The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 26
< Chapter 26 >
Mabel and William enjoyed the beauty of Kensington Garden, feeling the sunny spring breeze.
Later, they toured the magnificent Albert Hall and took a serenade stroll through the gardens, talking nonstop.
“When I’m stuck while writing, I try to seek firsthand experiences. Sometimes I raise a teacup like the characters in my story or sit surrounded by candlelight in my dorm room. What do you do, Mr. Edmundstone, when you can’t come up with good policies for the public?”
“Contemplating policies is similar. Sometimes facing problematic situations directly helps expand one’s thoughts.”
“By the way, I heard that Mr. Edmundstone graduated from college and spent a long time engaged in social welfare activities. Do you think your experiences from that time contributed to becoming the good politician you are today?”
Lovers floated on a boat on the beautiful lake. However, they were engrossed in each other’s conversation and gestures, paying no attention to the scenery.
“It might be difficult for everyone to be a good politician, but at least what I consider an ideal politician is someone who strives to advocate for the interests of diverse social groups as propositions of the public. In that sense, I think the lives of British laborers still lack proper attention, which led me to take an interest in social welfare.”
“Uncovering the hidden stories of seemingly ordinary people, it’s similar to good writing. I put effort into presenting the stories I’ve come up with in an interesting way, and Mr. Edmundstone, through those discovered stories, protects people’s lives. It’s similar, isn’t it?”
Mabel was delighted that the conversation with William never seemed to dry up. Though the physical world they shared was small, there were many thoughts they could empathize with each other on, along with a curiosity about one another.
However, they didn’t only engage in serious conversations in an atmosphere of mutual respect. When light-hearted topics arose, William would tease Mabel with jokes that made her heart flutter. The temperature difference between his casual jokes and still dignified demeanor tickled Mabel’s heart.
As the bells of Elizabeth Tower rang, Mabel and William found a seat at a nearby tea house to have some tea.
“According to the gentleman’s etiquette book, only millionaires or playboys don’t abide by the rules of a gentleman.”
The streets of London outside the tea house were filled with gentlemen in black suits, giving off an impression worthy of trust and financial dealings, as described in famous books.
“What do you think Mr. Edmundstone is, then?”
Mabel playfully asked William, not dressed in a black suit, as she started spreading cream on a freshly baked scone.
“Oh, it seems like that etiquette book teaches how to look like a capitalist.”
William said, taking off his beige suit jacket and draping it over one side of the chair he was sitting on. His blue eyes and dark brown hair stood out prominently against his comfortably worn white shirt.
“The most irritating part of that etiquette book is the notion that a gentleman should dedicate himself to labor rather than pleasure. In that case, I’d rather choose to be a playboy.”
“Are you saying Mr. Edmundstone doesn’t feel ashamed of pursuing pleasure?”
Mabel retorted, her face flushing at William’s audacious response, contradicting the morals she had learned.
His smile deepened as he looked at her.
“Isn’t it natural for everyone to have an instinct to pursue pleasure? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing something that brings joy to my heart. It’s just that what I enjoy isn’t some aimless playboy-like behavior, but spending time like this with Miss Mabel.”
William said in a charming voice. While his eyes twinkled with amusement, Mabel sensed a certain sincerity behind his somewhat serious demeanor.
He continued without taking his eyes off Mabel.
“I believe the world is full of things we don’t know. By trusting ourselves and daring to try various things, we can enrich our lives with new experiences and discoveries.”
As Mabel savored his sweet voice, a smooth curve formed at the corner of William’s lips.
“What I mean is, sometimes following your heart might be the best course of action.”
Mabel paused for a moment, raising her teaspoon slightly, as she contemplated William’s words.
“Following my heart… Well, actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to try before the semester starts.”
With a slightly thoughtful expression, Mabel spoke.
* * *
“Was it going to the theater that you wanted to try?”
Mabel grabbed his arm and led him to the entrance of a crowded theater. There were newspaper reporters with large cameras taking pictures of the entering audience, perhaps for the premiere of a new movie.
“I don’t want to be a liar anymore.”
Mabel said shyly, looking up at William.
“As an Oxford graduate, it would be odd if I’ve never been to the theater, so whenever theater discussions came up among my dorm friends, I pretended I had been there too. But after lying once, I had to refuse my friends’ requests to go to the theater together, fearing they would catch on.”
Mabel and William passed through the softly lit hallway and took their seats in the middle of the theater. Though surrounded by many people, fortunately, no one recognized William in the dimly lit interior.
As the movie began, black and white images appeared on the giant screen. Though there was no sound, thanks to the music and vivid expressions and movements of the actors, Mabel felt as if she were being sucked into the story.
A smile crept onto William’s face as he watched Mabel, lost in the screen.
After the screening, Mabel stood outside the theater once again, past the flashing lights of audience members taking pictures.
“They didn’t need to say a word; I understood everything they wanted to convey! Perhaps words are unnecessary for us!”
She breathlessly shared her impressions of the movie.
Tonight, London’s night sky seemed to have exhausted its luck, pouring down unexpected showers, and umbrella vendors were lingering outside the theater. Furthermore, distant thunder could be heard.
But Mabel paid no attention to such things and continued her excited speech as if her enthusiasm hadn’t waned.
“In that regard, don’t you think writing is one step ahead of speaking? Every expression and action of the actors could be conveyed through writing.”
William smiled as he watched Mabel, filled with the joy and wonder of discovering a new world. To him, Mabel sometimes seemed infinitely delicate like a tired butterfly, yet at times she appeared strong with an unquenchable spark.
“Mr. Edmundstone is right. I believe the world is full of things we don’t know. By trusting ourselves and daring to try various things, we can enrich our lives with new experiences and discoveries.”
William quietly observed Mabel, recalling his words from earlier in the day.
As Mabel pondered his encouragement, she smiled suddenly, as if struck by a thought.
“Then… Mr. Edmundstone, it seems like there’s something else I want to do.”
After finishing her sentence, she walked slowly into the rain, passing by the umbrella vendors. The heavy spring rain beat down on Mabel’s body. It was a behavior that a proper lady would never do, but to Mabel, experiencing the joy of discovery, it didn’t matter.
“I’ve experienced spring rain every year, but it feels like I’ve never been hit by it so sweetly before. Before, it was just an obstacle on my way, but now, I think even things I thought I knew can become discoveries depending on my mindset. Don’t you think?”
Seeing her radiant smile, Edmundstone also chuckled softly and walked into the rain without hesitation. Even as his neatly styled hair got wet in the rain, he still looked at Mabel with affectionate eyes.
“Shall we walk together?”
Mabel laughed at William’s formal request for an escort, seeing herself like a soaked mouse. Ignoring the murmurs of some umbrella holders on the street, the two walked side by side in the rain.
“Just imagine how many experiences can change according to my mindset. So instead of being sad about what I haven’t done, I’d rather focus on the endless possibilities of what I can discover in the present.”
With a radiant smile, Mabel tilted her head up toward the rain-filled sky and closed her eyes.
“So right now, I’m soaking up the chill of this spring rain hitting my body.”
Reflected in William’s eyes, Mabel seemed like a blazing flame that even the spring rain couldn’t extinguish. The raindrops moistened Mabel’s blue dress, and the alluring chestnut-colored hair cascaded down her slender face, mesmerizingly.
As if her fire had ignited something within him, William felt his heart gently squeeze with impatience and passion towards her.