Chapter 116
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 116
When I was speaking with Lady Spence, she had definitely met my eyes. Yet, she turned away without a word of acknowledgment. Normally, if you ran into an acquaintance like that, you would at least offer a polite nod.
Instead of taking offense, I felt a flicker of excitement.
‘Was she jealous?’
It was an embarrassing thought to even entertain, but for some reason, the anticipation kept building within me.
If that were the case, would it be better to fan the flames of that jealousy, or should I move quickly to clear up the misunderstanding? If I showed signs of jealousy regarding her and Tez, how would Harriet react?
...No, Harriet probably wouldn't care at all.
“If you're going to act the part of a scandal maker, you should at least be a little more perceptive.”
He chuckled to himself.
It had been like this lately. Just thinking about Harriet made an hour fly by, and he found himself smiling even when nothing particularly amusing had happened. It was more enjoyable when they were together, but he couldn't afford to be careless in his approach yet. A squirrel might be brave, but it was also a timid creature.
Today, as well, he fiddled with the Ruby Brooch pinned to his lapel, muttering under his breath before he even realized it.
“I want her.”
For a man who had spent his entire life possessing everything he ever wanted, this was the first time he had truly felt the sting of desire.
* * *
The day after their outing, Tez woke up late. He took a leisurely bath, dressed with meticulous care, and headed to the Ladies' Salon, which served as an audience room.
Having obtained some choice information, his steps were light as he went to meet Bella. Tez arrived first at the reserved room and settled onto the sofa near the bed, his mind drifting between Harriet and Bella.
‘The more I see her, the more impressive she becomes—Harriet Listerwell.’
Bella's assessment of her needed to change completely.
Harriet was no fool, and she certainly wasn't an ugly duckling. She wasn't without connections, she wasn't friendless, and she certainly didn't lack for male attention. Even if she didn't reach Bella's level of notoriety, she was more than capable of becoming a leading figure in high society.
‘If it weren't for the scandal Bella pinned on her, she’d already be surrounded by suitors.’
Should he thank Bella for the lack of competition? She had practically gift-wrapped a hidden gem for him.
Lost in thought, Tez pulled a silver matchbox from his pocket and set it on the table. He didn't take out a cigarette, however.
Tez crossed his legs, recalling the time and effort he’d invested in gathering information on Harriet. He had hired an informant to shadow her movements, preferences, and relationships. Thanks to that, he had secured enough excuses to meet her again and maintain a comfortable rapport.
However, since the informant was a commoner, they hadn't been able to accurately identify the nobles Harriet met.
‘Who was that man by her side at the auction? I pretended not to notice, fearing that asking would reveal I hadn't actually been there...’
According to the informant, the man had been wearing a hat that obscured his features. Given that he had helped Harriet with the bidding and left the moment she won, it didn't seem like an intimate relationship.
‘He was probably just an auction agent Lady Fellon assigned.’
In any case, the man’s identity didn't matter.
What mattered was that Harriet was rapidly increasing her wealth, had forged a connection with the Duke of Kailas through extraordinary means, and had even exchanged greetings with the Empress—albeit through her guardian.
‘If I could just get my hands on Harriet, I could use her in so many ways...’
Just as he was contemplating this with a hint of greed, the door opened and Bella entered.
“Ah, my goddess.”
Harriet was fine, but facing her directly, Bella was undeniably more beautiful and seductive. He sprang to his feet to greet her.
But Bella, just as she had during their previous meeting, wore a sulky expression. She brushed past him and sank into the sofa.
“Don't waste my time. Just tell me everything you've found out.”
Offended by her tone, Tez furrowed his brow. He sat opposite her and uttered words he didn't truly mean.
“Bella, that attitude is becoming a problem. To be honest, I’m currently weighing my options between you and Harriet.”
“What? Weighing?”
Bella stared back in disbelief, but Tez merely shrugged as if it were obvious.
“Harriet is beautiful and intelligent. Plus, she has no official lover. I’ve been thinking it might be better to pursue a long-term relationship with a woman like that. You’re engaged, anyway, so you won’t be able to play around forever...”
Bella's eyes narrowed, her pride clearly stung. Yet, she didn't resort to insults or agitation. Instead, she gave him a seductive, eye-crinkling smile.
“Wouldn't that be a hasty judgment? What married woman doesn't have a lover or two these days?”
“Is that so...?”
“Besides, you prefer casual flings. Harriet has a rigid side; she’ll end up clinging to you.”
As she spoke, Bella poured champagne into two glasses waiting on the table. Then, with practiced familiarity, she opened Tez’s matchbox. Instead of a match, she took out the pill hidden inside and dropped it into a glass with a soft plop.
The small pill fizzed, dissolving into a cloud of bubbles.
“Let’s have a drink first. Then we can talk details.”
The two exchanged lingering glances before draining their glasses. Tez let the last drop flow onto his tongue, set the glass down, and spoke.
“Albert Kingsley seems to be making a fortune off Angelic. Are you going to keep him as a lover, too?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“He seemed to know you quite well. Do you buy the drugs directly from Albert?”
“Is there anyone who doesn't these days?”
Bella played coy, but Tez shook his head slightly.
“I’m not blaming you. The guy just brags that even the top beauty of high society is his client. I was merely curious.”
Instead of answering, Bella hiked up her skirts until her thighs were fully exposed. She unfastened the stocking from her garter belt and slowly peeled it down.
“If we’re just going to talk, put it back on,” Tez said.
His eyes, which had been savoring the view from her slender ankles to her smooth thighs, were already gleaming with lust.
“I was being rude.”
He lunged forward, pulling Bella to her feet before roughly pushing her onto the bed. He tore at her clothes, seeking the skin hidden beneath.
Bella was already gasping, her hips twisting in a way that ignited Tez’s blood. Just then, the effects of the Angelic kicked in fully, plunging the two of them into a dizzying, drug-fueled tryst.
As Bella’s cries reached a crescendo and her body, which had been moving with frantic energy, finally collapsed, the room fell silent, save for their ragged breathing.
“Haa... haa!”
“Hmph... You really are the best, Bella.”
Bella snorted at the compliment. It was far too predictable. Regardless, he had paid his price; now she could demand her due.
“You said you found out a lot about Harriet. Stop teasing me and tell me.”
As Bella rested her head on his arm and whined, Tez replied in a languid, satisfied voice.
“I went to the Angelic Party with Harriet.”
“With her? Why?”
“Surprisingly, she approached me first. I played along to see what she was up to.”
Bella was about to scoff, but a sudden memory made her eyes widen.
“Did she, by any chance, wear a blonde wig? And draw a mole right here?”
Tez’s gaze swept over the nape of her neck and the curve of her chest where she pointed. He gave an ambiguous nod.
“I think so, yes.”
“Tell me straight.”
“She was blonde, that's for sure. But I can't recall exactly where the mole was.”
But Bella was certain.
‘That girl deliberately pretended to be me! Was she trying to ruin my reputation?’
She snorted. Her reputation wasn't so fragile that it could be toppled by a cheap imitation. However, the knowledge that Harriet was targeting her was far from pleasant.
Tez, watching Bella’s shifting expressions, plucked a grape from a bowl near the bed and popped it into his mouth.
“Do you know what Harriet did there?”
“I’m not in the mood for riddles.”
Tez burst into laughter. With his eyes still crinkled with amusement, he revealed the answer.
“She retrieved the late Duke of Kailas’s keepsake, which was being offered as an event prize, and then she left.”
“The late Duke’s keepsake? You don't mean that brooch, do you? The Ruby Brooch?”
“That’s the one. She snatched it right up. Come to think of it, wasn't her first encounter with Cedric Kailas because of that very brooch?”
Bella let out a hollow, dumbfounded laugh.
How could she forget that brooch? It was the very item that had seen Harriet exiled to a convent.
“Did Harriet go there specifically to find it, or did she just happen upon it?”
“The former. I’m certain of it.”
“Why?”
“She was likely the only person at that party who didn't touch the drugs. And the moment she had that brooch in her hands, she disembarked from the ship immediately.”