Obsession Beyond the Wall of Courtesy - Chapter 98

The doctor said we need to watch until Vincent turns six. He said Vincent does not take proper naps, so he lacks nutrition for his muscles compared to other kids.

I didn’t tell Cedric that Vincent couldn’t sleep well because he was worried about him. Cedric is so busy; I didn’t want to bother him more.

When I looked at Vincent with a hard gaze, he finally cried loudly. His crying looked so sad that I had no choice but to hug him. While gently patting his small back, my heart sank deeply.

Seeing his trembling back from sadness made me feel sorry, but I also thought many things about how he keeps breaking his promises whenever he can. Maybe it’s because Cedric has been away from the mansion a lot lately…

Before the gold mine was found on the estate, Cedric spent a lot of time with Vincent. Back then, I rarely worried this much, and my heart didn’t waver on what to do. Whenever Cedric told Vincent something, Vincent listened well.

I sighed quietly inside. I felt that I was reaching my limit in raising Vincent alone.

At times like this, I missed Cedric.

I hadn’t seen him for a week, and my longing could have filled the sky. At least Cedric sent flowers every day, so that gave me some comfort.

When I quietly patted his back, Vincent slowly stopped crying. Then he slightly lifted his head and looked at my face. When our eyes met, Vincent whispered softly,

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

Hearing that, my frustrated heart eased a little. I calmly stroked Vincent’s head. His bright blue eyes, staring straight at me without missing a detail, looked just like Cedric’s.

“Then you will take your naps properly from now on, right?”

Vincent nodded. He still held a book in his hand. Since he liked books so much, forbidding him completely would be hard for him.

“Don’t sneak into the library anymore. If you want to read a book, just tell me. I’ll get it for you in advance.”

A smile spread on Vincent’s face. Without hesitation, he answered,

“Yes.”

“But you have to keep the promises you make with me.”

“Yes.”

He answered well. Even though he might sneak into the library again after I say this, for now, I wiped the tears from Vincent’s face and hugged him tightly.

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The maid greeted politely and came to me.

“Madam, about the wedding anniversary you instructed. I found out that Lady Durtin is good at preparing romantic decorations and special meals for anniversaries. Though master has never assigned her before, she has a good reputation. Would you like me to ask her?”

There was no reason to refuse. Since Cedric never gave her a job, it probably wouldn’t reach him.

“Then please ask her.”

“Yes, and what flowers should I use for decoration?”

“Since it’s a wedding anniversary, prepare pink roses. If there are some apricot-colored roses too, they will look pretty with the pink roses.”

The maid nodded carefully.

“Then I will focus on pink roses and also prepare apricot roses. Is there anything else you need?”

I thought for a moment. Cedric sometimes sent long letters with flowers. Although he sent a note this time, I was still curious when he would return and how things were now.

“Has any letter come from the estate?”

The maid looked awkward, clasping her hands.

“No letters have come. But just in case, I will send someone to the post office.”

Sending someone to the post office wouldn’t help. There were almost no cases where letters were lost. I felt empty inside, but I wasn’t upset. Cedric must be very busy. Anyway, he would come back for the anniversary, so I just needed to prepare well enough to surprise him then.

I made up my mind and said,

“You don’t need to send anyone to the post office. But don’t tell Cedric about the preparations until the anniversary. Please prepare everything carefully.”

“Yes, madam. Don’t worry.”

After the maid left, it got a little quieter. I heard regular, soft breaths. Vincent, held in my arms, was sleeping with his eyes closed.

I slowly lifted Vincent. Even though he often stayed up at night and didn’t nap, he was quite heavy. I carefully stepped out of the playroom, not wanting to wake him or ring any bells.

After a while, my arms began to ache as if they were going to fall off. He was taller than kids his age, so holding him became harder. Just then, a maid walking nearby saw me and quickly came over. She looked at Vincent and whispered quietly,

“Madam, I will carry young master for you.”

I couldn’t carry Vincent all the way to his room, so I slowly handed him over. Vincent was still fast asleep, eyes tightly shut. I looked at Vincent once more and then gestured to the maid. She nodded, greeted me, and went upstairs.

I watched her go for a moment, then headed to the library. I wanted to prepare properly for the anniversary, so I planned to look for decoration ideas there.

After spending a long time in the library, it was already evening. I ate dinner with Vincent. He didn’t fuss about food much. But while eating mushroom soup, he kept closing his eyes, nodding off, and then opening them again. It seemed he wasn’t napping well and was reading all night.

Since he had eaten most of his dinner, I told the nanny to take Vincent to his room. As soon as Vincent was in the nanny’s arms, he closed his eyes comfortably. I sighed inside, but I was glad he was sleeping like that.

After finishing my meal, I headed upstairs. As I was going up the second-floor stairs, I heard quick footsteps and a breathless voice.

“Madam!”

I turned around. The maid was waving an envelope. After catching her breath, she handed it to me.

“It’s an express letter. It seems urgent from master’s estate.”

I took the letter happily.

“Thank you. Good job.”

The maid smiled brightly, proud she had done well, and went downstairs. I immediately went to my room and opened the letter.

To my love, Revril,

It has almost been a week since I left the Bestine estate. How is it there? Is Vincent doing well? I worry that your weak health might cause trouble.

I blinked for a moment.

“How did he know?”

Cedric was sharp as always. I hurried to read the rest.

…Vincent seems to have more of my personality than yours, so don’t try to please him too much.

By the way, I think of you all the time while I’m here. Since my mother was here, you didn’t have to come. I came alone because the estate work seemed quick, but today I miss you more than usual.

Especially when I see pink flowers nearby, brown trees like your hair, or green grass like your eyes, waves of longing hit me. I wish I had come with you.

I miss you wherever I go, but since the work isn’t done well, my mind is full of thoughts.

Anyway, I want to send my longing through this letter.

And sadly, I can’t come back to the Bestine estate this week. I’m angry about that, and the people around me annoy me, but I have to finish this, so please wait a little longer.

I hope that little time won’t be long for you or me, and that my love in my heart reaches you even a little.

With endless love, Cedric

I stared at the letter for a long time. Cedric’s scent smelled like deep woods full of trees — a scent I wanted to lean on.

Following his scent on the letter, I looked at the words again. Like the note, the handwriting was sharp but neat. His feelings for me were clear in the letter. The fact he thought of me everywhere moved me deeply.

Though his feelings were clearly shown in the letter, my face showed disappointment.

“He can’t come this week.”

And Cedric didn’t say a word about the wedding anniversary.

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