waving her hand vigorously toward Evan, Velia continued to marvel, scanning her surroundings. The naturalistic landscaping first caught her eye.
Even the branches of the angular trees in winter seemed artistically elongated, as if crafted by skillful fairies. Even the sky-blue roof of the magnificent mansion appealed to Velia’s heart.
Among the possessions of the Argen family, there would surely be nothing that was not beautiful.
At that moment, as Helios thought about such things, a dignified and courteous lady approached Velia. Gasping for breath, Evan barely managed to catch up with Velia.
The polite lady introduced herself and left them with the message that the two masters were waiting, then promptly escorted them inside.
Paintings engraved on the high ceiling continued along the long entrance hall.
When Velia, with her head held high, couldn’t figure out the direction, Evan, who had been walking alongside her, guided her in the right direction.
“Is the title of that painting ‘Dance of Spring’ by any chance?” Velia suddenly asked, pointing to the ceiling. The lady’s response seemed a bit taken aback by the odd question, but she answered carefully.
“I’m sorry, miss, but I don’t know the name of the painting. I only know it’s Mr. Drace’s work.”
“Oh, I see. If it were Mr. Drace, I would have named the painting ‘Dance of Spring’!”
“Oh? Then should I convey your opinion to the lady...”
Evan, trembling, interrupted the lady.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just Velia’s personal thought.”
“Still...”
“Perhaps the same thing will happen dozens more times today. And while warriors fight on the clouds, wouldn’t the name ‘Dance of Spring’ be inappropriate?”
Adding in a whisper, Evan quickly stood next to Velia.
Velia Devereux, who was so excited that she seemed to be dancing with the warriors holding the window, couldn’t hear Evan’s whisper and continued to walk lightly.
Her long dress rustled softly as it brushed against the floor.
As they reached the entrance hall, the butler waiting there announced the arrival of the guests.
“Please come in.”
The voice from beyond the door was high and gentle. It sounded like it would emit a strong rose scent. The heavy door opened smoothly.
The drawing-room, with luxurious furniture appropriately arranged, was neither overly flashy nor overly modest.
The two ladies who resembled the atmosphere of the drawing-room greeted the guests with smiles on their faces.
“It’s been a while, Velia.”
Clonette Argen’s face, which had put down the Bible he had been holding, lit up with joy.
“I’m so glad to see you again so soon, Grandma.”
Velia expressed her feelings naturally and kissed Clonette Argen’s extended hand. Interestingly, even Helios Argen, her grandson, couldn’t treat Clonette Argen as affectionately as Velia did.
It was hard to see them as having become close in just a day. The servants around, as well as Raphael Argen, were surprised by the intimacy between the two, which seemed even more familiar than they had heard.
With a hearty laugh, Clonette Argen didn’t seem as stern as usual.
Raphael Argen, who was watching Velia closely, felt both satisfaction and contentment in his eyes.
Stepping back a bit and giving Evan a more formal and polite greeting, Clonette Argen, who had risen from her seat after setting down the tea cup, approached Velia directly.
The sound of clicking heels echoed distinctly in the drawing-room.
“Pleased to meet you for the first time. You must be Velia Devereux.”
Velia greeted her with a bit more formality, but her naturally lively and lovely disposition remained unchanged and was evident in her expression and actions.
Raphael Argen smiled faintly and gently took Velia’s hand.
“Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Velia Devereux had captivated the Argen family in an instant. Helios thought as he occasionally heard noisy laughter.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain such disturbances that occurred on a late afternoon in Winstle.
Helios, lying on the sofa with his hand covering his eyes, slowly opened his eyes.
The dusk settling into the room created a calm atmosphere.
Helios buttoned up the buttons on his discarded shirt sleeves and put on his discarded jacket as he stood up. While he had dozed off, it seemed that even Deon had gone to Velia Devereux, that woman, as there was no one around him.
It wasn’t usually this noisy.
Helios brushed his tousled hair aside and picked up the stack of documents in front of him. Placing it on the desk next to the window, he noticed a protruding white envelope in the first drawer.
It was a letter from Velia Devereux.
Now he needed to make room for another drawer. The contents conveyed in the letter, carrying how many thoughts with her small head, hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
Helios pulled the edge of the protruding envelope slightly.
The date written at the bottom of the letter indicated that it arrived precisely two days after they had conversed on the Briechen Pathway.
The content was the same as usual. Except for the detailed explanation of why he had to leave her at the pathway.
“Please stop here.”
A sardonic laughter escaped him as he read the letter for the first time. The urgent situation hidden in the desperate voice was merely because of a novel borrowed from the bookstore. Such a trivial reason amused him.
Helios opened a new drawer and placed the letter he had been holding into it.
At first, he couldn’t discard the letter simply because it was from the daughter of Devereux Count. Next, it was out of laziness. But now, he didn’t feel like discarding the accumulated letters at all.
It was just interesting. To hear about the daily life filled with ideals and dreams that woman carried. That was all. Even so, he didn’t intend to keep accumulating the received letters like this.
Turning away, Helios approached the window. The pocket watch chain draped over his vest glimmered golden in accordance with his movements.
Perhaps if Deon were here now, he would have looked at him with a strange gaze, but he didn’t particularly care.
Curiosity. With a single word, he could describe his emotions more clearly than anyone else. The woman’s life, which was never dull, was only filled with curiosity for him, and there was no emotion beyond that.
A whispered love that whispers sincerity cannot last forever. From the start, such emotions that seem to be willing to give everything are nothing more than a momentary illusion. Sooner or later, that woman will give up on my heart.
At least until then, dealing with the letters would not be too burdensome as they would accumulate endlessly.
Velia Devereux. The name came to mind every day and easily disappeared. Today was no different.
Before Helios, the serene crimson sunset illuminated the garden landscape. Although it lingered briefly at this time, it was the most beautiful moment.
The wind that shook the forest passed through the garden. Just as he was about to listen closely to the whistling sound, someone knocked on the door.
It was the butler who had come to convey Clonette Argen’s words.
“Sir, breakfast is ready, please come downstairs.”