The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 30

< Chapter 30 >

Mabel’s face flushed as she read the first line of the letter. 

Although there was the signature of Theodore Amide, referring to him as a colonial man instead of using his name was an extremely rude choice of words, suitable only for Lady Margaret Sandson to make.

However, as Mabel started reading the next contents, her expression gradually became as cold as ice. Although it was a short letter, it exposed all the lies Mabel had told at once. Frozen, Mabel couldn’t bring herself to look at Theodore.

After a long silence, Mabel finally spoke.

“This, you see, Theodore…”

“Don’t worry, Mabel.” 

Theodore said cautiously. 

“I just thought you should know about the existence of this letter. Now that you’ve read it…”

Theodore trailed off, retrieving a lighter from his pocket and setting the letter on fire.

“It’s only fitting to burn such a letter that insults both of us.”

As the flames attached to the letter dwindled, Mabel couldn’t decide what to say. It was clear to Mabel now that Theo had realized everything.

“Mabel, you don’t have to explain if you don’t want to. Everyone has their secrets. We may not have known each other for long, but I already know you’re not someone who deliberately lies or deceives others.”

Theodore flashed a faint smile towards the flustered Mabel. The word “secret” he uttered left a profound impact.

“Lady Margaret’s words to you, I’ll apologize on her behalf.”

That was the only thing Mabel could say with certainty.

“Thank you. But you don’t need to apologize on her behalf. I’m not hurt by those words anymore. Just Mabel, if there’s anything I can help with, just say the word.”

Theodore gently placed his hand on Mabel’s shoulder, speaking again with a sincere and kind voice.

“Fortunately, it seems like nobody else knows yet, but secrets have a way of coming to light eventually.”

As Theodore spoke those words, an indescribable emotion seemed to well up in his eyes.

“So it’s not a bad idea to make a friend to help you through …… and beyond.”

Theo’s eyes flicked to Irina and Mary.

“Uh, yeah…”

Mabel replied with effort, nodding her head. While she felt relieved that Theodore was the one who received this letter, she was greatly shocked by the fact that someone other than Lord Alfred knew her secret.

Behind Mabel’s trembling eyes, as she watched the letter scraps fly away, a beautiful meteor shower was embroidering the sky.

* * *

Beautiful Miss Willis,

Andrew Woolf writes again.

Summer vacation is approaching. My hometown friends and I are planning to go duck hunting at the mansion my brother, Charlie Woolf, purchased – did I mention my brother bought a house on the outskirts of London this time? Of course, we’ll also prepare games that women would enjoy. Since Charlie has developed a quite keen taste for the latest trends since moving to London…

Mabel sighed as she pushed away the letter Andrew had sent.

Since the night picnic, Andrew had often sent her letters. However, today, reading his letters filled with pride in his family and self-praise, Mabel felt more exhausted than ever, as if she had been addicted to words during the exam period.

“Thank goodness all the exams are over today… If I had spent just one more day like this, I would have collapsed.”

Mabel murmured, looking at her cluttered desk.

Ever since Theo showed Mabel Lady Margaret’s letter, her mind had been spinning with various worries.

Once, she had entertained the thought of being truthful to everyone and having a slightly unconventional college life rather than worrying about her status, but she realized through recent conversations with Lorelei, a senior student, that this approach was impossible.

It was during their stroll through Cheshire Hall with Senior Lorelei that some professors greeted Lorelei.

‘Lorelei, now that summer vacation is approaching, you must be busy receiving applications from freshmen.’

As the professors moved away, Mabel, who was helping Senior Lorelei move chemical lab equipment, asked.

‘Do senior students like Senior Lorelei review admission applications too?’

Lorelei began to explain kindly.

‘As I work in the Student Council office, I ended up doing it. We check if the applicants come from families that would be suitable for Summerhill, who their sponsors are, and then, after their transcripts are sent in, we assess if they meet the criteria.’

‘I didn’t know that family background or sponsorship was a criterion for admission to Summerhill College.’

‘Oh my, really? Summerhill was built as a private college to educate the upper-class elite… There’s still a lot of debate among the sponsors about admitting students from the gentry class. So, only students from affluent backgrounds or from households that can afford substantial sponsorship are currently being allowed to enroll.’

‘Ah, I see…’

Mabel, who had decided to reveal her status to her friends now that Theodore knew, trailed off with a puzzled expression. If she had revealed her status, she would have almost had her admission canceled and would not have been able to attend school.

Mabel looked out the window.

May, which had been tumultuous, had passed, and Summerhill was quickly transitioning into summer. The number of students sunbathing by the lake increased, and the air on the campus grew hotter with each passing day.

Fortunately, the busy schedule and the more challenging lectures than the first semester diverted Mabel’s attention from Lady Margaret’s letter.

She decided to put off all the complicated thoughts and worries for the summer vacation and focus on the avalanche of assignments and exams pouring in.

“Always studying as if someone is chasing after you, as expected.”

Mary pushed through the crowded hallway towards Mabel and spoke.

“Mabel, it seems like you’ll receive the outstanding academic achievement award again this semester, right? But seeing you like this, I wonder if this is something to congratulate you for, I mean…”

Mary trailed off, licking her lips. What she had confirmed among the students was the board listing the end-of-year outstanding students. Just like the past two semesters, Mabel had maintained her position at the top throughout the year, so maybe she didn’t know if she might get a scholarship next year.

However, despite the good news, Mabel still had an unfocused look as she reviewed the essay to be submitted for Professor Webster’s English Literature class.

Seeing her friend’s achievements, Mary couldn’t simply rejoice.

Mabel had signed up for as many courses as possible to earn additional credits, but she had locked herself in the dormitory, studying without even writing the essays she liked. As if it had to be now, or as if she was being chased by time.

“Are you planning to graduate early or something?”

Mabel’s hand, flipping through the essay, paused at Mary’s casually thrown words. But soon, without any response, she focused again on the typefaces moving back and forth in front of her.

‘Oh, frustrating.’

Mary suppressed the urge to pound her chest and fought back tears. It had been since the night picnic. Her lively and witty friend had turned into a dormitory bookworm.

Mary couldn’t stand it any longer and pushed away the assignment that Mabel held in her hand.

“Mabel, listen to me. You’ve reviewed this assignment several times already. It’s the end of all exams, the exciting summer vacation. How about quickly submitting this last assignment and then going to London with us, or traveling to the western coast?”

Mabel reluctantly glanced at Mary, who had taken away the assignment. Mabel’s face, worn out from stress and weeks of staying up late, was reflected in Mary’s eyes with concern.

“I can’t, Mary… I’m sorry.”

Mabel spoke with a weak voice.

“I have to go back home, there’s also pending writing to do… Anyway, I don’t think I’ll have the time to go on vacation with you guys.”

“Mabel, is something wrong?”

Mary asked, frustrated, but Mabel just looked at her silently with a forced smile.

“Okay, if you don’t want to talk about it. But still, Mabel, you really need a break. Theo says there’s a ghost haunting the London School of Economics, who just studied and suffered to death. Do you want to become Summerhill’s ghost too?”

Mary continued to grumble, half concerned about Mabel and half resentful about pushing away her friend.

‘I’m really sorry, Mary. But I can’t rest easy with you guys around…….’

Mabel inwardly sighed. Upon realizing that she couldn’t be honest about her situation to attend college, she decided that it was better to graduate quickly than to live among people, hiding her status and brooding over her identity.

So, she resolved to finish only the next semester and graduate early, focusing on taking as many courses as possible and getting good grades for that purpose.

‘After graduating first, and as time passes, I’ll be able to talk to everyone then. Just one more quiet semester…’

Mabel closed her eyes slightly, feeling a throbbing pain in her temples. Despite Mary’s nagging, she really needed rest.

Fortunately, behind the still energetic Mary, the bright sun announcing summer was shining on the campus. When the long summer vacation arrived, Mabel would finally be able to enjoy a peaceful time alone, free from worries about her secret or causing trouble to anyone.