The End of First Love - Chapter 33

The day had finally come.

Based on the information provided by Leonardo, preparations had been made.

By now, the carriage Leonardo had arranged was likely waiting at the back gate of the Baker Duke’s residence. The only problem was whether she could slip past Milia’s watchful eyes and escape the mansion. Fortunately, Milia was out.

She was apparently preoccupied with handling the incident that had occurred this morning, leaving her no time to pay attention to Elizabeth.

Dressed in a comfortable day dress for stealth and mobility, Elizabeth donned a wide-brimmed hat. Peeking out from the door of her private room, she confirmed that the hallway was empty before dashing out.

She had simulated this escape countless times over the past few days. The route was set. She had memorized the servants’ routines. At this hour, they would be busy cleaning up after breakfast, tidying rooms, washing linens, and taking a short break. As long as she avoided the servants’ quarters, she wouldn’t run into anyone.

Visualizing her escape route, Elizabeth descended the stairs and headed for the main entrance.

Surprisingly, the front door was an ideal escape point. If there were no visitors, no one would be around. Plus, it was conveniently close to her room.

She hurried across the entrance hall and placed her hand on the doorknob—only for her fingers to tremble at the sudden sound of a voice behind her.

“Lady Elizabeth… Where do you think you’re going?”

“—Milia! No, this isn’t what it looks like!! This is…”

“What do you mean ‘this isn’t what it looks like’? I’ve noticed something has been off with you lately. I suspected something was going on. Now, tell me—where exactly were you planning to go behind my back?”

Milia’s voice brimmed with fury, her imposing presence leaving Elizabeth no choice but to abandon any attempt at deception.

But she couldn’t afford to back down now. If she missed this chance, she would lose her only opportunity to strike back at Heinz. Worse, if her escape attempt was discovered, she would never be allowed to leave the Baker estate again.

“Milia, please. Let me go! If I don’t do this today, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. Please, I beg you…”

Fighting back tears, Elizabeth clung to Milia in desperation.

“My lady, you’re crying… What happened?”

Milia’s voice wavered with concern, and Elizabeth’s bottled-up emotions finally burst. The fears and worries she had kept to herself poured out in a flood of words—rumors about Heinz and the nun, the incident at the theater, even her secret meetings with Leonardo.

“That bastard—!”

Milia’s voice dripped with venom, shocking Elizabeth.

(Wait… by ‘bastard,’ does she mean Lord Heinz?)

Seeing Milia, who was always composed, visibly enraged, helped Elizabeth regain her own composure. She suddenly realized she had let her emotions take over and had recklessly spilled everything.

“M-Milia… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you all that.”

“No, Lady Elizabeth, you have nothing to apologize for. That conniving man is to blame. Just thinking about how he manipulates everything makes my bl00d boil! And now, he dares to treat my dear lady as if she’s nothing more than a pawn?!”

“Um… well…”

“Lady Elizabeth! Do as you please. Worrying is pointless. If you’re already playing into his hands, then you might as well make the biggest mess possible!”

“A-Ah… Thank you.”

Elizabeth wasn’t entirely sure what Milia meant, but it seemed like she was giving her permission to leave.

“However, I will not let you go alone. I’m coming with you.”

“But it’s dangerous! I can’t drag you into this—”

“Dangerous? So what?! Even if it is, do you honestly think I’d let you go alone? I will follow you anywhere, through fire, through water, wherever you go!”

“But…”

“I understand, my lady. You want to protect me, which is why you don’t want me to come. But I have served you since you were a child, and I care for you like a sister. That’s why I can’t stand by and do nothing. No matter what that man’s plans are, I refuse to let him hurt you. I already swallowed my pride and stayed silent when you were to be handed over to that nobody for the sake of your happiness. But now… I can’t forgive him.”

Milia’s words filled Elizabeth’s heart. They seeped into the wounds of her battered soul, warming her like a soothing balm.

(I still have an ally…)

That realization gave Elizabeth the strength to push past her crushing anxiety.

“Thank you, Milia.”

“We will strike back at Heinz. And then we will throw him away first!”

Elizabeth could only nod in response to Milia’s resolute words.

Even though, deep inside, she still believed she could not involve Milia in her true plan.