Chapter 44
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44
“Even if she claimed to hate it, she must have grown fond of the place while living there. When you’re young, there’s a certain romance to living in a quiet place with only each other for company. They say even the Queen stayed on some island when she was pregnant with the Princess.”
Rosalyn spoke as if the island where the Queen had honeymooned was some deserted wasteland, but in truth, it was a bustling resort with a population of over four hundred thousand. Her bizarre perspective was a perfect reflection of the views held by the matrons of Linden’s high society.
“Only after she suffers a bit will she realize how precious her current privileges are.”
Speaking like a world-weary woman, despite having only just come of age, was an old habit of Rosalyn’s—a direct imitation of the Marchioness’s way of speaking. It was a stark reminder of how a parent's habits could manifest in their child.
Vanessa offered a faint smile, swallowing her lingering discomfort.
“I suppose so.”
“She really is still so immature.”
When she spoke like that, Rosalyn was the spitting image of the Marchioness Winchester. Every time Vanessa noticed the resemblance, she felt a pang of anxiety. After all, the only parental figure she had ever known was her uncle.
Did other people see her uncle in her, too? Was she, without even realizing it, growing to resemble his mannerisms and speech? The thought made her feel utterly wretched and small.
No matter how unfairly her uncle treated her, she had to be grateful that he had raised her instead of sending her to an orphanage. In particular, supporting her through her higher education at St. Louis was an immense favor.
“Now, Vanessa. Go stand over there.”
Pulling a long veil from a ribbon-adorned box, Rosalyn gestured toward the full-length mirror with her chin. In a daze, Vanessa allowed herself to be led over by Rosalyn’s maids.
Her hair was styled as if she were about to walk down the aisle, and before she knew it, a bouquet of fresh white flowers was placed in her hands. A light touch of makeup was swept across her cheeks and lips.
“You look so beautiful.”
“Oh, just look at this.”
The maids, having meticulously smoothed out the creases in her dress, gasped in admiration and stepped back as one. Nudged in front of the mirror, Vanessa finally raised her eyes to her reflection. A pale-faced woman stared back. A monster who had trampled her friend's loyalty, her uncle's expectations, and her parents' honor into the dirt.
So, are you happy now? the woman in the glass seemed to ask. Just as Vanessa was about to clutch her trembling arms, Rosalyn stepped up behind her, holding the veil.
“Raise your head a little… Good, stay right there.”
Rosalyn’s deep green eyes, so like her brother’s, shone with earnest intensity. The diamond-encrusted tiara sent by Count Roden was placed upon Vanessa’s head, and a long, pure white veil was carefully draped over it. With trembling hands, Rosalyn pinned back the lace that shrouded half of Vanessa’s face.
“Oh, heavens, Vanessa.”
Rosalyn’s eyes, swirling with a storm of complex emotions, welled with tears. She threw her arms wide and pulled Vanessa into a tight embrace. For once, she was at a loss for words, stammering helplessly.
“You look… so…”
“Are you alright?”
“…Enough to make me want to go murder Count Roden this very instant.”
Vanessa held her friend close as Rosalyn rested her face against her cheek and began to sob. Rosalyn wept freely, occasionally laughing as they reminisced about the past. As Vanessa comforted her, her own tearful expression gradually softened into a gentle smile.
She had never expected perfect happiness. For someone in her position, simply struggling to avoid utter misery was a monumental task.
And perhaps, that was enough.
* * *
“The broker will visit tomorrow. They said the schedule is tight, but they can make it work if they adjust their distribution channels.”
“That is a relief.”
“I have informed the Admiralty that you will visit tomorrow afternoon. With those documents, all of your urgent matters will be settled.”
“Good. Thank you for your hard work.”
The old butler bowed at the dry praise, then spoke as if he had just remembered something.
“And some information has arrived regarding the young lady you asked me to look into.”
“Young lady?”
“Lady Vanessa of the House of Somerset.”
His hand, which had been flipping through documents, paused. For a moment, it was as if he’d forgotten he had ever made such a request.
Although the young Duke maintained his rigid posture without a hint of agitation, the Butler of Battenberg knew he was waiting for him to continue.
“Everything else seems normal, but there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the inheritance. The heir was suddenly changed about a month before the deaths of the previous Count and Countess of Somerset. Furthermore, the will was drawn up as a notarized deed, bypassing the probate process entirely.”
“And the notary?”
“His name is Georges Heder, but his current whereabouts are unknown. He is registered with the Bar Association, but…”
“……”
“Shall I look into it further?”
“I don't recall giving you permission to sit.”
Before the warmth of the seat the butler had occupied could even fade, the woman sitting elegantly across from him blinked in surprise at his rebuke, then offered a beautiful smile.
She didn't seem to care in the least that the hem of her loosely draped robe was pooling on the floor.
“That’s because I didn’t come here to ask for permission.”
“To someone you've never even exchanged greetings with?”
“Oh my, surely you haven’t forgotten me?”
A small, pale hand rose to cover her mouth in an affected gasp. Theodore’s gaze instinctively followed her hand, and he recalled a memory from not too long ago. While the woman’s face was a blur, he distinctly remembered her exceptionally pale, slender neck.
The woman who had stood beside Edgar outside that old train station, curtsying upon recognizing him, and…
“I’m Hailey. Hailey G. Morton.”
Theodore stared coldly at the hand she extended across the table. Despite the blatant rejection, Hailey withdrew her hand without a hint of embarrassment.
Her hair was swept up in a flawless, tight updo that emphasized the curve of her neck. Her deeply plunging blouse only served to heighten the effect.
If she had dressed this way on someone's advice, it was audacious. If it was meant to provoke base desires, she certainly understood men. Or, at the very least, she wanted to project that image.
“I must ask how you managed to get in here.”
While Hailey Morton sat there as if it were nothing, this was a highly exclusive venue—the most expensive private members’ club in Linden, where entry was strictly forbidden to anyone without a title.
At his question, Hailey glanced around before leaning slightly forward.
“Are you truly curious?”
When he merely stared back in silence, her round eyes curved into a soft smile.
“The proprietor of this establishment happens to owe me a small favor.”
“You clearly have no head for business, Lady Morton. Wasting a favor from a titan of Linden’s high society on something so trivial.”
“Because I trust Your Grace will make it worth my while.”
Theodore let out a dry laugh at her audacious reply. A lock of black hair fell over his forehead, and he swept it back with a touch of irritation.
“How did you know I was here?”
To his surprise, the woman who had been so shameless until now suddenly looked sheepish.
“…I don’t wish to lie to you, Your Grace. Especially not if we are to build trust.”
“As if there is any trust between us.”
“I’m not asking you to pay me back for nothing. I have a proposal.”
Theodore slowly rubbed his temple. It had been a foolish question. There was no need to ask; this was undoubtedly Edgar’s doing. Edgar had been pestering him with tedious questions lately, and it seemed it had all been a setup for this very moment.
Right on cue, a waiter placed a cup of black tea and cream in front of her. Hailey Morton offered a bright smile as she lifted the teacup.
“Since I went to all this trouble to find you, surely you can buy me a cup of tea?”
He signed the bill the waiter had left on the table and stood up.
“Enjoy your tea, then leave. I will let this slide once, for Edgar’s sake.”
“Without even hearing my proposal?”
Tilting her pretty face elegantly, she blinked. Theodore draped the coat he had taken from the waiter over his arm. He was about to walk out when he froze, arrested by the woman’s voice.
“You’re seeing someone seriously, aren’t you?”
It was a trivial, absurd question. Normally, he would have scoffed and ignored it.
“If that’s the case, you’ll find yourself in need of me very soon.”
A knowing, secretive smile played on Hailey Morton’s lips.
“Just as I need you, Your Grace.”