Chapter 5
Lynette, who had just ruined Esther’s pride and joy—her face and hair—smiled brightly. Then she turned to Kenis and said,
“Father, what do you think? Doesn’t sister finally look a little more like a human being now?”
“……”
“If you don’t excommunicate this woman by today, I’ll run away from home.”
“Hey! That’s not right. Why would you leave? If anyone has to leave, it should be Esther.”
Edgar, who had been silent until now, spoke up, but Lynette didn’t even glance at him. She simply walked out of the dining room. Alice, who hadn’t been able to enter, glared at her with tearful fury, and Lynette just laughed as if it were ridiculous.
“Oh my, how dare a mere servant roll her eyes at me! I suppose you can’t even consider that your master might be the one at fault.”
“Kyaaa!”
Of course Lynette wasn’t the type to ignore a maid glaring at her. She grabbed Alice by the hair and shook her while smiling elegantly, then said to the head maid,
“If this is how you train the maids, I’ll be very disappointed in you.”
“I—I’m sorry, my lady.”
Head maid Bessie lowered her head and took Alice by the hair from Lynette. With a light laugh, Lynette returned to her room.
“My lady, even if the eldest lady treated you like that, you really shouldn’t have…”
“So, Katrine, are you saying I was wrong?”
“No, not at all. You did very well. Frankly, what you did was far too mild compared to how long you’ve endured. Next time, you should drag her by the hair and make twelve full circles. Understood?”
Lynette had almost forgotten—Katrine was a formidable woman. She was so strong that even the male attendants couldn’t budge against her. There was even a rumor that knights couldn’t win against her in sheer strength.
Throwing herself into the arms of Katrine—the only one who had ever stood by her side—Lynette buried her face against her chest. Katrine hugged her gently and stroked her back.
“Don’t hold it in anymore. If you keep bottling it up, you’ll only hurt yourself.”
“Mm, that’s why I won’t hold back anymore. I’m going to run away!”
“Yes, running awa—… Huh? R-run away?”
Startled, Katrine looked at the very calm Lynette in disbelief. Lynette simply raised a finger to her lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
“Father needs to feel something too. I’ll go run away and let him stew.”
Changing into comfortable clothes, Lynette grabbed a little money and slipped out before Katrine could stop her.
“M-my lady, where are you going? With your head still bandaged!”
At the gate, one of the knights guarding it spoke, but Lynette removed the bandage and replied,
“I’m going out. Staying locked up in this house is suffocating me—I’ll die of frustration.”
Yes, a breath of fresh air was exactly what she needed. Wanting to escape the house where Esther was, Lynette ignored the knight’s protests and left.
❅
Strolling through the city of Indigo, Lynette went into a clothing store. After changing outfits, she pinned her hair up and hid it under a hat, then slipped out through the back door. It was a deliberate move, just in case anyone had followed her.
Next, she entered a stylish-looking restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely meal. Even after finishing, Lynette didn’t return home; she had no desire to see her father or Esther tonight.
Instead, she wandered aimlessly until the sound of loud chatter drew her in another direction. She entered the lively place and ordered food.
The Count Prueina household was always as quiet as a graveyard, but here it was bustling with voices. Travelers and townsfolk mingled together, their laughter and chatter brighter and livelier than the lamplight.
Listening to the conversations of people who had worked hard all day, Lynette watched what they ordered and copied them. Boldly, she even ordered a beer. Curious if it would taste as she remembered, she gulped it down in one go.
“Kyaa! Yes, this is the taste.”
Foam stuck to her lips, which she quickly licked away. The refreshing, bitter taste cleared her chest, so she ordered a few more mugs.
“Perhaps it would be best not to drink too much here.”
While sipping and eavesdropping on stories to chase away her gloom, someone spoke to her with a gentle warning.
She turned her head. A tall man sat nearby, his hat pulled low, his build strong. His lips curved faintly, lively and full.
“What business is it of yours?”
“I don’t usually drink, but seeing you made me want one. There’s no seat left—would you mind terribly if I joined you?”
His voice was low and polite. Lynette glanced around; the place really was full. Feeling good, she gestured for him to sit across from her.
The man ate and drank quietly, very proper in his manners. Since they were seated together, it would have been rude not to talk. Soon enough, they struck up conversation.
“So, how old are you?”
“I turned twenty-one this year.”
“Ha! I see. I’m twenty.”
The two drank back and forth, and Lynette forgot her gloom.
“By the way, what’s your type? Mine is a woman like a little songbird.”
At the sudden question, Lynette smiled drunkenly.
“A gentle man who can cook well.”
“Ah, I see. I can’t cook… guess I’ll have to learn.”
“There’s no need to. That’s just my type, nothing more.”
“Still, wouldn’t a husband who takes turns cooking with his wife be more lovable?”
Oddly, she didn’t feel awkward with this stranger. He was comfortable—like an old neighbor who had moved away but suddenly returned. After just a short while, it felt natural.
Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe the warmth of the moment, but Lynette felt light-hearted and happy.
“By the way… what’s your name? I can’t keep calling you ‘hey you’ or ‘oppa.’”
His lips curved again.
“You may call me oppa if you wish… Ahem. But my name is Blue. And what is yours, my lady?”
“Then I’ll be Bird. Together, that makes Bluebird. Isn’t it pretty?”
Bluebird.
Her grandmother had once read her a fairy tale about searching for the bluebird, explaining that it symbolized happiness in everyday life.
“Bluebird—it is pretty. Though to me, you look more like a little songbird.”
“Songbird, huh? I haven’t heard that in a long time. My grandmother used to call me that before she passed away.”
Thinking of the grandmother who had loved her dearly, Lynette smiled wistfully. Both her grandmothers had died young, and tonight she missed them terribly.
“Dear Bird, are you thinking of your grandmother?”
“Yes… maybe it’s the alcohol, but I miss her. Do you still have yours, Blue?”
“Yes, but since my grandfather passed away, she’s grown weak. I worry for her.”
Seeing the grandson’s concern, Lynette took his hand firmly.
“She must have loved your grandfather dearly. But she’ll recover—so take good care of her.”
Her small hands wrapped his large, warm one, and she whispered a little prayer.
“Oh—sorry. I must’ve grabbed your hand because of the alcohol.”
“It’s quite alright. My first love once held my hand just like this to encourage me.”
Who in the world didn’t have a first love? Listening to others’ love stories was always entertaining. So Lynette asked softly,
“If you don’t mind me asking, are you still with your first love?”
“Hmm… She’s probably forgotten me, but I still remember her.”
“Oh… so you two broke up?”
“I think of it as just a temporary separation. I first met her when I was seven and she was six.”
Hearing that, Lynette tilted her head. Were their families acquaintances?
“My father was too strict, so I ran away from home. I met her in this neighborhood. Like a little bird chirping—adorable and lively. I’ll never forget it.”
Lynette just nodded and sipped her beer. Honestly, it sounded like he’d only met the girl briefly as a child, yet he described her like a wandering poet.
After rambling about his first love for a while, Blue carefully asked,
“But what about you, Bird? Why are you here, drinking alone?”
“I broke off an engagement.”
“That’s fortu—… I mean, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“No, you were right the first time. It’s fortunate. He was sneaking around with another woman.”
“Then you should meet a wonderful man, just to show him. Maybe a gentle cook—though it might take a little time. Who knows, perhaps one is already on the way.”
They chatted on. Eventually, Lynette’s vision blurred. When she tried to stand, she swayed, and Blue quickly supported her. He smelled warm, comforting.
“I’ll take you home.”
He turned to call for a carriage, but Lynette tugged on his sleeve and shook her head.
“I don’t want to go home. Katrine’s the only one on my side there…”
“Then I’ll be your ally too. But please, let’s go home so you can rest.”
Drunkenly, Lynette smiled at his words, but she still refused to go home. Seeing her stubbornness, Blue had no choice but to get her a room at an inn.
“There’s water here—drink and rest. I’ll be on my way.”
He set a pitcher by the bed and helped her sit down. But before he could leave, Lynette caught his hand. The alcohol gave her courage. She looked up at him boldly.
“Can’t you stay and talk a little longer? I feel so miserable… Don’t worry, I won’t eat you.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you did, but… you should sleep. I’m drunk myself and can’t look after you much longer.”
Even with his polite refusal, Lynette shook her head. Her obsidian eyes glistened with moisture. Unable to resist, Blue sat back down beside her.
Listening to her, he too began feeling the effects of the alcohol. When she finally finished, he tried to rise but collapsed back down. Lynette tugged him toward her, and he ended up falling onto the bed.
“I should go…”
“If I’m here alone and a strange man comes in, what’ll I do? So stay here and rest a while.”
Drunk and unaware of what she was saying, Lynette lay down beside him. She removed her hat and tugged his off as well. Black hair, ruby-red eyes—Blue’s androgynous beauty shone.
Staring at his face, Lynette poked his lips clumsily with her dulled fingers. Soft, warm, pliant. Blue caught her hand weakly, whispering,
“We shouldn’t… This is my first time, you know.”
His face flushed crimson, as red as his eyes. Lynette smiled faintly.
“You trust me, right? Let’s just hold hands and sleep.”
❅
When Lynette finally stirred, her “pillow” shifted beneath her. Frowning, she opened her eyes.
“Where am I…? I’m Lynette…”
She scowled at the unfamiliar ceiling. Her head throbbed. Parched, she reached for water—then froze.
A man lay beside her. She had been sleeping on his arm. Shocked, she sat up quickly. The blanket slipped, revealing bare skin. She froze in place.
Panicking, she scrambled into the scattered clothes on the floor and bolted out the door.
Behind her, the man who had been sleeping gave a languid smile.
“You said we’d just hold hands and sleep, and yet…”
They had both been drunk. When he’d tried to get up, she’d pulled him back down.
And then, something dizzying and intoxicating had happened—enough to make them lose their senses.
Blushing, Blue murmured,
“You promised to take responsibility since it was my first time… and now you’re just leaving?”
