Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

Chapter 176 - Visiting Gwen Pt. 1

"Milady, a letter from Miss Adele sent a letter for you," George said as soon as we met each other in the front yard.

This was the second time that he told me that I have letters. One was earlier in my room where Gwen apparently invited me to come and visit her. After that, I had changed into a new dress and now I am about to leave.

"Hmm?"

'From Adele?'

"A courier came earlier and had only just left," he added.

"Let me see," I said and took the letter from him. With a quick look, I already get the gist of the letter. Though it's not like it's long either, it's actually quite brief and concise.

Basically, she's asking me if I have some new designs, and if I want to publicize them. If not for the customary complimentary, I'll bet my everything that Adele can put everything in one sentence. Just straight up ask me without sugar-coating it, you know that kind of stuff.

Also, when I read her letter, it dawned on me that I do have something else to do after all. Now that I think of it, I could have been productive and created tons of dress designs so I can be richer than now. Why did I forget about my job?

I guess I'll just have to do them later.

"Alright," I mumbled and gave the envelope to Amy who already knows what to do with it.

Uno then helped me climb inside with Kuro immediately getting in after me. He obviously shrank his size down so he can fit because we all know how humongous this fox is.

"Have a safe trip, milady," George and the others said as they all bowed while our carriage rolled out.

"I wonder how that woman is faring right now."

I couldn't help but mumble, staring at the scenery outside the window that I had already familiarized with for all these years. This time though, I am currently going to the Ethalion residence, where I have never been to so it will be an entirely new scenery. Am I looking forward to it? Hmmm… maybe a little bit?

Well, okay. I am actually more curious than the gossip I'll hear between them than seeing the mansion. I mean… The two have been an item for far longer than I can remember and during those days, both of them were strange. They don't talk much, nor interact much, even though I could see that something is going on there. 

And now that Gwen is living with him in the same house, they must be fine now, right? There must be improvements! I swear to the heavens, I'm more digested in their love life than my own, which is nonexistent, thank you very much.

It was a long ride, and as expected, I was bored all through it. I have nothing to do other than sit there and look outside. It would be hella better if there's such a great view but all I see are empty lands and tall trees which are nothing short of ordinary to my eyes. After all, there's a literal forest just on the borders of our territory where we sometimes hunt.

I was feeling sleepy the whole ride and if not for Kuro with me, I probably did fall asleep. 

"We have reached the Ethalion property, milady," Uno informed me through the small window.

"Oh, thank Luminus…" I mumbled and started stretching my poor back.

Sitting in a carriage for hours is not really a fun ride, even if I have the softest cushion out there.

I looked outside and stared at the looming mansion in the distance, and that's when I started feeling excited. I'm basically stepping on new land and just from seeing the huge mansion personally, my curiosity is practically jumping up and down.

A group of maidservants was waiting for us at the front as our carriage rolled closer. We halted to a stop, Uno got down and opened the door for me to climb down. A tall man in his mid-forties, wearing a suit, stepped forward, a hand on his torso, and smiled.

"Lady Nadia. The lady is waiting for you inside," he said.

He must be the butler…

"Lead the way," I retorted with a warm smile on my own.

I followed after him, with Uno, of course. I was so used to not bringing a maid these days that I forgot to bring Erin to accompany me. Oh, well… It's not like it's mandatory to have one all the time.

The butler led us towards the west part of the house and stopped at a door. He then knocked twice and after a short moment, it was opened by a maid. Upon seeing who we are, she immediately stepped aside to let us in. The butler didn't come with us and had remained outside.

"Nadia," Gwen was already standing when we came in and with a welcoming smile to boot.

"Hey," I greeted her and took a seat in front of her.

As soon as we're face to face with only a table between us, Gwen started making tea like it's natural. It made me blink in surprise but I didn't dare say a comment on it. It's just that, Gwen doesn't really do these kinds of things and just leaves it to people around her. Like when we hung out in the Riviere household, her personal maid would be the one serving us.

'Hohh…'

"Thank you," I mumbled as I accepted the cup she sent to me.

As I drank the tea, I was silently observing her, taking note of all the things that I find new and different. Yeah, because she really is different. Even her movements are noticeably graceful now more than before. Her overall aura also has changed, it's more-- how do I describe it… quiet? Calm?

And what a shock it was for me. I mean, Gwen? Calm? The friend I had known for three long years is loud and very bubbly. She's acting a little similar to Bea now and I couldn't believe my eyes.

How long has it been since we last saw each other? Not that long, am I right? How can a person change so much in a short span of time? 

'I see… Her training must have been really strict or something…'

Gwen glanced at the maid behind her, it was Hilda, her personal attendant. So she brought her maid along when she came here for a couple of months.

Afterward, she then let out one big sigh that was so her.

"Aaaahhh… I'm so glad you came, Nadia!" she squealed while looking at me with sparkling eyes.

'This… this is the Gwen I know…'

"Hmm? What? You missed me that much?" I remarked with a playful grin on my lips.

"I didn't. I'm just glad that I can now finally have a breather," she grumbled while elegantly drinking her tea.

I did say that it's the same woman that I know, right? But for serious though, she really did change. Even after acting like a pouting child right now, she actually does exude grace. There's still a calm air around her and she seemed to bloom like a grown woman now.

Wow… I'm kinda jealous.