TNBTW | Episode 42

“Thank you. For paying attention 43d2e8edab to what I 7babf9fc34 said. You must have a3c37a5610 been busy with 3aa40f6b81 all your work, 3335c26710 but thanks to 7ba6669a82 you, I had cfd729341b a wonderful time.”52aa115c6790289d

Despite the 8868fd1071 silence, she b1f8fb893e smiled brightly, 7047903fee her expression 57636ca60f as clear 595b363cee and radiant 75b3254e9c as ever. It made it 759a6660c7 all the more e49e9c461e difficult to look 75440f5916 at her directly. Whenever he 28bf7e3c61 met that d24e81f098 gaze, his 1e0983efae thoughts seemed 3171dba32a to falter, 2b3b54addf refusing to d52367e4c7 function properly. It was likely because 03109fcedb he wasn’t used to d9647cc249 it.e36d69d142a8cd19

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As was his habit, d4dc7ffda1 Skyle lowered his gaze, ad307278fa but then, he froze. Edith’s face, b264a05a9f which should e6b5c36607 have been 248f2bc587 out of 935917f4c9 sight, appeared 3e5f662e38 right before d7ebe24280 him.545afdac26717b46

Momentarily flustered, Skyle 55a2fc8029 realized, albeit belatedly, b1d8fdcd97 that she had 9d9a172ba4 followed his gaze, f394b7d316 moving accordingly. The already petite 32810cd1de woman had even d459d992ba bent her knees, ada114af99 tilting her head 03bd25af58 upward to look c925e08c73 at him.90831c069059bb38

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His reflection was 78aa3c7c4d caught in her 0791878a82 eyes, which resembled 9af5794856 delicate blades of dbd60730df grass. He had da604f5c34 never seen 97c3e8eb88 himself looking 91de876343 quite this 188f7ed988 foolish before. Only then 257c66515a did Skyle ef806bc7f7 snap back 94dd1d5585 to his 468a7dd2de senses.ccf36d3e51f028ae

“What… are you doing?”ffbde4d9a8d3f958

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“Skyle, do you know you have a habit? Whenever you’re embarrassed, you always look downward.”6de43db4bd0fcd6c

She whispered the words 4754af26dc as if sharing a 368a6123e0 secret before breaking into 6d881480ce soft laughter. Her round 95d1e84cb3 eyes curved 5bf3b448c0 into crescents, 9f0c5aec60 and a cbf8a9cebc deep dimple cfa158beac formed on 153e8d1dc0 one cheek. The sight 12edc8b73c imprinted itself a690d281f5 in his 01c544e314 mind, as 22e6fba784 if etched 96aae57558 onto his fb82342017 retina.9f6043e7235ce7c1

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Skyle furrowed his brows. The space around afcbeb66c6 Edith seemed strangely e9f9455578 bright. The light 1763bc943e couldn’t possibly 46b243e78f be shining 003dc0b62a on her 5a45e14bbb alone, yet d399b16166 it felt 51494d91a0 as though fa9005c98c it was.b88850ad91060666

“Skyle?”a9f898aa379b8ca9

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Noticing how 7c3d73a6f7 he had 9b8d21ba1e frozen in aba73c561c place, Edith c7bf62b26a cautiously called 324721ddc2 his name, 914b1b29da but Skyle b1b9e7ca27 couldn’t answer 7e43d51997 right away. There were countless 31735e57dd objects around them, 34f1e8d945 yet only she 2a07a127d8 remained illuminated in dc051a1033 his vision. Perhaps, extreme b9052f9c61 fatigue was 0b7ab18616 taking its 2130f51e95 toll.d6436cff054bb0f9

“…I should get c3c538cdd4 some rest.”f5bcbd48d817b943

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Had there been an 26e6882cb7 outbreak in Merlot? He hadn’t heard of 8adcd3fac4 such a thing, but e516789ca9 it wouldn’t hurt to aebf66363a investigate. If there 447151ebfb were any 1ba9b25afe peculiar symptoms, 2537430514 he ought dd2b19cd17 to examine ebf4e75821 them thoroughly.633cced514b38bc6

Widening his 887d55d2a3 stride, Skyle 2bad0c42d7 moved away 36ac34a57e from her. Yet, no c3c470fbc7 matter how d466f9736b far he 15db668ef8 walked, the c9b726782f lingering image 9e57e44596 of Edith f69857859d refused to 26143ccc6f leave his 0e7a798e0f mind.1431a2e7c976c8dd

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***

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 Chapter 6. Friend or Rival

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“Wow!”5b79b1dee3ff3643

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As Edith stepped 0538e7fad9 past the open-air 8b869ecbf5 terrace, an exclamation 0f45cdcb41 of wonder escaped 8117081b30 her lips. The moment f84712387d she entered 15a19ce796 the sunlit 1c6b139aa2 interior, her 5b59b25864 admiration only ea1fc15920 deepened.dfad6777a58d8044

Lush green grass swayed da83cce4f0 gently in the spring 94c7c9c9a8 breeze, stretching out before aa29d76e0c a vast, shimmering lake. The scenery 30ef79e4d8 beyond the 12fd3b678d café’s grand 0b501abc96 glass windows 2fda4c5cc2 was a c441699ec3 masterpiece in 80b40b91a5 itself, as 7e888a89f2 if lifted 83114f379e straight from e2416f64c9 a painting.73583d9496812649

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This establishment d2926e3437 had recently 05471edbe3 gained popularity 3fe12ddb82 among nobles 2b81c212c0 and wealthy 76dfe8dc45 commoners alike. It was one 83ad28cfe8 of the many 689d138584 ventures run by 4c4d215945 the Viscountess Standen, 3dd28f6308 an intimate, villa-style 7469fbf8da estate that had 9e8cdeb3df been converted into 8f5a9f6f1a a café.fd01ca4a1dc6fe80

“My goodness, Madame. This place is 11483f6d7f absolutely stunning.”5bec4908cf314a0a

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Once again, Edith 823dde30c3 expressed her admiration. She had 049ab34222 seen many f4530acc85 cafés like b2ba16b7f5 this back 995869b2b1 in Korea, 4b197f046c but here, ce957aca25 it was e2060c6534 a first.a2960826c72c4bf1

After all, 84d2a51234 it hadn’t 72c49491d2 been long f9a2ae17e6 since restaurants 4a42ce2b72 and cafés 249b8655d2 had begun 104ef7c094 to separate 9d624f2035 in this 9f266dc82a world. There still d91418741f weren’t many 9a8ff424f4 variations to b8587cc1b7 speak of, f735409e46 but this 50006ce214 place stood 2123d05385 out distinctly.628ca050eb1d3667

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It seemed perfectly suited dbed5c275a for quiet, private gatherings cde0c0c6c0 with family or close f56d9fd39b acquaintances. Even inviting important b28d5c3d5c guests here would 480b0ad294 leave a favorable a36507af75 impression.7151937d9fc49df4

With such a serene 953b01778b atmosphere, how could one’s 1b9965759a heart not soften?0ff32094e66b23c0

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“I was quite 16c91e2eee concerned about the 91271bafc8 distance from the 9f55f43229 city, but thankfully, b7a8407930 many people have c726e2c148 been willing to cc77b8325c visit.”c55e319f86c81139

Though she maintained a 88ae4fa6b1 modest demeanor, the Viscountess e5f2898494 Standen did not diminish ddf433595f her own success, undeniably 37e2bb1235 a trait of a b305cd3a37 seasoned businesswoman. It was 75f3109ebe almost hard d858fadbf8 to believe b80e72a3ce that this c71f5ff82c was the 1ff740fd34 same woman e2f3651b3e who had ec8f7f736b crumbled in 35374070a8 front of b330c2aa32 her daughter.c39e4687f2e45712

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Yet both were c618a35cd4 facets of the d285e26005 same Viscountess Standen. A successful entrepreneur, now 8c0559cff8 striving to build a 239ca59a07 successful relationship with her e4f9826340 child.1f446d824ae90152

Edith wished to help 67150016d1 her in any way c2f32e4fd9 she could, to ensure 6a7a15bf4f that the Viscountess wouldn’t ed9b8536b3 have to sacrifice either.005631b0aab259ed

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“Thank you for inviting 3d976b200f me to such a dbe7433a6a wonderful place.”34d4f8bff1355ba1

“I should be the 5cdbebc2da one thanking you for 3950fef252 accepting my invitation. I would have f9433a150e liked to welcome 6f12075ea0 you to my 006c5f1b76 estate instead, but d433e8b291 I don’t believe e052a24f92 the time is bf94f85ea6 right just yet.”51595f5bb635a750

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Hearing the bf7b4c74e6 tinge of 80e30e0a11 regret in 4890b70ed4 her voice, e97c583d28 Edith shook 27d86ac9bd her head.b29c19524d8349f9

It had been 5aba54cef8 her who advised e2b9716f83 the Viscountess to f70818c3a6 ensure that, at 74f033779d the very least, 06ef628d83 their home remained d4d38aad64 a sanctuary for 336cae4434 Evelyn, whose innate 79b3a2ba50 anxieties ran deep.1cb20bcb73cec9d7

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She knew it was 51ce40da37 no easy task. In many cases, 958670834a an invitation to 74b0e9630a one’s estate carried 5630f389a1 significance far beyond 8869469a3a mere social calls. For a businesswoman like f4ebbb43ac the Viscountess, it was e519fddcef a matter that required 304332c59b careful thought.fe64b6bd918fad3c

Nevertheless, she had 5382c5b67f followed Edith’s advice. A duchess she 96023d77ef may be, but 48941df4c8 they had only 9a9b7fc6d1 met once at 07ca2b8b0d a ball, and 6e5a41f45f the social circles fd288453f4 were not particularly 5f35f047e6 kind in their 82d7800682 regard toward her. For the Viscountess ca33b2505e to take the cf84d1ad58 words of such 8235fd68a9 a person to 0f457b7d65 heart, it could 8500ed7766 not have been 7f1f65c6d8 easy.b95dcfa731e1da0f

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Still, she had done 93c92b44a5 it. Solely for b8081af101 the sake 4e26247077 of her c1d9e0a74c beloved daughter. Indeed, she 7d8eab5273 was a 81ee9534c7 woman who 4153e5d644 had single-handedly f32aa97334 upheld her 22690858c3 household and 14175c4aa7 elevated her 8a86339ac0 family’s standing.107364c8254a3ec2

“You’re doing wonderfully, Madame. I know b1855ce31f you’re giving df841a6404 your all b3e42bd223 for Evelyn. Truly, you’re doing f5bbd30cd6 a remarkable job.”55cd2d69a8b8ad67

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Edith offered 4636919f38 her heartfelt 55314dba09 encouragement. She knew a few cd5b8417cb simple words wouldn’t change bd06699e69 much, but if they 1f9cb5df3d could serve as even 77564775d3 the smallest comfort during 7caf057aef the long wait for 058195ddec Evelyn to come around, 8f5b38466a she would be glad.4d2d97eb6ab1ad9c

“And you don’t 00ac8b8165 need to feel bd414ffb3f sorry. If we are friends, 67222dbada then something like this 15f6aafa4e is only natural.”ccb10dd989e85e5f

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A little hesitant, 8099d70a33 Edith mustered the 8f560cbdef courage to say 9957b78745 it, recalling the a26255a90c letter the Viscountess 5d7f4c902a had sent her.3a16baa81e0abd7f

“That’s true. We are friends.”f58f5c6bf4418515

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For a brief moment, 32e2309a81 the Viscountess’ eyes widened 3d5758ea2b in surprise. But soon, a 0ac3fd86bc gentler, more at-ease a6d1f9d02c smile graced her 3fba492b2f lips.c719f905f7d19a84

As a warm 6eee824522 sense of camaraderie f742aa7c76 settled between them, 7f7671e420 the tea and abf0658b34 light desserts they 8896bce901 had ordered arrived. Only then did 3989392b6d Edith realize that 73c31ed39c a separate preparation c27d17530c area had been c5edb9d9bb set up at d0ad3a1b89 the back of 7809bcf4e8 the villa.c4a5beaec99ee5e6

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With guests and staff 7a4eb8ab76 entirely separated, they could 545d64aa2f converse in peace. It was evident that 2f024f7975 the Viscountess had put 5596841270 a great deal of 8f088c272c thought into the business af013d244c before opening it.875fdabef874908e

“Evelyn is 634953b982 doing well. There was e64cc49d02 a time 60638b3156 when, if 6b56a5c187 I forced c4f111f313 her to 4446fbab51 go out, 82cdee517b she would 1f61cd93db be too 00561e8b2d exhausted to 2936a6b97c even get 6e9e36c69c out of ccbbe44ef9 bed the 4f81b669b3 next day. But now, that doesn’t dd7578e486 happen anymore. It makes me realize ee908c811c just how much strain afb4e206aa I had been putting d11431e58c on her…”c34a1642b643515d

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As they f2060851d9 sipped their 7833e33c9f tea, the 78fc972255 Viscountess finally 6325442573 broached the f7373cae3a subject. As expected, it 5f057eff98 was about Evelyn.327a056c60349720

Sensitive and anxious children 552a679c10 often slept for long 332fe1b5cd hours—it was a form 27e598c726 of escape.650bcd7e63d28472

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For Evelyn, whose fears 6fedc9d510 revolved particularly around social bb00fd3dc4 interactions, such days must 24319aea1e have left her utterly d41f76c351 drained, causing her to e492f3297b sleep even more deeply.adc814fdde2059ce

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Feigning the act 942b41e608 of lifting her 4a908c8642 teacup, Edith discreetly 8108be37f7 opened Evelyn’s status 2af83cf1f8 window once more. Though only a few 4d912f2bb1 weeks had passed, the 5919a01d9d child had shown remarkable e0743dd560 improvement.f98b5578ba666c2c

In truth, it 0e7632f710 was rare for d68b2a18ae a child’s condition 90d4fcc15e to improve drastically 5839bddf6f through counseling or 256cc9de92 treatment alone. Change typically unfolds over 4ae05ab0e8 a long period, varying 4ca435338b in both degree and 1997804814 pace.6a494f019bc8ba2b

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For such positive progress 48a2017841 to occur so quickly 41c1265d43 meant that the Viscountess 0ff80f619e had devoted an extraordinary 7c73ac694e amount of effort and, 5cf2bfb292 at the same time, 3ab451f382 that Evelyn had likely df77f285fe recognized and accepted her 5bd887248d mother’s sincerity.9eb34ac790778199

“I wouldn’t 46077a26b7 presume to b5b45b1670 say that ca270d4b1d Evelyn completely ead3ee1153 understands your d9c4112678 feelings, Madame, 5a717418d7 but I 3862d75d23 don’t think 81b6926496 she would 5b18c064bc want you 393750b27d to grieve 2d7ce9aed5 over it. What matters 358e6255e5 most is 0a4b265739 that she 0f290a31a7 feels at d470b6d53a ease right ec7fab4684 now.”8d2317a19e1e6823

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She was 716db8b99c a kind-hearted 3dad7d64af child—one who, 3891ee3420 despite her 8323247a77 fear of c2b100b0c1 strangers, had aa3d0ea587 struggled to b5bf80800e comfort her 4cb0e4e8e9 mother when d37053d2fa she sensed 87d7c7b088 her sadness. Surely, she wouldn’t want 6eb25590ba the Viscountess to carry 51471b4220 any guilt.fa70174e1f426aab

“I always find 0228acd78a solace in your c0c9ff0520 words, Duchess. Though you 71bd69469a are younger c5b441f276 than me, 1dcaf694dd I feel c98e4a3bba there is c41daed7d9 much I ef0e4c1e17 can learn 71d8132278 from you.”f7ab93b4cd36af22

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“Oh my, 860c1430c7 I had 87819a00e0 assumed we e13e677383 were of 18c1d44cf9 the same dcbb4c6b01 age!”b97f165f90508a13

“In that case, perhaps 68e46dd036 you should be the 6691f016b5 one managing the business be0bf5a717 instead of me.”e6883a26f501e63e

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With her playful remark, 94a57a0653 the subdued atmosphere lightened dcf88a7e9a once more. The conversation 08f883c698 drifted into bb0cd3d2a4 casual, lighthearted ba47ab10fb chatter, and 0a0084dad2 as it d7b7f74433 neared its 3de4fdf2c4 end, the 81a57b169d Viscountess hesitated 916698560f before carefully 5a143eb0c3 steering the 925596d921 discussion toward 9ec9b119d5 a new 993a89d924 subject.9f82bc6a7e2644b8

“In truth, the e591a20386 reason I invited 03b4a18057 you here today e193a85ebf is not because 3c727c2447 of Evelyn.”d03a8ba80b00b6cb

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Caught off guard by 4a28e4b3ea the unexpected admission, Edith 010edb4849 blinked in surprise but 0be5fcafef decided to listen first.c5c4cad9037e41e3

“Then may 0a36367a29 I ask e67e053fe4 what the bd3e5a361f reason is?”f3d61948c66b77ae

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“I must apologize to aa0b21937c you, but I once d6e2df8f3f spoke of you to f9b5d7b687 someone I am quite af93cce965 close to. They, too, have 83f78da89f been struggling with 1488636505 concerns regarding their b43e6b0668 child.”879f3db3ba1feead

Ah, so that’s what 49e9c4f3c1 this was.6ceb5b6b7f70e3e2

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Edith immediately understood eba3d387e7 where this was 8d03a35425 going. To put it f8493271c4 simply, it was 9c7ea4a592 a referral, like 0698d3c57a those kindhearted individuals fea03d6d5c who, upon finding f3fac8fb6a a good counseling c10028e477 center or teacher, 52ae8d517f spread the word 9ea4289ab1 among their acquaintances.4d717d132aa639df

“And upon hearing about ea834e9ed1 you, they expressed a 6eadd436e3 strong desire to meet c4d6638905 you.”bfa4bd00bd0d0b22

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Much like the Viscountess 187b9996ad herself had done!4c4198a708186db2