Chapter 148
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148
"Why on earth would he send me an invitation?"
Cedric had introduced them, but Harriet didn't think their brief acquaintance warranted a personal invitation from Edgar Dawson.
Expecting a standard, polite greeting, Harriet opened the letter. A few lines scribbled at the end revealed the true motive behind the gesture.
…Miss Daphne speaks of you often, Miss Harriet. As does that fellow, Cedric. Might I also have the honor of becoming a good friend to you?
— Edgar Dawson
Rumors had long since circulated that Edgar Dawson had set his sights on Daphne after she broke off her engagement with James Cheslow. It was a poorly kept secret, fueled by the way Edgar stepped forward to claim the first dance at every party Daphne attended.
It made sense that he would have heard of her through Daphne.
‘But what in the world did the Duke of Kailas say about me?’
What could those two possibly have discussed regarding her?
Suddenly, the memory of the night at the Ducal estate flashed through her mind, and her earlobes burned hot.
‘Surely, this hunting competition isn't part of the "plan" he mentioned back then?’
Cedric’s whispered words still echoed vividly in her mind. No—it wasn't just his voice. His scent and the lingering heat of his body felt as though they were pressed against her even now.
‘Honestly, the way he carelessly charms women… the only reason he hasn't been embroiled in a dozen scandals must be the sheer power of his House.’
What woman wouldn't fall for that voice and that demeanor?
It was bitter to admit she had become just another one of those women, but there was no denying it. He was breathtaking, and she had fallen for him helplessly. That was that.
‘Anyway, if both Daphne and the Duke are attending the Dawson hunting competition… then I have to go.’
She would use Daphne as her excuse—just for a chance to see him.
She might have to endure the sight of Cedric and Bella together, but Harriet sat down and penned her confirmation regardless. Giving up a chance to see Cedric simply wasn't an option.
*
The House of Dawson were the masters of Bobex Forest in northern Genoa. The estate was famous not only for its vast acreage but also for its exceptional beauty. Every other year, they hosted a Fox Hunt that drew the cream of society.
Two years ago, the event had been canceled because Edgar was away from home and Count Dawson’s health had been failing. Consequently, expectations for this year’s competition were sky-high, and the turnout was massive.
"If every person here catches just one, the foxes will be hunted to extinction," one guest remarked.
"Most of these people are just here for the outing," another replied. "The actual competition is just a spectacle for them."
"In that case, I suppose it’s up to me to show them how it’s done."
James laughed, pulling his hunting rifle from its case alongside a friend.
The friend, who had been chuckling a moment ago, glanced at him subtly before lowering his voice. "Wasn't it awkward for you to show up today?"
"Awkward? Why?"
"Why? I heard Miss Daphne is seeing Edgar Dawson. Doesn't that bother you?"
James’s expression stiffened for a heartbeat, but he quickly shrugged it off as if it were nothing.
"It’s for the best, really. The sooner Daphne finds another man, the sooner people will stop calling me the villain of the piece."
"You’re a lucky bastard, aren't you? To have been engaged to two of the most beautiful women in high society back-to-back."
"Hahaha! It just happened that way. But my true love is Bella, and only Bella."
Clutching his rifle and a small gear bag, James began scanning the crowd for his fiancée. She was his shining trophy, and he expected her to be the center of attention.
But no matter how much he craned his neck, he couldn't find that signature dazzling blonde hair.
‘Has she not arrived yet?’
Bella always stood out. If he couldn't see her, it was a safe bet she hadn't made her entrance.
Just as he was about to head toward the tent where his acquaintances were gathered, a shimmer of gold caught his eye in the distance.
"Huh? Why is she coming out of there?"
Bella was emerging from the Duke of Kailas’s tent. What’s more, she was chatting amiably with Cedric.
"What the…?"
Suddenly, a foul rumor he’d heard recently bubbled to the surface of his mind. A friend had claimed to have witnessed a strange scene at the Kailas party.
“That day, before you arrived, Miss Bella went out onto the balcony alone with the Duke of Kailas. I’m telling you, I saw it.”
At the time, James had dismissed it. He’d seen the petty desire to get a rise out of him written all over his friend’s face and assumed it was a misunderstanding.
But seeing the two of them now, his stomach churned.
He strode purposefully toward Bella.
By the time he reached her, Cedric had already left to greet another acquaintance, but James didn't care. It was Bella he wanted to speak with.
"Bella!"
"Oh, James!"
Bella smiled brightly and waved.
Seeing her radiant beauty, his agitation lost some of its sting, and a gentle smile mirrored hers.
"Have you just arrived?" Bella asked affectionately, linking her arm through his.
Though his anger had already begun to dissipate, James pouted, nursing a childish sense of sulkiness. "Why were you coming out of the Duke of Kailas’s tent?"
"The Duke’s…? Ah, I suppose it might have looked that way. But I was actually just going to greet Viscount Kingsley."
"Viscount Kingsley?"
"Yes. My father apparently owed him a favor recently. I went with him to pay our respects."
At her explanation, James looked up. While the Duke of Kailas’s banner flew high above the tent, the banners of his various vassal families were indeed lined up alongside it.
Still, one nagging doubt remained.
"But just now… you looked quite intimate with the Duke."
Bella furrowed her brow slightly, looking confused.
"I went to greet the Duke and the Grand Duchess, and the Grand Duchess was incredibly kind to me. Perhaps that’s why the Duke smiled as he saw me off. Did it really look that intimate?"
"Oh, really? No, it’s just… from a distance, it looked like you were smiling a bit too much…"
"The Duke was being a gentleman; I couldn't exactly be curt with him given his status, could I? James… are you jealous?"
"Ah, hahaha! No, not at all. I just thought you two were better acquainted than I realized."
With that, his doubts were completely resolved.
‘Right. What was I thinking?’
Bella was his fiancée. The scandal surrounding their union had been so loud that there wasn't a soul in the kingdom who didn't know they were together. Cedric Kailas would hardly bother flirting with a woman who was already spoken for, and Bella—who had eyes only for him—certainly wouldn't entertain it.
"Come on. Now that I’m here, let’s go to our tent. If we stay here, you might run into Daphne."
"I was already planning to head over. I feel like a criminal whenever I’m near Miss Daphne."
"What nonsense is that? If anyone tries to blame you, just use me as an excuse. You’ve done nothing wrong."
"How could I use your name just to make myself feel better? I’ll just do my best to avoid her."
James was once again moved by Bella’s "kind" heart.
"There isn't another woman as pure as you in the world. It breaks my heart to see you constantly hurting."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead.
Bella leaned against him with a gentle, practiced smile, but her internal monologue was a different story entirely.
‘It really is a blessing that James is such a fool. In any case, the Duke accepted my proposal, so now all that’s left is to properly reel him in.’
It was true she had greeted Benedict. He had helped her corner Cedric at the Ducal party and ensured they were left undisturbed. Of course, he had only done so at his son Albert’s request, so she didn't feel particularly indebted to him, but he was a powerful ally to cultivate.
However, Benedict hadn't actually been inside the tent.
She had gone there specifically to greet Cedric and ensure the public saw them together.
"You've arrived," he had said.
He hadn't said much else, but he had approached her and stood at a distance that felt intentionally close. He had even introduced her to Jeremia.
Cedric Kailas almost never personally introduced a young woman to his mother.
‘The progress isn't as fast as I’d like, but I shouldn't be impatient. I need to handle him with care.’
Given how fastidious he was about keeping women at arm's length, even this much was a monumental effort on his part. Albert had mentioned that Cedric had never even embraced a woman. Once she cleared that hurdle, getting the man under her thumb would be child's play.
‘All I need to do is arrange a situation where we’re alone. If I slip him some Angelic and get him into bed, could even a man like him refuse me?’
Bella imagined that day, a predatory, secret smile playing on her lips.