2205 Confused
The blue-gray sky was gloomy and depressed, outlining a faint light. It seemed that the sun was trying its best to get rid of its shackles, but in the end it was still unable to break through the layers of dense clouds. Only a touch of splendor remained, for The thick haze outlines a golden edge.
Smoke-like drizzle enveloped the entire city. Even though the streets and alleys were decorated with red and green for the upcoming Christmas, they still couldn't get rid of the shadowy gray, and the city skyline also exuded A simple and gloomy temperament, unique and profound.
London is London, and it seems that it has never changed. The "Smog City" that was once named after the industrial/revolution has been cleaned up long ago, but it still cannot change the mottled water stains on the outer wall of Big Ben, and it remains the same. The gray and blue colors on the streets cannot be changed. They have remained the same for centuries..
Perhaps, it may be slightly different near Hyde Park. The lush green color gradually deepens with the change of seasons in the northern hemisphere, but never disappears. It lightly lights up the color of the city, swallowing up the whole area even when heavy rain and snow fall. Before the land, leave a bright color of landmark.
The same is true for Princes Gardens, which is not far from Hyde Park..
After the rain washed away the dust left by the hustle and bustle of the city, the leaves of the ivy became brighter and richer. Large swathes of green ripped through the gray rain curtain and rushed toward us. Even the gray wall hidden behind the vines revealed its original color. Dark cyan and brick red, the traces of history are clearly visible.
The years that belong to this city, this country, and this land are all engraved on these buildings, quietly telling those remembered and forgotten times, those familiar or unfamiliar streets, bit by bit Recording the moments of glory and trough, watching quietly in time.
Elf Hall put her hands on the steering wheel of the driver's seat and let out a breath. She seemed to have finally made up her mind. She pushed open the driver's door, pulled up the collar of her windbreaker, and walked quickly toward the single-door building. Walking in the direction of the villa, the pattering raindrops were like cow hair, falling lightly on the windbreaker and cheeks. The gentle breeze and drizzle made the coldness and desolation of winter lose their sharp edges..
“Ding dong.”
Standing at the door of the villa, Elf rang the doorbell, but she felt a strange and familiar feeling. In a trance, she seemed to have returned to her home again, but she became a stranger, isolated by a thick wooden door. Then he wandered outside his home like this, with nowhere to rest..
It's an illusion - a wrong feeling.
Elf calmed down, stood half a step back, crossed her hands in front of her, showing ladylike courtesy, and waited quietly..
In just a moment, the door was opened, and Philip Demba's figure appeared in front of him - perfect shirt suit, perfect tie and scarf, perfect posture and etiquette, everything was so perfect, meticulous manners, Showing the owner’s profound heritage.
“Miss Elf.”
Philip's greeting made Elf come back to her senses for a moment. She lowered her eyelids to cover up the flashing illusions in her mind. She followed her lowered gaze and gently nodded, nodded, and gave Philip a greeting. Say hello, pretending that nothing happened, and then entered the room sideways. The warmth that hit her face slowly made the dampness and coldness fade away from her fingertips and toes. Only after the slightly relaxed muscles did she realize her tightness. stretch.
Elf took off her trench coat and handed it to Phillip with a familiar hand, "Where's Renly?"？”
“Master Renly is not at home," Philip said respectfully..
Elf turned around and looked away, her eyes twinkling slightly with a hint of indifference and impatience, "Phillip, don't. Don't use that way to deal with me..”
They all knew what the butler's words meant - of course, any guest could not choose a random time to come and see the owner directly; but Elf did not expect that one day she would actually be in Renly's house. I encountered Philip's excuse in the mansion. The excuse I used to evade those unpopular people was now applied to myself. This feeling was not good..
Elf's emotions surged slightly, but she still did not let her impulse take over. Her words completed a beautiful emergency stop and she calmed down again, "I know this is Renly's mansion, and I also know that Renly is in charge now. , I mean... Philip, I know what's happening now, and I know what I'm doing: I need to see Renly. You tell him, he'll understand, and he'll see me.”
“Miss Elf, I'm very sorry. Master Renly is working in Ireland." Philip was not moved at all. He bowed slightly to Elf and apologized, "If you need it, you can leave a message and I will pass it on. ." Respectful and polite, but never giving in. Even when facing Elf.
Elf just watched Philip quietly. She knew clearly that Philip was capable and it would be difficult for her to break through. Even Elizabeth and even Renly might not be able to break through because of the loyalty and firmness of the butler. is the most important characteristic.
Obviously, Elf tried to change Philip's mind through her eloquence, which was almost impossible, so the only thing she could do was：
“Can I enjoy a cup of afternoon tea? "Elf took off her gloves, looked around, and then headed towards the living room. Even if this was her first time visiting the Prince's Garden, it was not difficult..
Philip did not stop Elf, “Of course.”
For nobles, their daily lives are often very "comfortable" or "busy" and they may not necessarily stay in their ancestral homes all the time. Even if they stay in London, there are countless places where they may appear; And the guest's visit often cannot fit into the schedule - most of the time, when the guest appears at the manor, the host is not necessarily at home, so at this time, the butler will invite the guest to be a guest..
Afternoon tea, dinner, entertainment, and even accommodation, even for the whole summer, are no problem. Because the nobles are very happy to show their generosity and "rescue" those in need. Anyway, the manor has enough rooms, so there is no need to worry about adding more. a person's life.
Of course, this is a habit left over centuries ago. In contemporary society, the convenience of mobile phones allows guests to lock in the whereabouts of their hosts in advance, instead of having to travel long distances to visit only to miss it, as in the past. It is natural for the guests to stay and wait for the host to return; but now, the real nobles - and even the elites are willing to continue this custom to show their broad-mindedness.
Now, Elf comes directly to the door without saying hello, and Philip will not kick Elf out of the house in a "vulgar" way. He will still entertain the guests well - even if they are unwelcome uninvited guests, the nobles want to show their etiquette. , nor will they simply and rudely drive away the guests, not to mention that Elf is far from reaching this level..
Just like that, Elf sat down in the living room.
When Philip came to the living room with tea, Elf stood next to the piano and stared at the violin neatly placed on the shelf..
Next to it is a cello.
Although there was no sign on the piano case, Elf had to think about it because Edith played the violin, and Arthur played the cello. As for herself, it was the harp. This is what they grew up with. The ensemble formation, so many years have passed, the memory has been blurred, but the body muscles still remember.
I see a violin and a cello here, what does that mean? Maybe it doesn't mean anything at all, but Elf couldn't help but start thinking.
Elf stood there quietly, but she couldn't find a clear idea among the messy thoughts in her mind. Even she didn't know what she was thinking about or what she should be thinking about - but it wasn't panic or confusion, but A kind of confusion, the mind falls into a moment of blank confusion, and then it becomes quiet..
At a certain moment, Elf fell into confusion. Such confusion was unfamiliar to her, because she always knew what she needed and what she was doing. Those doubts and confusions had never existed before - even It was the same today. She knew the purpose of her visit to Renly, but now, she suddenly began to question herself.：
Does she really know?？
“…… How..." Elf noticed Phillip's footsteps and tried to ask something, but she only spoke one word and then paused. She didn't even know what she was confused about, and how did she know how to ask? , "I mean, why is it here.”
“Master Renly's collection." Philip replied calmly..
Elf realized her stupidity - of course this was Renly's collection, how could it be Edith's collection? And what she really wants to ask is：
Does Edith often double up with Renly here?？
But after the question came to her mind, she didn't want to know the answer. Maybe she was afraid, or hesitant, or maybe it wasn't important at all..
Turning around, Elf walked to the sofa and sat down. Her eyes fell on the afternoon tea: it was still black tea, still milk and sugar cubes, and still her favorite black forest cake. It seemed as if she was back again. When I arrived at Bayswater, time stayed at the carefree sixteen years old..
But now she doesn't want to repeat those familiar routines, and she subconsciously rejects them.
“Um...I'm trying green tea, I mean, Chinese style green tea, but with a little bit of sugar cubes, is that available here? "Elf came up with an inexplicable idea - she knew that this was very unlike her, completely unlike her, and even she couldn't help herself, but she just wanted to do this, "I listen. Said Renly was very knowledgeable about Eastern tea ceremony.”
“No problem, Miss Elf, please wait a moment." Philip still didn't answer, just nodded politely, then turned and left..
In the room, only the scent of tea lingers..
Comments