Chapter 63 - Planning for a trip
Eloise came out of the room to see the duke and her mother in a weird standoff. While the duke had an awkward look on his face her mother had a serious look on hers. It was quite funny to see the young duke to fear the old madam like this.
She cleared her throat softly.
Raymond snapped his gaze her way. "Oh…. D-did you hear what I just said?"
Eloise shook her head with a confused frown. 'What were they talking about? Is it some kind of fight or something?' She inquiringly peered into his eyes
he let out a sigh of relief. "it's nothing of relevance. I'll get going now. I'll pick you up at daybreak. Please make sure to prepare a coat. it does tend to get awfully cold out there,"
Eloise smiled softly. "Yes sure… oh should I bring snacks?"
Tonight, was going to be like a trip for her. For the first time, she had transmigrated to the world, she was getting off of this boat. She wanted to have as much fun as she could in those free days.
Raymond raised a brow. "You can, but the bazaar in Bafeld has a variety of cuisines. We can go tasting if you wish to."
"I wish to!" she added a little too fast. Only after shouting did she realize how improper her behavior was. Blushing, she gazed at her food 'oh my god, what am I doing? It's just food. It's not like I've never tried different cuisines. I didn't have to shout it out loud like that!!"
Raymond let out a small chuckle. "Then let's add that to our agenda." He bowed to madam Ayles and to her and walked out of their suite.
Eloise sighed out loud. "Oh my god, that was so embarrassing."
Odette hugged her from behind. "Oh miss, you are that happy to spend time with him. This is true love~~"
"I just want to eat," she pinched her small button nose.
Odette scrunched her nose up. "Even so, you want to spend time with him, miss. I know that."
Eloise panicked for a second. in her heart, she did not want to spend a lot of time with him. Even though she wanted to put a bit of distance between them, her heart was swaying toward him uncontrollably.
'is it that apparent thought?' she touched her face softly.
"it's written on your face miss; you won't even have to use words~" Odette said so and hopped over to her room. "We have to prepare your clothes. We might even stay in the city for the day. I'll pack a few changes of clothes for that."
Eloise peeped into her room with a sigh. "This girl is awfully enthusiastic,"
"she never traveled or even look around much in her life," madam Ayles whispered.
Eloise frowned slightly. "She hasn't gone anywhere?"
"She grew up in our mansion. As a maid's daughter, she never had the choice o go out."
"Why?" she peered at her mum.
"it's the house rules. I'm thankful that we are out of that house now. She can fully come out of her shell. She is like a daughter to me because I watched her grow up." madam Ayles smiled softly. "I hope she can find a love match, just as you did. but it will be very hard."
"Why?" she once again questioned her.
Madam Ayles sighed. "She is of low blood. Even though we don't bother about it, high society would never accept her. She won't be able to marry a decent man. if she decides to may a poor man, she might suffer all her life... Oh Eloise, I've seen those people who live in poverty. They starve and die in the middle of the road… I don't want that to happen to her..." madam Ayles wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"Why don't you adopt her then?"
Madam Ayles froze. "We can try that. But we can do that after your marriage. As a duchess, you will have power and as your adopted sister, she will be able to find a good match. This is settled then! We are doing this. But lest keep it a secret from her~" she perked up instantly and ran into the room and started to help Odette pack.
Eloise smiled at her mum. Even though her mum appeared pris and proper she had a very kind heart. 'I don't know what I could have done without her...'
She ran into the room and help fold the clothes.
"Oh my god miss, you are creasing the skirt!" Odette plucked the dress from her and delicately folded it.
"Yes Eloise, you are just getting in our way."
Eloise gasped. "Am I being chased away from my own room?"
They both looked at each other and laughed out loud. "yes~"
"Oh my god, the betrayal." She dramatically gasped again and pretended to leave.
They both pulled her in and made her sit on the bed.
Eloise watched them both happily chat as they packed up her bags. Bags, yes you heard it right. They packed five bags!!! Just for a night out!!!!!
She felt a headache climbing up her head.
She plopped back on the bed and laid there silently, peering at the ceiling. 'I need to take some money to u some souvenirs for mother…. Wait why can't she come with me?'
"Mum come with us tonight?"
"Oh no dear, I can't come along,"
Eloise sat up straight. "Why not?"
"Because you guys will be spending time together." She giggled.
"But Odette is coming with us." She pointed to the maid, who was giggling as well.
"Miss I will make myself scarce. Don't worry, I will never disrupt your romantic night," Odette winked at her.
Eloise just wordlessly peered at the two. 'God they are going to be so disappointed if they hear about the truth of our relationship... should I just tell them. Nah, they will not accompany me even if I said that. they will just say that I'm lying,' sighing she laid back down. "you guys are too much... just come with me… lets enjoy the new city. Aren't you bored staying in this small room, mum?"
"I am well content darling. You are the one who got fidgety after staying here for so long."
"Hmm madam, is right."
Eloise sighed. "You both are ganging up on me…."
Late that evening, right after sundown the duke came to pick her up. he had fortunately brought an assistant to help out with their bags or else I would have been such a hassle to drag them around.
Even so, Eloise felt so awkward to say that she had so many bags with her.
Raymond didn't seem to mind about the baggage. his eyes were only on her. Not even on mister Fred who had accompanied him.
Eloise anxiously wrung her kerchief. 'What is he doing? His love is so close. isn't he afraid he would offend him?' she glanced at them both.
Mister Fred looked awfully quiet but Raymond was chattering about random things to her.
'Why?' she looked around.
A crowd was definitely looking at them both.
'Ah that is why? But isn't he overacting…'
Clearing her throat, she glanced at mister Fred. "I'm happy you are joining mister Fred."
Mister Fred just smiled and shook his head. "In fact, I had been planning on visiting as the city a lot of new medical practices and it even has a library full of books that describe diseases and cure." He said wit shimmering eyes.
Subtly she saw that his hands were gracing Raymond's.
'Ah what a romantic couple… Raymond must have wanted to bring Fred to the city. That is why he invited me...'
A pang of disappointment suddenly hit her. But soon it disappeared as if it didn't exist.
At least get to travel down from this I ship. Oh, and Odette gets to explore this city. It's a win win.' She perked up instantaneously. "Where are we heading first?"
"We shall visit the night market. I heard there is a good restaurant there. We can have a taste of the local delicacies."
"yes~ that sounds like a plan." She happily hopped around. "oh what cash do they use?"
"Pardon? I don't get you.' Raymond raised a brow.
"Cash. I mean money…. Do they use our coins or something else?"
"They use different denominations of money. We withdraw from my account." He said with a small smile.
Eloise nodded. 'so, they do have banks and stuff? Good good.'
"Can bank loan money to people?" she asked. if so then she can get a loan. She can definitely finance a lot of projects without any awkwardness between herself and mister Raymond.
"They don't. miss Eloise, are you in need of money? I can give it to you. After all, after marriage, everything I own will be yours."
Eloise froze.
Even Raymond froze. this was the first time he was talking about marriage after his proposal.
Both of them gazed at each other blushing.
"l-let's not waste time here." Eloise ran pulling a chuckling Odette behind her.