Chapter 135
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 135
"Lady Listerwell! You can't possibly imagine how I feel right now. My childhood dream is finally coming true! You are my benefactor!"
"Nothing has actually happened yet, has it? It’s a bit early to call me your benefactor."
"Nonsense! After staying up all night refining and perfecting this plan, I finally have the conviction that I can do this. The only problem was the money."
Even if they weren't luxury passenger liners, ships were expensive. Building just one cost an enormous sum, and he needed to construct two.
Morris had lived as a diver in a seaside village before wandering from region to region. Since childhood, he had dreamed of finding sunken treasure and striking it rich. But for someone who struggled just to keep food on the table, such capital was out of the question.
Yet, he couldn't abandon the dream others mocked as a delusion. Instead, he painstakingly elaborated on his rough business plan, refining it a little more each day.
Then, he would abruptly present it to anyone who looked like they had money, begging them to invest. But in truth, he knew the reality. No one was going to invest in his venture.
"That day, too, I acted casually because I was ashamed of begging like a pauper. But seeing the person next to me flee, I felt a wave of self-loathing. And yet, I still couldn't let go of this dream."
Morris chuckled.
"I've been called crazy more times than I can count, but that day, I finally felt I had to admit I was mad. Until you came and sat before me."
He gazed at Harriet with eyes as clear and blue as the sea. In the wrinkles around his eyes, which had only seemed jovial before, Harriet could finally read his hidden sorrows.
"I will definitely salvage that treasure ship. And I will absolutely return more than three times the amount you invested."
"Mr. Morris..."
"It's not a lie! I may have been a penniless wanderer, but I never forget a kindness."
Harriet smiled faintly as she saw his face, usually full of mischief and exaggerated expressions, harden with sudden gravity. Then, she finally revealed her true intentions—the reason she had approached him in the first place.
"I'm not looking for a massive return on investment. Instead, I want something else."
"Something else? Like what...?"
Morris furrowed his brow. Harriet took a deep breath and spoke.
"Would you be able to salvage a ship that sank to the bottom of a lake?"
"Without waves, the work would be easier than in the open sea, but the depth would be the key. How deep is this lake?"
"It's near the center of Tasia Lake, which borders Albrecht Park."
Morris scratched his cheek, thinking, then slowly nodded.
"I think I can do it. Provided we can get permission for the salvage operation from the owner of Albrecht Park."
At that moment, Harriet felt as if she heard the soft ripple of an oar in the water. It was surely her imagination, but perhaps not. Perhaps her deceased parents were cheering her on from the beyond.
"Please expedite the project. I will secure as much funding as possible."
A gentle smile played on Harriet's lips, but her eyes remained cold.
* * *
In the Astor Empire, polo was the sport of choice for the nobility in every season except winter, but it was especially popular in the warm spring.
The VIP boxes were bustling, and many commoners spread picnic blankets around the grounds, enjoying the match and the spring weather. It was a social venue with a charm entirely distinct from formal parties.
While some of the upper class preferred the casual nature of the picnic blankets, Cedric always chose a VIP box. There, comfortable tables and chilled drinks were provided under a white canopy.
The area was accessible only to those whose identities were strictly verified, making it easier to block unnecessary social climbers or assassination attempts.
"It'll be summer soon. The sun is getting quite strong."
"I'm looking forward to it. My villa in Clayburn is finally finished. I plan to take the children there this summer and let them play in the water to their hearts' content."
"Oh, Clayburn is lovely! We have a villa in Yerema, so we'll likely be heading there. Do come visit if you have the time."
While those around him exchanged pleasantries and boasted of their wealth, Cedric merely sipped his cool champagne, a faint, polite smile on his lips.
When he occasionally nodded, everyone assumed he was listening intently, but he had no interest whatsoever in the trivial affairs of people he didn't care about.
It’s unusually noisy today. My head is starting to throb.
Tired of the charade, he rose from his seat.
But it would have been better to stay put. As he approached the fence where he thought he could be alone, those who had been hiding in the crowd, waiting for an opportunity, immediately pounced.
"It's been a long time, Duke Kailas."
"...Countess Arens. How have you been?"
An elderly lady, supported by a young woman, offered her greetings. And, as fate would have it, the young woman was a familiar face.
"Ah, this is Lady Bella Listerwell. Say hello, Lady Bella."
"It seems it has been a long time for me as well, Duke. Have you been well?"
Bella offered a shy smile and curtsied slightly.
As Cedric replied, he had an ominous feeling that this would not be a brief encounter.
Sure enough, Countess Arens plopped down into a nearby chair, patting her knees as she spoke.
"It's quite a chore to walk around this vast event, but I simply can't miss a polo match. Seeing that the Duke also attends frequently, it seems you enjoy the sport as much as I do."
In such a public situation, he couldn't simply walk away.
"I do."
As Cedric permitted the conversation, the Countess took out a handkerchief and dabbed the sweat from her forehead.
"Still, I think I should stay home starting next year. It wouldn't look good for an old woman to be huffing and puffing, running around everywhere."
Bella placed a hand on the woman's shoulder and said kindly, "Don't say such things, Madam. It's just a bit hot today. You must come again with me in the autumn."
"Hohoho! This young lady takes better care of me than my own granddaughter, I tell you. The saying 'a close neighbor is better than a distant relative' wasn't coined for nothing."
Countess Arens smiled contentedly and patted Bella's hand. Cedric, as before, merely nodded with a practiced smile.
After the Countess continued to ramble, subtly praising Bella at every turn, she finally rose from her seat about ten minutes later.
"Oh dear, my friends are sitting over there! I should go join them. Lady Bella, why don't you chat with Duke Kailas for a bit? Young people always have so much to talk about."
Bella, looking flustered, glanced between the Countess and Cedric, then asked in an uncertain voice, "Would it be a bother for the Duke if I stayed?"
"Oh, goodness, Duke Kailas isn't such an authoritarian or cold person. Don't be so shy; just chat and have fun. Well, I'll leave you to it, Duke."
"Have a pleasant time with your friends, Madam," Cedric replied.
As he readily accepted the request, Countess Arens departed with a beaming smile.
"I apologize, Duke. I didn't realize the Countess's friends were here. I should have looked around the canopy more carefully myself."
Though Bella apologized with a contrite expression, she showed no intention of leaving. Cedric gazed at the polo field spread before him and asked calmly:
"It seems the stage for a conversation has been set. If you have something to say, please say it."
"Pardon?"
"I'll give you ten minutes."
At his words, Bella's seemingly innocent eyes widened. Then, they took on a strange glint, curving into a sharp smile.
"You truly are extraordinary."
"How many people do you think approach me with flimsy excuses?"
"Still, with this level of beauty, most people lower their guard. Though I suppose the Duke isn't most people."
This time, it was Cedric who was surprised. If she were truly the 'angelic' Bella Listerwell of rumor, she never would have said such a thing.
Bella leaned against the fence, her golden hair—a shade more orange than Cedric’s—fluttering in the breeze.
"I hear you've been meeting Harriet often lately. How much do you actually know about her?"
Her emerald eyes fixed on Cedric's face. It was unclear whether the glint in them was curiosity or seduction.
"I'm just curious if what I know and what the Duke knows are the same."
"I'm not particularly curious."
"Harriet has been frequenting the Ducal House since she came under Great-aunt Trisha's guardianship, hasn't she? Was she truly just going there as the Great-aunt's proxy?"
"I wouldn't know. I've only met her a few times myself."
"Is that so? Still, you must have met her directly when Harriet brought back the Late Duke's belongings, didn't you? What did she say when she gave them to you?"
"Why do you think I would share the details of my private affairs with you?"
At that, Bella let out another soft, knowing laugh.