A Monodrama for Carolyn August - Chapter 37

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 37.
Caroline hastily stepped back from the doorway.
The conversation Toby had told her about was happening right here.
‘I need to be careful not to get caught. But still…….’
She wanted to see inside those boxes.
Even if there was some distance, this was where the two of them were having their conversation.
Caroline crouched carefully and peered through the window.
‘There’s a sofa.’
A large sofa sat beside the two people speaking.
Positioned right in front of the Study Room door, it would let her hide completely if she slipped inside.
Moreover, someone—perhaps a servant’s oversight—had left the Study Room door ajar.
‘Lucky. I won’t make any noise.’
Caroline looked around once more.
‘No one’s here.’
After confirming the servants were absent, she slipped off her shoes.
Then she carefully pushed open the Study Room door.
The hinges were well-oiled; it made no sound.
The two were so absorbed in conversation they didn’t notice her.
Crouching like a shrimp, Caroline quickly slipped behind the sofa.
As she approached slowly, two large boxes came into view.
[!]
An exclamation mark flashed through her mind.
She opened the lid and…….
‘!’
An astonishing array of jewels and paintings carefully wrapped for protection.
Each package bore a name and price—with zeros too numerous to count.
‘Quite the wealthy person.’
This didn’t seem right, so she moved to the next box. This one held documents.
‘They all look so similar.’
Opening a random envelope, Caroline found what appeared to be a Land Deed she didn’t quite recognize.
Marveling at the economic power on display, the moment she reached for another envelope.
Caroline discovered a familiar photograph.
‘What?’
The face from the picture frame that had been on Michelle’s shelf.
The man smiling brightly from a newspaper clipping.
The man Michelle loved, and Aiden’s father.
‘Why would he be here…….’
Then, lowering her gaze, she saw something written beneath his face.

Caroline froze, barely able to breathe.
‘This man is Count Roman?’
In an instant, countless pieces of information flashed through her mind.

Michelle’s closet combination—Count Roman’s birthday.
The several clauses she’d seen two days ago.
“Michelle Belota Dearbell and Aiden Christian Dearbell shall not approach any members of the Roman House, including Malentain Ideus Roman, hereafter.”
“Aiden Christian Dearbell shall not mention anything regarding his father.”
And the letters Michelle had written, resentful toward someone.
―I curse you. You’ll regret it. That woman you married too.
―Die. Die. Die. Die. Die already!
―Answer me! Answer! How could you do this to me, Martin?
Martin.
That must have been Count Malentain Ideus Roman’s nickname.
‘His father…….’
Caroline swallowed hard.
So Aiden was the illegitimate child of a noble magnate.
She snapped out of her shock when she heard Aiden’s voice.
“You’re sorry? It’s been exactly twenty-four years.”
The sound of a hollow laugh drifted through the air.
“So the man who seduced an innocent dancer, fathered a child with her, and abandoned her—he comes asking for forgiveness now?”
Caroline swallowed hard again.
Her mouth had gone dry, her throat parched.
She’d learned far too much.
She’d always known Michelle was an exceptional dancer.
The dance trophies in her room were far too numerous to count.
And such a dancer had caught the eye of the Roman Count—then merely a young viscount.
She had loved him…
‘She’d been abandoned.’
Yet the woman had never forgotten him, not until death.
The photograph on the wall. The handwriting in that journal.

“My mother thought of him until her last breath. And now…”
“Miss Dearvel.”
“My entire life was nothing but a trophy to show him. And only now?”
!
Caroline bit her lip hard and closed the box lid.
Following Toby’s suggestion to listen to this conversation had been the right call.
But this was enough.
‘That’s it. Stop.’
She was learning far too many secrets.
Deep truths about Aiden Dearvel—things he would never want anyone else to know.
……
Even having obtained the information needed to solve the Quest, she felt no satisfaction.
She returned the box to its original state and slipped quietly from the room.
By the time she made her way back to the Parasol, her footsteps dragging,
[!]
Caroline noticed a yellow exclamation mark hovering above the chair where she’d been sitting.
?
On the Parasol table lay a note and a beige box with handles.
‘What is this?’
The moment she approached, a familiar window materialized before her eyes.
[Special Mission!]
[Aiden Dearvel is in a foul mood. Miss Caroline, please take charge of an impromptu tea time and lift his spirits!]
[Reward: Confiscated Letter from Anna]
‘Take charge of a tea time?’
What did it mean that Anna’s letter had been confiscated?
Caroline picked up the letter before her.
It carried the scent of roses—unmistakably from Anna—but
on closer inspection, both the envelope and the cake box bore a label reading .
Caroline opened the letter and read its contents.
[Hello, Caroline. It’s me, Anna. Happy birthday!
I hope you haven’t forgotten it was your birthday while having such a marvelous time with your actor there?
We’ve always celebrated together at the Academy, but I can’t be by your side today.
So I’ve sent you a freshly baked cake from Mr. Bill’s bakery to ease my longing.
I kept it in a cold place, and sent it Priority—the postman ran so hard his feet were smoking—so it should be perfectly edible even in this heat!
It’s your favorite Cherry Chocolate Cake, so eat your fill. You devoured half the cake on your birthday last year!
Your real birthday gift will come after the holiday ends and you’re back at the Academy. Let’s see each other soon. A letter just isn’t enough.
Oh, that’s right. The letter! Actually, I sent you a letter before this birthday greeting, and since this went Priority, it might arrive before that one or at the same time.
It’s been two days since I wrote it, but we’re still in the middle of a cold war.
Of course, I’m the one being cold. But the way he looks back with that pitiable face every time I breeze past him in the hallway—it’s hilarious!
Anyway, Caroline, happy birthday.
Eat plenty of delicious things, have the best holiday ever, and come back.
I miss you so much. Kisses.
Your best friend, Anna Blanche, sending all her affection with these words!]
“That’s right…!”
Caroline’s mouth fell open.
At the Estate, she’d never bothered to keep track of dates, so she hadn’t realized—today was her birthday.
“Anna, you wonderful woman… remembering my birthday when even I forgot it…”
Tears of gratitude welled in her eyes as she untied the pink ribbon wrapped around the box.
The box wasn’t even properly opened yet, and already the scent of rich chocolate and cherry seemed to drift out.
The moment she opened it, Caroline’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp of delight.
“Oh!”
Inside lay her favorite cake.