The blue-gray sky is gloomy and depressed, and outlines a faint light, as if the sun is trying its best to get rid of the shackles, but after all, it has not been able to break through the layers of cloudy clouds, just a touch of splendor remains. A heavy haze outlines a golden edge.
The misty drizzle shrouded the whole city, even if the streets and alleys were decorated with red and green for the coming Christmas, they still couldn't get rid of the gray that was like a shadow, and the city skyline also radiated A quaint and gloomy temperament, which is unique and profound.
London is London, and it seems that it has never changed. The "fog city" once named after industry/revolution/revolution has been cleaned up a long time ago, but it still cannot change the mottled water stains on the outer wall of Big Ben. The gray and blue of the streets and streets cannot be changed, and they have remained the same for centuries.
Perhaps, the vicinity of Hyde Park may be slightly different. The lush green, which gradually deepens with the change of seasons in the northern hemisphere, has never disappeared, lightly illuminating the color of the city, swallowing the whole piece in the heavy rain and snow. Before the land, leave a touch of the bright color of the landmark.
The same goes for Princes Gardens, just 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, and large swathes of green ripped apart the gray rain curtain, and even the gray wall hidden behind the vines revealed the original Dark cyan and brick red, traces of historical remnants are clearly visible.
The years that belonged to this city, this country, and this land are all engraved on these buildings, quietly telling those times that were remembered and forgotten, those familiar or unfamiliar streets, little by little The moments that record the glory and the trough are quietly watched in time.
Alf Hall put his hands on the steering wheel of the driver's seat, let out a breath, and seemed to finally make up his mind, pushed open the driver's door, pulled up the collar of his windbreaker jacket, and walked quickly towards the single door. The direction of the villa walked over, and the raindrops were like ox hair, lightly falling on the windbreaker and on the cheeks. The gentleness of the wind and the drizzle made the cold and desolate winters lose their sharp edges and corners.
"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 be back home again, but she became a stranger and was isolated by a heavy wooden door. And then just wandered away from home, with nowhere to put it.
This is an illusion - a wrong feeling.
Elf restrained her mind, took a half step back, folded her hands in front of her, showed a lady's courtesy, and waited quietly.
In just a moment, the door was opened, and the figure of Philip Demba appeared before him - the perfect shirt and suit, the perfect bow tie, the perfect posture and etiquette, everything was so perfect, the meticulous demeanor, showing Out of the master's profound heritage.
"Miss Elf."
Philip's greeting made Elf come back to her senses a little. She lowered her eyelids, covering up the fleeting illusion in her mind. Following her lowered gaze, she nodded lightly, nodded, and hit Philip. Greetings, pretending that nothing had happened, and then turned sideways into the room, the rushing heat made the dampness and coldness slowly fade from the fingertips and toes, and the slightly relaxed muscles made her realize her tightness later. stretch.
Elf took off her trench coat and handed it to Philip familiarly, "Where's Renly?"
"Master Renly is not at home," said Philip respectfully.
Elf turned around and cast her gaze, her slightly flickering eyes with a hint of indifference and impatience, "Philip, don't. Don't use that trick to deal with me."
They all knew what the butler's words meant—of course it wasn't that any guest who chose a random time to come to the door would be able to see the host directly; but Elf did not expect that one day she would be in the Renly House. Di Zhong encountered Philip's evasive words, which were once used to evade those unpopular, but now applied to himself, this feeling is not good.
Elf's emotions were slightly surging, but after all, she did not let the impulse prevail, and the words completed a beautiful emergency brake and 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 going on right now, and I know what I'm doing: I need to see Renly. You tell him he'll understand, he'll meet me."
"Miss Elf, I'm very sorry, Master Renly is working in Ireland." Philip didn't move at all, he bowed slightly to Elf and apologized, "If necessary, you can leave a message and I will tell you. Yes." Respectful and polite, but not giving in an inch. Even in the face of Elf.
Elf just stared at Philip quietly, she clearly knew Philip's ability, and it was difficult for her to break through - even Elizabeth, even Renly, they may not be able to complete the breakthrough, because the loyalty and firmness of the housekeeper is precisely the the most important trait.
Obviously, Elf tried to change Philip's mind through her own 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 from side to side, and then headed towards the living room, even though it was her first time visiting the Prince's Garden, it wasn't too difficult.
Philip didn't stop Elf, "Of course."
For the nobles, their daily life is often very "comfortable", or "busy", and they do not necessarily stay in their ancestral home all the time. Even if they also stay in London, there are countless places where they may appear; and the visit of the guests often does not fit the itinerary - most of the time, when the guests appear in the manor, the host is not necessarily at home, so at this time, the butler will invite the guests. .
Afternoon tea, dinner, entertainment, and even accommodation, even all summer, are no problem. Because the nobles are very willing to show their generosity and "help" those in need, anyway, there are enough rooms in the manor, and there is no need to worry about increasing a person's life.
Of course, this is a habit left over from centuries ago. In contemporary society, the convenience of mobile phones can allow guests to lock the whereabouts of the host in advance, instead of having to travel long distances to visit but come to nothing as before, so it is logical for the guests to stay and wait for the host to return; but now, the real The nobles - 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 "rudely" shove Elf out of the door directly. He will still entertain guests well—even unwelcome uninvited guests. In order to show their etiquette, the nobles, Nor will it simply and rudely drive away the guests, let alone 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 refreshments, Elf stood beside the piano, staring at the violin neatly placed on the shelf.
Next to it is a cello.
Although there is no sign on the piano case, Elf has to think about it, because Edith is playing the violin, and Arthur is the cello - as for herself, the harp. This is their ensemble formation from childhood to adulthood. After so many years, the memory is blurred, but the muscles of the body still remember.
"Eternal God Emperor"
Saw violin and cello here, what does that mean? Maybe it didn't mean anything at all, but Elf couldn't help but start thinking.
Elf stood silently on the spot, the messy thoughts in her mind couldn't find a clear idea, and even she didn't know what she was thinking, and what she should think - but it was not panic and confusion, but a This kind of daze, the brain fell into a momentary blank daze, and then quieted down like this.
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 never existed - even today The same is true, she knew the purpose of her visit to Renly, but now, she suddenly began to question herself:
Does she really know
"...How..." Elf sensed Philip's footsteps and tried to ask something, but only said a word, and then paused, she didn't even know what she was confused about, and how did she know how to ask And, "I mean, why is it here."
"Master Renly's collection." Philip replied calmly.
Elf realized his stupidity—of course this is Renly's collection, how could it be Edith's? And what she really wanted to ask was:
Does Edith often play with Renly here
But after a question emerged in her mind, she didn't want to know the answer. Maybe, she was afraid, or hesitated, or it didn't matter at all.
Turning around, Elf walked to the sofa, sat down, and her eyes fell on the afternoon tea: it was still black tea, it was still milk and sugar cubes, it was still her favorite Black Forest cake, and it seemed like she was going back again. When it came to Bayswater, time stopped at the carefree sixteen.
But now she doesn't want to repeat those familiar routines, and she subconsciously rejects them.
"Uh... I'm trying green tea, I mean, Chinese-style green tea, but with a little sugar cube, is there anything here?" Elf came up with an inexplicable idea—she knew, it wasn't like her, totally Not like her at all, even she couldn't help herself, but she just wanted to do it, "I heard that Renly has a lot of insight into the oriental 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 was lingering in the air.