Katherine was still standing still when Elizabeth closed the door to the room. She was trying to make sense of the strange happiness that the moist feeling on her cheek bring in her. She put her hand to her chest, hoping to restrain her racing heart.

“Haah… What is this? Is this a heart attack?”

After waiting for a while longer, she finally realised that she had to go downstairs, so she put on her t-shirt and left the room. When she went down to the garden, she found Mrs. Hudson and Elizabeth chatting. As soon as her eyes met Elizabeth's, they both turned red. She's the one who kissed me, so why is she embarrassed too?

She went and sat down next to them and quickly started eating cookies to keep herself distracted.

“How is it? Do you like it?” Mrs. Hudson took a sip of her tea.

“Delicious as always, Mrs. Huson. Thank you.”

“Good, good!” She turned to Elizabeth, “Rosaline has been a great help too. Oh, by the way… Why don't you eat, dear? Don't you like cookies?”

Elizabeth quickly raised her head, which she had just lowered because of embarrassment, “Ah! I-I don't eat much sweet...”

“Oh, don't say that! Just eat one. After all, you helped me do it.”

“But-”

“Sure, I won't force you! Young people today are so careful about what they eat or drink.” Mrs. Hudson took a cookie from the plate and ate it with great joy.

“Actually, you should be careful too, Mrs. Hud-” Katherine added.

“Don't speak.”

“Yes.” Katherine continued to eat her cookie as quietly as a child.

Eating sweets was severely restricted for Elizabeth by her mother. Her mother was afraid that she would gain weight, so she forbade Elizabeth to eat even a little bit of them unless it was under her control. Although Elizabeth loved sweets, she knew how strict her mother's rules were and what punishment she could face if her mother caught her eating sweets, so she had been careful not to break this rule since she was little.

But then again, her mother wasn't here right now, right? Besides, if her mother were to catch her even now, the cookie she ate would be as important as a speck of dust compared to her running away from home.

“We- well then... I'll have one...” She reached for the plate full of cookies. The smell and sight of the warm cookie took her back to her childhood. In the kitchen of their house, the counters were decorated with wonderful dishes prepared by the chefs, and all those beautiful dishes would take their place on the table at mealtime. Alas... Elizabeth couldn't enjoy all the good food and desserts like her father and brothers. She had to eat light meals like her mother, and because she had to learn housework, she had to wash the dishes. To be honest, this was the moment that made her feel the least uncomfortable. After all, she didn't have to sit at that table for much longer.

She took a small bite of the cookie. It tasted... good...? It tasted pretty good. Wow... It tasted really, really good!

Katherine placed a few more cookies on the plate in front of Elizabeth, “I'm glad we came to visit Mrs. Hudson together.” She smiled.

“Ah! Y- y- yes.” Elizabeth was using all her mental strength not to think about what had happened in the room upstairs.

They sipped their tea while the light breeze carried the scent of roses to them. The singing of birds accompanied their conversations. Eventually it was time for them to go back. They carried the plates and cups to the kitchen. Elizabeth wanted to wash the dishes before she left so she could thank Mrs. Hudson for today. She quickly tidied up the kitchen and left to look for them. Mrs. Hudson and Katherine were nowhere to be seen. She was just going out of the door to look round the garden when she heard a sound in one of the rooms. She took a few steps towards the slightly open door. She could hear Mrs. Hudson's voice inside.

“I’m sure it’s not something important my dear. I just wanted to let you know.”

“Thank you. And please don’t worry, I will look into it.” Elizabeth felt a difference in Katherine’s voice.

“I’m not worried my dear. I didn’t tell you this so that you can go create another commotion. Please don't make me regret.”

“Of course.”

Elizabeth was too late to get away when the door suddenly opened. She panicked when she suddenly found Katherine standing in front of her.

“I- I didn't mean to eavesd-”

“Ah, here you are. You ready to leave?”

“Oh, ah... Yes.”

“Perfect. Let's go.”