The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 70

< Chapter 70 >

A man with slightly long blond hair and a striking appearance stepped out of the car, meeting the standards of a British gentleman. 

He was Leon de Percy, the eldest son of the De Percy family and the future CEO of Montaire Publishing House.

“So, this is Lord Alfred’s mansion.”

A modest Tudor-style mansion with three floors. Despite knowing that his connection with Mabel was limited to her work at this mansion, Leon couldn’t help but be captivated by the building’s appearance.

In contrast to the glamorous crowd filling the garden and the ground floor porch, the mansion exuded a serene and elegant charm. And that beauty reminded Leon of the lady he was searching for, Mabel Willis.

Assisted by a uniformed butler, Leon entered the mansion to the sound of popping flashes.

‘It seems the hyenas are causing trouble even here.’

With Lord Alfred hosting a social event after a decade and the recent departure of William Edmundstone from the aristocratic circle, it seemed that among the guests invited were journalists accompanying other guests.

However, Leon had no intention of mingling with the journalists who recognized him. He had come here for another reason entirely.

Leon cautiously checked his attire in the mirror at the mansion’s entrance.

‘Phew…’

Uncharacteristically dressed in a dark suit with a tie, Leon still appeared somewhat nervous in the reflection. If the reason was because of a woman he secretly harbored feelings for, then surely everyone who knew Leon de Percy would find it unbelievable.

And indeed, even Leon himself had not realized for a long time how deeply his feelings for Mabel were growing.

‘Wasn’t it said that one cannot love someone and be wise at the same time?’

Leon thought with his hat in hand.

Today, he had decided to formally confess his feelings to Mabel. Since the moment he proposed a trip to America together, his heart had been set on her without a shred of doubt.

No, to be precise, his feelings for Mabel had already begun from the moment he first met her.

She had a remarkably realistic gaze, unlike other ladies in London. Now that her status was revealed, the reason became clear, but at that time, Leon was inexplicably drawn to Mabel’s realistic expression.

However, when he discovered that she was the author of romantic and dreamy love stories more than anyone else, Leon felt a pang of betrayal in his heart.

‘Or perhaps, it turned into desire.’

If he had realized earlier that his emotions at that time were not naive betrayal but rather admiration for Mabel’s talent to become a completely different person through her writing, and longing for her…

‘I might not have had to see another man by Mabel’s side for the past year.’

Leon forced a bitter smile as he wandered around the mansion, searching for any trace of Mabel. 

However, even after meeting Mary and other friends on the first floor where the party was being held, and even encountering Lord Alfred, the owner of the mansion, Mabel was nowhere to be seen.

‘She couldn’t possibly be with Edmundstone, could she?’

Fortunately, contrary to his concerns, William Edmundstone was engaged in conversation with several journalists at the entrance of the mansion. Observing his sharp and serious expression, it seemed as though someone had attempted to disturb his composure, akin to steel.

‘Yet another protagonist of the party, but where on earth is Miss Willis?’

With a mix of concern and bewilderment, Leon turned his steps towards the second floor.

* * *

“Waa… Wuu… Hmh…”

Following the faint sound of weeping, Leon found himself in Lord Alfred’s study. At the back of the book-filled study, the door leading to the adjoining makeshift bedroom was wide open, and in the middle sat a woman, sobbing on the bed.

It didn’t take long for Leon to realize that the woman was Mabel. Without hesitation, he rushed to her side to offer his support.

“Hey, Miss Willis, what’s wrong?”

He asked anxiously. Just seeing Mabel’s tears made his heartache.

“Huh… Mr. de Percy, I-I…”

Mabel turned her face towards him in surprise, wiping away her tears. But there were far more tears flowing than she could wipe away.

“Calm down… What happened, Miss Willis? Seeing you like this…”

His heart hurts too much.

Struggling to continue, Leon hesitated near Mabel’s back, as if he was about to reach out to her.

True to the rumors of being a playboy, Leon had indeed engaged in free-spirited and somewhat libertine relationships. Whether it was due to the influence of American thinking that didn’t heavily emphasize social status or because of his wandering poet-like temperament, he easily found interest in approaching and just as easily lost interest in the ladies who came his way.

Because of this, even comforting a crying Mabel felt strangely difficult for Leon himself.

Seeing Mabel unable to stop crying, Leon finally patted her delicate back. In that simple yet tender comfort, Mabel burst into even greater sobs.

“It’s just my pathetic and foolish heart that’s torn apart, but why does it hurt so much, Mr. de Percy?”

Mabel’s cries gnawed at Leon’s heart ominously, but he responded calmly.

“It’s not just a pathetic and foolish heart, is it… Please, tell me what happened?”

With his gentle and affectionate tone, Mabel lifted her head. Her cheeks were flushed, and although her hair, beautifully adorned for the party, was disheveled, she looked as beautiful as a Lily in Leon’s eyes.

‘I’m just… so… severe.’

As Leon sighed quietly, Mabel, after several sobs, managed to swallow her tears and spoke.

“Hah… I thought maybe, just maybe, he still had feelings for me. No matter how foolish and stubborn I was, he was always so consistent… He gave me such generous love, even when I dared to have such arrogant expectations…”

Leon felt a pang of heartache and an overwhelming sadness, as if his heart was being torn apart, listening to Mabel’s confession, fitting the flames he felt.

“But, but it’s all over now. How cruel! As soon as I realized how foolish I was to love him, the chance to be with him forever vanished… “

Hearing Mabel’s words, Leon felt a poignant sadness, so intense that it was hard to breathe. It was a loss he had never experienced despite going through several relationships and breakups with ladies he had felt affection for.

Unaware of this, Mabel continued speaking.

“The person who helped me grow to love so deeply was him… Mr. de Percy, I don’t dare to wish to be his lover. Just being by his side is enough for me.”

“…….”

“But if I imagine not being able to hold him in my arms even though I’m by his side, it’s such a despairing thought… I don’t know what to do with my fickle heart…”

Tears glistened like pearls in Mabel’s eyes as they flowed down. Leon’s rationality turned cold as he looked at her. His grip tightened, his jaw clenched.

Meanwhile, in Mabel’s heart, Rebecca’s cries echoed. Rebecca, who had feared losing Thomas forever after all kinds of fears came true after losing his love, she could now understand Rebecca’s words.

Recalling William’s cold and indifferent attitude, Mabel leaned against the bed, shedding tears.

What had she hoped for? Was it because of her rejection that he had begged for Daisy, or because he had donated to the orphanage? Or perhaps she worried that the news of his renouncing the nobility might be related to her?

Or…

Just then, Leon broke the long silence as he plopped down beside Mabel.

“It’s Edmundstone, isn’t it?”

His voice carried a sense of disappointment and a kind of pity towards himself. Unlike usual, he ruffled his usually well-kept hair with one hand as he murmured.

“It wasn’t one-sided. I misjudged.”

A self-deprecating and sad smile flickered across his handsome face. Observing them at the party in the Isle of Wight, Leon had thought that William was pushing unwanted affection onto Mabel.

‘They both loved each other. I, the fool who couldn’t even understand my own emotions, am too late…’

Leon sat beside Mabel on the edge of the bed, gazing hopelessly at the ceiling. Amidst this, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Mabel’s confession of being hurt by William mirrored his own situation. 

Therefore, he couldn’t help but realize even more that he couldn’t change Mabel’s heart now.

Unaware of Leon’s inner turmoil, Mabel was writhing in agony at the thought that she might never see William’s warm smile towards her again. However, instead of crying out in pain, she pleaded with Leon in a weak voice.

“Mr. de Percy, please take me to America. Anywhere that’s not so painful… Whether it’s America or anywhere else, please take me away…”